Chapter 4
For years, she'd hoped for a someday with Jack where they would be free to share everything with each other. Until recently, she found that hope of a someday enough. This year, the reality that a someday might never happen had hit her over and over again. Now, she didn't want to wait any more. She put everything she'd prepared back in the refrigerator and turned off the kitchen light. Dinner could wait.
She heard the shower running as she walked down the hall. Excitement and anxiety grew in her as she neared his bedroom. She heard him humming Winter Wonderland as she searched for a towel and she stifled a giggle. Once a towel had been located, she stripped off her clothes and wrapped the towel around herself. Taking a quick glance at herself in the nearly fogged over mirror, she opened the door to the shower.
At first, Jack was startled and took a defensive posture. Then the look of shock transformed as his mind deciphered the scene before him. He straightened his posture and reached a hand out toward her and the look on his face sent shivers down her spine. She lifted her chin slightly and met his intense gaze with her own. Then she took hold of his hand, let the towel drop and stepped into the shower with him.
She closed the door with her trailing hand as she hesitated slightly. She read his expression and knew immediately that he had misinterpreted her hesitation. He was asking her with his eyes if she was sure about what she was doing. She smiled to reassure him and then slowly moved her chilled body into his steamy embrace. When their bodies contacted, his understanding of her hesitation became crystal clear. He shivered and smiled and then guided her under the stream of steamy water.
Sam was unprepared for the rush of emotions that accompanied their lovemaking. It had been a very long time, nearly a year, since she had last made love to anyone. Her time with Pete had been lovely, but nothing like this. With Pete she was always hiding…her work, the fact that no matter how hard she tried, thoughts of Jack invaded every moment she spent with him.
With Jack, there was no hiding, no holding back. She had longed for this and fantasized about this for longer than she wanted to admit. And it was more than she could have hoped for. He was stronger than she thought, more tender than even she imagined. She was thankful for the shower as the water masked the tears she could no longer hold back.
When the water began to turn cold, they exited the shower, dried each other off and continued their tender ministrations to each other in his bed. And it was there that she finally said the three words she had longed to say for so many years.
She whispered, "I love you," to him as they lay on their sides, face to face, arms and legs entangled. The expression on his face nearly caused her heart to burst. He smiled, but his eyes were moist and he stroked her cheek as he opened his mouth. Then he closed his eyes and mouth and she could feel his frustration. "It's okay," she whispered, as she stroked his cheek with her fingers. "Someday…" she began, but a lump rose up in her throat. She swallowed it but managed to get out, "…soon."
Then her stomach growled. She giggled and felt relief wash over her as the weight of their emotions was lifted. "So," she said, unable to keep from grinning, "let's go make that dinner, shall we? You must be hungry."
They spent the remainder of the day cooking, eating, and cuddling in front of the fireplace and tree. They turned in rather early, and Sam was surprised to find that Jack had tidied the bedroom and had put fresh sheets on the bed. They made love long into the wee hours of the morning until they were both sated and exhausted. Then they fell into a peaceful contented slumber.