James Richardson stood speechless when the oak door opened. Virginia stood gracefully, her five foot, six-inch frame, draped in a purple cardigan with a tank top, skinny jeans and ballet flats. His eyes drank in every nuance of her. Even the empty tumbler in her hand, which probably had apple brandy in it, he thought. The smoothness of her caramel skin invited in a flood of memories of when Virginia lowered her guard for him…

Staring into her brown eyes, I couldn’t help but silently thank God for sending this woman into my life. Her skin was electric, as though she could power all of Philadelphia by herself. I was magnetized to her. Jealousy filled me as I watched the dress caress her as it fell to the floor. I leaned in and kissed the length of her neck and felt her gasp. I stopped to look into her brown pools of hypnotism. I wanted her right then and there. I wanted her to know I wanted her. I wanted Virginia to see my hunger for her in my eyes not just my crotch.

Without any more hesitation, I clasped her face and kissed her as though my life depended on her breath. Her hardened nipples strained against the fabric of the bra, inviting me to play with them. Gently biting her bottom lip, I gazed into her eyes and my hands drifted across the swell of her breasts. I love her skin, so soft and creamy. Pulling her into me, I unclasp her bra and drop it returning my attention to her waiting skin. Letting go of her lips, I lean down and clasp a nipple into my mouth. Feeling Virginia shiver and grip the back of my head let me know that I struck a nerve of pleasure. I tugged the nipple enough to elicit a gasp and began flicking my tongue back and forth across her hard nub. “Oh James…”

“James!” The sharp irritation in Virginia’s voice snatched me back to the present.

“Virginia. Hi. You look great. May I come in please?” I just wanted to kiss her but I know that is the last thing she wants from me right now. If I want to say my piece I have to be cool.

Virginia looked at James and wanted to kiss him but she remembered he had betrayed her, “The clock is running. You have eight minutes since you wasted two of them staring like some stalker.” She stepped to the side so James could enter without touching her.

Walking through the door, James saw that Virginia had moved almost everything out of her place. He turned slowly, “Where are you going?” Virginia closed the door hard, “Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to wonder whether we’ll bump into each other. I’m making sure that we don’t.” The finality in Virginia’s words hit James like a gut punch. Instinctively James stepped toward Virginia to embrace her and she stepped back tapping her watch, “Five minutes. Start talking or leave.”

Taking a deep breath James began. “Virginia. I love you. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have gone out drinking with Ted and Brian. I know how they are and I should have seen them for who they are.” James took one step forward, “Ted was trying to get to you and I should have trusted your instincts. I know I messed us up and cost you your position and for that I will not ever be able to forgive myself. If it takes the rest of my life, I will find a way to make it up to you because I don’t want to be with anyone else.” James got down on one knee looking at Virginia, his eyes pleading for forgiveness, “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else but you. I found my forever in you. Please baby. Forgive me.” Pulling a small black box from his back pocket, James opened it, “Will you marry me?”