James was beside her immediately, all playfulness forgotten. "What happened? Are you okay?"
"I think I stubbed my toe," she said, wincing as she tried to put weight on it.
"Let me look," he said, dropping to his knees in the sand to examine her foot.
Victoria looked down at him kneeling before her, his hands gentle as they checked her injury, and a wicked thought crossed her mind. The position was too tempting to ignore, especially with the way his hair fell across his forehead as he concentrated.
"James," she said softly, her voice taking on a deliberately sultry tone.
He looked up at her, his expression clear and concerned, and in that moment, Victoria placed her hands on either side of his head and guided his face directly toward her crotch between her legs, the sheer gown was open at the front, the bikini clinging to her curves. Her heat pulsed beneath the fabric.
Her voice dropped. "Right there."
She licked her upper lip and gave him a heated look that unmistakably would destroy any man in the bedroom.
James froze, his eyes widening as he realized her intention. For a moment, he remained perfectly still, and Victoria could see the internal struggle playing out across his features. Then, his expression shifted to that familiar look of exasperation, the quiet fury that made his jaw tighten and brows pull together mixed with desire that she had come to recognize.
He stood up abruptly, his movements sharp with frustration. "Tori."
"Yes?" she replied innocently, batting her eyelashes.
Without another word, he turned and walked away, his posture rigid with restraint.
Victoria burst into laughter, the sound bright and unrestrained. She had known exactly how he would react, and his predictable response delighted her. The way his face had settled into that particular expression always did things to her body, sent heat coursing through her veins in a way that made her feel powerful and desired.
She tried to follow him, eager to continue their playful banter, but the moment she put weight on her injured foot, pain shot through her toe. "Ow, ow, ow!" she called out, hopping awkwardly.
She looked down and was surprised to see blood seeping from where her toe had connected with the driftwood. The injury was more serious than she had initially thought.
"James," she called, her voice now carrying genuine concern. "I think I'm actually hurt. There's blood."
He turned immediately, his irritation forgotten as he saw her distress. In three quick strides, he was back at her side, his eyes scanning her injury with professional concern.
"Let me see," he said, kneeling again to examine her foot properly.
The cut was deeper than expected, sand embedded in the wound. "We need to clean this and get it bandaged," he said, his voice taking on a caring tone.
Before Victoria could respond, James scooped her up in his arms, lifting her effortlessly. She felt the solid strength of his chest against her side, the security of his embrace enveloping her completely.
"My hero," she said, laughing cheerfully despite the pain.
Unable to resist, she began covering his face with soft kisses, starting with his cheek and moving to his temple, his forehead, the corner of his mouth. Each kiss was light, playful, filled with affection and gratitude.
"Tori," he said, but his voice held no real protest.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly as he carried her back toward the beach house. "I'm never letting you go," she whispered against his ear, meaning it more than she had intended.
The words seemed to hang in the air between them, carrying more weight than either of them was quite ready to acknowledge. Victoria felt James's arms tighten around her slightly, his pace slowing as they reached the house.
"We should get this cleaned up," he said softly, but made no move to put her down immediately.
"In a minute," Victoria replied, contentment washing over her as she remained in his arms. "This is nice."
He carried her inside, settling her gently on the bathroom counter. As he gathered supplies to clean her wound, Victoria watched him with growing appreciation. His movements were careful, particular, but there was something tender in the way he handled her injury.
"This might sting," he warned, dabbing antiseptic on the cut.
Victoria gripped his shoulder, using the contact to ground herself. "I can handle it."
As he worked, she found herself studying his face, memorizing the concentration in his expression, the gentle way he handled her foot. This man who could be so controlled, so careful with his boundaries, was also capable of such tender care.
"There," he said, securing the bandage. "That should help it heal properly."
"Thank you," she said, her voice softer than before.
He looked up at her, and for a moment, they remained like that, her perched on the counter, him standing between her legs, both of them aware of the intimacy of the moment.
"The sunset," Victoria said suddenly, remembering. "We missed it."
James glanced toward the window, where the last traces of golden light were fading. "There will be others."
"Will there?" she asked, the question carrying implications beyond sunset watching.
"I hope so," he replied, his honesty surprising them both.
Victoria reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers. "Me too."
They remained like that for a while, the beach house quiet around them, the sound of waves providing a gentle soundtrack to their shared contemplation. The evening had been perfect in its imperfection, playful and tender, filled with the kind of moments that would linger in memory long after they left this place.
Victoria realized she loved spending time with James. With him she felt safe, secure and alive. She did not always think about work, it was more of being in his arms, were he was, his smile and happiness that lingered and mattered most. Each gentle touch, each shared laugh. She was definitely happy and so relaxed, she feared him ever leaving her side.
"What are you thinking about now?" James asked, echoing his earlier question.
"You," she replied simply, and watched as a smile spread across his face.
"Good thoughts, I hope."
"The best," she confirmed, and meant every word.
"You lo-like me right?" she startled herself by the question. James gave her a weird look and kissed her deeply.
"No doubt about my feelings for you. Always you, only you."