18

Isabelle walks around the kitchen, her heart set on making a delicious banana cake. As she mixes the ingredients, her mind wanders, consumed by her craving.

She was too occupied, gathering and placing the ingredients, to hear a door open and close in the distance. Suddenly, Axel, her stepbrother, enters the kitchen, concern etched on his face.

"Hey, Isabelle, are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine care. The way his tone softened when he asked her the question made her heart clench with guilt.

Isabelle nodded, realising she had been distant earlier. "I'm fine, thank you. And I'm deeply sorry for how I treated you earlier," she apologised sincerely.

"It's okay. I'm also sorry for barging into your room without knocking. It… that was very wrong." Curiosity piqued, Axel glanced at the mixing bowl and asked, "What are you making?" He asked instantly, desperate to steer the conversation elsewhere.

Isabelle smiled, grateful for the change of topic. She then told him about her banana cake endeavour.

"Oh, that's nice. I’ve been craving that. I can do it for you if you don't mind." Isabelle was surprised as she listened to Axel, offering to take over and do it for her. And the way he confessed that he'd been craving it too made her pleased.

"Uh, yeah, sure. I don't mind." Isabelle watched him don a pink apron, his profile catching her eye.

"Perfect," he purred with a small smile. The deep, rich voice brushed her skin like black velvet and caused her to freeze in her tracks. A shiver chased its wake, born of equal parts of pleasure and warning.

She never realised how much of an effect he had on her. Perhaps agreeing to cook with him wasn't such a good idea. They'd be in proximity, and she couldn't trust her body not to betray her in the slightest.

It was a dilemma.

She had heard his voice numerous times in her life, but that was enough. Like the man who owned it, it was unforgettable. He was etched into every part of her brain.

If only it weren't one-sided…

Wariness flickered in her chest before she doused it. She turned her head, her gaze travelling over his strong, muscular arms. She watched the way they flexed in his shirt when he moved.

Her heart slowed a fraction of a beat.

Axel moved around the kitchen, gathering the rest of the ingredients, while Isabelle remained in awe of his features. Everything about his features was magnificent. Dark hair. Whiskey eyes. A face so exquisitely chiselled it could’ve been sculpted by Michelangelo himself.

She couldn't help but admire how handsome he looked in everything he did.

As Axel skillfully followed the recipe, Isabelle found herself captivated more and more by his presence.

His confidence and charm shone through, even in the simple act of baking. The pink apron added a touch of playfulness, making him look undeniably attractive.

Isabelle's thoughts wandered, wondering how a young man like Axel could effortlessly exude such appeal and also look at ease and perfect in something as simple as a pink apron.

Having gawked enough, Isabelle cleared her throat, "Uhm. So, do you have an idea how long they're going to be away for?" Isabelle asks, referring to Grant and Ruby.

He sets the batter aside and innocently licks the tip of his finger. Isabelle noted this and briefly looked away to distract herself from how good he looked performing that act. "Not sure. But I won't be surprised if they're gone for a month or more," he said and then chuckled.

Isabelle's eyes widened. "A month?" She asked, worry evident in her tone.

Axel stopped what he was doing. "Yeah. You sound surprised. What's wrong?"

Isabelle shook her head, "No, it's nothing." There was no way she'd tell him that she couldn't stay alone in the house with him for that long.

She had thought she had reined in her feelings for him. But with the brief time they've spent, and how much of an effect he seems to have on her by doing absolutely nothing, she had no intention of risking it.

That's how much she didn't trust herself around him.

"You know you can talk to me, right, Izzy?" He asked gently. “Our parents got married to each other, and I'd like us to be on good terms," Axel explained.

"Yeah, me too." She uttered and nodded her head.

"That's good," Axel nodded his head and smiled widely. "So whose recipe is this? It's excellent." Axel started, trying to make conversation with his stepsister.

Isabelle smiled, "It is for Mom. Her special recipe. But don't tell her I told you," She chuckles. "It's a family secret." She whispers playfully.

"Damn, I thought I was family too," Axel asked while laughing at the joke.

The way he referred to himself as part of her family, when her heart wanted more with him, caused Isabelle's heart to tighten with pain, and her smile dropped briefly, but she was quick to hide it. "Yeah. Yes, you are." She says with a pained smile.

After successfully mixing the batter and placing it in the oven to bake, Axel washed his hands and turned to start clearing the dishes.

"Oh, no. Don't worry," Isabelle stopped him. "I'll do the dishes."

"It's fine. I enjoy doing them," Axel refused and proceeded to fill the dishwasher with the dirty dishes that were used.

"I insist. You did the work. Let me clean the dishes, it's only fair." Isabelle insisted, refusing to back down.

"Are you sure?" Axel asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. You can go rest. I'll bring some up for you when it's ready," Isabelle said.

"Okay, thank you."

Axel cleaned his hands with a dry napkin and then picked up his phone from the counter. "I have to go finish up some work. Thank you once again, Izzy." He said and then smiled sweetly at her before taking off the apron and dropping it back in its rightful position.

All Isabelle could do was smile and nod mindlessly as she gawked at the retreating back of her stepbrother.