Chapter Twenty-One
Sam woke up the next morning to sunlight peeking through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the room.
She propped herself up on one elbow and watched Alex lying sprawled across the bed on her stomach, her hair cascading across her shoulders in loose, messy waves.
Her eyes were closed, a gentle smile on her lips, and Sam’s heart ached at the sight.
She could still feel the warmth of Alex’s body against her, the gasps she had made when Sam touched her, and how her heart had pounded after they both came back down from the high of the night before.
Sam’s gaze traced the curve of Alex’s shoulder, the smooth expanse of her back, and the gentle rise of her hip beneath the cool sheet.
She felt a surge of protective instinct, a desire to keep Alex safe and happy, to make her laugh, and never to leave her side again.
She reached out a hand and hovered over Alex’s face, wanting to stroke the smooth line of her jaw, down the curve of her neck, over the swell of her breast.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Alex said, her voice soft and raspy with sleep.
“I was just thinking about us—how we got here, how I never want it to end.” Sam lowered her hand to Alex’s exposed shoulder and lightly traced down the curve of her spine. Alex sighed and wiggled closer.
Alex smiled lazily. “I don’t think either of us wants it to end.
” She reached out and ran her hand down Sam’s side, laughing when Sam shivered at the touch.
“And I don’t think it has to.” She pushed herself up on one elbow and faced Sam.
Her gaze was focused. “I want this, Sam,” she said, her voice steady.
“I want us.” Her hand moved up to cup Sam’s cheek.
“I’ve wasted so much time without you.” Her voice cracked on the last words, and she glanced briefly away.
She shook her head. “I’m not going to do that again. ”
Sam’s heart ached with the raw conviction in Alex’s voice. She leaned into the touch, her eyes never breaking the other woman’s gaze. “You and me. Forever,” she whispered.
Alex gave Sam a sweet smile. She leaned in and gave Sam a gentle kiss. “Forever,” she whispered against her lips.
Sam’s eyes fluttered closed, her breath catching as she felt the warmth of Alex’s touch, the gentle pressure of her lips.
She wrapped her arms around Alex, pulling her closer until she was flush against her.
Sam’s hand dipped below the sheet, rubbing lazy circles across the dimples of Alex’s lower back, feeling the soft silk of her skin.
Alex arched into the touch, and Sam’s body was instantly at attention, heat pooling between her legs. The kiss deepened as they tried to eliminate any space between them. Alex’s tongue became hotter and more insistent as they struggled to get as close as they possibly could.
She pulled back, gazing deeply into Sam’s eyes while lightly stroking her cheek. Then she frowned slightly as her attention was caught by something on the nightstand beside them. “Shit, Sam,” she shrieked. “We have to go! It’s almost time to check out!” She made a move to push herself up.
Sam looked over at the clock, eyes narrowing as she confirmed that it read 9:56, and checkout was at 10:00. Then she grinned and tightened her grip. “We’ve still got four minutes,” she drawled. “Let’s make the most of it.”
Alex swatted her away and jumped out of bed. She moved frantically around the room, searching for discarded clothing. After a minute, she turned back toward the bed, where Sam was watching her. “Sam!” she cried impatiently.
Sam rolled her eyes and pushed away the sheet that had been covering her. “No chance of late checkout, I’m guessing?”
Alex reached down and gathered some clothes off the floor. “Come on,” she said, tossing Sam’s shirt and bra at her. “We have forever, remember?”
Sam swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, the sheet slipping away from her frame as she did so.
She grinned as she saw Alex’s eyes flicker with desire.
She sauntered over to where Alex was standing and stood before her.
Alex’s eyes slowly drifted down her body, then back up to meet Sam’s.
Sam felt her cheeks flush. She reached out and twirled a lock of golden hair around her finger.
“You’re sure there’s nothing I can do to tempt you? ”
Alex’s eyes flashed. She dropped the bundle of clothes she was holding and walked over to the phone on the nightstand. She picked up the receiver, holding it to her ear as she turned to face Sam.
“Hello?” she said into the receiver. “Yes, we’re wondering if we can get a slightly later checkout…” She paused to listen. “Eleven a.m.?” She raised an eyebrow at Sam, who glanced at the clock. “Perfect. Thank you so much.”
“So, it looks like we have a whole hour now…”
But before Sam could even finish her sentence, Alex had slipped around her and darted toward the bathroom. Sam laughed, shook her head in amusement, and padded after her.
