Chapter 7
Sam slaved over a hot stove and prepared a spicy pasta dish that one of his lady friends liked to serve him when she was in the mood for love. Luckily he got the recipe before she dumped him, and he memorized it in the hopes of using it someday. Yvette loved it, and she seemed to warm up to him again after dinner as they sat in the solarium, in the dark, watching the stars twinkle outside. They would have preferred to be on the porch, but Paxson made it clear they were not to go outside after sundown. So they shared a narrow settee, holding hands, enjoying the sounds of tree frogs chirping in the warm night air through the screened windows.
He braved a kiss on the back of her hand. She turned and smiled at him, but she looked so reserved in the rising moon. "Sam, I know what you want from me, but...I'm not prepared to give that much of me yet."
"I know, I get it. Can't blame a guy for trying though, can you?"
She chuckled. "No, I suppose not." She hesitated a moment before continuing. "I know you'll probably think me silly, but...I made a vow..."
Sam's eyebrow went up. "What kind of vow?"
"Oh, it's not like I'm a nun or anything." She laughed nervously. "It's that I'm...I'm saving myself for...for marriage. I want the whole package, not just a night of passion."
He felt as if she'd just punched him in the gut. "Wow. I've been turned down in a lot of ways, but that one...well, that takes the cake."
"I wasn't saying it for you to make sport of me," Yvette blurted and stood abruptly. Before she could escape, however, he captured her hand and turned her so she dropped into his lap. He held her there.
"I'm sorry, Yvette. I shouldn't have said it like that." He cradled her head and brought it to his forehead. He spoke soft and low. "You just really surprised me, that's all."
"I haven't had a...a test like this before. I probably shouldn't even be telling you this, but you threaten to undo me. To undo everything I believe in." She pushed away and stood. "And that's one big reason why I don't want to give in, because we may be making the biggest mistake of our lives." She took a step back. "I don't want you to give up your livelihood, your passion, because of me. I'm not worth that sacrifice." She turned and ran from the room, leaving Sam alone with his thoughts.