Conrad and Victoria were in the pool when Martha stepped outside.

"Miss Victoria? It's all ready." She said before turning back into the house.

"What was that about?" Conrad asked. He was a little irritated because he was having a great time Victoria and wasn't ready for it to end, especially at the hands of hired help.

"You'll see. Come on," Victoria said, rushing to get out of the water and dry off. Victoria lead Conrad away from the Manor and onto the beach. Conrad was still grumpy, reminding her incessantly to slow down for the sake of her foot. She lead him to a secluded area of the beach, still close enough to the manor to detract potential sunbathers but on the opposite side if Emily Thorne's cottage. Victoria had carefully chosen this location to have a tented area set up with blankets and pillows.

"What is all this?" Conrad asked. His eyes darted from the tented area to a small bistro table and to a small fire. It somehow seemed both incredibly romantic and low key. Had Victoria planned this? It didn't seem like her style.

"I remember how much you liked the idea of a clambake at Daniel's birthday-"

"Let's not mention that terrible night." Conrad said, remembering the Tyler incident.

"Anyway, you made some comment about enjoying a simple evening for once. So when I decided to do something nice as a token of my appreciation the idea of a clam bake came to mind."

"Victoria, are you being romantic?" He teased. He couldn't believe his wife had gone to such lengths for him. He was used to her going above and beyond for her children or charities, but never for him. He could get used to this side of Victoria.

"Not romantic. Appreciative." She corrected, but even she wasn't sure anymore. The clam bake had been entirely out of appreciation for him helping her after the car accident. However, the tent with blankets and pillows was as a precaution. She didn't want to have things take an unexpected turn and not be prepared. But she was also aware that not wanting to be caught unprepared for sex was the same thing as preparing for sex.

Ever since their night together, she couldn't stop fantasizing and craving him. The way he took the lead. The strict way he refused to let her move her foot. Even the way he was timid at first was intoxicating to her. Earlier, I'm the pool she fought the urge to take him right there in the water. Of course, she had children and hired help who came and went constantly, so she has refrained. She wasn't sure that she'd have that willpower again.

"Victoria!" Conrad yelled, snapping her back to reality.

"Are you alright? I've been calling your name." Conrad put his hand on her shoulder, trying to get her to say what she was thinking. Instead she just nodded. "The chef said lunch is ready."

Conrad placed his hand on her back, leading her to the table. The bulk of the meal was eaten in silence. Unlike their previous years, this wasn't hostile or angry. Instead they both seemed nervous, unsure of the future. For two people so resistant to say how they feel, this was their way of preserving this moment.

"What's in the tent?"

"Just some blankets and pillows. Just in case-"

"In case of what?" Conrad asked. He enjoyed the flush that spread across Victoria's face and onto her chest. She was clearly embarrassed.

"In case my foot started acting up. You didn't expect me to sit in the sand, did you?"

"How does your foot feel now?"

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it all day." She said, both fully aware of the underlying message.

"Look at all this," Conrad said as he made his way into the tent. Although it was simple, there was something whimsical and romantic about it. Of course, being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the ocean. When he glanced over at Victoria, he couldn't tear his eyes away. The way she gripped at the hem of the sundress and bit her lip was adorable. If he hadn't seen it for himself he wouldn't have believed anyone who said Victoria got nervous. He watched her hands gripping the sundress and he tried desperately to think of whether Victoria had taken her swimsuit off before they had arrived.

"What are you staring at?" Victoria finally asked. Conrad inched closer, reaching towards her hands. She moved her hands towards his, but he grabbed the hem of her dress instead.

"What are you doing?"

"I can't remember if you took off your swimsuit." He said, still trying to lift her dress. "What's under there?" She squealed and tried to wiggle away from him. Being stronger than her, Conrad was able to scoop her up off the ground. He pressed his face close to hers, watching the way her eyes automatically closed in anticipation. Instead of kissing her, he took advantage of her distraction and slid his hand under her dress.

"Conrad!" She gasped but made no attempt to move.

"Guess there's my answer." Conrad said.

"I wasn't going to wear a wet swimsuit under my dress." She reasoned. He laid her down on the blankets. She moved to take off the dress but Conrad loomed over her, pinning her wrists over her head.

"Why did you set this up?" He asked.

"I already told you."

"I want the real reason. I want to hear you say it."

"It was just in case..."

"Victoria..." He moved his mouth to her neck. He could hear her breathing change and he felt her hips arch, desperate for him. But he wanted to make her say it. He wanted her to beg for it. He moved his hand lightly along her chest, letting the material rub against her. She moaned, desperate for more.

"Conrad please..."

"Not until you say it."

"Conrad-" Conrad let his hand roam up her dress again, tempting her into a confession.

"I set it up in case things got ... Physical." She gasped.

"Did you want them to get physical?"

"Yes."

"Ask for it." Victoria sighed at the request, but knew there was only one way to get what she desperately needed.

"Conrad please. I want you to make love to me." Before she had finished the sentence he was already inside of her, giving her exactly what she had been so desperate for.