Noah and Sami met 17 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

Sami took the dish from her. "Do your schedule. I'll take care of the dishes."

"It's my night."

"Since Noah brought dinner, I didn't need to cook. Let me help. I don't mind."

Both women hugged, as Sarah said, "Thank you."

Jose chuckled. "Wouldn't it be great if everything worked out that well?"

Noah watched Sami carry dishes into the kitchen. "Sure would." He stood. "Let's go to the computer room. I have a few more things to discuss and don't want Sami hearing."

"You mean Bob and Sarah's bedroom?"

"Exactly."



TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 13 C

After cleaning the kitchen, Sami glanced toward Sarah and Bob's room. They're busy. I'll do something in my room.

Noah's voice came through the ceiling vents as Sami dealt out cards for a Solitaire game. "When I introduced myself to Big T, he recognized I was the john with Sami. He put two-and-two together and figured out she was the girl I supposedly paid five thousand dollars for. I corrected the amount. He asked if she was worth the money."

"How does this affect what we're doing right now?" asked Bob.

"It doesn't. It will affect Sami when she's free to go on with her life. All he talked about was how much he wanted to try her and how her physical attributes would help his business. He wants her."

Jose grinned. "Boss, Big T has great taste in women."

Noah ignored Jose and continued, "I want you guys to help me come up with a way to keep Sami safe when she's released from our care."

With eyes widened, Jose continued, "Boss, we can't change her appearance."

"You're right. We'll need to think of a way to keep Big T away from her."

"We can't permanently keep her in protective custody," said Sarah.

"True." Noah shook his head. "I don't have an answer. I do know Big T can't have access to her. He wants her and is willing to pay big bucks."

Sarah's eyes met Noah's. "That can't happen."

"I want a plan in place before she's released. I've mentioned to her that she needs to stay away from Big T's territory, but we know Sami doesn't always listen."

Jose exhaled. "When he grabbed the money, he spent extra time with her breasts."

"Yep."

Sami spoke from the doorway, "So did Noah, when he put it there." She went to her room, slammed that door, and then slammed the door to her bathroom. Running water was heard.

Noah closed his eyes. "I didn't want her to hear this."

Bob pointed to the ceiling vent. "We forgot."

Studying the ceiling, Noah said, "See what can be done about that problem." He faced Sarah. "How do we fix this?"

Shaking her head, Sarah said, "I'm not sure. This conversation probably brought back earlier issues. You're going to have to beg for forgiveness."

"I struggle with apologizing. I don't do begging." Noah left the room.

Calling after him, Sarah said, "If you want a relationship with her, you will."

*****
When time came to take out Jasper, Noah left his room and studied Sami's door. The dog needs a walk. What should I do? Maybe she'd cooled down. He waited. Should I knock or wait?

Sarah shook her head and knocked. "For a tough guy you're a scaredy-cat."

Under his breath he muttered, "Maybe when it comes to Sami."

A few moments later, Sami cracked her door and glanced out, then closed it.

Noah exhaled. "Sami, we both know Jasper needs out. We also need to talk."

Sami left her room. "Come on, Jasper." She walked past Noah without acknowledging him.

When Noah followed, Bob whispered, "Good luck. You'll need it."

Outside, Jasper headed directly for the pond, as Sami called, "Jasper, this is a fast trip."

Noah replied, "Jasper, take your time. Your owner and I have things to discuss."

Sami faced Noah but avoided eye contact. "I have nothing to say."

"I have plenty that needs to be said."

"Then you'd better start because I'm only here for a few minutes." Sami brushed hair from her cheek, before she continued, "You've mentioned before that I still have freedom. I'll be packed and ready to leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"That won't happen."

"You lied. You do have control over me. You're my master, and I'm your servant."

"You know that's not true. I've given you as much freedom as I can and keep you safe. I'm working to stop Chen so you can go home."

"Now you've partnered with Big T."

"Only to arrest Chen."

