Sam rolled up the left over fish batter and chips and put them in his rubbish bin. “I’m going to put this outside, so it doesn’t stink up the place.”
Donna twisted her nose. “At least you were right. They taste better than they smell. I don’t care for the batter – too greasy. The haddock was delicious, though.”
“Look in the cupboard, under the stairs. I think there’s a can of air freshener in there. Spray some around the room. That way by the time we get back from our walk, the smell should be gone.”
Donna read the fragrance and softly smiled. She sprayed some around the room and breathed deeply. The memory of Jared’s magic potion swirled through her mind. She felt sad, but oddly her eyes didn’t gloss, as usual. “You may just survive this after all, Donna,” she mused and sat down to the piano. “Maybe it is him,” she softly smiled. “Yeah – sure – and maybe diamonds will fall from the sky.”
“They already have…” Sam said as he draped a light jacket over her shoulders and gently massaged the nape of her neck. Tingles of guilt crept down her spine. He sat beside her on the stool and pushed some loose hair behind her ears. Donna looked down at her hands. Sam tilted her chin up so their eyes met, again. “The diamonds landed in your eyes.”
“You’re full of it,” she snorted. “I’ve heard rumours about you.”
“I’ve heard some about you, too,” he whispered, dancing his aqua eyes over her face, drinking in her features. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wanted to prove a point to Richard, but Donna’s touching something deep inside me. It’s like I’m being pulled into the depth of her eyes. As if she’s staring into my soul.
Donna sighed and turned; blankly staring at the inside of Sam’s black grand piano, randomly skimming her long fingers over the ivory keys. “This isn’t a standard piano, is it?”
“No, it’s not,” he sighed and picked up one of her hands, standing and bringing her with him. “I’ll show you what it can do, when we get back.”
Donna softly smiled. “OK.”
Donna watched Sam take what looked to her to be a sleeping bag from a closet by the door. He grinned at her and slung it over his shoulder. She arched an eyebrow. “Are you planning on us camping out on the beach?”
Sam chuckled and led Donna out into the evening air. “It’s not a sleeping bag, sweetheart. It’s called a beach hugger. I thought we might sit on the sand, for a while, and maybe cuddle,” he said, resting an arm across her shoulders.
“I like to cuddle,” Donna sighed.
“Good,” Sam grinned. “So do I.”
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The beach still had a few tourists, desperately seeking the final rays of the sun that sparkled off the waves of the North Sea. Donna watched Sam out the corner of her eye as he admired the sights on the sand. She softly smiled. Jared had been popular. There was nothing wrong with being popular, she told herself. She was popular, although she didn’t try to be.
Finding a suitable spot, Sam unzipped the hugger and tossed it on the sand. It looked like an over-sized terrycloth beach towel to Donna. It was the two attached pillows that unnerved her. Sam sat cross-legged and propped his elbows on his legs regarding Donna. She stared back at him. The corners of Sam’s mouth turned up slightly. Donna’s pupils widened; her face showed some colour. “The sea is that way,” she pointed.
“I like what I see. I see the ocean every time I walk out my front door, Donna. It’s not often I get to stare into the eyes of Aphrodite.”
“Mr. Kaliea, I think you’re suffering from a severe case of verbal diarrhoea,” she chuckled. “I may have some pink stuff in my purse.”
Sam grinned, tucked his chin and shook his head, exhaling in exasperation. “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you, sweetheart? I’m trying to affect you in the same way you’ve affected me.”
Donna sighed and impassively studied his eyes. “How have I affected you, Sam?”
One side of Sam’s mouth turned up. He traced the underside of her jaw with the knuckle of his index finger. “I’m still trying to figure that out. Trying to figure you out.”
“Don’t look too closely. You might not like what you see. I’m complicated.”
Sam smiled his crooked smile. “I like challenges.”
Donna frowned and rolled up the legs of her jeans. “I don’t.” She stepped out of her sandals and walked out onto the damp sand.
Sam started rolling up the legs of his jeans. “I wouldn’t do that!” he called out, tossing his shoes aside. It was too late. The approaching wave splashed into her.
“Oh that’s cold!” Donna squealed. “That’s even colder than the Tyne!”
Sam waded out to her. Wrapping his arms around her, he buried his face in her hair; his hot breath tickled the side of her neck. Donna stiffened; her heart started pounding. She fought to control her rapid breathing. “Relax, sweetheart,” he whispered against the base of her shoulder. “I’m not going to bite you. Not unless you want me to.” His lips brushed up the side of her neck, following the line of her pulse. Donna drew in a short breath. She tried to fight what Sam’s lips and hard body pressed against hers was doing to her, but he reminded her so much of something she’d lost. Something she longed for, ached for and would never have again. Slowly she turned in his arms and looked up into his aqua eyes.
