《Breaking The Routine》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 - New York Adventure Chapter 1 Chapter 1 - New York Adventure Sam looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror of her hotel room horrified. "I can''t go out looking like this," she eximed. "Don''t be silly Sam, you look hot," Tabby told her from the other room. She sighed and looked at her reflection again. Her ck sleeveless shirt had a swooping neckline that showed off more of her cleavage than she would ever usually think about showing. It was apanied with a ck skirt that ended about mid-thigh; much shorter than she would have ever had worn before. Sam turned to the side skeptically, the outfit did show off her curves well, but that didn''t make her feel any more comfortable in it. "Now let''s take care of that hair and makeup," Tabby chirped happily ignoring her friend''s difort. Sam started to protest, but Tabby held up her hand. "I so do not want to hear it, you promised me, Samantha Isabel Peters! You said you would notin or back down! I let you chicken out after an hour yesterday but tonight is ourst night in New York and I am not letting you get out of it this time," she snapped andmanded that Sam sits down so she could fix her hair. Sam pulled her face into a pout as she flopped down in the chair. Why did I ever agree to this, she thought miserably, but she already knew why. Tabby has been her best friend since she could remember and somehow her friend always knew how to get her to do what she wanted. When Sam had turned twenty-six, Tabby took on the mission of breaking her out of her isted life. "If you keep going like this Sam you''re going to end up a spinster with a house full of cats," she imed when they had gone out for Sam''s birthday. Sam merely rolled her eyes. "Don''t you think you''re exaggerating just a little Tabby," She asked and the blonde shook her head side to side. "No I am not Sam; yourst boyfriend was nearly five years ago! You''re so on the spinster path!" The blonde scolded her. Sam shrugged in reply, she didn''t really mind the way her life was, yes she did get lonely and wouldn''t mind having a bit of romance, but she wasn''t about to change herself all around just for a man to notice her. "If a fisherman didn''t bait his hook then he would go home empty handed. If you want a guy, you''re going to have to bait him with something Sam!" Tabby told her with a sly smile. "Men aren''t fish Tabby, and if being myself isn''t bait enough for them then they don''t deserve to have me," Sam replied to her friend. "Besides, men aren''t the be all and end all of life!" Tabby gave her a horrified look then the sly smile came back to her lips. "No they may not be the be all and end all of life," she admitted. "But they sure do make it a lot more fun!" About a month ago Tabby got the crazy idea of taking a trip to New York for them to have a fun weekend. "It''ll be cool; you can break with the good girl and go wild! No one in this little town will know the difference so you can go back to your boring wallflower routine if you like," Tabby had told her. Even though Sam was the exact opposite of wild and she didn''t think she could ever break the good girl since it was who she was, the idea of her friend''s n did sound kind of exciting. Stepping out of the routine and forgetting about being shy, nice, and worrying what other people thought about her. So Tabby finally got her to agree and here she was sitting in her hotel in New York being pampered by her friend in attempts to break her out of her quiet good girl routine. They arrived Friday afternoon and that night went to the first nightclub they had found, Sam didn''t like it at all. It was too dark and smoky and the electronic music sounded like something long lost from the eighties. The ce in general just made her feel anxious and self-conscious. The only guys that came up to them only wanted to dance with Tabby. They didn''t even look at her; she was invisible! Which honestly made Sam all the happier, the guys just oozed sleaze bag. This afternoon while Sam did some tourism Tabby googled for some good clubs and promised her that tonight would be different. Sam had her doubts and was dreading going out again, she was sure it was going to be exactly the same asst night. Not an experience she felt like reliving. "There you go," Tabby announced breaking Sam from her thoughts. "Any guy with two eyes would definitely want to shag ya, yeah baby!" She said ending with a silly Austin Powers impression. "You''re crazy, I am talking totally textbook crazy!" Sam told her as she looked herself in the mirror, there was no doubt she had never looked better. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. "Shush, none of that talk tonight. Tonight you''re Sam the wild cat, going out for another wild night!" "Right, now if you can convince everyone else that," Sam said with a pessimistic tone as Tabby ushered her out the hotel room. The club Tabby picked defiantly had a better feel to it. It wasn''t smoky, had good lighting and Sam loved the upbeat music. The ce was a bit crowded but not to the point that it made her feel like she was in a sardine in a can. "Now let''s get some alcohol in you Wildcat! It will help you get out of that shell of yours," Tabby said as they made their way to the bar and Sam smiled shaking her head slightly. "Why Mss. Mathews, you are trying to get me drunk?" Sam asked putting on her best impression of a prude. Tabby nodded yes making them bothugh like school girls. After a couple of drinks Sam started to feel buzzed and a little light headed but Tabby kept handing her more so she kept drinking them, she had lost count after she had drunk the fourth shot ss but she knew she had drunk more. "Now let''s dance Wildcat, we may not get you a boy toy but tonight we are going to have fun," Tabby cheered grabbing her hand leading her in the crowd. Sam had no idea how to dance so she just mimicked whatever Tabby did feeling silly and awkward but once thest drinks kicked in Sam no longer cared about appearing silly, she actually started to have a lot of fun. "Is this a private party or can anyone join?" a deep voice asked from behind after they had been dancing a while. They turned to see two of the hottest guys Sam had everid her eyes on. Tabby smiled impishly as she tapped her chin with her index finger eyeing them both. "I don''t know what do you think Wildcat can they join," Tabby asked her and she felt her cheeks burn slightly with a blush as she gave her friend a mock re. The majority of her shyness was drowned in the alcohol sessfully bringing out of her shell and she attempted her best seductive smile looking both of them over. The one on the right obviously had eyes only for Tabby. He was tall, muscr, blond and very well dressed. The other was about the same height, build, and impressively dressed but was brte instead of blond. His chestnut brown hair came down to his chin where the start of a beard was showing. "Sure why not," she answered with a confident tone that suggested she always had gorgeous guysing up to her asking to dance. Sam took the hand the brte held out for her not believing a guy as hot as him would want to dance with her. Her drunken buzz was beginning to wear off allowing the feeling of insecurity start to creep back into her. She felt nervous as remembered she still had no idea how to dance and was terrified of stepping on his toes or generally making a fool of herself. They began dancing slowly, but she found it strange that she fell into a perfect rhythm with him considering she was clueless to what she was doing. When the song was finished, she stepped away from him expecting that he would go back with his friend or with someone else but as the music started again, he pulled her closer to him. A small smile spread across her lips as she looked up at him feeling drawn into his soft brown eyes that appeared never to look away from her. "Hey Wildcat," Tabby called to her after the second song ended. Sam with hesitation broke away from the man''s incredible gaze. Did she really spend the whole song staring at him? She suddenly panicked; worried that he probably thought she was some kind of desperate freak. She gave her attention to her friend trying to ignore the knotting feeling in her stomach that had started gnawing at her. "Bring your hotty over to the bar; I think we need more to drink," Tabby told her winking at her then she led the guy she was dancing over to the bar. "Your hotty," the man who Sam had been dancing with asked with a hint of a smile on the edges of his lips. She felt blush burn across her cheeks and sheughed a soft nervousugh. "She said it, not me. That''s Wallflower," she told him with a small shrug and made her way towards her friend. "Here you go Wildcat, bottoms up," Tabby said handing her a small shot ss filled with a brownish drink. She really didn''t like the taste but now that her head was clearing she could feel her insecurities coming back with strength and the desire to run to safer waters was growing. Sam was having fun before and didn''t want it to end just yet. "Thanks...Wallflower," Sam replied with a small mischievous grin "Wallflower?" Tabby asked looking confused then smiled, "yeah that''s me, Wallflower!" Tabby tilted her head back then downed her shot ss and Sam followed suit, it was hot and burned on the way down. She coughed and felt her eyes water as Tabby passed her another one. Just as she started to lift it to her lips, her dance partner leans over till he was very close to her. "For a wildcat you don''t seem to be that much of a drinker," he whispered in her ear and shivers ran through her body as his warm breath brushed her skin. Oh wow, was all she could think at first then she smiled up at him feeling the warmth of the drinks flood her body. She downed the shot ss she was holding a little easier this time. "I make it up in other things," she told him with a naughty smile surprising even herself. He returned it and she felt her stomach tighten while her heart raced. "Oh really and what things would that be exactly," he asked moving even more closely to her. Sam''s heart raced even faster, her breaths quickened and her blood seemed to have grown impossibly warm. "Now it wouldn''t be any fun if I told you that now would it," she replied looking up at him. Oh my god is this really happening, she asked herself silently. Never in her life had she been so forward or even close to it. His arms wrapped around her waist, closing the distance between them. "No, I guess it wouldn''t be," he answered looking at her with a look no man had ever given her before. Oh wow, she thought again and wondered if he really could be attracted to her? Sam felt her breath stop as he lowered his face closer to hers. His lips were about to touch hers when she felt a wave of fear attack her and she backed away. She couldn''t believe what almost happened. This hotter than hot man almost kissed her! Sam couldn''t get over the fact that he actually wanted to kiss her at right now. She looked back up at him and saw that he was still looking at her intently and she felt a little embarrassed by acting so cowardly and pulling away like that. She was not supposed to be a coward tonight but brave. "I think I would like to dance some more," she told him hoping he wasn''t insulted or put off. He nodded not taking his eyes off of her and she felt relieved and confused at the same time. Why was he looking at her like that, she couldn''t help but wonder as he took her hand in his leading her back on the dance floor. He pulled her in close, much closer than they had been before and her whole body responded to his closeness. She fell in perfect rhythm once more with him and where his handsy on her hips, her skin grew warm. She blushed once more at his a prating gaze and a yful smile crossed her face and he replied with his own smile. Goosebumps and shivers ran across her as one of his hands slowly moved along her back to rest on the back of her shoulder. They had been dancing for some time when Sam felt her stomach twist upon itself as he lowered his face towards hers once more. This time, she felt powerless to pull away from him. Oh wow, she thought yet again as he stopped with his lips closely next to hers as if allowing her the chance to back out again. Did she want to kiss him? Of course she did, her inner voice chided her. When she didn''t pull away, he closed the distance between them giving her a soft yet intense kiss. Sam melted as she kissed him in return and couldn''t resist pressing herself against him. She felt a strong desire build up in her that she had never felt before. She surprised herself once more by allowing him ess to her mouth without him needing to ask. His hands pressed against her pulling her as close as possible as he explored her mouth with passion. A soft moan escaped her as the desire grew more intense. When the kiss ended Sam was breathless and light headed. She looked up at him surprised by the look of lust upon his face. He gave her a small sexy smile and she blush once more. They danced for a little while longer when he lowered towards her ear. "Want to go somewhere more private Wildcat," he whispered huskily causing her to shiver again. Did he just seriously ask her that? He really wanted to sleep with her? Her stomach was doing flips as Sam nibbled her bottom lip not sure what to say. Normally she would never do such a thing and she didn''t even know his name but tonight was not about what she would normally do. "I would love to," she told him, hoping the effects of the alcohol wouldst out the night. Her dance partner smiled as if he had just won the lottery then led her out of the nightclub. He held her tightly in front of him as he hailed a cab making her feel as if she was something precious. He bent down trailing kisses down her neck and she shivered once more with delight and anticipation as her heart continued to race at high speed. No man she had ever met or known had done this to her before. He opened the door for her once the cab had stopped and she smiled brightly; that was another thing no man had done for her before. Once they were in the cab, he gave the cab driver an address and pulled her close to him. He cupped her face with his hand lowering his face towards hers to give her another kiss that didn''t end till they reached their destination. He paid the driver and she tried not to ignore the sly smile the cab driver gave them. She couldn''t believe what she was about to do. She, Samantha Peters, was going to sleep with a guy she just met, a guy whose name she didn''t even know. He wrapped his arm around her waist and the other took her hand softly as he guided her into the hotel. She smiled a tiny smile as he red at the bell boy when he approached them and asked if they needed anything. "He must be as drunk as I am," she thought giddily. No man had ever acted this way around her. Her smile grew when she noticed he always had at least one hand around her even when he had to open the door to his room. As soon as the door to the hotel room was closed he pinned her against the wall with his body forcefully but not hurting her. "Now where did we leave off," he said gruffly and she smiled with a hint of nervousness. Another lustful look passed through his face just before he kissed her again and she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling herself closer towards him. He reached down and grabbing her and pulling her up till she could wrap her legs around his waist as she tangled her fingers in his silky soft hair. He let a long low moan and wrapped his arms around her pulling her from the wall and towards the bed. She felt her blood boil as heid her softly on the bed and he trailed kisses down her neck once more. "You''re incredible you know that Wildcat," he told her as his hands explored her body and another blush broke across her cheeks just before he kissed her again. Sam stretched as she woke the next morning. She felt more rested and rxed than she had felt for a long time despite a raging headache assaulting her. She slowly opened one eye but closed it quickly as the rays of sunlight were like knives stabbing into her brain. She groaned quietly burying her head in her pillow when a hand that wasn''t hers brushed her thigh. Only barely suppressing a shriek of surprise Sam turned to see the man lying beside her. A small smile broke across her lips as she remembered what happened the night before. Even though he was asleep, his face smashed against his pillow he was still so sexy. She blushed an embarrassed not believing she had done all that even if it was the most incredible night she had ever had in her life. The sudden urge to repeat it all washed over her, but she turned back around with care trying not to wake him. She looked at the clock on the nightstand near her she jumped out of the bed. Her ne leaves in two hours! Sam cringed as she heard the man groan. He rolled over still asleep and she let out a sigh of relief. As much as she wanted to enjoy the pleasures of his kisses again she was pretty sure he wouldn''t feel the same now that he was sober. Sam had always heard of the beer goggle effect and didn''t want to ruin her experience with his look of rejection once he saw her. So she decided for the cowardly way out, dressing as quick as she could then running for the door before he could have the chance to wake up and reject her. A half hourter Sam entered in her hotel room in a rush and Tabby gave her a stern look. "Finally, damn I was starting to think you nned on staying here," she scolded and Sam blushed for the millionth time in twenty-four hours. She dashed over to the dresser and ripping open the drawers and began throwing her clothes into her old brown suitcase. Tabby stood there with her eyebrows raised and foot tapping. "Well," she asked not being able to keep quiet any longer. Sam smiled and decided to y dumb. "Well, what? I am afraid I don''t know what you are talking about," she replied with a mocked look of confusion on her face as she finishing emptying the dresser. "Samantha Isabel Peters, You know perfectly well what I am talking about. You spend the night with a cute guy which you just metst night, and are ying dumb with me! Spill the beans girl!" Tabby insisted with slight irritation and Sam giggled as if she was a giddy teenager while attempting to zip the overfull suitcase. "It was awesome Tabby! I can''t believe it really happened," she confessed with a dreamy look in her eyes. Tabby gave her an "I told you so" look and waited. Sam released a yful sigh and hugged her friend. "Okay, you were right. This was a good idea. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 - What Happens in New York Stays in New York Chapter 2 Chapter 2 - What Happens in New York Stays in New York Sam smashed the snooze button of her rm clock. She groaned and buried her head in her pillows not ready to wake up. A smile crossed her face as she remembered Saturday night; since that night she just couldn''t keep a smile from her lips. She attempted to remember every detail she could about that man when the rm began to sound again. Fine, I am going, she snapped at it silently as she turned it off and dragged herself out of her veryfortable bed. She was dreading going to work today which was not typical feeling for her. She loved her job, working as the secretary for an ountingpany may not sound exciting especially when your father is your boss but she liked it. Sam entered into the bathroom turning on the shower and removing her pajamas stiffly. The reason of her dread was due to her father''s excitement about some hotshot that wasing in from some big city she didn''t even bother to remember. He was supposed to be a big deal in the ounting world and her father was lucky to have gotten him to agree to work forpany. Thepany had been in business for many years but it was still on the small side and didn''t have much prestige, or yet anyway as her father would love to say. The prick probably knows how big time he is too and expects everyone to treat him with some kind of royal treatment, she thought grumpily as she got into the shower. Well if he expects me to give him special treatment and kiss his ass he has another thinging she thought darkly as she began her daily routine. Sam was determined to treat him just like she treated everyone else no matter how important he was to her father or thepany. Getting out of the shower and drying herself off she wished could call in sick or something but she knew her father wouldn''t allow it. She wrapped a towel around her and left the bathroom passing a nce at the clock on her nightstand. "Crap, I am runningte, Dad is going to kill me!" She yelled and dashed to the dresser, thanking god she always prepared her clothes the day before. She threw the towel on the bed and dressed in record time. She rushed back into the bathroom pulling her wild brown locks into a tight organized bun. She debated on eating something or just heading to work for a moment then decided against breakfast grabbing her keys that sat in a little china bowl on a table near the door. Sam parked the car in the parking lot and ran to the office. She quickly nced at her wrist watch noticing she was right on time. Phew, that was a close one, she thought smiling with victory. There was nothing her father hated more than tardiness especially today of all days. In fact he demanded that she arrive early but obviously she didn''t manage to swing that one by. Oh well, he will forgive me someday, she though as she entered into the building. She greeted the always happy Mrs. Simpson, thepany receptionist and noticed her father was stomping in her direction. Okay, he is very pissed that I didn''t arrive early, she realized wondering how to get herself out of this one. He stopped just before her and raised one stern eye brow at her and hard frown crossed his face as he awaited her exnation. She loved her father but he could be so a real jerk sometimes. "I am sorry Da-Mr. Peters," she started then quickly corrected herself. Her father insisted that in the work ce she should address him as everyone else did. That way no one could ever think he gave her special treatment for being his daughter. It wasn''t exactly true he did give her special treatment but not in the good way, he expected so much more from her than he did from everyone else. "My rm clock went all funky on me," she lied smoothing out the little wrinkles upon her clothes caused by her rush. That seemed to calm him slightly and she allowed herself a small quiet sigh of relief. "Well David has already arrived and met everyone except you," he said cing special emphasis on the words everyone and you. She was just about to apologize when Tabby came up to them. Sam shot her friend a bright smile and a good morning. She loved that they worked together. Tabby was like an ountant wizard and Sam didn''t understand why her father made such a big deal about this David guy when he had her. "Good Morning Mr. Peters, Sam may I have a word with you please," Tabby said giving Sam a look she didn''t quite understand. "Does it have to be now Tabitha," her father asked with an air of impatience. "Yes!" Tabby said almost with a sense of urgency. "I mean yes sir, it''s important," she added more calmly. Sam eyed her friend suspiciously as her father sighed, and nodded. "Hurry up, we have work to do and you still need to meet David," he told her harshly then turned around and walked back to his office. "So where is the fire Tabby," Sam asked as soon as her father was out of ear shot. Tabby looked around frantically then pushed Sam into the bathroom. "What the hell, what''s wrong with you," she cried in surprise looking at her friend usingly. "David Andrews, you know the new guy," Tabby started nearly bouncing in ce from excitement. "Yeah what about him, is he a real ass," she asked hesitantly assuming the answer would be yes but Tabby shook her head no. "No it''s not that, it''s him," she replied her voice rising to a squeal as she said the word "him" and Sam looked at her friend confused not understanding at all what her friend was trying to say. "Him who?" She asked with a little irritation and wondering darkly why in the world Tabby was being so cryptic. Her friend got a wicked glint in her eye and a sly smile slipped across her full lips that convinced Sam whatever Tabby was going to say now she wasn''t going to like it one bit. "David Andrews is...." Tabby started pausing for dramatics and Sam sighed loudly letting her know that she was getting tired of her games. "Your hotty from New York," Tabby squealed excitedly and it took a moment for Sam to fully understand what Tabby just said but when it finally clicked she could literally feel the blood drain from her face. "What!" Sam managed to squeak and Tabby nodded grinning like a fool. "I don''t think he recognized me though," she stated with a small pout. "How is this possible," Sam eximed feeling light headed. She grabbed on to the sink and closed her eyes taking deep breaths trying to make the world stop spinning. "I don''t know usually guys never forget me, if you get my meaning," Tabby joked then noticed Sam''s pale serious face. "Oh my God, it''s not that big of a deal Sam. These kinds of things happen all the time!" Tabby despaired and Sam red at her wondering how she could say that. "Not a big deal! I threw my drunken self all over him when I didn''t even know his name," Sam shrieked. "I slept with him and left before he woke up," she continued waving her arms frantically. Sam paced the women''s bathroom nervously thinking about what the hell she was going to do. "This may be normal for everybody else but not for me! I am not that type of person," Sam ranted. "Oh my God, he is my father''s new star employee! My father will kill me," she shouted feeling herself go from angry to hysterical in less than a second. "Rx Sam, there is no reason you''re dad has to know about it." Tabby said trying to calm her down with rubbing soothing circles on her back. "This is all your fault! If I didn''t go on that stupid trip and sleep with that stupid guy I wouldn''t be here in this stupid situation," she barked harshly and Tabby flinched at her words. "I think you''re overreacting just a bit Sam, I mean didn''t he say you were incredible, maybe he will be d to see you," Tabby said with a hopeful face but Sam just gave her a death re and growled. "He was drunk Tabby! He probably didn''t even realize he said it! I swear to God, I must be one of those people who can never do anything outside of the rules! If we speed we always get a ticket," Sam snapped then hung her head to her chest. She tried to calm herself down so she could figure out what to do since it was obvious she couldn''t stay in the woman''s bathroom all day...or could she? She shook her head knowing that she was being silly. "Maybe he won''t remember me; we did drink a lot that night. Maybe it ended up as a cked out blur to him and he can''t even remember my face," she said atst with hope lined in her face and Tabby thought for a moment and brightened. "Yeah maybe, as I said he didn''t recognize me so maybe that is it! You''re freaking out over nothing," Tabby told her eagerly. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. "Seriously, the only reason you are upset is because he doesn''t remember you," Sam asked her friend in amazement. "Hey it hurts my self-esteem," she replied with a shrug. Sam shook her head with a tiny smile feeling a little better and really doubting anything could hurt the blonde''s self-esteem. "Well I can''t stay here forever so," she started taking a moment to prepare then walked over to the sink turning on the faucet. She sshed her face with water to help calm herself some more. "He won''t recognize me; he will have no idea who I am," she told herself almost believing it as she dried her face with a paper towel. She checked her appearance in the mirror and nervously smoothed her ck pencil skirt. Sam left the bathroom with her head up high, hoping to look as if nothing had happened and it was business as usual. She started her daily routine but as soon as her father saw her he called her into his office. Nervously she straightened and smoothed skirt again taking a deep breath gathering the papers and documents that needed her father''s attention. "He won''t recognize me; he will have no idea who I am," she whispered to herself once more then entered her father''s office. Her father sat at hisrge wooden desk and another man, who she assumed was David Andrews, sat in one of the two chairs in front of it. Thankfully he didn''t turn when she entered. "Good Morning Mr. Peters. I have the morning''s duties here for you as well as some documents that you need to look over," she said as she did every morning as she ran through the papers she held in her arms. She circled around the desk trying her best to stay away from David Andrews'' direct sight. She took a side long nce at him and her heart skipped a couple of beats. It was without a doubt the guy from New York and he was so much more attractive than she remembered. She quickly looked down to the papers again and gave a hard swallow as she stered a smile on her face. "Yes but before that I would like you to finally meet David Andrews. David this is my secretary and daughter Samantha Peters," her father started and Sam tried not to cringe as the man turned his attention to her for the first time. Her stomach dropped to her feet as she saw the look of shock and recognition cross his face. "Crap, crap, crap! This cannot be happening to me," she cried silently. She forced a smile and held out her hand politely. "It''s nice to meet you Mr. Andrews. We are excited to have you here," she stated trying to keep her voice steady. "Thank you, I am d to be here," he said as he took her extended hand and shook it. She felt shivers run through her body at his touch and she ripped her hand from his trying to keep calm but couldn''t help but notice a small smile appear on his lips. "This cannot be happening to me", she Sam refused to turn her attention back to David. If she didn''t look at him she could almost convince herself that it was someone else sitting there and everything was still right in her little corner of the world. "Thank you Samantha that will be all," her father told her once she was finished. She turned and noticed David watching her sending her little corner of the world back in chaos. "Nice to meet you Samantha, I look forward to working with you," he said and she could almost hear himughing at her. She gave him a polite nod and rushed out of the office towards her desk where Tabby was waiting eagerly. "So," Tabby asked drawing out the "o" for several seconds as soon as Sam sat down at her desk. "This is horrible! I don''t see how this could get any worse," Sam groaned and let her head fall to her desk with a loud thud. "I can''t believe he didn''t recognize me," Tabby pouted and Sam tilted her head towards her friend so she could re at her. "Seriously? You have ruined my life and reputation and all you care about is how he didn''t recognize you!" She whispered angrily and Tabby justughed as if Sam had said something incredibly funny. "Damn girl, you sure are going drama queen on this one. Honestly I think this will actually be good for you Sam." Tabby exined with a matter of fact tone. "I cannot see how this could possibly be good for me!" Sam snapped back and could not believe her awful luck. Tabby shrugged and got up from the corner of Sam''s desk. "Only time will tell," she chirped and walking toward her own desk and Sam red at her feeling purely livid with anger, embarrassment, and horror. "Only time will tell," Sam mocked her friend angrily. She lifted her head up from the desk rubbing her forehead where she was sure there would be a red spot. She leaned back into the chair thinking about what had just happened. How is it possible out all the thousands of people in New York and out of all the damn men that were in that club that night did she end up sleeping with her father''s new prized employee? She huffed as she sat up in her chair and looking at theputer screen but not really seeing what was there. She now was thinking of David''s reaction at seeing her, it didn''t exactly look like rejection. Could he possibly be happy to see her again? Sam made a sound between a scoff and a snort with a shake of her head causing her co-worker Adam to shoot her an odd look before he returned to his work. Sam bit her lip feeling her cheeks heat up slightly but with the determined decision that David Andrews wasn''t happy to see her and it was in her best interest to avoid him at all costs, there was only one sure way to do that. She had to dedicate herself totally andpletely to her work then maybe just maybe she could survive the day and humiliation. The day passed quickly and it appeared her n was working to perfection. She hadn''t had to speak to or see David Andrews again. She nced at her wrist watch and saw it was time for lunch. "Thank God the first part is over," Sam cheered silently as she got up from her chair and grabbed her purse. She looked around the room and didn''t see David anywhere and decided it was the perfect time to leave. She made a mad dash for the door to only run into arge wall of muscle half way there. She started to lose her bnce and someone held on to her waist preventing her from falling. "Whoa easy there Wildcat," she heard an unfortunately familiar voice say with an obvious hint of gloating and she grimaced with the even more confirmation that he remembered all too well that night. She suddenly noticed how close together they stood and her body started to warm up. Sam pushed herself away from him with the hope of not making a fool of herself. She looked up to him and her heart skipped a beat when she noticed his breath taking smile. "Excuse me," she muttered moving to the side so she could walk past him and towards the door but he quickly moved in front of her and blocked her path. "Now where you running off so quickly," he asked then grinned wickedly as he added, "again!" She felt her throat tighten, her jaw dropped and her face turn a bright red not believing he had just said that! "I...I...am not running off, I am just leaving for lunch," she managed to squeak failing in her attempt to sound confident. "Really, what a coincidence so was I," he replied with an even bigger smile on his face now. Oh My God, this can''t be happening she cried silently pressing her lips together. What the hell was he seriously ying at? "Good for you, now will you please excuse me," Sam shot back hoping to ry that she wasn''t in the mood for whatever game he was ying as she moved to the side again but he moved with her blocking her escape route again. She wanted to scream and tear her hair out in frustration. "You know it would be great if someone showed me a good ce to eat," he told her, amusement filled his voice. "I am sure anyone else in the office would love to help you," she replied with a little bitterness in her voice quickly moving for a third time only to be blocked by him again. Oh God, he is set out to make a fool of me, she thought with a sinking feeling. "Yeah I suppose they could but since none of them are leaving now that leaves just you," he replied with a mischievous look on his face. She pressed her lips tightly together feeling herself starting to get really angry. "I really don''t think that is a good idea," Sam snapped with a re trying to make it clear she had no intention of eating lunch with him. "Well I do Wildcat," he teased and she flinched involuntarily as he used that nickname again. He leaned slightly towards her then added in a whisper, "after all you kind of owe it to me since you left without giving me so much as a kiss good-bye." Sam felt a horrible deep blush take over her face. She opened and closed her mouth as a fish out of water feeling more embarrassed than she had ever felt her entire life. Her gaze fell to her feet having no idea how respond him. "All I am asking is lunch" he said and she looked up to him with determination to say no way but he had the silliest sad expression on his face that caused a traitorous smile to spread across her face. "Alright follow me," Sam relented but was silently cursed herself for giving up so quickly. Why the hell did she smile back, he is only doing this to make a fool out of her, she scolded silently. He had a stupid grin on his face as he held his arm out for her to take but she just walked passed him to her car. There was no way she would touch him any time soon, she didn''t like at all how her body reacted when she did, she need to keep herself logical. Logic was good. The drive to the small diner where she always ate her lunch had never felt so long in her life. It didn''t help at all that she could literally feel him looking at her the whole time. She tried hard to keep her attention on the road as she kept expecting him to say something but he waspletely silent which she didn''t know if that was a good thing or not. Either way she felt as if she was on the brink of going insane when they finally arrived. Sam thanked God once more as she got out of the car. "Dottie''s Diner," he asked looking up at the little diner. "It may not have a menu like you have in New York but Dottie is the best cook in town," she replied with a t tone walking towards the diner trying to put as much distance between them as possible. "Well that''s good enough for me," he stated closing the distance between them till he stood by her side. She cursed mentally as he opened the door for her, the simple gesture made her stomach twist and her pulse quicken. "Good afternoon, Sam dear, what can I get you and your friend today," the middle age woman asked putting emphasis on the word friend with arge grin on her aged face. She eyed David who followed Sam like some lost puppy and sat at her booth right in front of her. Sam felt herself blush and she pretended to look at the menu. "He''s the new guy my dad has been excited about, Dottie this is David Andrews. Mr. Andrews this is Dottie Sanders," she mumbled behind the menu. "Please call me David, and it''s nice to meet you. I hear your cooking is the best in the whole town," he told her and Dottie beamed with pride before turning to face Sam. "Oh this one is a keeper," she said winking and Sam felt her face reach a brighter shade of red as she buried her face further into the menu. Oh great, now rumors will start to fly, she thought grumpily finally ordering a sd but she didn''t think she would be able to eat anything despite the fact she didn''t eat anything that morning. Her stomach was nothing but a mass of knots now and David justughed seemingly oblivious of her suffering as he gave Dottie his order. Why did she ever let Tabby talk her in to that stupid weekend, she pouted. Once she felt her face return to normal she lowered the menu from her face. "So I am a keeper huh," he asked with his bright sexy smile and amusement written all over his face. She covered her face with her hands trying to hide the awful blush that tinted her face a bright red. "This is not funny," she demanded between her fingers which only got him toughing again and he leaned over the table. "I actually think it''s hrious! I guess you''re not much of a wildcat after all," he mused and she red at him. He was obviously not going to let what happened in New York stay in New York. It was only a matter of time before the whole town found out. She was ruined; her life was totally over from now on. