Page 24

VICTOR

“ I have something for you.”

Barbara shifted to sit up from lounging on the sofa, dressed only in my button-down shirt.

I waved her back down. “Don’t move an inch. You’re stunning like that, my dear.”

I retrieved a slim black folio from the kitchen table and carried it to her, savoring the flicker of anticipation in her eyes. She traced the edge with her delicate fingers before carefully opening it. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she beheld the black-and-white photograph nestled inside.

The image captured Barbara in profile, her head tilted back, eyes closed in quiet rapture.

Shadows and light played across the elegant curve of her neck, the swell of her breasts beneath the bodice of her dress.

Every detail was crystalline—the sweep of her eyelashes, the fullness of her parted lips, her luscious hair spilling over one shoulder in silken waves of light and shade.

“Victor, it’s…” She exhaled, her voice trailing off as she gazed at the photo.

I settled beside her on the sofa, drinking in the sight of her long legs stretched out, my shirt riding up to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of thigh.

“Beautiful,” I finished for her, tracing my finger along the elegant line of her neck in the photograph. “Just like the subject.”

Barbara’s cheeks flushed a becoming pink as she gazed at the image.

“I have the rest back at the beach house. It was hard to pick a favorite. You’re so photogenic, my darling. But in this one”—I traced my fingers over the photograph—“you’re so…natural, raw, unguarded.”

Barbara’s eyes shone with quiet wonder as she studied the photograph. “I can hardly believe that’s me,” she murmured. “I look so…free.”

Cupping her cheek, I turned her face toward mine. “That’s exactly how I see you. Radiant. Vibrant. Utterly captivating.” I brushed my thumb across her bottom lip.

She set the folio aside and shifted onto my lap, the hem of my shirt riding up to bare the smooth curves of her thighs. My hands automatically settled on her hips as she wound her arms around my neck.

“Thank you,” she breathed, her blue eyes shining.

“Not just for the photograph, but for everything. For making me…” Barbara’s voice faded as she held my gaze, emotion brimming in her eyes.

I could see the words she couldn’t quite bring herself to say reflected in those sapphire depths— for making me feel alive, for showing me who I truly am, for loving me as I am .

I pulled her closer, sliding one hand up her back to tangle in her silken hair. “You don’t need to thank me, my darling,” I said softly. “Loving you, cherishing you, showing you your true self—it’s as natural and necessary to me as breathing.”

Barbara’s lips met mine in a tender kiss that quickly deepened, igniting the ever-present spark between us. She rocked her hips, grinding against my rapidly hardening length. I groaned into her mouth and gripped her thighs.

“Insatiable minx,” I growled playfully.

Barbara’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she slowly unbuttoned my shirt that she was wearing, revealing tantalizing glimpses of creamy skin. “Can you blame me?” she purred, rolling her hips again. “You make me feel things I’ve never felt before.”

I slid my hands up to grip her waist. “You’re playing with fire, angel,” I warned, my voice low and rough with desire.

She leaned in close, her lips brushing the shell of my ear. “Then burn me,” she whispered.

Heat surged, sharp and sudden. I stood, hauling her up with me in one swift motion. She squealed in delight, wrapping her legs around my waist as I carried her back to the bedroom. I tossed her onto the bed and tore off the last of my clothes before climbing in after her.

The sight of her stole my breath—golden hair fanned out on the pillow, blue eyes dark with desire, lips flushed from our kisses. My angel. My goddess. Mine.

I trailed heated kisses down her neck. “Careful, sweetheart. I’m tempted to tie you to my bed and never let you go.”

Barbara arched into me, her breath catching as I nipped at her collarbone. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

I chuckled darkly, skimming my fingers down her sides. “Both.”

I slid my hands under the shirt she still wore, pushing it up to reveal more of her creamy skin. Barbara lifted her arms, allowing me to pull the garment off completely. I tossed it aside, relishing the sight of her bare beneath me.

“Stunning,” I murmured, roaming my gaze over her lithe form, tracing the curve of her waist, the swell of her breasts. “I’ll never tire of looking at you.”

I reached for my discarded necktie, the silk cool and smooth against my fingers. Barbara’s eyes widened as she watched me, her chest rising and falling with quick, shallow breaths.

“Do you trust me, angel?” I asked softly, running the tie through my hands.

She nodded without hesitation. “Completely.”

“If anything feels uncomfortable or you want to stop, just say the word,” I instructed. “I want you to feel safe and cherished always.”

