Chapter 11

“No, Alex, no you’re not,” Samantha said, crying out against such injustice. “Don’t you dare say that. I love you with all my heart.”

“Do you? Do you really?”

“Stop it, Alex. You know I do. What’s wrong, why are you saying all this?”

He smiled at her in the soft, filtered sunlight and gently stroked her cheek, swallowing hard.

“I don’t know, Samantha. I guess I’m just scared. I mean, I don’t want you to find out the hard way and leave me, I’d rather be upfront about it. But I do believe you when you say you love me.”

“Of course I do. You know I do. Now you quit talking nonsense and go get us some coffee like a good boy, okay?”

He smiled down at her. He secretly liked when she bossed him around, and satisfied, he rolled onto the other side of the bed and got up to call for room service.

Samantha, deciding it was time to get up anyway, slipped into the bathroom for a nice, hot shower.

After she toweled off, she threw on a simple cotton nightgown to go join him in the living room. When she came into the room, though, she saw he was still on the phone, but it was apparent this call wasn’t to room service.

“All right,” he said with a pleased grin, “that’ll be perfect. You want us to pick you guys up?”

Samantha went to the couch and sank down beside Alex while he finished his conversation. A moment later, he rang off.

“I hope you don’t mind, but we’re going to have visitors,” he told her. “Paris and Marianne will be here in the morning.”

“They’re getting married,” she said at once, turning towards him. “I’ll bet you ten bucks they’re getting married.”

“I doubt that,” he told her. “Paris often comes over to visit me.”

“No, I’m sure this means something,” she insisted. And then, struck by a sudden doubt, she threw an apprehensive glance in his direction.

“What about Paris? Do you think he’ll be good for her?”

“I don’t know,” Alex replied cautiously; “do you think she’ll be good for him?”

Samantha considered this for a few minutes and then she nodded.

“Yes, I do. I really do. Marianne’s a really sweet girl when you get to know her, and she’s the type who’ll lay down her life for someone she loves. But what’s he like? I could never really get a grasp on his personality when we were in L.A.”

“Paris? When he gets on a roll, he can convince Satan himself to buy a furnace, but he’s a good guy at heart. Plus, he’s no fool, so if Marianne’s really how you say, then I’ve got to believe they’ll make it.”

She smiled, knowing Marianne wouldn’t be a conventional wife, but she did think her friend would be a good one. Besides, as Alex had pointed out, Paris was not a foolish or frivolous person. He was well able to take care of himself.

Samantha smiled, but then, a moment later, her expression grew serious again.

“What should we tell those guys about us?” she asked him.

“Why should we have to tell them anything? I’m pretty sure they’ll figure it out, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess so. But I don’t know how Paris will feel about it.”

“Don’t you worry about that. If I’m happy, he’s happy. Besides, who pays the bills?”

Of course there was no answer to that, though she could never imagine him invoking his rights as bill-payer. He was far too generous for that, far too sensitive to other peoples’ feelings to lord anything over anybody else.

“What would you like to do today, sweetheart?” he asked.

She grinned up at him. “I want to go to Sea Life Park. I heard it’s pretty cool.”

When they got home from the park, they ate out on the lanai, enjoying the freshening breeze and the late afternoon sun.

“You’re getting really good at using chopsticks,” Alex observed as she expertly twirled the noodles on her sticks.

“Oh, thanks, Alex. Grandma’s been making me learn. She says I’ll never feel like a local until I can eat like one.”

“She’s right, you know. Want a glass of wine? I bought something nice and sweet from a place over on Maui.”

“All right.”

He poured her a glass of the wine and she raised the glass up to her lips.

It was good. She glanced across the table and nodded at him in approval.

“I like this, Alex. I think it’d go well with something spicy.”

“Do you?” he asked, smiling over at her. “You’re coming along nicely, you know that?”

Once they finished up their dinner and drinks, Alex suggested they retire to bed, as their guests were supposed to arrive quite early in the morning. Samantha agreed and let him take her by the hand, and by tacit agreement, she went to sleep in his bed, preserving for their visitors the pristine and unslept-in bed in the guest room.

When she got him into the bedroom, she decided to try out her own oral skills. She reached up and kissed him, her mouth hungry for a taste. Instead of heading over to the bed, though, she backed him against the wall and began to undo his pants.

“What...?” he started to ask, but she shushed him and sank down to her knees, pulling his pants and boxers down as she went.

Once she was in position, she reached out and grabbed his cock, wrapping her fingers around the base of it. She felt his body stiffen, and he placed a gentle, encouraging hand on her shoulder. Her tongue darted out to caress him, and then she leaned forward eagerly and took him into her mouth.

Alex groaned and tightened his hold. Samantha felt his fingers digging into her flesh, but his grasp was far from painful, so she continued, her right hand cupping his balls as she opened her throat to receive him, to take him all the way in.

She heard what almost sounded like a sob and she, encouraged, took his dick from her mouth for just a second and told him she loved him.

Alex’s hips strained toward her as she resumed, taking him once again into her mouth and tightening the pressure of her lips around his shaft. She increased the speed of her movements and felt Alex do likewise, arching his back to meet her rhythm.