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 - Last Night in Town Chapter 3 Chapter 3 - Last Night in Town David Andrews looked at the building with the bright shing neon sign before him and sighed loudly. He really didn''t want to go to the club tonight. The fact was that he didn''t like clubbing as much as he use to anymore. The only women at those clubs were never the ones looking for a rtionship but a bit of fun. Fun is great when you''re twenty but he was no longer twenty and no longer just wanted fun from women. So obviously none of the women in this ce were able to give him what he was looking for. However his friend, Mark, insisted that David go with him since it was hisst night in the city. Of course, David yed the good friend and reluctantly agreed. They got into the club quickly since Mark was good friends with the bouncer. He looked around his once favorite weekend spot. Great the ce is packed he thought grumpily as he waded through the mass of people to the bar and called to the bartender. He was going to need a drink if he was going to stick it out with his friend. "Hey David, haven''t seen you in a while. What can I get you," the bartender asked and he ordered his usual. When he finally got his drink he took a slow drink ignoring the looks of some of the women had already started giving him. Mark nudged him looking excited about something. "See those two," Mark said as he pointed to two girls dancing with each other. "Yeah what about them," David asked not really looking at them; he wasn''t in the least bit interested in a single woman at this ce. "The blond is really hot. Let''s ask them dance," Mark replied eagerly and he groaned quietly hoping his friend wasn''t going to drag him over there. "Why let''s, you want to dance with her then go and ask!" He snapped feeling that his friend was really abusing the whole friendship code tonight. "Ahe on man, you know perfectly well she won''t dance with me if I don''t have someone for the other girl," Mark exined giving him a pleading look. He sighed dramatically, it was bad enough that Mark dragged him to this ce but now he wanted David to entertain "the friend" which was probably ugly as hell. Hot women never surrounded themselves with other hot women. "Fine, whatever, just one dance," he said finishing off his drink and followed his friend. Mark seriously owed him for this, he vowed as they walked toward the two women. "Is this a private party or can anyone join," Mark asked and David groaned silently. Now that wasme, he thought as they turned to face them. The blonde tapped finger on her chin gave them a sly smile. "I don''t know, what you think Wildcat can they join?" she asked turning to her friend. David feeling bored already, turned to look at the other woman; she blushed and red at her friend. A small smile threatened to break his grim face as he looked her over. The brte wasn''t what he had been expecting at all. She was in fact quiet attractive with a nice the girl next door allure about her. Something told him she wasn''t like all the other women in this club. She smiled up at them with the sexiest smile David had seen in a long time. "Sure why not," she said taking the hand he haden''t realized he was offering. He felt his hand warm at her touch as they started to dance. A smile spread across his face feeling he may enjoy the night after all. David ced his hands on her hips as they began to dance to the music. He couldn''t help but notice how nervous she seemed at first and found it strange at how he liked it. When the song ended she stepped back and he found he wasn''t ready to part from her. So as soon as the next song started he pulled her closer to him. She smiled that sexy smile up at him again making his heart skip a beat or two. He couldn''t stop staring at her, especially her lips. God he known her for less than five minutes but if he didn''t kiss her soon he was going to go crazy. When he had found the courage to try and kiss her the blonde had interrupted them. "Hey Wildcat," she called out to the brte who stepped away from him and turned to her friend. Damn it, he cursed silently, he wanted her all to himself. "Bring you''re hotty over to the bar. I think we need more to drink!" The blonde gave her friend a wink and led Mark over to the bar. He wanted to tell the blonde to get lost but decided to y nice and he looked at his dance partner with mocked confusion. "Your hotty," he asked trying to give her a smile as sexy as the ones she gave him. She startedughing and the sound vibrated through him giving him goose bumps all over. "She said it, not me. That''s Wallflower," she told him and walked towards her friend. Wallflower, he repeated in silently then pondered for a moment before noticing that she was nearly at the bar and he quickly followed not wanting to let her get to far away from him. "Here you go Wildcat bottoms up," Wallflower said handing the brte a small shot ss. "Thanks...Wallflower," she replied with a yful tone. Mark handed David a drink with arge grin on his face then wrapped one arm around the blonde. Mark was obviously enjoying his dancing partner as much as he was. He took a small drink from his drink as he watched the girls down their drinks and the blond handed the brte another. He frowned for a second; he preferred to have his dance partner sober tonight. Wildcat coughed and he could see her eyes water. She was obviously not a heavyweight drinker which was good news to him. He leaned over so he could whisper in her ear, "for a wildcat you don''t seem to be that much of a drinker." He could see her shiver slightly and hoped it wasn''t because she got a chill. She finished the drink she held then looked towards him. "I make it up in other things," Wildcat replied with a naughty smile that made his blood near dangerously it''s boiling point. "Oh really and what things would that be exactly," David asked moving closer to her enjoying himself more and more. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. "Now it wouldn''t be any fun if I told you that now would it," she said looking up at him with her creamy brown eyes. His heart raced and he realized he would do anything to have her tonight. His arms wrapped around her waist closing the distance between them. "No, I guess it wouldn''t be," he said looking at her letting his desire show and he loved how she seemed to be surprised by it. He couldn''t wait any longer he just had to kiss her! David lowered his face closer to hers till their lips almost touched when she suddenly backed away from him and he noticed a slight look of panic cross her face. He groaned inwardly and attempted to keep his disappointment hidden but he was also d. It was only more of a sign that she wasn''t like the other women he usually met in this ce. "I think I would like to dance some more," she suddenly announced and he nodded more than happy to get her away from the bar. His gaze was trapped in her eyes as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor. He pulled her very close to him; he needed to feel her skin against his. He loved how her body seemed to fit perfectly against his. He kept staring at her amazed at how much she had managed to affect him in such a short amount of time, hell he didn''t even know her name! She looked up at him and blushed a sexy shade of pink as she smiled at him. He couldn''t help but return it as he moved one of his hands along her back enjoying the feel of her soft skin till he reached her shoulder. He felt the urge to kiss her build up to irresistible limits once more and he lowered his face towards hers. David stopped and waited when their lips were very close to touching to see if she would try and pull back from him again. Much to his delight she didn''t and he kissed her hungrily which only grew hungrier as she kissed him back. He felt the world stop as she pressed herself against him and gave him ess to her mouth without him asking. He explored her mouth wanting to taste every bit of her as he pulled her in closer. He needed to have her tonight more than he ever needed any woman before. She moaned quietly filling his body with waves of pleasure. He moved his hand that rested on her hip slowly to her bottom and squeezed it softly enjoying the feel of it in his hand. How she could be so perfect, he asked silently. David ended the kiss knowing if he didn''t stop now he wouldn''t be able toter. He smiled at her and she blushed yet again. He loved watching her blush knowing that he was the cause of it but wondered what was going through her mind at that moment. They danced for a little while longer and as much as he enjoyed being there with her, his desire to have her all to himself was growing quickly. He leaned down till his lips were nearly touching her ear. "Want to go somewhere more private Wildcat," David asked before he realized just what he was asking. He scolded himself. She didn''t look like that type of woman and he was sure she would never agree to it. He tried to look cool but knew he would be crushed when she rejected him. David felt crippled with panic realizing he probably just screwed the whole night. Wildcat nibbled her bottom lip and he swallowed a moan, every little thing she did was turning him on. He felt like an eternity had passed before him while he waited for some kind of answer. "I would love to," she said finally to him shing him another one of those smiles and he could have jumped for joy. A huge grin spread across his face as he led her out of the club thrilled that she actually said yes and he was going to spend the night with her. He held her closely in front of him as he hailed a taxi not able to resist kissing her beautiful slender neck. She shivered at the touch of his lips against her skin sending a feeling a satisfaction throughout him. As soon as the cab came to a stop he rushed to open the door for her, wanting her to feel like ady tonight and was rewarded by one of her beautiful smiles. Once they were both in the cab he told the driver the address of his hotel. He wished his apartment wasn''t empty now so he didn''t have to take her to the hotel. He really didn''t want her to think that he was a yer that only had the intention to have a night of fun then move on to the next woman. Tonight they would have their fun but tomorrow he would learn everything he could about her he swore as he cupped her face in his hand and kissed her incredible lips again. The taxi came to a stop and David almost wished he was at a hotel farther away so he wouldn''t have to break their kiss. He quickly and happily paid the driver knowing shortly he would be able to continue kissing her and more. He wrapped his arm around her possessively and took her hand with his other one. He had to force himself to walk calmly towards the hotel and not throw her over his shoulder then take off running like he so badly wanted to. "Good evening can I get you anything," a bell boy asked as soon as they entered the hotel. David narrowed his eyes at him as warning as he shook his head no. He kept her close to him as he led her to his room making sure everyone knew that she was with him. David''s pulse quicken to rming speeds when he finally saw his room. He had a little trouble getting the card key into the door, but once it was open he eagerly pulled her into his room. As soon as the door was shut he pinned her against the wall with his body, his desire was just too great, he need to kiss her again now. "Now where did we leave off," he asked gruffly and another sexy smile crossed her lips that just increased his lust. He crashed his lip against hers and she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling herself closer towards him. He reached down and grabbing her and pulling her up till she could wrap hr legs around his waist. Her fingers tangled into his hair and he let a low long moan feeling waves of pleasure shoot down from his scalp and into the rest of his body. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her from the wall and towards the bed. This was looking to be the best night of his life he thought as heid her gently on the bed wanting to take things slow despite his level of arousal. He trailed kisses down her neck relishing the taste of her skin. "You''re incredible you know that Wildcat," he told her honestly as he explored her body with his hands. He saw her blush again just before he devoured her lips with his. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 - New York to Illinois Chapter 4 Chapter 4 - New York to Illinois The next morning David woke up with a yawn. With his eyes still closed he rolled over searching for his wildcat with an arm, he needed to feel her body against his again, but he realized he was in the bed alone. He sat up confused and looked around the room seeing no sign of her. Her clothes were not where he threw them and the night stand didn''t have a note. He fell back on the bed with a pit in his stomach and an ache in his chest he never felt before. Did she really just leave without say anything? He couldn''t believe it. He groaned loudly realizing that he had been yed. She was just like the rest, only looking for a bit of fun, a one night stand. That nice girl act was just that, an act. He threw the sheets off of him grumbling as he got up off the bed and into the bathroom. He turned on the shower, wondering how he could be so stupid. Once under the steamy water the events ofst night passed through his head and he felt his body react to her memory. He scowled demanding to himself to forget about her. At least she gave him a good time, he thought with a nasty smile. He shut off the water wrapping himself in a towel as he heard his phone ring. "What," he barked in answer. "Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Mark joked with augh. "Worse, woke up alone," he replied moodily. N?velDrama.Org is the owner. "Ouch, got yed did you?" Marked asked keeping his teasing tone. "Yeah something like that, you want something," David snapped not in the mood to be messed with. "Wow, she must have been something to get you that bitchy!" Mark continued barley keeping hisughter under control. "I am d you find this whole thing amusing but I am about three seconds from hanging up on your ass," David threatened. "I am sorry man; let me treat you to ate breakfast." Mark replied trying to keep the amusement out of his voice but David heard it all the same. "As long as we are going somece good," he said pointedly. "Okay how about the little coffee shop off 1st and 3rd," Mark asked and David agreed telling him he would be there soon then snapped the phone shut. He dressed quickly and gave one quick look around the room hoping to see a note that he could have possibly missed but of course didn''t see anything. Mark sat at the little caf¨¦ with a coffee and cinnamon roll already. He wore a nasty smirk on his face when he saw David arrive. "There is the little broken heart now," Mark teased and David red at him. "Say that again and I am going to make you the little broken nose," he growled and his friend tried to stifle augh. "I am not broken hearted anyways, just pissed that she left." He added before he gave the waitress his order moodily ignoring the fact she was practically drooling over the both of them. He was done with women; they weren''t worth the trouble that was very clear to him now. "So why are you so interested in my night? Trying to hide the fact you went home alone," David sneered nastily but Mark just looked as smug as ever. "A gentleman doesn''t kiss and tell," he stated with an arrogant air but Davidughed bitterly. "Since when are you a gentleman? It''s okay, I get it you can''t admit you got shot down, I understand," he goaded his friend knowing just how big and sensitive his ego was. "I did not get shot down!" Mark snapped now frowning as David wore an expression of disbelief. "I did take her home with mest night," he insisted then his smug expression suddenly returned. "And I even got a good morning kiss too," he finished with a evil smile and David was the one that frowned now realizing he just walked into that one. "What don''t have anything to say now, Davey," Mark teased. He red at his friend wondering if he should knock that smug look on his face or not but the waitress brought David''s breakfast and he decided against it. "Okay, okay, I will leave it be," Mark said finally holding his hands up and David nodded hating to have to beat the crap out of his friend on hisst day in town. "I will just say this though," Mark started and David gave him a warning re. "Tabs told me that they had an early flight back to where ever it was they came from, that may be why she left," he exined obviously trying to smooth over the situation but David didn''t feel very soothed as he took a drink of his coffee. What he felt was incredibly jealous of his best friend. Usually it was David that got the upper hand where women were concerned but today Mark got to know her name, when she was leaving and a kiss in the morning while David got nothing. Two hourster David stood at the airport with his friend. "Don''t have too much fun without me," David told Mark after they gave each other a brief hug. "Going to be hard to have fun at all without you man, then again I will be able to get your share of the sexy women," Mark added with a excited gleam in his eyes. He shook his head. "They are all yours buddy," he told him before he left to make his way through the crowded airport towards security. As David arrived at his terminal he noticed they were now boarding so he made his way towards the stewardess. She took his ticket as she roamed his body with her eyes and gave him a flirty smile. Wildcat''s smile is better; he found himself thinking and scolded himself. How did she get under his skin so fast, David asked himself as he made his seat. He didn''t understand it at all; no woman had ever done so to him. He looked out the window as he tried to think about something else than her, anything would do. David arrived in Illinois but had a hell of a time trying to find the little town where he was supposed to go, not even his cab driver knew where it was. Nearly three hours after he hadnded did he finally find the tiny town and his even smaller hotel. He copsed on the small hard bed, exhausted. The evening was setting in and even though he had barley eaten in the whole day the only thing he wanted to do was try to get some sleep. What a god damn day, he thought bitterly. He was quiet sure that today had been the worst day of his life yet and was convinced that it was all that damned woman''s fault. As he tried to get some sleep he asked himself once more how could it be possible a woman he only known for a couple of hours had affected him so much when his previous girlfriends never caused this affect in him. The next morning David woke feeling stiff with his restless sleep. With a sigh of frustration he got up from the bed and prepared for his first day in the small ountingpany. Peter''s ounting, if he remembered correctly. They were small but the ce showed real promise. His father had said a lot of great things about Albert Peters and he understood it to be an honor to work for such a man. He checked out of the hotel with determination to make today a better day, got into his rental car, hoping when he got off of work his own car would arrive. Then of course he would have to meet up with his newndlord and finish the details on his new apartment as well. David let out a loud sigh as he drove through the small town streets. The day was just starting and he was already starting to feel exhausted. When he entered into the tiny parking lot of the building where he now worked David noticed he was a good half hour early. At least something goes as nned, he thought bitterly as he got out of the car. He really wanted to make a good impression on Albert Peters. This was his big break to get away from his father''s long dark shadow. David looked up at the off white building. It didn''t seem too impressive on the outside but he knew better than to trust appearances. Involuntarily Wildcat slipped into his mind and he scowled pushing any thoughts of her out of his head with a feeling of indignation as he walked towards the building. "Good morning, how my I help you?" A plump elderly woman asked him as soon as he entered. "David Andrews, I presume," a stern looking man asked holding out his hand and David nodded and shook the man''s held out hand. "Good, we''re d to have you here. I am Albert Peters and this is Agatha Simpson," the man began then turned to the woman. "Mrs. Simpson any sign of Samantha," he asked and the woman shook her head no. "st that girl, I asked of her one thing and does she do it, of course not," Mr. Peters said with irritation. "Women" David replied quietly so that Mrs. Simpson couldn''t hear, with "what can you do" expression and Mr. Petersughed patting him on the back. "Ah yes the bane of every man," Mr. Peters replied leading him ithrough the small building. He introduced David to the small staff. The blonde, Tabitha Mathews, looked so damn familiar but he couldn''t think where he had seen her before. Mrs. Simpson called over Mr. Peters as he made small talk with the other employees. The blonde gave him odd looks as if expecting something and he was just about to ask her exactly what she was expecting when Mr. Peters returned and ushered David to his office where he began to discuss the ins and outs of thepany. Around fifteen minutes passed when Mr. Peters suddenly stopped his exnation on the more important ounts and got up to called someone to his office then returned back to his seat. Shortly after David heard someone else enter in the office. "Good Morning Mr. Peters. I have the morning''s duties here for you as well as some documents that you need to look at," he heard a female voice say and David felt his blood still, that voice sounded like her but it couldn''t be! He didn''t turn around preferring for Mr. Peters to introduce them. "Yes but first I would like you to finally meet David Andrews. David this is my secretary and daughter Samantha Peters," Mr. Peters said sternly and he turn his attention to the woman. It was all he could do to keep his face in a calm business like expression as he saw indeed it was his wildcat! "It''s nice to meet you Mr. Andrews. We are excited to have you here," she said but he could note a slight shake in her voice that wasn''t there before as she held out her hand. "Thank you, I am d to be here," he said taking her hand in a polite hand shake with a slight smile noticing how nervous she was. She quickly pulled her hand from his and turned her attention toward her father. David fought off the smile that was fighting to break out across his face. It looked like his luck was finally starting to change, he thought. He couldn''t believe out of all the women, Wildcat happened to live and work right here. He watched her speak with her father with amusement, she was clearly making ever attempt to keep her gaze away from him. David started to make ns to take advantage of this situation to enact his revenge on her but it was clear he would have to tread carefully till he figured out what kind of woman she was and just how close she was with her father. Thest thing he needed was for her to run to her father to get him fired. "Nice to meet you Samantha, I look forward to working with you," David stated once she had finished, making sure she wouldn''t forget he was there. She nodded politely and quickly left the office clearly affected by his presence. Unfortunately Mr. Peters kept David busy for the first half of the day and he wasn''t able to talk to Wildcat again or go very far in making his ns. But he had progressed far in learning about what type of woman Wildcat or Samantha Peters was. David admitted he was surprised when everyone described her as the quiet goody-two shoes type of woman, apparently she never did anything crazy or wild. He wondered bitterly if that was the reason to her trip to New York. To break her little boring routine and he was the perfect tool to do so. The idea caused a nasty taste to fill his mouth and his stomach churned determined to make her pay for using him like that. David looked up from the ounts he was reading to watch her file some papers. She definitely was much more conventional from how she looked in New York but he still found her incredibly sexy. He scolded himself for thinking such a thing reminding himself that he was done with women and without a doubt done with that one woman in particr. "Well I do say it is about time for lunch. Go get yourself something to eat David," Mr. Peters announced at noon breaking David out of his thoughts. "Be back in the office by one," he added sternly and David wondered if the man ever smiled. "Yes sir," he said rising from his chair. David stretched his stiff muscles before he left the small office where he had been working. He hadn''t taken a single step down the hall when to his surprise and delight he was nearly be run over by none other than Wildcat herself. Yep, his luck was changing for the better and he wasn''t going to pass this opportunity up. He noticed she lost her bnce and held on to her waist to keep her from falling. "Whoa easy there Wildcat," he told her the edges of his mouth curling into a little smile but was inwardly disturbed by how his body reacted to her closeness. He was relieved and disappointed at the same time when she quickly pushed herself away from him looking very flustered. She looked up at him with those gorgeous eyes of hers and sent ripples of excitement through his body. He cursed silently wondering how this woman had managed to do what she did to him. "Excuse me," she muttered and started to move around him obviously wanting to get far away from him as possible but he refused to let her get away that easy this time. He moved to the side to block her path. "Now where you running off so quickly," he asked then grinned wickedly as he added, "again!" He barely could contain hisughter as she turned a bright shade of red. "I...I...am not running off I am just leaving for lunch," she said with a frail squeaky voice. This was going to be a perfect start to his payback, he realized keeping his grin. "Really, what a coincidence so was I," he replied and his grin grew as he watched her press her lips together with irritation. "Good for you, now will you please excuse me," she snapped back and tried to get past him again but he moved to block her again. "You know it would be great if someone showed me a good ce to eat," he stated enjoying immensely as she seemed to start to get frustrated with him. "I am sure anyone in the office would love to help you," she told him quickly, as she moved a third time but he moved in time blocking her yet again. There was no way he was going to let her walk past him until he was good and ready. "Yeah I suppose but since none of them are leaving now that leaves just you," he said letting mischievous look take over his face and noticed she pressed her lips tighter as her irritation and frustration were growing. "I really don''t think that is a good idea," she insisted. "Well I do Wildcat," he mused and hardly kept himself from doubling over withughter as he saw her flinch. He leaned forward slightly and added in a whisper, "after all you kind of owe it to me since you left without giving me so much as a kiss good-bye." She blushed the brightest red David had ever seen and was moving her mouth much like a fish out of water till she finally looked at down at her feet. For a moment he wondered if it was wrong to be enjoying this so much but he decided it was just too much fun to care. Next time she will think twice before leaving him in bed alone, he thought evilly but chided himself once more for even thinking of sharing a bed with her again. No, all he wanted from her was revenge for using him and tossing him aside. He had no intention of giving her another opportunity. "All I am asking is lunch," he told her and she looked up at him with a stony look upon her face and he was afraid she would refuse so he put a his best sad face hoping that would win her over. He felt the thrill of triumph and unwanted arousal wash over him as she started to smile. "Alright follow me," she said with an air of defeat in her voice and he let arge smile spread across his face. He held his arm out of her, he was a gentleman after all but it didn''t surprise him she refused it by walking past him. He shrugged mentally and followed behind her allowing himself to enjoy the view of how her hips moved when she walked. He watched her silently as she drove noticing just how nervous she was. It felt great knowing that he was making her nervous and ufortable. "Dottie''s Diner?" he asked as they got out of the car which was parked in front of a little dinner. It looked like something out of an old movie. It''s shape was a long metal oval with rounded square windows topped off with a bright red sign. "It may not have a menu like you have in New York but Dottie is the best cook in town," she replied as she made her way to the diner quickly obviously trying to create a distance between them but he wasn''t going to allow it. "Well that''s good enough for me," he said quickly catching up to her. He opened the diner door for her shooting her a bright smile that only got brighter by the grumpy look that came across her face. "Good afternoon Sam dear, what can I get you and your friend today," a middle age woman asked her cing huge emphasis on the word friend. The woman smiled a happy grin when she saw David sit down in the same booth as Wildcat who blushed again and hid herself behind the menu. He was amazed at how easily she blushed, he never a woman that blushed as much as her. He would have fun with that, he told himself very amused. "He''s the new guy my dad has been excited about, Dottie this is David Andrews. Mr. Andrews this is Dottie Sanders" She mumbled still hiding behind the menu. "Please call me David, and it''s nice to meet you. I hear your cooking is the best in the whole town," he charmed with a charismatic smile towards the woman. She was absolutely beaming when turned back to Wildcat. "Oh this one is a keeper," she said winking at her and Wildcat found some way to reach a whole new level of red and hid even more behind the menu mumbling her order. God he didn''t have this much fun in years. "I would like a hamburger please," he told the older woman nodded jotting it down on a piece of paper then turning to back towards the kitchen. After a few minutes Wildcat finally emerged from behind the menu with a normal color to her face which he wasn''t going to allow at all. "So I am a keeper huh," he asked and she quickly covered her face with her hands but he could clearly see the familiar ming red color cover her face. "This is not funny," she demanded between her fingers. He couldn''t hold it in any longer and began tough. He leaned over the table and looked directly into her eyes. "I actually think it''s hrious! I guess you''re not much of a wildcat are you after all," he mused and she red at him with anger but it only increased his pleasure. Let the game begin, he dered silently with arge grin. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 - Losing Control Chapter 5 Chapter 5 - Losing Control Sam shifted her sd around with her fork. Her stomach demanded food but when she ate a few bites it threatened to return them. She sighed and nced around the dinner. Everyone there was eyeing them and talking in hushed whispers. She could only imagine what they must be saying about her. God if she could only turn back time to Saturday night and stop herself from going to that club. Why fate and God was ying this cruel joke on her, she wondered. "Aren''t you going to eat anything," David asked as he finished his lunch seemingly totally ignorant of what was going on around him. Sam narrowed her eyes at him rabid with anger and wondered how could he be so oblivious to the effect he created on her life! "No, I am not hungry anymore," she lied coolly refusing to look at him directly. It made her feel strange. His gaze made her shiver but her body grew hot while her heart beat would start to beat irregrly. Sam stood up smoothing her skirt nervously. "We should be headed back," she told him as she pulled out her wallet from her purse. "I''m paying," David told herying down the money on the table and when she started to object he simply shook his head. "You drove using your gas so I pay. Next time we can switch," he exined giving her a yful wink. She felt a shiver run down her spine but heat filled her and her heart seemed like it wanted to break through her rib cage. Ugh, stop doing that, shemanded her body silently. "You''re assuming there will be a next time," she shot back as she passed him with the intention of an exit dignified with any confident woman. However the snickers and whispers of the people in the diner made her cringe so she settled for just getting the hell out of there. "I don''t assume anything Wildcat," he told her as he got in the car. "Stop calling me that," she snapped at him fearing what would happen if someone heard him calling her that. "You didn''t seem to mind me calling you that Saturday night," he teased her with arge grin. She narrowed her eyes once more in response wanting to say some witty and clevereback but she couldn''t think of anything. Can this day get any worse she thought as she drove back them back to work. Sam entered the office building with David following right behind her. Why did he have to do that, sheined crossly, she always had hated people who walked directly behind her. Mrs. Simpson gave Sam her typical cheery greeting and as soon as she noticed David smiled a sly smile at her. Sam frowned and went straight to her desk. Her life was totally ruined! "You two had lunch together," Tabby asked in a hushed tone sitting on the edge of Sam''s desk. Sam sighed as she sat down nodding. She tried to ignore Tabby''s smug smile and the look that seem to state "go get him girl". "Now I recognize you...Wallflower," David said with a half smile still following Sam. Tabby gave him a yful p on the arm. "Well about time, geez you really know how to damage a girl''s self-esteem!" Tabby told him with mock scorn. "Sorry, it''s just I prefer brtes to blondes. It''s Mark who goes for the blondes," he told her as justification and Tabby giggled a giggle fit for a school girl. "Yes I remember clearly just how much he likes blondes. Well if that''s the only reason you didn''t remember me then I guess I can forgive you," Tabby told him with a smile. "Thank God, I was really worried there for a moment," he replied with an exaggerated expression of relief. Sam frowned watching the two, just what she needed her best friend and him bing buddies. "Though if you got a thing for brtes I just happened to know a really nice one," Tabby began. Sam red at her with her best, "shut up or I will kill you" re. David''s smile just got bigger as he crossed his arms. "Really, do you now," he asked sounding to interested for Sam''s good. Tabby smile grew and she nodded. "Yes, but she is a really shy and can be very stubborn," she told him and Sam wanted to scream while she pulled at her hair. Why was Tabby going along with that man''s games, Sam wondered. After everything the two had been through together, this was how Tabby was going to repay her! She could feel her face me red again but this time not only from embarrassment. "She definitely sounds nice but I''d have to know more about her," David replied with a mischievous tone and Tabby got that look in her eye that Sam knew meant there was no way to stop this train wreck. "Then it just happens to be your lucky day. I know everything about her," Tabby confessed David''s face lit up. Sam huffed feeling betrayed by her friend and wishing the earth woulde and swallow her up right there. "God, if you hear me and care anything about me, strike me dead now!" Sam begged silently and then her father suddenly called her in his office. "Well I guess that will have to do, Thanks Big Guy," she added mutely. "Yes sir, right away," she called out to her father standing up and ring at her friend. "Be quiet!" Sam snapped at her and walked off to gather the papers her father needed only to hear them pick up the conversation where they left it. She was grinding her teeth in anger as she entered her father''s office. "Here you are sir," she said as eyed David and Tabby talking and not liking it one bit. "I see Tabitha sure moved in on the kill quick," her father said with clear distaste. "She isn''t flirting with him, she''s-" Sam started but realized there was no way she could honestly tell her father what Tabby was talking to David about. "Just getting to know him more, he is the new guy after all," she added. "Well at least she had the dignity to know his name before she sleeps with him," her father stated bitterly and Sam felt as if someone had just kicked her in the stomach realizing that was exactly what she didn''t do. Sam sighed and sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. Her father really disliked Tabby because she didn''t care what anyone thought of her, she made friends with everyone from the rich to the poor, cops to thugs, and since she had no problem with a yful flirt here and there he considered her a slut. Sam would admit Tabby wasn''t a saint by any means but she was definitely not a slut. Sam started rubbing the bridge of her nose as she could feel a really bad headache starting. "I understand you still have that childhood needed to believe in everyone but she is what she is. I really wish for you find yourself better friends," he started with a tone one would use on a child. Here we go again, she thought and really wasn''t sure if she could handle this today. "She is no good and is going to cause you a lot of trouble one day" Well...Sam thought bitterly. Actually her father was right about that one; she had caused Sam a lot of troubletely. "Look dad can you please lecture me about thepany I keep another day I''m really not having a good day," she pleaded with him but her plea went ignored. "I can''t believe I let you talk me in to allowing you to go to New York with her," he went on. Sam snapped her head up and felt her anger boil. "Allow me? Dad I am twenty-six, I don''t exactly need your permission to take a trip with whoever I wish," she raged and he gave her a look of irritation and doubt obviously not taking her seriously....yet again "As long as you are a part of this family, you will need my permission! I will not have you make a fool of me Samantha with this stupid silliness you seem to always be getting yourself into," he barked. Sam felt something snap within her and suddenly years of anger carefully caged away started to escape. Her pulse raced as she started to see red, and adrenaline flooded her body as she stood up shaking. "You know what dad, screw you! I am tired of living on what you expect of me. I''ve always done everything you asked of me and much more than you could ever have asked. When other teenage girls snuck out to see their bad boy boyfriends I was at home studying so I could get good grades so maybe once you would be proud of me, which I might add you never were! I never rebelled or anything like what every other girl did and yet everything I do stupid silliness," she shouted at him. His jaw dropped in stupefaction by her outburst. "I may have a tendency to make a mess of things, I may be social awkward, and I may not be the daughter you''d hope to have but I am the one you have and I don''t think I deserve to have you throw in my face how inept I am at life every time I screw things up," She snapped and without waiting for him to recover Sam stalked out of his office. It was just too much; all of this crap dumped on her today was just too much! "Where the hell do you think you''re going," he called after her, but she refused to say another word. She stomped over to her desk giving both David and Tabby hateful res letting them know that this was clearly all their fault as she snapped her pursed up from the desk. If they could have just left her alone but no they just couldn''t let her live stupid little life in peace! "Samantha I demand you get yourself back into this office right now," her father demanded from his office door but her only answer was when lifted her hand over her head and flipped him off where everyone could see. She stomped out of the building and into the parking lot. She didn''t care about the fact that everyone was staring at her with their mouths and eyes wide open. She got into her car mming the door as hard as she could and racing out of the parking still yelling at her father in her silently till she got home. It wasn''t until she submerged into the hot bubbly bath water of therge bath tub in her home that she finally felt her racing heart slow. Her hands started to shake as she felt the adrenalin slowly leaving her system. Never in her life had she talked to anyone like that, especially not her father. Sam imagined several times of saying all those things to him but could never get up the courage. It felt good to finally say the words but stronger was her fear. What was happening to her, she had never lost control before, and she could always manage her anger. She began to cry softly wanting to desperately go back to her normal life where things were much morefortable, where she knew what to expect, and knew what would happen next. Her feelings were all unfamiliar and strange. Her body was out of control and its reactions to everything had gone crazy. Is this what normal people lived like, how could they want this, how can they happy, she asked herself. Finally Sam pulled herself out of the now cold water, slipping on her robe. She felt so exhausted and weak. She dragged herself to her bed and buried herself under the nkets not bothering to dry herself or put anything on other than the robe she wore. She began to cry again thinking over and over how all of this could have happened to her till she finally fell asleep. The next morning she woke up feeling better despite the fact she had a horrible headache. She took some aspirin to ease her head and slowly ate a cereal bar for breakfast. Sam looked at her cell phone; there were several missed calls, messages, and voice mails. She couldn''t help butugh; she hardly ever got any of those things and thought several times of getting rid of her cell phone for that very reason. Now that she made a royal bitchy ass of herself did they want to talk to her? "Oh my God, what a mess this all has be," she groaned but a smile was on her lips. Sam finished her cereal bar and stood up with determination. "No more feeling sorry for yourself," she demanded. She dialed the number of thepany. "Peters'' ounting, how may I help you," the cheery voice of Mrs. Simpson answered and Sam''s small smile grew. Mrs. Simpson''s cheerfulness was always contagious. "Hey Mrs. Simpson this is Sam," she started. "Oh dearie, are you okay? Where have you been, everyone has tried to reach you," the older woman fussed. Sam shook her head containing theughter that tried to escape her. God was this really what people did to get noticed in life? "I am fine actually, could you please pass me to my father if he hasn''t fired me already," Sam exined and the other woman chuckled and put her on hold. "Samantha, I hope you have called to apologize because if you haven''t then I don''t want to hear whatever it is you have to say," he said harshly that made Sam cringe. Did he always have to be so stern, she wondered gloomy. "Yes, I wanted to apologize, it was wrong and unprofessional for me to act like that." "Yes it was..."he interrupted her but Sam interrupted him in return. