Chapter 14 DEBBY
Debby woke up to an empty bed. The spot beside her was cold, telling her Kyle had been gone for a while.
She stretched, rubbing her eyes, and glanced at the clock. 4:00 AM. Too early for anyone to be up—unless something was bothering them.
She sighed, reaching for the nearest thing to cover herself—Kyle’s shirt. It smelled like him, a mix of soap, spice, and something uniquely Kyle. She pulled it over her head, the fabric swallowing her frame, and padded barefoot toward the soft glow of the mini bar.
Kyle sat there, a glass in his hand, staring at nothing in particular. His jaw was clenched, his knuckles tight around the drink. Something was on his mind.
She lingered for a moment, watching him from a distance. Was he thinking about last night? About his parents?
Kyle must have sensed her presence because he turned, catching her gaze. The tension in his shoulders loosened slightly, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
Without a word, he opened his arms for her.
Debby didn’t hesitate. She crossed the room and curled into him, feeling the warmth of his bare skin as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Do you miss them?” she murmured, her fingers tracing small circles on his back.
Kyle chuckled, but it was hollow. “Who? My parents?”
She nodded against his chest.
He exhaled. “Not really.”
Debby pulled back slightly, searching his face. “You don’t miss them at all?”
Kyle lifted his glass and swirled the liquid. “They weren’t exactly role models of love and warmth. I think I miss the idea of having a family more than them as actual people.”
Her stomach twisted. Before she could say anything, her stomach betrayed her with a loud grumble.
Kyle instantly pulled back, a teasing smirk spreading across his lips.
Debby groaned and shut her eyes in embarrassment.
Kyle laughed, pressing a soft peck to her lips. “That was loud as hell, Debby.”
“Shut up,” she muttered, face heating. “I didn’t eat lunch or dinner yesterday.”
His smirk widened. “Well, that explains it.”
Then, before she could protest, he stepped off the stool and started walking away.
“Wait! Where are you going?” she called after him.
Kyle turned his head with a knowing look. “The kitchen, obviously.”
Debby blinked in surprise. “Wait, you cook?”
Kyle scoffed. “What do you think I live on? Air?”
Curious, she followed him.
His kitchen was surprisingly cozy—not what she expected from a guy who lived alone. It had the warmth of a real home, not just a bachelor pad.
“Sit,” he instructed, pointing to a stool by the counter.
She obeyed, watching as he opened the fridge and pulled out ingredients.
At first, she thought he was going to make something simple, maybe instant noodles. But then he took out pasta, chicken, and a few other ingredients she couldn’t even name.
“Hold on,” she laughed. “You actually have all this in your fridge?”
Kyle shot her a smug look. “Obviously.”
Debby narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure you’re just a student? Or are you secretly a billionaire with a secret family?”
Kyle laughed—a real, deep laugh that made her chest warm. She liked the sound of it.
As she watched him move around the kitchen with practiced ease, her curiosity grew.
“You’re really good at this,” she observed. “Where did you learn to cook?”
Kyle tossed a glance at her as he started seasoning the chicken. “Spent two years skipping school, trained as a chef in Italy.”
Debby’s jaw dropped. “Wait—what? You were in Italy?”
“Yep.” He smirked.
“No way!” she exclaimed. “And now I have a million more questions!”
He chuckled, stirring the pasta.
Debby rested her chin in her hands, watching him closely. Then, a sudden thought hit her.
“Have you ever cooked for Rachel or any of your exes?”
Kyle paused mid-stir, raising a brow. “No.”
Debby leaned forward. “Why not?”
He plated the pasta and set the dish in front of her. “Because none of them deserved it.”
She stared at him, stunned. “But I do?”
Kyle didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached for her waist, pulling her against him with a firm grip. Before she could react, his lips crashed onto hers in a kiss that stole her breath.
Her stomach grumbled again.
Kyle broke away, laughing against her lips. “Eat first. We’ll finish this later.”
In less than thirty minutes, Kyle was able to make her pasta. Debby giggled, finally picking up her fork.
The moment she took her first bite, her eyes widened. “Holy shit.”
Kyle smirked. “Good?”
“Amazing.” She moaned in delight, taking another bite. “This is insanely good. I can’t believe you kept this talent hidden from everyone else!”
Kyle leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “No one ever asked and no one had a grumbling stomach like yours.”
She hit his shoulder playfully.
Debby kept eating until her stomach was full. She set her fork down, sighing in satisfaction.
Kyle watched her with amusement. “You look happy.”
“I am happy,” she admitted.
Then, on impulse, she leaned forward and whispered, “Wanna know a secret?”
Kyle raised a brow. “Sure.”
She grinned. “I don’t know how to cook.”
Kyle blinked, then burst out laughing. “Wait—seriously?”
She nodded sheepishly.
“Not even instant noodles?”
“Not even that,” she admitted.
Kyle smirked. “Well, if you ever want lessons, I’m available.”
Debby smiled. “I might take you up on that.”
She got off the stool to clear the dishes, but as she moved, her foot slipped. Before she could react, she fell, her knee hitting the floor with a dull thud.
“Shit,” she hissed.
Kyle was beside her in an instant. “Are you okay?”
Debby winced. “Yeah, just… hit my knee.”
Kyle frowned and scooped her up effortlessly.
“Hey!” she squeaked. “I can walk!”
“Too late,” he said, carrying her back to the bedroom.
Once inside, he set her down on the bed and grabbed the first aid kit. Carefully, he cleaned her scrape, his fingers gentle against her skin.
That’s when he noticed.
His shirt. On her.
Kyle tilted his head. “Is that my shirt?”
Debby smirked despite her pain. “Maybe.”
He chuckled, eyes darkening slightly. “You look good in it.”
She arched a brow. “Do I?”
Kyle smirked. “Yeah.”
Then, his voice dropped to a husky whisper. “Can I f*ck you in it?”
Debby’s laughter barely lasted a second before Kyle attacked her lips, making sure she didn’t get a chance to respond.
