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

Chapter 20

Ali watched Sam as he downed another shot with his cousin. The two men grinned like idiots at each other laughing at some inside joke they shared.

It had taken Ali more than a moment to recover after the fantastic orgasm Sam provided only a short time ago. The thought of Sam's flushed skin burning against hers in the sweet afterglow made her insides clench. Sam made the moments after making love almost as amazing as the act itself. As soon as Jack had his needs met, he would discard Ali as quickly as one tosses a used paper towel once their hands are dry. Post sex with the string of paramours when she was single was a sprint to escape their presence and any hint of intimacy.

It was another world with Sam. He held her close, as the spasms rippled through her body and until her heart stopped slamming inside her chest. Strong hands traced her skin above her collar bone, down her arms, along her back, sometimes drawing slow circles that caused Ali to tingle over and over. Soft kisses accompanied by sweet nothings and I love you's buzzing into her ear intimately. Ali consistently felt adored.

And once she recovered her senses, Ali also got the pleasure of returning the sensation. Placing her hand on Sam's chest until the beating rhythm underneath it returned to normal. Exploring his body, the small brown freckle on his shoulder, that matched the fine flecks in his green eyes that were only visible when Ali was this close to him. She could get lost for hours in Sam's eyes, in those vulnerable moments.

But the bathroom of a club was not the place to languish for hours. Too soon, they separated, putting clothing back on, fixing hair and trying to look normal. Even so, after returning from the bathroom, Ali didn't want any more alcohol, she was too high on life itself.

Back with the group, Ali was seated on the couch opposite the men with Emily at her side. "I have never seen Sam so happy," Emily called into her ear.

Ali looked into the soft grey eyes of her new friend and smiled at her. It was a rare thing for Ali to put her trust in another person, never mind a stranger. Somehow, she had an instant bond with this woman that made Ali want to tell her things, get her opinion, believe in her.

"He deserves it." Things had turned out for the best in the end, but it had been a rocky start to the evening.

Standing in that alcove with the hostess watching their every move, Ali had wanted so badly to reach up and remove the worried crease that had formed on Sam's forehead. She always knew how stressed he was about something by the depth of that crinkle. At that moment it was a crater, marring Sam's beautiful face. Still, Ali hadn't been prepared for the onslaught of words that hit her when they were finally alone in that elevator.

As Sam had apologized, Ali felt a mixture of relief and glee. The whole incident with the press on the way into the club had thrown her off, getting hot and cold readings off of Sam's body language. When the reporter asked her point-blank about her feelings for Sam, she came up with the witty reply to buy herself and Sam some time.

For days now, since her ex-husband had interrupted their blissful lives, Sam had stuck by Ali like she was a fragile sculpture that needed a surround of bubble wrap lest she break. She was grateful for his support, the comfort of his arms, it meant the world to her.

But Ali wondered how long he would want to keep it up. Being hounded by Jack Blackhorne took its toll. Ali knew from first-hand experience.

At some point, her situation would bore Sam and he would want to move on. She worried that time could be now. He was home, back in the fold of his family and friends. Back to his old routine, like going clubbing with his cousin. Since the news of the interview broke, Sam had held her, yes, but besides that, he had barely touched her. Had his interest in her waned?