Chapter Twelve
Brandon paced around the room listening to the sounds of Samantha finishing up with drying her hair after their impromptu 'swim' after their latest confrontation with one another. While he'd planned on making very different use of their morning, he realized that to truly convince Samantha that his intentions were nothing but the best, he'd have to take things to another level and soon. While the kidnapping had gone down smoothly and he could see she still loved him as he loved her, there was still something missing, still something that he promised himself he'd get to before this day was over. His gaze cast over to the dresser across the room as he thought of what he'd kept inside, waiting for the right moment to share with her. Somehow, he reasoned as he noted the time once again, he would find the perfect moment. He could do this, he promised himself realizing it was time to take things to the next level in his quest to win her heart again.
******
Samantha finished with her lip gloss looking in the mirror at her own reflection as her lingering thoughts of Brandon washed over her. Somehow in the last couple of days she'd experienced a great many emotions ranging from anger to confusion, fury to the more powerful rage, to regret, but most importantly it had all taken her back to love again. She'd tried to move forward in her life, but there was no denying her heart. She was head over heels in love with Brandon Walker and she'd been that way for longer than she could imagine, only this time it seemed as though they were really doing this. They weren't buried in secrets and lies or under any false pretenses. He'd brought her here purely to show her he'd loved her. He hadn't given up on the hopes of a future between them and while she'd tried to convince herself that moving on with Lucas would help ease the pain of losing Brandon, she realized that her hopes of being with Brandon never faded. She still longed to be with him.
"Lucas," she mouthed as a frown curled over her lips and she thought back to her husband to be. Sure, they'd had their share of problems, but he'd tried so hard to be what she'd wanted. She'd almost believed it could work, that was until their wedding day. Even before Brandon kidnapped her, she'd had her doubts, had her concerns about marrying the man who'd made her life hell for so very long. In the end Lucas had convinced her that their rage could transform somehow into love, that the anger and bitterness was based on more feeling, but now as she looked into the mirror staring at her own reflection, she thought of the woman she'd become with Lucas and the idea of returning to that part of herself terrified her. Could she bring herself to face Salem again? Could she face Lucas and reveal to him what had been troubling her all this time? Could she tell him that she'd never loved him? That she'd only been looking for security? So many questions filled her mind as she heard a faint tapping on the door interrupting her thoughts.
Placing her hand on her abdomen as she drew in a slow breath, Samantha urged herself not to think of what was troubling her. Opening the door, she noticed the deep crimson colored bud before her as a smile touched over her lips.
"I come bearing gifts," Brandon confessed a sexy smile crossing over his handsome features as she opened the door further to accept the rose he'd offered her.
"In that case," she inhaled the sweet scent of the flower, "you can come in."
"Actually, I was hoping that perhaps you were ready for the next installment of our adventure," Brandon confessed seeing the way her eyes lit up with excitement.
"You mean there's more?" she questioned curiously.
"Much more," he nodded, "but of course last night we were a tad bit distracted and then this morning," a sly grin swept over his features as his gaze lingered over her, causing a heat to rise from deep within her.
"It was another very welcome distraction," she admitted leisurely touching his chest with her index finger, "one that would be well worth repeating…"
"Yes, it would be," Brandon nodded in agreement offering a playful kiss, "but first we have an agenda this afternoon."
"Oh really?" she questioned leaning into his chest, "such as?"
"Such as I want to continue where we started last night," Brandon noted the hint of mischief behind her eyes as his own thoughts lingered to the way it had felt to be with her, "before that…"
"Darn and to think I was hoping I could tempt you into a repeat of earlier," she teased gently.
"Samantha, you can tempt me anytime," Brandon lifted her up off the ground raising her to his eye level before he dropped a quick kiss over her lips, "however, if we stayed here, we'd miss out on the yacht and…."
"Yacht," she gave him a puzzled expression, "wait a second. Back up…what yacht?"