Barbara gave me a tender smile. “I know. I trust you, Victor.”

My heart swelled with emotion at the faith and love shining in her eyes. Gently, I lifted her hands above her head, kissing each delicate wrist before looping the tie around them. With a simple knot, I secured her hands to a slat in the wooden headboard, leaving enough slack for her comfort.

“Now what shall I do with you?” I trailed my fingers down her arms, savoring the shiver that ran through her body at my touch. The sight of her, vulnerable beneath me, sent a fresh wave of arousal coursing through me.

She tugged experimentally at the silk tie, but it didn’t give. “Whatever you want,” she breathed, her voice husky with need.

“Careful what you wish for.”

I lavished attention on her breasts, alternating between gentle kisses and playful nips. Barbara arched into my touch, soft gasps and whimpers escaping her lips as I teased and tormented her sensitive flesh.

Leisurely, reverently, I worshipped every inch of her body with my hands and mouth. I savored her gasps and moans, the way she writhed beneath me, desperate for more. By the time I settled my hips between her thighs, she was trembling with need.

“Look at me,” I commanded softly.

Barbara’s eyes fluttered open.

I held her gaze as I sank into her, savoring the exquisite sensation of her enveloping me. The way her eyes widened with awe was delicious. A low moan escaped her lips as I filled her.

“So perfect,” I breathed, stilling to let her adjust. “Like you were made just for me.”

I set a maddeningly deliberate pace, drawing almost all the way out before sinking back in with long, deep strokes.

I savored every sensation as I moved within Barbara—the silken heat gripping me, the subtle fluttering inside her, the way her body yielded and welcomed me deeper each time.

Each languid thrust sent waves of pleasure through me, stoking the fire in my veins to a roaring inferno.

Her breasts swayed enticingly with our movements, peaked nipples begging for attention. I lowered my head to lavish them with kisses and gentle nips, drinking in her gasps of pleasure.

“Do you feel how perfectly we fit together?” I whispered against her flushed skin. “Like two halves of a whole finally united.”

Barbara wrapped her legs around my waist, urging me closer, deeper. But I maintained my leisurely pace, reveling in the slow burn of desire building between us. I wanted to draw out her pleasure, to keep her suspended in ecstasy for as long as possible.

The subtle shifts of her hips, the quickening of her breath, the soft whimpers escaping her parted lips—every reaction fueled my desire. I wanted to memorize every detail, to burn this moment into my mind forever.

“You’re so responsive,” I murmured, trailing kisses along her jaw. “So wonderfully sensitive. I could spend hours exploring every inch of you, learning all the ways to make you tremble and moan.”

I picked up the pace. The change in rhythm drew a sharp gasp from her lips.

Her fingers curled around the silk tie binding her wrists as her cries of pleasure grew louder, echoing off the walls.

The sound was intoxicating—raw and unrestrained.

I reveled in knowing I was the one drawing those sounds from her, that I alone could bring her such ecstasy.

“That’s it, doll.” I nipped at her earlobe. “Let me hear how good I make you feel.”

Heat radiated between us, our skin slick with perspiration.

The air was thick with the scent of sex and Barbara’s soft floral perfume.

I breathed her in deeply. The slap of skin on skin filled the room, punctuated by our mingled gasps and groans.

Barbara’s body yielded to me, taking me deeper with each thrust. The exquisite friction of her gripping around me threatened to undo me entirely.

“God, you feel incredible.”

Barbara keened, her back arching off the bed.

“Can you take it harder?”

“Yes,” she panted. “Harder. Please.”

I obliged gladly. I pulled out and pushed her legs back until her feet touched the headboard. The sight of Barbara splayed out before me made my groin pulse and ache.

I thrust back into her with renewed vigor, the new angle allowing me to penetrate even deeper.

The headboard rattled against the wall with the power of each stroke.

A guttural moan tore from my throat at the exquisite sensation of being inside Barbara.

She cried out, her head thrown back in ecstasy, utterly magnificent in her abandon.

I gripped her hips, my fingers digging into her soft flesh as I pounded into her relentlessly.

“You’re close, aren’t you?” I purred, my voice thick with desire. “I can feel it. You’re gripping me so tight.”

I shifted my angle, and a sharp cry erupted from Barbara’s delectable lips. She fluttered and clenched around me, signaling her impending release. Her breathless cries grew more urgent, her body trembling beneath me. I redoubled my efforts, determined to send her soaring over the edge.