CHAPTER 23

N ah, what the hell you doin’?” I laughed and nudged Ryder out of the way with my hip. “Always fuckin’ up the steaks.”

“Not everyone wants to eat raw meat,” he scoffed.

“It ain’t raw—”

“It’s still bleeding!”

“Did you know that ain’t blood? It’s a thing called myoglobin or some shit,” I told him, proud as fuck that I knew that shit. His brows came together as he frowned, making me laugh. “What? I know things about things. Sometimes.”

“You looked that shit up on the internet, didn’t you?” he asked.

“Where else do you look shit up?” I teased and kissed him briefly. “That, and I found this kid out in… fuckin’ Washington or somethin’… I don’t know where. He makes all these cookin’ videos. Educational shit but he makes it fun. Kid has an OnlyFans too. Cooks with his dick out.”

“You did not subscribe.”

“Nah.” I laughed. “I get the best dick for free.”

Glancing at him, I caught the slight blush creeping on his cheeks. The man was so damn awkwardly cute about being complimented. I fucking loved that about him. He crossed his arms, standing a little taller with his discomfort.

“Just make sure to cook my steak,” Ryder muttered.

“I got you, baby,” I promised. “Even if you are a heathen who likes—”

The house shook violently, the windows rattling hard enough to shatter. I stumbled and grabbed onto the counter for support. Across the kitchen, Ryder did the same.

“When the fuck did we start gettin’ goddamn earthquakes?” I demanded as it stopped.

“I don’t know.”

A loud buzz echoed through the house, and every light went out.

“Ah, fuck, there goes my steak.” I sighed.

“That’s what you’re worried about?” I could hear him but couldn’t see him.

“It’s just the fuckin’ power,” I said. “Ain’t the end of the world, baby.”

Silence.

“Ryder?”

Still nothing. My heart rate kicked up. Had he been hurt and didn’t say a fucking thing?

“Ryder?” I called out louder but still nothing. I took several steps, muscle memory guiding me across the room. When I reached for the fridge, it wasn’t there.

What the fuck?

“Ryder!” I damn near shouted and tried to use the counter as a guide. Again, it wasn’t there. “Ryder!”

Panic ebbed its way into my chest.

The fridge was gone.

The counter was gone.

Ryder was gone.