They sit in silence for several moments before Emily quietly asks, "Do you know what I love about you?""That I'm two feet taller than you and can hand you things down from upper cabinets?" She fixes Samantha with a look and lightly slaps the back of her head. "I'm being serious here, big Sammy!""Ow! Okay, okay!" Satisfied that she will listen, Emily continues, "I love that you never back down from a challenge. You have faced every obstacle life has thrown at you and overcome them all. Look at everything you've accomplished in your career! Your work was just a hobby out of your pitiful garage in the beginning. Now the company is booming, and you have crazy opportunities happening right now. All by the age of thirty. You have this insane drive to do better and be better. When you commit to something, you're in with 110% of your heart and soul, willing to give more of yourself than you even possess.""And that's how you love. Wholly and completely. Let's face it, when you came out and
Alexander hugs Ady back and brushes a light kiss to the top of her head, "Let's go girl, we can't keep everyone waiting."A string quartet plays softly in the corner of the plantation's chapel, the gentle patter of rain outside providing a nice accompaniment. Garland of beautiful flowers drapes from the high ceiling and candles flicker in artful arrangements around the intimate space. Jace flits around the room making last-minute adjustments and obsessively checks the list on his ever-present tablet. Alexander mingles among the guests as they enter the venue, greeting old friends, cordially speaking with Moni's family and doing his best to hold the anxiety at bay. For him, everything is happening at an odd distance. Like a wall of glass exists between himself and everything around him. The music a bit muffled in his ears, the floral scents weak to his nose and the grinning faces right in front of him seem yards away. He's internally frustrated with the detachment, not wanting to forge
Moni's lip quivers and tears begin to track down her face. She chokes back a sob, but to Alexander's continued shock, she nods. "You have got to be kidding me! You're just going to let him humiliate you - us - over this bullshit about an old wife?!" Mr. Madern strides up to Alexander and Moni, practically frothing at the mouth.Alexander looks to Moni in worry. However, Moni is already stepping up to confront her father, "Yes, Daddy. I am."Nostrils flaring, the large man turns to Alexander, "You! You are lying, deceitful son of a bitch! How dare you."Alexander draws himself up to his full height, refusing to be intimidated by the man. The matter is between him and Moni, not this bigoted politician bloated by self-importance. Voice steady and firm, Alexander explains, "I'm only doing what I think is right.""I will not allow my daughter to be shoved to the side by a man like you all because of some low level woamn redneck."In cold fury, Alexander is about to launch himself forward b
Before Samantha can do something stupid, Alexander speaks up. "Okay, maybe that's not fair. I should not demand so much from you without first giving you something of myself." He clears his throat. "A little over an hour ago, my lawyer barged into my wedding to tell me I was still married. I was surrounded by important politicians, a few minor celebrities, Moni's entire family and most of people. I felt a lot of things at that moment. Panic. Anger. Annoyance. Humiliation. All of those. But you want to know what I felt most?"Samantha gives a little shake of her head. No, he doesn't."Relief. I was relieved, Samantha" There is a touch of anguish in his confession. Alexander takes several tentative steps forward but remains just out of Samantha's personal space. Samantha's pulse goes up a notch, "Why?"Because it felt like the universe was confirming what I knew but was fervently ignoring."Samantha makes herself breathe, afraid that if she doesn't instruct her lungs to contract, they m
1 Months Later: -The same doctor who talks to Samantha years ago scrutinized the couple sitting opposite of him on his office's complimentary coffee colored couch with a clipboard sitting loosely over his lap. Already he took mental note of the obvious space purposely left between them and the stiffness they both held in their shoulders. He could sense the tense air hovering above them like a dark cloud from all the way over from where he sat crossed legged in his chair.It made doctor intrigued about the couple which normally never happened while he helped clients. He enjoyed his job as a marriage counselor and was excellent at it because he genuinely wanted to guide a broken marriage back to one, full piece.However, there was hardly a time when he himself felt personally interested, it was just his job to work with couples for their twelve-week session and watch them leave satisfied and together again when it ended.But this couple... they already divorce and get together like 2 ti
"Not necessarily, no. I mean we argue, and it definitely feels like I'm walking on eggshells around my own lover but fighting, that only happens if one or both of us are stressed or just irritated and we blow a fuse. Normally we know when to back down if it escalates but we've fought ugly in the past." Samantha confessed quietly."And when did you guys' fight?""It happened Friday night."Without missing a beat, Mike shot off another question. "Earlier Samantha said that you both work frequently but explain how much is frequent because it seems both of your jobs are hindering the time you guys lack to spend with each other.""For the most part I get home before Alexander even though I work more days of the week than him. Sunday is basically me only off day. My work is open Monday through Saturday but I'm not the only manager there, so my days of work are Wednesday through Saturday, and I work the rest of the week at my other work. I normally get home the latest by six but the only time
