Touch Therapy: Where Hands Go, Bodies Beg-Chapter 262 - 263: Wandering

The elevator doors slid shut with a hush, sealing Valeria and Joon-ho into their own floating world. Valeria pressed in against him, shameless as ever, her arm looped tight through his, heels dangling from her free hand. Joon-ho leaned back against the wall, letting out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding, the city’s pulse still thumping somewhere in his bones. The elevator hummed, rising, and Valeria grinned up at him, a raw edge of last night still gleaming in her eyes.

"Your room or mine?" she murmured, voice low enough to make him shiver.

He only smiled, tugging her closer, his hand slipping beneath the hem of her dress to squeeze the top of her bare thigh. "Don’t tempt me. I can barely walk as it is."

Valeria laughed, bright and wicked, bumping her hip into his. "That’s not a no. Good to know."

When the elevator chimed, she was still teasing him, half-whispering dirty memories in his ear, reminding him of every wild, filthy moment under the rooftop lights. By the time they reached his floor, Joon-ho felt unsteady—like his legs were made of smoke and pleasure and something dangerously close to happiness.

The hallway stretched quiet and golden. Valeria padded barefoot, her dress rumpled, skin still glowing from the long, chaotic night. Joon-ho opened his door, and she slid in behind him, both of them too loose and too alive for morning silence.

Ji-hye was there. She sat on the bed with her legs crossed, her hair a tangled curtain over her shoulder, phone glowing in her lap. She looked up as the door clicked, her expression shifting in a single heartbeat—from relief to suspicion to something that looked a lot like jealousy.

Valeria didn’t miss it. She gave a tiny wave, then dropped onto the bed beside Ji-hye, kicking her feet up and sprawling like she owned the place.

"Morning," Valeria sang, tone deliberately too bright. "You two sleep well?"

Ji-hye’s mouth twisted. She eyed the space between Valeria and Joon-ho, then scooted just a little closer to him, her phone abandoned. "Some of us didn’t stay out all night," she said, voice light but brittle at the edges. "You both look like you rolled home from a war."

Joon-ho shrugged, dropping his keycard on the table. "You have no idea."

Valeria grinned, stretching like a satisfied cat. "Trust me, I’ve got all the ideas. My thighs haven’t stopped shaking since sunrise. Barcelona nightlife is... educational."

Ji-hye shot her a look, lips pouting. "You sound like you enjoyed yourself too much. Don’t you have your own man to bother?"

Valeria laughed. "Why would I waste my time when yours is so much more fun? Now I get why you’re so greedy with him."

Joon-ho caught Ji-hye’s eye and mouthed a silent apology, but she just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, hiding a smile. "Please. He only acts like that with me. You’re just a tourist, here for the sights."

Valeria threw her head back, cackling. "Is that so? You’re sure about that, angel?"

Ji-hye bristled, cheeks pink. "Positive."

Joon-ho tried to step in, raising his hands. "Hey, don’t fight over me. I’m not—"

"Not what? Worth fighting over?" Valeria cut in, voice smoky. "Please. After last night? He could start a religion."

Ji-hye squawked, smacking Joon-ho’s chest. "Don’t listen to her. She just likes stirring things up."

Valeria only grinned wider, eyes locked on Ji-hye. "Maybe. But I’d like to see you prove you know him better than I do. How do you say it? Actions speak louder than words?"

Ji-hye hugged Joon-ho from behind, chin on his shoulder, glaring over his head. "I know all his weaknesses. He only loses control with me. Right?"

Joon-ho felt his ears go hot. "That’s... that’s not how it works—"

Valeria leaned in, lips almost brushing Ji-hye’s cheek. "So show me. Unless you’re scared?"

Ji-hye’s mouth opened, then snapped shut, her blush deepening. "I’m not scared," she mumbled, but she hid behind Joon-ho’s shoulder, arms winding tighter around him.

Valeria smirked, shifting closer, her thigh pressing against Ji-hye’s. "You’re cute when you’re jealous. I’d steal him again just to see you pout like that."

"I’m not pouting!" Ji-hye’s voice was small, but her eyes flashed.

Valeria just laughed, then, before Ji-hye could pull away, leaned in and kissed her—slow, savoring, tasting the surprise. Ji-hye stiffened, caught completely off guard, but Valeria’s mouth was soft, her hand warm on Ji-hye’s cheek. The kiss lingered, sensual but teasing, before Valeria finally broke away, biting Ji-hye’s lower lip lightly.

Ji-hye blinked, stunned and red, retreating behind Joon-ho as if he could shield her from everything. "You—! That’s—!"

Valeria licked her lips, grinning. "Still too shy. But you’re learning."

Joon-ho laughed, tugging Ji-hye back to his side. "You two are going to kill me."

Valeria stretched again, arching her back. "Not until I’m finished with you, handsome."

