Chapter THIRTY FIVE

EJ leaned heavily on the arm which was supporting his head as he propped himself up at the bar. He traced the water droplets on the dirty bar top, willing himself to find oblivion more quickly. Throwing back his head, EJ down the last of his drink and tapped the bar. "Un alt (another)," he ordered the bartender.

"Dear me, a sadder sight has never been seen."

"Go away, Tosh," EJ muttered, not even looking around. "I'm not in the mood."

Tosh took a seat on a stool beside him. "And here was me thinking misery was supposed to love company."

EJ received his requested drink and he downed it without comment.

"Come on, old boy," Tosh complained, "you can't still be so down in the dumps. After all, we dropped our little bundle o'joy off to her beloved in Budapest weeks ago, and yet you're still mopping around like a wet week."

EJ's lips tightened. "I fell in love, I didn't catch the flu. Some things you just don't get over."

"There is such a thing as getting back on the horse, old boy." Tosh tapped EJ's shoulder to get his attention as he pointed past him. "And I happen to know those two young fillies over there are more than happy for you to have a ride of them."

EJ's uninterested gaze flicked briefly over at the two women who were giggling together in a booth and then he was back ordering another drink from the attentive bar tender.

"It's Dumitra and Madalina," Tosh prompted him.

"So I see," said EJ flatly.

"They're extremely accommodating."

"I'm sure."

"You can have both if you like."

EJ looked at Tosh, wishing he was drunker than he was. "Quantity is no substitute for quality."

"But surely it must make you care a little less?"

"All I care about is Samantha."

"Then why did you let her go off with what's his name?"

EJ's heart gave a painful squeeze. "Because she loves him. He was the one she wanted."

"I think you should have fought harder."

"It was what she wanted," said EJ sourly.

"Yes, but was it what she needed?"

EJ grimaced into his glass. "I did all that I could."

"Did you tell her you loved her?"

EJ swallowed hard. "I didn't want to frighten her."

"I think the only person who was frightened was you, old boy."

EJ's shoulders hunched over as a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach continued to grow. "I've lost her," he said hoarsely.

"No, you idiot," said Tosh, "you let her go." Tosh stood up from the chair, shaking his head at his friend. "Are you sure about the girls?"

EJ nodded, feeling a wave of depression overcome him.

"Well, I'm off to enjoy the fruits of this good city at the girl's house." Tosh patted him on his back in an act of consolation. "This too shall pass."

EJ was left alone at the bar with only his dark thoughts for company. I don't want this to pass, this pain is all I have left of her. Suddenly being in this place where he'd first met Sami was too much. EJ stood up abruptly, the stool behind him falling over, and clattering on the floor. He stumbled out of the crowded bar and the faceless humanity, heading to the alleyway. Once outside EJ leaned heavily back on the brick wall, trying to sort his head out. Being without Sami was a like a physical pain EJ had no idea how to endure. Out of the corner of his eye he caught movement. He turned his head to see the silhouette of a familiar figure outlined against the afternoon sun. EJ straightened up, his breath hitching in disbelief. "Sister Mary Agnes?"

EJ didn't know if his alcohol fuelled depression was taunting him, but he could hardly believe his eyes. The figured disappeared from the end of the alleyway, heading off to the right and EJ was immediately starting to run down the tight space after the apparition. He reached the end of the alley and looked all about him. The streets were filled to overflowing with people going about their business. A desperate fear welled up in him at the thought of this being a trick his imagination was playing on him when he couldn't find who he was looking for but then he caught a flash of a long, black skirt disappearing around a corner and EJ was in immediate pursuit. The determined little figure dressed in the black and white garments of a nun managed to keep ahead of EJ, but still within view. He kept calling out to her but she never looked back. Finally EJ was at Tosh's apartment, watching her disappear inside. He crossed the street without looking for traffic, terrified to take his eyes off the elusive figure.