Besides, they both rushed off to work that morning and didn't see each other until dinner time which is when Samantha finally laid it out over the table to her lover. Alexander was unhappy of course and didn't really speak to her for the rest of the night but Samantha had run out of fucks to give."And you want to jump on my case about some damn effort? For this bombshell? In what mind were you thinking it was fine signing us up for counseling without consulting with me? How could you think this was okay to decide on your own, please enlighten me." Alexander countered from behind the wheel, both his words and tone caused Samantha to bristle.Samantha twisted in her spot, the sharp movement making the seatbelt push up against her clothes and glared at the other, utterly ticked at the bratty attitude being lashed at him.Calling their situation a mess was not far from the truth, but Samantha was trying to fix it. She didn't need any more uncooperative difficulty loaded on her already ful
After picking herself after twenty minutes later, Samantha called it a night and left her office feeling incredibly drained with a dull headache. She stumbled through the dark house until she reached their bedroom, flipped on the lights, and locked herself in the master bathroom.Another twenty minutes passed when she pulled open the sheer shower curtain and stepped out on the plush bathroom rug, glowing clean and honey skin beneath a cloud of steam. She airs dried, as she's always done, and finished her nightly ritual cleanses before ambling back inside the bedroom where she tiredly dressed herself in a knee length baby blue button-down.She turned for the bed and was in the midst of pulling back the sheets on her side of the bed when she paused in motion, staring down at her left hand where her ring glinted beneath the lights as if personally reminding him of Mike's assignment, he instructed them to do.Right. Hug each other before bed. With a sigh, the blond let the sheets slip away
Like, honestly, what Samanath should be more focused on is Alexander’s heated mouth wrapped around her neck, sucking territorial marks into her bare skin as she alternates between teeth, tongue, and lips. Because the sensation of the dangerous combo leaves prickles of tingling pleasure down Samanath’s spine to the curl of his toes. And the way Alexander’s body spreads her own, pushing Samanath’s thighs and legs wide to fit his broad frame is something Samantha’s definitely grown to love about the physical part of their relationship. But that’s about as far as they’ve gone..Which was actually related to a part of Samantha’s current problem. Not the statement, that wasn’t an issue for either of them. It was just, kinda well known Alexander wasn’t a stranger to sex. Samantha hadn’t told Alexander yet but earlier, she’d overheard a conversation between a couple girls. They had been boldly discussing Alexander’s and her relationship. She wasn’t purposely trying to listen in on their goss
"I have to say, after hearing Ashly constantly praise on about the mysterious sweet love, I never imagined it would’ve been you.” Alexander said to Mike as he snagged two glasses of champagne from a waiter passing through. “Definitely not what I expected at all but now I can’t see anyone else fitting that role.”Mike accepted the drink offered to him and smiled gently. “Yes, well, she came into my life and plastered herself there. A broke college student waiting buy me a coffee after I paid for her groceries.” the man snickered fondly and waved off the expecting doe eyes. “Another story for her to tell. And thank you, I’m taking that as a compliment. He makes me happy.”Alexander felt oddly warm hearing that and nodded. “That’s good. Really. I know last time we saw each other was a bit jumbled..” Alexander scratched his cheek while the memory of him with his hands all over Samanath as they tried to leave Mike’s office surfaced, “I didn’t get the chance to personally thank you for your
The next to arrive was Mike and Ashly, bickering lightly as they trudged through the door. “Don’t be mad at me, I offered to carry it but you were all like ‘No, I got this’ knowing damn well you didn’t.” Ashly scolded her scowling partner as he toed off his boots carefully, mindful of the stacked items in his arms.“It was the damn rock sheathed in the ice.” Mike grumbled and Sen poked his head around the corner.“Did you really just say ‘sheathed’? So specific.” the younger chortled softly and brushed past his sulking man.“What happened?”“Sweet love broke the cookies out on your sidewalk.” Ashly sighed and allowed Sen to take half her load from her to him. “They’re the ones on top, they’re crumbled now, sorry.”“DAMN IT, MIKE.” Nial bellowed from somewhere deeper in the house.“Fuck off, you can’t talk shit.” Mike moodily tossed back as he followed the voice of his friend.Sen lead Ashly into the kitchen, rolling his eyes. “We’ll live.”Suran beamed when Mile finally came into view