The moment cracked, dissolving into laughter. Ji-hye hid her face in Joon-ho’s chest, muttering, "She’s insane. Is she always like this?"

"Only when she’s happy," Joon-ho said, kissing the top of her head.

The sun had climbed high over Barcelona, slanting through the curtains, spilling gold across the rumpled sheets and bare skin. After a long, hot shower—Valeria singing loudly from the next stall, Ji-hye trying to drown her out with laughter—they dressed, pulling on yesterday’s clothes or whatever was clean enough to pass for tourist wear.

By late morning, the three of them spilled out into the city, hungry and restless, the pulse of last night still vibrating through their veins. Valeria led the way, winding through cobbled alleys and sun-drenched squares, pointing out cafes and murals, acting as if she’d lived in Barcelona her whole life.

They stopped at a bakery, warm bread in hand, and Joon-ho bought fresh orange juice for Ji-hye. Valeria stole a sip, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and hooked her arm through Ji-hye’s as if they were sisters. Every few minutes, Valeria would break off to flirt with a street vendor or snap a photo of Ji-hye, who pretended to protest but was clearly having the time of her life.

The plaza buzzed with street musicians, tourists, and the sizzle of grilled meat from nearby stalls. Ji-hye, squinting in the sun, leaned close to Joon-ho. "Are you really okay after last night?" she asked softly, the concern genuine beneath the teasing.

Joon-ho smiled, brushing a stray hair from her face. "I’m better than okay. You?"

She blushed, then grinned. "I survived your fan club. Does that count?"

Valeria looped back, draping herself across their shoulders. "You two are disgustingly cute. Give it a rest. Let’s get something stronger than juice."

A few blocks away, they found a terrace bar perched above the city, sunlight spilling over the stone railings. The three of them sprawled out at a table, drinks sweating in their hands, feet propped up, laughter drifting lazily on the breeze.

For a long moment, nothing needed to be said. The city stretched out in every direction—rooftops and church spires, flags snapping, the distant roar of traffic. Ji-hye closed her eyes, letting her head rest on Joon-ho’s shoulder, Valeria sprawled across the bench beside them, legs tangled with theirs.

Eventually, Ji-hye turned, voice low. "Did Min-kyung’s ex get handled? I saw the texts last night, but..."

Joon-ho nodded, his tone going sober. "He’s out of the picture. You don’t have to worry."

Valeria sipped her coffee, eyes narrowing slightly. "And if he’s stupid enough to try anything in Barcelona, he’ll regret it. I’ll make sure of it."

Ji-hye let out a slow breath, tension bleeding out of her shoulders. "Thank you," she said, voice almost lost in the noise of the square.

Valeria reached over, squeezing her hand. "Don’t mention it. Nobody gets to ruin your time here."

They spent the afternoon wandering—through markets heavy with spice and flowers, past fountains where children splashed, pausing to listen to an old man play flamenco guitar on a battered stool. Ji-hye snapped photos, Valeria stole strawberries from a vendor and fed them to Joon-ho, juice sticky on his lips. Tourists jostled them in the crowded alleys, but the three held tight together, a unit forged by lust and laughter and something softer beneath.

As the shadows lengthened, Valeria slowed, her energy finally ebbing. "I need to head back," she said, her voice a little softer, lingering on Ji-hye’s face. "Don’t let him get too comfortable without me."

Joon-ho smiled, hugging her tightly. "You’re impossible, you know that?"

She kissed his cheek, then turned to Ji-hye. "Be good, angel. Or at least don’t let him corrupt you too much."

Ji-hye tried to look annoyed, but failed, instead hugging Valeria briefly, her hands lingering longer than she meant. "I make no promises."

Valeria grinned, squeezing Ji-hye’s hand, eyes warm. "You’re getting braver. I like it."

Then, with a final wave, Valeria vanished into the crowds, her laugh trailing behind her like a song.

Joon-ho and Ji-hye strolled slowly back to the hotel, the city humming around them. Ji-hye was quiet for a while, her fingers laced with his, the light of the setting sun catching in her hair.

At the hotel, Ji-hye kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the bed, stretching out with a sigh. "I don’t want to leave," she said softly.

Joon-ho lay beside her, rolling onto his side to look at her. "We can come back. Just us, next time. No wild parties. No rooftop chaos. Unless you want it."

She laughed, rolling her eyes. "Maybe. Or maybe just you and me and a quiet night."

He kissed her, slow and lingering, tasting salt and sun and the faintest trace of strawberries. She curled into him, pressing her face to his chest, her breath warm against his skin.

"Promise?" she murmured.

"Promise," he said, arms wrapping around her as the city faded into night, the echo of the rooftop’s chaos fading into the quiet, secret thrum of two bodies tangled together, the future wide open before them.