“Sam…” she whispered, tucking her head.
Sam lifted her chin. He could see the want in her eyes, but he sensed if he made a move now, she would pull away. Normally, that wouldn’t have bothered him. He knew what to do to get what he wanted, and if he pushed, Donna would give in, he sensed that. What was holding him back? What was different about her than all the other women he’d sent to the stars? He lifted her into his arms and waded out of the cold water, standing her on the beach hugger. He wrapped his arms around her waist. Donna rested her head against his shoulder, feeling warm and secure, but she wouldn’t lift her head. “Who are you running from, sweetheart?” he asked as he rested his cheek on top of her head.
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“You’ll stop at nothing to get what you want. Will you?”
Richard chuckled and kissed Joyce’s forehead. “I’m a Triplet. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“And you think Sam is any different? You know him. If he wants Donna, one way or the other, he’ll get her. Mind you, he may not keep her, but sooner or later he’ll get what he wants.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it.”
“What if Donna falls in love with Sam the way she did this other man – what was his name?”
“Jared. The difference between Sam and Jared is simple. Sam is for now and now – nothing more. Jared is in for the long haul. Dad offered him a job. Jared turned him down. He wouldn’t take the risk of losing Donna or his daughter.”
“Sir Richard couldn’t protect them?”
“I don’t know, Joyce. I didn’t see the video, but whatever was on it, shook Dad to the core.”
Joyce lifted her head off his shoulder and looked into his blue eyes. “Richard, do you love Donna, or are you just competing with Sam, as always?”
“I don’t know Joyce. I have this connection with Donna, and I can’t explain what it is. It’s like she’s a part of me, and always has been. I’m just not sure it’s love. I’ve only been in love once, and that was a long time ago. When it didn’t work out, I vowed I would never let anyone get that close to me again, but somehow, Donna has. I know, if I can make her see, what a flirt Sam is and how wrong he is for her, with Jared out of the way, I might stand a chance with her.”
Joyce smiled and rested her head on his shoulder again. “I guess we’re just two hopeless romantics wishing on a star,” she sighed.
“Does that mean you’ll do it?”
Joyce leaned over Richard and picked up her cell phone. “Gail, this is Joyce. I need a favour.”
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Sam rolled up the beach hugger and walked Donna back to his apartment. He lifted her wrist to his lips and pressed a kiss over her pulse. “Go play the piano. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes. I’m going to get us something to drink.”
Donna softly smiled and nodded. Sam approached, carrying a silver tray with a domed lid, and two flutes of sparkling liquid. He set the tray on the edge of the piano and handed her a flute. Donna sniffed the liquid and frowned. Here we go again. More alcohol. “Sam, I’m alcohol intolerant.”
Sam grinned. “I have to drive you home, sweetheart. This is sparkling apple juice. It’s like non-alcoholic Champagne. You get the taste and the bubbles, but not the kick. What shall we toast to?”
Donna locked her eyes with his. “How about choice and change?”
Sam furrowed his brow. “That’s an odd combination, but OK.” He touched his glass to hers. “I choose to be with you and I hope… to change your life.”
Donna sipped her drink and motioned to the tray. “What’s under there?”
“I’ll show you later. First, I want to play something for you.” Donna slid down and made room for him on the stool, next to her. Sam took a deep breath, closed his eyes and rested his fingers on the keys. For a few seconds, he hesitated and then started playing.
Donna closed her eyes and concentrated on the music. Sam finished playing. “What’s the name of that piece?”
Sam smiled. “I don’t know. I made it for you.”
“You just now composed that for me? It’s beautiful Sam.”
“If it’s beautiful, it’s because the inspiration for it was beautiful. Close your eyes.”
“As long as you promise not to use the handcuffs on me.”
“Hmm… that’s an interesting thought,” he teased. “Maybe another time.”
Sam stood behind her and pushed her long brown hair to the side. He kissed along her shoulder and up the side of her neck. “I don’t often do this, but you inspire me in more than one way. I’d like to give you something. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to keep it. It’s just a token, to commemorate our first date, which I hope will be one of many,” he whispered against her ear.
Donna took a deep breath, nodded and waited. She felt something light brush against the sides and back of her neck, and then something cold touched her sternum. Sam sat backward on the stool, facing her. “You can open your eyes now.”
