Victoria's restlessness had reached a fever pitch over the past two days. Something deep within her insisted that time was running short, that she needed to confess her feelings to James immediately. The urgency felt primal, instinctual, as if her subconscious was warning her about some unseen threat she couldn't identify. Every moment that passed without those three crucial words leaving her lips felt like a missed opportunity that might never come again.
The feeling had been building steadily since her conversation with her mother. What had started as nervous anticipation had evolved into something more consuming, more desperate. Victoria found herself unable to sleep properly, tossing and turning as scenarios played out in her mind. She would rehearse the words she wanted to say, practice different approaches, imagine various outcomes. The mental preparation was exhausting, yet she felt compelled to continue.
During meetings, she would catch herself still staring at James across the conference table, her heart racing with the weight of her unspoken feelings. When he spoke about quarterly projections or strategic initiatives, all she could think about was how much she loved the sound of his voice, how desperately she wanted to pull him aside and bare her soul to him.
The corporate environment that had once felt like her natural habitat now seemed like a barrier between them. Every professional interaction felt loaded with subtext, every casual exchange held layers of meaning that only she was aware of. The formal distance required by their workplace relationship chafed against her growing need for emotional intimacy.
Victoria had always prided herself on her ability to compartmentalize her personal and professional lives. She was known throughout the industry for her laser focus, her ability to keep emotions separate from business decisions. This new inability to concentrate on anything other than James was both foreign and deeply frustrating.
The morning meeting had been scheduled weeks in advance. James was set to present the quarterly results for their Asia Pacific expansion, a project that represented months of strategic planning and execution. Under normal circumstances, Victoria would have been entirely focused on the data, analyzing every metric and asking pointed questions about future projections.
Instead, she found herself studying the way James's hair caught the light streaming through her office windows. The confident way he carried himself as he settled into the chair across from her desk. The careful attention he paid to organizing his notes and ensuring his laptop was connected properly to the display screen.
"Good morning, Victoria," James said as he arranged his documents on the table beside the chair. His voice carried the professional tone he used during business hours, a stark contrast to the intimate conversations they shared in private.
"Good morning," she replied, settling into her chair and attempting to project the image of an engaged executive. "I'm looking forward to hearing about the progress."
James launched into his presentation with the enthusiasm that made him such an effective CSO. The Asia Pacific expansion had exceeded all initial projections, with user engagement rates thirty percent higher than their most optimistic forecasts. The strategic partnerships he had cultivated in Singapore and Tokyo were already generating revenue streams that wouldn't have been expected for another six months.
"The localization strategies we implemented have been particularly successful," James explained, clicking through slides that displayed impressive growth charts. "Our user base in Seoul has doubled in the past quarter, and the feedback from focus groups indicates strong brand loyalty developing in key demographics."
Victoria tried to focus on the information he was presenting, but found herself distracted by entirely different details. The way his lips moved as he spoke. The confident gestures he made with his hands when explaining complex concepts. The slight accent that became more pronounced when he was passionate about a topic.
His hands were particularly mesmerizing today. Victoria found herself studying the way his fingers moved across the tablet screen as he navigated between slides. The veins that became visible when he gripped the device firmly. The careful way with which he pointed to specific data points on the charts.
James had always been handsome, but something about seeing him in his element, commanding the room with his expertise and passion, made him seem almost irresistible. The combination of professional competence and personal attractiveness created a potent mixture that left Victoria feeling dizzy with desire.
"The Q4 projections look even more promising," James continued, seemingly unaware of the effect he was having on his audience. "If we maintain current growth rates while implementing the expansion strategies we discussed last month, we could see revenue increases of forty to fifty percent by year end."
The words washed over Victoria without really registering. She was too busy admiring the strong line of his jaw, the way his shirt fit perfectly across his shoulders, the unconscious confidence he projected when discussing work he cared about. This was the James she had fallen in love with; intelligent, capable, passionate about his projects.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Victoria stood from her chair and moved around her desk to where James was sitting. The action was impulsive, driven by the restless energy that had been building inside her for days.
James glanced up from his tablet, momentarily confused by her movement. "Is there a specific section you'd like me to elaborate on?" he asked, maintaining his professional demeanor despite the proximity.
Victoria positioned herself directly in front of him, close enough that she could smell his cologne, see the slight confusion in his eyes as he tried to understand her sudden movement. The presentation materials lay on the table beside his chair.
Victoria knew she had vowed to reign in her desires, to show James her love through patience and emotional connection rather than physical demands. However, the teasing he had been subjecting her to, combined with her mounting frustrations, was clouding her judgment in ways that surprised even her.
"Continue with your report," she said softly, her voice carrying undertones that had nothing to do with quarterly earnings.
James looked uncertain for a moment then returned his attention to the tablet screen. "As I was saying, the user engagement metrics in our primary markets show sustained growth patterns that suggest..."
Victoria let her foot slide forward slightly, her heel making contact with James's leg. The touch was subtle, barely noticeable but intimate enough to send a clear message.
James's voice faltered slightly before he recovered his composure. "...suggest that our market penetration strategies are resonating with target demographics."
Encouraged by his reaction, Victoria reached out and placed her hand on his chest, her fingers splaying across the fabric of his dress shirt. She could feel his heart rate increase beneath her palm, could sense the way his breathing changed despite his attempts to maintain professional focus.