Ruby Red, The Sequel - The Romance Story Continues (Complete)

Chapter 4

Sam tipped the attendant and locked the door behind him. He moved into his hotel room and leaned against the wall outside the bathroom, where Ali had quickly retreated to after they were interrupted.

Calling to Ali "He's gone," Sam pressed his forehead against the cool door frame, appreciating the contrast to his hot skin. His body was still flush with the heat of what had just happened between him and Ali.

Sam had never expected to see Ali today. He had wanted to see her so badly, had considered blowing off the meeting tomorrow to rush home to her. Or high-jack his father's helicopter to fly to the Hampton's and be with her for at least a few hours. After the day Sam had, his body and soul desired to feel Ali's arms around him, needed the comfort that only the woman he loved could provide.

It wasn't until he opened the door and saw her standing there that Sam realized just how strong his desire was. It was like a dream, Ali standing there. Had she read his mind, felt him calling to her from miles away? Whatever it was, he was so glad to see her.

So happy that Sam attacked Ali before she even had a chance to get in the door. Still, he tried to hold back. But when he felt her lack of underwear, Sam's brain went out the window and another part of his body took over. He had lost control. Sam was fairly confident Ali was with him in that moment, but there always lingered a trace of concern in the back of his mind.

Due to Ali's past, it was important to Sam that he always knew Ali's mind when it came to sex. Sam always made sure she was satisfied first. Feeling her climax often fueled his own pleasure. But this time was different. He had lost control, taken what he wanted. Sam never wanted to push Ali into something that she wasn't prepared to do or didn't want. Rush her. What had just happened was definitely rushed. Sam had gotten what he wanted. What about Ali?

The door to the bathroom cracked open and Sam jumped back. When Ali came out, he got a look at the little black dress she had been hiding under her coat. It hugged her in all the right places, accentuating what he considered a perfect body. The low cut of the collar plunged into a deep V exposing a good portion of her lovely breasts. Sam appreciated the view for a split second, before searching her sapphire eyes for signs of concern.

Sam didn't see anything amiss in her eyes, but he had to be sure. Reaching out, he caressed Ali's cheek. "I love you."

She placed her hand on his chest. "I love you more."

Sam relaxed a little. This had become their little routine, their signal to each other that everything was okay. Shortly after they met, they had promised to always be honest with each other. It was an essential part of their relationship; a key component and this little ritual was born of that. If either one of them was unsure, they could say they loved the other and if the response was that they were loved more, all was right.

"Are you hungry?" Sam gestured over his shoulder to where his room service order sat. "I got a burger and fries. We could split it."

"Suddenly famished," Ali teased him, a twinkle in her eye.

Sam took Ali's hand and led her over to the makeshift dinning room table. Before cutting the burger in half, Sam removed the pickles, placing them on his side of the plate. Ali smiled at his gesture. Taking a seat, Sam expected Ali to take the chair next to him. Instead, she crawled into his lap and tenderly played with the loose ends of his hair. Slipping one arm around Ali's waist, Sam was glad for the extra contact. Did she sense his need to hold her?

Grabbing a few French fries, Ali asked in a mockingly sing song voice, "So, honey, how was your day?" before popping them into her mouth.

It was a simple enough question. Normally he would have a simple answer. But tonight, it was a little more complicated. He stuffed his mouth with a bite of the burger to buy time to formulate an answer. He had to tell her, wanted to tell her, need to talk about it. Yet, Sam didn't know where to begin. He himself was still getting over the shock of what had happened.

It had been a pretty boring morning at the foundation. The distance from Ali had been starting to wear on Sam. His dreams the night before had been full of strange images, some with Ali by his side, others with Ali nowhere to be found. The latter lingered in Sam's waking thoughts, making his morning coffee taste bitter.

Sam had been standing at reception, waiting to greet a group of consultants from a major law firm that was considering partnering with the Harrington Foundation on a fundraising event. When the elevator doors opened, the last person Sam expected to see was his ex-girlfriend.