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. "But...can you let up insulting my friend please," Sam pleaded but she could hear him scoff loudly. "Sorry, Sam but you should get better friends," he put in and Sam could feel her temper threaten to boil over again. "I don''t want better friends," she snapped back tired of him talking to her like a little girl. Sam took a deep calming breath. "Look dad, I am obviously noting in today, I am calling in a sick day okay," she finished hanging up before he could answer her. She let out an angry growl as grabbed her IPod, stuffed the ear buds in her ears angrily turning the music up loud and began her daily chores. What the hell did it matter to him what type of friends she had! Damn she was twenty-six not six! That afternoon she prepared lunch, simple spaghetti, feeling angry with herself. Sam swore she must be possessed or something. She wasn''t this vtile creature she had be over the simple course of twenty four hours. How could she change herself back to the person she was? It can''t be that hard considering how easy she slipped into this nasty change, she thought as drained the cooked pasta. A knock on her door broke her from hermenting and she wasn''t at all surprised to see it was Tabby. "Hey Tabbye on in!" She told her stepping aside so her friend coulde in but instead of walking inside the house Tabby stopped at the door and gave her a long hard look as if she was trying to dissect Sam with her eyes. "What," Sam asked feeling suddenly self-conscious. "Nothing just waiting to see if your head will start to spin and you vomit pea soup," Tabby replied with a nasty smirk. Sam narrowed her eyes and frowned at her friend. "Oh, ha, ha, my God Tabby you''re hrious!" Sam said tly and Tabby smiled a big bright smile. "I know!" She stated cheekily as she walked into the house. "Though I must thank you Sam! Yesterday was the best day at work ever! God I have been so wanting to someone finally stand up to that damn stiff ass for years! Of all people it was you who did it making it all the sweeter," Tabby said excitedly as she walked directly the kitchen. "It''s not funny Tabby, my father is going to hold that over me till I am like sixty," Sam retorted setting a te of spaghetti in front of her friend. "Nah, he med the whole damn thing on me; it was me he was threatening to fire!" Tabby told her as she inhaled the smell of the pasta. Sam ground her teeth feeling the anger build up in her again threatening to take over. "Of course it was your fault! Poor little Sam can''t have her own thoughts and feelings that could possibly go against her honorable father! Oh no, someone must have nted them there," she snarled and sat down with her te angrily. "And you know good and well he won''t fire you, he isn''t that stupid! The only reason hispany is doing so well is because of you," She finished hotly then began to eat. "Whoa, maybe I should call the priest or maybe you really are turning into a wildcat," Tabby joked but Sam froze. She let her fork drop down to her te as she no longer had any desire to eat; in fact her stomach became a twisted mass of knots. She covered her face with her hands feeling so foolish. "God Tabby, what is happening to me? I am never like this, ever since yesterday I seem to have lost control over aspect of my life," she groaned but Tabby grinned and patted her on the back. "I know you don''t believe me but that is honestly a good thing," she said before stuffing her mouth full of spaghetti while Sam made a sound between a scoff and a snort as she rolled her eyes. "Seriously," Tabby insisted when she had swallowed her food. "You finally stood up for yourself yesterday and didn''t let your dad walk all over you like he always does," she exined. An impish glint twinkled in her eyes then she winked at Sam. "I told you having David around would be good for you," Tabby teased her and she crunched up her face with disgust. "That man is what started all of this! God since he showed up my body has got a mind of its own and my emotions have gone hay wire," Sam despaired. Tabbyughed so hard she started to choke. After she calmed down she wiggled her eyebrows at Sam. "You really have fallen for him huh," Tabby teased and Sam shook her head at her friend horrified. "I haven''t fallen for him! He is the most irritating person I have ever met! I swear I think he is enjoying making my life all screwed up," Sam said irritated. "Well that''s what love will do to you," Tabby continued to tease and Sam stared at her friend in disbelief, Tabby seriously did not just say the "L" word? "That is not even close to funny Tabby! I am not in love with him, how can you even think that," she spat feeling offended. "This isn''t love Tabby, I been in love before don''t you remember Jeff! That was nothing like this crazy mess." Sam added pointedly. Tabby rolled her eyes, and shook her head. Jeff had been her high school sweetheart andst boyfriend. They had been together for nearly five years. When he got epted in a college in L.A. he broke up with her stating that long distance rtionships never work and he had bluntly told her that he didn''t want her toe with him to L.A. either. "That wasn''t love, especially real true love! I have more passion and romance in my little finger than he did in his whole body," Tabby replied with disgust all over her face. Sam opened her mouth to argue with her friend but instead she felt a smile cross her face. "Will we ever agree on men," she asked and the blonde smiled shaking her head as sheughed. "Not in this life time, Sammy!" Tabby nced at her wrist watch and got up, "Time for me to head back because some of us actually have work to do." Sam smiled and followed her friend to the porch. "You should really give David a chance Sam. I think he really likes you," Tabby told her with a sly smile causing Sam to make her odd sounding snort sound again. "Right keep telling yourself that, maybe one day you will believe it. The only thing that man likes about me is making my life a living hell," Sam retorted with a small frown. "I am serious Sam," Tabby told her looking much too serious for Sam''s liking. "I think you really left an impression on him in New York," Tabby told her. She felt a smile threaten to creep upon her lips and she bit the insides of her cheeks to keep her frown on her face but nothing could be done to stop her heart from racing. Sam tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach at the thought of him actually being interested in her. Stop being so stupid Sam, she scolded herself. She didn''t have what it takes to keep a man interested in her, especially one like David Andrews. She wasn''t sure what had gotten Tabby into thinking he did have an interest in her. It didn''t matter though because Sam knew the truth of things. Despite what everyone thought, Sam knew herself damn well. "You are thinking way too much for your own good, woman! Try not to over think things...or be so stubborn! I will call youter," Tabby advised when Sam was quiet for a while. Tabby gave her a quick hug before walking to her car and Sam went back into the house. She gathered up the dishes washing them silently not being able to get what Tabby had said out of her head. The next day Sam walked into the office with her chin held up high and determination. Mrs. Simpson smiled at her sweetly but there was something in her expression that Sam couldn''t quite figure out what it was. With a mental shrug she told the older woman good morning and walked into the main lobby where her desk was. Her determination dimmed when she could clearly hear the hush whispers of the other employees as she walked past them. Sam clenched her teeth together tightly. Great, just great! Now I am the town''stest piece of gossip, she grumped silently as she sat down at her desk. She turned on herputer, feeling irritated that everyone was still whispering about her. Calm down Sam, she told herself. They are just stupid boring people with no lives, they will get bored once they see you''re not going to freak out again, she continued to exin to herself. There was one good thing about all of this, she realized. Now that she had made an idiot of herself she was sure David would now leave her alone or even get within ten feet of her. Almost laughing, Sam gathered the papers on her out box and walked over to her father''s office. Her heart jumped up to her throat when she saw David enter the lobby and she quickly rushed to her father''s office. Cursing herself as she closed the door upset to see how just having him around her made her so flustered. The day went along surprisingly smoothly; in fact she didn''t speak or even see David hardly at all. When it was time for lunch Sam couldn''t believe how normal things had seemed to return. Maybe in the end, things wouldn''t be so bad she thought getting up and grabbing her purse. With a smile on her face she walked out of the office building that fell when she saw David was leaning against her car. "What are you doing?" Sam asked with her hand on her hips and a frown on her lips. "Waiting for you Linda," he replied and she looked at him confused. He just called her Linda? "My name isn''t Linda," she told him pointedly. "I know but yesterday I couldn''t help but notice the simrities between you and Linda ir," he told her with a chuckle. Sam''s face tinted red from embarrassment and anger. "Funny," she shot back getting in her car and wanted to scream when he got in the passenger seat. "What do you think you are doing," she demanded and he smiled at her. "Going to lunch, or do you prefer to go someone where," he asked and Sam looked at him confused. What the hell did that mean exactly, she asked mutly. She took a deep breath in attempt to calm herself. "Don''t you have your own car," she shot back. "Not yet, it will be here by Friday besides why use two cars to go to the same ce. Carpooling is good for the environment you know," he replied back his smile growing. "Are you sure you want to be seen at the diner with someoneparable to Linda ir or go off in bitch crazy again? Might not be a good way to start your stay in town," she told him trying desperately to get him to leave her car. "I doubt it, from the way people kept looking at you today, I am willing to bet you don''t go off in bitch crazy very often," he said with a teasing tone. "Besides it wasn''t that bad anyways. I have met some women that act like that on a daily basis," he added but that didn''t make her feel any better. "You know if we keep arguing about this, we won''t have any time to actually eat lunch," David stated. She huffed but didn''t say anything as she started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. She didn''t say anything either as they arrived but just silently got out of the car and walked towards the diner. Once more David rushed to get to the door and open it for her and Sam clenched her jaw tightly as Dottie smiled brightly at them clearly misinterpreting the gesture. She could feel the patrons watch her sit down in her booth and whisper as David sat down in front of her. "What are you doing?" She asked for the second time that afternoon and he gave her an impish look of confusion. "Why are you sitting here, at my booth," Sam demanded. "You''re booth, I don''t see your name on it," he teased and she wanted to scream at him. "Now Samantha you''re going to make me think you don''t like mypany," he teased again and Sam almost said she didn''t like hispany but that would be rude and hurtful to say, even if it was true, and her father raised her better than that. "Don''t call me Samantha," she snapped. "So you prefer Wildcat," he asked with a evil smile and Sam red at him with anger. "Be quiet, someone might hear you," she hissed and David kept his evil smile on his face. "People call me Sam, just Sam. Only my father calls me Samantha," she told him grabbing the menu violently. Once more Dottie walked up to them with arge smile on her face. "So what can I get you two today," she asked excitedly which cause Sam''s insides to lurch. Sam ordered the first thing that caught her eye with a frown. Once Dottie had taken down their orders the older woman began waving herself as if she was really hot behind David''s back and gave Sam two thumbs up. A few people started chuckling, especially the mayor''s wife and the town''s biggest gossip. Sam gasped covering her ming face and David simply gave her a smile that made Sam suspect even though he didn''t see what had happened he had a pretty good idea. She wondered if he knew everyone was thinking there was something going on between them and if he knew why he wasn''t putting a stop to it! Was this all part of some game of his? It only got worse as the week continued and David always had some reason to carpool with her to the dinner. Sam was almost sure that dinner even had more peoplee to lunch just to watch David open the dinner door for her, and sit in front of her! When the weekend came, Sam only left the house once to do her grocery shopping and even in the supermarket she noticed people giving her sly smiles then whispering noisily behind her back. Unfortunately for Sam, the weekend flew by and before she knew it, it was Monday again. She smiled weakly to Mrs. Simpson and gave her the usual "Good morning" greeting as she entered to office building. She set her purse down and started preparing for the day. Her father called to her office and she quickly gathered all the documents that needed his attention like she did every morning. "Good morning Mr. Peters," she started but her father held up his hand as he spoke on the telephone. "Take all of the documents to David; he will be over seeing the office for today, while I meet with a potential client," he exined after he had hung up the phone. Sam felt the familiar pit in her stomach swallow her. No, no, no, there is no way she could work with him the whole day, she thought desperately and tried to think of anything that could get her out of working with that man. Her father raised his eyebrow seeing she hadn''t moved. "Yes sir," she said with a small sigh feeling defeated in that she couldn''t think of anything that would be eptable for her father. She left the office and towards the smaller office to her left as a condemned man would towards the noose. She knocked on the door softly, hoping he wouldn''t hear it but cringed when she heard him tell her to enter. How in the hell was she supposed to be able to do this, she thought as she opened the door. She held up her head determined to professional but felt herself dete as she saw that evil glint in his eyes and the yful smile on his face. "Good morning Sam," he said with amusement dripping from his voice. Even though she kept a friendly and profession expression on her face, Sam was grumpilyining inwardly. She stood before his desk and offered him the papers that she would normally offer to her father but David shook his head and patted a chair next to his. "Sit here, I really don''t want to work with you standing there," David said with a sly smirk of his face and she felt the urge to p that smirk off of his face but she reminded herself that she wasn''t a violent person. Violence never solved anything, she told herself. "I am quiet fine here thank you," she replied determined to not let whatever this sick twisted game he was ying get to her and offered him the papers again but he refused. Damn irritating man, she thought heatedly. "I am not fine with you standing there so please sit," he said as his smile turned pure evil. "Or should I tell Mr. Peters you''re refusing to work with me?" David added with a questioning tone. Maybe violence does solve some things, she thought with a frown. She supposed jail wouldn''t be so bad. She would have free room and board, they had a gym, and she was sure they had their own library too but the best would never have to deal with David Andrews again! She let out a breath quickly through her teeth as she moved to sit in the chair. She cursed herself as she felt her pulse quicken by his closeness. It had been a week and her body still went crazy whenever she got near him. Sam handed the papers to him and he ced his hand over hers catching her by surprise, she managed to keep from gasping from the shock. Her hand started to grow warm quickly at his touch and tried to pull hers away from his but he held hers tightly. She looked at him, knowing her surprise showed on her face and he gave arge grin that made her want to melt into a puddle on the floor. Sam gave herself a mental p, and looked at him with an icy re and he slowly let her hand go the grin still on his face. This is going to be impossible she thought grumpily. How was she going to be professional when he obviously wasn''t going to be? She lifted her chin once more determined toe out being the better person in this cramped office. She began to exin with seriousness and professionalism the details of the documents she just handed to him. "I am sorry but where did you say was thest quarterly sum at for the Brown ount," he asked interrupting her. Sam clenched her jaw with irritation and exined where he could find the information. "I am just not seeing it," he said with a confused look on his face. She growled inwardly leaning forward and pointing to the paper. "It''s right here," she hissed with irritation. "Ah now I see it, thank you," he said with amusement dripping from his voice and Sam realized that she was leaning against him. She snapped back into her chair feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. Her anger started to rise realizing he knew exactly what he was doing to her. Sam took a few deep breaths trying to keep herself calm. Once she felt in control again she continued to exin the documents till she felt his leg brush against hers making her shiver. Deciding just to ignore his immature games, she moved her leg so they were no longer touching and continued to rte the information. She felt his leg brush again against hers and she lost her concentration. She moved again making sure there was no way he wouldn''t idently be able to touch her trying to ignore the sly grin that remained on his face. Once more his leg brushed against hers but this time she simply decided to ignore him and the warmth his touch was causing. However it was easier said than done as she desperately tried to keep her concentration on what she was doing. Thankfully she very little to say till she was finished and as soon as she was finished she stood up quickly putting distance between them smoothing her brown skirt nervously. "Thank you Sam," he said still with that impish smile. "Of course Mr. Andrews and if you need anything else please let me know," she answered with a professional tone feeling happy with herself for at least being the responsible adult in the room. "Call me David, I believe we should be on a first name basis after everything don''t you think" he told her and Sam''s face started to heat up once more. "And don''t worry I will dly call if I need anything," he added with an evil tone that made Sam quickly regret she ever said those words. She turned on her heel walking out of the office and straight to the bathroom. She sshed cool water on her face trying to cool her overheated face. She wondered what he was trying to achieve with these games of his, did he want her to do something stupid so he could get her fired, or did he just want to embarrass her for the rest of her life? Lunch time finally came and Sam saw that the little office door was closed and so were the blinds on the windows; he wouldn''t see her leave. She got up quickly and enjoyed a victory smile as she left the office for once without David. She drove home deciding that the best way to avoid him was eating there. She tossed her keys into the small bowl and kicking off her shoes, she started to rx for the first time that morning but a knock on her door made her tense up once more. She walked over and opened it slowly only to see her worst fear. How the hell did he figure out where she lived? "What are you doing here?" She gasped with surprise and David just gave her that evil and very sexy grin. "Aren''t you going to invite me in," he asked mischievously. She wanted to say hell no, she really did but before she realized it she stepped aside and let him in. Damn him, why is he here. "Nice house," he said after taking a quick look around. "Thank you, it was my grandmother''s she left it to me when she passed a few years ago," she replied politely and scolded herself for not saying what she really should be saying. "Get the hell out of my house and nevere back!" She closed the door and red at him. "What are you doing here," she asked him for a second time. "We always have lunch together," he said as if he was stating the obvious and walked over to a collection of photographs she had over her chimney. "But I admit I also came for curiosity," he added not taking his eyes of the pictures. She pressed her lips against each other with irritation. "Curiosity about what," she snapped, not even in her own home was she safe from him. "You what else," he replied turning his attention back to her with one of his half smiles that made her want to kiss him just as much as she wanted to p him. She took a deep breath trying to keep her strangely raging hormones under control. "There is nothing to be curious about. What you see is what you get, nothing more," she told him honestly with impatience. His eyes ran over her body and she felt suddenly very self-conscious so she crossed her arms over herself. "No I don''t think you''re that simple," he started. "When I first saw you I thought you to be a good person," he told her. "I am a good person!" Sam snapped feeling insulted that he hinted otherwise. In fact she would happily go so far as to say he was the only ass in the room. "Then why did you sneak away in New York," he asked her the yful look on his face gone. She gasped and blushed fiercely with embarrassment. He would have to mention that horrible night! Sam looked at her feet not wanting to admit she left because she couldn''t take his rejection in the morning and how embarrassed she was by the way she had behaved that night. "Right, that''s what I thought," he said coldly and Sam looked back up ring at him. Her anger returned as he dared justify himself using that night as an excuse when she positive he was happy when he woke up that morning alone. "But," he stated the amusement returning to his face. "You''re not exactly a bitch either," he added and Sam''s eyes opened wide with shock, no one had ever called her that in her life! He walked towards her till he stood in front of her. "I am not sure who you are Sam," he said inly. She looked up at him confused not sure exactly what he was getting at or how to reply. Before she had much time to think about it he suddenly ced his hand on her hips and kissed her. She gasped shocked and squirmed against him for a second holding on to thest scrap of rity she could muster. What the hell did he think he was doing, she wondered as she pushed against his chest, this really couldn''t be happening. David''s hands slide along her hips to rest against her back pulling her against him and Sam felt her resistance slip from her as the confusing feeling of lust took over her. She kissed him back hungrily moving her hands up along his chest and shoulders before she wrapped her arms around his neck. He seemed just as breathless as her when the kiss finished, she looked up at him not sure what to say or do. She wasn''t even sure what was happening. "God Sam how you can do this to me," he said hoarsely and bent down brushing his lips across her jaw line causing a shiver to run down her back. Sam bit her bottom lip softly and leaning into his caress as it moved along her jaw towards her neck. "What are you talking about? I am not doing anything," she replied roughly removing her arms around his neck and let her hands slid down his should to rest on his chest. "If anyone is to me for anything then it would be you Mr. Andrews," she told him pointedly and slowly as her ability to form words seems to have diminished greatly since he kissed her. Davidughed against her neck sending tingling waves of excited pleasure through her body. "I can''t be med for this. If you weren''t so damn sexy I''d be able to control myself," he replied as he pulled her tucked shirt free from her skirt. Sam felt her breath caught in her throat and her heart crashed against her rib cage doubting if she really heard him correctly. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," she told him breathlessly as his hands slipped under her shirt as he kissed her neck softly. "Don''t pretend you don''t know how badly you turn me on," he told her and Sam gasped in shock and looked at him in disbelief. He couldn''t be serious, it was impossible for her to turn anyone on. This another part of his game that he was ying with her, she thought and she tried to push him away from her but he pressed her against him and gave her another passionate kiss. Once more the anger and indignation disappeared with his hot kiss and the incredible feeling of his hands that moved slowly up the skin of her back. She leaned into him returning his kiss unable to fight the lust he provoked her into. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 - Maybe Change isnt So Bad Chapter 6 Chapter 6 - Maybe Change isn''t So Bad Sam gathered her clothes from the living room floor quickly keeping her back to David who was staring at her...again. "Why do you do that?" She asked putting on her shirt feeling frustrated with herself. She couldn''t believe what she had just done. What was wrong with her? Was she a masochist or something? Why did she allow herself to do this when she knew this was all part of the game he was ying. "Do what," David asked the corners of his mouth turned up with a hint of a smile. "You know very well, staring at me like that!" She snapped giving into her frustration as she grabbed her skirt and David pulled his mouth in a full blown smile. He crossed his arms across his muscr chest and leaned back against the couch. "I find it entertaining to see just how nervous you can get by someone looking at you," he mused and Sam felt her insides twist seeing how easily she fell into his stupid game. "Well I am d to see you''re enjoying yourself," she shot bitterly standing and slipping on her skirt. She wanted so bad to tell that man to get out of her house so she could get back to the way things were, and most of all get rid of the parts deep down inside her that were actually enjoying his company. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back to the couch wrapping his arms around her and kissed her neck softly. She felt herself shiver and mentally swore at herself again. Why couldn''t she stop reacting that way towards him? "I can''t help it if you just look so sexy when you get ufortable," he teased and she grew even angrier. "Stop it, just stop it! Stop ying these stupid games," Sam snapped pushing him away from her. "Who said I am ying games," he asked looking serious but she refused to fall for his tricks. "Don''t try and deny it," she shot back at him standing up quickly. She had to get away from this man. "It''ste; we have to get going if we are going to be back on time!" Sam announced before marching into the bathroom her fists balled up in fists by her side. She refused to listen to any excuse he would invent to make up to keep her trapped in this game. Sam quickly brushed her hair and pulled it back into the in a tight bun it was in then stomped back into the living room relieved to see that David was dressed. "My father hates nothing more than people beingte," she told him as she slipped on her shoes. "Oh I think I know of something he would hate more," David said with a yful smile as he pulled on his jacket. "Really and what would that be," she asked frowning. He put on his tie and walked towards her wrapping his arms around her again. She attempted to remove his arms around her. God, did he not know how to respect personal space, she thought bitterly. "I think that the fact of how I just spent my lunch hour with his daughter would piss him off much more than my actually beingte," he teased and she froze and the all too familiar blush burned across her cheeks. "You wouldn''t tell him...you can''t!" She gasped and tried to push him away again but he didn''t budge as heughed at her. So this was his n, to make of fool of her and go running to her father and tell him all of it! "Of course I won''t," he told her pulling her body up closer to his. She didn''t believe him for one moment. Sam realized if she was going to survive she needed to get far, far away from David as humanly possible without skipping town. "I wouldn''t do anything like that," he added softly before giving her another intense kiss. She was most definitely doomed, she thought as she felt her defenses against him melt oh so easily. How she was going to get out of this, she wondered desperately trying to ignore the voice that was asking in a whisper did she really want to get out of it. Sam stormed in the office without greeting anyone. She had grown increasingly angry with herself as she drove from her home. She had to figure out how to stop David from getting to her so much. She hated that she was defenseless against him and his charms. Sam also really, really hated to admit it she was starting to fall for him, and that was very, very bad. Sam had read enough books and seen enough TV to know that this would end horribly. There were two possibilities, one he actually likes her but would eventually he get bored because there was no way she couldn''t keep a man like David, her past experiences with Jeff had taught her that much. So David would eventually move on to the next woman and she would end up hurt. The second possibility was he is simply ying games with her so he could tell her father what an idiot she is and she would end up hurt. In the end the oue was the same, an oue she had to avoid at all costs. She looked up from the papers she was preparing to file just as David was walking toward his office. He gave her a sexy smile and a wink before entering his own office. Sam felt her face turn red and she turned back to her work but she wasn''t the only one that saw it. Tabby squealed quietly racing up to her desk. "Aw he is absolutely too cute," she whispered dreamily and grinning brightly at Sam. She rolled her eyes and gave her friend a sour look then turned her face to a sweet expression. "If you like him that much why don''t you go for him," she suggested hopefully. Almost every man Sam hade across thought Tabby was hot. It would be perfect, he would leave her alone finally and Tabby could handle him a man like him. Tabby tsked Sam and shook head. "No thank you besides I know he only has eyes for one woman in this office," she replied wagging her eyebrows at Sam. "He doesn''t have eyes for me; this is all some game of his," Sam said bitterly irritated at Tabby. "He should be getting bored here pretty soon!" She insisted picking up the papers and Tabby just gave her a knowing smile. "And what are you going to do when time passes and he still crazy about you," Tabby asked and Samughed dryly. "That won''t happen! Tabby this is one of those cases of where the leopard can''t change his spots," she stated with confidence and headed toward the storage room before Tabby had a chance to respond in disagreement. If only she could figure out how to stop her body from reacting the way it did whenever he was near her, she would easily be able to stop falling for him and waiting for the unavoidable pain. It would be the solution to all her problems. She sighed cing her chin on the file cab thinking how easy it sounded. Maybe she could just ignore it and it would go away but that sounded too easy and highly unlikely. David was many things but ignorable wasn''t one of them. God knows she had tried and tried hard. She sighed and left the room once more wishing she could turn back time and change things. The week continued pretty well despite that David had once again insisted following her to lunch so she went to Dottie''s Diner to avoid the disaster that happened Monday afternoon at her house. Unfortunately their absence in the dinner that day didn''t go unnoticed. The none to discreet nces and whispering had grown even worse than it was before. Through the week Sam had tried but failed in figuring out how to get out from under David and his charms. No man had ever made her blush so much; it was really infuriating. Sam rubbed her shoulders feeling the tensions of the week really building upon her muscles when Tabby sat on the corner of her desk. "T-G-I-F Sammy, everyone is going out tonight for drinks," Tabby chirped. "Good for you guys," she said tly looking up from herputer screen. "You shoulde along," Tabby told her and Sam shook her head no. "Come on, David is going," Tabby pleaded and Sam rolled her eyes. "Even more reason not to go!" Sam replied with insistence. Tabby rolled her eyes this time. "Besides..." she started, "I know that everyone can''t rx with I go out with them, especially Adam. They are terrified that I will tell my dad about what they do when they are off the clock." Sam told her friend as she began to shut down herputer. "I guess I can''t me them really," she finished pouting a little bit once the screen had gone back. "Adam is anal whether you are there or not!" Tabby whispered and eyed Sam seriously. "Come on missy, I won''t have you ducking out. Time to go and have some fun, you''re looking way to seriously lately and its going to give you wrinkles." "That sounds a little too much like an order to me Ms. Mathews," Sam said using her prude voice with a hint of a smile. "That is because it is Mss. Peters!" Tabby shot back smiling eagerly. "Yes Drill Sergeant!" Sam replied with a salute, she could never say no to Tabby when she insisted on something. In fact that was bing a serious problem of hers, Sam thought moodily. Lately she couldn''t seem to say no to anyone. "That''s much better youngdy, now hurry up with work, everyone is about to leave," Tabby demanded then hoped up from her desk before she could say anything else. Sam rolled her eyes yet again and collected the papers she had printed out earlier and ced them in her "out" folder for Monday morning. By time she finished everyone had already left except forN?velDrama.Org owns ? this. her father who always stayedte on Fridays. "I am going now," She called to him with a wave which he returned with a nod. Dan''s Bar was crowded as Sam pushed her way through the crowd to the table where Tabby and the others sat. She sat down at the table trying to ignore as much as possible David''s presence. "Hey Sam, how are you," Stephanie said nearly beaming at her. Stephanie was thepany''s website designer and managed everything that was done online. "Hey Stephanie," Sam replied feeling a little surprised at how warmly Stephanie greeted her. She sat down and eyed Adam, who obviously didn''t share Stephanie''s enthusiasm. Adam was another ountant at her father''spany and Sam thought if anyone was a bigger goody two shoes than her it was without a doubt Adam. "What do you want to drink, Sam? It''s on me so get whatever you want." Stephanie started waving over a waitress. "Um thanks" Sam said wondering what was the cause of Stephanie''s new friendly attitude, before they hardly talked. "Thanks to you for putting your dad in his ce on the other day," she replied and Sam smiled weakly. Of course Stephanie''s suddenly friendliness was because she acted like a bitch, she thought bitterly. "I only heard about it, I was stuck working out kinks that showed up with the new update for the web page. It must have been epic! I wish I could have seen it. God I would have loved to seen his face, though it didn''t seem to remove the stick from his ass," she finished and Sam''s smile grew a little stronger. Adam, of course, wasn''t impressed. "You shouldn''t talk about Mr. Peters like that," he demanded. Stephanie and Tabby both rolled their eyes in unison. "Rx Adam; no one here is exactly going to tell him we called him a pompous ass. God you''re such a brown noser," Tabby said with an air of desperation. The waitress came to their table and asked what they wanted. "I''ll have coke," Sam told the smiling woman. "A coke,e on its Friday go for something at least adult," Tabby started desperately and Sam shook her head with determination. "Oh no, I think I have had enough alcohol for a while, I don''t think I do drunk very well," she told her friend then felt the all too familiar blush rise to her cheeks as she suddenly remembered David was also at the table. She tried to ignore the irritating but somehow sexy at the same time smile on David''s face. The waitress nodded and left to get her drink and Sam prayed that he would keep his mouth shut. "When have you been drunk? I don''t think I have even seen you with a buzz," Stephanie asked and Sam started to feel very ufortable. "I managed to loosen her up a bit when we went to New York and she actually did get quiet drunk," Tabby teased with a mischievous look in her eye and Sam began to pray that they find something else to talk about. "Oh, did you meet any hot guys," Stephanie asked rubbing her hands together and Sam choked on her own saliva. She noticed David looking at her with an eyebrow raised expectantly and a full blown smile across his face. Oh God, how was she supposed to answer that? "Oh yeah, we hooked up with some really nice hotties" Tabby said nudging her with her elbow, and Sam felt her blush darken. This can''t be happening, she thought panicked and missed with longing the days she just sat in the background while everyone else talked about their adventures. "Aw, wish I could have been there, so were they really hot, give me some details," Stephanie said excitedly. Well just look to your left and get all the details you want, Sam thought to herself and felt a smile creep on her face as Tabby went exining about that night in the club which thankfully she didn''t mention that the hot guy was David or the fact they had slept together. She couldn''t help but gaze at him through hershed with her head bowed listening to that entire Tabby''s ount of that night. The waitress returned with Sam''s soda and she quickly thanked the woman. "Sounds like super fun, next time let me tag along too, I would love to get me some of that heat too," Stephanie said dreamily as Tabby finished. "Oh please, and you say men only think about sex," Adam said grumpily with his arms crossed over his chest. Stephanie mussed up his hair. "You''re just jealous you don''t have a girl drooling over you like that" she told him and David tried to hide augh but it wasn''t working. "Oh wait a minute, let''s get the record straight! I have never ever drooled over anyone!" Sam eximed desperately and David''s face turned red as he burst outughing. Seriously can this get any worse, she