First let me say how grateful I am to everyone for all of the nice comments on this story! I'm thrilled that you all like it so much!
Okay, so I lied. I really didn't intend to post another chapter this week, even tho I had it written. But this version came to me yesterday, and I like it much better than the one I originally planned! I couldn't resist—so I thought I'd leave you with something sweet for Thanksgiving (since I can't send you a piece of my pumpkin pie :-)
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She's a few minutes early when she enters the hotel lobby that evening, and pauses, looking for the elevators.
"Ms. Carter?"
She turns to find a handsome young man at her elbow.
"Yes..."
"David Broski, Ma'am. General O'Neill sent me to escort you to the elevator."
"Oh." She feels herself blushing. "Thank you, Mr. Broski."
"Just David, ma'am. This way..."
He leads her across the lobby and into a wide corridor, past three elevators.
"Ummm... David..." she says, pointing over her shoulder.
"You'll be taking the private elevator to the penthouse, Ms. Carter. It's right over here."
"Penthouse," she echoes in surprise.
They stop before a fourth lift, and Broski produces a key which he inserts in the lock and turns. The doors slide open smoothly.
O'Neill is inside the car, leaning casually against the wall, dressed in jeans and a black button-down shirt. Straightening, he grins at the surprised look on Sam's face.
"Come on in." He extends a hand.
After a second of recovery she smiles widely, takes his hand and steps over the threshold to join him.
"Thanks, Broski," Jack says.
"You're welcome, sir." He gives the key to Jack. "Have a good evening, General. Ma'am." He walks away, leaving Sam and Jack standing there with gazes locked.
Without taking his eyes off her, Jack reaches out and presses the 'close' button and the doors slide shut.
"I missed you," he whispers, taking her in his arms. "I missed this."
"Me, too," she replies, moving closer and lifting her lips for his kiss. The ride up is waay too short!
~x~
They're both breathless when they exit into the penthouse. Sam gazes in awe at the incredible view afforded by glass walls all around. The sun is setting, casting its rays across the desert, painting the landscape a rainbow of colors. The hotel is on the outskirts of the city, so the western vista is largely free of city light.
"This is amazing!" she exclaims, moving farther toward the windows. "But I thought you were on the ninth floor... we're much higher."
"The penthouse became available this afternoon. I jumped at it." He comes up behind her and slips his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You like?"
"Are you kidding? Jack, this is gorgeous! And I've been thinking the desert was just brown and hot! Are you sure this isn't a hologram or something?"
He laughs. "Nope. It's not." He steers her over to the glass and slides open one of several doors. They step out onto the terrace, where, if anything, the view is even more spectacular. The air is already beginning to cool slightly as evening approaches. He leads her over to a wide chaise—obviously meant for two—sits and pulls her down beside him. They cuddle with their arms around one another, content for the moment to be together in such a romantic setting.
XXX...
So we will spend the long weekend imagining what they might be doing in that chaise-built-for-two as the sun sinks toward the desert...
Happy thoughts :-)