Chapter 11

"Sam, you have nothing to feel guilty about honestly I think what you said was extremely appropriate. She was basically goading you into what you said. I'm glad you said something because I was about to open my mouth and give her a piece of my mind or worse You actually beat me to it and thank God you did because I don't know if I would've been able to control myself. Besides, I like a woman can handle herself in all kinds of situations. It's really sexy." Jason said with a huge grin on his face.

Sam immediately became uncomfortable she needed to change the direction of this conversation before it got any more heated, especially when he was looking at her like a predator ready to pounce on his dinner.

"I think I found the counterfeit drugs that Karpov has been selling. I was able to open one of the crates and there were all kinds of different pills of various shapes, sizes, and colors." Sam said hurriedly.

Jason was not expecting this, "When did this happen?"

A couple weeks ago, right before you left for Connecticut. I was going to tell you, but then that DNA test results thing happened, and I was so angry you that it just slipped my mind. Or maybe I was keeping it from you, I don't know." Sam said.

"Do you realize how much danger you put yourself in?" Jason asked heatedly.

"Of course I'm aware, and anyway, didn't you just tell me that you like it when I am independent and stand up for myself. Or was I just hallucinating?" Sam said, voice rising,

"This situation is completely different." Jason said.

"Really, how is it different because you say so, is that how it's different? I remember staying up many nights wondering where you were even when you were just doing a job for Sonny; I was worried that something was going to happen to you." Sam said, desperate for him to understand.

"When I take those risks, the only person I really have to worry about is me." Jason said trying to explain the situation.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about, our relationship isn't equal. You don't seem to understand that if something were to happen to you that the person you're with would be virtually destroyed. So you make the decision for the person and tell them that this is the way it's going to be." I don't think I'm strong enough to do that again. It nearly killed me the last time." Sam said in a small voice.

The car ride home to Jason's apartment was tense and silence. Instead of going back to the apartment, Jason decided to go up onto the roof instead. To think about what transpired in one day. He really wanted their relationship to work. Because he knew he would never love anyone as much as he loved Sam. She was the other half of his soul, and he was terrified that he was going to mess it up again. At times he knew he could act like an egotistical jerk. It seemed he had a knack for it. He would just have to control his temper and change his ways. He knew he could do it; he would do it for himself and Sam and the life that they were going to build together.

Sam had a hard time sleeping at night in the guest room; it was disturbing that Jason still had that effect on her. No one had ever elicited that kind of passion from her. If she wasn't careful, she would be pulled back into Jason's world and completely lose everything that she had gained since their breakup.

The next morning, the tension between them was palpable. They both clearly understood that one wrong move on either of their parts; the relationship that they rebuilt could implode.

They both decided that the best thing they could do was sit down on the couch and watch television, Jason really wasn't particularly interested in what was on. He was too busy strategizing a plan to get Sam to talk to him again. A short time later Jason got the break he needed. Sam turned off the television and sighed. It was too early to turn in for the night.

She decided to go to into the kitchen and grab herself a beer. She looked toward the couch only to see Jason approaching the pool table.

"You want a beer?" Sam asked quirking a brow.

"Yes please thank you." Jason said.

Sam grabbed two beers from the refrigerator, grabbed the bottle opener from the counter she walked over to Jason uncorked both bottles and handed one to Jason. She walked to the wall and picked up a pool stick.

"Mind if I join you?" Sam asked.

"Nope." Jason replied.

"What are we playing?" Sam asked, watching Jason gather the balls.

"Straight pool." He replied, racking up the balls.

"You break first since you're injured." Sam said simply.

After a couple of shots Jason finally scratched, sizing up the game she saw an easy move , and sunk one of the balls. Unfortunately, she proceeded to scratch the very next shot, barely missing the ball.

"Ouch." Jason said.

Sam looked up worriedly.

"I hate it when that happens." Jason said with a small smile.

It immediately bothered Sam at Jason's poor choice of words; all he was trying to do was get a rise out of her. He could get under her skin instantly. If she wasn't in love with him, she'd probably kill him.

She then decided that the best course of action was to indulge in a bubble bath it was a good thing that she packed a bag with the essentials, after finding out that she would need to be Jason's nursemaid for the next two weeks. After alerting Max that she was going to be unavailable for some time, she headed upstairs into the guest room to retrieve the items that were essential for her bath. Upon entering the bathroom, leaving the door open a crack, she proceeded to light some vanilla scented candles, turn on her favorite jazz CD, then turning on the hot water in the tub that doubled as a Jacuzzi dropped some jasmine salts into the tub and added a splash of bubble bath, finally satisfied she undressed and placed herself in the relaxing water and let her tension evaporate from her body closing her eyes she leaned back and just enjoyed the sensation.

Downstairs, Jason began to wonder exactly what was going on. Sam hadn't said a word to him since the pool game then she disappeared over twenty minutes ago. He debated whether or not to go searching for her.

He decided to head upstairs and change his clothes and then do some of the paperwork that had accumulated over the last couple weeks while he was preoccupied with helping Sam.

Taking the stairs two at a time, upon reaching the landing the familiar scent of jasmine assaulted his nose this caused his heart rate to triple in a matter of seconds. He most definitely knew where Sam was now. As he continued toward the master bedroom, a million scenarios entered his mind. What was he supposed to do now? Would he do the gentlemanly thing and completely ignore the fact that Sam was indulging in a bubble bath in the guest bathroom, or would he listen to his body's desire for her?