pouted, feeling so embarrassed. "Well, well, looks like tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum finally found some friends," a snooty voice called out behind them and Sam cringed. She should have known better than ask how things could get worse, even only in her mind, because as soon as you do, BAM! It gets worse. She turned slightly to see Veronica Ramirez walking over swinging her hips exaggeratedly. "Veronica, nice to see you," Tabby said icily with a frown on her face. Veronica and Tabby were enemies in every way possible since Tabby got the attention of the senior quarter back in her sophomore year that Veronica had been two years chasing. Veronica hated Tabby with a passion after that. Sam was guilty by association and the fact she wasn''t in Veronica''s category of important people. Veronica flipped her raven hair over her shoulder, ring at them coldly until she saw David. "You must be new in town," she purred leaning over the table just enough to allow David a good view. "H...hi Veronica," Adam stuttered nervously but Veronica ignored Adam and didn''t take her eyes off of David. "Yes I am new in town, I am David," he told her only ncing her over for a second. A second was enough for Sam to feel a wave of jealousy wash over her. Oh God, no, Sam thought feeling her face go pale with horrified realization that she just felt jealous. She couldn''t feel jealous; jealousy meant she actually had fallen for him and she couldn''t fall for him! Sam attempted to swallow the evil unwanted emotion and realized Veronica was the perfect person to have around, the solution to her all her nasty problems. Veronica Ramirez was one of those women who had all the right things in all the right ces and she knew how to use it to get what she wanted. So if Veronica wanted David she would get him and that would make him finally leave Sam alone! Sam watched Veronica walked over to his side with a strange mixture of jealousy and hope. "It''s nice to meet you David," Veronica said as she walked over slowly exaggerating every movment she made till she was by his side. With a seductive look on her face she gently leaned against him and Sam focused her attention on her drink losing her battle against not feeling jealous. Veronica whispered something in his ear and Tabby was ring at her disdainfully. David leaned away from Veronica. "Sorry but I am afraid I already have a girlfriend," he stated coolly and Sam''s breath froze in her throat. He had a girlfriend? She felt her stomach clench painfully. She felt angry and sick at the same time. Why he had slept with her twice if he already had a girlfriend, she thought angrily. Well she had finally figured a way to get over him. He was aplete douche bag and she was aplete idiot. "I won''t tell if you won''t," Veronica said leaning over him again and he moved his chair away from her. "No thanks," he said coldly. Sam wasn''t sure who was more shocked, her or Veronica. No one had ever rejected Veronica before, especially douche bags like him. "Well if you change your mind I will be over by the bar," she purred and everyone was smirking andughing silently as she stalked off in a huff but Sam quickly turned her gaze back into her ss and did her best not to appear angry. Tabby gave David a hard pat on the back. "Your officially part of the town now that the town slut has tried to get her ws into you," she teased. "Gee great," David mused sourly and Sam felt the corner of her lips turn upward at his sour tone. "She isn''t a slut," Adam snapped frowning at Tabby, "just because you don''t like her doesn''t make her a slut!" "No but the fact that she slept with pretty much every single man in town and even a few that aren''t makes her a slut. You being hot for her don''t make her a good girl either," Stephanie stepped in, then slung her arm around him and gave him a little hug. "You''re too good for her," she told him reassuringly. "I agree you''re not so bad in a geeky sort of way," Tabby added and Sam tried to give him a reassuring smile. She really felt sorry for the guy; it must really suck to be crazy with someone who won''t even give you the time of day. Adam shrugged not looking any happier. "Come dance with me Adam maybe that will get that grouchy look off your face," Stephanie told him grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the small dance area ignoring his protests. Sam couldn''t help butugh watching him attempt to escape Stephanie but that obviously wasn''t going to happen. "Well my ss is empty," Tabby said getting up moving to the bar winking at Sam leaving her alone with David, which was exactly what she didn''t want to be. Sam frowned as she turned her attention down to her ss. David got up from his chair and sat down in the one next to Sam. He leaned in close to her and Sam thought about elbowing him in the face to satisfy her anger and jealousy but she reminded herself she wasn''t a violent person yet again even if it would make her feel a whole lot better. "I hope you don''t mind that I called you my girlfriend, I know we haven''t really been officially dating," he started quietly and she looked at him shocked. What the hell was he talking about? "What do you mean," Sam asked confused. "You were referring to me when you told Veronica you had a girlfriend?" She asked him as she eyed him suspiciously and he beganughing. "Of course I was referring to you who else," he replied once he stoppedughing and she tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. "I don''t know how many women you have awaiting your calls Mister," she said acidly turning her attention back to her drink and he startedughing again and threw his arm over her shoulders. "Awe, are you jealous," he teased with an evil glint in his eye and she pushed him arm off of her. "I am most certainly not jealous; I just don''t want to be a part these silly games of yours. I am seriously sick and tired of it," she said crossing her arms and raising her chin up high. He reced his arm on her shoulder and cupped her face forcing her to look towards him. "Sam, despite what you may have convinced yourself, I am not ying any games with you. Yes, I enjoy making you ufortable but it''s just so I can see that sexy blush of yours," he said with a serious tone looking straight into her eyes. She felt herself blush and he smiled. "There it is," he teased and her cheeks burned brighter red. "Sam I want you to be mine, exclusively mine," he told her whispering in her ear and she felt herself shiver but eyed him suspiciously not sure what to think. She wasn''t sure if he was telling the truth or this was just part of his game. She eyed him looking for some sort of sign of honestly gnawing at her bottom lip with uncertainty; she didn''t see anything that could convince her he was serious or ying games. "Oh God, your killing me Sam, say something," he pleaded. "I don''t know if I can trust you," she said simply shrugging off his arm and turning her attention back to her soda. "Ouch," he said with holding a hand over his heart pretending to be hurt. "You can be cruel sometimes Sam." He then returned his arm over her shoulders. "I don''t believe I have given you reasons to doubt me." "Oh I think you have given me every reason to doubt you, David. You have been doing nothing but toy with me and embarrassing me every chance you get by reminding me of what a fool I made of myself in New York," she said moodily propping her head upon her first. Heughed and gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "I don''t think you made a fool of yourself," he started then leaned in closer. "I thought you were right down sexy. No woman has ever done to me what you did in just a few short hours," he whispered seductively in her ear and she felt her stomach do flips. This conversation wasn''t doing her resistance any good. "Now I admit when the first day I came I wanted revenge on you so I tried my hardest to make you sweat," he admitted. "Revenge, what I ever did to you?" she asked ring at him d to feel her old self returning. "You left, Sam. I expected to wake up next to you that morning, have breakfast with you and learn everything I could about you but you just left. You didn''t leave your name, number, or hell even a note saying you had left," he said and she could hear bitterness in his voice but she still doubt to whether it was authentic or not. He couldn''t really be serious, could he? "I really didn''t expect you to care after all we were really drunk that night. I thought it was best to save us both the trouble of an awkward morning besides I had a ne to catch," she exined with a t tone and then turned back to her ss feeling embarrassed. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek that made her insides twist almost painfully. "First let me clear something up I wasn''t drunk that night," he told her with a smile and she looked at him confused. "Of course you were! I saw you drink," she told him feeling her anger rise. "Yes you saw me drink but that doesn''t make me drunk. I had two drinks and nothing more. You may have been drunk but I wasn''t," he replied. That couldn''t be true; a man like him would never have acted like that around her if he wasn''t. "Second, you should never assume things Sam!" He leaned towards her and it was impossible for her to stop him from kissing her again but this time on her lips. "But you still haven''t answered my question," David told her once the kiss had ended giving her an intense look and she looked at him confused. "What question?" Sam asked honestly confused to what he was talking about. "Will you or will you not be mine and only mine," he asked raising his eyebrows she eyed him questionably chewing on her lip. Maybe he really was telling the truth. "I guess I could give it a try," she said slowly continuing to eye him suspiciously and much to her irritation he burst outughing. "What is so funny?" Sam demanded heatedly. "Tabby was right you really do over think things. God, I dread the day I decide to ask you to marry me," he said continuing tough and her jaw dropped open. Oh my god he didn''t just say that, Sam thought horrified. She snapped her mouth closed and stood up ring at him. "You know what forget it," she barked furious getting up from her chair and stomping out of the bar. All he ever did wasugh at her; there was no way she could ever be with a guy like him. "Sam, I was just joking! Sam," he called after her and following her out of the bar. "Ha, ha, ha very funny! I just love how people make fun of me," Sam said sourly reaching her car. He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her against him. "I am sorry Sam; I didn''t mean to offend you," he said wrapping his arms around her. She tried to push him away from her but he refused to move. "I was just having a little fun I didn''t mean to make you feel bad I promise. You don''t need to take things so seriously Wildcat," he told her stealing a quick kiss that made Sam even angrier because it was making it harder for her to stay angry. "Please forgive me," David asked and Sam shook her head pushing him away from her. "Awe come on Sam, I swear I won''t tease you any more if it makes you feel that badly," he pleaded pulling her against him again. "No, I don''t believe you David. All you have done is tease me," she snapped pushing at him again. "Now let me go," she demanded. "Not until you forgive me, Sam. If I have to get down on my knees and beg in front of everyone I will do it," he told her and Sam narrowed her eyes at him. He wouldn''t do something so humiliating and stupid would he? David started to kneel when she remained silent. "Don''t do that, everyone will see you!" She hissed pulling him to stand up. "Do you forgive me," he asked with a sly smile and she red at him silently so he started he continued to kneel. "Okay, okay, I forgive you now get up already," Sam snapped and David shot up to his feet with an evil smile. Sam gave him another re as she turned towards her car but he pulled her against him again. "Come home with me," he whispered into her ear with a naughty smile on his face. Sam looked at him surprised and wasn''t sure what to say. He pressed her against him andid soft hot kisses on her jaw. "Spend the night with me, Sam," he insisted in a husky whisper. "Or do I have to get on my knees again," he added and Sam studied him. His smile grew and Sam knew he would do just that. Before she realized she had even done it, she agreed and David had captured her lips in another intense kiss before leading her to his own car. Sam knew she was going to regret it but she found it impossible to say no to him. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 - Nothing Last Forever Chapter 7 Chapter 7 - Nothing Last Forever The next morning Sam woke in therge bed with David next to her. She was smiling like a fool and feeling happier than she had in a long time. She still couldn''t believe the previous night had happened. Feeling the need to getup she moved his arm slowly and carefully trying not to wake him. She had just gotten up from the bed when his arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and pulled her back down. She gasped in surprise and David rolled on top of her. "What is it with you and sneaking out of bed when I am asleep," he asked her with a feigned expression of offense on his face. "I am not sneaking!" Sam demanded. "Right, Gollum then what exactly do you call it?" He asked with a yful grin on his face. "Gollum!? You did not justpare me to that little monster," she cried with the best frown she could manage and tried to push him off of her. "Yes I did, now get over it and answer my question!" He replied as he pinned her down with an evil glint in his eyes and she growled at him trying hard to look pissed but it didn''t seem to be working. "I was just getting up; I don''t believe I need your permission for that," she said cockily "Actually I think I like that idea; from now on you can''t get out of my bed until I allow you," he said grinning down at her and sheughed at him not believing what an arrogant and absolutely attractive jerk he was being. "Oh really, and what if I say no," Sam shot back trying hard not to smile. "Then you will have to suffer the punishment." He looked at her serious but sheughed again looking at him defiantly. "Please you don''t scare me Mister!" She returned and managed to get out from under him and up from the bed. She stuck her tongue out at him in a childish show of victory. "You were warned," he told her grabbing her quickly pulling her back onto bed. She shouted in protest as he pinned her wrists above her head. "I warned you, Sam, now you have to suffer your punishment," he told her and with his free hand began tickling her sides. She squirmed in a fit of laughter soon with tears running down her face. How did he seem to know her every weakness! "Okay, okay, you win," she cried after a while feeling theck of oxygen starting to affect her and her sides started to hurt fromughing so much. "See now was that so hard," he asked then kissed her softly and releasing her wrists, "Yes very," she pouted when the kiss ended wrapping her arms around his neck and gave him quick kiss. "Now let me up! I am starving," she told him and he shook his head. "First you have to ask me for permission," he told her slyly and she narrowed her eyes at him. "David, you can''t be serious," she said pushing him a little harder but he didn''t move. Sam gave another growl and relented. "Fine, David may I have your permission to get out of this bed before I starve to death," she said sounding bored and he seemed to think for a moment. "David," she cried as she gave his arm a yful p. Heughed and rolled off of her and she looked for her clothes. He handed her his shirt, "I think this would look great on you," he told her with a flirty expression. "Oh please that is so clich¨¦," she said rolling her eyes but put it on anyways. "Maybe but it looks good on you." David told her with a wink. He insisted on fixing her breakfast and Sam hesitantly agreed worried about how well a city boy like him could cook. She sat at the small wooden table eyeing him nervously and he finally set arge cheese omelet in front of her. It looked really good but she wasn''t sure yet. She poked the food with a fork. "Really your confidence in me is astounding missy," David said shaking his head and Sam couldn''t help but smile. "Well if I end up in the hospital, I will be sending you the bill," she threatened as she finally cut off a piece of the omelet. She stuck in her mouth ready to grimace but surprised to see it was really good. "Wow this is good!" Sam admitted when she had swallowed. She eagerly took another bite and heughed as he sat down next to her. "I may be from a big city family but I am resourceful and not some spoiled punk expecting everyone to do everything for him," he exined just before he took a bite of his own omelet. "Tell me about your family David," Sam asked him after she finished her food. "Well my parents have been together for nearly thirty-five years, I am the baby of three children. My father is awyer in New York and so is my brother, Chris, but he lives in L. A. My mother is your typical high ss social bee, and my sister, Lizzy, lives in Missouri living the ser mom life. Not really much more the Andrews family," he exined a little monotonously, "What about you Sam, do you have any siblings, and your mother?" He got up picking up the empty tes from the table. "I am an only child and well my mother died when I was little. So really it''s always been just my father and I," she said with a small shrug. "I am sorry," David told her sitting back down beside her. She smiled at him brightly noticing he wanted to say something more but she knew there was nothing to say. "Thanks but don''t be it was a long time ago, I was four at the time. I don''t even really remember her." she told him and he gave her a sad smile. "Well I need a shower," Sam announced as she got up from the table. "Is that an invitation," he asked looking up at her eagerly and sheughed loudly. This man was unreal, she thought with a smile. "Not exactly," Sam replied walking to the bed room to grab her clothing. "But it wasn''t a rejection either," he said huskily wrapping his arms around her causing her to jump in surprise, she didn''t realize he right behind her. Sheughed shaking her head side to side. "No, I guess it wasn''t a rejection either," she admitted. Sam gasped andughed harder as he practically dragged her to the bathroom. Sam smiled as she and David sat on the sofa watching a movie, she wasn''t sure what it was. She had never seen it before and wasn''t really paying attention. Her mind was running over the events that had happened today. She smiled more as she remembered the incredible shower they had taken. Sam had never felt so treasured before and she had to admit she loved every minute of it. However doubt gnawed at her too as she remembered the conversation she had with her ex, Jeff, on her twenty-first birthday when they broke up. Sam chewed on her lip remembering at the time she would have swore Jeff loved her as much as she thought she loved him. It had made so much sense at the time and seemed like what was meant to be. But it didn''t have any sense and wasn''t meant to be, Jeff had told her so that night. He confessed he had be bored with her very quickly and that Sam simply didn''t have what it took to keep a man interested in her for very long. The memory still stung awfully and Sam tried to swallow the ugly insecurities that started to rear their heads. "Hey Sam, what''s wrong?" David asked cupping her cheek turning her face towards him. She looked up at him, his face filled with concern and for the first time Sam wondered if Jeff could have possibly been wrong. "Nothing David, I am fine." She told him with a small smile and leaned against him resting her head on his shoulder. "Doesn''t look like nothing by the expression you had," David replied wrapping his arms around her and hugging her. Sam''s smile grew feeling the warmth of his body fill hers. "You know Sam, you can tell me anything. No matter what, I am here to listen," he added and Sam felt pleasantly surprised. "Thank you David, that means a lot," She told him, kissing him softly wrapping her arms around his neck, praying silently that Jeff was wrong because she really wanted to stay like this with David forever. Sam walked into the office Monday morning feeling happier than she could ever remember. As soon as she stopped worrying about things going wrong, her time with David was amazing. She never had felt so satisfied with herself and her surroundings, life was perfect. "There you are, I was starting wonder if I should be worrying," Tabby said as soon as she saw Sam. "I am fine, why would you need to worry about me," she asked as she sat down at her desk trying hard not to smile that much. "Gee I don''t know you left with David Friday night and have been MIA for the whole weekend. Speaking of which I haven''t seen David either," Tabby replied with an impish smile and Sam''s blush and ear to ear smile betrayed her. "Ha! Just what I thought," Tabby cheered excitedly and Samughed lightly. "Talking about me," David asked walking up to Sam''s desk giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Of course we are, you pretty much kidnapped my best friend during the whole weekend," Tabby reproached. "Well I wouldn''t call it kidnapping but yes I suppose you could say I kept her busy," he replied with arge grin. "Can you two please stop talking like I am not even here," Sam told them both shaking her head. "Oh possessive already," Tabby asked and Sam felt her cheeks burn red as she rolled her eyes while David justughed. "You two are horrible, now if you will excuse me, some of us have real work to be doing," she said pointedly at them getting up from her chair with a stack of papers in her hands. Sam stayed busy during most of the day and was absolutely starving by time lunch came around. She was just about to leave when David called her in his office. She moaned quietly, couldn''t whatever he needed her to file wait till after lunch sheined silently. "What do you need Mr. Andrews," she asked with a professional tone as he closed the door behind her and pulled her towards him. "David what are you doing?" Sam gasped in surprised and he gave her that look that she learned by now that meant she wasn''t going to be getting her lunch anytime soon. "I missed you," he told her before kissing her hungrily pulling her over towards the desk. He picked her up and sat her on the desk ignoring the things that fell to the floor. "David what are you doing, we can''t do this here," Sam told him after breaking the kiss and trying to push him away from her. He pressed her against him and trailing kisses along her neck making herugh giddily. "Everyone is leaving for lunch and technically we are off the clock so it''s our time," he replied to her returning his kisses to her lips. She felt her capacity for reasoning fade away and she returned his kiss eagerly wrapping her arms around his neck pushing herself against him. Someone cleared their throat and Sam remembered why she should never do anything even remotely against the rules as she saw her father looking at them with stern disapproval. She always without fail got caught. Her face burn with a deep blush as David stepped away from her with a sheepish expression on his face and she quickly pushed herself off of David''s desk. Hurriedly she pulled down her skirt which and been pushed up around her thighs dangerously high. Her father looked to her and then to David with a look that demanded they exin themselves. "Um, hi dad," she finally said not knowing what else to say. Apparently David didn''t either; he just stood there rubbing his neck nervously. "Hi, that is all you can say," he told her coldly and Sam bit her lip looking towards the floor. "Mr. Peters..." David started but her father held up his hand for him to be quiet. "I had heard the rumors but I didn''t believe them. I was sure you would never do something this stupid," he snapped at her harshly and she bit into her lip harder. "I finally get a top ss employee and you go and....and seduce him!" "Mr. Peters, I wouldn''t actually...." David started again but her father cut him off, "No don''t, I thought you would be more professional than this, after all I heard about you. What would your father think if I told him how allowed yourself to enamored by her," he snapped at David using a nasty sneer when he said "by her". Sam felt humiliated and ashamed, just like she did the night of her twenty-first birthday. "I swore to your mother on her death bed I would do raise you right so you would never suffer her absence," her father continued looking at her with pure disappointment. "But I swear no matter how hard I try you thwart me at every turn! Preferring to make me out like the bad guy in those trashy books you read! I knew you had a tendency to make a fool of yourself but this really takes the cake Samantha! How could you be such a stupid fool!" Her father yelled at her. Sam stared at him open mouthed and wide eyed. He had never told her that before and now she felt like horrid monster. She never meant to embarrass him or her mother. Would her mother be ashamed of her? Her humiliation increased tenfold realizing that everyone had probably beenughing at her the whole time and whispering about what a silly fool she had been. His face darkened as he continued, "I can''t do this anymore Samantha. May Eleanor forgive me but I can''t! I have tried to so hard but I just can''t do it anymore! If you are determined to make a fool of yourself then so be it but you''re not taking me and my reputation that I worked so hard to get, down with you!" Sam felt her heart stop. "I disown you Samantha, you may have the Peters name but you''re not my daughter any longer," Her father finished harshly and she gasped not believing what he was saying. "Father you can''t mean that!" Sam eximed. He looked at her with his cold dark eyes and she didn''t see any love in them but cold disappointment. "I can and I have! Needless to say you are also fired so get your things and get out," Sam''s father snapped looking away from her. "Dad please don''t, I am sorry I really am," She begged him but he refused to look at her. "You have ten minutes before I call security and have you thrown out," He told her and Sam''s mouth fall open. A pit opened in her stomach as the tears fell freely and she felt as if he had struck her. "Sir, you can''t be serious! Sam didn''t do anything wrong," David insisted and her father red at him. "Be careful young man, I suggest if you want to continue with thispany you will reconsider how you carry yourself and I suggest you eliminate any embarrassing acquaintances that reflect badly on you," her father threatened David and he looked at her father dumbfounded. "Are you threatening to fire me if I don''t break up with your daughter," he asked. "I have said what I said, you have till tomorrow to decide," her father told him coldly. He turned to leave the office but Sam rushed up to him grabbing his arm. "Dad wait please, I am sorry, I wasn''t thinking, I didn''t mean to..." She begged onest time but he ripped his arm out of her grasp and walked out of the office. Sam started to sink to the floor but David grabbed her and pulled her to him. She burst into tears burying her face into his chest. She felt so horrible, more than she had felt in her whole life. She had broken her father''s heart with her inconsideration and bad behavior which broke her own in return. "I am sorry Sam, I really am. I am sure he didn''t mean that, he was just surprised that''s all. We didn''t do anything wrong," he told her soothingly running his hand over her hair softly. Sam shook her head and pushed him away from her. "No, he never says things that he doesn''t mean. This is all my fault," she cried putting as much distance between him and her. "Sam, you didn''t do anything wrong, you''re free to have a rtionship with who you wish," he told her with an obvious tone of irritation in his voice. She shook her head wiping the tears from her face. If only that was true but she knew better. She knew from the start this would end badly, why she didn''t listen to her instinct. "No, He is right; this is the story of my life! No matter how mature, serious, or professional I try to be I always end up making an ass of myself! I never should have gone to New York and I should have never slept with you there and I most certainly shouldn''t have done it here!" Sam told him as she attempted to gain control of herself and not break down like she wanted to do. She tried to ignore the hurt look on his face. "I majorly embarrassed myself as he knew I would; now I have gone and messed up this for him too! I knew you were my father''s prized employee and he wouldn''t like it," she ranted feeling so angry at herself for being so stupid! "God I do have to say this was the stupidest mistake I have ever made," Sam said with a bitter scoff at her foolishness. "You don''t mean that, you''re..." he started but she broke him off. "Yes I do David, I am sorry but I really mean it. I keep stubbornly trying to be like everyone, when it''s so clear that I not! Jeff knew it, my father knew and he tried to tell me several times, if only I had just stopped and listen to him. I have done nothing but hurt the people I love and now it have gone too far and it is toote." Sam told him angrily. Sam''s chest ached when she saw the hurt look on his face. "I can''t express how sorry I am that I dragged you into the mess that is my life," she added before she walked towards the door. "Sam stop, your father is being unreasonable. You didn''t make any mistakes or do anything wrong! Please don''t do this, don''t leave," he pleaded with her but she shook her head and left his office quickly. She rushed over to her desk grabbing only her purse. She couldn''t stay there any longer she was just too close to breaking down and she couldn''t let everyone in that building see her lose it. "Sam what''s wrong? I just saw your dad stomp out of David''s office and into his own looking like he was ready to kill someone," Tabby asked worried and Sam shook her head again. "I can''t talk about it right now Tabby. I have to get out of here," she said quietly and nearly ran out of the building. She couldn''t believe the mess she had made! She got into her car and the tears started to flow down her face again. She started cursing herself over and over. How could she seriously have been so stupid? She drove quickly and half blinded by tears not caring if she got in an ident or not. Once home Sam ran to her bedroom throwing herself onto the bed. Her heart hurt so much that she was sure she would die from the pain and wished she did so it would end. Hours passed and she didn''t have the strength or desire to get up out of the bed. She had tried calling her father several times but he rejected all her calls making her feel so much worse. He was serious and cut her out of his life, her only family left in this world and she betrayed him, she started to cry all over again. David had called her a couple times but she ignored them all. There was nothing left for them to say, it was wrong to have thought she could actually share a life with someone. Sam was sure she was born with some kind of psychological defect that made everything she did aplete failure. Sam stared at the ceiling feeling more pain than she had felt in her whole life. Her phone began to bounce around the nightstand and she picked it up and answered seeing that it was Tabby. "Hello Tabby," she croaked hoarsely, "Sam are you okay," Tabby asked and Samughed bitterly. She was farther from okay than she had been in her entire life and she told Tabby so. "You know David is right and he is crazy with worry about you!" Tabby told her and Sam flinched with a fresh sh of pain realizing how unfair this was for him. "Tell him I am sorry but it''s not his ce for him to worry about me anymore," Sam told her friend but now Tabbyughed bitterly. "You can tell him that yourself. Honestly you can''t be serious Sam, if he doesn''t worry about you then who will?" Tabby asked and Sam felt a little irritated by her friend''s harsh tone. It was clear who was going to worry about her, the only one who really had been there for her no matter what her whole life, her father! She had to fix things, he was the only one who would always be there for her. "Please tell me you don''t believe that bull shit your father piled up on you. Yes David told me about the whole "disappointing your mother" crap! Don''t you believe it Sam, that bastard only wants you to be his perfect littlep dog," Tabby went on. "It''s David you should be worrying about! You crushed him today saying what you did," Tabby told her angrily and Sam frowned. She knew she hurt him but it had to be done. She knew she dragged David into this mess and she already apologized. There was nothing more she could do. "Tabby you don''t understand. He is my father; I have to believe in him and I do believe him when he says that only doing what is best for me! He made a promise to my mother to take care of me! To raise me right and how am I repaying him and my mother? I act like a spoiled little brat that just spends her day making his life difficult for him!" Sam argued feeling a fresh batch of tears threatening to fall. "I don''t believe that for a minute, can''t you see what he is trying to do Sam, he said that on purpose so you will feel bad ande running to his feet begging forgiveness!" Tabby snapped at her and Sam grew really angry at her friend. Why was she fighting against Sam so hard on this when Tabby is supposed to beforting her instead? "No you''re wrong; you have always been wrong Tabby," Sam shot back at her. Why did everyone want her to go against her father, he was herst and only family, how could she ever do such a thing. He needed her and she only hurt him. "Now you''re sounding like your father!" Tabby told her with clear bitterness in her voice. "Good, maybe I will start growing somemon sense for once in my damn life and stop making aplete fool of myself every time I get the chance," Sam snapped back just as bitter. "No you will only just end up being a cold bitter prick like him if you keep going this way," Tabby replied causing Sam''s blood to boil, she couldn''t believe her friend was doing this to her! "Maybe my father was right about you, maybe you are just the bad influence he always talked about, nothing but trouble!" Samshed out at her but she instantly regretted saying it and cringed at the sudden silence from the other end. She knew she now had hurt Tabby too. "Samantha Isabel Peters, I have only tried to get you to live your life if only a little and break you out of the cage your father has put you in! We have been friends since preschool and you''re like a sister to me, I thought that would mean something to you. I guess you really are your father''s daughter after all," Her friend told her with hurt filling her voice. Sam wanted to apologize but Tabby hung up on her before she had the chance. She let out a loud scream of frustration as she kicked and punched the bed. Her father disowned her, she cut David out, and Tabby was offended by her. How did she manage screw things up so badly, she thought as she buried her face in the pillow and began to sob all over again. The next day her body demanded desperately food but she didn''t have the strength to get up from the bed. He heart waspletely shattered but managed to still ache terribly, her head throbbed as if someone had a vice around it and was tightening it more and more. She moved her head slowly towards the window to her right and stared at the bright morning. She scowled at the weather, how the powers that be dare make today a beautiful day when it should be cloudy with lots of rain, thunder, and lightening. She turned back towards the ceiling staring at it trying to fight back more tears. She was surprised she had any more water left in her for fresh tears. A strong knock on the door caused her to jump. She pushed herself stiffly from the bed but paused when she heard David''s voice. As much as she wanted to run and open to throw her arms around him and feel his around her she knew it would be wrong and only hurt him more. She ignored him for both their sakes, she knew if she saw him now she wouldn''t be able to say no to him. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. She silently begged him to leave as he continued to beat on the door and calling to her. Just when she couldn''t take it anymore it suddenly stop and she heard his car leaving. She quietly thanked God getting up from the bed. She knew what she had to do now, she didn''t know how she was going to aplish it but she had to try. