ILLICIT AFFAIRS | WLW

A Place In This World

That next morning, a gentle light shone through the oversized windows of Catherine's kitchen, casting small shadows over the sleek, polished countertops. Even though Blair had already spent countless mornings sat at the counter, she still at times felt as if she required some form of permission to enter.

Catherine had handed Blair the task of slicing potatoes for their breakfast, and Blair had took the role eagerly, happy to contribute for once. She glanced at the knife in her hand, poised above a peeled potato that wobbled slightly on the cutting board. Blair quickly realised that this simple action was more complicated than it seemed. Catherine had earlier shown Blair how thin the potatoes were to be sliced, her movements precise and practised. But Blairs were uneven – some thick and some whisper-thin. She grimaced as her latest potato slice came out with a jagged edge, the pieces once again varying in width and shape. She was so focused on trying to correct her less-than-perfect state of work that she didn't notice Catherine's gaze until she heard the low, unmistakable sound of laughter behind her.

"Blair," Catherine's voice was both amused and gentle. "Are you planning to make mashed potatoes for breakfast instead?" She stepped in closer, another soft chuckle as she looked down at the chaos Blair had created.

Blair's face flushed instantly, heat creeping up her cheeks. She shrugged, hoping her carefree grin would downplay her clumsiness. "It's a, uh...rustic look?" She offered as an explanation, gesturing proudly toward the pile of jagged slices. "I thought maybe you'd appreciate the artisanal style."

"Ah, artisanal, is it?" Catherine's teased as she took the knife from Blair's hand, her mouth curving into a soft smile, her eyes sparkling with a light, playful gleam. "Thank you for your creative inspiration, darling, but allow me." Her voice was a low hum that seemed to resonate against Blair's skin.

Catherine's hands then slid around Blair's waist, her touch gentle yet firm as she lightly nudged her aside, guiding her away from the counter. Her fingers lingered at Blair's hips for a moment longer than necessary, and Blair could fee the warmth of Catherine's touch through the thin fabric of her shirt, sending a gentle thrill through her body.

"Fine, I surrender," Blair sighed, feigning reluctance, though she was relieved that catherine had stepped in. Anderson leaned her elbow against the counter to watch Catherine's steady movements as she sliced Blair's rugged pieces into ones more uniformed, the ease in her motions betraying her level of skill. Her gaze lingered on the woman's fingers for a beat too long, her mind flooding with images from the night prior.

Cooking isn't the only thing those fingers are good for, Blair had thought to herself, a smile gracing her lips.

Not wishing to disturb the quietness of Catherine's focus, Blair turned to a new task of whisking eggs into a bowl. The rhythmic motion was relacing and the silence between them grew companionable, as simple and natural as the motion of breathing.

As she worked, Blair couldn't help but wonder at the ease she felt here, the natural rhythm they seemed to share. She knew Catherine's life was vastly different from her own—a fact that had often weighed on her in quieter moments. Catherine was older, more established, her life polished and curated in ways Blair's was not. And yet, Blair found herself yearning for these mornings together, these fleeting moments where the world felt intimate, uncomplicated.

Then, the sudden chime of a FaceTime call pierced the air, the sound foreign against the familiar warmth of the kitchen. Blair saw Catherine's posture shift slightly, a small sigh escaping her lips as she glanced toward the laptop that sat on the kitchen island.

Catherine shot her an apologetic smile, drying her hands with a soft towel before walking over to answer the call. The name Delia meant little to Blair, though from Catherine's softening expression, she could sense this was someone important. The screen flickered to life, and a moment later, a young girl's face appeared, eyes bright and cheeks flushed with excitement.