Samantha woke first.
The faint sound of a phone ringing in the living room and the soft rhythm of Dave's breathing filled her senses. He held her close, firmly wrapped around her. After the intense lovemaking that morning, she shouldn't be feeling any kind of stirring in the lower half of her body.
But she still wanted him. She chuckled at the thought. It was a good thing she hadn't started having sex early, because if she'd known how sweet and intoxicating it could be, she might have been addicted. Always craving more of this blissful feeling.
Yet, she was still glad that Dave was her first.
Despite her newfound addiction to sex, Samantha knew that only one person, Dave Rice, could give her the needed sexual fix. Whether that was a good or bad thing, she hadn't figured out yet.
What were they now? Were they officially a couple? Dave had said he wanted to be with her. So she should trust him... right?
The phone ringtone continued. It was Dave's phone. She turned her head to look at him. He looked peaceful, gentle, and beautiful in sleep.
She didn't want to wake him. Maybe she could answer the call and let the person know he was asleep. She carefully wiggled out of his hold, but just as she climbed out of bed, he pulled her back onto his chest.
His nose nuzzled her neck, his muscled arm tightening around her waist. "Where are you running off to?" he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.
Samantha's heart skipped. Her heart skipped. His free hand found her breast, cupping it softly, fingers circling her nipple. She took a deep breath, bit her lip, and shuddered.
That same hand trailed lower. They were both naked beneath the covers.
He slipped two fingers inside her. Her breath caught as she dug her nails into his thigh. His cheek brushed against her neck as he inhaled deeply.
"Where were you running off to?" he asked again, his voice thick with emotion.
"I... I wasn't running," she swallowed. "Your phone... It's ringing."
"Oh." He lifted his head, searching the room with his eyes, and groaned. "It's downstairs."
Still, he held her tighter. She was used to feeling every part of him from their time in Vegas, but something about being with him now felt even more intense. She wanted him more each time.
"You should go check it. Might be important," she said reluctantly.
He groaned again, kissed the top of her head, and sat up.
"Someone's gonna get it. I'm on vacay. Who the hell is calling?" he grumbled, heading for the door. "I'll be back."
"Okay."
He paused with his hand on the knob, turning to look at her with a shy smile. "This is my first time in your room. I like it. I like us."
Before she could respond, he left. She blinked at the closed door, a wide smile spreading across her face. Could she trust this feeling bubbling inside her chest? She covered her mouth with both hands, squealed, and kicked her legs in the air like a giddy teenager.
She was still giggling when the door opened again.
Samantha dove under the covers, peeking out innocently. Dave entered, holding two phones.
"You have six missed calls from your dad," he said, handing her the phone.
Samantha sat up, clutching the duvet around her and frowning. "He probably wanted to check in since I said I was resuming work today."
"I don't think that's it," Dave replied.
"Why not?"
"Because he called me, too."
"Oh."
Dave held her gaze. "Our dads wanted us to host a small party. A family-and-friends kind of thing. To celebrate our marriage."
Samantha smiled. "That's nice."
"You're okay with it?" he asked, surprised. "We don't have to if you're uncomfortable."
"You don't want to?" she asked, her voice small and uncertain.
"I want to," he said, rushing over to hold her shoulders. "I just didn't want to pressure you. I didn't want you to hate me."
"I don't hate you." She smiled shyly. "I'd love to host a party."
"Good," he said, hugging her tightly. "Because your dad doesn't understand the word no. He was going to throw it with or without us."
"Yep. That's Frederic Jones, always getting what he wants."
Dave tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. "My dad's the same way."
"Isn't that why we got married in the first place?" Samantha teased.
"But something I don't get..." she added, eyes narrowing playfully. "Why were you called a troublemaker? You don't seem that mischievous."
Dave laughed nervously, avoiding her eyes. "It's just a nickname. Nothing serious."
Samantha grabbed her phone and started typing.
"What are you doing?" he asked, wide-eyed.
"Researching the man I married. Should've done this earlier," she said, still typing.
"There's no need for that!" he lunged for the phone. "You can just ask me what you want. I am the best Wikipedia. The internet is just filled with lies."
"Lies, come on? You want to tell me that everything online about you is all lies? I don't believe that." She dodged, running past him. He ran after her, stretching out his arm, and grabbed her by the waist. She jumps out of his reach and bounces onto the bed, waving the phone above her head, panting with excitement.
Dave jumps on the bed after her, wrapping his hands around her waist, tackling her so that they both fall onto the bed, his legs wrapped around her thighs. Not letting her go as they both laugh hysterically, he turns around so that she is lying flat.
Finally, he pries the phone out of her hand, throws it far from the bed, and pins her hands above her head.
"Since marrying me, I'm a new man. Let old things stay in the past," he laughed breathlessly.
"I'm more curious now," Sam laughs, trying to stretch out of his hold. "I want to see what they have to say about you online!"
"And I'm curious about your body." His gaze swept over her hungrily. The covers had slipped off during their scuffle.
"Mr. Rice, are you deflecting?"
"No, Mrs. Rice, just mapping your body and making love to you," he said before crashing his lips against hers.
She melted into him, her body aching for his touch. He held her wrists firmly, intensifying the moment. The emotion overwhelmed her; it was beautiful. They could forget everything and just be together.
They could make this work.
"Say my name," Dave groaned.
"Dave!" she shouted, lost in ecstasy.
Yes. They could make it work.