47

Sometimes being a girl isn't the best, especially walking around in the night-- all alone, in only pajamas.

I folded my arms tightly across my chest, not just to ward off the cold but to make myself feel a little safer.

Every sound, distant footsteps, rustling leaves, had my head snapping in its direction.

Starting to regret not calling a cab, but I didn't want to wait there with Cameron until one arrived. The last thing I needed was more awkwardness.

Daniela's presence was all I could think about. Her steady voice, the way she could calm me with just one look. I needed that right now. I needed her.

The faint sound of a car passing made me glance over my shoulder. Nothing. Just shadows and the occasional flicker of a porch light. I quickened my pace, my slippers scuffing against the pavement.

Soon, I arrived at her home where the big walls greeted me. The cold iron of the gate met my fingers as I stretched up, gripping the edge. My first attempt to pull myself up failed, my hand slipping slightly, but I gritted my teeth and tried again. This time, I managed to launch myself, my feet swinging over the gate, and landed on the grass in her front yard.

Sticking the landing.

I straightened, brushing off my pajama bottoms and then walked to the front door.

Her windows were mostly dark, but a faint light through the living room's curtains shined through.

The TV was on.

She was probably still awake, not being able to sleep. What better way to cope if you can't fall asleep, by watching a movie until you do.

My knuckles hit the wood of the door.

Standing there on her porch, freezing like I just stepped foot into a walk-in-fridge.

This is so dumb.

Before I could second-guess myself more, the door creaked open. Daniela stood there, her expression softening as she saw me standing in front of her, shaking from the cold. She was also wearing her pajamas-- a plain, black T-shirt and black sweatpants. Her hair was messy, even though it was brough into a ponytail.

There was confusion on her face. "Victoria?" She looked around outside, like expecting there to be someone else. "Did you jump over the gate?"

I shot her a look. "That's your concern right now?" My teeth basically chattering. My arms still wrapped around my body.

She gave one last look outside to her walls surrounding us before stepping back. She opened the door wider and I immediately walked inside.

If I waited outside for another second, I would probably have gotten frostbite right about now.

Like it was my own house, I entered the living room to see her fireplace on already.

A relieved sound left my lips, thankful for the warmth.

I fell down on the couch.

She followed me in and stood there, amused, yet confused... maybe also concerned that I came here alone without any light outside.

She placed her hands on her hips. "Do I need to ask?"

"It's a long story," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest as I sank deeper into the couch.

"Then sum it up." She said, her voice going in an almost warning tone.

I groan out loud, sinking even more into the couch until my chin rested on my chest. My feet now kicked up onto the coffee table as I stared into the flames of the fireplace. "I just wanted to see you." I mumbled.

There was a long pause, and I could feel her eyes on me, waiting for more. But I didn't have more to give. I couldn't explain all the mess swirling in my head—the confusion, the guilt, the need for something more than what I was allowing myself to feel.

I needed a distraction from Adeline constantly nagging in my head.

Cameron trying to kiss me.

Daniela's footsteps were soft as she approached me, but I didn't look up.

"In the middle of the night?" She raised an eyebrow, giving me a death stare-- a way of trying to get me to talk.

"Well... I wanted to sleep over." I mumble, a pout on my lips.

"You have to text me first about this stuff." She hesitated again, staring at me as she chewed on her bottom lip while thinking. "I was going out with a few friends tomorrow."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? What's the plan?" I asked, trying to sound casual, though I couldn't help but feel a little bit of disappointment creeping in.

She sighed, as if unsure how to explain. "Just... casual. Dinner, drinks. Nothing fancy." She shook her head slightly and breathed out my name, but couldn't form any words further. "Victoria..."

And just like that, I knew that she was struggling, not knowing what to do with me.

So, I slowly stood up.

I would fight, trying to stay, but I wanted her to have a good time tomorrow and not worry about me.

"Go have fun tomorrow." I said softly, walking past her. "I'll head back home."

I really didn't want to knowing Cameron is still there.

Before I could leave the living room, she grabbed my arm and spun me towards her. My eyes widen slightly at the sudden action, now right against her as she held me close. She stared down at me, her eyes flickering back and forth between mine.

"Come with me." She said, looking deeply into my eyes. "Tomorrow."

I frowned. "Woah, what? In front of your friends?"

Her hands came up to cup my cheeks. "Yeah. They don't know who you are. We'll be fine." She's talking about the fact that I'm literally in her class.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." She nodded. "I don't have to pretend like you're nothing to me in front of them. As long as we 'forget' to mention that I'm your professor."

There was this look on her face that made all my doubt and concern go way. To think that for the first time, we can finally be public for once.

I get this very rare chance, so I should definitely take it. Yet that thought behind my head still lingers-- what if we get caught.

But the way she makes me feel, it's like I never was her student. In the perfect life, we were just two strangers that had feelings for each other, and turned into more. Where we were free and public without people to judge us.

And now, I get this opportunity where I can live in that life.

Without thinking, my hands moved up and wrapped around her neck. I pulled her closer, our lips meeting before either of us could say another word.

Her lips felt so soft, but she pulled back after a few seconds. She was still so close to me, holding my face. "Is that a yes?" The tiniest of smiles twitched onto her lips.

"Yes." I giggled, my own smile forming.

Relieved, Daniela leaned in again with a smile on her face. Our lips connected, sharing soft and slow kisses like we had all the time in the world. Her hands slid down to my waist, holding me against her as if I was something precious. I melted into her touch, sighing happily against her lips.

