victoria

 

 

“Victoria?”

Her heart stopped at the sound of his voice, and time seemed to stand still as she turned her head and looked him in the eyes. It was just past sunset, and he was standing in the shadows. He took a step towards her, and the lamp on the wall lit up his face.

Seeing him had the same effect on her as always. Her heart fluttered, and she became tongue tied.

“Yes?” she managed to say in a small voice. She still hadn’t processed everything she’d heard back inside. All she knew was that she wanted to jump into his arms and lose herself in his kiss.

“Did my dad follow you out here?” The last thing she wanted was a scene among the three of them.

He shook his head, and smiled. “No. And don’t worry, he can’t come between us ever again.”

She thought her ears were playing tricks on her.

“What do you mean? And what was that about money?” She felt anger rising in her again. “Did he actually talk you into breaking up with me? Is that what happened?”

Bradley looked down. He looked so hot when he was serious that she almost lost focus.

“Well, yes he came to talk to me. What he did was wrong, but in his defense, he did have your best interest in mind. He was worried that being with me would ruin your reputation.”

She felt a lump rise in her throat. “Oh, Bradley, you know I wouldn’t care about that.”

“I know. But your father did. And frankly, he did a good job of convincing me that it was the best thing for you. It was so stupid of me to listen to him.”

He stepped forward and placed one hand on her waist. With the other, he cupped her face and turned it up towards his.

“And the money?” She was ready to melt into his arms, but she had to learn all the details first.

“When I told him he was being ridiculous, he threatened to ruin my medical career before it even started. Then, he offered me money to leave you alone.”

“You didn’t…”

“No, of course not! Listen, you’re worth more to me than all the money in the world. I told him I didn’t want his money. Ever.”

He brought his face closer to hers, and brushed her lips softly with his. It was a tender kiss, and she wanted more. He pulled her closer and wrapped his strong arms around her, pressing her into him. Their kiss grew more and more intense, and she felt a wave of something indescribable carry her away.

He pulled his lips away and buried them in her hair.

“I love you,” he whispered in her ear.

A warmth erupted within her at these words, and for the first time in a long time, a genuinely happy smile spread across her face. She couldn’t believe what she heard. Was he serious?

“I love you too,” she said, and she meant it. It didn’t matter what the world thought, or what her father thought. She was with the man she wanted to be with, and it seemed like the perfect place for her to be.

He pulled back and locked eyes with her.

“Do you forgive me? I never wanted to be apart from you. I think everything came crashing down on me at once – my sister, my exams, your father – and I cracked. But I promise, I will never let that happen again. I know you’re the one for me, and I’m never letting you go again. I can’t.”

She answered him by tipping her head up and meeting his lips with hers. He reacted gratefully, and kissed her back eagerly, until they were both breathless.

A hoarse cough from the front doors just around the corner reached their ears, and hesitantly, they parted lips.

“Guess we have to go back inside soon, to make our speech,” Victoria said.

“Yeah, it’s almost time. Do you have plans for later?” His eyes sparkled in the semi-darkness, and she knew exactly what he had on his mind.

“Yes, I do,” she said with a wicked grin. “I’m spending the night with a handsome man in a tux.” She chuckled and gave him a peck on the lips, while he gave her hand a squeeze.

“I can’t wait,” he replied.

They started walking back towards the entrance. Victoria realized she had a million questions for him.

“How’s your sister? I’ve been wanting to ask…”

She was relieved when Bradley’s face lit up. “Today we found out that the treatment worked! It was Julia who shared the news. I still can’t believe it. She’s been sick for so long, and now, finally, she’ll be fine.”

Victoria couldn’t help herself, and threw her arms around him. “That’s so great to hear! I’m so happy! We need to celebrate for sure,” she said to him excitedly.

He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up in the air, laughing. “Sure, princess. Anything you want.” He set her down gently and kissed her forehead. She wanted to nestle into his chest, but she became aware of the front doors creaking open and pulled away from him as others came outside for fresh air.

“How were your exams?”

“They went really well, surprisingly. And guess what? I got into my preferred residency program, right here in New York!”

“For real? That’s awesome. I’m so glad you won’t have to leave!”

They made their way back inside the hall. Victoria found it hard to keep her hands off him, but there were too many prying eyes watching them. Besides, they’d have plenty of time for that later. She took her seat at her table as he walked over to his.

Her father was back at the table already, and was watching her. She didn’t want to look at him, but finally felt like she had no choice.

“What is it?” she asked, somewhat curtly. She didn’t want to get into it with him. It wasn’t the time nor the place, but he seemed as if he had something to say, so she figured the sooner the better. She glanced at him, even though he was the last person she wanted to see just then.

Her father sighed and looked around to make sure no one was listening. When it was clear that everyone was engrossed in conversation or otherwise occupied, he looked Victoria in the eyes, somewhat sheepishly.

“Victoria, I’m sorry,” he said in a lowered voice, leaning in towards her.

Victoria stayed quiet and waited for him to continue.

“I realize that you can make your own decisions and I shouldn’t have come between you. After learning more about him, I realized that he doesn’t seem like such a bad guy.”

“That’s all fine and dandy, dad, but I can’t believe you meddled in my private life the way you did. Also, I know that you offered him money,” she hissed under her breath. Just saying the words made her fury threaten to overwhelm her.

Her dad looked down again. “Victoria, I did what I thought was right for you at the time. Again, I’m sorry.” He reached over and placed his hand on hers. “Do you forgive me?” His tone and expression were apologetic.

“I’ll try,” Victoria said. She wasn’t ready to forgive and forget, but she didn’t want to shut that door. He would have to make it up to them after being so disrespectful to them both.

“Ok, why don’t you invite him over for dinner on Sunday?”

She looked up at him, her father, the man whom she had admired so much over the years, and her heart softened.

“We’ll see, dad.”

She didn’t speak much to him throughout the night, but he beamed with pride when she stepped up on the stage, and clapped his hands almost raw after her and Bradley’s speech. He approached her and Bradley as they came back to their tables and shook Bradley’s hand. Victoria smiled, because it was obvious that her father had accepted him. Now he just had to apologize to Bradley, which she was sure he would do, with time.

She turned to her sister. “Julia, you didn’t tell me about Bradley’s sister earlier!”

“I wanted it to be a surprise from Bradley,” she said with a wink. “I see that things are better now?” she asked.

“Yes, I’ll tell you all about it later,” Victoria said, smiling brightly.

Then she remembered – there’d be no talking later. No, she’ll be with Bradley, feeling his touches, his kisses, his tongue all over her, making up for precious lost time. She could hardly wait to be possessed by him all over again.