She would never admit it, but Sami gave a small scream of surprise when EJ's hand darted out to pull her into the library. Recognizing his unique masculine scent, she felt an uncontrollable flare of desire in her body, until her mind caught up. This was EJ and he had disappointed her, just like every other man in her life. Her father, Lucas even Eric had disappointed her. She didn't blame him, not really, because she was the one who had started to trust that things could be different with him.

Straightening her back, she tried to appear unaffected by the close proximity of his body, calling to mind how the blonde had been wrapped around him so passionately. It cooled her ardor considerably.

"What can I help you with?" She crossed her arms in defense against him.

He looked into her eyes, drawing back to run his hand through his hair in an obvious sign of frustration.

"For one, you can stop being so damn polite!"

"I beg your pardon? If that's what you brought me in here for EJ..." She countered turning away.

He gripped her hand, turning her back to him, as he took a deep breath.

"No, it's not. Things have not been 'good' between us since the night at the opera and I want to explain..."

"You don't owe me anything," Sami replied, eyes hard.

"But I do. Please Samantha," he begged motioning to the chair, "please sit, and hear me out."

Sami paused for a long moment before she finally nodded. She would listen, but it wouldn't change anything.

Her eyes flew to his in shock as he knelt before her, grasping her fingers in his. EJ Dimera was on his knees before her and Sami would be a liar if she didn't admit that there was something arousing in having a man this powerful, physically and in business kneeling before her. It also softened her heart that he would trust her to see him in such a vulnerable position.

"My first girlfriend was Elsa," he surprised her again with the words coming out of his mouth. "A pretty little thing with fiery red hair and green eyes. I was six and spent more time chasing her than catching her, I think. She preferred the gardener's son over me. It was my first heartbreak and I didn't even get any kisses."

Sami could feel the smile coming to her lips, but she suppressed it.

He continued, "My second girlfriend was Katherine. I was eleven that time and her kisses tasted like the mint candy she always kept in her pocket. In a right proper snog, I tried to feel her bum so she punched me, busted my lip and knocked a loose tooth out of my mouth."

Sami giggled, hand clamping over her mouth trying to stifle her mirth, but this time there was no controlling it.

EJ shrugged self-deprecatingly as he spoke again, "My third girlfriend was my final one. Isabella, an Italian beauty and she at least didn't punch me when I tried to 'cop a feel', but she also didn't punch the myriad chaps who tried, I later learned. I'd like say it was devastating or that she broke my heart, but she didn't. She just opened my eyes to the way of the world. That woman you saw, kissed me and she means nothing to me. We had an association..."

"You mean sex." Sami tried to pull back her hand, but he would not let go.

"Yes, when I was in town or she was we would meet each other."

"Nice euphemism," she scoffed, turning her head away from him.

"I don't want her anymore, I barely ever did. She was a warm body..."

"And what will I be?" She challenged meeting his eyes in anger.

"My wife and the woman I... care about." He responded earnestly, eyes filled with some emotion she refused to examine too closely. "I care so much about you, Samantha. You challenge me in ways I never knew I needed and you take care of me in the simplest ways. Despite being angry at me, you made sure I ate every day, and I know you fielded my calls so that I could get enough sleep. You've got my assistant wrapped around your finger by the way."

She was going to kill John since she had not wanted him to know. Sami had found EJ asleep in the library from sheer exhaustion, his ringing cellular not making a dent in his sleep and so she had picked it up organizing when John could call back to ensure he got some rest.

"Samantha, I don't want Nicole or anyone else, I want you and I want the life we can have together. So let's forget about the agreement, forget about getting married in a few days."

"You already gave the fifty thousand..." She answered, unsure what he was getting at.

"You can have millions more," he answered offhandedly.

"EJ!"

"You can have access to it all," her fiancé said determined and Sami believed him, "if you'll give me a chance."

Pausing to gather her thoughts, she thought about all EJ had offered, how he laid it all in front of her, literally at her feet. It was uncharacteristic behavior. Never had she seen anyone make them self so vulnerable and looking at him she knew then, she had equal opportunity to break him as he did her. As crazy as it was, it was a relief his shoulders slumped a little lower the longer she remained silent.

"So..." She spoke, heart racing in her ears as she prayed she wasn't making the wrong choice, "you want me to be your girlfriend?"

With a full laugh, he pulled her from the chair body falling unceremoniously on top of his as he laughed at her resulting glare.

"I'd love to have you as my girlfriend," the Dimera heir smiled at her, kissing away her pout. Putting on an American accent, he spoke, "I'll even let you wear my letterman jacket."

Sami giggled, because his American drawl was so badly done, but still she played along fluttering her eyelashes, "That'll be a first. I've never had a boyfriend to give me his letterman jacket before."

It was only after the shocked look on his face, Sami realized what she had said and cursed herself. She tried to pull away to stand immediately, but again, he wouldn't let her go.

"You've never had a boyfriend? But, how? You were married!" His face was adorably confused.

Sami wanted to flee, had the urge to put fifteen feet and a locked room between her and this conversation, but EJ had done his baring so it was time for hers.

"Lucas and I weren't together. We just got married after... after I got pregnant."

"Oh," his retort was soft and Sami fought viciously not to free herself.

Standing on her own two feet finally, she shouted, "Now you think I'm a slut, great, but you remember this, EJ Dimera, you've got no place to judge me! I only ever had sex the one time and you know what? Health class was right."

"You've only ever had sex once," his voice was still soft.

"That's seriously what you got from that?"

"Darling," he drew her into his arms despite her resistance, "you're right I can't judge. I was just surprised. You were married for ten years and you never..."

She shook her head in response, calming a little.

She almost didn't catch his words as he muttered, "Your husband must have been an imbecile."

"Look, sweetheart," he said, tipping her chin up so he could look into her eyes, "we'll take things as slow as you need, do the girlfriend, boyfriend bit for a while and see. I'm not going anywhere and if there's anything else you want to tell me I'm more than willing to listen."

Sami immediately thought of Luciano and the evidence safely hid in a secret panel she had discovered in her room. No, she wouldn't bring EJ into that. So instead of answering, she buried her head against his chest and soaked in his warmth and acceptance.