Conrad's touch and smells seeped into Victoria's subconscious. Instead of dreams, she had vivid flashbacks.
She thought of their courtship, when every touch was like fire and they couldn't wait to sneak away for a few uninterrupted kisses.
She remembered the way he carried her from the driveway to the upstairs bedroom their first day in Grayson Manor. And she remembered how they Christened every room, before ending in the solarium. Afterwards, they fazed at the stars before falling asleep.
She thought of his excitement over her first pregnancy. Conrad would have been happy regardless, but she knew he was elated to have a son. And then Charlotte came along, who made her second guess all the misgivings she had concerning her husband. He was so gentle with Charlotte, treating her like a princess instead of a baby.
Victoria shifted, nuzzling her face closer to Conrad's chest. As tired as Conrad was, he had only drifted to sleep for a few minutes at the time. Even after all this time, Victoria was a complete mystery to him. They've had moments like tonight where she let her guard down. Moments where he could have sworn they were one person instead of two. And in an instant, she snapped right back to being guarded and keeping him at arms length. He wanted sleep, but if she woke up pushing him away he wanted to remember every second.
He must have drifted to sleep for a moment or two, because he woke to find Victoria's hands on his thigh and her lips pressing against his with urgency. He had forgotten how warm she always was. When they dated, he used to call her his heated blanket.
She ran her hand across his cheek, looking into his eyes.
"Good morning."
He rubbed his eyes and grabbed the watch on his nightstand.
"My dear, it isn't even 3 a.m. yet. That hardly constitutes as morning."
"Do you remember our honeymoon?" She asked, her eyes twinkling seductively as the dimples started forming in her cheeks.
How could he forget? Not only did they spend a week in paradise, but they didn't sleep a full night the entire trip. Instead they'd wake up, make love and doze off again.
At the mentioning of the honeymoon he easily grabbed her slender body until it was on top of him. She blushed as she straddled him. He wasn't stupid, he knew that underneath it all she was insecure about growing older. He also knew it was in her head. She had aged like fine wine.
She kissed him as she maneuvered herself until he was inside her. As she forced him deeper and deeper inside her, he watched the way her chest rose and fell quicker and quicker. He admired the way her neck looked as she tossed her head back and let her dark hair fall around her.
He ran his fingers along her chest. He loved the feeling of her hardening nipples through the sheer fabric of her nightgown.
She whimpered his name as she finished, and he quickly followed suit. He grabbed her waist, pulling her next to him and he held her tightly.
"I may never let you go again," he whispered.
"So you want to live out the rest of our days in this bed?" She teased.
"I'd be willing to try. I love you."
She smiled at him, but didn't immediately respond. He didn't expect her to, but refused to give in that easily.
"Say it, Vic."
She rolled her eyes, but unlike her normal eye roll this was different. Playful.
"Haven't I proven it?"
"Say it."
She sighed. He was not making this easy. She didn't like discussing feelings. She hated feeling vulnerable.
"I love you, Conrad." She whispered it the way she'd whisper an order or state a fact but he didn't care.
He loved her and she loved him.
