James stared at Victoria as she traced his lips in a trance, her touch feather light yet searing against his skin. Every nerve ending came alive under her gentle exploration. He anticipated her next move, waited and waited however, she remained surprisingly passive unlike her usual assertive, wild and unrestrained self. This tender restraint confused him more than any bold advance ever could. The vulnerability in her eyes threw James off balance entirely, but he reasoned maybe she wasn't completely healed and ready for another round of passionate intensity. A wave of self-loathing crashed over him for harboring such thoughts when he'd clearly pushed her body beyond its limits.
His phone pinged with messages from friends wishing him a happy birthday and then a call came in from his parents. James found himself hesitating between remaining in Victoria's intoxicating embrace or picking up the call. The weight of the moment pressed against his chest. Victoria saw this internal battle, she smiled knowingly then knitted her hand through his and answered the call on his behalf, though her eyes conveyed dirty promises that sent fire coursing through his veins and did nothing to calm the raw hunger clawing at his insides. She planted one last kiss on his lips, slow and deliberate, then pulled back and got off the bed, eyes still locked on each other like magnets refusing to break apart.
Victoria showed her back to him then deliberately pulled the linen shirt off from her naked body, the fabric sliding down her curves like water. She lacked shame as she flung her hair back and walked slowly towards the bathroom, each step a calculated seduction. She definitely could feel James' heated gaze burning into her skin, especially on her ass as she moved with feline grace. She heard the shuffling sounds of sheets and a soft movement following behind her, she didn't stop or wait for him but her efforts got completely dashed as she heard the urgent shout of James's parents calling his name coming from his phone.
"James! James, sweetheart, are you there?"
James as if awoken from a hypnotic trance paused in his tracks, reality crashing down on him like cold water. He blushed deeply, covered his mouth in disbelief at his own weakness then marched out the room phone still in hand. Victoria sighed then shook her head reminding herself to be patient, it was all a matter of time.
James couldn't believe he almost acted on his most primal instincts. Since when had his ironclad control crumbled so completely? He found himself in the guest cabin, sat on the bed then pulled his hair in frustration. As if possessed his body had moved on its own accord towards Victoria who was clearly headed for a bath. The memory of her naked form walking away from him sent another surge of need through his system. He couldn't believe how utterly weak he was, one night, it was just one night of obscene passion and now he couldn't stop thinking of it, couldn't stop craving her touch, her taste, her breathless moans. He needed balance, he needed to suppress whatever dark hunger was consuming him from the inside out. He had managed it for 27 years of his life, now wouldn't be any different.
"James? James, honey, are you still there?" his mother's voice called through the phone.
"We can't hear you, son," his father added with concern.
James breathed deeply, a bit composed he spoke out.
"Sorry, I'm here. The connection was poor for a moment."
"Happy birthday, sweetheart!" his mother exclaimed warmly. "Twenty-seven years old, we're so proud of the man you've become."
"We've been praying for you, son," his father added. "Hope this new year brings you everything you've been working toward."
"Thank you both, really. That means everything to me," James replied, his voice steadying as he focused on their familiar warmth.
They talked for a few more minutes before ending the call. Immediately Liana's call entered, his sister sounded so joyous on the phone the energy was infectious.
"James! Happy birthday, big brother! Are you having the most amazing day?"
"It's been... eventful," he smiled despite himself. "How are you, Liana?"
"I'm fantastic! I have so much to tell you when you visit home. But today is about celebrating you!"
"Right." He responded happily to her enthusiasm until the end of the call. Distant relatives, past colleagues and friends called to wish him. He used that time to respond to them all including Marcus from the office.
"Birthday boy! Please tell me you're ready for an epic night out. I've got the perfect plan," Marcus said with obvious excitement.
"Thanks for thinking of me, but I'll have to pass," James easily rejected his offer pretty sure it would involve him in date mixers or possibly a trip to a strip club.
After all the calls and responding to messages James could breathe. All alone his thoughts wandered back to the woman causing absolute chaos in his life and body. The woman who had somehow become both his salvation and his damnation.
He looked down at the center of his persistent discomfort still throbbing and painfully erect, refusing to subside. It wasn't going down. Why wasn't it going down? The physical ache was nothing compared to the emotional turmoil raging inside him. He sighed, ruffling his hair in defeat. Then went into the connected bathroom to freshen up and cool himself down.
By the time James emerged from the guest cabin, his body freshly showered and still tingling from memories of the night, breakfast was already laid out, neatly arranged with an attention to detail that only Victoria could deliver. She sat on the other end, radiant in a soft satin dress, her damp hair tousled, and a quiet sensuality about her that made his breath stutter in his throat as she waited for him.
She turned to him with a slow smile and offered him a curious tilt of her head. "How did the call go?"
God, that smile.
"Fine. They wished me the best."
She nods in understanding, her pure smile remained lighting up her blue eyes like sapphires catching sunlight. James tried to breathe but something tightened in his chest and lower for no reason. His cock, traitorous and unrelenting, twitched beneath his boxers, hardening again as though her mere presence commanded it to attention.
He cursed beneath his breath, "Damn."
"What was that?" Victoria raised a brow, tilting her head curiously.
James shook his head. "Nothing."
He muttered quickly, sliding into the seat beside her, adjusting the tablecloth over his lap.
Victoria helped him pour tea into a teacup. Her fingers brushing against his in the process, warm and soft and James felt every nerve ending in his body pulse in reaction to the static that shoot between them.
"How are you feeling?" she asked softly.
"Happy, very happy," his gaze met hers for a brief shaky moment.
Victoria's smile deepened. "Good. I have lots installed for your day."
As she said this James visibly gulped. He didn't mean to.
His brain, however, betrayed him spinning images like wildfire and running through several scenarios of what she could possibly have prepared but all ended up in the same instance: Victoria on her knees again, moaning his name, her mouth, her thighs, her scent.