Author's Note:

Thanks to those who have taken time to review. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I'm always nervous whether humor or sex scenes will come off OK.

Despite the chapter title and M rating, I decided to write their time back at Sam's as more romantic than explicit. I also ended up painting a more idealized, female-fantasy version of Sam. I laid it on pretty thick, but hopefully it's not way too over-the-top. Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Curling Her Toes

Sam linked his fingers through hers as he led her to the front door. When they reached the main living area, he watched her gaze take in the surroundings she had been oblivious to the first time.

"Let me give you the grand tour," Sam said. "You probably didn't notice, but some rooms were in the middle of a renovation last time you were here," Sam offered casually.

"Sounds great," she smiled back at him. "This is really charming and cozy," she added, somewhat surprised at the lack of an obvious bachelor pad vibe in the uncluttered but warm and tasteful decor.

"Don't sound so surprised," Sam laughed. "Although, I have to admit I got some help from Sarah when I first bought the place."

"Well, someone has a good eye. It's inviting, and everything fits perfectly with historic architecture of this place." she said with genuine admiration.

"Actually, I didn't do much out here, except open up the kitchen to the living area. It's probably the most bachelor-esque part of the house, with the oversized flat screen. But Sarah tells me the fireplace redeems it."

He led her down the hall to the remaining first floor rooms. One was an office that connected to a glassed-in sun room facing the back yard. Andy was surprised how many bookcases lined the walls, none containing books on tape. Sam was more of a reader than she would have guessed.

"Did you change this?" she asked.

"Only to change that back room from a screen porch to a proper room that can be used year around," he replied.

"The main thing I changed down here was to add a half bath and to get rid of one small bedroom to make a master suite more like what you find in newer houses. Adding a walk-in closet and expanding the bath. See what you think," he motioned her that it was OK to take a look at his personal space.

"Oh, Sam," she gasped. "This is… It's beautiful, like something from a spa or a magazine," she looked at him, eyes alight with pleasure.

"Come check out the rooms upstairs," he urged. "I'm curious which you'll like better."

Sam led her up the staircase. "I redid the bath that the two guest rooms up here share as well."

Andy gazed into another huge, but very different bath. Instead of the sleek bath with modern fixtures, Jacuzzi tub, and large stall shower downstairs, this one was dominated by an enormous, gorgeous claw foot tub and matching pedestal sink. The tub fixtures attached to the wall and were positioned to the side, making it obviously well-designed for two. She noted there were just as many candles up here as she'd seen in the master suite below and wondered if Sam had used both with Monica. The thought made her cringe involuntarily.

"Downstairs it is then," Sam said.

"What?" Andy asked, startled.

"I took that cringe to mean you prefer the modern option," Sam smiled.

"No, this is stunning too. I just didn't expect you to spend this kind of time and effort on TWO utterly romantic bathrooms," Andy said. "I was just thinking they seem to be designed to be shared," Andy looked down before adding softly, "Monica must have been in heaven."

Sam stepped closer and raised her chin so she had to meet his eyes. "I did design them with every intention of sharing them, but Monica is not the woman I had in mind. She's never even seen them."

"Oh," And said, the look in his eyes making her knees go almost as weak as when he'd kissed her at the Penny.

"After you dragged me over to work on the plumbing for Bennie's mom, I decided that one way or another I was eventually going to convince you to move in some day after you finally got that Ken Doll Callaghan out of your system. I wanted this place to be worthy of you," he added softly.

"Seriously? Sam…," Andy teared up. "I don't know what to say. You really went to all this effort with me in mind when I was still dating Luke? It must have taken your life's savings…" Andy's legs really did fail, and she sank onto the toilet, taking the news in.

"Fortunately, I didn't need to do that. You remember Rubin, the owner of that fancy Italian restaurant who I asked to look after Emily?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, what's he got to do with it?" Andy asked, baffled.

"He's a friend from high school He also used to be an addict. He was the one who set me up with street contacts when I went under cover. He OD'd while I was under, and I risked my cover to get him clean. Between that and feeling bad about blowing my case against Hill by letting Emily give him the slip, he insisted on fixing me up with some contracting buddies who owed him favors. I ended up getting all this done for almost nothing, a far better deal than I wanted to accept," Sam smiled down at her.

He reached down to pull her up into his arms, "I may be crazy about you, but I haven't completely lost my mind." He added with a teasing smile, "But in case you were wondering, this is what serious seduction attempt from me looks like."

"You had me at 'Let me give you the grand tour' " Andy said with a smile that turned into a half-laugh/half-sob. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss to rival the one he'd initiated at the Penny.