"The one that's docked and waiting for the two of us," he shrugged casually, "I'd thought perhaps we could have a romantic cruise, just the two of us on the ocean enjoying all the romance that the tropic has to offer, but if you'd rather we just stay here and…"
"Not on your life," she shook her head determined as she took a step back, "if you've got a yacht waiting for us, then what are we doing here? Brandon, come on adventure awaits us," she stepped past him eager to continue their day with one another.
A laugh spilled over Brandon's features as he watched her leave him behind in the room. He heard her call out to him and another laugh erupted from within. "You never change Samantha," he chuckled in mild amusement as he stepped over to the dresser opening the top drawer and pulling the small box out from within. He looked at it for a moment before opening the box to look at it's contents before adding, "but I wouldn't want you to."
"Come on Brandon," he heard her call out to him.
"I'm on my way," he announced closing the box and tucking it into his pocket as he vowed that today would be the day that he would put the wheels of destiny into motion once again, only this time things would be as they always should've been with the two of them together at long last.
******
"Are we almost there yet?" Samantha questioned curiously as she looked over to Brandon, "well?"
"We're almost there," he laughed gently placing the car into park as he looked over at her, "you're not excited in the least about this, are you?"
"Well considering that you did kidnap me and all and since I am your hostage," she teased lightly, "I suppose I'll have to go where you take me."
"And since it's a luxury yacht?" he questioned seeing the idea of adventure stirring up inside of her.
"Just tell me that this is going to be as good as what we had happening yesterday," she searched his eyes, "tell me that this is going to be even better perhaps."
"Oh I think it'll be much better," Brandon decided taking his keys out of the ignition as he threw her a sexy smile, "although I do have a confession to make."
"What kind of confession," she questioned a puzzled expression on her face as he stepped out of the Jeep circling around to open the door for her as he extended his arm.
"Nothing too upsetting," Brandon paused contemplating his words, "then again I suppose it's all in how you look at it."
"Look at what," she probed further as her gaze drifted to the yacht before them. Her jaw dropped as she looked over to him, "Brandon, is that the one that we're going to…?"
"Yep," he nodded wrapping his arms around her waist, "you like?"
"Like it," she repeated, "Brandon, it's like a page out of a dream," she paused, "although I did see the Titanic movie and if anything even remotely close to that happens…."
"Then I'll be your own personal lifeguard," Brandon promised her with a sexy smile, "and beside Samantha, I have a feeling that this pleasure cruise will turn out to be something far more than either one of us anticipated."
"So you keep saying," she replied searching his dark, enchanting eyes, "but then again, what's the confession you wanted to make?"
"Well, it's about our day," he explained leading her up towards the yacht, "you see I haven't exactly been forthcoming about our plans," Brandon continued as they began to climb aboard.
"How so?"
"Well, the truth is we aren't going to be alone exactly," Brandon paused as a man approached them.
"Senor Walker," the small man greeted Brandon, "Buenos tardes."
"Buenos tardes," Brandon greeted him in response.
"This must be the beautiful lady we've heard all about," the man turned his attention to Samantha, "my she is far more beautiful than you'd let on, but then again I'm sure you just wanted to keep this treasure to yourself," the man reached out to Samantha kissing the top of her hand, "I'm Ramon and if you need anything…"
"We've got it covered," Brandon offered gently sliding his arm around Samantha's waist protectively, "however I was hoping you could tell me if that other favor I'd spoken with you about was in order."
"It's all set up on the deck," Ramon nodded at him, "and if you need anything, anything at all," he turned his eyes to Samantha briefly, "don't hesitate to ask."
"We'll be fine," Brandon offered once more.
"Excellente, I shall tell the captain we're ready to take off to our first stop," Ramon agreed leaving the two of them alone.
"Shall we?" Brandon extended his arm out to her.
"We shall," Sami agreed accepting his arm as she looked around the lavish yacht, "so when did you have time to arrange something like this?"
"While you were sleeping," Brandon explained with a laugh, "since you are quite the deep sleeper there."
"I am not," she huffed swatting at him, "and besides by the time last night was over we'd both done well enough to keep us both rested for quite some time."
