"Samantha, always a pleasure." A voice came from behind her.

"I wish I could say the same," Sami shot back, shoulders stiffening as she turned to take in Luciano Silvero, "but as I often pray for brimstone and hellfire to fall on your head, that would be a lie."

"At least you're honest. I hear that counts for something." The man stepped closer and she had to fight the urge to retreat and instead faced him head on. Men like 'Lucky Skids' thrived on fear and intimidation.

"Is that what you're here for? To secure your place at the pearly gates because if so, I gotta tell you, the big guy is not too fond of racketeering as a life choice."

He cracked a smile, but even then on him, it was slimy. Luciano was the man on whom all mobster movies were made, a walking, talking cliche of balding head, the few remaining strands, slicked back with way too much gel, bushy eyebrows, dark eyes and rounded middle encased in an expensive suit. He even had a massive ring on his pinky finger.

"Speaking of, my man tells me you've suddenly come into money."

"You needn't worry, Lucky."

"I'm never worried, but judging by the jewels you're sporting someone else should be," He smirked, "if you're selling why not to the one you owe?"

"You bastard."

"Have I offended your delicate sensibilities, cara? Your last husband was uninspired," His eyes trailed up her body, "pity for a woman like you, you've done it again."

"Oh, EJ is very inspired… where it counts," She gave a smirk of her own.

Sami took note as he stiffened in place, "Dimera?"

"You've heard of him,"She remarked dryly watching the man, but whatever was there before was gone in a second. "You'll get your money and then I won't ever have to see your face again."

He laughed as if it was all a big game, as she walked away, but this time it didn't sound confident, but strained.

Sami made sure that she was not being watched as she circled back outside through another door. Creeping she watched as Luciano pulled out his phone, his voice low, but fierce as he spoke.

"You fucking idiot," he hissed at the person on the other end. "You didn't tell me the Brady bitch was marrying Dimera."

Sami's eyes widened. What the…

Before she could hear more, a hand on her arm made her jump.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Startling, she found herself dragged off by EJ holding her arm in a vise-like grip.

"Nothing. What is your problem?" She feigned non-chalance hoping he hadn't seen what she was doing.

"Samantha," he growled as he pulled her back into the ballroom. Conscious of the people on the inside, he didn't stop until they were by the coat check. Sami was cursing the absent attendant as EJ shoved her into the room with all the guests' coats.

Sami yanked her hand away from his, facing him down as he crowded her in the dark room.

"Do not test me. I don't want you anywhere near that man." EJ was right in her face.

"What man?"

"Samantha…" He growled again and Sami had the fleeting thought that she should not find this sexy.

"I'm not stupid, EJ." She tried to shove his huge body out of the way, but it was like trying to move a brick wall. His arms came up, trapping her against the door. "I'm a private investigator…"

"Over my dead body, you will be investigating the mob!"

"I'm not investigating anyone." She lied, knowing that if EJ knew the truth, he would flip. "I was simply using the opportunity that presented itself."

"Don't!"

"Or what? We might be getting married EJ Dimera, but don't think you can control my life…"

It seemed EJ was done with words. Sami's body stiffened in shock as his lips crashed against hers, but soon she was surrendering, mouth open hands clawing at his back as he devoured her. They collided in a maelstrom of heat, feeling, touching, the pent up frustration of their fight, the erotic sensuality of their dance exploding in that moment. EJ was a man on a mission, and in a move that stole the breath from her lips, his hands reached down to grasp her legs before lifting her against the door, wrapping them around his back. Sami moaned as his fingers moved away the fabric of her dress, dancing up her thighs before coming to rest on the barely there lace panties she wore, his thumb trailing a path along the rapidly dampening barrier.

"EJ," She whispered as he played with the edge.

Gasping for breath, her hips shifted toward him, seeking, searching for more. She needed more. Sami saw his grin as her whimpers became groans, but she was too far gone to care. His body held hers against the hard door, pressing intimately, his hardness pressed up against her as his fingers finally made their way under her panties and traced a line through her heat.

"EJ," She cried out his name again, loving the feel of him, but wanting all he could give her.

Sami grabbed him, her fingers digging into his ass as she sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, laving it with her tongue. She could feel his growl vibrating in his chest as he circled her opening, but the banging on the door startled them both into a halt.

Chest heaving against her own, fingers between her legs, he bent his head to nip at the tops of her breasts, the pleasure pain increasing her frustration.

"This isn't over," he whispered and Sami was inclined to agree.

EJ kissed her one more time, as he placed her on her feet, allowing her to set herself to rights before he opened the door.