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Henry
The audience erupted into applause as the lights rose. Children shuffled onto the stage, lining up in a row of adorableness. Together, the ballerinas clasped one another’s hands and bowed as one. Victoria sniffled, dabbing a tissue to her eyes as the curtain closed. Henry’s hand strayed to hers, giving a comforting squeeze as his fingers entwined with hers.
Eyes downturned, Victoria looked to her lap. “That feels nice,” she said shyly, seeming to have forgotten her oath to despise him.
Henry’s gaze lingered on her, his fingertip weaving a circular pattern atop her hand. Victoria Hathaway is breathtaking. Not only was she physically beautiful, but she had a beauty that radiated from within. If only he’d met her under different circumstances.
“We should go,” she said, uncurling her fingers from his.
The intimacy broken, Henry felt a sense of loss. “Yes, I suppose we should,” he agreed, looking around the empty theatre. “We’re the only ones still in here.”
She shrugged a shoulder. “I was too engrossed with the performance to notice,” she said, smiling sweetly.
She’d be a wonderful mother.
Holy shit! Where the hell did that thought come from?
Henry adjusted his tie and stood up. “I’d like to go backstage,” he said. “I’d hate to leave without telling Lilly how wonderful her performance was.” Tossing his jacket over one shoulder, Henry gestured for Victoria to step into the aisle.
“Me, too,” Victoria replied as she wiggled from her seat and then exited before him.
Designed to hug her shoulders, the gown revealed an alluring amount of porcelain skin along her neckline. Henry’s mouth watered. If he had his way, he’d brush his mouth over the delicate softness of her long, swan-like neck. Slowly, he’d lower her zipper and stretch the fabric across her smooth back. Then he’d paint a trail of kisses down her spine while his hands snaked around her front to fondle her breasts.
Victoria peered over her shoulder. “Coming?”
If only you knew how much I wish I were.
Nodding, he snapped out of his reverie and followed close behind her. Several wisps of hair had fallen free from the rhinestone clip used to secure her tresses. The soft hairs lay invitingly along her shoulders, begging for his touch. He reached out, feeling her shiver as he adjusted the clasp of her pearl necklace. “Your necklace was crooked.”
“Oh,” she breathed, moving her fingers over the string of pearls. “Thanks.”
He knew she felt it, too—the electric currents of desire too strong to ignore. Victoria could deny it all she wanted, but Henry knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
“There she is,” Victoria said, breaking the moment of intense connection, and pointed toward an open doorway.
“I knew you would come!” Lilly screeched, her arms flailing as she ran toward them from the backstage lounge.
Arms opened wide, Victoria bent down and enveloped the child into a big bear hug. “You did such a great job.”
“I thought I was watching a prima ballerina,” Henry said.
Lilly flashed Henry a wide grin. “You’re silly.” She giggled.
After a few moments of joyous banter, Mrs. Taylor interrupted the trio to announce that it was Lilly’s turn to pose for the professional photographer who had donated his time and talent to the event. “Thank you both for coming. You have no idea how much Lilly and I appreciate your kindness,” she said.
“I have been looking forward to this day all year.” Victoria beamed, her radiance causing Henry’s breath to hitch. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Mrs. Taylor’s eyes twinkled with exuberance. “I know I shouldn’t say this. But I must tell you that you make a lovely couple,” she gushed.
“We’re not—” Victoria began to protest.
“Mom!” Lilly interrupted.
“I’ve got to run.” Mrs. Taylor hustled toward her daughter, leaving Victoria with her mouth agape.
“Put this on,” Henry said, holding out his jacket.
Bemused, she fixed her lovely hazel eyes on him.
“You didn’t wear a coat,” he said.
She sighed and reached for the jacket, placing it around her shoulders. “I know better than to argue the point,” she said.
Well, that was surprisingly easy. Would she be submissive in bed, too? Henry’s cock twitched. Strangely, he found himself aroused by her obedience.
Together, they walked down the hall, neither of them talking. The click of Victoria’s stilettos echoing from the narrow walls of the corridor suddenly stopped.
A few paces ahead of her, Henry turned around.
Victoria looked delicate and petite as she stood rooted on the shiny linoleum floor in the middle of the hall.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
Her head tilted to the side, she leveled him with a questioning stare. “What’s happening between us?”
Henry stepped toward her.
Victoria took a step back.
His body dwarfed hers as he moved closer.
She moved backward, this time colliding with the wall. Her back flush to the cement, there was no room to escape.
Henry braced an arm on each side of Victoria, each palm resting against the wall slightly above her head.
Pinned against the wall, her breathing quickened. “How tall are you?”
Bent over her, he fixated his eyes on the rapid rise and fall of her breasts. “Where did that question come from?” he asked, his voice husky.
“Just curious,” she breathed.
“I’m 6"5". Henry lowered his head and nuzzled the delicate flesh below her ear.
Victoria lolled her neck to the side. “You’re so big. So tall.”
“Do you like that about me?” Henry asked.
“Is...um...is—”
“Don’t be shy. Feel free to ask me anything.” His lips moved to her ear.
“Is...it—” Victoria moaned, her neck arching backward as Henry sucked her earlobe.
“Tell me, Goldilocks. What is it that you want to know?”
She hesitated, her face turning crimson. “Is it true what they say about large hands and feet?” she blurted out, quickly averting her eyes to the floor.
Henry placed a finger beneath her chin and gently urged her to tilt her face up toward his. “Never hide those pretty eyes from me.” A plethora of emotions crossed her face. For a moment, he saw a flash of trepidation. Quickly, it was replaced with a look of wonder. Her eyes, big and round, now flickered with hunger.
She wants me.
“Why don’t you find out for yourself? Come home with me,” he said, his voice deep and seductive.