"It was quite a night," Brandon agreed thinking back to the passion between them, "but then again being able to hold you, to make love to you," he offered an impromptu kiss, "it's always been very enjoyable."
"Indeed it has," Sami agreed wrapping her arms around his neck as he dipped her and they shared another kiss.
"Excuse me," Ramon interrupted clearing his throat as Brandon and Samantha slowly pulled away from one another.
"What is it Ramon?" Brandon questioned impatiently.
"I opened the champagne for you," Ramon grinned eagerly over at Sami once again.
"Thank you Ramon," Brandon smiled curtly, "that will be all."
"Okay, okay," Ramon nodded again taking a step away from them before glancing over his shoulder every now and then to look at Sami.
"What is with him?" Sami questioned curiously.
"I think I'm not the only one that's taken by you Samantha," Brandon explained simply, "but in Ramon's case, it's too bad. You're with me now."
"I like the sound of that," she confessed eager to see what Brandon had in store for her.
"Good because I intend to keep it that way, however since the champagne is waiting," Brandon lead her along the deck, "perhaps we should head on over there."
"Champagne seems quite extravagant for a day out on the water," Sami noted probing for information, "perhaps there's something else on the agenda."
"There might be," Brandon winked at her, "but first," he motioned to the table before them to where the champagne was chilled and waiting for them, "how about a drink?"
"I'd love one," Sami nodded watching as he moved towards the table pouring them both a glass. She looked out onto the ocean taking in the view as she could see Brandon's beach house in the distance. He really had gone out of his way to make this paradise for her and as she stood looking out over the water, she'd wondered how he'd managed to find such a place.
"It's like your own piece of paradise isn't it," Brandon interrupted her thoughts handing her the glass of champagne he'd poured for her.
"Indeed it is," she nodded sipping her drink, "although I have to wonder how you wound up here."
"I needed a place to think, a place where my head wouldn't be so clouded and well, this place--the beach house, well, it called to me. Much like this yacht did, so I decided it was a worthwhile investment," Brandon shrugged his shoulders as a smile touched over his features, "and seeing the look on your face, it paid off."
"Wait a second," Sami turned to give him a look, "you're saying that you bought the beach house and this yacht we're on?"
Brandon nodded, "I needed something to keep my busy since I couldn't be with the woman I loved and with the money, well, I'd had some set aside after Angela died…"
"You mean you had this kind of money all along and you didn't say anything until now?" Sami shook her head unable to believe what she was hearing.
"I'm a simple man, Samantha," Brandon shrugged his shoulders, "money doesn't mean much to me especially not when I can't be with the woman I loved. It was just means of a distraction and this play toy of mine and the house, well they were both intended for a purpose."
"And what purpose might that be?" she raised a curious brow.
"To make each and every one of your dreams come true," he confessed touching her cheek tenderly, "all I've ever wanted was a chance to do just that."
"So you bought a beach house and a yacht in the hopes of seducing me? Of winning me back again?" she thought it over.
"That was part of the plan," Brandon confessed with a nod, "although I was hoping that I'd have a bit more appeal than just the yacht alone. I was hoping that my charismatic personality might have drawn you back in somehow."
"Hmm, well there is something to be said about your personality and well about the house and now this yacht," she looked out onto the water again and shrugged her shoulders, "although there is something to be said about a man with money…"
"Is there now," he leaned over the side of the railing watching the way the ocean breeze swept over her beautiful features giving off a glow as she stood beside him.
"Of course," she nodded throwing him a playful look, "and while I think all of those things are very important, I'm afraid none of them are reason enough as to why I could possibly be interested in you."
"They aren't, are they?" Brandon raised a curious brow.
"Nope, not in the least," she shook her head as a playful laugh erupted from her lips, "in fact I'd have to say that if I had to pinpoint one thing about what I like about you, it would have to be the sex."
"The sex?" Brandon gulped in response nearly choking on his champagne as he looked to her.
