As they entered her spacious bedroom, James looked around curiously. "Where's JJ? I don't see him whenever I come by."
Victoria forced what she hoped was a casual smile, though she felt a flash of irritation at having his attention divided. "He's playing somewhere by himself. Forget about him, let's focus on us instead," she said, bringing his attention back to her where it belonged.
James chuckled at her response, settling onto her bed with easy familiarity. "Right, I forgot you were clingy and love my undivided attention."
Victoria scowled at his assessment, though there was no real anger behind the expression. "Well, if you know, then act accordingly."
"Yes, ma'am," James nodded with a laugh that made Victoria's heart skip several beats.
She found herself staring again; completely mesmerized by the way laughter transformed his features. Unable to resist the magnetic pull she felt toward him, Victoria walked closer until she was standing directly in front of where he sat on the bed.
With careful, reverent touches, she traced the features of his face. James eyes closed automatically. Her fingers followed the line of his shaped eyebrows, moved gently across his closed eyelids, traced the straight line of his nose, and lingered on his full, alluring lips. She mapped the strong line of his jaw, the column of his neck, committing every detail to memory.
She felt completely satisfied with what she was seeing, with the man who had somehow become everything to her. The cap he wore cast interesting shadows across his features, but Victoria wanted to see him clearly. She knocked it back gently, feeling the tension between them ratchet up another notch.
The atmosphere in the room had become suffocating in its intensity, charged with an emotional electricity that made Victoria's skin feel hypersensitive. She found herself teetering on the edge of losing control entirely, of allowing her impulses to overtake rational thought once again.
With tremendous effort, she pulled back at the last minute, fighting against every instinct that screamed at her to close the distance between them. "Wait for me," she said, her voice slightly breathless.
Victoria disappeared into her walk-in closet, emerging a moment later with a black silk tie in her hand. James watched her approach with curious eyes, clearly assuming the tie was some kind of gift until she moved behind him and gently covered his eyes with the soft fabric.
"Don't panic," Victoria assured him softly as she secured the makeshift blindfold, though her own hands were trembling slightly with nervous energy.
"I know. I trust you," James replied without hesitation, and the simple statement carried such weight that Victoria felt her chest tighten with emotion. He wanted her to understand how much faith he had in her, how highly he regarded her in his life.
Victoria smiled; overwhelmed with gladness that he trusted her so completely. The knowledge that he felt safe with her, that he was willing to be vulnerable in her presence, gave her the courage she needed for what came next.
She climbed onto the bed behind him, settling on her knees so that she was positioned at his back. Looking at his broad shoulders, feeling the solid strength of his presence in front of her, Victoria felt safe and secure in a way that had nothing to do with physical protection. His presence gave her courage, made her feel like she could face anything as long as he was with her.
James could sense her behind him, could feel the weight of her gaze though he couldn't see her. When she remained silent and motionless for several long moments, worry crept into his voice. He called, starting to turn toward her, "Tori?"
"I love you."
The word left Victoria's lips at the exact same moment he spoke, their voices overlapping and merging in the charged air between them.
"What?" James asked. Confusion evident in his tone as he tried to process what he had heard.
Victoria's hands shot out to stop him from turning fully toward her. "No, don't. Stay as you are," she instructed, her voice shaking slightly as she corrected his posture, guiding him to sit straight.
She couldn't say the words to his face, the thought terrified her more than any business negotiation or corporate takeover ever had. The great Victoria Sharp, who commanded boardrooms and intimidated competitors, couldn't find the courage to look the man she loved in the eye while confessing her feelings.
"Tori, what's bothering you? I can help solve your problem, so please trust me and tell me," James said, his voice carrying such gentle care and consideration that Victoria felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes.
The way he spoke to her, with such calm tenderness and genuine concern, made her realize how incredibly fortunate she was to have found such a man. Someone who wanted to help her, to take care of her problems and support her through difficulties.
"I…" Victoria began then cut herself off, gathering courage for one final push. "I'm in love with you, James. I love you. So if you can solve this problem and treat my beating heart, then I'd be grateful."
The words tumbled out in a rush, carrying months of suppressed emotion and desperate longing. Victoria immediately rested her forehead against his back, allowing the feelings she had kept caged for so long to run free through her system.
She felt James stiffen beneath her touch and prepared herself for whatever reaction might come; acceptance, rejection, confusion. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she waited for his response, every second feeling like an eternity.
James tried to turn toward her again, but Victoria's hands held him firmly in place. "Tori, let me see you," he pleaded, his voice carrying a note of urgency that made her pulse quicken.
Victoria shook her head against his back, though she knew he couldn't see the gesture. "No. I am not strong enough to face you. I realize now how weak I am."
There was a brief pause. A moment of silence that stretched between them like a held breath. When James spoke again, his voice carried a resolution and conviction that made Victoria's head snap up in surprise.
"Then how am I supposed to tell you..." James said, and Victoria caught sight of a small smile playing at the corners of his lips, "that I love you too."