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 - Choosing Sides Chapter 8 Chapter 8 - Choosing Sides Sam nced at the setting sun, and then towards her watch. It was nearly six in the evening. She had spent the whole day thinking of what she was going to do and now it was time to do the correct thing for once in her life. She lifted her chin in determination as she patted her hair lightly making sure it was still in its immacte bun. She smoothed over her dark skirt and blouse then started towards the house. She was sure if he saw her making an effort that he would forgive her. She tried to ignore the little voice in her head telling her she didn''t really want to do this. That her father and her job could all go to hell. She stiffened, and told herself resolute. "No, this is the correct thing to do; this is what I should do. I need to stop acting like a stupid child who thinks she knows better than everyone else," Sam told herself quietly as she walked towards the elegant door of her childhood home. Her n of coming to him had to work, if it didn''t she didn''t know what she was going to do. She knocked on the door and her father opened the door almost as if he was expecting her. "What may I do for you?" he asked coldly and Sam gave him a pleading look. "I thought I made myself clear yesterday!" He snapped and Sam lowered her head nibbling on her lip feeling so ashamed of herself. "I wanted to apologize. I realize now that you have been right and only have been thinking of my best interest. I also realize that I have done nothing to thank you for your efforts and in fact I seem to have done everything possible to make it harder on you. I know you''re angry with me but I promise I won''t cause you any problems again," she exined looking at him hoping desperately he would forgive her. Her father stood there in silence for a moment and looking at her intensely as if he was examining her soul. "What about David Andrews?" He asked and she shook her head side to side slowly. "I have told him it was a mistake. I realize that I was only thinking of myself and not of how it would affect you or thepany. I will longer see him outside the office," she exined feeling her heart ached as she said it but she tried to swallow the pain. He opened the door wider so she could come in and she knew he had forgiven her. "Well then that will be not at all. I fired him today," her father told her as he closed the door and Sam''s head shot up in surprise. "You''re fired him?" She asked and her father eyed her with suspicion. "I mean I thought the company really needed him," Sam added trying to sound like she didn''t care whether David was fired or not. "That was before the idiot decided to sue me on two counts," her father spat angrily and she looked at her father confused. "He is suing you, what for?" She questioned not understanding why David would do such a thing. "First due to I wanted him gone because he so foolish let himself be ced in a situation very unprofessional with my daughter and secondly he actually was pretending you two had a rtionship and that because of my "harassment" you two were having rtionship problems," he exined laughing as if what he just said was the funniest thing of the century. She chewed her lip trying to fight off the fluttery feeling in her stomach. David was seriously willing to fight against her father...for her. The idea almost made her giddy, but Sam shook her head in refusal. No whatever David was doing wasn''t for his feelings for her, it was probably something as silly as pride. David couldn''t really care for her like that, the only one who cared was her father and she wasn''t about to betray him again. "I had just finished speaking with mywyers, they actually want me to reach some agreement with that idiot, I guess hiswyer had made a good case for the harassmentwsuit," her father snapped then looked at her with a hard determined face. "Maybe I can talk to him, and get him to drop it," Sam said chewing on her bottom lip till it became raw wondering how she could fix all this mess she made. "No, that isn''t enough. No one messes with me like this and now that you''vee to your senses you''re going to rify that I didn''t cause any rtionship problems and what''s more there never was a rtionship to begin with!" Her fathermanded her callously. Looking at him with a shocked expression while her stomach knotted painfully Sam knew she couldn''t do that; she would embarrass David if she imed that! "That would make him look like an idiot in front of everyone, I am sure I can convince him to drop it and there would be no need to embarrass anyone," she pleaded with her father but his face only grew colder and harder. "No, you will do this! That boy wanted to do the same to me, and if he thinks he can make a fool of me then he has another thinging. If you really meant everything you just said then you will do this," Her father demanded and her gaze drifted to the floor seeing no way out of it and nodded solemnly. "Yes father, you''re right. I will do it," she said defeated trying not to sound as crushed as she felt. Once back at home she paced her living room back and forth feeling sick. Her father had literally written out exactly what she was going to say tomorrow morning when they met with David and hiswyer. She really didn''t think she could do it, it was lying and wrong. There was only one way out, she thought as she picked up her phone and turned it on The phone started to ring almost immediately and she saw it was David. She smiled for a second weakly thinking it must be a sign. If she could convince him then there would no need to lie. "Sam, thank God, you finally answered," David said sounding relieved when she answered the phone and her insides twist with guilt and shame. "Please let mee over so we can talk! Give me a chance. I know we can figure this all out," he pleaded her desperately. She bit down on her lip hard realizing that it was going to be so much harder than she imagined. "I don''t think that is a good idea David," she managed to finally say. He started to reply but she cut him off. "Are you really suing my father?" She asked focusing on her irritation that he would do such a thing and making it so much easier to do what she had to do. "Yes," David answered after a moment of silence. "He is wrong in what he is doing to us Sam," he said and she shook her head in negation even though he couldn''t see it. "No he isn''t, you shouldn''t have done that," Sam told him angrily. Why couldn''t he just ept that this wasn''t meant to be, it was so clear to see! "Sam listen," David started again but she cut him off. She couldn''t let his speak or she would break down and she had to be strong to do what needed to be done. "No, I want you to drop it David, you can''t do this to him," she insisted. "And what about us Sam, he can just make us do what he wants with us," David replied sounding angry. "There is no us anymore! I told you that it was a mistake," she told him silently begging him to just stop all of this and ept that it was over. "No," he snapped, "Sam I refuse to believe this was a mistake!" "I am sorry David but it was," she insisted sadly. "No," he shouted and she jumped slightly with surprise. "Say you''re scared, say you changed your mind, but don''t say it was a mistake because it wasn''t. I don''t fall in love by mistake," David argued and her stomach drop to her feet, he couldn''t have just said that he loved her. That was impossible! "Y-y-you don''t mean that, you can''t," she said her voice shaking terribly. "I can very well mean it Sam, and I do," he replied with a calmer voice. Sam shook her head in denial, he barely knew her; he can''t be honestly in love with her! "David drop thewsuit please," she begged going back to the subject at hand, not wanting to hear him say L word again. David sighed loudly before he spoke again."Sorry Sam, but I have to do this, I won''t let him bully me around and you don''t have to either." "He doesn''t bully me around; he is my father! I must do what I can for him, please, please, drop it," she begged. "I won''t Sam, no matter what you say I won''t. He is doing all this for himself not you. He may be your father but doesn''t love you, not like I do. You don''t have to do as he says Sam; I promise that I will be here for you...always!" David replied with a pleading tone. Sam felt her chest tighten, how can he say such things. How could he dare to promise to be there for her always? No one in her life had ever been there for her always, no one except her father of course. She ended the call without saying another word. She just wasn''t able to take any more. She fell down on the sofa tears streaming down her face. Her world was upside down and turned inside out. She wasn''t so sure what was right any more. Sam begged silently that someone tell her what she should do. The next day Sam felt herself shaking as she got stepped out of the car; she didn''t feel prepared for what she had to do. She stared at the building trying to prepare herself for what was going to be quite possibly the hardest day of her life. No matter how hard she tried not to, yesterday''s conversation kept running through her head. David is lying; he had to be she told herself. There was no way after such short of time he could feel that way. But why else would he be fighting so hard with her and her father? No! She told herself, he was lying and because of that she hurt and betrayed her father! Her father had been there with her all these years and would be until his dying day. Who knows how long David would really be interested in her, despite what he had said. Jeff had tried to warn her that day, he told her she couldn''t keep a man. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Remembering that day Sam didn''t allow herself to believe that David really loved her; he was so out of her league. It would be only a matter of time before he realized it and passed her up for someone else much more attractive than her. Then she would be alone,pletely alone. She shoved all the sadness, guilt, and shame she felt deep down inside her till she felt nothing then she walked inside. "Good morning Samantha" Mrs. Simpson greeted her warmly but Sam just nodded as she made her way to her desk. "I thought you got fired," Tabby asked her in a whisper when she sat down. "My father gave me my job back when I apologized," she said momentously revising what she had to get done. "So that''s your choice then," Tabby said frowning at her clearly disappointed. Sam was tired of people judging her all the time. "Yes Tabby this is my choice! I choose my father over some guy I have only known a few weeks and whom I met when I was drunk in a club," Sam shot back at the woman before her. "Well that guy made you the happiest I have ever seen and that guy really loves you. You really should see the mess he is these past couple of days!" Tabby retorted and Sam flinched at the L word then stered a cold smile on her face. "No he doesn''t, if I did what you asked and choose him over my father what am I to do when he moves on to something new and I am alone with no one?" Sam told her friend, wondering why everyone didn''t get it, she and David weren''t meant to be. "So that is your excuse for kicking him to the curb. Better I dump him before he dumps me? I got a lot of experience with men Sam. So I really know them and I can pick out a yer, a prick, or a good guy a mile away. David is a good guy Sam and he isn''t going to be around a few weeks then go away! He seriously wants to be with you," Tabby argued but Sam shook her head again refusing to fall for their logic. Just then Mrs. Simpson ushered David and hiswyer, which she was surprised to recognize from the night in New York, to her father''s office. Sam ducked her head toward the table as they passed so he wouldn''t see her. Her heart raced and she felt so awful noticing how haggard David appeared. She cursed silently feeling panicked but she closed her eyes forcing herself to stuff all of the dangerous feelings away before they threaten to overtake her. "Stop being such a coward Sam and take a real gamble on someone for once," Tabby pleaded with her when they had entered in her father''s office and Sam shook her head feeling numb once more. "I won''t, I can''t! David and I are not going to happen," she hissed standing up as her father motioned towards her. "And after today, we will never happen," Sam added tly. "What are you going to do Sam?" Tabby asked looking at her worriedly. "What I have to," she replied. She entered in the office. David sat with hiswyer across from her father and his. She avoided looking at David as much as possible. "Sam what are you doing here," David asked surprised. "I work here," she said numbly not looking at him afraid of what would happen if she looked into his eyes. "What is the meaning of this Mr. Peters," he demanded of her father and she could feel his gaze still locked on her and she kept avoiding his eyes and telling herself she was going to be doing the right thing. "She is here to contradict your ims of harassment. Go on Samantha tell everyone here your ount," her father demanded with a happy sneer. She took a deep breath, she had to do this, there was no other way, and exhaled slowly. "I am not in a rtionship with David Andrews nor have I been. We have merely seen each other on a couple of times but it was an only attempt on my part to cause problems for my father and hispany," Sam stated robotically, she had memorized her lines to perfection. David stood up so quickly that he knocked over the chair. "Stop Sam! You know that is a lie," he shouted at her and she grimaced and keeping her gaze on the floor, feeling so guilty and ashamed for lying. She didn''t want to lie like this but he didn''t give her any other choice, she begged him to just drop it. "What the hell did you do to make her say that?" he shouted at her father, ring menacingly. "He didn''t do anything, I am here of my own free will," she said with a t tone, desperately trying to keep from crying and letting her true emotions spill. "I don''t believe you Sam! Don''t be afraid of him, you don''t need him. I told you I am here for you and always will be but you have to stop this," he pleaded and moved closer to her. She tried to back away from him but he grabbed her hand. She gasped in surprised looking at him for the first time since she entered the office. Her heart ached as she saw the pleading look in his face, his eyes filled with emotion, and her hand warmed with his touch. She wanted to run to him. Hug him tightly and kiss him never letting him go, believing he would always be there for her but she knew that was only a beautiful dream. She jerked her hand from his and forced her eyes back to the ground. "No he is my father and you are," she started harshly returning back to the script, "a co-worker...I used. I''m sorry," thest part she softly mumbled under her breath. "He may be your father but he is using you like a puppet. We both know that he forced you into lying for him. I love you Sam and I will ask only one more time," David told her with anger and desperation dripping from his voice. Sam felt the world stop; he had said he loved her in front of everyone there. Did he really mean it? She had never wanted something to be true so bad in her life but she couldn''t give in to him and betray her father again. "Don''t do this Sam please, don''t let him rule you like this," David begged her with a softer tone but she shook her head. "There you have it. I believe that removes all grounds you could possibly have for your harassment case," her father said smugly. David''swyer, started to say something but David cut him off. His face turned to a cold hard emotionless mask. "We didn''t lose any grounds; your daughter would have to exin how she nned how on using me to causing you problems when she didn''t even know I was going to work for you when we first met and slept together in New York," David told her father harshly and her father''s smug smirk disappeared into cold stoic expression then he turned his icy re towards her. "But forget it, obviously I was wrong in thinking I had something with her! I hope you''re both very happy together," David finished coldly and Sam felt the words cut her like a knife but she knew she deserved the pain. This is for the best...for both of us, she thought keeping her stare on the floor. "We still have the matter at hand about the uwful termination," David''swyer began and her father coldly dismissed her. Sam nodded and left the office quickly. She went to the bathroom as quickly as she could without running. She entered in the first stall she could and threw up. She began to cry and it was impossible to stop the stubborn tears as she crumpled to the floor of the bathroom. If she was doing the right thing, why did she feel so horrible she thought as she hugged her knees. Sam wasn''t sure how much time passed when she got up exhausted. She walked over towards the sink and red at her reflection in the mirror. She sighed heavily feeling as if she aged forty years. She grabbed some tissue to clean her face and left the bathroom. She sat down at her desk gathering papers that need to be filed feeling empty and drained of life. "That was the dumbest thing you have ever done," Tabby hissed at her and Sam just shook her head. "He will never want anything to do with you after this," she added bitterly. Sam grabbed the papers angrily. "You don''t think I don''t know that! It had to be this way, now I have work to do, leave me alone!" She demanded stomped off with the papers. "Samantha," Her father called from his office a few hourster. He was now the only one in the room. "You failed to mention that you met David in that silly little trip of yours to New York," her father shot when the door was closed and she flinched with his harshness. "I am sorry I didn''t think-" she started staring at the floor. "No it''s obvious you didn''t. Let this be thest time you keep something from me understood," he demanded and she flinched again and nodded in agreement. "It didn''t matter in the end; neither of thewsuits will go to court. We came to an agreement, he agreed to leave thepany quietly and I have given him a generous severance check and a good rmendation. I am happy to say that he is going back to New York where he belongs!" Her father exined with arge smile on his face. Sam felt her heart ache hearing David was leaving and knew for sure she would never see him again. She excused herself from her father''s office and went to file the papers she held. Well now she could return to the normal routine that she had so desperately wanted when David had shown up but somehow this victory didn''t seem as good as it did a few weeks ago. Chapter 9 Chapter 9 - Better Off Chapter 9 Chapter 9 - Better Off David stomped out of the office angrier than he had ever been in his life. Out of all the things he expected, what just happened in that office didn''t evene near it! Just yesterday David was confessing to his best friend about how much he loved her. He''d guessed that she wouldn''t take her father''s rejection very well but for Sam to t out lie and turn her back on him like that. How could she do this to him? That wasn''t the Sam he''de to know. Why she couldn''t see that her father was just using her, David thought getting into the passenger side of the car mming the door with all his might. Mark looked like he wanted to say something but David gave him a re that told him he didn''t want to hear anything Mark had to say. He felt so stupid, so betrayed, and so hurt. How could she have been so cruel? How could he allow himself to be used like that? He wanted to hit something so bad, to smash his fist over and over again till he didn''t have the strength to lift it for another punch. When they arrived he jumped out of the car and raced up to his apartment before the car didn''t come to aplete stop. "Whoa man, David, just take a minute to calm down!" Mark called after him. David scoffed to himself. "Calm down, how the hell can I calm down," he spat throwing and stuffing his clothes into suitcases. He had to get out of this horrible town as soon as possible. He didn''t want to spend another night in the same town as those two. "Maybe you should try talking to her again," Mark offered leaning against the door of his bedroom. Been there and tried that, David thought bitterly. She ignored him and only talked to him to beg him to spare her father the inconvenience and difort of awsuit "You know what Mark; I don''t want to see her ever again much less talk to her. She stabbed me in the back and made me look like an idiot," David said angrily zipping up the suitcases. He felt just like that, aplete idiot. "She obviously prefers hispany before mine! I begged her man; I practically fell to my knees and begged," David shouted throwing one of the suitcases to the living room. It barely missed Mark and knocked into amp which proceeded to be shattered against the floor. "I know you did," Mark said quickly entering in the bedroom looking to the mess ofmp on the floor. "Stupid woman, I never gave anyone what I gave her! Many women wanted me like she had me," David shouted throwing a second suit case to the living room. "How did she repay me? Embarrassing and rejecting me! Did you see his face, that freaking smug look on his ugly face," David shouted again turning and punching a hole into the wall, at the reliving of the haunting memory. He leaned against the wall hurting more than he had ever hurt in his life. She was right about one thing, he really didn''t love her anymore. He could never love someone as traitorous as her. He even doubted love existed honestly. Everything he had seen today told him otherwise. Mark patted him on the back in attempt tofort him. "Let''s get you out of here," his friend told him with a t tone. David nodded mutely and let Mark guide him out of the apartment. Tabby was coming up the steps just as they left the door. She rushed up to David surprising him as she wrapped her arms around him in a firm hug. "I am so sorry David! I really am," she said with a down fallen face. He attempted to give her a smile but only the corners of his mouth managed to turn upward. "Thanks Tabby but you don''t need to be apologizing for anything," he told her sadly. Tabby scrunched her face into a worried concerned face looking like she wanted to say something but David knew all too well there was nothing anyone could say to fix this mess. "I will wait for you in the car," he told Mark giving his friend a chance to talk to Tabby before they left. He lugged his suitcases down the cement steps to the car, and brutally tossing them into the trunk of his car. He nced up at Mark and Tabby and watched them talk in hushed voices leaning in towards each other so much their foreheads were touching. David felt the ache of longing and envy that was enough to nearly knock him to his knees. Why couldn''t Sam have chosen him, he would never have asked her to do the things that twisted excuse of a father she had. Why wasn''t he good enough? David looked away from the couple unable to take the pain it caused watching them and got into the car. He closed his eyes leaning against the seat taking slow deep breaths trying his best will away all these horrible feelings he was feeling. He would rather feel nothing than this! Back in New York, David sat on the sofa and taking a long drink from the nearly empty whiskey bottle. He spent nearly all of the week since his return inplete drunkenness. It was the only time he felt nothing, and that''s exactly how he wanted to feel. Life seemed to have lost all its color and he didn''t see the point in anything anymore. This wasn''t how it was supposed to work, he thought bitterly. She was supposed to love him back and they were supposed to get married, have children, and grow old together. He sighed and took another long drink from the bottle. Maybe he was wrong, maybe there was no happy endings after all, maybe those were just lies to keep people forming rtionships and thus continuing the mess that is known as the human species. Someone knocked on his door, but he ignored it taking yet another drink. He didn''t want to talk anyone at all he just wanted to sit there and drink; he didn''t care what other people thought about it. He just wanted all of them to leave him alone! He scowled as the door opened. Seems that was the one thing people couldn''t do, leave him the hell alone and stay drunk in peace. He grimaced as he nced up at the woman standing in front of him. Why the hell did shee here? "Davey you shouldn''t be doing this too yourself baby," she told him and sat down next to him wrapping her arms around shoulders. She pulled him close to her in a warm embrace. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his head against her shoulder feeling some of the pain ease. "She must really be something," the woman addedbing his hair with her fingers and he scowled. "Please mother don''t mention her, she is nothing," he slurred and pulled away to take another drink but she took the bottle out of his hand. "No more of that young man, I can''t stand to see you like this David," she told him sternly. "I am old enough to do what I want mother, if you havee to lecture me then you can leave," he snapped and reached for the bottle. "David, I want you to stop this, I know you''re hurting and hurting badly but bing a drunk isn''t going to help anything," his mother scolded him. "What do you know about hurting? You and Dad are the happy little couple," he snapped as he tried to grab the bottle but in his drunkenness she managed to keep it easily out of reach. "David Andrews just because I am happily married now doesn''t mean I don''t know what heartbreak is. Now get yourself sobered up and take a shower because you smell horrible for God''s sake! Now when you''re ready your father still has the ounting position open for you. I know you don''t want to work for your father but you need something to help keep your mind off of that woman," she told him, getting directly to the point like always. She was right in everything though he wasn''t ready to admit it openly just yet. "Now go on get yourself into the bathroom and get yourself cleaned up. I will go make you some lunch and see if we can''t get you sobered up some," she ordered him and David frowned at her. "I am a grown man, I don''t need you to baby sit me mother," he snapped standing up but tripped over his own feet as he tried to take a step. "Oh I can see that," she replied tartly with her hands on her hips before walking over and helping him up. David continued toin as she helped him into the bathroom. He sat on down on the toilet as she started the shower. "Now be careful I don''t want to lose you because you broke your neck," she scolded him before leaving. He scowled at the closed door as he removed his clothing with extreme difficulty. Stepping under the hot water, his foggy head started to clear. As he cleaned away the dirt and grime David grew resolved to end his self pity right there. He wasn''t going to let that woman destroy him, no he was stronger than that. As he got out of the shower feeling more sober David decided that Sam couldn''t have been that special as he thought her to be. She was just probably like a million other women, he would find another easily. One thing he never had problems with was finding someone to keep his bed warm. A smug smile almost painted itself across his face. David Andrews wasing back. Walking out of his bedroom in fresh clothing and feeling much better he smiled a more authentically at his mother who handed him a cup of coffee. "Now that is much better Davey," she told him returning his smile. "Thank you mother," he told her before taking a cautious drink of the hot coffee. "You''re right about everything. I can''t keep doing this and I promise I won''t be drowning myself in a bottle any more. I''ll talk to dadter about taking that job," he told her and she smiled even more. That night David entered the club where he first met Sam and the ce that was usually his favorite spot when he was younger. He walked up to the bar, greeting the bartender and ordering himself a drink. David was a little disappointed when Mark refused toe with him, he seemed to think it was a bad idea that David wanted to go. He wasn''t sure why his friend thought so; in fact he had expected Mark to be thrilled. The bartender handed David his drink and he thanked the man taking a drink scanning the crowd at the bar. There were several women there, many were quite attractive but he didn''t feel motivated to talk to any of them. Just when he started to think that maybe it wasn''t such a great idea a blonde walked up to him. With a coy smile on her brightly painted lips and her fingers twirling her hair, she leaned towards him just enough. "Hello sexy," he said seductively, "like to dance with me," he asked her and her smile grew. "More than anything," she gushed in desperation. David took her small tanned hand in his leading her to the dance floor, noticing her touch did nothing like Sam''s had done. The blonde pushed and grinded her body against his as they moved but David couldn''t help but start topare every little aspect of hers against Sam''s. Frustrated with himself he leaned down capturing the woman''s lips in an angry kiss. The blonde quickly responded the kiss, sloppily, her hands roaming along his body. David felt disappointment as the kiss didn''t produce the desired effect in him and once more found himselfparing her to Sam. Clenching his jaw in frustration, he forced any and all thoughts of Samantha Peters out of his head. "How about we take this party somewhere else," he asked the blonde once their messy kiss had ended. He was determined to forget Sam, no matter what it took. The blonde purred grinding herself against him more. "I''d party with you anywhere gorgeous," she replied and David forced a smile on his face as he led her out of the club. David got up from the bed where the blonde snored loudly with a scowl on his face as he walked towards to the shower to wash her cheap lipstick and perfume off his body. Pushing away the disappointment he was determined to not give up. There had to be a woman that would make him feel like he did when he was with Sam. Just because it wasn''t the blonde in the other room didn''t mean that that such woman didn''t exist. If he had to sleep with every woman that came along his path, then he would. Sam was nothing special, he told himself again as he got out of the shower and dressing. David quietly then snuck out of the hotel room thanking God he didn''t tell her anything about himself, there was no way he would be repeatingst night. David went to the club every week, alone because Mark refused every single time to apany him. Apparently he and Tabby had be something serious; he flew to Illinois every weekend to be with her. David was happy for his friend but he was also filled with envy. He would go to a hotel or her house, the first woman that would ept. Most of them he did like the blonde, spend the night with them then sneak out before they awoke. It was rare if he actually spent more than one night with a woman, but a few were actually good enough in bed that he didn''t mind repeating the experience, though none of them could ever interest him farther than what their abilities between the sheets. It had been four months since Sam had thrown him aside but David managed to keep himself busy so he would think about her as little as possible. "See youter Sexy," David told the brte before giving her a quick kiss good bye. He couldn''t seem to remember her name, seemed like it ended in Y. Nancy, Stacy, or maybe Lacy, he thought then shrugged, he really didn''t care what her name is. He walked over to where his friend was waiting for him. Mark shook his head at David with a look of disapproval on his face. "When are you going to stop," Mark insisted and David looked at him confused. "The women, David, this isn''t you!" Mark told him his look of disapproval growing. "I know that Sam really hurt you," he started but David grabbed him violently and mmed him against the side of the building. "Don''t," he warned his friend. "Don''t you ever say her name to me again, do you hear me! You don''t know shit about me Mark, got it," David snapped at his friend. Mark looked at him with surprise. "I know a lot more about you than you think David and we both know this yer act of yours isn''t you," Mark shot back pushing David off of him. "I am just trying to help you know. That''s what friends do," he added with bitterness in his voice fixing his cloths where David had mussed them. "Since clearly you don''t want my help, I will just keep my mouth shut. Anyways I have to go pick up Tabs from the airport," Mark told him once he finished. "Tabby ising to New York?" David asked surprised. It was the first time he had heard anything about it. "Actually she moving up here, I asked her to move in with me," Mark replied, smiling. "So things are getting serious," David asked with a smile that Mark returned happily. "Yeah, that''s what it looks like," The blonde told him happily. David had to admit he was a bit surprised; Mark was the one that always insisted he would never settle down with just one woman. "That''s great man. Tabby is awesome woman," David told him honestly. Mark thanked him then they said good-byes and David hadpletely forgotten about their previous disagreement. That afternoon at Tabby''s insistence David had lunch with Mark and her, surprisingly he actually enjoyed himself. She was incredibly cheerful and it was extremely contagious. David found himself laughing and smiling like he use to and so easily. The mood only darkened when she had forgotten herself and started to mention Sam. Tabby quickly caught herself before saying her name and recing it with "a friend" but David knew she was talking about Sam. Not wanting to ruin her first day in town he kept a smile stered on his face and the general appearance of not having caught on to anything. As they stood up from their table about to leave the little caf¨¦ David cringed very visibly as the nasally high toned voice called his name. "I didn''t expect to see you here, Davey" the brte from before stated as she walked up to them. David groaned inwardly, he never introduced the girls he slept with to anyone but Mark and that was only if they had idently run into each other. Tabby raised one eyebrow at him and David felt embarrassed for Tabby to see another woman by his side and that in turned made him angry. He was a single man, he could be seen with any woman he chose, he thought heatedly. "Hi Mark," the brte squeaked to his friend that gave Tabby a suspicious look. "Who are you," she asked bluntly. "This is my girlfriend," Mark replied with a hint of irritation. "I am Tabby and you are," Tabby shot with the same hint of irritation. "I am Kasey," the brte replied with a cheerful tone. Kasey, David repeated silently, he knew it ended with a Y. He suddenly draped his arm across the brte''s shoulders bringing her closer to him. "She is my girlfriend," he told Tabby wanting to prove that he had moved on from Sam and didn''t miss or need her at all. The brte gave a soft squeal wrapping her arms around him with a huge grin, obviously thinking they had officially be a couple. He would worry about thatter, he thought watching as Tabby gave the woman a quick once over. It was clear that Tabby didn''t like what she saw. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. "It''s a pleasure to meet you Kasey," Tabby told her with sarcasm dripping from her voice. "Well we got to go," David announced pulling the brte along with him. "Oh Davey, I can''t believe you finally said it, this was the first time! I was starting to wonder just how you saw our rtionship but now I know. I am so d we have gone on to the next level," The brte started and David frowned slightly. Great, he thought bitterly as she continued to ramble on and on saying the words "Now that I am officially your girlfriend," at least a million times. "I so need to call my parents, now that I am officially your girlfriend and you should call yours," She announced. Like hell, David thought but he didn''t say anything. "Oh my gosh," She suddenly stated nearly shouting stopping in her tracks. "I have never met your parents! We should set up a lunch date or something! Call them Davey, and let set something up for tomorrow" She demanded. "No," he snapped harshly and she looked at him confused. "There is no way in hell I am going to have you meet my parents, nor do I have any intention of ever meeting yours," he told her bluntly losing his patience finally. "But Davey," she started and he scowled. "You said," she began to say but he cut her off. "I lied, okay. I lied, don''t you get it woman, I am using you like I have used so many others," he told her straight; knowing he was being hurtful but he simply couldn''t take it anymore. Ignoring the pained look on her face he walked away leaving her standing there. This was all her fault, David thought bitterly. How was it possible that four monthster and so much distance between them, Sam still managed to screw with his life? Damn woman, how I hate her, he cursed silently. That night no matter how hard he tried he couldn''t sleep, his mood fouler than it had been in a long time. He got up from the bed walking to the kitchen grabbing a beer from the fridge. Taking a long drink he once more cursed Sam, and proiming her to be the root of all his problems. He finished the bottle quickly and grabbed another finishing it off just as quickly only to grab another. Drunkenly he stumbled back towards his bed room, feeling haunted by memories he had fought hard to bury. In the back of his dresser he grabbed a well hidden pillow case and sitting on the bed. He buried his nose in the cloth smelling the painfully pleasant scent that after all these months was still there. Longing, need, and desire filled him as he asked silently why did she do this to him, and why couldn''t she love him back? All the carefully guarded pain and rejecting came running back to the surface so strongly he felt crippled by it. David clenched his jaw feeling himself grown angry remembering that day, forcing all the unwanted feelings away from him and focused slowly on his anger and indignation. He wouldn''t allow her to do this to him again, he wouldn''t David vowed as he got up from the bed quickly making him be a little dizzy in his drunken state. He stumbled over to the dresser stuffing the pillow case back where he had found it, telling himself he should just throw it away instead. "Damn you, damn you to hell, I will never forget nor forgive what you have done! I hate you Samantha Peters!" He swore loudly. Chapter 10 Chapter 10 - Consequences Chapter 10 Chapter 10 - Consequences Sam entered in her empty house and tossed the keys as custom. She took off her heels and pushed them under the table. It had been a week since she lied for her father and against David. She looked over to the couch and remembered the day David came over for lunch more or less. She felt tears well up in her eyes and her heart ached. She wanted him gone and for things to go back to normal that day but things would never go back to being the way they were before. In the diner no one whispered or snickered at her any more like she had wanted but now everyone looked at her with disapproval, concern, or pity. Sam wasn''t sure which look she hated most. No one longer tried to talk to her and ignored her when possible but instead of simply not seeing her as they used to, they hated her. Stephanie used Sam being a traitorous brown nosing douche bag when she had heard of what had happened, except Stephanie had used much more colorfulnguage. Even Adam, the biggest goody two shoes had started looking down on her and snubbing any conversation with her. Sam wiped a tear from her cheek and turned away from the couch. Out of all those people in the club why did David have to dance with her, and why out of all thepanies in the country did he have to work for her father, she asked silently. Why did he care for her when she was the one person in this world that wasn''t made to live like everyone else because as she had proven time and time again she could only screw things up! Sam was sure it was some kind of defect at birth she had that made a simple thing impossible. Tabby still wasn''t speaking to her and the house seemed to be haunting her. She trudged towards the kitchen to start dinner but only threw it out when she was finished. She wasn''t able to stomach anything despite her hunger; her stomach clenched on itself and threatened to reject anything she would eat. Sam asked herself for the millionth time, if she did the right thing lying to David like that and if it was then why did she feel so awful. She let out a loud sigh to break the silence as she dragged her feet towards the bathroom. She slowly took off the clothing staring at her reflection as if she expected it to tell her what she needed to hear but of course it only mimicked her movements. Scowling at her reflection she turned on the shower and stepped under the steaming hot water trying to ease the stress that attacked her body ignoring the fact the water had scalded her skin pink. She stepped out of the shower once the water had gone cold and wrapped herself in a yellow fluffy towel, yellow was supposed to make people feel better or so she had heard but she didn''t feel better. She walked into the living room and picked up her cell phone where itid near her keys. She needed her friend and needed to fix things between them. Especially since it was probably the only thing she could be able to fix out of this whole mess. Her spirits rose slightly upon hearing Tabby''s voice. "I am so sorry, Tabby! I am so sorry I said those aweful things to you! I didn''t mean any of them at all," She sobbed. "Oh I know Sam, I am sorry too. I guess I shouldn''t have been so blunt," Tabby replied. "No the fault is all mine, Tabby. I should have known you were only trying to help," Sam replied. They talked for hours and Tabby thankfully didn''t mention David or the horrible incident once. Sam apologized during the conversation nearly a hundred times wanting to make sure she still had her best friend. Sam really loved that crazy blonde and the thought of losing her too was enough to kill her. When the call finally did end Sam hung up the phone with a small sad smile, at least she still did have her best friend, that had to count for something! A month passed and things with Tabby had gotten back to normal. Sam sat in the diner waiting for Tabby to arrive. The warm summer sun felt good on her skin, and she allowed herself to enjoy the simple pleasure. She looked up to see Tabby sit down with her and Sam felt her heart leap to her throat when the guy that was David''swyer sat down beside her. The look he gave her was murderous and Sam swore if it wasn''t for Tabby he would have reached over the table and snap her neck. "Hey Sam, I don''t think you two have ever been officially introduced. Sam this is Mark and Mark this is Sam," Tabby said clearly missing the tension between them and Mark''s face suddenly changed to a softer expression. "H-hello," Sam managed to croak. "Hello Sam," he said with a hint of ice on his voice. A teen came over to take their order and as much as Sam tried to make up an excuse to leave Tabby managed to break through them forcing Sam to stay. She didn''t want Mark to know she wanted to run away from him as far as possible. Tabby happily talked away, about Mark, their rtionship, or telling Mark about work, life, and so on while Sam tried to eat but her stomach was a nervous knot. Every time Tabby would look away Mark''s face would harden and grow hateful and Sam bowed her head shamefully. Her list of people who hated her was growing by the day, she thought sadly. Why did everyone hate her so much, she only did what had to be done! Why couldn''t anyone see that but her! Shortly after the run in with Mark, Sam decided to sell her grandmother''s house. As much as she loved the house she just couldn''t live there anymore. The silence was haunting her and made her think about David nearly constantly which made her heart break all over every time she woke up or came home from work. It took a while to sell, nearly a whole month before Dottie''s daughter and husband decided to buy the ce. Sam sold all the furnature that the couple didn''t want and rented a tiny apartment that was only five minute walk from work buying all new furniture. So nothing could possibly ever remind her of David and the time they had spent