Chapter Fourteen – A Time to Run For Cover
Finding the bar packed, this early in the evening amazed Sam. "Is it this way all night?"
"It was last night. That's why I thought you were an illusion. I was so tired I barely made it up the stairs. I knew seeing you in my bed had to be exhaustion."
"From the work out you gave me, I don't think exhaustion was your problem."
"Maybe not." Her smile signaled agreement. It had taken her a long time to decide she really wanted a chance with Sam and even longer to get around his wariness of her, but after they finally got together…for Andy, a day without Sam was a day without sunshine. Just hearing his voice on the phone was never enough.
"Let me introduce you to Marissa before I get my apron and get to work. And Jimmy, let me remind you, Joe had decided I really know my firearms."
"I am ever mindful of that." Sam answered with as much seriousness as he could muster.
The woman he saw behind the bar was surely a looker. Maybe ten years older than Andy with worldliness she would probably never have. Andy had described her as a barracuda. Sam wondered if she was really a man eater or simply a woman who took advantage of her natural attributes to earn a good living at an honest job, if she happened to snag a rich husband in the process, good for her.
He could appreciate the push-up bra. That piece of lingerie had to have been invented by a man. The fact that her white shirt simply didn't seem to have as many buttons as Andy's did allowed an appealing view. Her hair had more highlights and more curls. Her make-up was heavier. Two years ago, Sam would have entertained thoughts of the fun she would be to play with. Tonight he looked at the two women and knew, for him, there was no comparison.
Marissa spotted them standing at the end of the bar and headed their way. Watching her, Sam thought maybe man eater wasn't a bad evaluation. She had seen both of them but at that instant she erased Andy from her field of vision and focused 100% on Sam. She extended her hand to him as she approached.
Funny how, unless you're totally pissed, if someone sticks their hand out to you, your hand seems to grab hold automatically. She wrapped her left hand over his. This was no handshake. She was holding his hand with both of hers and smiling into his eyes. "Wow!" Her long lashes gave him a wave before continuing, "When Carol said she had a boyfriend, I never pictured you. You are defiantly…not a boy." She cocked her head, leaned back a bit and looked Sam up and down. The look started at his feet, paused briefly from time to time on its path up his body, finally settling on his eyes. She didn't break eye contact when she asked. "Carol, what did you say this doll's name was?"
"Jimmy…, Jimmy Teah." Andy should have said more.
"Well, Jimmy…, I can see now why she hasn't taken advantage of any offers she's gotten here. What I want to know is, are you open to offers?" She smiled seductively, "I have a couple in mind that might interest you." Sam was so totally taken, he had no intention of accepting but he wasn't averse to hearing what she had to say. It was like when you have a 55 inch LCD high def set at home and someone offers you a 55 inch Plasma. You know you aren't buying but you want to hear the deal anyway.
Andy stood there, watching the carrying on, and got madder by the minute. She had several options. Scratching the woman's eyes out, held the most appeal. It was such a bad idea, but she enjoyed the thought before discarding it. She could run, cry, or cuss; all showed a weakness she had no intention of displaying. Instead she squared her shoulders; Andy McNally was trained in the art of taking control of a situation, usually without shooting someone. She took control. "Why Marissa, what a tease you are. Pay her no attention, Jimmy. She tells all the guys that and you should see the tips she gets." Andy's smile was big. Getting control of a situation is smile worthy. "I know you need to get back to your customers. Let me get my man something to drink before I lend you a hand." Having dismissed the other woman, Andy turned to Sam. "What can I get you to drink, Darling?" Her tone was sweet and loving, the look she gave him wasn't.
He smiled at her sheepishly. He needed a drink and he probably needed to put some distance between them. Right now she could kill him, with pleasure. By the time she got a break and came to check on him, she would be calmer. At least, he hoped, she'd be calmer. The bartender might not fare as well
"Is a beer good?"
"Sounds good." He could have added, 'and a double shot of Scotch,' but he thought better of it.
Andy got the beer. Sam thanked her and executed a strategic retreat. She got her apron and got to work. Marissa smiled to herself. She could tell Carol was mad. She'll get over it or not. Let's face it, I did her a favor. If that man of hers was going to stray while she was standing there, better to know it now. He's cute, but the poor schmuck was so tongue tied he couldn't speak. He might have been a player once, but he sure isn't now. The bar was busy, Andy was a fast learner and the women had no real need for conversation.
It was almost 8PM before Andy took a break and carried Sam a beer. He was slouched in the chair he had pointed out on their way in. The binder, open in his lap, and his obvious concentration was a testament to his job dedication. She was directly in front of him before he looked up. "Hi."
"Hi yourself. How's it coming?" Tension…
He shut the binder and put it on the table next to the chair. He reached for the beer. It went on the table as well. When he leaned forward, got her arm and pulled her into his lap, she was surprised. "Sam!"
He didn't mention her error. Undercover wasn't foremost on his mind. "I love you…and I do not want you mad at me." He emphasized each word. He wanted no misunderstanding about the way he felt.
"I'm not mad, I'm disappointed." She saw his face fall.
"That's not fair." The dismay in his voice was plain. "I did nothing to encourage that woman."