When she arrived, the waterfall shower was already on, filling the air with steam.
Alex stood under the spray, her eyes closed, hair slicked back from her face.
Sam watched her for a moment. Her gentle curves were accentuated by the falling water, and her skin almost seemed to glow under the soft light.
Sam’s breath stopped as she took in the sight.
Her body pulsed with desire again. “Alex,” she whispered.
Alex opened her eyes, and Sam felt trapped by the intensity of her gaze. Her breath caught as Alex ran her hands down and over her body, never breaking eye contact.
Sam couldn’t hold back any longer. She stepped into the shower and drew Alex close.
The steam enveloped them. Sam gently traced the droplets across Alex’s cheeks.
She could feel Alex’s breath catch in her throat and her body tense with anticipation.
Sam leaned in and slowly licked away a drop of water from Alex’s lower lip.
In an instant, Alex’s lips were on hers. Her tongue explored Sam’s mouth, claiming her. She reached up and wrapped her arms around Sam’s neck, pulling her closer. Their bodies pressed together, slick and wet.
Sam pushed Alex back against the wall and pressed against her. She slid her hands down Alex’s side, her palms tracing the wet curves of her body. She reached lower, grasping Alex’s buttocks and pulling her center firmly against her thigh.
Alex’s breath grew ragged. “Sam,” she gasped, her voice a hoarse whisper.
Her hands, which had been gripping Sam’s shoulders, now threaded through her hair, gently guiding her lower.
Sam didn’t need any more encouragement. She sank to her knees in the shower, her eyes never leaving Alex’s.
She could see the raw desire reflected there.
Alex’s cheeks were flushed, and her body trembled.
Sam’s smiled. She loved that she still had this effect on Alex.
“Sam,” Alex whispered. “Please…”
Sam glanced up to see Alex staring at her intently, lips slightly parted, cheeks flushed. Her eyes reflected a deep, unspoken desire. Sam could see every emotion flashing across her face. The connection between them was electric, and she couldn’t look away.
“Come here,” Alex murmured. Sam stood up, keeping the connection between them. Their lips crashed together in a hungry kiss. Sam could feel Alex’s sharp inhale at the taste of herself on Sam’s tongue.
A shiver ran through Sam as the intimacy grew and the tension built.
Moments later, a faint tremor coursed through Alex, her body growing taut for a fleeting moment before she melted against Sam.
Sam leaned into Alex, resting her head on her shoulder, catching her breath.
She gently withdrew her touch, wrapping her arms around Alex and drawing her closer, placing tender kisses along her shoulder, savoring the warmth and closeness.
“That was…” Alex’s voice was soft and breathless.
“Something else?” Sam laughed, a low, contented sound. She reached up and captured Alex’s lips in a slow, deep kiss.
She pulled away and looked down at Alex. “We should get out of the shower,” she said, smiling down at her. “I think our hour is almost up.”
“I could call and ask for another hour,” Alex teased.
Sam laughed, eyes sparkling. Just then, her stomach let out a loud growl, the sound echoing through the bathroom and making them both burst into laughter. Sam felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
“Hungry?” Alex asked, her voice was low and husky and nearly drove Sam crazy.
“I guess so.” Sam grinned. “I must have worked up an appetite.”
“Okay, okay.” Alex laughed. “Looks like you’re hungry for something different right now.” She leaned up and gave Sam one last quick kiss. “Come on, I know just the place.”
They held hands as they stepped out onto the street.
The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze from the water ruffled through their hair.
Occasionally, Alex would pause to pull Sam in for a quick kiss, which she was only too happy to return.
She felt so light, so free, as if all the questions she had been asking herself had finally been answered.
The answer was Alex, and it probably had been all along.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this,” Sam admitted.
Alex reached out and took Sam’s hand, bringing it to her lips and pressing a gentle kiss on it. “Me too,” she agreed. “Obviously. You know, my whole marriage being a sham and all that.”
“But you did get Sophie out of the deal.” Sam looked over at Alex and smiled.
“And I wouldn’t change that for the world.”
“I think we all do what we have to do,” Sam replied. “I’ve made my share of questionable choices.” She let out a mirthless scoff, thinking back on some of her past relationships. Then she thought about another choice she was facing, and her smile slipped a bit.
“Sometimes things are just out of our control,” Alex said gently.
“How did you get so wise?” Sam teased.