James got up from the couch, discretely adjusting his slacks to conceal the obvious erection he was sporting. The evidence of his arousal was impossible to ignore, and he felt a flush of embarrassment at how his body had responded so intensely to Victoria's touch.
"It's late," he said, his voice slightly strained as he tried to regain his composure. "I don't want to keep you much longer than necessary."
The words felt strange coming from his mouth, especially when every fiber of his being wanted her to stay. But he was genuinely worried about her staying out late, even though it was an everyday occurrence for both of them because of work. There was something different about tonight, something that made him more protective of her than usual.
From behind him, Victoria smiled, a slow, knowing curve of her lips that held secrets and promises.
"I'm not leaving," she said simply, her voice carrying a certainty that made his breath catch. "I'm spending the night."
James froze mid-step, his entire body going rigid with shock. He turned slowly to face her, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Are you serious?"
Victoria nodded, her expression soft but determined. "I came to spend time with you, James. I missed you so much the entire week." She gestured toward the corner of the room where her bag sat, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I packed light."
James stood there, completely disheveled from their hot session, his hair mussed from her fingers, his shirt partially unbuttoned, his breathing still not quite steady. He paused in surprised silence, his mind struggling to process what she had just said. The reality of it hit him like a wave, and he felt his heart begin to race for entirely different reasons than it had moments before.
When he finally regained his senses, his practical nature kicked in and he began planning immediately. "I have a spare bedroom for you to use," he said, his voice taking on an almost nervous edge. "I'll go get spare towels and a duvet from my room."
Even as he spoke, his heart was beating fast with an emotion he could barely contain. The happiness was shining through his eyes, and despite his efforts to remain composed, a small smile began lighting up his face. He was still in disbelief that Victoria was now his woman, that they were dating officially, that he was hers and she was his. The magnitude of it all felt almost too overwhelming to process.
"Babe," Victoria called out in a coquettish voice, her fingers reaching out to capture his hand before he could move away.
The tone was unlike anything he had ever heard from her before, soft, playful, intimate in a way that made his pulse quicken. James turned to respond to her, feeling a slight flush covering his face as he met her gaze, wondering what she was about to say that would undoubtedly turn his world upside down once again.
Victoria now stood toe to toe with him, her arms reaching out to wrap around his neck in a gesture that was both tender and possessive. James felt the air leave his body as her next words almost left him dazed.
"There is no need for a spare bedroom," she said, her voice soft but firm with conviction. "I want to cuddle with my man."
Victoria noticed the way James's expression shifted when she called him that, first "babe," now "my man" and she kept careful note of his reaction. There was something in his eyes that told her he liked being claimed by her, liked hearing those possessive endearments fall from her lips.
James stared at her with an expression of pure adoration, reaching up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear with infinite gentleness. Then, moving with newfound confidence and happiness radiating from every pore, he led her toward his bedroom.
"Come," he said simply, his voice warm with contentment.
As soon as they entered the room, Victoria scanned the space again. It was neat and austere, containing only the essentials, a reflection of the man himself. James really loved his space, she thought, taking in the clean lines and minimal décor that somehow managed to feel both masculine and welcoming.
James led her to the bed and carefully sat her down, his movements gentle and considerate. "I'll go get your bag while you shower," he said, pointing to a door that presumably led to the bathroom.
Before he could leave, Victoria held him again, her fingers curling around his wrist.
"Why don't we shower together?" she requested, her voice carrying that same playful tone that had been driving him to distraction all evening.
James's face immediately relaxed into an expression that Victoria was beginning to recognize as his unbudging face, the look he got when he had made up his mind about something and wouldn't be swayed. She laughed softly before his inevitable answer of "no" even came.
James stared at her with a mixture of exasperation and affection, already wondering how he was going to handle her now that she was being honest about her feelings and saying exactly what she truly wanted.
"Just kidding," Victoria said with a playful smile, although they both knew she wasn't kidding at all.
James watched her intently, once again fascinated by how beautiful she was and how completely different she behaved now compared to when they were at the office. There was a lightness to her, a carefree quality that he had only glimpsed in rare, unguarded moments before. He found himself wishing desperately that she would continue being so open and true to herself, that she wouldn't retreat back behind the professional mask she wore so expertly during business hours.
James gently urged her to go shower, then left to retrieve her bag from the living room.
He dropped it carefully by the door to the bathroom, ensuring she would have everything she needed. Then he gathered his own pajamas and left to shower in the spare bedroom, giving her privacy and space while trying to process the surreal reality that Victoria Sharp was spending the night in his home.
Clean and refreshed, he made his way back to his bedroom, his heart already beating with anticipation. What he found when he opened the door made his chest swell with such happiness and pride that he had to pause in the doorway to catch his breath.
Victoria was lying in his bed, nestled under his duvet with her head resting on his pillow. The sight of her there, looking so natural and at home in his most private space, was almost overwhelming in its perfection.
Victoria turned upon hearing the door open, her face lighting up when she saw James.
She gestured for him to come closer, scooting over to create space for him as she had been lying in the middle of the bed. The bed was wide enough for three adults, so James could easily fit, although before he lifted the duvet to join her, he noticed something that made him pause.
"What? What's wrong?" Victoria asked with round, clear eyes that belied the mischievous smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
James sighed, glancing down at the bed then back up to meet her eyes. "I should be asking you that, don't you think?" He paused, his voice carrying both certainty and resignation. "You don't have clothes on right now, do you?"
Victoria appeared completely unconcerned by his question. "I sleep naked, so no, I don't need any on," she replied matter-of-factly. Then she smiled slyly, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief. "This is also something you should know about me."
James stared at her in amazement, wondering if he had somehow acquired such a vixen without fully realizing what he was getting himself into. The woman in his bed was revealing layers of herself that he had never imagined existed beneath her professional exterior.
He walked over to her bag and brought it up to the bed, setting it within her reach. "Search for something to wear," he told her, his tone gentle but firm.
Victoria shook her head with that same innocent expression. "I didn't bring any nightwear."
James looked at her intently, trying to judge whether she was telling the truth or simply testing his resolve once again. Seeing the skeptical look on his face, Victoria moved to open her bag, but James stopped her with a raised hand.
"I believe you," he said, though his voice suggested he wasn't entirely convinced.
He took the bag away and walked to his closet, rummaging through his clothes until he found an oversized shirt he usually wore around the house. He brought it back to Victoria, holding it out to her like a peace offering.
"Please put this on," he said, and there was something almost pleading in his voice.