EJ took the steps two at a time as he bounded up to Tosh's second floor apartment. When he reached the second floor landing it was to find Tosh's apartment door slightly ajar. EJ suddenly couldn't catch his breath and it wasn't because of the chase through the streets of Bucharest or the quick work he'd made of the stairs. Fear tightened his chest and made breathing difficult. If he walked through that door and didn't find her on the other side of it EJ wasn't sure that he'd survive such a blow. He hesitantly walked towards the door, reaching out an unsteady hand to push it open all the way. The door swung open noiselessly to reveal a nun standing in the middle of Tosh's apartment, her back to him. EJ's heart practically leapt out of his mouth at the wondrous sight.

"Samantha?" His voice cracked over her name, coming out hoarse and broken.

The figure slowly turned round until she was facing him. A serene smile touched her beautiful face. "Hello, EJ."

EJ was frozen to the spot, scared to move in case this wonderful vision disappeared without warning.

She gave a little pout. "Aren't you going to say hello?"

EJ wet his dry lips. "Hello," he rasped. Finally daring to move EJ stepped into the room properly, letting the door close behind him. "Wh-what are you doing here, Samantha? And why are you dressed like that?"

"Don't you know?"

EJ shook his head slowly, too scared to dream.

Sami reached up and undid the buttons of her wimple, divesting herself of the item before answering. EJ was captivated by the sight of her long, blonde hair and felt his palms moisten.

"I'm here to find you, EJ."

EJ blinked rapidly. "You called me EJ."

Sami gave a half smile. "It's your name, isn't it?"

"You never call me EJ." His voice was hoarse. "Why now?"

Sami half shrugged. "Because I've realised I love you, and calling you Mr. DiMera seemed a little silly after that."

EJ swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it painful. "You-you love me?"

Sami moved closer to him, her long skirts making a gentle swishing sound on the wooden floor. She stopped directly in front of him. "You're not really surprised are you? You're the one who always knew."

"But how?" EJ squeaked, feeling his head begin to swim at her close proximity. "When I last saw you, you were with William."

"I know," said Sami softly, "but I'd barely spent any time with him before I realised he wasn't what I wanted. I thought myself in love with him all that time, but the truth was it had been just a fantasy. As soon as you were gone I realised who I really loved. I loved the man who stood by me, loved me for who I am and would go on any adventure with me." Sami looked up at him, her blue eyes glowing luminously. "I love you, my impossible thief. I always did, I was just too confused and afraid to admit it."

EJ's heart felt like it was going to explode with happiness. "And Will?"

"I left him," said Sami simply. "He understood."

"And he just let you go?" EJ shook his head in disbelief.

"Why is that so hard to believe?" Sami teased him. "You let me go."

"Because it was what you wanted," said EJ unevenly. "I want you to be happy, Samantha."

"And how could you think I'd ever be happy without you, EJ?" she asked throatily. "You really are an idiot, aren't you?"

The excitement was starting to overwhelm him as EJ allowed himself to smile for the first time. "So everyone keeps telling me."

"It's alright though." Sami took a step closer so their bodies were pressed together. She placed her hands on his chest. "I'm quite partial to idiots as it turns out."

"Thank God," said EJ raggedly as he wrapped his arms around her and claimed her mouth in a fierce kiss. He broke the lengthy kiss to groan against her lips. "Samantha, I was so afraid I'd ruined everything, and I'd lost you forever."

Sami hugged him back tightly. "You can never lose me, EJ. I love you with every part of my being." A cheeky grin lit up her face. "Besides, how can I leave my husband?"

EJ gasped. "You know?" He looked down at her wide eyed. "How?"

"I think a part of me always knew our marriage was real," she said, snuggling in closer to him, "otherwise I couldn't have given myself to you the way I did the next morning."

EJ looked at her cautiously. "And you don't hate me for tricking you?"

Sami laughed. She fitted her body more snugly against his. "Do I feel like I hate you?"

"No," said EJ faintly.

"I love that you are as wicked as I am, EJ." Sami wrapped her arms around his neck. "We make perfect sense together."

"And you came all this way, by yourself, to find me?" asked EJ in amazement. "Sweetheart, that was so dangerous."

"A woman will go to any lengths to claim her man." Sami's arms tightened around his neck. "Any lengths."

"I was too scared to dream about this moment," he confessed to her, unable to take his eyes off her.

"And now it's here," said Sami warmly. "I love you, EJ, and I want to be yours completely." Sami's eyes lit up mischievously. "I seem to recall you making some pretty big promises to me, the morning after our wedding. Do you remember?"

