Noah and Sami met 33 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

After Jasper's long walk, Noah said, "I'll pick you up around five-thirty. We have six o'clock dinner reservations at Turner's and then theater reservations at the Alley Theater. We're watching 'Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily'. I hope you enjoy it." He kissed her before he shut the door and left.

Sami opened the door. "Noah, wait. You don't need to do this. I'm happy with cheeseburgers and an evening walk."

"I know. Just be ready."



TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 28 C

A little after five o'clock, Noah knocked on Sami's door. She called to Jasper, "Let Noah in."

Jasper sat up and his front paw hit the door handle, opening it.

Noah petted the large dog. "Thank you, buddy." He faced Sami's open bedroom door. "You shouldn't let just anybody in."

"You're right, but do you think Jasper would allow just anybody in? Who would argue with him? Besides he knows when you walk up the stairs."

"True. I guess. But still, it doesn't seem safe." He hesitated and glanced at his watch. "About ready?"

"You said I needed to be ready at five-thirty. Just adding the finishing touches. I still have ten minutes."

"Right." Noah sat on the couch and petted Jasper. "I guess it's just you and me."

*****
When Sami left her bedroom, Noah stood. His eyes widened, unable to speak. "You look..." He swallowed. "You clean up nice."

She walked over and pecked his cheek. "You don't look too shabby yourself."

Noah glanced at the door. "Ready?"

"Let me get a shawl. It might get cool when the sun sets."

Taking the shawl from Sami, Noah draped it over her bare shoulders, inhaled her peony perfume, and then adjusted his tie. "I doubt anything about tonight will be cool."

At Noah's car, Sami stopped. "Noah, I'd be happy with pizza and bowling."

He opened her car door, and then his eyes met hers. "I know. I want to show you how important you are to me."

"I already know. You don't need to prove anything."

He held her hand. "Let me do this."

Her eyes sparkled. "Okay."

*****
Noah placed his hand on the small of Sami's back as the maitre d led them to their table. At the table the maitre d explained who their waiter would be and handed them menus.

Sami noticed Noah touch the left side of his suit jacket. "Is there a problem?"

"No. Why?"

"I noticed you touched your..."

"The men gawking at you make me nervous. I know you're drop dead gorgeous, but still."

She reached over and covered his hand with hers. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm all yours. I've noticed the women are interested in this certain masculine, ruggedly handsome man."

Noah scanned the area. "Where?"

"You, silly."

The waiter arrived and introduced himself. "Could I take your drink orders?"

They ordered ginger ale.

Sami said, "I'd also like a glass of water."

Noah nodded. "Make that two."

"Could I interest you in an appetizer?" asked the waiter.

Noah's eyes were on his date. "Sami?"

"I need more time to read the menu." After the waiter left, Sami continued, "I can't eat my meal, with an appetizer and a dessert. I need to see which one I'd rather have. It depends."

"Of course."

"A girl needs to choose wisely. Places like this frown on doggy bags."

"I see the problem."

The decision was against the appetizer. Sami ordered the steak and Noah ordered roasted branzino. Both with a salad wedge.

While they waited for their dinner to arrive, Noah stood and offered his hand.

Sami smiled and accepted it. "This ruggedly handsome man also dances."

"Dancing is reserved for a certain lady."

Reaching up, Sami nibbled on his earlobe.

"What are you doing?"

"Letting those women know you're taken."

"I'm sure they've figured it out, since you have my complete attention."

She cuddled into his chest. "I guess that's true."

"You've reached a new high." Her eyes met his, as he continued, "You hit feisty and incorrigible at the same time."

She teased, "Is that a bad thing?"

"No, but I'm still going to my apartment when tonight ends."

"I've never considered you wouldn't. This morning, you explained your position. Although I don't like it, I agree."

"Thank you." Noah nodded toward their table. "I think our food's arrived." He cupped Sami's elbow and escorted her to their table.

Once Sami sat, she studied the beautifully displayed food in front of her.

Noah watched as her eyes glistened with moisture. "Sunshine, is something wrong?"

She used her napkin to dab her eyes. "Nothing's wrong. These are happy tears. Everything's perfect. Thank you."

"I want to caution you, I going to mess up, a lot."

"I know you're not perfect. But I also know you could never disappoint me."

"I hope not, but I'm sure I will. I've already made mistakes during our relationship."

"Only because we had to deny or hide our relationship. Now it's in the open."

Noah watched Sami cut a piece of her steak. "How's your steak?"

"It looks perfect, but I haven't tasted it." She forked a piece into her mouth and chewed. "It's delicious. How's your fish?"

"Very good."

*****
After they finished eating, the waiter asked about dessert.

Noah studied Sami. "What was your final decision on dessert?"

She put her hand over her stomach. "I really want one, but I can't eat another bite."

"We'll have the check." After the waiter left, Noah said, "How about after the play we stop someplace and get dessert?"

"We can do that?"

"Of course."

The waiter arrived with the bill. Noah handed him his bankcard and then held out his hand. "Sunshine? While we wait."

"Yes." Sami laid her head against Noah's chest. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

As they danced, the maitre d walked up. "Mr. Taylor, sorry to interrupt but there are two men who said they need to speak with you. They said it was urgent."

"Sorry, Sami." Noah led Sami to the table and then followed the maitre d. As he walked away, the waiter handed him his bankcard and the receipt. Noah signed it.

Sami stood at their table and watched.

Before she could sit, Jose walked up and offered his hand. "I heard your dance was interrupted. May I have this dance?"

