Jarrod trudged downstairs to his library slowly while nursing a rather bad headache. Charles had already mixed up some water and headache powders for his employer and Jarrod hoped the mixture would be kicking in soon. He sat down heavily at his desk and looked at the envelope once again.

Charles entered the library and felt sorry for his employer. It was almost dawn before Jarrod had arrived home and it was obvious he had drank entirely too much. But it was also evident Jarrod had a good time with Ms. Samantha although she wasn't with him. Charles put the coffee cup in front of Jarrod along with some toast.

Jarrod mumbled, "Thank you Charles," as he rubbed his throbbing temple. Charles nodded and left.

Jarrod once again picked up the envelope and wondered what was in it. He was certain Archer sent it to him since he hadn't recognized the writing. Jarrod sighed as he sipped the coffee and nibbled on the toast.

He leaned back in his chair willing the headache to go away but it had been worth it. The opera was magical and they had enjoyed it immensely. Sam was shocked when Jarrod took her to the box seats and even more so when he took her backstage to meet the singers. A few of the performers had been taken with Sam but she made it perfectly clear to them who she was with much to Jarrod's delight.

The singers were having a party afterwards to celebrate the successful opening night and had invited the couple to attend. Jarrod really didn't want to go but it was obvious Sam did. He now wished he would have declined their invite but he knew Sam had enjoyed herself and wondered if she was feeling as bad as he was this morning. He would call on her later today to see how she was feeling.

Jarrod sighed as he picked up the envelope once again and looked at it; may as well get this over with he thought.

Jarrod tore open the envelope to find a few contracts to his surprise. He glanced over the top one and it was for the Barkley Sierra Mining contract and he wondered why Archer or Nick had sent it to him. He looked at the other contract and it was Phil's contract that he assumed he had drawn up when Nick hired him. A smaller envelope fell out of the contracts and Jarrod picked it up and opened it.

It was a letter addressed to him from Phil Archer. What in the world Jarrod thought.

Jarrod read the letter as he drank his coffee and ate the toast.

Mr. Jarrod T. Barkley,

I am not sure if you have been notified regarding my recent employment as the Barkley Attorney. I have enclosed a copy of the contract Nick Barkley and myself have come up with regarding my employment for you to approve and/or make changes to. I have also enclosed the contract for Barkley Sierra Mines for you to browse over. I have made a few changes from the original contract and would like for you to either approve or once again make the necessary changes as you see fit.

Thank You,

Phillip Archer

Jarrod wasn't sure what to think of the letter from Archer. It appeared he was trying to be courteous but Jarrod was still suspicious of the man. He knew the Barkley Sierra contract was coming up but not for a few more weeks so he put those back on his desk and picked up the contract for Archer's employment.

It was only two pages with the second page consisting of his mother, Nick and Archer's signatures. He glanced over the contract and nothing stuck out to him out of the ordinary. The amount of money Archer was receiving was a little high but based on Nick's request that Archer be available at a moment's notice he guessed it wasn't too bad after all. Archer would be responsible for all of the Barkley Business dealings ranging from renegotiating contracts, meeting new business partners or current ones and any legal issues the family may need. If he only knew what he was getting himself into, Jarrod thought wryly.

He threw the contract on top of the other one and once again rubbed his aching head. How he had wished he had not drank as much as he had last night. But he had a marvelous time with Sam last night.

He sighed as he recalled taking her back to her hotel. They both were pretty intoxicated when they had returned to her hotel. Jarrod had escorted her to her room since the desk clerk was no where to be found. Jarrod opened the door for her and followed her into her room. He left the door open because he did not trust himself given his current state. Sam however had other things on her mind as she closed the door behind him and pinned him against the door.

"Ah, honey," Jarrod stammered.

Sam quietened Jarrod's protest with a kiss. Jarrod did not fight her as he finally gathered her up in his arms and kissed her back.

Sam broke off the kiss and whispered into his neck, "Please stay with me Jarrod." She began to unbutton his shirt.

Jarrod closed his eyes fighting off the urge to please her. He grabbed her hands and said quietly, "As much as I want too I can't."

Sam frowned but she would not give up as she cooed, "You don't want me?" As she continued to unbutton Jarrod's shirt.

Jarrod swallowed slowly and responded, "Yes I want you. But..."

Sam once again stopped Jarrod's protests with another kiss. Her kisses were demanding as her hands ran over his abdomen bringing a moan of pleasure for him.

Jarrod finally broke away from her and was trying to catch his breath as he spoke, "Honey please." Sam approached him once again but Jarrod backed away from her. "Please hear me out. As much as I want you right now I can't." Sam frowned as she hung her head. Jarrod sighed as he walked to her. "Honey you are by far the most beautiful woman I have had the pleasure to know and spend time with but given the state we are both in I think it would be a mistake. Not that I would regret it but I wouldn't want to take advantage of you."

Sam looked at Jarrod and knew she loved this man. "If not tonight when?"

Jarrod smiled as he answered her, "We'll both know when it's right but not now."

Jarrod sighed at the memory and still wasn't sure how he had been able to walk out of her hotel room without...Jarrod shook his head at the line of thoughts his mind was going.

Jarrod decided to get a hot bath as maybe that would help his throbbing headache and then he would go see Sam. Jarrod was on the way up the stairs when someone knocked on his door. Before Jarrod could reach the door Charles appeared and answered it.

Sam was on the other side of the door and judging by her appearance she was feeling just as bad as Jarrod was.

Jarrod came down the stairs and escorted Sam into the library. He chuckled at her appearance. "How are you feeling this morning?"

Sam rolled her eyes and pointed to her head, "Awful. I have already taken some headache powders that apparently are not working."

Jarrod held in the chuckle and said, "I quite literally feel your pain my dear."

Sam fidgeted nervously around Jarrod's desk and noticed he had opened the envelope he had received yesterday. "Good news or bad news?" Sam asked as she pointed to the envelope.

"Neither just a few contracts for me to browse over." Jarrod eyed Sam suspiciously as he knew something was wrong. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her while he put his face against her neck, "What's wrong?"

Sam leaned into his embrace and was glad he couldn't see her face. "I'm here to apologize for my unacceptable behavior last night."

Jarrod continued to nuzzle her neck and mumbled, "If memory serves me correctly all the champagne we drank had something to do with that."

Sam closed her eyes as she spoke, "Regardless it was no way for any self respecting woman to act and I am truly sorry."

Jarrod turned Sam around slowly and gently, "I was very flattered." Sam frowned at Jarrod's admission but he continued ignoring her expression. "In my experience it is usually the man who shall we say takes the initiative but to have you admit how much you wanted to be with me well it took everything I had to walk away."

Sam asked quietly, "Why did you walk away?" Sam couldn't recall all of the events of that night other than she made a fool of herself.

"I want the first time to be special and not because we had been intoxicated and got carried away in the heat of the moment." Jarrod brought Sam closer to him and said as he caressed her face, "You are very special to me Sam and I don't want to do anything to jeopardize what we have and I feared if I let my needs take over last night we both would regret it."

Sam brushed her lips against Jarrod's only for him to claim her mouth with his. His hands were rubbing her back and pushing her against him. She could stay like this for a very long time.

She finally broke away while she tried to regain her composure, "You are not playing fair counselor."

Jarrod laughed and said, "Suppose you're right my dear. How about some coffee and toast?"