Chapter 60 60
FREYA POV
Dinner tonight was different. It didn't feel like a meal in a cold mansion; it felt like a home. Ben was in a rare, playful mood, cracking jokes about how he learned his cooking secrets from watching Ratatouille. He and Luna spent the half the night "dragging" each other, with Luna insistently telling him that the cartoon rat probably had better seasoning skills.
It was easily one of the best dinners I’ve ever had. Diana was back, so the whole "family" was finally sitting together at the table. I realized then that Luna was the glue holding this strange group together. She had this way of making everyone soften, getting them all to come down to her level—everyone except "Uncle Hulk," who remained his usual mysterious self.
I kept glancing toward Steve’s wing of the house. I wasn't even sure if he was still inside after we finished eating. Once the plates were cleared, Luna insisted on "helping" Ben clean up, which really just meant she was getting in his way and asking a thousand questions. Eventually, she had story time with Nana, but she ended up falling asleep in Diana’s bed after Diana carried her in.
When the house finally fell quiet and everyone retreated to their rooms, I found myself sitting alone in the living area. My eyes refused to leave the direction of Steve’s wing. My mind was still buzzing from the news of the ten million dollars and the weight of the ring on my finger.
Finally, I just obeyed my legs and walked there.
I stood before his door and knocked softly. No response. I waited for a few heartbeats, feeling a bit foolish. Just as I was about to turn around and head to my own room, the door swung open.
Steve stood there, bare-chested, his skin glowing under the hallway lights. The sight of him nearly took my breath away. On a normal day, I would have looked at my feet and stuttered, but tonight felt different.
"Always looking hot," I murmured, a playful smile tugging at my lips.
I couldn't believe I actually said it, but the words were out before I could stop them. Steve’s eyes darkened, and a slow smile spread across his face as he leaned against the doorframe, looking me up and down.
"Why are you here, Freya?" he asked, his voice low and vibrating.
I nervously rubbed my hair, suddenly feeling the heat rising in my body. I thought about the "lesson" I had mentioned earlier—the one about how to properly thank him for everything. I wanted to step closer, to let the tension between us snap, and I think he sensed exactly what I was thinking.
He didn't move to let me in. Instead, he reached out and tucked a stray hair behind my ear.
"Tomorrow is a big day," he said, his tone shifting to something more disciplined. "You need your rest. You should sleep on time if you want to be ready for what's coming."
I felt a wave of disappointment, but also a strange sense of respect. He was discharging me, sending me away for my own good even though the air between us was thick enough to cut.
"Goodnight, Love," he said softly.
Before I could say another word, he gently shut the door, leaving me standing in the hallway with my heart racing and a lingering heat that refused to fade.
I made it back to my room, my heart still thumping against my ribs. The hallway was quiet, but my body felt like it was on fire. I stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at my reflection. I looked flushed, my eyes dark with a hunger I hadn't felt in years.
Slowly, I reached up and touched my chest. My nipples were standing firm, sensitive and aching. I closed my eyes, cupping my full breasts in my hands, and let my mind wander back to the image of Steve at his door—bare-chested and powerful. I was starting to get deep into the feeling, my breath cut, when Steve’s voice suddenly echoed in my head.
"You should sleep."
I snapped my eyes open and pulled my hands away as if I’d been caught. He wasn't even in the room, but his presence was so strong I could practically feel him watching me.
"Get it together, Freya," I whispered to the empty room.
I dived into bed and grabbed a pillow, covering my face. I started rolling—rolling and rolling across the mattress like a teenager with a crush. I couldn't stop smiling. Saying I was "happy" felt like an understatement; I was on top of the world. I wasn't just surviving. I was being cherished.
The morning came while the sun was streaming through the curtains. I reached out to check the time on the bedside table and froze.
Sitting there, right where my hand usually searched for nothing, was a brand-new box. I sat up quickly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. It was the latest Samsung.
"No way," I breathed, pulling the box into my lap.
I couldn't believe I was waking up to unboxing a new phone so early in the morning.
“Steve” I murmured
I was still peeling the plastic off the sleek screen when my ears caught a loud, aggressive roar from outside.
It was the unmistakable sound of Steve’s bike.
Without thinking, I scrambled out of bed and rushed to the window, peering out to catch a glimpse of him. I saw the back of his leather jacket as he revved the engine, the power of the machine vibrating even from this distance. I stood there for a second, staring like a fan girl, before I realized what I was doing.
I stepped back from the curtain, feeling incredibly stupid. Stop acting like a teenager, Freya.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this”
I walked back to the bed, the new phone still in my hand. I finally pressed the power button, and the screen glowed to life. He had already moved my data over—my contacts, my photos, even the apps for my store were right there.
“Thank you Steve” I murmured
A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," I called out, quickly smoothing down my messy hair.