Chapter 39: Chapter 39

If anyone had told Sam two years ago that she’d ever feel this way with someone other than Zahir, she would have laughed in disbelief. With his death, something had died inside of her, and she’d thought it impossible to ever fall in love or be willing to commit to something serious.

Yet here she was, very much considering entering into a real relationship with Ryan. She couldn’t bring herself to deny any longer that the attraction she felt for him went much deeper than the need for just sex or companionship. She’d fought the attraction, telling herself it was for the best - both for her career and her peace of mind - but now, looking into his eyes and seeing her feelings mirrored there, Sam knew the truth.

"Yes, Ryan. I want more." Sam repeated the words, her eyes locking with his, the outside world fading away as she drew strength from the affection in those grey depths.

Overcome with an unexpected shyness, she glanced down at her lap, to where their fingers were entwined. His long, lean fingers squeezed gently and she took a deep breath and continued.

"I don't know how that's going to happen without risking my job and I'd be lying if I said that doesn't terrify me, but I know that the time we spent apart and the prospect of being separated for even longer terrifies me more."

A slow smile spread across his face and butterflies scrambled in her belly as he lifted their joined hands and pressed a reverential kiss on the back of her hand.

"I want to be with you too, baby." He replied, his voice a deep rumble against her ear. "And being without you scares the shit out of me as well."

She raised her head again. "But Ryan, since we work together, we can't - not right now, at least - not while we're in the same department. Your dad mentioned a possible reassignment when you get back from Maui..."

She trailed off as he leaned in and kissed her. His tongue gently glided along her lower lip, coaxing her mouth open. Liquid heat flowed through Sam from the point of contact and she sobbed in passion as his tongue tangled with hers in a sweet, gentle kiss and she willingly gave in to the overwhelming sensation.

"You're amazing, Sam." he murmured against her lips. "And much as I want to shout to the world that you're mine, I'm prepared to wait however long it takes."

She sighed in relief and peppered little kisses along the hard line of his jaw, wrapping her arms around his neck, silently thanking the gods for giving her someone like him.

"That's why you need to wrap up the Caine job as fast as possible." She pressed her palm against his chest, feeling the strength and warmth of muscles through the fabric of his shirt. "The sooner you get back, the sooner we can be together."

He groaned and raked his fingers through his hair. "Three long months before I get to touch you and kiss you senseless again. Fuck knows how I'm going to endure it."

"Consider it motivation." Sam said, giggling as he shot her a pained look before he pressed a quick kiss to her lips, his expression giving way to a grin as she giggled again.

"Fine. But I expect daily video calls with my girlfriend-to-be and texts as often as possible throughout the day. Agreed?"

Her smile widened on hearing him refer to her as his girlfriend...yeah, she would ignore the 'to be' part because she was damn sure she was his already.

"Daily video calls?" Sam's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Isn't that a bit much? We're both going to be swamped with work over the next few weeks you know, plus there's the time difference. Maui is what...four hours behind New York?"

"Six. But I'm sure we can work something out time wise." He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ears. "I want something to look forward to at the start or end of the day, and seeing you, hearing your voice is something to look forward to every day."

Dear god! Could he get any more swoonworthy? Because right now, Sam was damn sure swooning at the onslaught of sweet words.

"Okay." She was rewarded with a brilliant smile and another bone melting kiss that left her in a puddle of need.

"My Princess." Ryan whispered, his breath fanned her skin, sending goosebumps all over. He tugged her close and she snuggled into him with a sigh, her head coming to rest on his chest, the quick beat of his heart echoing in her ears, in sync with hers.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she felt the pressure of his mouth as he dropped a kiss on her hair. His scent wrapped around her, so warm and familiar and she took a deep breath, letting the beloved smell fill her lungs, making her feel safe and wanted.

******

Sam stepped into her darkened apartment and flipped the switch, bathing the room in a soft yellow glow. She set her bag down on the accent table and shrugged out of her coat, grimacing as her arm and neck muscles protested the movement, sore from a hectic workday.

Deciding a good long soak in a hot bath was in order, she made for the bathroom, shedding her clothes and letting them drop unheeded to the bedroom floor as she walked through, deciding to pick up later when she was bathed and fed. She wrapped a towel around her body, twisting her hair into a knot at the top of her head and turned on the tap.

Soft music floated from the speaker overhead as she let the tub fill, heading back to the kitchen to pour out a glass of wine. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten anything since the chicken and veggie wrap at lunch.

A wistful smile curved her lips as she recalled eating her lunch while on a video call with Ryan, who had been having his breakfast while they filled each other in on work related issues and updates. This had become a routine they’d fallen into in the seven weeks he’d been in Maui.

Speaking of routine.

Sam retrieved her cellphone from her bag and checked her messages. Sure enough, there was a new message from Ryan and her eyes softened as she read it.

Hey Sweetheart. I know it's only been an hour since our last call, but I miss you already.

P.S In case I don’t tell you enough, you have an incredibly sexy voice.

She giggled and sent a reply.

Miss you too. And you say that everytime we talk over the phone.

His reply was almost instantaneous.

Doesn’t make it any less true, Princess.

Flatterer.

;)

You home now?

Just got in.

It took a while for his reply and she guessed he must still be at the meeting he’d mentioned earlier. Clutching the phone, she grabbed her glass of wine and headed for her bath.

She set the phone on the stand and climbed in. With a groan of contentment, she sank into the delicious hot water and shut her eyes at the bliss, inhaling the sweet peach and jasmine aroma of her favorite bath salt that filled the room.

For several minutes she lay there, luxuriating, only moving to take a sip of wine. Then her phone beeped and she sat up and reached for it.

Lucky you.

I’m still stuck in this damned meeting. Caine Sr. likes the sound of his own voice a little bit too much.

Poor baby.

I love it when you call me baby.

Had dinner yet, Princess?

No. I'm having a bath but I'll eat later.

Jesus.

You mean you're naked right now?

Yes?

There was no reply for several minutes and she grinned, picturing him sitting in a conference, trying to act normal. He'd probably try to surreptitiously adjust his pants, while his mind swam with mental pictures of her in the bathtub.

The opening strains of Drops of Jupiter broke the silence and she started, barely managing to avoid dropping her vibrating phone in the water.

"Hello?" She sounded breathless from surprise.

"You trying to kill me?" Ryan's voice was a deep sexy timbre that sent goosebumps all over Sam's skin, and set off an ache between her thighs.

She swallowed, clenching her thighs, and bit her lip. "Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting?"

"It's hard to focus when there's a gorgeous distraction telling me she's naked and wet." He fairly growled the words. In the background Sam heard a door open and shut. "So now, I'm in my room and you have my full attention, Princess."

She flushed with pleasure, knowing he could drop everything to spend time with her and she felt the urge to reward him for that.

"Would you like to watch me?" She asked, emboldened when she heard his quick intake of breath.

"God, yes. I want to see you touch yourself and come for me."

Pulse pounding in a mixture of anticipation and arousal, she switched the call to video and seconds later, Ryan's face filled her screen.

"Hey," she whispered. From what she could see of him, he was wearing a light blue shirt, tie already askew and hanging loose, the top two buttons of the shirt undone, giving her a mouth watering

"Hey, beautiful." He gave her a look that made her toes curl.