"Yep," she nodded again, "Definitely the sex though maybe we could talk about the money here. That might be something worth my while," she teased again seeing the frown that crept over his features, "yes, I think I'd like to get into that money issue."
"Now wait a second," he set his champagne glass down on the table top, "what about the other stuff?"
"Such as?" she feigned innocence.
"You know the love and the romance," Brandon urged.
"Well those are so old fashioned and okay I suppose," she shrugged her shoulders trying to keep a straight face as she looked up at him, "but when it gets back to being in your beach house with the promise of a fortune before me, well I'd have to say that wins out every time. Everything else just seems to pale in comparison…"
"I'll give you pale," he tickled her sides causing her to erupt in laughter as she squirmed in his arms, "admit it Samantha. You love me. You love everything about me especially in the way I love you."
"Hmm…..I'll have to think about that one," she teased again as he pulled her into his arms.
"Admit it, you're crazy about me," he encouraged never giving up on the tickle torture.
"You're the one that's crazy about me," she informed him, "you can't live without me. Admit it Brandon, you're the one whose addicted to me."
"Guilty as charged," Brandon replied with a nod, "but can you blame me seeing as you are the most beautiful, amazing woman in the world?"
"Hmm…I like the sound of this. Go on," Sami encouraged him with a tiny laugh, "I think I'm enjoying this."
"Alright then, since you asked," Brandon took in a breath reaching for her hand, "I told you I'd go all the way to be with you and I meant that Samantha. I was going to wait until sunset and do this in a more traditional fashion, but I'm finding that nothing is traditional about you--about us. We did this once with all the romance and magic of everything being perfectly planned out, but maybe that's where we made the mistake. Maybe in all the planning and the attempts to do things the right way, we missed something along the way. This time I don't want to miss a thing. I don't want to miss a moment with you or to have another morning without you beside me. I want your face to be the last one I see every night when I fall asleep and for you to be the only woman I hold in my arms through the night. In the morning when I wake I want you beside me, to hold onto when the times are rough and when the times are going good. I want to be the man to share your hopes and dreams with you, the man who takes part in your schemes and encourages you along the way. I want to support you and be there for you, to give you that eternity that we'd promised one another a long time ago. Samantha," Brandon drew in a breath seeing the way her eyes widened as he lowered himself to his knee before her, "I know that we have had a lot of water under the bridge between us and that this might seem sudden, but when we reached this point years ago I blew it and I don't want to blow it again. These past couple of days with you again, well they made me realize that being with you is the only place in this world where I feel as if I'm complete, as if I've finally found my heart, which is why I'm asking you if you would consider meeting me half way on this…"
"Brandon," she gasped as he reached into his pocket withdrawing a box from within, "is that what I think…"
"Samantha, I know that you were ready to marry Lucas, but it wasn't the kind of wedding or the life you wanted. We almost had it all together and I know if you give me another chance, then we can truly begin again. I've wanted to do this for so very long and now that you're here beside me, I don't want to lose you again. I love you Samantha Gene Brady and you are the only woman for me. I know that I don't deserve it and maybe it's asking a lot, but this time I want to do this right. I meant what I said when I said I was serious about going all the way to win your heart and being with you is what I want," he opened the box revealing the sparkling diamond ring that was within the box, "Samantha, the reason I came back again was because I love you and I know that a life without you is one that I don't want to face. Sure I took you from your wedding, but only because if I let you go through with it, you'd be marrying the wrong man. You'd be pledging your life to someone who couldn't give you what you deserve, what you need, but I can give you that. I want to show you the life that you've only dreamt about because I know in my heart that the only man you should be marrying is me, which leads me to what I need to ask you…what I brought you here to finally say after all this time…"
"Brandon, are you asking me to….." she trailed off unable to believe what she was hearing as tears pooled in her eyes.
"Marry me Samantha," he reached for her hand, "say you'll be mine and I promise you that all of our dreams of happiness will become a reality. This time we have the world ahead of us and we can make it all possible. Say you'll be mine."
