Part 2One Wild Night

My phone buzzed. It was a voice message from Elias.

I went to play it, but with Chase's tearful eyes locked on me, a wave of guilt washed over me. I clicked the text-conversion button instead.

Hey baby, when are you getting back? I just learned a new recipe. Miss you so much.

One of the reasons I fell for Elias in the first place was his cooking. He always took care of my sensitive stomach, saving me from a lifetime of takeout.

A small smile tugged at my lips.

Beside me, Chase murmured, "That new recipe he learned? I'm the one who taught him."

I looked up in surprise.

Chase was already pulling open the fridge, desperate to prove himself. "There are still ingredients from yesterday. If you don't believe me, I'll cook for you right now."

Before I could stop him, he pulled off his shirt and tied Elias's apron around his waist.

Why did he have to take his shirt off to cook?

I followed him into the kitchen. Chase was incredibly fast, chopping, washing, and tossing ingredients in the pan with practiced ease. The apron strings wrapped snugly around his waist, accentuating the lean, muscular contours of his back.

"Hey, wait," I stammered, my eyes darting around. "Why are you cooking right now? This isn't the time!"

But the food was already plated.

He turned to me, his eyes full of quiet anticipation. "Tessa, don't you want a taste?"

A taste of what? This raw, athletic college kid?

My mind split into two screaming voices. One was telling me to run, while the other was whispering how dangerous and thrilling this whole mess was.

Chase set the plate down and took a slow step toward me, towering over me. "Tessa, why aren't you saying anything?"

The air in the kitchen grew heavy, charged with a strange, suffocating heat.

"You should call me your brother's girl," I whispered, my throat dry.

He froze.

His eyes darkened. "Is that what you want me to call you when we're in bed?"

The words hung in the air.

Before I could answer, the sound of the front door unlocking shattered the silence.

My scalp went numb.

A second later, Elias's voice echoed from the hallway. "A suitcase? Baby, is that you? Are you home?"