"About not leaving your body for days?" EJ growled. "Oh, I remember."

Sami went up on tip toes, her breasts pressing hard against his chest and making EJ's manhood stir. Her lips were scant inches from his. "I'm here to collect on that promise."

With the last shred of self control EJ possessed he had to make certain. "Samantha," he said raggedly, "are you sure?"

"Yes."

The word had barely left her lips when EJ was crushing his against them. He groaned into their kiss, his heart constricting painfully. Their hands grabbed for each other's clothing until there was nothing but flesh on flesh. EJ scooped Sami up in his arms, only breaking their heated kisses when he lay her down on Tosh's single bed. Sami looked up at him, her face glowing with love as EJ took in each graceful dip and fall of her body. "You're so beautiful," he rasped.

"So are you." Sami held out her arms to him. "Now come here."

EJ groaned, immediately lowering himself onto her. Sami's body fitted against his perfectly. His hard on rubbed against her stomach as he kissed her deeply. EJ's whole body was on fire, the need for this woman consuming him utterly. Her hardened nipples scrapped against his chest and drove EJ into a frenzy. He felt her legs part, inviting him to settle more intimately against her. EJ immediately moved his pulsating tip to Sami's opening, holding his breath as this moment finally arrived for them.

Sami tilted her hips up to meet his, her blue eyes imploring him. "Take me, EJ, take what has always belonged to you and make me yours completely." She bit her bottom lip. "Show me how much you love me."

EJ moaned loudly and drove himself into her with one hard thrust. He'd wanted to be careful this first time but it was beyond him. EJ had expected resistance but her body took him effortlessly, his cock burying itself into Sami right to the hilt.

Sami groaned and arched her back as she took all of him at once, eyes squeezing shut. "Oh god!" She opened her eyes, a look of amazement on her face. "Wow, EJ," she panted, "you love me a lot."

"You have no idea," he growled as he claimed her mouth in a hungry kiss.

EJ hips immediately started an age old rhythm, driving himself into Sami again and again, adoring the way her body opened to him each time. Every penetration made Sami catch her breath and moan for more. EJ's body strained inside of hers, desperate to bring them both to completion. Sami came quickly, body bucking up as she convulsed around him. Her convulsing walls around made his cock swell even more as he continued to ride her through her orgasms.

"Oh god, EJ!" she moaned helplessly as he forced every last ounce of pleasure out of her body. "What are you doing to me?"

"I'm doing what you wanted," he grunted, "I'm making you mine and taking what belongs to me."

"More," Sami groaned, clutching at his shoulders, "don't stop!"

"I can't," said EJ hopelessly as he continued to pound himself into her body.

EJ went up on his knees, and grabbed Sami's knees, pressing them back onto the bed by her shoulders so she was completely open to him. He hammered himself into her with ever increasing desperation to find his end. Sweat dripped down from his body onto Sami's climaxing body as he made her cum over and over again with his wild strokes, but still EJ couldn't find his own release.

"Yes, yes, YYYEESSSS!" Sami screamed, in complete delirium, head thrashing from side to side. Her nails raked his sweat soaked chest. "I'm ready, EJ, I want you to cum inside of me, cum now, hurry!"

EJ renewed the fervency of his strokes, marvelling at the way Sami could accommodate him so fully each time he demanded entrance to her body. "Samantha!" Her name was a desperate plea. EJ needed his release, needed to claim this woman for his own once and for all but he just couldn't seem to get there despite his all consuming arousal. EJ threw back his head and howled his frustration, his body and mind in a state of excruciating lack of satisfaction.

EJ jerked awake from his dream, confused and frustrated. He sat up and grimaced at the pain it caused him. He looked down at his swollen hard on pressing desperately against his trousers. EJ cast a hungry look over at the peacefully sleeping Sami and it was all he could do not to simply jump on top of her. A snort from Tosh, who was passed out nearby, brought him back to reality however. EJ swallowed the groan of abject frustration and gingerly stood up. His body was aching and his mind was a mess. EJ shook his head in an attempt to clear it but it was to no avail. He turned on his heel and headed off into the forest, needing some time to think.