The aftermath of their intimate session left Victoria feeling more hungry for James than ever before. Her center still throbbed with strong need as he carried her back to the bedroom, his arms steady and sure around her. The tenderness in his touch spoke volumes about the depth of their bond, and she found herself marveling at how naturally they had fallen into this rhythm of caring for each other.
"I'll be right back," James murmured, settling her gently onto the bed. "I need to grab some water."
Victoria nodded, pulling the sheets up to her chin as she watched him disappear into the hallway. Both desire and contentment flowing through her felt almost dreamlike, as if she had finally found the missing piece of herself she hadn't even known she was searching for.
The sound of James's phone ringing from the nightstand broke through her peaceful reverie. She glanced at the screen and saw "Mom & Dad" flashing across the display, accompanied by the video call icon. Without thinking, she reached over and accepted the call.
Two unfamiliar faces appeared on the screen, their expressions shifting from expectation to surprise as they registered Victoria's presence instead of their son.
"Oh!" James's mother exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest. "I'm so sorry, we were expecting James."
"He stepped out for a moment," Victoria replied, pulling the sheet higher and offering a warm smile. "I'm Victoria Sharp, James's girlfriend."
The silence that followed was brief but telling. Victoria could practically see the wheels turning in both parents' minds as they processed this information. James's father recovered first, his weathered face breaking into a genuine smile.
"Well, this is quite the surprise," he said, his voice carrying a note of wonder. "We've been wondering when James would finally bring someone home."
"Richard," James's mother chided gently, though her own smile betrayed her excitement. "I'm Susan, dear. It's wonderful to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine," Victoria replied, feeling an unexpected warmth at their immediate acceptance. "James has told me so much about you both."
"Has he now?" Susan's eyebrows rose with motherly curiosity. "And what exactly has he said?"
Before Victoria could answer, James appeared in the doorway, his face flushing a deep red as he took in the scene before him. His parents' faces lit up with knowing smiles as he approached the bed with obvious embarrassment.
"Mom, Dad," he said, his voice slightly strained. "This is... unexpected."
"Your girlfriend is lovely, son," Richard said with a chuckle. "We were beginning to think you'd never settle down."
James ran a hand through his hair, the gesture so endearing that Victoria felt her heart squeeze with affection. "We should probably let you two go," he said, reaching for the phone.
"Actually," Susan interjected, "we were calling to check in about Thanksgiving plans, but this is far more interesting news."
"We'll talk about it later," James replied quickly. "I promise."
Victoria leaned forward slightly, catching the parents' attention. "I hope to meet you both in person someday soon. Perhaps I could visit?"
"We would love that," Susan said warmly. "James, you bring her home, you hear me?"
"I will," James promised, his embarrassment gradually giving way to something softer. "I love you both."
"Love you too, son. Take care of each other."
The call ended, leaving them in a comfortable silence. James set the phone aside and climbed into bed beside Victoria, his movements careful and deliberate. She immediately curled into his side, her head finding its natural place against his chest.
"That went well," she murmured, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his skin.
"They liked you," James replied, his arm tightening around her. "I could tell."
"Were you worried they wouldn't?"
James was quiet for a moment, his breathing steady beneath her ear. "I was worried they'd think I was punching above my weight class."
Victoria lifted her head to look at him, her expression serious. "James Mitchell, you are the most incredible man I've ever known. If anything, I'm the one who lucked out."
He smiled then, the expression so tender it made her chest ache with emotion. "Yeah, you are lucky," he said simply.
"Cheeky but true."
They settled into sleep with their limbs intertwined, the weight of the day finally catching up with them. Victoria drifted off to the sound of James's steady heartbeat, feeling more at peace than she had in years.
Hours later, she woke to the warmth of James's body pressed against her back. The room was dark, the only light coming from the digital clock on the nightstand. She turned carefully in his arms, not wanting to disturb his sleep, and found herself face to face with him.
In the dim light, James looked younger somehow, the lines of worry and responsibility smoothed away by slumber. His breathing was deep and even, each exhale warm against her skin. Victoria felt her lips curve into an unconscious smile as she studied his peaceful features.
This was what happiness felt like, she realized. Not the sharp thrill of a successful business deal or the satisfaction of conquering a challenge, but this quiet contentment that seemed to fill every corner of her being. She reached out with gentle fingers, tracing the line of his jaw with feather-light touches.
James stirred slightly but didn't wake, his body relaxing further into sleep. Victoria's smile widened into a grin as she leaned forward and pressed the softest of kisses to his forehead, then his cheek, then the corner of his mouth. Each kiss was barely there, a whisper of affection that spoke to the overwhelming tenderness she felt for this man. She has never been with someone these long in a relationship.
The knowledge that things would only get better from here filled her with a warmth that had nothing to do with the physical heat of their shared bed. This was her possible future, lying peaceful and trusting in her arms, and she had never been more certain of anything in her life.
Do you love him?
The question echoed like an alarming reminder. She flinched a bit, eyes trembling. No it can't be, it's too soon.
The days following that night marked a new phase in their relationship. Victoria found herself becoming more deliberate in her approach to physical intimacy, carefully testing the boundaries of James's comfort zone while respecting the need for gradual progression.
It took patience and gentle persistence, but eventually James began to open up to her suggestions. The first time she guided his fingers to touch her privates his nervousness was evident in the tremor of his hands. But with her encouragement and reassurance, he gradually learned to please her in ways that left them both breathless.
Two weeks later, she finally convinced him to try something more intimate outside of their agreement. The days preceding was tedious, he refused to budge. The blatant 'no', a rejection in a strong tone sounded familiar but Victoria remained unfazed, persistent, until he agreed to the oral, though he insisted on the compromise of her keeping her underwear on. The barrier between them was minimal, but Victoria understood that these small steps were necessary for James to feel secure. Her desire for him grew stronger with each passing day, a constant undercurrent of need that she had to carefully manage to avoid overwhelming him.
Every fiber of her being wanted to rush forward, to claim him completely and satisfy the hunger that seemed to grow rather than diminish with each encounter. But she forced herself to remain patient, knowing that pushing too hard would only drive him away.