"Of course." She glanced in the direction Noah had walked. "I guess it's important?"

"It is. Trey Morgan needs to make a phone call so Leroy will release the kids to Benny Farmer. It shouldn't take long. Your date will continue as scheduled."

"I'm sure. Thank you for dancing with me."

Jose chuckled. "I'm a normal guy. Why wouldn't I want to dance with a beautiful lady?"

Sami pecked his cheek. "With an answer like that how could I complain?"

Noah slipped his arm around Sami's waist. "I just witnessed my date kiss another man."

"I didn't kiss another man. I kissed Jose."

Jose put his hand over his chest. "She just stuck a knife into my heart. Sami, if I'm not a man, what am I?"

Her cheeks tinged pink. "That didn't come out right, did it?"

Both men chuckled.

Noah gently turned her around, so she faced the entrance. "I think we'd better leave for the theater. You can quit while you're ahead."

"Sounds good, but I don't think I'm ahead. Jose, I'm sorry."

He leaned over and pecked her forehead. "I'm teasing. I know exactly what you meant. We're good friends."

"Thank you." She exhaled when Noah put her shawl around her shoulders.

*****
As Noah opened the door to Sami's apartment, Jasper met them. They both petted the large dog as Sami said, "You want out?"

Noah grabbed the leash from the hook by the door. "I'll take him. You're not dressed appropriately for taking him out."

"I can do it."

"I didn't say you couldn't. I think walking in those heels on uneven ground would be uncomfortable."

"True. But can be done. Or he can wait a minute while I change shoes."

"Just let me do it." Noah paused. "We brought home Key Lime pie. Why don't you make a pot of decaf coffee? It'd go good with the pie."

"Good idea."

When Jasper and Noah returned, Sami poured two cups of coffee and set out the Key Lime pie. "Ready?"

"I am." Noah studied her eyes. "What's on your mind?"

"I enjoy cooking and didn't mind doing it at the safe house, but I can do a lot of things besides cook." She paused. "Like walk my dog."

"You're right. I'm sorry if I implied otherwise. I was trying to help." Noah studied her. "Sunshine, I plan on supporting your work, your wants, and your dreams. I have no desire to treat you as a trophy wife. You're beautiful enough for one, but you have more to offer than that."

Sami walked over and kissed him. "Thank you for saying that. Just so you know I support you in everything you do."

Noah removed his suit jacket and tie and set them on a chair, as Sami stared at his shoulder holster. "Sami?" asked Noah.

"I know you wear it, but seeing it, it becomes real."

"Understood. Monday I'll set up an appointment for the firing range. Any day work best for you?"

"Mornings I'll go to the school weight room, but any afternoon should work. Do I need to go to a firing range? Can't you show me here?"

"It'll be easier for you to get a complete overview of guns." He held out his SIG Sauer P320C. "This probably isn't the right sidearm for you to get acquainted with. I want to go over how guns work and the safety rules." He hesitated. "Then introduce the three main types, pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Finally, I'll touch on types of bullets." His eyes met hers. "No pressure but if you want to fire one, I'll help you." He studied the piece of pie in front of him. "Am I going to get to eat this or stare at it?"

Sami giggled. "Stare at it."

He forked a piece into his mouth. "It's good. You should try it."

Sami took a bite. "It is. Thank you for suggesting it." She tilted her head. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Of course. I was thinking about either canoeing or kayaking and a picnic. I'm hoping you have a suggestion for the evening."

"I like the canoeing or kayaking idea. How long do I have before you want an answer about the evening?"

"Until tomorrow evening."

"Great. I'll fix the picnic lunch."

"Sure? I can pick something up."

"I'm positive. It'll be something simple."

"Good idea."

They cleared the dishes, before they cuddled on the couch.

Sami's eyes met Noah's as she smiled. "Thank you for tonight. It was perfect." She kissed him.

"I know you've gone to nice places before."

"You're right, but this was different." When Noah's eyes widened, Sami continued, "Marc took me to nice places but only because there were people he wanted to impress."

"I doubt your playboy was worried about impressing people."

"You're right. Mateo has no desire to impress anybody. But he takes all his dates to nice places. You took me because you wanted to take me. That made me feel important. Thank you."

"You are important."

After a kiss, Sami asked, "What was your favorite part of the play?"

"Honestly my favorite part was watching you enjoy it. Your eyes sparkled so much; I couldn't keep from watching them. They were like fireworks."

"Really?" When he nodded, her kiss lingered. "That's the nicest thing anybody has ever said to me."

After a few more lingering kisses, Noah's body pressed against Sami's causing her to lie back. Noah lay partially on top as his tongue gently tickled the roof of her mouth. He stood. "Sunshine, I need to leave."

Her eyes widened. "Why?"

"I want to carry you into the bedroom and make love to you all night."

"I haven't nibbled on your earlobe since dinner."

"I know." He paused a moment. "I'll see you around ten o'clock. Goodnight."

"Noah?"

"Sunshine, don't make this more difficult than it already is. Goodnight." Noah left. After the door closed, he said, "Don't forget to lock this."

"Goodnight. I won't."

May you have a blessed Christmas filled with love, peace, family and friends!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!



Might be the song Sami and Noah danced to. Frank Sinatra: 'I Can't Take My Eyes off You'






~~~~~
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.

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.

Chief Galvin Baldwin - Noah's supervisor.

Marc - Sami's old boyfriend.

Mateo Enrique Aguilar de Pereira - a very close friend of Sami's; a rich playboy