Brandon paced around the room listening to the sounds of Samantha finishing up with drying her hair after their impromptu 'swim' after their latest confrontation with one another. While he'd planned on making very different use of their morning, he realized that to truly convince Samantha that his intentions were nothing but the best, he'd have to take things to another level and soon. While the kidnapping had gone down smoothly and he could see she still loved him as he loved her, there was still something missing, still something that he promised himself he'd get to before this day was over. His gaze cast over to the dresser across the room as he thought of what he'd kept inside, waiting for the right moment to share with her. Somehow, he reasoned as he noted the time once again, he would find the perfect moment. He could do this, he promised himself realizing it was time to take things to the next level in his quest to win her heart again.
******
Samantha finished with her lip gloss looking in the mirror at her own reflection as her lingering thoughts of Brandon washed over her. Somehow in the last couple of days she'd experienced a great many emotions ranging from anger to confusion, fury to the more powerful rage, to regret, but most importantly it had all taken her back to love again. She'd tried to move forward in her life, but there was no denying her heart. She was head over heels in love with Brandon Walker and she'd been that way for longer than she could imagine, only this time it seemed as though they were really doing this. They weren't buried in secrets and lies or under any false pretenses. He'd brought her here purely to show her he'd loved her. He hadn't given up on the hopes of a future between them and while she'd tried to convince herself that moving on with Lucas would help ease the pain of losing Brandon, she realized that her hopes of being with Brandon never faded. She still longed to be with him.
"Lucas," she mouthed as a frown curled over her lips and she thought back to her husband to be. Sure, they'd had their share of problems, but he'd tried so hard to be what she'd wanted. She'd almost believed it could work, that was until their wedding day. Even before Brandon kidnapped her, she'd had her doubts, had her concerns about marrying the man who'd made her life hell for so very long. In the end Lucas had convinced her that their rage could transform somehow into love, that the anger and bitterness was based on more feeling, but now as she looked into the mirror staring at her own reflection, she thought of the woman she'd become with Lucas and the idea of returning to that part of herself terrified her. Could she bring herself to face Salem again? Could she face Lucas and reveal to him what had been troubling her all this time? Could she tell him that she'd never loved him? That she'd only been looking for security? So many questions filled her mind as she heard a faint tapping on the door interrupting her thoughts.
Placing her hand on her abdomen as she drew in a slow breath, Samantha urged herself not to think of what was troubling her. Opening the door, she noticed the deep crimson colored bud before her as a smile touched over her lips.
"I come bearing gifts," Brandon confessed a sexy smile crossing over his handsome features as she opened the door further to accept the rose he'd offered her.
"In that case," she inhaled the sweet scent of the flower, "you can come in."
"Actually, I was hoping that perhaps you were ready for the next installment of our adventure," Brandon confessed seeing the way her eyes lit up with excitement.
"You mean there's more?" she questioned curiously.
"Much more," he nodded, "but of course last night we were a tad bit distracted and then this morning," a sly grin swept over his features as his gaze lingered over her, causing a heat to rise from deep within her.
"It was another very welcome distraction," she admitted leisurely touching his chest with her index finger, "one that would be well worth repeating…"
"Yes, it would be," Brandon nodded in agreement offering a playful kiss, "but first we have an agenda this afternoon."
"Oh really?" she questioned leaning into his chest, "such as?"
"Such as I want to continue where we started last night," Brandon noted the hint of mischief behind her eyes as his own thoughts lingered to the way it had felt to be with her, "before that…"
"Darn and to think I was hoping I could tempt you into a repeat of earlier," she teased gently.
"Samantha, you can tempt me anytime," Brandon lifted her up off the ground raising her to his eye level before he dropped a quick kiss over her lips, "however, if we stayed here, we'd miss out on the yacht and…."
"Yacht," she gave him a puzzled expression, "wait a second. Back up…what yacht?"