together. Though she couldn''t help but think of him on a daily basis. She hoped he didn''t suffer too much because of her but then realized what a silly thought that was. Sam was nothing special and nothing that a man like David could suffer over. He probably already had another girlfriend the first day he went back to New York; guys like him never stay single for long. Though the thought of him with another woman made her feel so jealous that she wanted to scream till her throat was raw but she forced herself to swallow the petty emotion. She had no right to be jealous! David was never hers or meant to be hers, and she shouldn''t even be allowed to miss him what''s more feel jealous! Sam got up from her desk and picked up the papers that her father needed that morning and headed to his office. It had been two months since the incident with David. "You look horrible," her father stated harshly as he looked up at Sam and she shook her head with disbelief. "Well I''m not exactly feeling that great nor am I sleeping that well," she confessed with a little bitterness in her voice and he red at her darkly. "Well when youe into work I want you looking ready for the day," he retorted and sheid the papers on his desk and sat in a chair in front of him. He gave her a confused look as she eyed him slowly and seriously, for the first time she really tried to look at him. "Dad," she started, "Mr. Peters," he corrected her angrily and she frowned. "Dad," she repeated pointedly. "I want to talk to my father not my boss!" Sam snapped then sighed leaning her head back into the chair and red up at the ceiling. "I am not doing so well, I don''t think we acted right with David," she exined sadly bringing her head forward to look at her father. His re intensified when she mention David''s name. "Don''t talk about that boy with me, Samantha. I am still trying to fix all that mess you made," he snapped and she sighed. He still med the whole thing on her and took no responsibility for himself. "Dad, if you hadn''t pushed him like you did and I didn''t lie like I did, you wouldn''t have a mess to clean up," she snapped at him. "I know it''s stupid but I...really...love him," she admitted sadly ying with the edges of the leather chair and her fatherughed a cold harshugh. "Your right it is stupid Sam. You didn''t love him, you lusted Samantha! You wouldn''t know the first thing about love," he told her with cold amusement marking his face. "We did what we had to do that is all. If you''re not doing good and you don''t feel well then deal with it. Stop acting like such a child and get back to work," He ordered her callously. Sam looked at him in hurt and disbelief feeling as if he just sucker punched her to the face. "That is your answer," Sam demanded. "Ie to you for help...forfort...and this is what you tell me, Grow up, deal with it and get back to work?" She asked not believing that her father would actually treat her in such a way. "Yes Samantha that is what I am telling you! Quit expecting me to solve all your problems for you, you''re an adult woman and you deal with your own problems. Now grow up, deal with it and get to work," he told her raising his voice. Sam looked at the aged man before her. Her father, the man that should love and cherish her but she saw no love or adoration in his eyes, only stone coldness and disappointment. "Oh my God," she said dazed with shock. "What have I done," she asked herself with horrified realization. Her father looked at her with a bored expression. "Everyone is right and I...," She started getting up from the chair. "How could you! How could you do this to me, your daughter," Sam shouted at him. "I have no idea what your talking about Samantha but I am a busy man and I don''t time to set aside to listen to your ims for drama," he told her with a dismissive way of his hand. Sam mmed her fists down on his desk feel furious. "My ims for drama? You bitter old man, how dare you! You''ve ruined my life and the one chance I had to have love! How dare you," Sam yelled then stomped towards the office door. "I can''t believe you father, after every stupid thing I have done for you, I can''t believe you can''t simply return the damn favor," She told him throwing open the door and stomping out into the lobby grabbing the few personal items she had and leaving that building with the intention of never returning. Sam sat the window seat staring at the sun sink slowly into the city skyline. A few snowkes fell slowly to the street below. She always thought she would hate big cities but in the three months she had been in Indianapolis she found she loved it. It had been four months since she had yelled at her father realizing the big mistake she had made and the real betrayal she hadmitted against the people who really cared about her six long months ago. Sam didn''t talk to her father again after that day and her father didn''t try to speak with her either. She had thought about calling or going to see David several times. She even dialed his number countless times but quickly hung up; she was just too ashamed of herself. He probably had already moved on and didn''t want to hear from or see her again. She had betrayed him so badly thest time she saw him that she doubt no matter what she said he wouldn''t be able to forgive her. She couldn''t even forgive herself so how could he. Sam sighed pushing a strand of hair out of her eyes and blinking back tears that threatened fall. She looked at her text book opened up at herp. She tried to go back to reading the paragraph she had read like five times and still didn''t get what she really read. Her phone started to ring on the small coffee table. She sighed again grabbing it and answered the phone. "Hey how''s my best girl?" Tabby asked and Sam smiled. "Oh fine I guess," she sighed returning her attention back to the skyline. "That doesn''t sound very convincing" Tabby asked and Samughed quietly. "That''s because I am not very convinced. How are things in the big apple?" Sam asked breathing on the window fogging it up and drawing a smiley face on the window. "Great I love this city. It''s so alive! Mark is wonderful, for a pretty boy he can be really sweet!" Tabby cheered and Sam let another small smile spread across her lips. Sam was really happy for her friend though she also felt really jealous too. She knew if she hadn''t been so stupid she could have had that too. The familiar ache in her chest stung as it did the first day, and she knew it always would be there. Some wounds time simply couldn''t heal. "That''s awesome Tabby. You two are really great together," Sam told her. Tabby was silent for a moment. "I told myself I would stay out of it but I can''t resist. Howe you never ask me about him? You know that he and Mark are really close," Tabby asked finally and Sam felt her chest tighten and the ache grew worse. She knew who Tabby was referring to none other than David. "I have thought about it. Almost every day I think about it," she admitted honestly. "But I don''t want to know," she finished sadly. "You don''t, why not?" Tabby asked with confusion in her voice. "I know he has moved on, it''s only logical but if you tell me so it bes real. Real that he has forgotten me and real the wonderful girl that has entered in his life that managed heal all the hurt I have done, the jealousy would be enough to kill me!" Sam exined blinking back the tears that wanted to fall. "That is a lot of assuming going on, how can you be so sure that it''s like that?" Tabby asked and Sam felt her stomach flip on itself. She cursed Tabby for being so cruel. "It''s not assumption Tabby, it''s how life works now can we please change the subject." Sam pleaded. "Sure, how is school going, any hot guys there," Tabby asked and Sam could almost see her wiggling her eyebrows. A month of mopping and eating up her savings Sam decided to enroll in the University of Indianapolis studying business major and get out of that horrible little town. She couldn''t stand being in the same ce as her father. Samughed at Tabby''s choice of subject change; she had amitted boyfriend but still found time to talk about men. "I am too busy learning to take notice of guys," Sam told her. "Well then there can''t be any guys there that hot or otherwise you would have noticed no matter what," Tabby teased her and Sam rolled her eyes. "You are a constant flirt Tabby; you''re going to drive poor Mark nuts!" Sam scolded her friend yfully. They continued to talk for a hour longer till Sam had to finally hang up to get her reading done she nced out the window looking to the city draped in the early night. She smiled sadly before turning to her book but she put it down after two hours and only managing to read three pages. Tonight she couldn''t concentrate on the words on the pages, her thoughts kept going back to David. She couldn''t help but wonder what he was doing at that exact moment or who he was with. She felt a pang of jealousy thinking of him with another woman at this very moment. She sighed again covering her face with her hands feeling pathetic and depressed. Would she ever be able to feel good again, she wondered as she got up off the window seat and headed towards bedroom. She might was well try to catch up on her sleep since she obviously couldn''t study. The next day Sam didn''t have any sses but decided to go to the campus library to pick up what she wasn''t able to do yesterday. She looked around therge library with the walls covered with books, and book cases that towered over her. She loved this ce and always felt as if she stepped into a new world. It was the only ce she to feel rxed and at peace. She sat down at her favorite table near arge window. She felt a smile sneak up on her face as thete fall morning light warmed up her skin. "Wow Samantha smiling, now that does make it worthing here on a Saturday morning," a man said with a yful smile sitting down in the chair in front of her. She looked up at him and rolled her eyes. "Good morning Robert," she replied with a light sigh. "Don''t act like you don''t love mypany," he told her with a smug smirk and Sam found a smile breaking across her lips. "I don''t believe I ever made such ims as not liking yourpany," she replied back to him. "It was implied with that sigh you made after you said so dully "Good morning Robert." So what has my little study bunny smiling today," Robert asked her breaking as he tucked a piece of his rebellious brown hair behind his ear and sheughed shaking her head ever so slightly at him. "Study bunny that is a new one," she said with a tiny grin. "I know I have a way with words that is why I am a philosophy professor you know," Robert told her with wink. "So," he insisted. "What has got my overcastrade actually smiling," he repeated when she looked at him confused. "This is my favorite ce and my favorite time of day," she said with an indifferent shrug and he smiled. "You''re so particr Samantha," Robert replied taking off his sses to clean them with a little cloth he always kept in his vest pocket. Sam smiled at him knowing that was his form of apliment. The man was in himself particr as well but she liked that about him. Almost all the girls she talked with thought they were having some secret love affair but he was only a good friend to her. Shortly after meeting him, much to her surprise he did ask her out to dinner but she refused. There was only ever one man for Sam, and she pushed him away. "Christmas ising up, you going anywhere," He asked recing his sses then leaned over on the table and drumming his fingers softly on therge wooden table. Sam sighed. She was tired of talking about Christmas break and it seemed like everyone asked her just that. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. "Tabby keeps asking me to go to New York but I told her no, seriously how could she really ask me to do that?" Sam told him with a scowl. "That sounds like a great idea Samantha, why wouldn''t you go," Robert asked with apparent genuine doubt. "Seriously, you''re asking me why," she shot back with disbelief. "Yeah seriously," he replied mimicking her voice and she narrowed her eyes him but a smile spread across her lips. "Gee lets list the many reasons why I will never step my foot into New York ever again! First Mark and David are like best friends! Second after what happened Mark hates my guts! Third I could run into David! Fourth I could run into his girlfriend! Fifth there is no way in hell I could handle that!" Sam listed angrily holding up her fingers as she counted. Robert startingughing so hard that the librarian shooshed him giving him the evil eye while she mumbled something along the lines of professors should know better. Robert gave her an apologetic look then turned back to Sam. "Well you don''t have to hang out with stick in his ass Mark or Davey boy or his girlfriend. Stay in a hotel and visit your friend in neutral ground," he told her. Sam opened her mouth then shut her mouth then chewed her lip in thought. That really wasn''t that bad of an idea. "I don''t know," she said slowly looking towards her book. "Well how about if I go with you? I don''t have any family, as you know, and I don''t have any ns yet, it is perfect. I have been dying to finally meet this girl you keep talking about. When she is busy with stick up his ass Mark we could go do some tourism. I heard there are some great museums there." Robert exined starting to sound excited. Sam grinned at the idea, it sounded like a wonderful n and she really did miss Tabby a lot. It had been months since they had been with each other. "Plus if you happen to run into lover boy it will give you a chance to apologize. Which whether you like it or not, you need to do Samantha so you can start forgiving yourself and start the process of turning page," he told her giving her a serious look. Sam''s stomach clenched on itself at the idea, no she couldn''t do that. There was no way she couldn''t face David ever again and she wasn''t going to ever turn the page because there was nothing for her to turn too. Robert gave her a questioning look and she sighed yet again. "Well if you''re going to be there..." she started, and he nodded. "I will think about," she told him and he looked disappointed. "I swear Robert I will honestly think about seriously going to New York with you," she told him and He nodded once more with a small smile. "Now what kind of professor are you that you won''t even let me read this chapter that I have been trying sincest night!" She yfully scolded him. "Oh, sorry Miss I didn''t mean to interrupt!" Robert got up giving her a pat on the back. "See you later Samantha, and don''t think too long," he called to he quietly and went on his way. Four hourster Sam entered her apartment throwing her bag to the corner. Thanks to Robert she still wasn''t able to read the chapter. All she could think about was his n for New York and whether or not to go. Despite her fear of being in the same city as David, no matter how big it was, she was seriously considering it. After another few hours of silent contemtion Sam pulled her cell out of her purse calling Tabby as she threw herself to the couch. "Hey Sam, what''s up," Tabby answered melodically. "Hey Tabby, that invitation still up from Christmas break?" Sam asked and Tabby quickly and loudly told her it was. "Then I think I will go," She said slowly. Tabby squealed so loud she had to pull the phone away from her ear. "That is awesome!" Tabby yelled excited. "What finally made you change your mind?" She asked curiously. "A friend of mine, he came up with a convincing n and he will being along too," Sam told her. "He!" Tabby eximed and Sam knew she had made a very bad mistake when she mentioned that her friend was a man. "You are bringing a guy with you! I thought you said you weren''t going out with anyone," Tabby asked her and Sam cringed. Why the hell did people always assume if a man and a woman were friends, it had to automatically mean something else than just friends, she wondered. "I said he was a friend, Tabby and that is exactly what I meant friend, nothing more." Sam told her pointedly. "Yeah he is a boy and a friend so he is a boyfriend. Is he cute?" Tabby asked totally ignoring what Sam had said. She shook her head; Tabby was hopeless,pletely and totally hopeless. "Tabby, he is my friend nothing more and I mean it! Seriously Robert is like a brother to me," Sam argued with irritation. "Alright, alright I was just teasing geez, rxdy! I can''t wait to see you again. I got to go; Mark is watching some silly sports game and telling me to be quiet, talk to youter" Tabby stated and hung up. Sam then called Robert and let him know she had agreed to go. He was almost as excited as Tabby was. "This will be good for you Samantha, you''ll see," he told her and Sam frowned. "Do not get any funny ideas in your head mister; I am going to see my friend and nothing more. Got it," she told him. "I don''t know what you''re talking about Samantha, I was simply referring to the change of scenery," he told her with a confused tone but she wasn''t buying it. "Good and it better stay that way because I will tell you now I am not going to have some heart to heart with David," she told him with insistence. Chapter 11 Chapter 11 - New York, New York Chapter 11 Chapter 11 - New York, New York The airport terminal was really packed but Sam guessed that was normal considering it was near Christmas and all that. She chewed her lip nervously as she and Robert exited the ne and into the airport. "Maybe this wasn''t such a good idea," she said nervously taking a few steps back and feeling a sense of panic wash over her. Robert gave her a "don''t be silly look" as he draped his arm over her shoulders and guided her towards the baggage im. "Chill, just take deep breaths Samantha," Robert told her and grabbed her luggage handing it to her. "You know many times we work up our fears in our head so much that they are usuallyrger than life. If we gather up the courage to actually face them more times than not we realize that that what we fear really wasn''t worth the fear in the first ce," he exined and grabbed his own. "I hope you''re right because I feel I just stepped in to the lion''s den," Sam admitted honestly with a frown and he mussed her hair yfully. "Great, just great, I am a nervous wreck and now look a mess, thanks a lot! You''re doing a great job in making me feel much better," she told him with mocked anger giving him a push smiling. However it faded when she saw Mark was with Tabby. He was frowning looking very unhappy to be there. Why did he have toe, he hates me, she thought darkly. Tabby rushed up to her and gave her a bear hug squealing Sam deaf but she didn''t care was just as happy to see her friend. "How I have missed you girl," Tabby squealed giving Sam a once over smiling then eyeing Robert over. "So this is your friend?"She asked putting special emphasis on the word friend with a sly smile at the end. "Yes this is my friend, Robert; Robert this is Tabby and that is Mark" She said and Robert held out his hand smiling. "Nice to meet the ever famous Tabby, Samantha talks about you non-stop," he said shaking Tabby''s hand and just nodded to Mark with a cool expression which Mark seemed very happy to return. "Aw really, you talk about me." Tabby said sping her hands together. "Of course, you''re my best friend. How am I not going to talk about you," Sam told her and she could almost able to see the blonde''s ego grow. Tabby snagged her arm around Robert''s and Sam''s. Mark''s frown grew colder, Sam noticed. "So tell me Robert, how did you meet my dear Sam and how the hell did you get her to let you call her Samantha? She has always hated her full name," Tabby asked as they walked out of the airport "Oh I know she told me several times how much she hated it but I just ignored her and kept calling her Samantha till she gave up telling me how she hated it," Robert told her with a evil smile. Tabby nearly doubled over withughter. "Oh I like you," Tabby told him and he grinned at her. "You''re not so bad yourself," Robert replied with a smile. "Samantha and I met when I helped her find her sses. I teach philosophy, the business and the philosophy departments are pretty close so I knew where all her sses were since she obviously didn''t pay much attention to the orientation," he exined giving Sam a light disapproving look and she shrugged with a smile as Robert went on rting their first meeting. "So you guys want toe to the apartment first or leave your things at your hotel first?" Tabby asked and Sam stiffened wanting to avoid Mark''s apartment at all costs. If she was there David could pop up in any minute. Sam swore she would avoid any ce that David might be as if it has the gue. "I think we should stop at the hotel first then how about we meet somewhere for lunch?" Robert suggested smoothly and Mark seemed as relieved as Sam felt. Tabby pouted a little but agreed that they would meet in their hotel lobby in an hour. When Robert and Sam got in the taxi she waved to her friend from the window and sat down with a sigh of relief. "Thanksing up the lunch idea. Their apartment is not at all neutral territory," she said looking out the window at the big city starting to think she didn''t like it as much as she did Indianapolis. "No problem Samantha that is why I am here," he said patting her on the shoulder. "Plus I don''t think Mark seconded that invitation at all," Sam replied. "So that was stick in his ass Mark," Robert asked with an evil grin and Sam smiled slightly and nodded. "I see I got his name right then," he added looking positively impish and Sam could help a burst ofughter escape and she pped him on the shoulder. "Now that wasn''t very nice," Sam scolded him. "No but its true, the man looks like he just ate a whole bag of lemons," Robert teased. "I don''t think he liked that you and Tabby got along so well," she told him but it was clear Robert didn''t give a damn what Mark liked. It took a while for them to arrive at the hotel not because of the distance but because of the traffic. Sam definitely didn''t like New York as much as she did Indianapolis. By time they checked in, got to their room, they had only fifteen minutes to get ready for their lunch with Tabby. Once alone in her room, Sam started feeling anxious again. She washed her face in the bathroom trying to calm her nerves and telling herself that Robert was right that she was making a big deal of nothing. "Don''t be a drama queen, Sam," she scolded herself then changed into fresh clothes actually feeling little calmer. She left her hotel room and walked down toward the lobby where Tabby and Robert were already waiting. "Come on, the ce I picked out is awesome," Tabby cheered when Sam arrived and exined that Mark had other ns already and couldn''t meet them with lunch. Sam knew it was a lie but she was d. She didn''t really need a reminder of how much he disliked her or how much she really deserved it. "Good because I am starving!" Robert dered rubbing his stomach and Sam smiled. "You are always hungry Robert," she replied poking him in the stomach. "So what if I am, being incredibly charming and intelligent takes a lot of fuel," he told her with a wink. Tabby and Sam rolled their eyes in unison and left the hotel. The restaurant looked nice, which didn''t surprise Sam any, Tabby, always had good taste. They sat at the table the waiter lead them too. Tabby and Robert chatted away, they seemed to get along very well but Sam wasn''t listening. She was lost in her own thoughts while looking out the window of the restaurant remembering that fateful weekend that had brought her and Tabby to the city for the first time. It seemed like a life time ago and she wasn''t the same person anymore. That carefree and happy Sam was gone and reced by the worried and guilt ridden Sam who wasn''t sure if she could remember what being happy was like any more. Her thoughts turned to David, she wondered as she had done so many times before: where he was, what he was doing, who was he with? She felt her pulse quicken as she thought he could possibly any one of the people that busily rushed passed by the window. "Samantha, everything ok?" Robert asked cing a concerned hand on her shoulder. "Huh...oh um yeah I am great," she said with a smile realizing both Tabby and Robert looking were looking at her with concern. "You Sam are anything but great," Tabby said pointing her fork at Sam menacingly. "I have to agree with her on that one," he stated squeezing her shoulder lightly. Tabby tapped her finger on her chin. "I know you''re not going to like what I am going to say but I think you should really talk with David while you''re here," Tabby said looking at her with a serious stare and Sam sighed loudly. "Why does everyone keep saying that? It wouldn''t fix anything Tabby!" Sam angrily stabbed a piece of chicken on her te she had ignored till then even though she really wasn''t hungry at all. "Samantha," Robert started with his professor voice, "it would absolutely fix everything. If he is still upset by what happened maybe your apology is just what he needs to move on and if he has moved on then you should too," he lectured her. "Yeah, I really doubt he is just sitting in his apartment waiting for me to ring the bell and say "hey it''s me and I just wanted to say sorry" and then poof, all the crappy things I did will just disappear into sparkly glitter!" Sam shot sarcastically. "No one said it would do that but I do believe it do you a lot of good. So stop being a coward and face the music woman!" Tabby told her grinning and Sam red at her friend then looked to Robert for help. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. "A coward, she just called me a coward! Are you going to let her talk to your friend like that?" Sam asked him with a demanding expression. "If the shoe fits," was his answer with an impish expression on his face and she pouted. "Why does everyone gang up on me, why can''t anyone side with me for once? So let''s say hypothetically I agreed and I stress hypothetically. I can''t exactly show up on his door step and say hey surprise I am in New York. Let''s chat," Sam said pointing her fork now at Tabby before stabbing another piece of her chicken oddly feeling a little better. "Well first it''s not a surprise. He knows you''re here," Tabby said as if she wasmenting on the weather and Sam choked on her food. After turning a nice shade of blue the piece of chicken finally slipped down her throat and she took arge drink of water ring at her friend. "What do you mean he knows?" She asked her voice starting to rise. Robert draped his arm over her shoulders telling her to calm down but she ignored him. How could she be calm at a moment like this! "I am sorry Sam, but he overheard me while I was talking with Mark. I didn''t know you wanted to keep it secret," Tabby justified to her. "This is horrible, absolutely horrible! See Robert, this is why I didn''t want toe here," she stated with irritated panic. "Calm Samantha," Robert told her reassuringly and she noticed some people turned and was staring at them. "This could be a good sign," he added. "How could this be a good sign Robert? David knows I am here because she told him, which is exactly what I didn''t want to happen! I was talking hypothetically only! I have no intention what so ever in being in the same building as David much less having a conversation with him! You know he probably hates me and I would rather pass on hearing what nasty things he has thought up to call me," Sam ranted. Tabby gave her a look that seem to say she wanted to say something but just shrugged and gave her a smile. "Don''t give me that look, what is it Tabby," Sam asked but Tabby shook her head. "Nope, for once I am not getting in the middle. You want to know more then you will have to talk to David," Tabby said determinedly. "Oh so now you decide to shut up, it''s a littlete for that one don''t you think?" Sam snapped acidly knowing she was being rude and unreasonable with her friend but she had to make them understand. "Listen up the both of you and make sure you both understand this really well! I am not going to meet up with David, got it! I am not going to do it. I won''t talk to him, I can''t! I came here to just see you and only you," Sam demanded. Robert and Tabby looked at her with disapproving expressions but she didn''t care. They were lucky she didn''t get up and leave them sitting right there in that restaurant and take a ne back home. The rest of the meal was a little awkward, both Robert and Tabby appeared to want to push the David topic but knew better. When they said good-byes to Tabby Robert insisted they go visit one of the many museums and then some site seeing so that Sam could rx. The museum was alright but Sam really didn''t get into art as much as Robert did but she managed to enjoy herself. She enjoyed the site seeing a lot more. She was tired when she was back in her hotel room but she felt much more rxed. She sighed as she slipped into the steaming hot water feeling what was left of the stress that came from the realization that David knew she was there leave her body. She loved the huge tub that was in her bathroom and only got out when the water finally went cold dressing in arge t-shirt and shorts. "Finally, was starting to think you drowned in there," Robert joked from therge overstuffed chair where he sat and she threw a pillow at him as she sat on the bed. "I needed that, thank you very much" she said crossing her arms and sticking her nose up in the air. "I will never understand what it is with women and baths," he replied with a shrug. "It''s tooplicated for the male mind," Sam exined to him and he gave her a half smile then turned serious. "So Samantha," he asked her looking too serious and she frowned at him. "So Samantha what?" She asked back decided to y dumb hoping he would get the hint. "You know what Samantha. You are going to talk to David while you''re here. So how do you want to go about it," he stated with a matter of fact tone and she glowered at him. "Excuse me did I not make myself clear at lunch or is it just that you have gotten to that age where you start suffering from hearing loss," she shot back and Robert tossed the pillow back at her. "I heard you just fine Mss. Sarcastic but you need to do it all the same!" Robert replied. "Robert since you are my friend I will be honest with you. The only thoughts I have had about David is on how I can absolutely avoid him. I don''t need to meet up with him what I need is to stay away from him," Sam told him. "I know you better than that, I know you can''t stop thinking about him and I know you want more than anything to speak with him but your just too damn scared to do it. Fear is never a good reason not to do something," he told her and she rolled her hating that he knew so well in only a few short months. "Doesn''t matter because it is not happening, I refuse and I am my own woman," she told him very serious. "You know what Robert; I don''t see how you and Tabby seemed so convinced this is going to end up being something good for me. What if he hates me? What if he never gave me a second thought? What if he has a new girlfriend? None of those things are good for me! Seriously, me showing up could really just piss him off even more," she told him wondering if he suggested her to come to this stupid city just so he could ambush her into meeting with David! "Samantha, have you ever asked yourself, what if he is in love with you as much as you are with him? What if he can''t stop thinking about you? What if he is just waiting for you because there is no other woman for him than you?" Robert asked her giving her a questioning stare and she sighed falling on her bed. "That sounds too much like a Disney movie to me! I am not Cindere nor is David Prince Charming. Sorry you''re what-ifs don''t work," she told him tly hoping they would all just leave her alone. "That is you''re problem right there, you''re so negative and see the ss always half empty," he told her sounding angry and she wondered why he would be getting angry with her. "You said you two shared something special and I think it is very egotistical of you to just assume it was only special for you. I know David was an ass to force things on you to quickly like that but he did it because you are worth that much." Sam sat up on her elbows looking at him doubtfully. She wasn''t worth any of that, she was a lying, betraying, piece of trash one should find in the gutter. "Take if from a guy, we don''t bother ourselves to get hard to get women we just move on to one that is easier" he continued and Sam frowned. "Unless of course, the woman in question is something special, I think David falls in this category Samantha." He finished getting up from the chair he was sitting. "Sometimes it doesn''t matter how much you love someone, sometimes things just get too messed up to be able to fix things. It''s best to just leave them be and hope not to screw up at the next chance," she exined and Robert shook his head. "Tabby is right, you the most stubborn woman yet!" He told her before he left the room. Why did everyone say she was stubborn? She wasn''t that stubborn and this wasn''t about stubbornness. Sam couldn''t believe that meeting with David and giving him a simple apology could fix all the wrong she had done, it would be too easy. She buried herself under the covers feeling awful and regretting she ever came to this city. It made her remember how badly she missed David, how much she wanted to have him there with her, and how much she loved him. Robert said she couldn''t turn the page but being here wasn''t helping. Being here and remembering her first time in New York and what happened after was only making her fall back to square one. Frustrated Sam got under the covers realizing that she couldn''t dwell on the past any longer. She had to forget about David and move on. Sam was sure he had done the same a long time ago. With a loud sigh she tossed and turned waiting for sleep that didn''te. Her mind just wouldn''t stop spinning around what had happened that day and what everyone had told her. Chapter 12 Chapter 12 - Choices Chapter 12 Chapter 12 - Choices David sat on the sofa looking out at the city sky line with an untouched beer in his hand. It had been two months since he stopped using women as a distraction. Seeing the hurt on that woman''s face the day he told her the bitter truth so bluntly made him realize the horrible person he was turning into, exactly the type of person he didn''t want to be. With a new found determination he made himself forget about Sam and he thought he had sessfully done it until he had idently heard Tabby talking with Mark. She was sounded so excited that David couldn''t help but listen in. He couldn''t believe how those few simple words, "Sam''sing to New York," had affected him. David came to realize he hadn''t evene close to moving on. Despite his anger, he couldn''t help but feel a small hope that she wasing to see him too. But as always with Sam, she was nothing but betrayal and pain he realized as Tabby mentioned the friend that wasing along with her, her male friend. David shook his head with irritation. How she could still affect him so badly after all these months, he wondered furious with himself and her. He knew Mark and Tabby had left already to meet Sam and her friend at the airport, just thinking about him made David seething with unwanted jealousy. "Damn you," he cursed finally taking a drink from the bottle. He set down the bottle refusing to drown himself there and decided to get out and take a walk. He walked around therge city in no determined direction. David just couldn''t get her out of his mind no matter how hard he tried. Did she think about him at any given moment, did she feel sorry, any remorse? Any regret at all? Did she even care, if only a little? "You haven''t been waiting on us have you David," Tabby teased from somewhere behind him. He turned and saw her and Mark getting out of a taxi and he realized he was right in front of their apartment building. "I actually just got here. I was taking a walk," he told her and noticed Mark looked extremely pissed. "What''s up man," he asked his friend. "Oh he is just jealous because I think Robert is a nice guy," Tabby said waving him off. "Wrong! It''s not because you think he is a nice guy...and I am not jealous," Mark snapped at her and she waved him off again. "Don''t you do that to me Tabs! You were all over him," he told her and David looked at them nervously. "So this is your friend?" Mark started imitating Tabby''s way of talking. "Oh Robert do tell me how you two met? Oh however did you get Sam to let you call her Samantha? Oh Robert you such a great guy! Oh Robert this, Oh Robert that," Mark went on with his imitation and Tabby frowned. David was suddenly ufortable as Mark mentioned this Robert and Sam''s names together and jealousy crept upon him too. "You''re such a jerk when you''re jealous," Tabby told him furious. "And you''re such an irritating and crazy woman when you throw yourself at other men," Mark snapped at her again and they both red at each other for a moment. "Well I guess you won''t being for lunch then," she asked him coldly. "Like hell am I going to watch you drool of Professor Nice Guy," he replied bitterly. "Whatever," she told him with another wave of her hand turning to enter in the building. David stood there not sure what to say or do as he witnessed them have their first fight. Mark''s jaw was locked and his fists were balled into to fists so tight his knuckles were white. "You should have seen how she was around that ass! Acting like he was the next best thing since sliced bread," Mark said slowly and David gave him a weak smile. "I am sure you''re just over reacting. She''s been crazy about you since I''ve known her," David said reassuring his friend but felt a little worried. He had never seen Mark get jealous or have any signs of insecurity that he was showing now. "Yeah you''re right, I am being stupid," Mark agreed loosening up a bit. "I bet the guy is boring as hell anyways. He is a philosophy teacher for God''s sake! Let''s go have a beer. I don''t know about you but I need one," he said still angry and David nodded, not really in the mood to drink but he wanted to apany his friend. Once they were in the apartment Mark went over to the fridge and handed David a beer and they both sat at the kitchen ind. "Oh my God, you two look like a couple of big babies," Tabby said coming out of the bed room looking at Mark and David sitting there both obviously in sour moods. Mark red at her and she just gave him a yful smile. "Oh how I love my silly jealous man," she told him and gave him a kiss on the cheek and Mark suddenly brightened and kissed her back. "I love my frustrating and crazy woman too," he told her and David watched them with longing for a moment then returned his attention to his beer. Mark frowned slightly watching Tabby leave the apartment. "So..." David started not being able to resist yet not sure how to ask what he wanted. "What do you want to know about him," Mark asked picking up his beer and finishing it off. "Do they look you know...close," he asked hesitantly not sure if he wanted to really know. Mark was silent for the moment. "Well I only been around for them for a few minutes but yeah I got the impression that they are pretty close," he admitted and David sighed sadly taking a drink from his beer hating feeling so jealous. "Apparently they have been friends since she started going to the University," Mark said darkly. "University," David repeated with surprise. "Yeah, the University of Indianapolis, been there for a few months now. Some time ago she got in to a big fight with her father. From the way Tabby tells it, she finally figured out what a bastard he was and told him to go screw himself then sold her house, left town, and hasn''t spoken to him since, " Mark told him and David couldn''t believe what he had heard. Bitter resentment bubbled to the surface as he wondered why the hell she couldn''t have done all that only six months ago. Obviously, I wasn''t worth it to her, David thought then thought about this friend of hers. Was he the reason she finally left her father, was he the type of man she wanted all along? "Did it look like they were more than friends," David asked hesitantly. Mark shrugged indecisively. "Hard to tell, he does seem to always have his arm around her shoulders but I didn''t see anything that would make me think that she is lying about them just being friends," Mark exined and David couldn''t believe how jealous he felt at the thought of some other man touching her even if it was just an arm. He wanted