The Empty Space Next to Me

Chapter 13

The electric fan is still softly swooshing in the room, making the mosquito net flutter. Katherine cracks her eyelids open, her bare body wrapped in the ruffled sheet. She turns around with a small grin only to find the spot beside her empty, with nothing but the imprint on the mattress as evidence of his presence all night.

The warm smell of waffle emanating from the lower floor fills up her nostrils. A moment later, Steve appears through the door, holding a bed tray close to his bare waist. She tilts her head and peeks under it, catching sight of his white boxers. She falls back on her pillow and chuckles.

He carries the tray over to her side and places it just above her lap. She sits up straight and closely looks at the delights it bears.

"Steve, it looks amazing," she says, mentally drooling over the golden waffles. "You cooked me dinner last night, and now this. You're gonna make a spoiled brat out of me."

"I doubt it," he smiles, watching her fondly as she shoves a piece of waffle she just cut into her mouth. She pours extra syrup.

"Well, be careful. I might get used to it very quickly."

That is a pleasant thought — he pictures himself pampering her for the years to come.

"Anytime."

She grabs a new piece and holds the fork up to his mouth. He takes it and smiles, chewing.

"As tempting as it sounds, that will have to wait. There's work to be done."

He groans. "I was hoping we could pretend there is none. Take the day off."

She arches an eyebrow. "What would that day off involve?"

He shrugs. "Plenty of things."

He leans in, pecks her lips which taste of syrup. He locks lips with her again a little longer.

"We could have a lie-in for one," he whispers hoarsely, kissing her jawline — her head tilts backward. "Then we could go and have a picnic."

"Sounds nice. But what if some guests turn up?" she manages to object between two soft moans. Her arm locks around his neck.

"I'd rather let all my plans for today rely on the hypothesis that nobody will."

"That's bold," she comments, then lets out a giggle when he intentionally tickles her neck by blowing softly on her skin. He captures the lobe of her ear next and sucks it.

Her eyes shut and she bites her bottom lip. After a few seconds, she pulls away to make eye contact with him.

"I promised Eliza I would do everything right," she says a bit more gravely. He drops the cocky smirk. She runs her thumb along his lips, parts them slightly. "In her absence, I'm the boss and should act responsibly. We do what needs to be done and then we call it a day earlier than usual." She pauses. "I'll make sure to add 'please the boss' on your list of jobs. How does that sound?"

He cracks a smile. "I am a good employee. That is one job I aim to attend to with close attention."

Her eyes light up in excitement. "And I'll show my gratitude."

She folds her arm over her chest to hold the sheet and steps out of the bed. He stands up and she looks at him with a cocked eyebrow.

"It doesn't mean I don't have time for an extended shower, though." She purrs, pressing herself against him. She then takes his hand and pulling him in, ushers him into the bathroom.

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The following night, they are lying face to face beneath the mosquito net, in the dim light of her bedside lamp. His fingers brush through her red hair and she gazes at him with a content grin on her face.