Marina blew out her match when she lit the last candle in her house upon seeing her whole home glow in the soft light. She remembered she got these lovely homemade candles from her former in-laws and was saving them for a special occasion. What occasion is better than having an evening with the man she loves? Marina checked back to the kitchen one last time as she smoothed out a wrinkle of the linen tablecloth to make sure the food was still warm under the covers, and sure enough it was.
"Skirt steak and grilled vegetables, our first family meal." Marina thought to herself, remembering that night with her pregnant belly. Shaking the thought from her head, she rushed to the mirror by her front door to examine herself. Marina unconsciously smoothed out any so-called wrinkles from the dress she was wearing, smiling when she twirled.
"Green, like his eyes." Marina thought to herself, remembering when she made this formal dress for a date night she and Mitchell were going to have, but the dress suddenly felt more meaningful knowing it would be a date night with Sam. Marina then reached for the glimmer of gold around her neck, tracing the pendant with a finger. It was a small, sentimental item, but Marina could feel the love Sam had in it, and the love his mother had for those around her from it. She sighed, closing her eyes and bowing her head slightly, remembering how vulnerable Sam made himself to her, and blushed how Sam needed her as much as he wanted her.
"I'll be here for you, Sam. I won't use you or abandon you. Your heart had endured so much." Marina promised herself, and also promised herself to be a good girl, knowing Sam is already a nervous man.
Soon the house's silence was filled with the sound of the door buzzer, and her heart leapt as she sauntered to the door and answered it. There he was, right at her doorstep to see her. Marina took in Sam, resisting the urge to melt to the floor. Sam was wearing a full on suit with a clean-pressed collared shirt. What amused Marina was the green tie, and handkerchief in his pocket, which reminded her of his armor. Aside from how Sam's muscles filled out the suit, Marina also noticed how his hair was not in a tail; his sleek hair was down with a few strands framing his face in the front. Another change was the lack of makeup, Sam's cross scar was visible shamelessly, which made Marina's heart thrum with pride. What stuck out most to her was his smile; the way Sam smiled at her like this was something Marina has never seen before, and in response she leapt into his waiting arms, then Sam spun her around before carrying her inside.
"Hello, Sam, welcome in." Marina greets as Sam sets her down so she can close the door. She watched as he set his bag down, then he returned his attention to her. Marina watched as Sam's hands found their way to her hands, and grasped them, causing Marina to return her gaze to the blushing man before her. Sam leaned in slowly, touching his forehead to hers as his hands went up her arms, to her shoulders, then would cradle her head as he angled his head for a kiss.
Marina sighed sadly when Sam pulled away, missing his warm embrace, wanting him to return to her. He never stopped smiling as he used his thumb to gently stroke her flushed cheeks.
"Marina, you look absolutely beautiful tonight. You're glowing like an angel." Marina responded by giggling while cupping his cheek with her hand.
"You look so fierce and handsome tonight Sam. You're looking beautiful tonight, too." Sam simply chuckled, shaking his head.
"Impossible, because no one can be as beautiful as you." Marina didn't know if she could blush anymore than she was already, but she never stopped smiling as Sam took in his surroundings. "You have a comfortable home, Marina. You put in the effort to make it special for us. Thank you." Marina beamed, grasping Sam's hand in one and his bag in the other.
"Now come, dinner is served."
---
Sam would be lying if he said that temptation wasn't there. It was all around them, in everything they did, everything they thought, even everything they say. He had thought by blessing the amazing dinner Marina prepared they would be safe, and they would be fine with each other. Sam didn't think he'd be this wrong in his life.
Marina was glowing tonight in so many ways. Her eyes sparkled in a familiar way that only Sam knew, her cheeks flushed a deep pink that the glow of the candle seemed to mask despite her body language betraying her. Something else Sam noticed was the smaller details about Marina, such as her delicately shaped face, how broad her shoulders are despite the petite frame, and how small her lips were. He sighed reverently, reaching out to hold her hand in his, stroking her knuckles with his thumb. It was all he could do to ignore the voice at the back of his head, and the incessant want in his loins.
"Marina, I have an idea." She tilted her head in response, her curiosity piqued.
"Oh? What bright idea has sprouted in that incredible brain of yours?" Sam let out a breathy chuckle in response to Marina's flirty question. She is very playful tonight.
"I propose a fun game with the dessert I prepared just for you, my mother's recipe." Marina beamed in response, eagerly nodding like an excited child.
"I'd like that."
---
If Sam wasn't the embodiment of a perfect gentleman, then Marina wasn't sure who or what defined that. Sam pulled out a chair for her, pushed her in; he took her hands in his and prayed for their meal; he even took their dishes upon finishing, rinsed them, and placed them in the dishwasher before returning his attention to her. Marina had a brief flashback, remembering how Mitchell wasn't one for selfless, romantic gestures. She couldn't remember how she truly felt loved, felt like she was a woman who was appreciated and taken care of by her husband.
"Husband... it seemed like a lifetime ago since I went through Hell, and a lifetime ago since Sam carried me away from the brink like a knight in shining armor." Marina thought as she lost herself in Sam's dark eyes. Mentally she kicked herself for not taking in the smaller details of Sam, but remembered why because she would've had a hard time restraining herself. Sam's caramel colored skin glowing by candle light reminded her of a fire, because passion burned bright in his eyes, as well as his heart and love. He was such a sight to look at, and a beacon in the dark. Marina noticed how sharp his features really were, including his high and prominent cheekbones, his strong jaw, how a dark aura is able to surround him when he is being dangerously flirtatious.
Sam mystified Marina in ways she never thought she'd crave, and it superseded the small selfless things he did. The hooded look in his eyes as he stared at her longingly and lovingly was able to mask his evident desire. Marina felt bad for thinking what she was thinking, but Sam was looking incredibly dark, sexy, and sensuous tonight, and she wanted to know the depth of his love, and how happy she makes him.
"Marina, I have an idea." Marina's lips quirked up, wondering what Sam was thinking.
"Oh? What bright idea has sprouted in that incredible brain of yours?" Marina could feel the barrier slowly breaking down between the two of them, even from something as innocent as playful banter.
"I propose a fun game with the dessert I prepared just for you, my mother's recipe." Marina couldn't stop herself from smiling, wanting to know what else Sam had in store.
"I'd like that."
YOU ARE READING
Running From Your Shadows
Fanfiction(Locus x F!OC, I will address Locus primarily as Sam unless its a situation) Finally, after freeing himself from the toxic partnership with Felix, Samuel "Locus" Ortez has been going about the galaxy in search of himself, of redemption, and a new pu...
