Victoria slid her pen back and forth as she gazed at her laptop screen. The last few days had become monotonous, trapped in a routine that took her from work to home and home to work. Salvatore had noticed; he could see the tiredness in her eyes, the lack of enthusiasm that was slowly beginning to dim her.

With her birthday just around the corner, he wanted to surprise her with something special. Without warning, he appeared in her office and knocked twice on the door.

"Come in," she replied, her voice muffled.

Salvatore walked directly in, rounded the desk, and standing behind her, brushed her neck before gently kissing...