A Friendly Arrangement Read online

  Samantha, comfortably dressed in a pair of charcoal gray yoga pants and an oversized light pink T-shirt, sat at the head of the bed and looked up from the book she was reading. Her eyes widened in surprise behind her wire rimmed reading glasses, and her mouth formed a perfect O.“I forgot my robe,” he explained. For the first time in his life he felt self-conscious, with her staring at him as beads of water still dripped from his short dark hair and ran down his chest.

  They stared at each other a moment longer, then he turned and began to rummage through his top dresser drawer. He froze as his fingers brushed over something soft and lacey, and he slowly lifted it. Every man’s dream come true hung precariously from his finger tips and he bit back a groan. “Um,” he slowly turned back to face her and cleared his throat. “Somehow I don’t think this will fit me,” he said.

  She looked up again, and her mouth dropped open when she saw a pair of her black lace panties hanging from his fingertips.

  “Oh.”

  Before she could stand he merely turned and dropped the lingerie back into his drawer and tugged out a pair of satin drawstring pants.

  “I didn’t realize the maid had put them in there,” she said, biting her lower lip.

  “No problem.” He shrugged and, his back still turned to her, slid his pants on, then tugged his towel away and tossed it through the bathroom doorway.

  When he turned back to her they studied each other for a moment, then he sighed and crossed over to join her on what was now their bed. He stretched out across the wide mattress, rolled onto his back and rested his head in her lap.

  He couldn’t help but smile when he saw the plate holding a large slab of cake sitting next to her. “So, what are you reading, Mrs. Steel?”

  She fumbled slightly as she turned to the next page and looked down at him. His wet hair had already soaked her through pants, but she didn’t say anything. Her heart did that strange little flutter again at being called that for a second time. It wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

  “Um,” she shifted the book and showed him the cover, as her mind had drawn a complete blank.“ ‘What To Expect While You’re expecting’,” he read aloud. “Ah, so they do have manuals for this stuff now.” He reached up and flipped through a few of the pages, then lowered his hand again to rest on his bare chest and he frowned as a thought occurred to him. “Hey, how far along are you, anyway?” he asked, tipping his head back a little more so that he could see her.

  She sighed and lowered the book to the plush duvet. “Fourteen weeks and five days.”

  He blinked in surprise. “Wow. So, you’re going to start showing pretty soon.”

  She shrugged. “Not necessarily. Some women don’t start to show until they’re closer to twenty weeks.”

  “Huh.” He reached up and tugged gently on one of her curls. “So it really doesn’t freak you out to know that you have another human being growing inside of you?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “Actually, I feel fulfilled,” she replied, dreamily sliding her fingertips over her belly.

  He watched those long, slender fingers dance above his face and slowly lowered his hand and gently took her hand, tilted his head up and slowly brushed a kiss to each of her fingertips, lingering for a second longer on her ring finger.

  Her breath caught and he lifted his gaze back to hers. “Alex,”

  He let her hand go and looked away. “It’s strange, isn’t it? Knowing that we’re married now. It seems almost like a dream.”

  She slowly nodded as she picked up her plate and took a large bite of cake. Then, because he seemed forlorn all of a sudden, she scooped up another forkful and nudged him.

  He turned his head back and smiled when she held the fork out in offering. He opened his mouth and moaned in pleasured delight when she slid it between his lips.

  “You’re the only man I’ve ever known who enjoys chocolate almost as much a woman does,” she commented as she fed him a second bite.

  “Mm.” He swallowed and licked his lips. “There’s nothing more pleasurable than a beautiful woman or a good piece of rich chocolate, unless they’re combined.”

  “Ah,” not knowing what to say to that, she simply took another bite.

  He watched her chew contemplatively and shifted to make himself more comfortable. “So, are you going to that fund-raiser thing this Friday night?” he asked, thinking a change of subject was in order.

  She nodded and swallowed, scooping up another bite.

