A Matter of Time 03 - 04 (Volume 2) (MM)

by Mary Calmes

  "Sam, where are you going?" She laughed and the others smiled.

  "Wedding's over," he told them all. "I'm tired and I just wanna lie down and relax."

  All eyes were suddenly on me and my hand in his.

  "Night, Amanda." He smiled at her. "Ladies. We'll see you all at breakfast."

  Amanda nodded, so visibly stunned that in that second before the doors shut I felt sorry for her. She had set her sights on Sam Kage, only to watch him slide right through her fingers. It had to be a new experience for her, to not get what she wanted.

  I had no time for my thoughts to linger on her as Sam turned on me, pinning me to the wall before he kissed my chin, jaw, and finally my lips. The kiss went deep, and I felt how excited he was as his body pressed against mine. The sound that came out of me I couldn't stop, and the mouth grinding down over mine was ravaging. He was taking his time, and even though I couldn't breathe, I didn't care. When he pulled back, I leaned with him, trying to keep my mouth on his.

  "You're such a brat," he said into the side of my neck, gently biting me before he pushed me out of the elevator.

  "Why would you ever be jealous of anybody?"

  "Who said I was jealous?" I asked over my shoulder, getting out the key for our room.

  He scoffed. "Please. I know you."

  At the door I turned and looked at him, up into the smoky blue eyes of the man I loved. "You like her."

  "Yeah, I do," he agreed. "She's smart and funny and she's got a great laugh."

  If one enjoyed the sound of hyenas; it was a bit too Discovery Channel for me.

  "And let's face it... she's smokin' hot. She—don't gimme the look, J, she is, you know she is."

  I grunted. All my friends were prettier.

  "But... will you look at me, please." He was chuckling now, obviously enjoying me being jealous, amused to no end.

  I returned my eyes to his as his fingers slid over my jaw, tipping my head up.

  "I like you better. In fact—I like you the best."

  His statements were always so simple and always so perfect.

  "Don't be stupid," he grumbled, snatching the plastic card from me to open the door and shove me inside our room.

  "Quit pushing me around," I snapped at him.

  His snort of laughter made me smile in spite of myself. I loved it when he manhandled me and he knew it. I turned to face him as he stepped in front of me, his hands on my face.

  "Stop trying to pick a fight with me, there's no reason to.

  You know you never have to worry... you're it for me."

  And the way he said it—so matter-of-fact, like I was just so annoying—was better than any long-winded declaration I could have ever had. The truth was that the sun shined, the rain fell, and Sam Kage loved me. Doubting him or worrying about his feelings was a stupid waste of time.

  "Kiss me." His voice was soft and coaxing.

  I smiled and heard his breath catch as my lips touched his.

  "I love you."

  And I knew that, of course.

  * * * *

  End