Ken’s voice might’ve as well been muted. Whatever he was telling Samantha on his end of the call, every word and switched tones he made, it all went in one ear and out the other.Samantha can't remember how she even answered her best friend’s call with him being caged down to the bed, face down, ass up, and fucked into the mattress and all. Alexander had rendered her mind a mush and her brain shut down, commuting nothing but white blinding pleasure with every deep stroke her body received. It was all she could do to stay quiet, little breathless barely slipping through her clenched teeth, wanting to spill loudly from every thrust her lover pummeled into her, tip of her heated thick gourd kissing her prostate head on every glide. Stars were her world, her view, her focus. And the way Alexander held her in place with strong arms as he took her from behind had Samanath’s arousal course hotter. They were locked together, Alexander pressing hotly against her with his chest fused against Sam
"Fuck. Samantha.." the younger sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, I ruined everyone's night with my screw up attitude. I'm ordering a uber now but uh, I need the password for you wifi if you don't mind."The woman blinked before shaking her head as she walked over. "Sorry, but you really think I'd give you the password so you can get access to an uber?" Samanatha settled beside the other and rested a comforting hand on her arm. "What do you take me for. Don't feel bad at all for what happened, Liam, you're fine. I just wanted to make sure you're alright and no, you are not leaving my house in an uber. Do you want to talk about it?"The man stared at the ground and chuckled dryly. "I just put my business out there..." Liam sighed, frustration carrying the harsh breath. "I'm fucking irritated. And tired. Maybe it really was a bad idea to come. I know myself better than anyone, I knew they were going to be here and I knew, even though I promised myself I wouldn't say anything to start shit, it w
The regret flashing across Sen's face was clear and the man opened his mouth to apologize but was stripped the chance. Samantha startled when an arm cinched around hir waist, a solid body forming into his with seeping warmth. The scent of heavy rain flooded into her senses and Samantha looked up at Alexander whose dark eyes stared blankly at Sen. "Alex." the woman greeted softly, surprised she didn't hear the man approach them. The arm tightened around her waist."Here you are. I've been looking for you, babe."Samantha melted into Alexander and explained Sen was leaving so he was here to see him off. Obviously, she left out the other parts, what Alexander didn't know wouldn't hurt. Besides, they didn't need any more drama for tonight. Samantha felt spent enough already, but of course nothing ever works in her favor."Oh, well does he need any assistance getting to his car?" the suggestive undertone in Alexander's voice had Samantha smacking his arm lightly.But Sen brushed off the bor
When Samantha surfaced back into the talkative room, she immediately looked around the scene for Alexander, but her mocha eyes found the man was nowhere in sight. However, from her skimming, it was evident that everyone was getting along well together just fine, and it brought a smile out of her momentarily. And then she locked her gaze on Ashly who no longer lounged on the couch but was now sitting comfortably in one of the chairs with a drink in hand. Samantha made her way over, laughing softly when Ashly made wiggly finger motions at her, wanting her closer. The woman squeezed down next to the older who scooted over for her and smiled, allowing her head to plant on a sturdy shoulder."Where'd my man go?" she asked, voice muffled from her mouth pressing against Ashly's cologne scent shirt."Went off with Ken." Oh great, Samantha thought. "They should be back soon, though. How'd it goes with you and red wonder?" Ashly asked and let his fingers card through silky blond locks lazily.Sa
The stillness in the room was stifling. Lin felt like she was burning on the spot solely from the fiery gaze Samantha pinned on her and her words slashed like a deadly weapon. The woman opened the door, eyes locked on her expectantly and she got the message. Slowly, the red headed woman made her way over to the exit and pursed her glossy lips before blowing out a long quiet breath as she stopped and faced him. "I don't really appreciate the way you continue to approach me about this but-"Samantha's scoff cut her off clean. "And you think I appreciate the number of approaches you've made on Alexander? Sorry that I'm not roses and daisies about this situation you dug yourself in." Samantha countered stormily. The pent up anger and frustration she assumed she released out of her system that night she blew up was returning back to her in forceful waves. The audacity she had to be playing the victim card was through the roof- a fucking trip.Seeing the brewing storm raging, Lin quickly bac
The ladies soon returned and joined the men, and Samantha just watched them feeling pleased and happy. It was funny, she knew most of all of them already for long but that was a given since she and Alexander shared a lot of mutual friends. They all went their separate ways and seeing them come back together was a bit heartwarming.And then, above their voices, they all heard the front door slam open before a chorus of loud voices streamed down to them, but the loudest in volume of them all had Min and Win tensing. "You KNOW you're directionally challenged, and you still want to argue with me! Didn't I say turn left??"I thought you meant MY left!""OUR LEFTS ARE THE SAME YUGYEOM. THE. SAME.""You should've told me sooner.""I told you several blocks away, dipshit. You heard Cassandra, too, she told your ass 'in one thousand feet, turn left Avenue' but noooo.""I'm sorry, I'm just at how you named your Siri Cassandra."Alexander was the first to emerge and Samantha had to cover her mout