  He opened his mouth hopefully and she fed it to him, deciding that her stomach probably didn’t need anymore anyway. She was already beginning to feel slightly queasy again.

  “I had made plans to going. Why? Are you going?” she asked.

  He nodded and swallowed. “Of course I’m going. I can’t exactly let my new wife go all alone, now can I?” He smiled when she paused in forking up the last bit of cake and looked down at him.

  “You don’t have to go if you have other plans, Alex,” she said.

  He sat up and took the bite, then leaned forward and kissed her softly. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he murmured against her lips.

  Their eyes locked and he very slowly moved closer, slid his arms around her and carefully pulled her into his lap. She shifted and placed her hands on his chest, and closed her eyes when he nipped her lower lip between his teeth and gave it a gentle tug.

  She sighed and sank into the kiss, enjoying the combination of his flavor mixed with the chocolate, and hummed in pleasure when his tongue slipped between her lips for a deeper taste.

  They lingered over the kiss, both of them enjoying themselves, then he pulled back, slowly ending it. “I just thought that we should get that out of the way,” he mumbled as he nibbled on her full lower lip.

  “It was just kind of hanging there, wasn’t it?” she agreed, sitting back.

  He nodded and reached up to brush some of her hair back from her face. “So,”

  “So,”

  He slid his fingers over to brush against her lower lip. “It’s going to be a tougher year than I thought,” he murmured, flicking his gaze back to hers.

  She smiled and gently bit at his fingertips. His breath caught slightly in his throat when he felt the tip of her tongue brush against the tips of his fingers, and felt his body react.

  “Sami,”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said when she released his fingers.

  He took a deep breath and nodded. “Good, it was meant as one.”

  A moment passed and they simply stared at each other, then he sighed and leaned forward, kissing her quickly. “I think I’m going to go take another shower,” he told her.

  “Why?” But then she shifted and knew. “Oh.” She blushed slightly and carefully slid out of his lap.

  He moved off of the bed and her gaze drifted over him, and down. The muscles in her belly quivered and she bit her lower lip. He cleared his throat and she looked back up, her cheeks turning a brighter shade of pink.

  “No more chocolate cake for you,” she teased.

  He stared at her for a moment, then snorted out a chuckle and shook his head. “You’re mean.”

  She grinned and stretched out on her back, slowly drew her knees up and picked up the plate, swiped up a bit of the crumbs with her finger, then licked her finger clean, all the while never taking her gaze from his. “Mm. Tasty,” she purred.

  He breathed deeply, slowly let it back out as he stared at her. “Screw it.” He lunged for the bed and she shrieked with laughter as he snagged the plate and tossed it over his shoulder to the floor. They wrestled each other playfully for a few minutes, then dropped beside each other, breathless with laughter.

  A moment passed then Samantha sighed and rolled onto her stomach, her chin propped in her hand. “So, was it good for you?” she asked, reaching out to brush at his still damp hair with her free hand.

  He turned his head and grinned at her. “The best I’ve ever had,” he replied. He took a deep br
eath and released it on a gusty sigh. “In fact, I think you’ve ruined it for me. I don’t think I’ll ever have it be that earth shattering again.”

  She chuckled and leaned forward to kiss him softly. “So glad I could oblige.”

  “Mm.” He sighed again and stared up at the ceiling, twining his fingers in her hair when she snuggled against him and rested her head on his chest.

  “Aren’t you glad we didn’t just ruin it all by having sex?” she asked in a light tone.

  His fingers paused in their mindless twirling. “I’m sorry. Was sex one of my options?” he asked back. She rolled her eyes and turned her head so that her chin rested on his chest and he grinned at her. “Just clarifying for future reference.”

  “Maybe if you’re good it’ll be an option for your birthday,” she said teasingly. “But only if you’re good.”

  “And if I’m bad instead?” he asked, tugging her up so he could skim his lips over her jaw.