Sam finally broke off the kiss, "Listen, Andy, I think we should slow this train down. But I have a proposal for you. How about if we christen this tub? I'll give you the foot rub of your life, and then you can decide whether you want to sleep over or I'll drive you home."

Andy gave him a confused look, struggling to clear her fogged head and take in what he was saying, "Wait, what are you saying? You want to take a bath and then not…"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm suggesting." He laughed at the look on her face. "Don't look like a kid who's been denied candy."

"I don't understand. You don't want to…"

"Yes, I want to. But not tonight," he replied.

At Andy's frown, he continued, "Trust me on this. I've been paying close attention for a while, Andy, and I've seen your tendency to jump into things and then second-guess yourself. I want this seduction to unfold at the right pace. OK?"

"O-kay, I guess. But I think you're taking my earlier teasing too much to heart" she said reluctantly.

"Please, Andy. I want a relationship where we're full partners. But, for just a while, can you let me take the lead in how this dance between us unfolds? Can you trust me that this is the right thing for us?" he asked.

"I guess I can agree to that," she agreed.

"Good. So, run the water and pick which bubble bath you want while I fire up a few of these candles. I'll run down and get us drinks while you slip in the water. Wine? Beer?" Sam asked.

"Better make it beer since I started with a shot earlier," she said.

When Sam returned, the look in his eyes told her she had no reason to doubt he wanted her. "It lives up to all expectations with you in it," Sam said huskily, handing her a beer, before lightening things up again.

"Alright, no peeking while I join you, McNally," Sam teased. "I wouldn't' want to be accused again of being too eager to flash my abs or anything."

Andy laughed. "That stung a little, did it?"

"Naw, I take the not over thinking a compliment thing seriously. Besides, I know you'll peek anyway when we get out and I'm not looking," he grinned.

"Are you saying I don't listen to you?" Andy teased back.

"I'm saying you know me well enough now to know which of my requests are important and which I don't really care if you follow or not," he said.

"Uh-huh. So, you're saying it's OK with you if I peek after all?" she asked.

Sam shrugged as he settle in opposite her, "As long as you can control your urge to jump my bones," he grinned.

Andy splashed him, "Who's the cocky one now?" she protested with a snort.

Sam grabbed her foot, "You haven't felt the power of my Casanova hands yet, McNally. When I'm through with your lovely feet, you'll be begging me to alter the rules of the game," he winked.

"Hmm, you better make this one hell of a foot massage now, if you're going to talk smack like that, Swarek," she sniffed.

"With pleasure, McNally, with utmost pleasure," Sam drawled.

Damn, the man knew how to work the voice, dimples, and hands when he wanted. His teasing might be closer to the truth than he realizes, Andy thought, settling back with a sigh signaling the pleasure was all hers.

~~~~~0~~~~~~

After they had an incredibly sexy, not-quite-foreplay interlude, enjoying getting to know each other better with flirtation that had taken on a whole new tenor, Andy shivered as the water cooled.

Sam notice immediately, and levered himself out of the tub.

He wrapped a towel around himself and grabbed another big bath sheet for Andy.

"You definitely peeked," he smirked as he turned and extended her the towel. She rolled her eyes at him as she reached for it.

Sam pulled it back, "Uh, uh. Not until you say 'Sam, I will never question your seduction technique again.' " he demanded, echoing their earlier banter.

"Sam, I concede the superiority of your seduction techniques," she shot back immediately, echoing his earlier stubborn refusal to repeat verbatim.

Sam threw back his head and laughed appreciatively.

Wrapping her towel firmly around herself, she stepped out of the tub and said sincerely, "Your romantic instincts really are superior. I couldn't have dreamed anything as perfect as all of this," she said stretching up to kiss him on the cheek.

As she pulled back, she gave him a impish look under her lashes, "But never is a long time. How do I know you won't be back to 'sushi' jokes in a week?" she teased.

"You don't," Sam replied, an evil grin breaking over his face. "I might pull pigtails too," he added as he moved quickly to jerk her towel off before winking at her and walking out of the room.

Andy squealed with surprise before calling after him, "Hah! I knew you'd find a way to be the biggest peeker!"

His rumbling laughter drifted back to her as she happily retrieved the towel.

~~~~0~~~~

AN: Hope I didn't veer too much into Mr Big/Carrie Bradshaw territory with the whole Sam remodeling bathrooms and closets to win over Andy thing. But I figure he's more of a do than say kind of guy when it comes to competing with Luke. I also figured that he'd benefit from personal relationships to get a nicer place on a cop's salary rather than being a vulture watching for properties that are cheap because of gruesome murders like Luke does.