"The one that's docked and waiting for the two of us," he shrugged casually, "I'd thought perhaps we could have a romantic cruise, just the two of us on the ocean enjoying all the romance that the tropic has to offer, but if you'd rather we just stay here and…"
"Not on your life," she shook her head determined as she took a step back, "if you've got a yacht waiting for us, then what are we doing here? Brandon, come on adventure awaits us," she stepped past him eager to continue their day with one another.
A laugh spilled over Brandon's features as he watched her leave him behind in the room. He heard her call out to him and another laugh erupted from within. "You never change Samantha," he chuckled in mild amusement as he stepped over to the dresser opening the top drawer and pulling the small box out from within. He looked at it for a moment before opening the box to look at it's contents before adding, "but I wouldn't want you to."
"Come on Brandon," he heard her call out to him.
"I'm on my way," he announced closing the box and tucking it into his pocket as he vowed that today would be the day that he would put the wheels of destiny into motion once again, only this time things would be as they always should've been with the two of them together at long last.
******
"Are we almost there yet?" Samantha questioned curiously as she looked over to Brandon, "well?"
"We're almost there," he laughed gently placing the car into park as he looked over at her, "you're not excited in the least about this, are you?"
"Well considering that you did kidnap me and all and since I am your hostage," she teased lightly, "I suppose I'll have to go where you take me."
"And since it's a luxury yacht?" he questioned seeing the idea of adventure stirring up inside of her.
"Just tell me that this is going to be as good as what we had happening yesterday," she searched his eyes, "tell me that this is going to be even better perhaps."
"Oh I think it'll be much better," Brandon decided taking his keys out of the ignition as he threw her a sexy smile, "although I do have a confession to make."
"What kind of confession," she questioned a puzzled expression on her face as he stepped out of the Jeep circling around to open the door for her as he extended his arm.
"Nothing too upsetting," Brandon paused contemplating his words, "then again I suppose it's all in how you look at it."
"Look at what," she probed further as her gaze drifted to the yacht before them. Her jaw dropped as she looked over to him, "Brandon, is that the one that we're going to…?"
"Yep," he nodded wrapping his arms around her waist, "you like?"
"Like it," she repeated, "Brandon, it's like a page out of a dream," she paused, "although I did see the Titanic movie and if anything even remotely close to that happens…."
"Then I'll be your own personal lifeguard," Brandon promised her with a sexy smile, "and beside Samantha, I have a feeling that this pleasure cruise will turn out to be something far more than either one of us anticipated."
"So you keep saying," she replied searching his dark, enchanting eyes, "but then again, what's the confession you wanted to make?"
"Well, it's about our day," he explained leading her up towards the yacht, "you see I haven't exactly been forthcoming about our plans," Brandon continued as they began to climb aboard.
"How so?"
"Well, the truth is we aren't going to be alone exactly," Brandon paused as a man approached them.
"Senor Walker," the small man greeted Brandon, "Buenos tardes."
"Buenos tardes," Brandon greeted him in response.
"This must be the beautiful lady we've heard all about," the man turned his attention to Samantha, "my she is far more beautiful than you'd let on, but then again I'm sure you just wanted to keep this treasure to yourself," the man reached out to Samantha kissing the top of her hand, "I'm Ramon and if you need anything…"
"We've got it covered," Brandon offered gently sliding his arm around Samantha's waist protectively, "however I was hoping you could tell me if that other favor I'd spoken with you about was in order."
"It's all set up on the deck," Ramon nodded at him, "and if you need anything, anything at all," he turned his eyes to Samantha briefly, "don't hesitate to ask."
"We'll be fine," Brandon offered once more.
"Excellente, I shall tell the captain we're ready to take off to our first stop," Ramon agreed leaving the two of them alone.
"Shall we?" Brandon extended his arm out to her.
"We shall," Sami agreed accepting his arm as she looked around the lavish yacht, "so when did you have time to arrange something like this?"
"While you were sleeping," Brandon explained with a laugh, "since you are quite the deep sleeper there."
"I am not," she huffed swatting at him, "and besides by the time last night was over we'd both done well enough to keep us both rested for quite some time."