  “I’m not opposed to spanking when necessary,” she mumbled, her breath catching when he moved his mouth down her throat.

  He groaned and dropped his head back. “Wow. Yeah, I’m going to go take that shower now.” He eased out from under her with no small regret and sighed when she rolled onto her back again. “I don’t suppose you’d want to join me?”

  She slowly shook her head. “I’m not all that fond of cold showers,” she said.

  He let out a grunt. “That makes two of us,” he grumbled, heading for the bathroom.

  “Is it really that necessary?” she called after him, feeling a little guilty.

  “Oh, it’s necessary, trust me,” he called back, closing the door between them.

  She winced when she heard the water turn on, and gave him a lot of credit for not making a sound.

  Chapter Three

  The next several days went by in a rush. Samantha saw very little of Alex once Monday came around, as there were a few problems going on at the office, and she was still in the process of packing up her penthouse and attending her other appointments.

  When they did actually see each other it was usually when he crawled into bed and apologized for waking her. During their brief evening together on Wednesday he told her that everything went through without a hitch and all the legal documents were now in the process of being transferred into his name. And he had thanked her for all that she had done for him most enthusiastically with a long, sensuous kiss and one of the best foot rubs she’d ever had.

  Then Friday came around and Samantha began to wonder if he would have to work late again, and miss the fund-raiser. Not that she minded going alone, she’d done so before, she had just been really hoping that he could make it, as she didn’t really want to face all the nosy questions by herself.

  She was thinking about all of this and was just adding the finishing touches to her make-up when he strode quickly into their room.

  “Sami,” he called out, and a moment later he peaked his head in through the bathroom doorway. “I just need a few minutes,” he told her, then he disappeared back into their room.

  She sighed in relief and stood from the vanity, and padded barefoot out to join him. “I wasn’t sure you’d be able to make it,” she admitted as he dragged on a fresh shirt.

  “I almost didn’t.” Leaving his shirt unbuttoned he began to search through a small wooden box on top of his dresser. “Do you know what I did with my cuff-links on Saturday?”

  She stepped up to him and held her hand out, palm up.

  He looked down and sighed. “What did I ever do without you?” he asked, taking the golden links.

  “I’m not entirely sure.” She smiled teasingly when he lifted his gaze to meet hers and reached out and began to button his shirt for him as he fixed his sleeves and added the cuff-links.

  “So, how was work?”

  “Hectic.” He turned from her and began to tuck his shirt in. “The movers didn’t give you any hassle, did they?” he asked, sitting to pull on a clean pair of socks.

  Her brow furrowed and she picked up his jacket for him. “The movers came yesterday.”

  He paused in tying one of his dress shoes and looked back up to her. “They did?”

  She sighed and crossed over to him, his jacket draped over one of her slender arms, and reached out to fix his tie. “They broke my great-Aunt Millie’s Ming Vase, remember?”

  He sat back, trying to remember. “It’s been so crazy at the office, I guess my days are all mixed up together. Did you call the insurance agent about it?”

  She nodded and he did as well as he bent to finish with his shoes. He froze before he stood back up when he saw her bare feet. He frowned and lifted his gaze, finally taking in the sight of her in her evening gown. The soft pink of an apple blossom, it draped seductively over one shoulder, leaving the other bare, and was fitted snuggly, if a little sparingly, at her small, firm breasts, then fell in generous folds to the floor.

  Her long golden curls had been piled high at the crown of her head with a few loose tendrils slipping free about her face and shoulders, and a long delicate platinum chain was wound around her hair and spilled down over her shoulders. The only jewelry she wore were her traditional diamond chips at her ears and the thin golden band he had given to her a week ago.

  The combination all came together to give her the look of a Greek goddess. His system took a heavy blow and his sucked in a harsh breath. “Wow.”

  “What?” She frowned and looked down at her dress, hoping she hadn’t accidentally spilled something on it.

