WlW Hooked on You 🍻

Chapter 9... Crossing the Line

Valerie was halfway through reading an article on her laptop when her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Freya's name flash up. She hesitated for a moment, uncertainty creeping in. The events of the last night had left her feeling exposed, her emotions raw and vulnerable in a way she wasn't used to. But she knew she couldn't ignore Freya. Not now.Taking a deep breath, Valerie picked up the phone and answered. "Hey," she said, trying to sound casual, though her voice came out softer than she intended."Hey," Freya replied. There was a pause, a tension in the silence that neither of them knew how to break. Valerie could hear the faint hum of music in the background, a reminder that Freya was still out there, in the world, while she was holed up in her apartment."I was wondering," Freya started, her voice hesitant. "If you're not busy, maybe you could come over?"Valerie's heart sped up. She hadn't expected Freya to reach out so soon, especially after everything that had happened. "Are you okay?" Valerie asked, trying to gauge Freya's tone."I just... I don't want to be alone right now," Freya admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.There was something in the way she said it that made Valerie's chest tighten. She could picture Freya, alone in her apartment, her thoughts racing, just like hers had been all day. Valerie knew that feeling all too well—the need for someone to just be there, to take away the silence and make the world feel a little less empty."I'll be there in fifteen minutes," Valerie said, already getting up from the couch. She didn't wait for Freya to respond before hanging up. She didn't need to. She knew they both needed this.Valerie grabbed her keys and slipped on her shoes, her mind racing as she locked the door behind her. The walk to Freya's apartment was a blur, her thoughts tangled in a mix of excitement and nervousness. She hadn't planned on seeing Freya again so soon, hadn't expected the pull between them to feel so strong. But it was there, undeniable, and Valerie couldn't ignore it any longer.When she reached Freya's building, Valerie felt a flicker of doubt. What was she doing? She wasn't the kind of person who got involved, who let her guard down. But with Freya, things were different. Valerie couldn't explain it, but she didn't want to fight it either.Freya opened the door before Valerie could knock, her eyes wide with relief at the sight of her. She was wearing a simple tank top and shorts, her hair loose around her shoulders, and Valerie felt a rush of warmth at how natural she looked. It was a stark contrast to the way Freya usually presented herself, always put together, always perfect. This was the real Freya, the one Valerie had seen glimpses of last night."Thanks for coming," Freya said, stepping aside to let Valerie in.Valerie shrugged, trying to hide the way her heart was pounding. "It's no problem," she said, but the words felt inadequate. Being there felt like the only thing that mattered.They stood there for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words. Valerie wanted to say something, anything to break the tension, but Freya beat her to it."Last night... I can't stop thinking about it," Freya admitted, her voice shaky. "About you."Valerie's heart ached at the vulnerability in Freya's eyes. She stepped closer, reaching out to touch Freya's arm gently. "I've been thinking about it too," Valerie confessed. "About you."The distance between them seemed to disappear, their bodies moving closer almost instinctively. Valerie could feel the heat radiating off Freya, the electricity in the air between them. Her hand moved up to Freya's cheek, her thumb brushing over her skin, and Freya leaned into the touch, her eyes fluttering closed."Is this okay?" Valerie asked softly, needing to be sure.Freya opened her eyes, and Valerie could see the answer there before she even spoke. "Yes," Freya breathed. "Please."Valerie closed the distance, her lips meeting Freya's in a gentle kiss. It was soft at first, tentative like they were testing the waters. But the moment Freya kissed her back, something inside Valerie snapped. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more desperate as if they were both trying to erase the loneliness that had been eating away at them.Freya's arms wrapped around Valerie's neck, pulling her closer, and Valerie let herself melt into the embrace. She could feel Freya's heart beating against her own, their breaths mingling as the kiss grew more intense. It was intoxicating, the way Freya tasted, the way she felt in Valerie's arms. It was more than just a physical connection; it was like they were finally breaking through the walls they had both built around themselves.Valerie's hands moved to Freya's waist, her fingers sliding under the hem of her tank top, feeling the warmth of her skin. Freya shivered at the touch, a soft gasp escaping her lips, and it was the most beautiful sound Valerie had ever heard. She pulled back slightly, her forehead resting against Freya's, both of them breathing heavily."I've wanted this," Valerie whispered, her voice trembling with the intensity of her emotions. "I've wanted you."Freya smiled a genuine, soft smile that made Valerie's heart swell. "Me too," Freya said. "I feel safe with you, Valerie. I don't know why, but I do."Valerie's heart tightened at the words. She wasn't used to people feeling safe with her, to being the one they turned to. But with Freya, it felt right. She wanted to be that person for her, to give her the comfort and security she deserved.They moved together again, their kisses becoming slower, more deliberate as if they were savoring every moment. Valerie's hands roamed Freya's back, feeling the curve of her spine, and the softness of her skin. Freya's fingers tangled in Valerie's hair, holding her close, not wanting to let go.They lost track of time, wrapped up in each other, the world outside fading away. For those moments, nothing else mattered. It was just them, two broken souls finding solace in each other.Eventually, they pulled away, their foreheads still touching, their breaths mingling in the space between them. Valerie looked into Freya's eyes, seeing a mix of emotions—desire, relief, maybe even love. The depth of her feelings scared her, but they also filled her with a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time."Stay with me tonight," Freya whispered, her voice filled with a vulnerability that made Valerie's heartache.Valerie nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'm not going anywhere," she promised, pulling Freya into another kiss, soft and lingering. It was a promise she intended to keep.For the first time in a long while, Valerie felt she was exactly where she was supposed to be. And as they held each other in the dim light of Freya's apartment, Valerie knew that whatever happened next, they would face it together.-