Donna rubbed the pendant between her fingers; a feeling of dread knotting in the pit of her stomach. She swallowed hard. “I want to see,” she whispered.
Sam took her hand and led her to the downstairs toilet. Standing behind her, he rested his palms over her shoulders and pulled her against him. Donna’s stomach roiled. She could feel his hard body pressing against her firm bottom.
Donna held her breath, slowly lifted her eyes and stared at her reflection. Unimaginable pain gripped her heart, threatening to choke the life from her. It was a replica of the necklace she had given to Sarabeth, when Jared first took her to meet his daughter. Silent tears filled her eyes. She blinked; one escaped trailing down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away, as she fought to breathe.
Sam frowned. “If you don’t like it….”
Donna turned to face him. She sniffed and swallowed; her throat aching from uncried tears. “It’s not that Sam. It’s… it’s…” she broke off and sighed. “It’s beautiful - thank you,” she whispered, kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Sam wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her hair. “Would you like to dance with me?”
“Yes,” she choked. “I would like that very much.”
Sam took her hand and led her back to the piano. He pressed a button and led her to an open space, pulling her into his arms. The music he’d composed for Donna started playing. “This really is a pretty piece of music,” she said as she gently swayed her body against his. “I think you should give it a name.”
“OK,” he said, leaning in. “I’ll name it Donna.” Sam was just about to kiss her when his cell phone rang. He groaned and put it to his ear, unable to take his eyes off Donna’s. “This is Sam.”
“Sam, it’s Jasmine.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “Ah – hang on a second. I’m just going to step over there and….”
Donna started to sit back down.
Sam held her wrist. “Don’t, I’ll only be a minute. Just wait here.” Sam stepped near the window. “Hi Jazz, what’s up?” he said, glancing back at Donna.
Donna tried not to eavesdrop, but when she heard the endearment ‘cupcake’ a pang of something went through her. Must be a woman….
A couple of minutes later, Sam ended the call and walked back to Donna. “Where were we?” he said, taking her into his arms again.
Donna grinned. “You were about to tell me who Jazz was,” she teased.
Sam’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “She’s a friend Donna. You don’t need to worry about her.” They danced a few more minutes and Sam’s cell phone rang, again. “I’m sorry sweetheart, but I’ve got to….”
Donna smiled softly. “You’re obviously very popular with the ladies.”
Sam sighed, stepped away and answered the call. After the next two interruptions, Sam’s emergency service called. Something’s going on here. He accepted the call. “Hi Gail, what’s up sugar?”
Even his answering service is female. Donna heaved a heavy sigh and sat on the sofa, listening.
Sam carried on with his conversation. “What do you mean you didn’t ring me? Of course you – never mind Love, I must have hit the button.” Sam switched off his cell phone and placed the silver tray on the coffee table, along with the rest of their drinks.
Donna jutted her chin and stolidly stared into his dancing eyes. “Did you get your lady friends satisfied?”
Sam inhaled deeply, held it for a few seconds and then forced it out between his lips. “Close your eyes again,” he grinned.
“No more gifts, Sam.”
“Not a gift – an offering.”
Donna groaned and closed her eyes.
“Open your mouth – wider.” Sam took one of the strawberries from the bowl, raked it through the whipped topping and pressed it to her lips. “Now, bite,” he whispered, his lips almost touching hers.
A slow smile spread across her mouth as she chewed. “So that was what was under the….”
Before she could finish the phrase, Sam’s lips pressed against hers; warm soft and inviting. His kiss was full of passion but soft and gentle as a butterfly’s wing. It made her dizzy and yearning for more. Donna couldn’t help it. Despite her reservations, there was something about Sam that pulled her in. Before she realised it, she was kissing him back.
Sam slid his hand under her shirt. The image of a white wolf flashed through her memory, and the pain was back. Donna felt like she couldn’t breathe. She pushed him away and stood. “I have to go, Sam.”
“Why? What happened? I’m sorry. I thought you wanted me to.”
“I did,” she choked, “…but then you pushed too far. I’m not ready for that Sam. I don’t know if I’ll ever be again. I’m sorry.” She unlocked her cell phone. “Richard, would you please come get me? I’m at Sam’s apartment at Whitley Bay.”
“I’ll be there in five minutes.”
“I’ll wait for you outside.” Donna locked her cell phone, put it in her purse and headed for the door.
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Richard locked his cell phone and grinned. “Mission accomplished,” he said and kissed Joyce’s cheek. “I have to go.”