Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

I’ll cook the eggs. You just prepare the table,” Ashton declared, chest subtly puffed out, as if he’d just cracked a major business deal instead of a few eggs.

“I’ll cook the eggs,” Zandrie countered immediately. “You already handled the bacon. It’s my turn.” He reached for the pan, fingers brushing the handle with intent.

“You toast the bread and slice the fruit. Equal labor.” Ashton was undeterred, swiftly reclaiming the pan from Zandrie’s grasp. “I’ll make the eggs this time. You set the table.”

The kitchen was small. Too small for two powerful men, two egos, and one frying pan.

It was early morning when Cassie emerged from the bedroom, drawn out by the low bickering echoing through the hotel suite. She stopped at the doorway, disbelief washing over her as she took in the scene before her.

She had thought their rivalry ended last night. Apparently, last night had only been a prelude.

And now, she was about to face a far more serious predicament–two CEOs fighting over breakfast duties.

“What are you two doing?” she asked, arms crossing over her waist as she leaned against the wall, eyebrow arching.

“Good morning, babe,” Zandrie replied instantly, flashing her a lopsided grin.

“We’re making breakfast.”

That grin.

Cassie fought the very real urge to grab another pillow and throw it straight at his face–purely to wipe that stupid, smug expression away.

“Good morning, Cassie,” Ashton greeted calmly, voice even.

“Breakfast will be ready in a minute. I’ll cook the eggs while CEO Wallace sets the table.”

He turned slightly toward Zandrie, shooting him a warning glare sharp enough to cut glass.

“I just said I will cook the eggs,” Zandrie insisted, already reaching for the pan again.

“And you will set the table, CEO Pierce. I know Cassie’s preference when it comes to eggs.”

“Cassie likes my eggs better,” Ashton shot back without hesitation, lifting his chin in challenge.

“Ahck-”

Cassie suddenly coughed, the sound sharp and ungraceful as the words hit her ears with an entirely different and highly inappropriate–connotation.

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Chapter 84

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Even Zandrie froze. The kitchen fell into a brief, dangerous silence.

Zandrie slowly turned, his narrowed eyes locking onto Ashton first… then sliding toward Cassie, whose face was rapidly heating as she struggled not to choke on her own saliva.

“When,” Zandrie asked quietly, eyes darkening with suspicion, “did you ever try CEO Pierce’s eggs?”

Cassie swallowed hard. Very hard. This morning was going to kill her.

“Cassidy Greene?” Zandrie crossed his arms over his chest, his posture stiff as his narrowed gaze pinned her in place, heavy with accusation and unspoken questions.

“I’m hungry,” Cassie snapped, cutting him off before he could continue.

“Let’s eat. Just cook the damn eggs already.” She didn’t wait for a response.

Turning on her heel, she marched straight to the dining table and took a seat, deliberately keeping her back to him–anything to avoid that probing, infuriating stare.

Silence followed her retreat.

Zandrie’s eyes lingered on Cassie for a moment longer before he slowly turned toward Ashton, suspicion sharpening his expression.

Ashton met his gaze without flinching.

Calm. Collected. Completely unfazed.

The pan hissed softly between them, the only sound in the room.

“She likes your eggs?” Zandrie asked, the words falling like an accusation rather than a question.

“Can’t help it,” Ashton replied with a careless shrug, the corner of his mouth lifting in smug amusement as he kept his attention on the pan.

“Some people have taste.”

Zandrie watched him for a long moment–every movement, every flip of the eggs–before clicking his tongue and turning away. He headed for the dining table instead, pulling out the chair beside Cassie, who was already seated, staring blankly at her empty plate as if it might offer her an escape. 1

“You’ve already had his eggs?” Zandrie leaned in as he sat, lowering his voice.

Cassie shot him a glare sharp enough to wound but said nothing.

“You’re fast, Cassidy Greene,” he whispered, incredulous.

“Is that why you’ve been wearing turtlenecks and long sleeves since yesterday?” His gaze flicked pointedly toward her tan–colored top.

“Can you shut up?” she hissed, her eyes darting briefly to her shoulder before flicking toward the kitchen -clearly worried Ashton might overhear.

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apter 84

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“How am I supposed to make him suffer,” Zandrie continued in a low scolding murmur, “if you already surrendered the flag?” He shook his head.

“Unbelievable.”

“Shut up,” Cassie snapped under her breath, slapping his chest just hard enough to push him back into his chair.

“I’m not done with him yet,” Zandrie went on, undeterred.

“Don’t ever completely surrender, Cassidy. Sex is fine–yes, I know you can’t resist him–but at least give him a proper headache before you swoon again.”

Her cheeks burned, guilt flickering across her expression.

He leaned in once more, voice dropping even lower. “Have you told him about us?”

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