"It was quite a night," Brandon agreed thinking back to the passion between them, "but then again being able to hold you, to make love to you," he offered an impromptu kiss, "it's always been very enjoyable."
"Indeed it has," Sami agreed wrapping her arms around his neck as he dipped her and they shared another kiss.
"Excuse me," Ramon interrupted clearing his throat as Brandon and Samantha slowly pulled away from one another.
"What is it Ramon?" Brandon questioned impatiently.
"I opened the champagne for you," Ramon grinned eagerly over at Sami once again.
"Thank you Ramon," Brandon smiled curtly, "that will be all."
"Okay, okay," Ramon nodded again taking a step away from them before glancing over his shoulder every now and then to look at Sami.
"What is with him?" Sami questioned curiously.
"I think I'm not the only one that's taken by you Samantha," Brandon explained simply, "but in Ramon's case, it's too bad. You're with me now."
"I like the sound of that," she confessed eager to see what Brandon had in store for her.
"Good because I intend to keep it that way, however since the champagne is waiting," Brandon lead her along the deck, "perhaps we should head on over there."
"Champagne seems quite extravagant for a day out on the water," Sami noted probing for information, "perhaps there's something else on the agenda."
"There might be," Brandon winked at her, "but first," he motioned to the table before them to where the champagne was chilled and waiting for them, "how about a drink?"
"I'd love one," Sami nodded watching as he moved towards the table pouring them both a glass. She looked out onto the ocean taking in the view as she could see Brandon's beach house in the distance. He really had gone out of his way to make this paradise for her and as she stood looking out over the water, she'd wondered how he'd managed to find such a place.
"It's like your own piece of paradise isn't it," Brandon interrupted her thoughts handing her the glass of champagne he'd poured for her.
"Indeed it is," she nodded sipping her drink, "although I have to wonder how you wound up here."
"I needed a place to think, a place where my head wouldn't be so clouded and well, this place--the beach house, well, it called to me. Much like this yacht did, so I decided it was a worthwhile investment," Brandon shrugged his shoulders as a smile touched over his features, "and seeing the look on your face, it paid off."
"Wait a second," Sami turned to give him a look, "you're saying that you bought the beach house and this yacht we're on?"
Brandon nodded, "I needed something to keep my busy since I couldn't be with the woman I loved and with the money, well, I'd had some set aside after Angela died…"
"You mean you had this kind of money all along and you didn't say anything until now?" Sami shook her head unable to believe what she was hearing.
"I'm a simple man, Samantha," Brandon shrugged his shoulders, "money doesn't mean much to me especially not when I can't be with the woman I loved. It was just means of a distraction and this play toy of mine and the house, well they were both intended for a purpose."
"And what purpose might that be?" she raised a curious brow.
"To make each and every one of your dreams come true," he confessed touching her cheek tenderly, "all I've ever wanted was a chance to do just that."
"So you bought a beach house and a yacht in the hopes of seducing me? Of winning me back again?" she thought it over.
"That was part of the plan," Brandon confessed with a nod, "although I was hoping that I'd have a bit more appeal than just the yacht alone. I was hoping that my charismatic personality might have drawn you back in somehow."
"Hmm, well there is something to be said about your personality and well about the house and now this yacht," she looked out onto the water again and shrugged her shoulders, "although there is something to be said about a man with money…"
"Is there now," he leaned over the side of the railing watching the way the ocean breeze swept over her beautiful features giving off a glow as she stood beside him.
"Of course," she nodded throwing him a playful look, "and while I think all of those things are very important, I'm afraid none of them are reason enough as to why I could possibly be interested in you."
"They aren't, are they?" Brandon raised a curious brow.
"Nope, not in the least," she shook her head as a playful laugh erupted from her lips, "in fact I'd have to say that if I had to pinpoint one thing about what I like about you, it would have to be the sex."
"The sex?" Brandon gulped in response nearly choking on his champagne as he looked to her.
