That night, Victoria couldn't seem to keep her hands off James, as if she needed to store up every touch, every kiss, every whispered declaration of love before their temporary separation. They had settled on the plush carpet of her bedroom, PlayStation controllers in hand, but Victoria found herself far more interested in the man beside her than any virtual adventure the game could offer.
She constantly reached over to touch him, her fingers trailing along his arm, her lips pressing quick kisses to his cheek, his jaw, anywhere she could reach without completely abandoning the pretense of gaming. Between every level, every victory and defeat, she whispered her love to him like a sacred mantra, as if the words themselves could weave an invisible thread that would keep him connected to her even when miles apart.
"I love you," she murmured against his ear as his character navigated through a particularly challenging section. "I love you so much it feels like my heart might burst."
"I love you too."
James smiled, his focus divided between the game and the intoxicating presence of the woman draped partially across his lap. Victoria's need for constant contact was endearing, though it was making their gaming session significantly more challenging. Every time she kissed him or whispered in his ear, his concentration shattered completely.
"Do the same to me," Victoria urged, her voice carrying that familiar tone of command mixed with vulnerability. "Touch me, kiss me, tell me you love me."
James complied willingly, setting down his controller frequently to pull her closer, to press his lips to her temple, to murmur his own declarations of love against her skin. However, Victoria seemed insatiable in her need for stimulation, for proof of his affection, as if she were trying to absorb enough of his love to sustain her through their coming separation.
"It's not enough," she said with a slight pout, her competitive gaming spirit warring with her desire for his undivided attention. "I need more."
James chuckled, finding her neediness both amusing and deeply touching. "What exactly do you want me to do while we're trying to complete this level?"
Victoria's eyes gleamed with mischief as she positioned herself strategically. "Spank my ass," she said matter of factly, as if requesting such a thing during a gaming session was perfectly normal.
James had to swallow the rejection forming at the tip of his tongue and complied, she's crazy but his attention was still primarily focused on the screen, and his effort was halfhearted at best. The gentle tap he delivered was more of a pat than anything resembling what Victoria had requested. She felt the barely there contact and her frustration flared immediately.
"If you don't spank my ass properly..." Victoria began, her voice taking on a threatening edge that James had learned to recognize as genuinely dangerous.
Before she could finish her ultimatum, a loud sound reverberated through the room. SMACK. The sharp crack of his palm connecting firmly with her right cheek filled the air, followed immediately by Victoria's satisfied smile as the stinging sensation spread across her skin.
"Much better," she purred, turning to kiss him deeply in reward for his improved effort. "Now massage the cheek," she instructed, her tone switching seamlessly from commanding to sweetly requesting.
James looked at her with an expression of fond exasperation, setting his controller aside completely to comply with her request. Even after all this time together, he still found himself occasionally shocked by how completely different Victoria was in private compared to her public persona. The woman who struck fear into corporate boardrooms was currently draped across his lap, requesting ass massages during video games. The contrast never failed to amaze him.
His hands worked gently over the spot he had just smacked, his touch soothing and tender. Victoria practically purred under his ministrations, her body relaxing completely against him as she abandoned any pretense of continuing their game.
"You're impossible," James murmured with affection, though his hands never stopped their gentle massage.
"I'm yours," Victoria corrected, turning to look at him with eyes that sparkled with love and mischief. "And you love me exactly as I am."
"That I do," James confirmed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Impossibly, completely, desperately."
After a while, they abandoned their gaming entirely and made their way back to bed, their bodies naturally gravitating toward each other as they settled under the soft covers. They cuddled close, Victoria's head finding its perfect spot on James's chest while his arms encircled her protectively.
Their conversation was light and meandering, touching on everything and nothing. Victoria shared amusing stories from her teens that she had never told anyone else. James described his dreams for the future, painting pictures of success that now included her in every scenario. They laughed together at shared memories, at inside jokes that had developed over their time together, at the absurdity of how dramatically their relationship had evolved.
As sleep began to claim them, Victoria traced lazy patterns on James's chest with her fingertip. "I'm going to miss this," she whispered, her voice soft with approaching slumber.
"Miss what?" James asked, his own voice heavy with drowsiness.
"Everything. Your heartbeat under my ear, the way you smell, the warmth of your skin, your terrible jokes that somehow make me laugh anyway."
James tightened his arms around her, pressing his lips to the top of her head. "It's only a few days," he reminded her gently.
"I know," Victoria sighed. "But I've gotten used to having you here. The house is going to feel empty without you."
"I'll call you every night," James promised. "And text you throughout the day until you get sick of hearing from me."
"Impossible," Victoria murmured, echoing her earlier word choice. "I could never get sick of you."
They fell asleep intertwined, each storing up the feeling of the other's presence against the temporary separation to come.
The next morning arrived far too quickly for Victoria's liking. James had risen early to return to his apartment and gather the documents he would need for his investor meeting, while Victoria had spent the time getting ready and mentally preparing herself for their goodbye.
When James returned, briefcase in hand and dressed in his most professional attire, Victoria felt a surge of pride mixed with melancholy. He looked every inch the successful entrepreneur he was destined to become, and she knew this trip would change everything for him.
"Ready?" she asked, though she wasn't sure she was ready herself.
"As ready as I'll ever be," James replied, reaching for her hand instinctively.
Victoria had offered to drive him to the airport herself, wanting to spend every possible moment with him before his departure. Davidson, her longtime driver, had been visibly shocked when they emerged from the house holding hands and walking so closely together. His professional composure never wavered, but Victoria caught the surprise that flickered across his features before he opened the car door for them.
Davidson was too sensible and too well trained to ask questions or comment on the obvious shift in his employer's relationship status. He simply nodded respectfully and helped load James's luggage into the trunk while maintaining his usual discretely professional demeanor.
As they pulled away from the garage and merged onto the express road, Victoria felt the familiar anxiety of separation beginning to build in her chest. She reached for the button that controlled the privacy divider, rolling it up smoothly to create an intimate cocoon within the spacious back seat of her luxury vehicle.
With privacy secured, Victoria turned her attention to James, needing to focus on practical matters to distract herself from the growing tightness in her throat. "Did you get all the documents?" she asked, referring to his quick morning trip to collect the files needed for the investor meeting.
James nodded confidently, though he opened his briefcase to double check and confirm everything was in order. "Yes," he acknowledged, beginning to call out each document like he was running through a mental checklist. "Business plan, financial projections, market analysis, prototype specifications, patent applications, legal documentation..."
His voice was steady and professional as he verified each critical piece of paperwork, but Victoria could sense the underlying excitement and nervousness that hummed beneath his composed exterior. This meeting represented everything he had worked toward, and she felt a fierce surge of pride at his dedication and preparation.
After he finished his systematic review and closed the briefcase with a satisfied click, Victoria smoothly slid the case away from him, setting it safely aside. "Good," she said, her voice taking on a tone that James was beginning to recognize as distinctly predatory.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she moved closer to him in the spacious back seat, her hand already reaching for his tie. "Then you have time for a quickie."