  “You look incredible.” His voice was a tad rough and he had to clear his throat when she looked back up to him. “Aphrodite would be jealous.”

  Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned a soft pink. “Oh. Thank you.” For some reason she had never really known what to say when he paid her a compliment, even when they were children. He smiled, and for the first time since just before his grandfather had died, it really reached his sapphire eyes, making them shine. “I’m going to be the envy of every man there,” he told her as he stepped forward and slid his arms around her waist.

  The color on her cheeks darkened a little more and she leaned up to press a quick kiss to his lips. “I can think of more than a few women who will be extremely displeased to know that you’re attached now. I’ll be the most hated woman in the ladies’ room.” She grinned as though she relished the idea and had him chuckling.

  “Well, then I guess this will only make you even more unpopular.” And he slid a hand into one of his pockets and pulled out a small black velvet box.

  “Oh,” She took a shaky breath when he handed it to her and she opened it. The pent up breath released with a whoosh when she saw the diamond and she quickly looked back up to him, her eyes wide. “Alex,”

  He merely smiled and took the box back, plucked the ring out and slid it onto her finger to accompany her wedding band. “Only the finest for my Sami,” he told her, kissing her softly.

  “It’s so big. Alex, I can’t,”

  But he stopped her by pressing a finger to her lips. “You can,” he said in a low tone. “You’re my wife, Sami. And call me territorial, but I want people to know that.”

  “But it’s so big,” she said, catching her lower lip between her teeth.

  “You don’t like it?” he asked, frowning.

  Her eyes widened. “Oh, no, it’s not that. It’s beautiful. I just, I don’t know, want to lock myself in your safe now. The value,”

  “Doesn’t matter.” He kissed her softly and stepped back. “If you’re uncomfortable wearing it, I can get you a smaller one,” but he grinned when a sudden pout came to her lips and she hugged her hand close.

  “No.” She held her hand out to admire it, then finally gave into the pure female delight at having such a stone on her finger and grinned. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Alex.” She hugged him, then stepped back to admire it again. “Tina Sanders will be positively green when she sees this.”

  He laughed and reached up t
o brush a curl from her brow. “That’s the spirit.”

  “Are you ready to go?” she asked, lifting her gaze from the diamond to meet his.

  “I am, but you’re not.” When she frowned he pointed down to her feet. “Shoes might be a good idea.”

  “Oh.” She sighed as she lifted the skirt of her dress and looked down as she wiggled her toes. “That might be a problem,” she admitted when she looked back up to him.

  “Why?”

  “Because none of my shoes actually fit me right now.”

  “Your shoes don’t,” he trailed off when she shook her head and looked down at her feet, not seeing any difference in them, and sighed. “So, what are we going to do?” he asked, looking back up to her.

  “Well, I won’t be able to do much dancing, that’s for sure. I don’t know. I guess I’ll just have to squeeze into a pair and suffer through it.” She eyed the pair she had bought to go with her dress, and grimaced. She always had to go for the strappy ones, didn’t she?

  Picking one of them up she ran a fingertip regretfully over the rhinestones that adorned the toe strap. “Prada.” She looked up to him and whimpered. “I got them on sale and everything.”

  “Do you have any others that might be a little more comfortable?” he asked, reaching out and taking hold of the shoe. She nodded, but wouldn’t let go when he went to pull it away. “Sami,”

  “Prada, Alex,”

  “I know.” He gently pried her fingers away and reached for its mate. “Go get your other shoes. We’re going to be late,” he added when she stared longingly at the ones he held.

  She pouted and trudged into the closet and came out with a pair that, except for the lack of rhinestones, looked identical to the pair he held, and he rolled his eyes.

  “I’ll put them on when we get downstairs,” she grumbled, picking up her clutch purse on her way out the door.

  He watched her go, then shook his head and dropped the shoes to the floor and followed after her, wondering, as he often did, why women were all so obsessed with shoes.