to be the only man that ever touched her, he thought darkly. However that only made him even angrier. He didn''t want to feel jealous or want to be the man who was with Sam. David wanted nothing to do with anything and everything that was Sam Peters, but she still somehow had a hold over him. Damn you Sam, damn you! Haven''t you done enough, David cursed silently then pushing away the beer sitting in front of him. "Thanks Mark but I think I am going to go," he told his friend and Mark nodded mutely not looking up from the counter top of the ind. He walked slowly along the busy streets back to his apartment, feeling his mood darken by the minute. Changing his clothes, he started to warm up before sitting on the weight bench to start his daily strength training routine, it was the only thing he found that wasn''t destructive that helped get her off his mind. David jogged on the treadmill, his jaw clenched with determination. He hadn''t been able to improve his mood any since the afternoon. No matter how hard he trained, it simply didn''t work. He couldn''t keep his thoughts off of Sam and her friend. He couldn''t help but y out in his head several scenarios where both of them were together romantically and making him feel so angry that he felt like he would explode at any minute. A knock out of the door broke him away from his dark scenarios David looked at his wrist watch as he walked towards the door. It was nearly ten o'' clock; he wondered who would be at his door this hour of the evening. David opened the door to find Tabby with some guy standing behind her. You have got to be kidding me; he thought bitterly hoping to hell that guy wasn''t the guy he suspected he was. "See I told he wouldn''t be asleep Robert," she told the man behind her and the man gave her a slight smile. David felt his blood heat up seeing the supposed friend of Sam''s. What the hell was he doing here and why the hell did Tabby bring him. He was going to have a long talk with Mark about his girlfriend because David might just have to end up killing her after tonight. "Hey David, can wee in?" Tabby asked and he nodded letting them in not taking his re off of the man. "David this is Robert, Sam''s friend and Robert you already know all about David," Tabby said introducing the two. What did she mean by he knew all about him, David thought acidly. Sam went around bragging how she had made him beg? Damn you Sam, he swore once more. "What are you doing here," David asked her coldly. She rolled her eyes at him but he ignored her. "I wanted to ask you about Samantha," Robert told him and David clenched his fists together as his anger red. "What about her? Want to know what makes her squirm under the sheets," he smirked with a cold smile and Tabby pped him upside the head. "Don''t be an ass," she said ring at him and he red back at her rubbing the back of his head. "No I don''t, I don''t need help in that area. Samantha and I are just friends, I did try once to be more than friends though," the man told him with a cool even tone and David clenched his jaw tightly feeling as if the man had reached inside him and was slowly pulling out his insides. "Really, I didn''t know that," Tabby chirped and the man nodded. "Nothing really to tell, I asked, she said no, we decided to stay friends and end of story," Robert exined and then turned to David. "I came here David because I wanted to know if you still love Samantha," he asked. David glowered at him feeling himself getting to a very dangerous level of pissed off. "Why the hell do you care," David snapped receiving another p upside the head from Tabby and she pointed a threatening finger at him and Robert gave a slight smile. God, he really wanted to hit that jack ass so badly and wipe that smile off his face. "So...?"Robert asked and David growled. "Why the hell do you give a damn," He barked angrily keeping an eye on the p happy Tabby, refusing to answer a question that he wasn''t sure of the answer. Robert frowned at him looking displeased which pleased David just fine. "Well David, Samantha loves you," Robert started sending a wave of shock run through David. "Unfortunately she is too scared of your reaction and losing you all over again to actuallye here and tell you so herself," Robert exined but that sounded like a load of bull shit to David. "So basically she is a chicken shit coward and sent her boy toy to do the dirty work," David sneered nastily not willing to let go of his anger, rejection, and indignation towards her go. "Watch it David," Robert warned looking a little upset and David started to smile enjoying seeing the other starting to get pissed. "Is that some kind of threat," he asked goading the man purposely. "She is my friend and I won''t stand you talking about her like that," Robert warned and he smiled evilly. "Will you two stop it," Tabby told them but both of them ignored herpletely. "I will do what I damn well please in my damn house," David told both of them threateningly. "She deserves your respect, you dumb ass," Robert shot back at him. "Out of all the things that woman deserves, my respect isn''t one of them," he shot and Robert was clearly pissed which made him all the happier. "This is your fault you know," Robert told him coldly. "You pushed her too hard when she only needed your patience," Robert finished and David flinched only stopping himself from hitting the guy by a thread. Who the hell did this guy think he was,ing over to his apartment ming something on him when that idiot had no damn idea what had happened. "She deserves so much better than some punk ass jerk like you," Robert shot. "It doesn''t take a genius to see that Sam isn''t like other women, she need to be treated differently! Now thanks to you! She won''t give any other man a chance," Robert shouted at him. "Screw you," David shouted, the thought of this man or any man with her pushed him off the edge of control and he swung at Robert knocking him to the floor. "David," Tabby shouted at him but he just shrugged her off. Robert wiped the blood from his split lip andughed at him. "That''s all you got," he sneered as he got up then swung his own fist at David hitting him square in the jaw. "Robert," Tabby yelled at him and David moved his jaw painfully feeling the pain fuel his anger even more. "Not bad for such a pansy," he provoked. "How''s this for a pansy?" Robert retorted and mmed his fist into David''s stomach knocking the wind out of him, surprising David at the speed this guy could move. Didn''t Mark say he was some stiff ass teacher? What the hell did this guy teach, and what kind of university did Sam attend. Growling with rage he refused to let this guy get the upper hand, with lightening fast speed he mocked Robert''s last punch and mmed his fist into the guy''s stomach. Robert groaned and sunk to his knees. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org "Youe into my house, and start talking crap about me, and unting in my face about how Sam and you are getting it on," David shouted at him raising his first to hit him again when suddenly Robert hit him in the back of the knees and he copsed to the ground. "You''re a real idiot! I told you Samantha and I are only friends, nothing more," Robert repeated shoving him and David shoved him back with another punch to the face. "This is not aplishing anything," Tabby yelled at them as they both continued to ignore her. "The only idiot here is you," David snapped back at Robert. "You honestly want me to believe you are only friends with her and that your reasons for being here is not to gloat in my face," David ranted tackling the man before him. Robert smashed his fist into David''s lip busting it open then grabbed him by the shirt picking him up and then mming him on the floor. After a nearly a half hourter David sat on the floor bruised, bloodied, exhausted and feeling oddly a whole lot better. "So Ass are you ready to honestly listen to what I came here to say," Robert said with a half a smile and David looked at the man before him with curiosity. What did this guy want from him? He was actually starting to doubt the man came there to unt his rtionship with Sam in David''s face, but if that wasn''t why he was here, what the hell did he want? "Sure what is it you want to say pansy," David replied too exhausted to get up and throw the man out of his house anyway. Tabby red at them with her hands on her hips. "You two can''t be serious," She shrieked at them. "One minute you''re at each other''s throats! The next you''re acting like buddies?" She eximed raising her hands up in the air with desperation. "What did you expect us to do, cry over a cup of coffee and talk about our feelings till dawn? We''re guys for God''s sake, even if you and Samantha have seemed to forgotten that little detail about me," Robert stated getting up dusting himself off. "He does have a point," David agreed surprised by the fact that the guy didn''t seem so bad after all. David slowly got up from the floor as Tabby rolled her eyes at them both. "Well then you men have a very stupid method of resolving your problems," she shot back crossing her arms at them. "Anyways," Robert said turning to him, "As I trying to tell you before Samantha loves you but she has worked it up in her head thating to see you can only end like a Shakespearian tragedy. Tabby and I have argued with her till we were blue in the face." Robert exined and David frowned. "Well it wasn''t me who left her, you know. I was the one doing the chasing since I first met her to only have her run away time and time again till she decided to screw me over in the end," he snapped bitterly touching his cheek wincing with the pain that shot trough him. "Oh I know and the day she fought with her father, she figured that one out too" Robert started. A little toote, David thought bitterly. "And she has been punishing herself ever since," Robert added surprising David. Did she really feel that bad about what she had done? He wondered with some slight hope but part of him was also d to hear she was suffering at least in some small part like he had. She deserved it, he told himself. "She loves you and only you David, and needs you just as much. Everyone who is around her can see that, hell I knew it after only a few days of meeting her! However she is too stubborn by the idea of punishing herself to actually entertain the idea that you might still feel the same for her," Robert told him. David was silent, not sure what to say or think. He was still so very angry at her, that he wasn''t sure if her love, regret and guilt were enough to make him forget and forgive. There was only so much he could take, and after a long time David had believed he reached and passed that limit with Sam the day she lied in front of everyone. "Like I said before Samantha is damn stubborn so the idea of seeing you again is terrifying for her. She is sure you will do nothing more but call her every name in the book then invent some new insult because those won''t be enough," Robert told him and David smiled slightly. That was exactly what he had nned whenever he thought of seeing her face again. "I don''t know how you feel David. Is there is some part of you that still loves her and is willing to see her again for the chance of fixing things?" Robert asked and David was didn''t answer right away. He honestly didn''t know if he seriously loved her any more or his anger had eaten it all away. He also didn''t know if he even wanted to see her again or even how''d he react if he did see her. "If you''re willing to see her again I have got an idea," Robert stated. "Let''s hear what you have to say," David replied and Robert gave him a little nod and began to exin the details. When he was finished David agreed to go along with his n. Maybe seeing her again would help him finally get rid of all the anger, bitterness, and pain still fresh inside him. Tell her all the things he had wanted to shout at her since that damn day and if she thought she had suffered all these months then he was going to show her just how wrong she was. He would show her what suffering was. Chapter 13 Chapter 13 - A Girls Day on the Town Chapter 13 Chapter 13 - A Girl''s Day on the Town When Sam finally woke it was alreadyte in the morning. She stretched then rolled over onto her stomach still not ready to get up. She knew as soon as she did everyone was going to be telling her to go talk David. Sam wondered crossly why every friend she had wanted to butt in her life and tell her what she should do. Couldn''t she just be left alone to do as she wished? She frowned when a knock on the door answered her. Speak of the devil she thought sourly and she turned her head away from the door with no intention of opening it. Just a few more hours she pleaded silently. She only needed a few more hours then she would be ready to deal with her nosey friends. Snuggling into the pillow, she proimed it her new best friend with a smile on her face. The knocking ceased and Sam sung victory bringing the nkets to her chin. Her door opened and Robert walked in frowning. "How did you unlock my door," she eximed angry that he broke into her room. "Obviously because I have a key," he said waving the card in the air and she frowned, how the hell he got a key to her room. "Go away Robert! I am not ready to get up, which is obviously the reason I didn''t answer the door," she grumped at him turning over and pulling the nkets over her head. "It''s nearly eleven in the morning already! I think it''s a good time to get up," he scolded her and she growled at him. "Well I don''t so go away!" She shot back. "Well at least I tried," she heard him say and the door closed. Well that was easy she thought happily. It was a short lived happiness as Robert hadn''t left as she thought. He ripped the nket off of her. She shrieked at him grabbing one side of the nket. "Robert, give me back my nket," she demanded pulling on the nket. "No, you''re going to get up and quit being sozy!" Hemanded her as he pulled the nket back his way. "Since when do you think you can boss me around?" She demanded as she dug her heels into the bed pulling the nket back her way. "Since you decided to waste the whole day in bed!" Robert barked at her then gave the nket one quick and hard pull. Sam shrieked as she lost the nket and her bnce causing her to fall off the bed. She sat on the floor crossing her legs and her arms frowning up at Robert who was doubled over inughter. "That''s it! You are no longer my friend Mr. Bradford," she told him as she stuck her nose up in the air and he walked behind her and cing his arms under hers and pulled her up to her feet. "Don''t be a spoiled brat and get up! Tabby is waiting for you downstairs; she has nned a girl''s day out," Robert told her. "That sounds nice," She said reluctantly. "Are you tagging along? Going to get in touch with your feminine side," she teased and he shook his head. "Not a chance, I am going to hang out with a friend here in New York. I think I need some guy time or I will end up turning into a girl," Robert told her with a horrified look on his face. "Well you''d make a fine girl," she teased and swiftly saw that his bottom lip was split and slightly swollen. As well he had a small bruise along his right cheek. "What happened to you? Get in a fight to prove how macho you are?" She asked half teasing and half serious. "Something like that," he said, smiling to cover the truth and Sam eyed him suspiciously, all the time she had known Robert he never gave her the impression of being the fighting type. "Quit giving me that look! Go take a shower and get dressed," he demanded. "Yes Dad," she said sarcastically heading to the bathroom taking a quick shower and throwing on the first thing she found making a vow that she was going to stop letting people push her around. "Finally," Tabby said tapping her foot furiously as Sam entered the lobby. "Sam I have been waiting here for nearly an hour and half!" "Sorry I didn''t realize my day had already been all nned out for me," Sam snapped at her, the sarcasm dripping from her voice. "Don''t be a sour puss; we are going to have fun!" Tabby linked her arm in Sam''s and leading her out of the hotel. "First let''s get some food into you, then we are going to go shopping and after that we are going to get our nails and hair done, my treat!" "I hope you are nning on spending your money because I really don''t need to give another reason Mark to dislike me even more than he already does and I think maxing out his credit cards will defiantly send him over to a whole new level of pissed," she told her friend. "Will you stop worrying so much? Who cares what Mark thinks of you? Simply rx and enjoy yourself Sam for once," Tabby told her and they drove to a little caf¨¦. "Alright, you win. I will rx and enjoy myself but when Mark wants to know why all his credit cards are maxed out I am so ming you," Sam told her friend as they got into the taxi. "Now that''s the spirit," Tabby cheered as she gave the driver the address of the caf¨¦. Despite the morning traffic they arrived at the caf¨¦. During the ride over Tabby raved and raved about how good it was, even the taxi driver pitched in hispliments of the ce. After a coffee and a croissant Sam had to admit the driver and Tabby were absolutely correct in everything they had said about it. She leaned back in her small metal chair with a smile, feeling her sour mood had disappeared. Surprisingly she actually started to feel like her old self again, as she listened to Tabby talk about her new job and all the movie stars and famous singers she had gotten the chance to meet. She was an ountant for a very prestigious clothing store, those types that only go the very rich or very famous, or even a good mix of both. "Well that is enough of my bragging," Tabby suddenly announced getting up from her chair. "Let''s going shopping, you really need to update your wardrobe girl! Do you wear anything but t-shirts and jeans or sweats," Tabby asked her appalled. "I like what I wear, thank you very much," Sam told her stubbornly as she got up from her own chair. "Well it doesn''t like you; dressed like that you''re not going to get a man''s attention," Tabby told her with a look of disgust then a impish smile crossed her face. "If a fisherman didn''t bait his hook then he would go home empty handed. If you want a guy you''re going to have to bait him with something Sam!" Sam burst outughing. "Seriously, you''re throwing out that old argument," She asked and Tabby nodded eagerly as she hailed another taxi. "Okay then, but first I must make note that I am not in any way trying to bait any man! Now with that said," Sam started then cleared her throat. "Men aren''t fish Tabby, and if being myself isn''t bait enough for them then they don''t deserve to have me!" Both women burst in full swingughter as they got into the taxi. Four and half hourster of walking from one store into another Sam sighed as she sat down in the taxi. She loved shopping as much as any girl but seriously four hours had made her totally pass her limit, not to mention her poor feet were really killing her. "You''re a machine Tabby! I don''t even want to begin to think about how much money you just spent!" "I know me neither really," Tabby admitted as they left the parking lot. "Now on to get our hair and nails done," she added giving the driver an address. "Why are you doing all this," Sam asked starting to feel a little suspicious of her friend. Thest time Tabby wanted to pamper her she ended up in bed with David. "Oh Sam, don''t over think things, I haven''t seen you in ages and I know you don''t take the time to ever pamper yourself so I am doing it for you while you''re here!" "You know I am not really the whole hair and nails type of gal right," Sam replied leaning back in the seat of the taxi. "Yeah I know, it shows," Tabby teased with an evil glint in her eye, and a friendly smile, "but maybe it is time for a change, break routines, and have some fun," Tabby stated and Sam gave her another suspecting look. "Oh no, no more "breaking routines" for me! I will stay just how I am or did you forget what happenedst time," Sam told her friend and Tabby just shrugged. "And once again I remind you don''t over think things Sam! It''s just beauty salon not sign up center for mail order brides!" "Alright I will do whatever you want today, just as long as no men are involved," Sam warned her. "You are definitely going to be one of those olddies with a million cats," Tabby told her sternly and Sam smiled at her. "Just because I don''t want to get involved with any men right now doesn''t mean I won''t in the distant future. Even if I don''t that doesn''t mean I am going to end up like a crazy old woman with lots of cats. Who is over thinking things now?" "Well I guess you got me there," Tabby admitted as they arrived at the beauty salon. Sam looked at the building scrunching up her nose. "Can''t we go do something else? I always wanted to try ice skating, couldn''t we do that," Sam pleaded with her friend. "No, no way! We would probably end up breaking our necks. This is so much safer," Tabby stated and Sam sighed getting out of the car looking at the building as if it were a house of torture. The things she is willing to do for friendship, she thought with a loud exaggerated sigh and Tabby rolled her eyes at her. Sam looked at her new shiny nails with their French manicure and smiled. They did look really pretty now and her hands did really look very feminine now. "Okay Sam, I wille back in two hours to pick you upter," Tabby demanded. "Tabby we have all week to do things. We don''t have to smash it all in one day," Sam comined but Tabby shook her head. "Nope we are going out tonight; Robert will be going with us as well. So there is no way you can avoid it," Tabby told her simply. "Great, now I have both of you two to gang up on me, I knew it was a mistake bringing you two together," Sam fumed throwing her hands up in the air and Tabby simplyughed warning her not t mess up her hair till this evening. Sam walked up to her room kicking off her shoes, tossing the several shopping bags to the floor and plopping down on the bed ignoring Tabby''s warning about her hair. Sam was the first to admit she looked nice but she was also the first to admit she really just didn''t care how she looked. She turned on the television and watched some Hispanic soap opera. She didn''t understand a word but it looked juicy! She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew someone was poking her violently and ordering her to get up. Sam swatted them away groaning and turning over wondering how the hell did people keep getting into her room! She was definitely going to have toin to the hotel staff about that. "No, no, Sam you promised! Now time for you to get up and you better not have destroyed your hair," Tabby demanded and Sam groaned again pushing herself up from the bed. "Why can''t you people just let me sleep?'' I swear being a full time student I get more rest than I do when I am on vacation," Sheined and Tabby stuck her tongue out at her as she went through the shopping bags on the floor. "What exactly are you doing," Sam asked rubbing her sleep filled face. "I am picking out the clothes you''re going to wear," Tabby said grinning at Sam who red at her friend. "Where exactly are we going," Sam asked starting to suspect that Tabby had something up her sleeve. "You''ll find out soon enough," Tabby said handing Sam a purple top with a ck skirt. Sam took the clothing and eyed her friend with even more suspicion. "Don''t you dare give me that look Sam," She said with her hands on her hips then suddenly she adopted a horrified expression. "Just look at what you have done to your hair!" Tabby cried dramatically! "What have you got up your sleeve," Sam asked and Tabby gave her a hurt look. "I don''t know what you mean? I am just trying to make you have a little fun! God knows you haven''t had any in half a year," Tabby said with exaggerated hand movements. "You know perfectly what I mean Tabby, something smells fishy about all of this," Sam told her but Tabby simply shook her head and ushered her into the bathroom to try on the clothes she''did out. Sam walked out of the bathroom and Tabby smiled handing her some boots to wear. "I just knew you''d look great," she cheered. As soon as Sam put on the boots Tabby forcefully shoved her into a chair. She attacked Sam with makeup then moved her forces to the disaster that had became Sam''s hair. "Why are you fussing over me so much," Sam asked feeling irritated. "Because I don''t want you looking like you just got out of bed when we are seen in public! Come on Robert is probably waiting for us down stairs," Tabby told her once she was finished. Sam rxed a bit with himing, knowing Tabby she would try to march Sam right up to David''s. They left the room and down to the lobby. "Wow Samantha you look really wonderful," Robert said with a huge smile that caused her to blush a little. "Why thank you, you don''t look half bad yourself," she replied taking the arm that he held out for her as they left the hotel. Sam looked at the building and froze. She knew it! Her soon to be ex-friends were up to something! Sam red at both of them, she had expected so much from Tabby, but for Robert to set her up, she thought he was better than that. "What''s wrong Samantha," Robert asked noticing she didn''t follow them. "Why can''t you two just listen to me," she asked acidly and they looked at her confused. "Oh please, you both are going to deny that you are up something," Sam demanded. They had lead her right to the exact same club that Tabby and her had gone when they first met David and Mark. "Sam, your over thinking things again," Tabby told her rolling her eyes but Sam continued to look at her friend with a cold re refusing to take another step. "It just happens to be one of the best clubs in the city," Tabby eximed desperately. "Yes, Mark will beingter but I only invited him and only him! I didn''t say a word to David about us going out or going to the club," Tabby finished and Sam looked to Robert. "It''s true," he told her then took her by the hand and guided her inside the club. After several minutes Sam couldn''t get rid of the incredible ufortable feeling of being in that ce again. She stared into her ss as the other two talked to each other. "Try to at least have a little fun and smiling won''t kill you either," Robert said as he ced an arm around her shoulders in a comforting manner and she gave a shrug. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. "This really isn''t my thing Robert, it never was. I more of the stop by a book store and get me a nice novel to take back to the hotel kind of girl," she told him with a weak smile. "Why read when you can experience it," Tabby replied eagerly then pped excitedly when saw Mark near the bar. "I will see you twoter, my man has arrived!" She quickly got up from the table and waving to them. Sam felt a genuine smile creep on her face as she watched her friend. "You were right, she does seem a little crazy," Robert saidughing "but I see why you like her." "Let''s sneak out of here while she is gone and do something else," Sam said tugging on his jacket but he shook his head. "That would be rude to Tabby if we just left," he exined and she pouted. "Okay so I will send her some really nice flower as an apology. Robert I seriously don''t want to be here," she whined. "Don''t be so silly Samantha besides I see a really hot red head that looks like she could use somepany too," he said with a wink getting up from the table and she stared at him awestruck. "Seriously! You just spat out a speech about not being rude to Tabby but now you''re doing to do the same with me, and for some red head," Sam scolded him feeling absolutely furious. "Samantha you''re a great woman and a great friend but we are not that good of friends," he told her and she gasped then narrowed her eyes at him. "Have you honestly forgotten I am a man after all," he teased and she narrowed her eyes at him even more. "I suggest Samantha you get your butt out of that chair, get yourself a good looking guy, and do the same!" "Like hell! I have so been there, done that, not a good idea as it sounds," she said bitterly. He shrugged with a "suit yourself" expression and started to leave. She grabbed his arm. "Come on Robert you can''t just leave me here! You said you would be here for me," Sam begged him clutching on to his jacket sleeve as if it was her life line. "I didn''t say we had to be every single second of every single minute together. You''re really being silly! Get up and live a little," he told her prying her fingers off his jacket and leaving her alone. She watched him walk over to the other woman then looked back down to her ss. Her eyes watered over as she felt so abandoned, her mood now began to sink to new depths of depressed looked up at her friends, both happy and obviously enjoying themselves. God, I have the worst friends in history, she thought gloomily. She seemed to be sitting there all by herself for ages and neither of her friends showed signs of returning; in fact she would wager that they hadpletely forgotten about her. She frowned as remembered her first night there. Sam''s chest ached and she was at the point to cry. "Ok, I have had enough! They had dragged me here of all ces just to leave me alone. I will never forgive them for this," she vowed quietly and furious, the painful memories where just too much. She got up quickly grabbing her purse running straight into someone. "Whoa easy there Wildcat, now where you running off so quickly," She heard the person say and her heart stopped. It couldn''t be she thought but she would recognize that voice anywhere. She slowly raised her eyes to his face and confirmed what she already knew. It was David standing right there in front of her. Chapter 14 Chapter 14 - A Very Long and Happy Night Chapter 14 Chapter 14 - A Very Long and Happy Night David stood out of the club feeling surprised by how nervous he felt. Mark had already gone in before him He took a deep breath and entered the crowded club and looked around quickly. He felt his breath stop when he saw her at the table in a corner talking with Robert. He rubbed his jaw while he watched the two till Robert looked up and saw him standing there waiting just like they had nned. Robert gave him a discreet nod and David returned it. Robert made his excuse and he frowned watching her beg Robert to stay making him feel so jealous and angry. Robert freed himself from her and a smile crossed his lips as he watched Sam pout with her chin resting on her fist. Serves you right, he thought bitter as he stood there watching her even after Robert had already left, he felt stuck in ce. He couldn''t believe after so many long months she was right there but he also recognized the change in her. Her brown eyes that had sparkled with life six months ago where now dull and haunted, she was paler and thinner than he remembered, and she had a general air of defeat about her. Slowly he managed to get himself walking towards her. Just as he had gotten to her table she got up suddenly and ran straight into him. "Whoa easy there Wildcat, now where you running off so quickly." David told her not being able to resist the irony. He felt her stiffen and slowly she looked up at him with surprise painted all over her face. Her legs gave out from under her and he grabbed her so she wouldn''t fall surprised at how much she was affected by him. Sam opened her mouth several times but she didn''t seem able to get any sound toe out. He couldn''t help but smirk down at her seeing she was a total loss for words. "Wow I knocked you off your feet and left you speechless," he teased her and she turned a bright shade of red that made his heart skip a beat or two. "Is it really you," she finally managed ask catching him by surprise once more by the hopeful look on her face. "Yes Sam, it''s really me," he said coolly and suddenly she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling herself against him and kissed him hungrily. David''s jaw drop in surprise, all of his blood rush south in record time and he wrapped his arms around her tightly not being able to stop himself from returning her kiss just as intense. They finally broke the kiss; David was breathless and bing confused. Sam seemed to be just as surprised by her actions as he was. She gasped quietly turning once more bright red removing her arms from around him and yet again he was surprised by the fact he didn''t want that loss of contact between them despite his original intentions. Sam started to clumsily mumbled to herself but he couldn''t quite get what she was saying but he was guessing she was chastising herself. She looked back up to David biting her lip. "I...I sh-" she started with a look of insecurity but he interrupted her with a gentle kiss before taking her hand and led her to the dance floor without saying a single word. They fell into rhythm easily with the music and David found himself mesmerized with her lips that she insisted on chewing on so nervously. He wondered what was so special about them that they made Sam''s kisses so incredible. So incredible that he had never been able to find a woman that kissed half as good as she did. Feeling his resolve start to slip he looked away from her lips and looked at her. She was looking at him with an expression he couldn''t read and that irritated him, he felt the need to know what she was thinking. "I am so sorry David," she said as if she knew what he was thinking. He could see tears in her eyes threatening to fall with her face filled with sadness. David wasn''t sure what to reply back to her. He told himself long ago that even if she dared apologize he would never ept it, she didn''t deserve it. "I have been such a horrible person to you and I really have done nothing more than step all over you," she exined. "Yes you have," he replied with a slight bitter tone that caused her eyes to fall downwards, filled with tears. "I can''t even begin to know how I could ever fix what I have done, or if that is even possible," she continued. It''s toote for that, was all David could think with bitterness. He started to tell her so when she spoke again. "I know you probably don''t care by now but I just want you to know that I do love you, even if I have a horrible way of showing it. I love you and always will," She finished and David felt his whole world stop when she spoke those words. Sam stepped away from him and David felt more confused than ever. He didn''t know what to do; he hade here for the sole purpose of revenge. He wanted to make her worse fearse true, to humiliate her the way she had done him but now he wasn''t sure if he could do it. She had finally said what he had wanted her to say that day half a year ago and willingly. It was clear she had suffered as well as he did, and even though she was terrified of what he would say to her she had the courage to apologize. David came out of his thoughts and realized that Sam not only had stepped away from him but she was walking away him and towards the door to leave. Panic seized him as he lost sight of her, he bolted in the direction she had gone realizing that he couldn''t lose her again, and it was simply destroy him beyond the point of return. He pushed through the mass of people ignoring theirints till he caught her by the hand. She turned and looked at him with her tear streaked face filled with confusion. "You''re a silly woman Sam," he told her with a pointed tone and her face twisted even more into confusion and he pulled her up against him and lowered his lips to her ear. "I love you too, I have since the first time Iid my eyes on you," he whispered and she jerked back in surprise. "Seriously, even after everything I''ve done," she asked with surprise in her voice and she so surprised and confused that he couldn''t resist a smallugh. "Yes seriously," David replied with a smile on his lips. "But only if you can really love me, not only in words but in action as well. I need you Sam; I need to be the one who cheers you up when you''re depressed, the one who you tell your day to during the evening, the one who you confide your dreams, wishes, and fears to, and the one who wakes up next to you every morning. I need you to do all this and never let something like what happened six months ago happen again. I couldn''t pass through that again, I don''t think I would survive. Can you do that?" He asked her looking at her waiting desperately for her reply. Every second that passed and she remained silent was killing him and the fear that she''d walk away from him was growing and he knew it would crush him like the first time. "Yes," she whispered quietly and he had never felt more relieved in his life but smiled an impish smile. "Sorry I didn''t hear that," he told her and she pressed her lips together only making his smile grow, how much he missed teasing her. "Yes you did," she said with a small smile and he shook his head in denial. "I said yes," she repeated a little louder and he shook his head. "What?" David repeated with a strained expression. "Yes," she shouted this time causing several people to give them irritated looks but he just laughed as she blushed a deep red color. "Yes," he repeated and grabbed her lifting her up into his arms and spinning in circles. He was feeling happier than he ever had in his life as he kissed her again. He slowly set her back on the floor, as their lips parted. "It took you long enough," he told her pinching her bottom. She squealed jumping away from him pping him lightly on the arm. "Hey, watch those hands," she scolded him with a yful look that made him want to throw her over his shoulder and run to his apartment with her as quick as he could. He pulled her against him once more. "No, you''re mine now you will just have to get used to it," he told her evilly and she blushed once more. "I don''t remember agreeing to that," Sam replied with a pointed but yful look. "Something''s don''t need to be said Wildcat," David replied back and she just rolled her eyes at him. He lowered his head to hers so he could give her another ardent kiss. "Well I will take that is a good sign," he heard Robert tease and David groaned silently as Sam pulled away from him and turning to Robert. "Hey Pansy, couldn''t you have waited a little longer. Can''t you see we are busy?'' David said a little acidly and Sam gasped looking at him horrified. "Don''t worry too much Ass; I just wanted to wish my friend a good night," Robert replied. "Robert," Sam eximed turning her horrified look to her friend who gave her a wink and she looked back to David then back to him. "You two....have met?" She asked surprised. "Yes, we have. Who do you think set up this little meeting?" David told her and she looked to Robert who nodded and gave a little shrug. "I knew it! I knew you two were up to something," She replied then doubled her fist and punched him in the arm. "Ouch, what was that for," heined and David was nearly doubled over withugher. "What''s that for! It''s for not listening to me!" She snapped putting he hands on her hips. "Well someone had to do something. Your too God damn stubborn to do it yourself. If it wasn''t for me you''d still be in Indianapolis with your typical pout buried in mountains of books," Robert told her and she rolled her eyes at him. "That is so beside the point!" Sam red at him then hit him again. "I guess that exins the busted lip," she said with a matter of fact tone as she gave him a sharp look and she looked back at David and seemed to notice for the first time he also had a split lip. "I am sure you will find a way to forgive me Study bunny, I will see you tomorrow," Robert told her musing her hair and she shrieked batting him off with her hands. David felt a small pang of jealousy but sessfully ignoring it since it was his arms around her this time. "Don''t bother going to the hotel either," he told her rising up two card keys and she gawked at him in disbelief all over her face. Robert gave her a wink and disappeared once more into the crowd. That guy wasn''t so bad after all, David thought watching him leave. "God, I have been set up good," Sam huffed and he grinned at her brightly pulling her close to him. "Yep but he''s right you had iting. You really are too stubborn for your own good." David told her then took one of her hands in his leading her towards the door. "Where are we going," she asked and he gave her a naughty smile. "Where I can have you all to myself, it''s been a long six months waiting for you toe around," he told her and she turned a bright shade of pink. The trip to his apartment never seemed longer, as he nced over towards her. He couldn''t believe she was sitting right next to him and he was going to take her home with him to what would be a very long and happy night that would only lead to many long happy nights. His blood was boiling and his body was burning when they got to his apartment. As soon as he closed the door he pulled her against him and he trailed desperate kisses down her neck wrapping one arm around her waist and the other hand buried itself her beautiful brown hair. She giggled quietly. "You''re not even going to show me your apartment first," she asked him teasingly. "There is only one room you need to see right now," He told her picking her up and tossing her over his shoulder. "Oh God, David what are you doing," she shrieked his surprise as he carried her off to the bedroom. "You''re going to drop me or something," she shrieked again. "David put me down," she demanded clinging to him fearfully. Heughed full heartedly and pinched her bottom again. "Don''t worry Wildcat, I am not going to drop you," he replied setting her down when they were in his bedroom. "I will never let anything happen to you," David told her huskily and giving her an intense and hungry kiss. The next morning David woke up to find Sam staring at him. "What," he asked curiously and she blushed pink. "Nothing," she said quickly looking away but David pulled her against him nuzzling softly her cheek. "Sam," he started with a pointed tone. "Remember you promised to let me in, so tell me what was going through that beautiful mind of yours," he demanded and she blushed even deeper. "It''s silly," sheined and he smiled insisting once more before nibbling on her ear softly making her giggle "Okay, I was just thinking that I couldn''t believest night was real. When I woke up I was afraid for a moment I might have dreamed it all. Go ahead andugh at me now," she stated looking embarrassed. David cupped her face in his hand giving her a soft chaste kiss on her lips. "I will neverugh at you Wildcat, and that is the most perfect thing you could have ever said to me," he told her kissing her again also noting that it was the first time he had woken with her still in the bed instead of gone or leaving it. He nned to stay in this bed with her for as long as it was humanly possible. In fact they didn''t get up till well into the afternoon when both their stomachs wereining from the neglect. He had insisted she wear his shirt, he found it incredibly sexy to see her in it. David kissed Sam''s cheek softly as he prepared a quick breakfast having pinned her between him and the stove, feeling the need to have her against him at all times. "This is no way to cook David, You''re going to burn the food, yourself, or me!" she insisted. "Don''t worry about a thing Wildcat, it''s almost finished anyways," he told her giving her soft kiss on her neck making herugh softly which only grew as he pulled her across the kitchen to grab some tes. "David will you stop," sheughed with arge smile that was making him forget about his need for food for another need that was starting to grow to dangerous limits again. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. "Well I guess this exins why you missed our date and don''t answer the door," a woman stated from behind them. David cursed and wondered why the hell he ever gave that woman a set of keys to his apartment. "Hello mother, sorry about the lunch. Ipletely had forgotten about it," he stated turning to face the older woman with a smile. Sam made an odd squeaking sound dashing behind him to hide herself. He could almost feel the heat from her blush on his back and he smiled. His mother raised an eyebrow with a questioning look. "I can see that, who might that be," She asked simply and David smiled. "This is Sam," he told her. "Sam as in the Sam," his mother asked and he nodded moving so she could see the woman he was so madly in love with but Sam gasped moving back behind him. He tried to pull her out from behind him but Sam pped at him andined. "Oh don''t do that David, don''t humiliate the poor girl," his mother scolded him with a smile. "I''ll leave you two to whatever it was you were doing. I am guessing you''ll want to take the week off," She asked and David nodded loving how well his mother understood him. "You can disappear from work for a while but I fully expect to see you in three days for Christmas so I can get a proper introduction and everyone else will want to meet her as well," his mother told him. "Of course, don''t worry we''ll be there," he replied and his mother smiled at him happily before leaving. When they heard the door shut Sam groaned loudly. "That was horrible," Sheined and David turned to see that her ming blush had extended to her neck and chest as well. "How do I always make an idiot of myself! Oh God what she must think of me," sheined and Davidughed. "Don''t be silly," he told her setting his hands on her hips giving her a kiss on her forehead. "You didn''t make an idiot of yourself Sam and don''t worry about my mother, you didn''t make any bad impression on her. Trust me, if she didn''t like what she saw, or in this case almost saw considering you were hiding behind me, you would know. My mother isn''t one for ttery," he told her. Sam nibbled her lip nervously still a good shade of red. "Now don''t fret on that and let''s eat," he told her. David started to clear the table when they had finished their meal. "David are you sure its okay that you take time off of work so suddenly. I don''t want you to get into trouble with your boss because of me," Sam stated suddenly and Davidughed at her sudden randomness as he ced the dishes in the sink. "I can meet you after you get off of work. I can do some more tourism with Robert during the day," Sam added and David scoffed. He pulled her up from her chair and against him. "Sam it''s been six months since we have been together there is no way I am going to spend the next few days at work and you off with some other man, especially Robert," he told her giving her a quick peck on the lips. "What do you mean especially Robert," Sam asked looking confused and David smiled realizing she had no idea. Good, he didn''t want her to ever notice any man that wasn''t him. "Well I am not at all happy letting you spend the day with a man that if he had it his way would be here holding and kissing you instead of me," David replied. She looked at him surprised and confused. "What are you talking about? We''ve only ever been friends," She insisted. "Only because you wanted to be just friends, I know because he told me so. Why do you think I hit him...several times actually," David told her and a small smile came across her lips. "Your horrible David," She told him with mock scorn before giving him a peck on the lips. "Get use to it Wildcat, because there is no way you''re going to ever be in anyone''s arms but mine," he told her kissing her passionately, deciding to satisfy his other need now that he was no longer hungry. Chapter 15 Chapter 15 - New Day Chapter 15 Chapter 15 - New Day Sam sat on the leather couch holding the warm cup of coffee in her hands, looking out the large window in front of her watching the sun rise. She took a drink from the cup smiling remembering thest three days. It had been the best in her life by far. Mark had proposed to Tabby when they had gone out forst night for Christmas Eve. She was the reason Sam was up so early, Tabby had called her at five in the morning to tell her the news. Sam smiled again thinking of the conversation as she took another drink of her coffee. She hoped it would help calm her nerves, today they were going over to David''s parent''s house for Christmas lunch. Sam was running through possible ways to get out of it, she was sure they would hate her for what she done to their son, and she was still sure the incident in the kitchen wasn''t going to help her case any. Taking another sip she sighed. Maybe she could say she was sick...no, that wouldn''t work. She couldn''t act to save her life and the situation it could definitely be considered life threatening. Maybe she could invent an imaginary friend in Indianapolis that needed her help urgently and she had to leave right now...but she didn''t want to leave, she just wanted to get out of the lunch. She sighed loudly taking another drink, maybe she should get dressed and sneak out before David woke up. That didn''t sound so bad, she could say she wanted to do some more sightseeing and got lost. Yeah, that sounds like a n, she thought but David came out of the bedroom and sat beside her ruining her excellent n. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek wrapping his arm around her waist. "Good morning and Merry Christmas" he told her resting a chin on her shoulder. "Dito," she said a tab bit grumpy, now she had to think of something else. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. "That didn''t sound very good, what''s wrong Wildcat," he asked snuggling into her neck giving her soft kisses there. She couldn''t help but start to giggle. "That tickles, you''re going to make me spill my coffee and nothing is wrong," she told him pushing him away from her gently. He looked at her with a look that suggested that he didn''t believe her at all then took away her cup of coffee setting it on the table, ignoring her protests. "Confess Sam, what''s going around in that mind of yours," he told her pulling towards him till she was sitting on hisp with his arms around her. "Nothing is wrong," she lied looking at therge window, not wanting to offend him by preferring to be locked in a room with angry hos before facing his parents. David cupped her face forcing her to look at him looking serious. "Sam you really but really, really suck at lying and yet again I remind you that you promised to not keep me out," he told her then smiled kissing her. Sam smiled back as she returned the kiss,ying her arms on his shoulder. "So woman, what has you up so early," he told her when the kiss finally ended. "Oh Tabby woke me up," she said seeing a chance to avoid what he really wanted to know. "She was too excited to wait for a decent hour to tell me that Mark had proposed to herst night," Sam finished and David smiled. "Good hear she is excited, Mark spent half the day in the damn jewelry store trying to pick the right ring," he replied and sheughed pitying Mark. David gave her a hard look. "But that doesn''t exin why you seemed so grumpy before," he added causing her tough. "Don''t worry, I am fine," she told him trying to get up but he held her in ce. "I am not letting you get up till you tell me," he demanded. "Okay," she shrugged with a smileying her head on his shoulder. "Ah ha, I knew it," he said. "You know what," Sam asked confused and he smiled. "You''re freaking out about today, about meeting my family," he told her giving her a quick kiss and Sam scrunched up her nose with irritation that he guessed it. Why couldn''t she ever have any secrets? "You have nothing to worry about Sam. They will love you just as much as I do," he told her and she gave him a smile but wasn''t convinced. She got up from hisp and grabbed her coffee taking a drink. "Well I am going to take a shower," she told him trying to sound more confident than she felt. He got up too giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and told her to rx before he disappeared in the kitchen. She grabbed a change of clothes and walked into therge bathroom. She made a look of disgust; she loved David but hated his apartment. The architecture was ultramodern with nearly all the materials being metal or some type of smooth grey stone. Only three colors existed in the whole apartment: white, ck, and different shades of grey, it seemed so cold and unweing. After nearly a half hour of letting the hot water rush over her she finally dragged herself out of the shower. Upon her clothes sat a little stuffed animal, a wildcat, with a little red bow around its neck that red "Merry Christmas" on it and a small ck box between its paws. Samughed as she picked up the little stuffed cat giving it a little hug then turned her attention to the box. She set down the cat and opened the box to reveal a silver ne with a wildcat pendant. She picked it up with a smile. She felt something engraved; she turned it over and read. "You''re incredible Wildcat, I love you." Her smile grew but quickly turned into frowned and pped her forehead. She was such an idiot, she didn''t get him anything. Well in her defense she didn''t expect him to get her anything either, she reasoned with herself. She crossed her arms and exhaled in a huff. She was an awful person, a horrible despicable person. While she spent all this time thinking about herself, nning to get out of meeting her parents, David was being absolutely perfect. She got dressed in an old sweatshirt and jeans walking out of the bathroom with determination. David smiled instantly when he saw her making her feel even guiltier. "Do you like them," he asked with a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Of course David...but I can''t ept them," Sam told him handing the toy and the box to him. "Why not," he asked her confused not taking the gifts from her. "Because I didn''t get anything for you, and that''s just terrible of me and egotistical. I can''t ept them," she replied trying to get him to take them and heughed pulling her against him. "You being here with me is enough," he told her before giving her intense kiss. "Your too perfect David, I don''t deserve you," she told him feeling depressed when the kiss ended and he shook his head at her with a sigh. "My God, Sam, you turn a simple gift into such a big deal," he told her with a hint of irritation. He took the toy from her set it on the coffee table and took the ne out of the box. "But David it is a big deal, it means you took time to think about me, which was more than I did for you," sheined. "Sam don''t take this the wrong way but shut up," he told her moving behind her and put the ne on her then kissing her neck softly wrapping his arms around her. "Let me give you a Christmas present without making it into something more than that, okay" he added. With a sigh she nodded in agreement forcing herself to just let it go. "But if it will make you feel better, I have a great idea about how you can thank me," he whispered in her ear huskily causing her to blush slightly. "Really and what might that be," she asked with a impish smile turning to face him. "Come here and I will show you," he replied taking her hand and pulling her towards the bedroom. The hallway to the apartment of David''s parent''s home felt like death row to Sam, each step forward was bringing her closer to her atrocious death. She smoothed over the skirt of her dress nervously wondering if she made the right choice of clothing, or if her hair should have been pulled up instead of left down, and so many other questions ran though her mind. "Remember to breathe Sam," David told her as he knocked on his parent''s door and Sam gave him a weak smile. His mother opened the door. She had the same color of hair and eyes as David, she was elegantly dressed, and to put it simple she was breathtakingly beautiful. The woman smiled at David but when she noticed Sam her smile actually grew. Next thing Sam knew the woman had swallowed her in a tight hug and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Why she is beautiful isn''t she," the woman said excitedly and Sam felt her cheeks turn red. Was this real, did this woman actually seem happy to see her, Sam wondered confused. "But good heavens where is my manners,e in you two," the woman added. She linked her arm in Sam''s nearly dragging her into the house. "I am David''s mother Francine," the woman stated and Sam felt relieved that she didn''t make any mention of what had happened a couple days ago in the kitchen. "It''s nice to meet you Mrs. Andrews," Sam replied and the woman shook her head. "Oh please call me Frannie, Mrs. Andrew sounds so cold and distant," David''s mother told her pulling Sam towards a group of people. Frannie pointed to beautiful looking woman with a small girl on her hip scolding a little boy about something. "This is Elizabeth or Lizzy as we all call her, she is David''s sister and my second," David''s mother said as she stopped before the woman. Lizzy smiled at them handing the little girl to the man next to her. "This is her, the famous Sam," Lizzy asked with an excited tone and Sam felt her cheeks turn pink worried about that phrase "the famous Sam," just how much they knew about her? "Yes Lizzy this is the Sam," Frannie told her daughter and before Sam could say Oh My God, she was swallowed in another tight hug. "Oh she is just too cute," Lizzy squealed as she released Sam from the hug. "I am surprised after all those bitches he used to date that he actuallynded a sweet girl," Lizzie told her and Sam looked at the woman in surprise not sure how to reply and Frannieughed agreeing with her daughter. Sam shifted her weight from one foot to the other, feeling slightly ufortable, giving a quick look around, and not seeing David anywhere. "Well Sam,e there is more people waiting to meet you," Frannie told her dragging her off deeper into the house where two men sat arguing with each other. One Sam assumed was David''s father and the other his older brother. "Oh break it up you two," the older woman told them and they each other a re before turning towards them. "Nathaniel this is Sam," she told him. "David''s Sam," the older man asked eyeing her harshly and she felt yet another blush rise on to her cheeks but she had no idea why she was blushing now. As seem to be an Andrew''s tradition the man suddenly swallowed her in a hug even to the point he lifted her off the floor causing a surprised gasp to escape her. As he set her down her cheeks were ming red. "Pretty girl, and looks to be a nice one too, how the hell did my son manage to snag you," he asked her with arge smile that made Sam''s cheeks burn even brighter as a shy smile spread across her lips. "This is David''s older brother Chris," Frannie told her and Chris gave her a warm smile but thankfully didn''t try to hug her. "It''s nice to meet you Sam," he told her politely and she replied with the same politeness then Nathaniel gave him a p on the back of his hand on his shoulder. "Why can''t you have married a girl like that," he barked at his son. "Instead of that bitchy ice queen you got. I bet Sam here know how to treat a man right," he snapped giving Sam a sly wink making her burn red again. Both men started to argue back and forth and Frannie rolled her eyes dragging Sam off. "Never mind them, Nathaniel just really doesn''t like Christina, well honestly no one really likes her," the woman told her as they reached the kitchen. "Would you mind helping me dear," she asked putting on an apron. Sam nodded and epted the apron nervously. "You know Sam, no one here is going to reproach you, so it is alright to rx," the woman started and Sam chewed her lip nervously, not sure what to say. "I don''t know exactly what happened to cause David toe back a broken drunken mess but it doesn''t matter anymore," she finished and Sam felt a pang of guilt and confusion. "How can it not matter, I hurt your son. Now I am here and everyone seems so epting and willing to take me in as if nothing happened at all," Sam asked really not understanding how any of this could be real. The woman smiled at her taking Sam''s hands in hers. "Sam love isn''t easy. It is a beautiful thing that is equally painful as it is fulfilling. It will tear through you leaving you empty and barren before hopefully it fills you with happiness and a sense of completion," Frannie exined. "Yes you hurt my son but I can also see you love him too, just like he loves you. I have never seen him happier when he is near or talks about you. Even when he was heartbroken and he would mention you his whole face would change. The fact that you''re standing before me and even dared to ask why is proof enough that I need that you feel the same about him," she finished and Sam smiled at the woman happily and thanked her. "Don''t mention it dearie, now let''s get to cooking before those men out their start grumbling," Frannie told her as they prepared lunch. After that Sam stopped worrying about the angry mob that apparently wasn''ting for her blood and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon. David''s father proved to be a horrible flirt, who seemed to enjoy making her blush almost as much as David did. In fact the two started a contest to see who could make her turn the brightest shade of red but Nathaniel took every moment he could topare her to Chris''s wife, who in the end was ring hatefully at Sam for it. It surprised Sam when she realized she didn''t care at all that the woman hated her, everyone else seemed to like her. In Lizzy''s case quiet a lot since Sam didn''t mind helping her with her children, Sarah and Peter which seemed to give cause for Lizzy to start calling Sam her sister, which honestly Sam loved. It had been by far the best Christmas she had in a long time. Now two more days had passed and Sam sat on the ck sofa staring out the window watching the morning pass once more feeling depressed. Her Christmas break was nearly over and she would have to return back to Illinois in a couple of days causing her to be horribly torn. She didn''t want to go back and leave David. Just the idea made her sink into depression even more. Here she was perfectly happy but she loved school and she didn''t want to just throw the year away. She took another drink from her cup and chewing on her bottom lip lost in deep thought. "You''re looking way to serious too early in the morning," David teaseding into the room and sitting next to her wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. "What are you doing up so early?" She asked him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I can''t sleep," he started then stretched out on the couchying his head in herp, "Without you next to me." He gave her a wink and she chuckled and shook her head at him. Feeling it was the perfect time to mention what was bothering her she told him, "well then you''re going to have a problem when I have to go back to Illinois soon." David looked at her confused. "School starts up in a couple of days...and I have to go back. I have put in a lot of effort these months. I can''t throw that all away." He frowned and was quiet for a moment and she set down her coffee on the small table next to her and brushed his messy hair out of his face. He turned getting up and smiled at her. She was just to ask him what was up when his lips crashed against hers fervently catching her by surprise. "I will just have to go with you," he said after the kiss ended and she felt her heart race wondering if he would actually drop everything and go with her. "You would really do that? I mean what about your job and the apartment," she asked surprised. He shook his head and gave her sexy smile leaning in closer. "You should know by now I would do that and more Wildcat," he began with an impish smile. "I can do my job from anywhere, my dad only needs to fax me all the records I need and the apartment will still be here when wee back," he told her bringing his face closer to hers. "There is no way I am letting you out of my sight again," he told her with a matter of fact tone and she felt her familiar blush creep on her face as she giggled quietly. He got up from the couch and picked her up off the sofa. "What are you doing," she asked him teasingly. "It''s too early to be out of bed woman," he told her giving her a sexy smile. "I am already too awake to go back to sleep David, not to mention I already have had my caffeine dosage for the morning," she told him and he gave her a naughty grin. "Who said anything about sleeping," he replied carrying her off to the bedroom. She felt her blush deepen as she wrapped her arms around his neck think how much her life had changed from her normal routine but smiled as she realized this was her normal routine now. Chapter 16 Epilogue Chapter 16 Epilogue One yearter in Indianapolis... Sam sighed as the hot water rushed over her. All the exam questions and her answers running through her mind, some she was sure she got right, others she knew she got wrong, but what was killing her was the majority of the questions which she wasn''t sure if she had answered wrong or right. Her stomach twisted on itself with nervousness and the fear of her failing the exam was growing. Only when the water turned ice cold and she started to shiver did Sam step out of the shower. "Rx Sam, just forget about it," she whispered to herself as she wrapped a towel around her but her body didn''t listen to her. She dressed in her t-shirt and pajama pants even though it was only six in the evening. She snuck to her bedroom so she wouldn''t disturb David while he was working. She grabbed her text book and flipped through the pages looking for the answers to the questions she was unsure about. Sam jumped awake when her text book was removed from her hands. "Are you still freaking out over the exams Sam," David asked her with a hint of a smile. She rubbed her face sleepily and stretching her stiff limbs. "I am not freaking out," she insisted. "I am concerned that''s all, I don''t think I did very well," Sam admitted and David wrapped his arms around her and pulled her towards him till her back was against his chest. "You always say that Sam but this year will be just like thest and you will ace all of them," he told her sounding very confident but she didn''t feel it. He nuzzled against the back of her neck causing the tension in her shoulders to ease and a small smile on her lips. "Sam, I have something very important I need to talk to you about," he stated sound serious. "Of course David, is it serious? Something wrong," Sam asked starting to worry. "Yes Sam, it''s very serious," he told her and Sam''s stomach started to twist. "We''ve been together now for a year," he started and Sam bit her lip as her concern increased. "It been great but I think it''s time for a change," he stated and Sam bit harder into her lip. She simply nodded for him to continue while her breath caught in her throat. She knew it was going toe sooner orter, she knew it, he was breaking up with her! "Sam," David said and she closed her eyes waiting for the words she knew he was going to say next. "I don''t want you to be my girlfriend anymore," he told her and Sam felt as if she had just been stabbed in the chest. "I want you to be my fianc¨¦, Sam will you marry me," he asked. Her eyes shot open and the breath she had been holding rushed out. "What," she asked feeling truly confused doubting she heard him correctly. Davidughed softly cing a little ck box on the nightstand in front of her. Inside was a small, simple, yet very elegant ring of white gold and a sparkly clear stone. "Marry me Sam," he repeated withughter in his voice. Sam frowned realizing he had yed her, he knew she would think he was going to break up with her. "David Andrews," she scowled turning around and giving him a p on the arm. "That was extremely uncalled for," she demanded and he gave her a "who me" look with an evil smile. "I can''t believe you," she scolded pping him again. "I should say no for just that," she told him and David simply smiled at her pulling her on top of him till she was straddling him. "Nah, you won''t do that," he told her and she continued to frown at him. "Oh really and how can you be so sure," she snapped ring at him. "Because I know for a fact," he started sitting up and cing his hands on her hips. "That from day one you, Sam, have never been able to say no to me," David told her with a cocky expression giving her a quick peck on the lips. "Marry me Sam," he stated again. She red at himContent held by N?velDrama.Org. "No," she replied pushing him back on the bed getting up and leaving the bedroom. "Awee on Sam," David called to her but she kept walking down the thin hallway. "Very funny Sam but I know you don''t mean it," he stated following her. Sam turned around with a serious expression. "Oh but I do," she replied coldly turning on her heel and continuing her path into the kitchen. "Okay, okay I get it. I am sorry for the way I asked you. Now seriously Sam," he said still following her. She turned on her heel once more giving him a hard look. "I am serious David," she told him and quickly turned. His downfallen face clearly stated he was taking her seriously now. A small smile appeared on Sam''s lips as she was enjoying her revenge. Samantha Peters was a good girl, but she was quickly learning how to be bad. "Why not Sam," David asked with a heartbroken tone and Sam turned to him and smiled. "That was actually easier than I thought," Sam told him her smile growing and he gave her a confused look then got a hopeful expression. "You''re not being serious," he asked with a smile and she shook her head side to side. "Of course not David, how could I say no to you!" Sam replied and he gave her a scolding look with arge smile. "Damn woman that was cruel," he told her holding his hand over his heart and she gave him a quick kiss. "Well you making me think you were going to dump me wasn''t exactly nice either," she shot back. "You should have seen right past that Sam," he told her wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. "Because you should know by now that I can''t live without you," he told her giving her a quick kiss before dashing off back into the bed room. Sam watched him curiously then smiled when he returned with the ring. "No more games, Sam will you marry me," he asked her getting down on one knee and everything. She could feel her cheeks warm. "Yes, David I will marry you," she replied with arge smile on her face that somehow grew even more as he slipped the ring on her finger. "I love you Sam, my future wife," he told her getting up. "I love you too David, my future husband," she replied and David pulled her against him giving her an intense and mind-blowing kiss. Chapter 17 Prologue Chapter 17 Prologue I know this may seem really weird to have the prologue AFTER the epilogue but I felt the information was a little repetitive to the first chapter so I put it here in this weird little spot for those who are interested! This is a little peek of Sam''s world, I hope you enjoy! ************ Be a good girl, Samantha. That was what everyone always told Sam. When she was four years old holding her father''s hand with nervous fear that was what he always told her before entering the hospital room where her mothery dying. It was what the doctors always said when they came into the sterile room to talk to her father about how her mother was dying. It was what all the guests told her at her mother''s funeral a few monthster. Be a good girl. Samantha. That was exactly what Sam had tried to do all her life. When other ten year old girls spent their afternoons after school ying with their friends Sam went directly home, put away her backpack in her room, and started doing the household chores: dishes,undry, dusting and so on. She also prepared her father and herself a real home cooked dinner and did her homework without having to be told. It was also the reason as a teenager she never went out with her friends, snuck out to go to parties, or flirt with the bad boys of her high school. Her boyfriend, Jeff, was approved by her father as a "good boy" and they went out whenever her father gave her permission, but she always behaved like a good girl. She didn''t give into her hormones or his till their senior prom and though she never admitted it to anyone or even to herself she only did it then because it was the expected. The only rebellious streak Sam had shown ever was her devotion, against her father''s and Jeff''s will, to her best and only friend since she could walk, Tabby Mathews. Besides this everyone agreed that Samantha Peters was a good girl. Sam sat at her little desk where she worked at her father''s ountingpany. She never nned on working for him but in this little town the options for employment were very limited. Either work as a sales representative in one of the few stores or as a waitress in one of the three dinners in town. Neither of those options was good for Sam''s reserved shy nature plus those jobs usually went to teenagers anyways. Tabby suggested she try for college but Sam wasn''t as smart as her and knew she wasn''t cut out for the life of higher education. So her only option was to work for her father and to her surprise after three years working there Sam actually enjoyed it. "Happy Birthday Sam," Tabby cheered happily handing her a wrapped rectangle. "Now that you''re twenty-one we can legally go get smashed," she added with a impish glint in her eyes. Sam laughed as she unwrapped the gift and felt her breath get caught in her throat. It was a coge of pictures of them together through the years. "Oh Tabby this is wonderful! Thank you so much," Sam told her emotionally and Tabby hugged her tightly. "That''s what best friends are for," The blonde told her cheerily. Tabby started working for her father soon after Sam did. Her father only hired her as a favor to Sam but with in the week Sam knew her father couldn''t be happier. Tabby was easily one of his best employees. "So any ns for tonight," Tabby asked with an expectant face. Sam smiled slyly. "Jeff is taking me out tonight," Sam started ignoring the look of repulsion Tabby expressed. Jeff and her had been dating for four years now but Tabby didn''t think Jeff was good enough for Sam only because he never remembered their anniversary or her birthday. He refused to give her any gifts on these days or Valentine''s Day or Christmas. It wasn''t that he didn''t care about her, it''s just he thought it was wrong to give gifts because he was told too by a Calendar. Sam understood and stopped letting it bother her so much. "I think tonight might be the night," Sam told her friend with an eager smile and Tabby shook her head. Lately Jeff had been a little secretive and keeping hisings and goings to himself. Sam was sure that it was the tell tale signs that he was going to ask her to marry him! "I seriously don''t get what you see in him Sam," Tabby told her with a firm disapproving expression. "He is boring, bitter, and rude! He doesn''t appreciate you at all and half the time he ignores you as if you were an annoying buzzing fly," Tabby told her and now Sam shook her head. "He isn''t like that at all Tabby! He may not be overly expressive of his emotions but he loves me and has his own way for showing it," Sam justified and Tabby shrugged with a look that stated clearly, "if you say so but I am not buying it." The day dragged on slowly and Sam was showered with "happy birthday," from everyone in the office, except Jeff but Sam knew he took his work seriously and was probably very busy. Jeff and Sam sat at the elegant restaurant at the town fifteen miles from theirs, eating their meal when the evening finally set in. Sam kept stealing nces at him, admiring his stern beauty, sometimes he reminded her of her father. He was always so serious and stern but like her father he loved the disaster that she was and forgave her for all her shortings. After tonight she was sure she was going to be able to tell everyone she was the future Mrs. Jeff Chambers. She smiled at the idea, Samantha Chambers, it sounded so perfect, so right! Jeff cleared his throat once had finished his meal. "Today is a very special day," he started and Sam bit her lip to keep from squealing with excitement. "It is to be one of those days that I know I will remember forever, a day that will change the rest of my life," he went on and she nodded eagerly. "Today Sam," he stated making Sam want to scream at him to just say it. "I got epted to a college in L.A.," he exined and Sam looked at him in awe not sure if what she heard was correct. Her heart felt as if someone was trying to squeeze it to a pulp while her stomach clenched into knots. "You''re going to college....in L.A." Sam started. "And that...is why today is a special day," she added and he nodded clearly not noticing that she was upset. Sam licked her lips with a nod and swallowed her desire to burst out into tears. "Congrattions Jeff," she told him hoping to sound authentic. "How long will you be gone?" she added with a worried tone. "Hopefully forever," Jeff stated tly and she felt as if he had just kicked her in the stomach. "I told you''re father today that this is myst week there at thepany today. As soon as I finish college I will have a job waiting in apany that is a friend of the family," he exined and Sam fought hard to breath. "I think your father is a great business man but hecks ambition and I can''t work with someone who has no ambition. If your father had any real ambition he would move hispany out of this rat hole of a town, I am getting out of here while I still can. There is nothing worth anything in this town," he continued to exin with bitterness. Sam bit down on her lip harder. "What about me and what about us," she asked him when she felt in control and he gave her a look that made her feel like an idiot for missing something obvious. "You know as well as I do that long distance rtionships never work Samantha," he told her with cold rationalism. "It wouldn''t be long distance...if I go with you," she said with nervous hesitance and he shook his head. "Sam don''t be foolish, you don''t belong in L.A. but here in this town," he told her and she wondered what he meant by that since it was clear he thought so poorly of this town while tear did escape and slide down her cheek. "But we love each other Jeff, I don''t care where I am as long as I am with you," Sam insisted but he gave her a cold smirk. "Sam please try to understand. I am not saying this to be mean or cruel but to be honest. You''re a nice woman, you''re a great friend but you don''t have what it takes to keep a man interested for the long run. If I was a lesser man I would have probably dumped you after our first night together," he told her and Sam felt as if she was going to get sick. "But I am better than that and you''re a not a bad person so I tried. Oh God how I tried but boredom can only be dealt with for so long," Jeff told her getting up from the chair and Sam felt so embarrassed, she was really that bad of a girlfriend? "I am sure I can change Jeff," she pleaded with him. "If you tell what I am doing wrong I know I can fix it," she added and he shook his head. "Some things can''t be fixed Sam," he told her. "It''s just best we leave it like this. I suggest you stay in a hotel tonight," he told her leaving the restaurant and her. Sam wasn''t sure how long she sat at that table before the waiter kindly asked her to leave and then she got up from the table in a daze. Sam couldn''t believe what happened! The love of her life, the only good thing in her life said she wasn''t good enough. Sam bowed her head the tears flowing freely now as she walked to the closest hotel she could find. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. The next day she told her father she was feeling ill and went over to her apartment, the one she had shared with Jeff ever since she moved out of her father''s house. The apartment seemed cold and unweing as if even it knew she hadn''t been good enough. Silently she packed her things with silent tears, still wondering how she couldn''t have seen the truth after all of these years. Once everything was packed she called the taxi, she drove to the old shamble of a house her grandmother had left when she had died when Sam was only twelve. She pushed against the warped door for it to open and looked around the dusty disaster that was the living room. It was just like her, broken, unwanted, and abandoned. The next day her father called her in his office when he had seen her. "Jeffery has told you of his ns to leave to L.A. I suppose," he stated coldly looking very unhappy and she nodded mutely sitting down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Are you...going to go with him," her father asked with hesitance and Sam looked at her father surprised at what she saw. His cold stern expression was marked with worried uncertainty. "No I am not going with him father. He is leaving thepany...and me," Sam told him and she watched as an expression of relief washed over his face for only a second before it was reced with his stony mask. "It looks like in the end we can only count on each other," he told her tly and now she smiled a small smile as she nodded. Sam may not have what it takes to be a good girlfriend but she had enough to keep her father with her and he loved her despite everything she did. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!