"Huh?" Samantha took Ian's phone the second time and stared at the post.
There were hundreds of different posts showing her and Ian walking into the hotel, and there was one recent post that showed the two of them outside the hotel room last night.
The pictures looked like they were having an affair.
Cold dread filled her. "What the hell is this?" She asked breathlessly.
"I don't know how they took the pictures, but it is blowing up, and it doesn't look good," Ian said as he held her hand, caressing it gently.
She yanks her hand and waves the phone in his face. "The picture looks like we are having an affair! Do you know what will happen because of these pictures?"
"Why are you looking at me like I did this?" Ian raised a brow. "I wanted to take you out of a bad situation. I wasn't trying to fuck you up."
He was pissed.
Samantha took a deep breath. Trying to calm down. "I am not saying this is your fault." She paced around, then threw her hands in defeat. "This is bad, Ian. Really bad"
Ian caught her hands again, before she could pull away. "Look at me." He said as he took a deep breath.
"I don't have time for this." She tries to leave.
He doesn't let go.
"Look. At. Me"
She looks at him.
"Good." He breathes in again. "Take a deep breath."
"Ian-"
"Do it"
She breathes in deeply. Closing her eyes. She lets out the breath.
"Again."
She takes another deep breath and... opens her eyes.
Ian is leaning close. His lips were seconds away from her own.
"What?" She takes a step back. Trips on her leg.
He caught her before she fell.
Too close.
His hand stayed at her waist a second longer than necessary.
He pulls her against him.
"Ian," her voice shook.
His eyes were cold. She couldn't read them.
"What are you doing?" She asked nervously. "You...you should let me go, I need to--"
"What if you stay?" he said, cocking his head gently to the side. He continued. "What if you stay with me?"
"What...what are you saying?" She tried to get out of his hold, but it was futile.
"Stay with me," His voice was soft and filled with pain.
"I can't. I am married." She pushed against his shoulder with all her might. "Let me go, Ian!"
"Get a divorce. Leave him. He doesn't deserve you!"
"What!"
"Leave him, Sammy." He tightens his hand around her. "You are already trending. People already believe you are with me. You can use it as an excuse to break up with him."
Samantha stops struggling and stares at him anew.
"Did you do this?... The pictures, did you leak them?" Samantha asked, searching his eyes for answers.
Ian closes his eyes. Sighs.
Then he let go of her.
Samantha stares at him, surprised.
He looks disappointed.
"I do love you, Sammy." His eyes darken. "But, I would not stop that low..."
He takes a step back and shakes his head.
"Even for you. I would never stop that low!" he snapped, shaking with anger.
Samantha was sorry. She took a step closer, and he took another step away from her.
"I am sorry. I am just tired. I shouldn't have said that. I didn't know what to think." Samantha apologized profusely.
"You know me. I can't believe you think so little of me." Ian watched her in disbelief.
"As I said, I am sorry. I didn't mean it," Samantha said, then shook her head. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
She takes a step closer and holds his hand in hers, gently rubbing his hand. "I am sorry. You know how much I care about you. I would never intentionally hurt your feelings like that."
Ian rubs her hand back. "Thank you. You may only care about me," he smiles. "But I love you."
Samantha laughs.
"Wow!" A familiar voice thundered behind them.
Samantha looks behind Ian to see Dave walking towards them and clapping menacingly.
"This is a sight." Dave scoffs. "Are you guys really together?"
He glared at their hands.
Samantha pulls her hand from Ian. He grabs her hand tight and doesn't let go.
"Let go," she said through her teeth.
Ian ignores her. He takes one step and stands in front of her. Totally blocking her view of Dave.
"What are you doing here?" Ian chuckles. "Could I call security? You look lost."
Dave heaved. Glares.
"Leave now!" Dave thundered. "I want to talk to my wife."
"Why would I ever do that?" He smirks and tightens his hold on Samantha's wrist. "I am exactly where I need to be."
"This is between me and my wife." Dave was seething with anger. "Get lost and LET GO OF THAT HAND."
"NO!"
The answer was cold and dismissive.
"Stop, Ian," Samantha whispered just for his ears.
"Don't let it bother you," Ian answered softly. "I won't let him hurt you again and -"
Ian groans, collapsing to his knees.
Dave had sucker punched him in the stomach.
"Fuck you." Ian groaned.
Samantha stared at Dave in horror. He was shaking with anger.
Her eyes narrowed. The violence looks natural to him.
He was standing in front of her. Staring into her soul. She hadn't known when he had gotten so close to Ian and her.
Samantha tore her gaze from him to Ian, in pain on the floor. "Why would you hurt him?"
"STOP LOOKING AT HIM!" Dave clenched his teeth. "Or, I will hurt him."
The anger and pain in Dave's voice jerked her head to stare back at him.
"Stop looking at him. I hate it," Dave's voice shook, but was softer now, sounding like a plea. His body shook with emotion.
Samantha scoffed.
This cheater is angry that she is staring at Ian? Who the hell does he think he is? Wait, why does he look so haggard?
Dave's eyes get drawn to Ian again. Despite being on his knees, Ian still had her wrist.
"Let go of her hand." Dave's eyes were dark. It was scary.
"No." Ian punches the floor with his free hand. "I SAID NO."
"Good," Dave said.
Did he just say, "Good?" Samantha thought wearily.
"I won't have to feel guilty about this." Dave raises his hand and slams the side of his palm against Ian's arm.
"Aaarrgh," Ian cries in pain.
His hold releases.
Dave grabs Samantha's hand.
Turns to Ian. "This could have been easy, but you wanted to be stubborn. I will give you that." He leans closer to the man on his knees. "I see you around my woman again, and I will destroy you!"
Dave turns back to Samantha. "Let's go!"
She yanks her hand out of his hold. "Let go of me, you fucking cheater. You injured Ian. He has been nothing but nice to me. How dare you!"
"Was he nice to you?" Dave asks gently, as if realizing something. "Wait, I thought he was hurting you."
"Huh?" Samantha was in disbelief.
"Shit." Dave's face was white.
He helped a very shocked Ian to his feet.
"I sincerely didn't mean to hurt you. I thought you were harassing her." Dave apologizes, smiling nervously.
Ian and Samantha stare at Dave in disbelief.
He looks so innocent.
"So, you'll accept my apology?" Dave lowers his head. Guilty.
Ian said, "Well, yeah. If you didn't mean it but-"
"Good. Thanks." Dave holds Samantha once again. "Where is your hotel room? We need to talk."
Dave smiles at her. His smile was wide, unblinking.
His eyes held something... Wicked... Possessive.