In answer, Samantha gripped his ass in her left hand while her other hand tensed around the base of his penis. She trailed her tongue over his shaft, then teasingly over the tip of his cock again, and then back into her mouth quickly as she felt him explode in her mouth.

She drank him in as she felt him sag against the wall, spent and satisfied, and then she rose to her feet again and lay her head against his chest, afraid to kiss him lest he find it distasteful.

She needn’t have worried, though, because he pulled her head up to kiss her himself.

“You’re in big trouble now, Samantha, you know that?”

“Am I?”

“Yes. Now get those clothes off so I can fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before.”

A little thrill went through her to hear such coarse, direct language and she hurriedly complied, shedding the sundress she wore to the park in one quick movement, before stepping out of her panties.

There she stood, naked and eagerly awaiting his pleasure. He came near her and, without another word, eased her onto the bed. He turned her over onto her belly and spread her legs.

Not knowing what to expect, she remained tense for a moment. But then, when she felt one of his fingers delving into her, she calmed down. He knelt behind her, pumping his long, slender thumb into her core, priming her for what was to come later. She relaxed against him, arching her back to receive him, and he fanned out his fingers to lightly stroke her as he continued to move his thumb in and out of her in a steady rhythm.

She gave in to the sensation, opening herself to him, moving to the same beat as he did, and just when she thought she might climax, he pulled away.

She groaned, as frustrated as she’d ever been, waiting impatiently for him to continue.

He held off, though, biding his time quietly as he reached a hand beneath her and stroked her breasts dispassionately. And though he must’ve known he was driving her mad with passion, he continued, waiting ’til she was almost in tears and damn near begging for it before finally entering her from behind, staking his claim once more and making sure she was serious about all this.

Within moments, she rewarded him with evidence of her climax. She arched into him and cried out in the still night air, abandoning all awareness of her surroundings, throwing her head back and calling out his name as she clawed the pillow beneath her.

Samantha crumpled underneath him and he eased up and collapsed onto his side, gently coaxing her into his arms to lie nestled up against him.

Once she settled down and fell asleep, Alex glanced down at her pretty, untroubled face. He knew then he hadn’t loved another woman, or felt even half so close to one, in a very long time. In fact, he realized he’d been faking it for years, had only been going through the motions with every woman he’d ever slept with since Jennie.

He stroked Samantha’s cheek and she sighed quietly in her sleep. He drew her more fully into his embrace, adoring the way her sweet young body felt against his, amazed by the undeniable love she felt for him. He shut his eyes, swallowing hard.

He’d also believed Jennie felt this way, but had been rocked to his core to find her in bed with another man.

A sharp pain shot through his heart as he stole another quick glance at the girl sleeping beside him, wondering if this time it was for real.

Time would tell, he supposed.

In the meantime, he decided to at least try matching his feelings to hers and making an effort towards opening up to her and trusting her.

In the morning, Samantha woke up alone in bed. She knew Alex was probably in the other room, anxiously awaiting their visitors, perhaps even pacing the floor restlessly. She took a quick shower and put on a brand-new tailored halter dress, the perfect shade of navy blue for her complexion, with pearl buttons and a short, clingy skirt.

She glanced quickly in the full-length mirror, feeling pretty and seductive, her hair long and loose, tossed negligently over one shoulder.

When Alex caught the first glimpse of her, he stood up in awe, gazing at her with unmistaken approval in his eyes.

“Good God, Samantha, you look so freaking pretty right now.”

“You really think so?”

“Of course I do. Just look at yourself.”

With that, he turned her to the mirror near the front door and forced her to really examine herself critically, for once.

“Look at you, Samantha. You’ve got to be one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. And believe me, it’s damn lucky for you our friends are coming or I think I’d have to take you back into the bedroom, and this time, I’m not so sure I’d know how to stop myself.”

She glanced critically into the mirror, cocking her head to one side as if considering it all.

“I don’t know, Alex. Doesn’t it seem sort of...contrived?”

“Who cares, Samantha? Even if it does, who cares? Do you really think Paris, of all people, will mind?”

“No, I guess not.”

“How about Marianne?”

“No. In fact, she’ll probably be overjoyed.”

“Then who gives a damn?” he asked, pulling her close. “Not me. You wear whatever you feel like wearing and you go on looking just as pretty and sexy as you want to.”

She grinned at him and he took her in his arms, and together they tumbled onto the couch, Alex smothering her with kisses. Relaxing in his lap, she reached to unbutton his shirt, but just then the doorbell went.

Getting to her feet, Samantha caught sight of herself again in the mirror. Now she had a natural, tousled look that was hard to fake. Before she could do anything about it, though, Alex had the door open and was giving Marianne a hug.

“Samantha?” Paris asked and, turning towards their guests, Samantha saw him eyeing her with lustful approval. He cast a sly glance at Alex, who merely grinned in complicity.

“Look at you,” said Marianne. “You look so different.”

“Oh,” Samantha mumbled, looking bashful all of a sudden. “I’ve been out in the sun a lot.”