"Yep," she nodded again, "Definitely the sex though maybe we could talk about the money here. That might be something worth my while," she teased again seeing the frown that crept over his features, "yes, I think I'd like to get into that money issue."
"Now wait a second," he set his champagne glass down on the table top, "what about the other stuff?"
"Such as?" she feigned innocence.
"You know the love and the romance," Brandon urged.
"Well those are so old fashioned and okay I suppose," she shrugged her shoulders trying to keep a straight face as she looked up at him, "but when it gets back to being in your beach house with the promise of a fortune before me, well I'd have to say that wins out every time. Everything else just seems to pale in comparison…"
"I'll give you pale," he tickled her sides causing her to erupt in laughter as she squirmed in his arms, "admit it Samantha. You love me. You love everything about me especially in the way I love you."
"Hmm…..I'll have to think about that one," she teased again as he pulled her into his arms.
"Admit it, you're crazy about me," he encouraged never giving up on the tickle torture.
"You're the one that's crazy about me," she informed him, "you can't live without me. Admit it Brandon, you're the one whose addicted to me."
"Guilty as charged," Brandon replied with a nod, "but can you blame me seeing as you are the most beautiful, amazing woman in the world?"
"Hmm…I like the sound of this. Go on," Sami encouraged him with a tiny laugh, "I think I'm enjoying this."
"Alright then, since you asked," Brandon took in a breath reaching for her hand, "I told you I'd go all the way to be with you and I meant that Samantha. I was going to wait until sunset and do this in a more traditional fashion, but I'm finding that nothing is traditional about you--about us. We did this once with all the romance and magic of everything being perfectly planned out, but maybe that's where we made the mistake. Maybe in all the planning and the attempts to do things the right way, we missed something along the way. This time I don't want to miss a thing. I don't want to miss a moment with you or to have another morning without you beside me. I want your face to be the last one I see every night when I fall asleep and for you to be the only woman I hold in my arms through the night. In the morning when I wake I want you beside me, to hold onto when the times are rough and when the times are going good. I want to be the man to share your hopes and dreams with you, the man who takes part in your schemes and encourages you along the way. I want to support you and be there for you, to give you that eternity that we'd promised one another a long time ago. Samantha," Brandon drew in a breath seeing the way her eyes widened as he lowered himself to his knee before her, "I know that we have had a lot of water under the bridge between us and that this might seem sudden, but when we reached this point years ago I blew it and I don't want to blow it again. These past couple of days with you again, well they made me realize that being with you is the only place in this world where I feel as if I'm complete, as if I've finally found my heart, which is why I'm asking you if you would consider meeting me half way on this…"
"Brandon," she gasped as he reached into his pocket withdrawing a box from within, "is that what I think…"
"Samantha, I know that you were ready to marry Lucas, but it wasn't the kind of wedding or the life you wanted. We almost had it all together and I know if you give me another chance, then we can truly begin again. I've wanted to do this for so very long and now that you're here beside me, I don't want to lose you again. I love you Samantha Gene Brady and you are the only woman for me. I know that I don't deserve it and maybe it's asking a lot, but this time I want to do this right. I meant what I said when I said I was serious about going all the way to win your heart and being with you is what I want," he opened the box revealing the sparkling diamond ring that was within the box, "Samantha, the reason I came back again was because I love you and I know that a life without you is one that I don't want to face. Sure I took you from your wedding, but only because if I let you go through with it, you'd be marrying the wrong man. You'd be pledging your life to someone who couldn't give you what you deserve, what you need, but I can give you that. I want to show you the life that you've only dreamt about because I know in my heart that the only man you should be marrying is me, which leads me to what I need to ask you…what I brought you here to finally say after all this time…"
"Brandon, are you asking me to….." she trailed off unable to believe what she was hearing as tears pooled in her eyes.
"Marry me Samantha," he reached for her hand, "say you'll be mine and I promise you that all of our dreams of happiness will become a reality. This time we have the world ahead of us and we can make it all possible. Say you'll be mine."