"Exactly, you did nothing. You didn't tell her to stop, nothing… you did nothing."
"This excuse sounds lame to me, but it's the truth. I was so amazed she came on to me so hard, with you standing right there, I was speechless." He paused to gauge her reaction. She wasn't struggling to get up and she wasn't calling him a liar or a coward, so he continued. "Besides, you handled her better than I ever could." The look on her face told him he had scored a hit. He was smart enough to know to stop when he was ahead.
"I certainly did, An…Carol Marcus, situation handler." She rested her head on the chair back next to his and enjoyed the warmth and closeness of him. Sam smiled, Disaster averted.
Andy was past the mad when she went back to work. Marissa did give her a couple of pointers on drinks she was making and Andy didn't bite her head off. She managed to get into the lobby a couple of hours later. He welcomed the beer and would have welcomed some conversation but the lounge was so busy she couldn't stay. They traded the full bottle for his empty one and got in a quick kiss. She was graced with a flash of dimples and a wink. She had turned her back before the yawn appeared.
Business slowed somewhat before the midnight closing. By the time the last patron staggered out and off to their room, the whole crew was busy cleaning up, stocking up and closing up. Andy made it into the lobby to collect Sam shortly thereafter. The beer bottle was empty, the binder was closed in his lap, and his long day had gotten the better of him. He was sleeping peacefully.
She considered calling out to him but the thought of being close to him was compelling. She squatted down next to the chair on the side opposite the table, leaned into his neck and whispered. "I love you."
Apparently he hadn't been as asleep as she thought or maybe he had Andy radar. His hand slid into her hair along her neck line and he pulled her face around so he could see her. "You are the fourth woman to say that to me while I've been sitting here." He said with such seriousness, she believed him at first, but only at first.
"Only four, it must have been a slow night." She observed.
"A little slow, you could say that." He replied.
"Spent some time in the elevator, did you? Thanking those ladies who love you."
"Not in the elevator!"
"I knew that. You have way to much class. I just meant... all the rooms are above this floor."
"Right… In the rooms… Well I was grateful…" He said.
"And, how are the rooms?" She asked.
"You know, beds and broads, they're all the same."
Andy had to chuckle. They could pursue a charade with ease. They were fun and often something absolutely priceless was said. "I hope all that appreciation didn't wear you out. Tell me you have some left for me."
"Wear me out, are you kidding? I was just practicing."
"Practicing, were you? Did you perfect any new tricks?" She asked.
"You are just going to have to wait and see. Is the anticipation killing you?" He asked.
"Yeah, that and my feet."
"Let's get you home." He got out of the chair, tucked the binder under one arm and Andy under the other. Together they made their way to the parking garage.
When they were all strapped in and the car was purring, he asked the important question. "Did you validate my ticket?"
She laughed and dug the parking ticket out of her pants. "Is this the ticket you're asking about?"
"One of them."
"This one has been validated. When I validate the other one, you won't have to ask." She bragged.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"So am I."
The Bishop's home was barely more than ten minutes from the Hilton in the early morning hours of Thursday. Andy could have leaned back against the leather seats and relaxed, but the car was so cozy and private and Sam was so appealing. She knew what part of the evening was coming up but she didn't want to wait. Her hand sliding up his thigh was the first warning that he had about ten minutes of sweet torment in store.
He could have switched to thoughts of cool mountain streams but lack of control was not a problem he experienced. Andy pushed that control to its limits but still…her attention was always welcome. They did have rules and although she was willing to break them; he was not. Love making was a two person event. One member putting in all the effort and the other getting all the pleasure was not an option Sam accepted with her. She didn't know if he ever had and she didn't want to know.
Her hand stroked his thigh before moving to the fly on his trousers. Her touch was soft but persistent. The attention was immediately rewarded with a response. His arousal was not unexpected and why it put her in a reflective mood wasn't really important, it just did. She moved her hand up, wrapped it around his waist and put her head on his chest. Bucket seats kept snuggling to a minimum but she managed. The game was on hold.
"Are you alright, Andy?"
"I love you; I'd love you even if you didn't love me." She didn't lift her head as she spoke. He could feel her heads movement against his chest, but when he looked down all he saw was her hair cascading around her face.
"But I do love you." He assured.
"I know. I'm just saying." She wasn't disputing his words. She just wanted him to know, in case.
"Don't talk like that. I'm not going to not love you." You could hear his sincerity but it didn't stop her from saying….
"I'd love you anyway. No matter what, I'd love you." She paused briefly before adding, "I just wanted you to know." She said nothing more. Her arm remained tightly wrapped around his waist and her head remained on his chest. Sam's arm rested across her back as he drove thought the Buffalo night. He had expected to be tormented on this ride, but not this way.
When he put his hand back on the shifting knob, ran through the gears and pulled the car to the curb in front of the Bishops, Andy sat back up and smiled.
"I believe you made me some promises earlier."
"And they were?" he asked.
"Showing me some new tricks you practiced. You weren't teasing, were you?"
"Never, I even have some old tricks I might share with you."
"In that case, what are you waiting for? I've had a busy day and I need a good night's sleep. Tomorrow I'm going to learn how to drive this beauty." She patted the dash, opened the door and started her trip to the best part of her evening.
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