“My God, you’re enchanting,” Paris stated, holding her by the hands to get a good look at her. And though she was sure he was only flirting with her, she smiled, flattered all the same.

“Come in and have a seat,” she said. “Can I get you guys anything? I know it’s a long flight.”

“Let’s walk over and have some have brunch,” Paris agreed. “I’d like to stretch my legs. Besides, we have something to tell you.”

Soon they were seated on the terrace of their favorite restaurant, among the sweetly-scented plumeria trees. Paris was ordering up a pitcher of Mai Tais while Alex slipped off to buy a newspaper.

“I hope you’re not preventing Alex from working,” Paris told Samantha, as soon as Alex had gone.

A little offended, she denied doing any such thing.

“No, not at all. He’s worked very steadily until last week and he’s nearly done with the book. In fact, he’s even got some ideas for his next one.”

“Good. Remember, if he doesn’t make any money, then we don’t make any money and I, for one, happen to like money. And what of your book, Samantha? Have you started it yet?”

She was forced to admit that no, she hadn’t even thought about the subject for quite some time.

“I can’t decide what to write about,” she lied.

Just then, Alex was back with his newspaper. He sat back down beside Samantha.

“You had something to tell us?” he asked his friend.

Paris and Marianne exchanged glances and then Marianne burst into giggles.

“We’re getting married,” she told them.

Samantha grinned and turned to Alex, putting out her palm.

“Pay up. You owe me ten bucks.”

Alex laughed.

“Your friend here bet me you came to announce your engagement.”

Paris threw back his head and laughed aloud.

“Damn. I think I’ve been set up.”

“Sure you have, babe,” Marianne told him, patting his thigh. “And you, Samantha, you have to be my maid of honor.”

“I don’t know,” she said, glancing at Alex, mischief in her eyes. “Do you think my boss will give me the time off?”

“Perhaps if we invited him as well,” said Paris. “What do you say, old man? Will you stand up for us?”

“I guess I could do that.”

After brunch, Paris sent the girls off shopping in Alex’s car, peeling off several hundred dollars and stuffing the bills into Samantha’s hands.

“Here, make sure she doesn’t blow the whole wad at the first store she sees,” he laughed, gesturing at Marianne. “And you keep a hundred for yourself.”

As soon as Samantha parked the car at the mall, Marianne seized her arm.

“Oh, Samantha, I’m so happy for you.”

“Alex is wonderful, isn’t he?”

“When did it happen?”

“Three nights ago.”

Marianne sighed.

“He’s so cute. What was it like?”

“Oh, Marianne, he’s...oh, God, how can I even explain it? I’ve never felt this way before. He’s so sweet and loving. He really took his time, really shared himself with me. And he’s really very good at it, too.”

Marianne embraced Samantha.

“Come on,” she told Samantha. “We need to buy some lingerie for those spoiled men of ours.”

“I do need to buy some more panties,” Samantha admitted shyly. “Alex sort of...likes to rip them off of me.”

Marianne grinned delightedly.

“He does?”

Samantha nodded and Marianne, quite satisfied with the progress her friend had made so far, persuaded her to join in on the shopping spree.

Samantha, feeling brave, indulged herself in the luxury of a few special outfits, while Marianne selected a sheer baby doll nightie and a pretty silk chemise, both black.

“Paris says black is my color,” she confided. She then decided they both needed some pretty new clothes to wear and, out of habit, Samantha drifted toward the racks of commonplace, practical clothes, the sensible kind, suitable for wearing on the ranch.

Marianne clicked her tongue in disapproval.

“Just when I began to have hope for you,” she said.

“What?”

“Nothing, if you want to waste your whole life being Miss Wilkes the Assistant. When I know, if you played your cards right, you could be Mrs. Shannon.”

“Oh, what are you talking about?”

“Don’t be such a fool, Samantha. The man obviously adores you.”

“No one’s said a word about marriage, Marianne.”

“Good Lord, Samantha, keep dressing in stuff like that and I’m sure he never will.”

Perhaps she was right, Samantha decided. Her friend had certainly brought Paris to the point in record time. Besides, her halter dress did make her look rather ravishing.

“Okay,” she told Marianne. “Let’s go for it.”

Marianne had impeccable taste in clothing, so Samantha had no qualms about putting herself in her friend’s hands. At the end of their shopping spree, Samantha came away with two new bathing suits, a couple of long, flowing dresses, a silk turquoise sarong dress with a pair of little silver sandals, and a creamy white peignoir set.

The girls went back to Alex’s and entered the condo with all their packages. Exchanging glances, the men got up to relieve them of some of them.

“I think you’re right about Molokai, Alex,” Paris laughed. “We’d better go at once or these women will drive us to bankruptcy.”

Alex caught Samantha up in his arms. “Would you like that, sweetheart?”

“Sure, Alex, but they might get bored.”

“Nonsense,” Marianne protested. “I’ve been dying to see this ranch of yours. Paris told me all about it.”

A flurry of activity resulted, as they arranged for the short flight to Molokai. Samantha was secretly thrilled to be able to show the ranch off to Marianne, particularly her own room.