"And to recover the money you paid for me."

Blowing out air, Noah said, "You misunderstood what you heard. There's no way Big T's getting within miles of you."

"But as you know," she moved her hand in the shape of an hourglass, "I have a great figure."

"Stop!" yelled Noah. He lowered his voice, "Your figure attracted Big T, not me." He ran his hand through his short hair and stared into Sami's eyes. "It was your alluring dark brown eyes. They're mysterious and full of life. There's a twinkle in them that indicates how ornery you can be." He took a breath. "They're sensitive and draw me in."

Sami studied Noah, so he kept talking, "There's a certain innocence about you. I haven't been able to identify, yet. I admired your compassion and unwavering desire to help Myra, even though it put you at risk. You're frustrating, feisty, and obstinate." He grinned. "I'm obviously attracted to those qualities." Releasing a huge sigh, he said, "I hope this helps."

"Have you used your allotment of words for the day?"

"Pretty much."

"Good." Sami swallowed. "I'm going to ask you to do something. I know it's not allowed, but I need you to do it." She hesitated. "I won't ask again. I need you to kiss me and mean it, not a peck on the cheek. Not Trey Morgan, but Noah Joshua Taylor."

"Sami?"

Her glare dared him to kiss her.

Noah licked his lips, put his arms around her, and drew her close. His lips slowly met hers. As the kiss grew in intensity, she returned it and held him tighter. Her eyes closed as he ran his fingers through her long hair. Time seemed to stand still. Heat rose from her stomach to her chest. Addictively he invaded all her senses.

The kiss ended. A few short kisses continued, before the following kiss lingered. Sami's entire body tingled as she felt his body pressed against hers. His arms wrapped around her felt forbidden. The kiss was deep and left no room for thought, only feeling and wanting. It mirrored them getting to know each other intimately. Her body ached for more.

Noah stepped back and caught his breath before he asked, "Did my kiss serve its purpose?"

I thought he cared for me as much as I did for him. I didn't understand how much. Sami's hand touched her stomach attempting to calm her desires. She swallowed. "It did. Thank you."

"Good."

Her eyes met his. "If anybody asks, I'll take full blame. I instigated it."

"I was a willing partner. I could've said no."

"I'd contact Galvin Baldwin myself."

Noah chuckled. "I'm sure you would." He scanned the area. "Have we settled everything? Is there more we need to discuss?"

"No. I think we're finished." Sami moved closer and started to hug him. There's no way I can be close to him right now. My body hasn't calmed from the kiss. She sighed and stepped back. "Thank you."

He touched her arm. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. Let's go inside." Sami inhaled. "Jasper."
Jasper followed Sami and Noah inside.

*****
Sami and Jasper walked straight to her bedroom. "Goodnight, everybody. I'll see you in the morning."

Jose walked up to Noah. "What was that about? Did you get everything settled?"

Noah studied her door. "I think so and then some. As for what's going on, I'm not sure."

~~~~~
CHARACTERS:

Sami Martinez - Twenty-five-year-old high school teacher, who's working to find a kidnapped teenage girl.

Noah Taylor. - Homeland Security team leader, who works in the Human Trafficking department. Alias - Trey Morgan

Jose, Bob, & Sarah - Agents who work under Noah. Bob and Sarah are married.

Laura Martinez - Sami's mom.

Jasper - Sami's Great Dane, a large breed dog.

Myra Rodriguez - Kidnapped teenage girl whom Sami was close to.

Julia - Teenage girl, who was friends with Myra and Sami works with.

Big T - Neighborhood pimp; not a friendly person

Numerous Team Members - They will show up periodically but not really important to the story, except they're there.

Chen - Charles Henry Edward Nichols - Human trafficker and into some really bad stuff.

Chief Galvin Baldwin - Noah's supervisor.

Ryan Brown - All around jerk. He thinks highly of himself.

Marc - Sami's old boyfriend.