Housebound with the Blackridge Heirs novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Maya

The challenge thrown at Caden in the shel, he’d taken it seriously.

The night hadn’t been about sleep, and my body still remembered every reason why. But he never tried to do anything more than what he did in the shed, no matter how much I told him I was ready.

That part–his control and his restraint–was what left me more shaken than anything else.

By morning. he was gone, and I was left with sore muscles, a dozen questions, and a single truth… I didn’t regret a thing.

The smell of something burning dragged me from bed before my alarm could. I followed the smoke trail down the stairs to find Leo opening every window while Cadden stood at the stove, fanning a dishrag over what used to be pancakes.

“Morning.” Leo said in that calm, polite voice that always sounded like he was seconds from laughing.

I stopped in the doorway. “Is that… food or an experiment gone wrong?”

Caden turned, hair still messy, wearing a shirt that wasn’t buttoned right. “Breakfast,” he said, like it was obvious.

I crossed my arms. “Breakfast usually requires edible ingredients.”

“It’s the thought that counts,” Leo offered, tossing the burnt pancake into the trash before it set off another round of smoke.

Tylon walked in a second later, phone in one hand, wearing that permanent frown that probably came standard with his bloodline. “What’s dying in here?”

“Caden’s cooking skills,” I said.

Caden smirked. “Keep talking, princess. You’re next.

I arched a brow. “Next for what, food poisoning?”

Leo coughed into his fist to hide a laugh, while Tylon muttered something about “idiots” and poured himself coffee.

“Move,” I said, sliding past Caden to take over. “If you’re going to destroy my appetite, at least let me try to salvage.

breakfast

Caden didn’t move. “You’re taking over my kitchen now?”

“You call this your kitchen? Last I checked, you almost set it on fire.”

He gave me a look that was half challenge, half amusement. “Fine, show me how it’s done.”

“Gladly.”

It turned into a game from there. I took over the skillet, while he stood beside me, too close for concentration. And he knew exactly what he was doing.

Every time I reached for something, he “accidentally” brushed my hand. When I cracked eggs, he leaned in to “check the

texture.”

Leo noticed first. “If you two continue flirting over the food, I’ll have no part in it,” he said flatly.

Caden grinned. “You’re welcomed to leave.”

Leo chucked a dish towel at him with surprisingly accurate precision. But Caden caught

“Both of you are ridiculous, Tylon said without looking up from his phone. “And the

By some miracle, the next batch came out golden instead of charcoal black. I turned

“See? That’s how it’s done.”

He tilted his head, pretending to consider. “Not bad. Still missing something, though.”

“Oh really?”

He dipped a finger into the syrup and touched it to the corner of my mouth before I could react.

“There,” he said, voice dropping just enough to make my skin tingle, “Perfect.”

Just as I suspected, he leaned down and licked the syrup from the side of my mouth, sending a wave of tingles through me.

I felt the blush creeping up my cheek at the realization that Tylon and Leo saw. I knew they were close, but I didn’t know that Caden already told them that we were wait. What were we?

Leo cleared his throat loudly. “I’m going to get the juice.”

Tylon stood. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t see that.”

When they both left the kitchen, I finally let myself laugh. “You really don’t care who sees, do you?”

Caden shrugged, that soft grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

They’ll survive. Besides, you’re worth the trouble.”

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