My nails lightly scratch the back of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. She broke the kiss, closing her eyes and hummed softly at the feeling of my nails. She pulled me in completely until I was standing in her arms, chest against chest. I hugged her back and we just stood there. It felt nice standing like this-- nice and warm.

After a few moments she pulled back slightly to look me in the eyes. "I'll make you some hot coco?" She offered, her voice calming.

"Extra marshmallows, please." My smile widens.

"Of course." She lets go of me and moved to the kitchen. "For the troublemaker sneaking out at night."

If only she knew why.

As she moved around in the kitchen, I tilted my head to watch her. The way she tied her hair up higher, how she quietly hummed a tune—it was these little moments that made me feel safe. Like everything might actually work out, no matter how messy it seemed.

She returned a few minutes later, a mug in each hand. "Extra marshmallows," she said with a grin, handing me one. "But you're washing the mugs."

"Deal," I said with a laugh, my hands wrapping around the warm mug.

And now we were making out on the couch with her crawling above me.

Her lips moved against mine with a mix of urgency and tenderness that made my heart race. My hands tangled in her hair, her ponytail loosening as I tugged at it. The heat from the fireplace wrapped around us, but it was nothing compared to the warmth spreading through my body. She trapped me under her, both her arms resting at the sides of my head to keep her up slightly.

Her teeth nipped at my bottom lip before licking across it and capturing me in a deep kiss again.

Daniela shifted slightly and pushed her knee in between my legs. My hands slid from her hair to her shoulders, clutching her as I tried to keep myself anchored. The movement sent a jolt through me, my breath hitching against her lips.

I loved the sound of our breathing, mixing, the sounds of our lips colliding each time forcefully between the soft sighs and moans.

I let out a muffled gasp, my fingers tightening on her shoulders. The intensity of it all made me feel like I was floating—until, suddenly, I actually was.

Before I could register what was happening, Daniela's arms slipped under my legs and back, lifting me effortlessly off the couch. I instinctively wrapped my arms around her neck, my face buried in her shoulder as she carried me toward the hallway.

"Daniela," I murmured, my voice breathless.

She didn't stop walking, her lips brushing my temple. "You trust me, don't you?"

I nodded, my cheek pressing against her shoulder.

She pushed the bedroom door open with her foot, the soft creak barely audible over the pounding of my heart. The room was dimly lit by the moonlight streaming in through the curtains, casting a silvery glow over everything.

She carried me to the bed and gently laid me down, her hands lingering for a moment as if to ensure I was comfortable.

Her dark eyes searched mine as she leaned over me, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "We can stop whenever you want," she whispered, her voice filled with nothing but patience and care.

I reached up, wrapping my arms around her neck, pulling her down until her body collapsed onto mine. "I don't want to stop." I whispered.

Before she could respond, I closed the gap between us, smashing our lips together in a kiss that was desperate and hungry, like I was afraid of losing her in the next second. Her body tensed against mine for a moment, then melted into me as her lips moved with mine.

She pulled back after a moment, her breathing uneven, her gaze locked on mine. Her pupils dilated. Her hand came up to cup my cheek, her thumb brushing over my skin.

And then there were those eyes.

They held something I couldn't quite name-- soft and full, like they could see right through me, into all the places I tried to keep hidden. It wasn't just the heat or the desire that lingered in her gaze; it was something deeper, something that made my chest ache.

Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out. Instead, her thumb continued its slow path along my cheek, her touch featherlight.

It was those same eyes from when she told me she loved me.

"Victoria, I..." She frowned, staring deeply into my eyes.

I knew exactly what she was about to say. I could see it in the way her chin trembled, the hesitation in her gaze, the raw emotion that threatened to spill out. I didn't need to hear it again—not when the words were already hanging in the air between us, heavy and unspoken.

Before she could continue, I couldn't hold myself back any longer. I cupped her face in both my hands, pulling her down to me in a kiss that was fierce, hungry, and full of everything I couldn't put into words.

Her lips were soft against mine, but it didn't last long before her body pressed closer.

My fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her in deeper.

She didn't fight it. Instead, she let her body mold against mine. Everything about this felt right.

When we finally pulled back, my breath was ragged, my mind a haze of heat and desire. She looked at me, her pupils still dilated, my face flushed, and there was something softer in her eyes now.

"Victoria," she whispered again, but this time, her voice wasn't filled with hesitation.

I pressed a finger against her lips, silencing her. "Don't." I said softly, panting softly.

Her gaze softened even more, and she nodded, understanding exactly what I meant. And as her lips found mine again, I knew that I wanted to say the same thing that she wanted to. But I just couldn't.

I gasped as her mouth moved to my neck, her lips trailing along the sensitive skin, leaving soft, teasing kisses that made my body shiver. My head tilted back instinctively, giving her more access, my hands gripping the sheets beneath me, trying to hold on as the warmth of her touch spread through me like wildfire. Her lips grazed the pulse in my neck, sending waves of sensation through my body.

My back arched into her body as she bit down, getting a moan from me in return.

Her hands roamed as she planted hickeys across my neck. Each kiss, each soft bite, pulled more sounds from me. Her lips continued their tender assault, moving from my neck to my collarbone, kissing, biting, and leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

My body trembled, every nerve awake, every part of me aching for more. Her hands slid under my shirt, her fingers brushing against my skin, sending sparks through me with every gentle movement.

She slowly lifted the top part of my pajama-set up, revealing my stomach. She placed a quick kiss right above my belly button causing me to let go of a shaky breath and then she came up to look me in the eyes again. Her lips met my skin right under my ear.

"I'm going to worship you." She whispered against my ear.

My eyes widen, my cheeks flushing red.

I'm going to need so much ibuprofen tomorrow.