"What did you just call me?" Victoria asked, her blue eyes wide with surprise, still breathless from their interrupted kiss.
James felt heat creep up his neck. Had he said it out loud? "Tori," he admitted softly, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "I... is that okay?"
Instead of answering with words, Victoria leaned in and gave him a wet, thorough kiss that left no doubt about her feelings on the matter. When she pulled back, she used her index finger to gently wipe the moisture from his lips, the intimate gesture sending shivers through him.
"I like it," she said simply, her voice husky. "Keep calling me that."
The permission in her voice, the way she looked at him with those stunning blue eyes, broke whatever restraint James had been holding onto. They came together again, this time with a hunger that had been building all morning.
Victoria's tongue swept into his mouth with bold confidence, exploring every inch as if she were mapping territory she intended to claim. She licked along his teeth, teased the sensitive roof of his mouth, and played with his tongue in a dance that made James's head spin. He reciprocated eagerly, one hand tangling in her silky hair while the other found the smooth skin of her thigh, caressing the delicate flesh exposed by her jean shorts.
God, she feels incredible, James thought, marveling at how perfectly she fit against him, how right this felt despite every rational thought telling him to slow down.
Victoria reveled in the feel of his thick hair between her fingers, the solid warmth of his body pressed against hers. Every touch ignited something deep in her belly, a wanting that grew stronger with each passing second. She wanted more, wanted to consume him entirely, to discover every reaction she could draw from him. But she could sense James's careful control, his determination to keep them from rushing headlong into something neither of them might be ready for. For now, this would have to be enough.
But barely, she thought with frustration and fondness in equal measure.
They finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, and somehow managed to return their attention to breakfast. The domesticity felt surreal after the intensity of their kiss, sharing bites of fruit, commenting on the perfect texture of the eggs, stealing glances that promised more later.
James insisted on cleaning up afterward, and Victoria watched from the dining table as he moved efficiently around his kitchen, muscles shifting beneath his tank top as he washed dishes and wiped counters. When he finished, they settled together on his comfortable couch, Victoria curled against his side as they scrolled through movie options.
"Comedy or drama?" James asked, his arm tightening around her.
"Something light," Victoria decided. "I don't want to think too hard today."
They chose a romantic comedy that neither of them paid much attention to, too wrapped up in the simple pleasure of being together. Victoria traced patterns on James's chest while he gently caressed her back in simple strokes, both lost in their own thoughts about how natural this felt, how right.
By afternoon, they decided to venture out for a walk in the nearby park. The late spring weather was perfect, warm but not humid, with a gentle breeze that carried the scent of blooming flowers. They walked hand in hand down tree-lined paths, occasionally stopping to watch children play or dogs chase frisbees. Victoria bought them ice cream from a vendor, laughing when she made James get vanilla on his nose and wiping it away with her thumb.
I could get used to this, James found himself thinking as they sat on a bench sharing the frozen treat. Too used to it.
As evening approached, Victoria took over his kitchen again, this time preparing her signature pasta dish. James watched in fascination as she worked her magic with simple ingredients; garlic, olive oil, fresh herbs, and perfectly al dente noodles combining into something that smelled like heaven.
"This is incredible, Tori," James said after his first bite, and the way her face lit up at both the compliment and the nickname made his chest tight with emotion.
"Hmm, I have impeccable taste," she said, and he could tell she genuinely was. There was something vulnerable in her expression, as if his approval of her cooking mattered more than she wanted to admit.
After dinner and another round of James insisting on cleanup duty, they both showered away the day's activities. When they climbed into bed together, James naturally positioned himself on top of her, his head resting on her chest, arms wrapped securely around her small waist.
Victoria's fingers found his hair immediately, combing through the thick strands with obvious pleasure. James had noticed her fascination with his hair, how she always seemed to gravitate toward touching it, playing with it during quiet moments.
"James," she called softly.
He raised his head, meeting her gaze, and hummed in response.
Victoria chuckled at his adorable, sleepy expression and leaned down to kiss him sweetly. Then something shifted in the air between them, and before he knew it, she had maneuvered them so she was on top, straddling his waist.
She bit her lower lip in that way that always made his pulse race, then leaned down to capture his mouth in a deep, searching kiss. Eyes closed, James kept his hands on her waist while Victoria's explored freely, fingers tangling in his hair, trailing down his neck, mapping the planes of his chest. Apparently, she had discovered these were safe zones, areas she could touch without him pulling away.
She is learning my boundaries, James realized with a mixture of tenderness and arousal. Testing what I will allow.
When Victoria broke away from the kiss, she gently turned his face to the side, exposing the column of his neck. James felt his breath catch as she descended with wet heat and deliberate intent, her tongue and teeth working against his sensitive skin.
The sensation was electric, each suck and gentle bite sending sparks straight through him. She was marking him, he realized, adorning his neck with evidence of her claim on him. The possessiveness of it, the boldness, was so quintessentially Victoria that he could not help but smile even as desire coursed through him.
He hugged her tighter against him, burying his face in her hair and breathing in her scent. I don't want this weekend to end, he realised. I don't want to be apart from her, not even at the office, I want her all to myself. James thought desperately unaware Victoria shared the same thoughts.
Because somewhere between their first shared workout and this moment, with Victoria's mouth on his neck and her body warm against his, James had stopped pretending this was anything other than what it was: him falling completely, irrevocably in love with the most extraordinary woman he had ever met.
And that realization was both the most wonderful and terrifying thing he'd ever experienced.