The movie ended but Victoria stayed curled up with Conrad. She had forgotten so much about being with him. She forgot how safe she felt in his embrace. She had missed the way his thumb stroked her shoulder. She closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm of his thumb. Back and forth. Left and right. It was like a lullaby that only the two of them could hear. She forgot how warm his breath felt on her, like he was working on melting her icy exterior. Maybe she was.
"Want to watch it again?" Conrad questioned after the title credits had transitioned back to the main menu.
"God, no. I didn't want to watch it the first time," she said as she sat up.
Ordinarily, Conrad tried to distance himself from Victoria, knowing the best results came when she thought she was initiating them. However, this year felt different. When had she let him hold her during a movie? He couldn't remember the last movie they watched together, let alone snuggled during. Feeling brazen, he decided to go for it.
"Would you like to join me in my study for a nightcap?"
She looked tempted but said nothing.
"It might calm your nerves." He added. It amazed him how quickly that convinced her and wondered if Charlotte could convince her to watch scary movies every night.
Conrad poured two glasses, but noticed Victoria's mind was elsewhere. Instead of pressing her, he waited for her to come to him.
"Those movies aren't accurate; even when they say they're based on a true story." Victoria questioned rather than stating.
"Of course not. I think mostly they edit it so it seems like someone has a motive when usually it's just random. People killing people for no reason at all." Conrad said as he sipped his drink. Victoria shrieked his name, clearly not getting the answer she was looking for.
"If it makes you feel better, I would be more than willing to stay in your bed and protect you. I know it always made you feel easier having me with you."
"It made me feel easier because I knew any serial killer would be coming after you and not me." She teased.
"My how times have changed." Conrad fired back.
Victoria playfully smacked him with a small laugh. She was well aware that he was hinting that people would rather kill her than him but there was a lightness in his taunt. He wasn't being serious, he was being playful.
"I can, you know." Conrad said it a serious tone.
"Can what?"
"Stay with you. Protect you." Conrad said as he inched closer to her.
"I don't need protection." Victoria said, although her shaky tone hinted otherwise.
Conrad grabbed the glass from her hand and sat it down on the desk. His hands ran up and down her arms. He was well aware of the goosebumps forming in the path of his touch.
"You may not need it but I think you want it."
"Your protection or you?" Victoria challenged. She lifted her eyebrow, obviously flirting with him.
Instead of responding, Conrad's lips gently grazed hers. He inched back to make sure this was what she wanted to. When he say that her eyes were closed, he kissed her faster, hungrier. She wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling him closer to her but stopped after a few minutes.
"I think you're drunk." She whispered.
"I am drunk. Drunk on you. On your touch. The way it feels to hold you and how your lips feel against mine. Drunk on the smell of your hair. You think I forgot about the gardenia shampoo you use. I didn't. There is nothing better than the smell of your hair when you use that shampoo."
"Conrad, we've been here before. You don't love me-"
"Victoria I love everything about you. I love how deeply you love people. I love how quick witted you are. I love how guarded you are. You're so guarded that getting close to you is like a victory. And more than anything, this very second I love the way your ass looks in those jeans."
"Don't be a pervert." She said, pretending not to enjoy the compliment.
"Give me one night, Victoria."
"I'm not going to sleep with you because you complimented me!" She shrieked, her eyes growing larger.
"I didn't say that. You're the one that thought it. Pervert." He said, wagging his eyebrows at her.
"Why do you want this so bad?"
"Because I want you so bad." Conrad said, surprising himself with his honesty. She looked at him and he could see the wheels turning in her head. He knew she wanted to give in but was trying to remain strong.
"If nothing else do it in case Michael Krueger comes to get you." He said. He knew from her quick smile that she was caving in.
"It's Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger. It's like you don't even pay attention." She teased.
"I can't pay attention to anything when you where those jeans!"
She hushed him, not wanting Charlotte to overhear. The two giggled and scurried up the stairs holding hands and trying not to be spotted.