Sometimes, Beatrice felt like Sam's stamina was endless. Despite her efforts to keep up with whatever Sam did to her, she was already overwhelmed. Her breath was ragged, her heartbeat erratic. Sweat had soaked her forehead. But the sight above her amazed Beatrice.
How his dark gaze occasionally closed? The strands of hair touching his temples becoming damp. His breath seemed the same; racing as if unsatisfied with what they had achieved. His slightly darkened lips whispered her name more frequently. Just like Beatrice, who filled the room with erotic moans and cries of pleasure due to the actions of the man above her.
No, no. Beatrice shook her head immediately. She mustn't dwell on their passionate struggles from the night before. She had to prepare breakfast for Sam. She needed energy too, right? Who knows what else they would do here. Sam didn't talk about his activities in the past few days.
"Good morning, Sam," Beatrice greeted in a hushed voice. She gave a quick peck on Sam's cheek, barely an inch away from her. Sleeping in Sam's embrace was incredibly comfortable. She didn't know how long they had been asleep. The sunlight might already be shining brightly outside, but Beatrice hadn't noticed. "What time is it now?" She started to get ready to get off the bed, pushing away his muscular arm that confined her.
"Where are you going?" Sam asked hoarsely without opening his eyes.
"I'm getting up," Beatrice replied innocently. "Just wait, okay? I'll prepare breakfast."
"That's Hans' job." Sam pulled Beatrice back into his embrace. Despite her resistance, Sam knew exactly how to make the woman surrender to his embrace.
"Are you going to make me helpless again this morning?"
Beatrice pouted but soon gave in. Nestling herself in Sam's embrace was what she enjoyed now. She never imagined her life would be at this point. She had to create the right conditions for herself. The sky had to always be clear so she could face the day with enthusiasm. Despite living paycheck to paycheck, feeling frustrated with her father's behavior, pitying her mother who worked tirelessly for the family, Beatrice tried her best to help financially amidst the pressure.
Now her life was 180 degrees different. Not because she was always by Sam's side, of course not. But the undeniable reality enveloped her, and she couldn't deny it. She just had to digest what lay ahead of her as best as she could. Nevertheless, Beatrice decided to normalize herself. Regarding the business, she wasn't ready yet. Learning about Quassano with the piles of documents surrounding her made her dizzy. Luckily, her grandfather understood and didn't want to force his will too much.
Her phone vibrated softly. It had probably been ringing for a while, but Beatrice didn't pay much attention. She was too tired to even move and pick up the black device. "Someone is calling me, Sam," Beatrice laughed. "Let me get it first, okay?"
"No need." Sam trapped Beatrice even tighter. "Your mine. Forever and always."
Beatrice squirmed playfully. The gentle kisses Sam placed around her neck made her try to distance herself. "Just let go for a moment," Beatrice said, slightly pushing Sam's bare chest. "Not for long."
"I'm sure that call is from Alfred."
"Sam," Beatrice grumbled. "Can you promise to be a little polite?"
"Yeah, yeah," Sam muttered softly. He helped the woman sit up, but then he trapped Beatrice from behind. Inhaling Beatrice's enticing scent. Yet, oh God! Sam hadn't forgotten their lovemaking from last night. He didn't care much about Beatrice being busy typing a message. The corner of his eye quickly read what message came to Beatrice's phone.
Alfred:
Tell Sam to meet me, Leora. I don't want my great-grandchild to be born out of wedlock. Before many things I can no longer enjoy. Speed up your marriage.
"Sam," Beatrice sighed. How could she concentrate while Sam teased her with the tip of his tongue? Occasionally, she felt a small bite there. Wasn't the man satisfied with leaving various marks all over her body?
"Why?" Sam innocently asked, as if he hadn't done anything wrong.
"Just wait. Let me reply to Grandfather's message first."
Sam grinned, kissing the nape of Beatrice's neck more eagerly. Wearing a very thin-strapped camisole that he could easily tear apart so that his woman didn't have to wear anything. And when his hands cupped Beatrice's breasts, what use were clothes for her?
None.
"Samuel!" Beatrice whined as the groping on her chest became a little rough. "Just a moment."
"What do you want to reply?"
Beatrice fell silent. Although parts of her body were receiving touches she enjoyed, Sam's question left her without a proper answer to respond to her grandfather's message.
"Why so quiet?" Sam kissed the side of Beatrice's face, pushing her long and beautiful hair to the right. His eyes then caught that the message still hadn't been replied to. "Can't you reply?"
"I'm confused, what should I reply?"
Sam sighed. He immediately took Beatrice's phone and typed quickly. Afterward, it would be better to turn it off or even throw away the phone. It was disturbing him, as he just wanted to be alone with Beatrice.
Beatrice:
Can you not disturb us, Old Man? I assure you our marriage will be conducted soon. I'll ask Hans to prepare everything.
And Sam did what he thought was right; he turned off the phone and threw it away as he pleased.
"Sam!"
Sam looked at Beatrice with a thin smile. "What?"
"It might get damaged. I cherish that phone, big brother." Beatrice tried to free herself. "Let me get it."
"Is the phone more important than me?"
Beatrice sighed in frustration. "Because it's your phone, I'm afraid it might get damaged."
"Later, Hugo will get you the latest version."
"I don't want that." Beatrice asked Sam to release his embrace. Unfortunately, Sam didn't want to let Beatrice get away even for a moment. Instead, he threw Beatrice onto the bed. "Big brother!" the woman shouted with wide eyes, unable to believe it.
"Just leave it, will you?" Sam chuckled triumphantly. "There's nothing important in it, right?"
Beatrice still refused to turn her lips upward.
"What's in that phone anyway?"
Beatrice's eyes couldn't meet Sam's gaze anymore, now that he was on top of her. Besides being intimidated by Sam, under his sharp gaze, Beatrice felt helpless. She couldn't come up with many excuses, but she truly didn't have many things stored in that phone. It's just that... there were many chats she sent to Sam. Although his responses were brief, they always caused restlessness in Beatrice's heart, but she was already grateful.
Countless times Beatrice had reread her messages to Sam.
"What's the matter?" This time Sam spoke in a low voice. He stared at his conversational partner without pause. Since Beatrice chose to lower her gaze, Sam was no fool. "Look at me." He knew that what he said couldn't be argued by Beatrice.
Just like now. Despite her fear, Beatrice tried to lift her gaze. Meeting again with the dark intensity of Sam's eyes that refused to easily release its prey. Sam wouldn't give up easily before he got what he wanted.
"What's the matter?" Sam repeated once again.
"Chat with you," Beatrice replied as softly as possible.
Sam's forehead furrowed, but then his smile began to show. "Is that all?"
Without hesitation, Beatrice nodded, although once again she averted her face. Beatrice was afraid that her answer would only further anger Sam. Despite their passionate encounter last night, Sam remained unchanged. It seemed that their closeness was only temporary. Sam's cold demeanor sometimes made Beatrice feel like she was hitting a solid wall, unable to understand what Sam's heart was like now.
"If it gets damaged, Anne can take care of it so that the chat doesn't get lost." Parts of Sam's body pressed tighter against Beatrice. His face also lowered until she felt his breath mingling with hers. "You still don't want to look at me?"
"N-No, it's not like that." Beatrice squeezed the messy bedsheets, closing her eyes. She didn't have time to tidy up the wide bed cover. She was already exhausted from Sam's relentless assault without a break.
"So?" Sam kissed Beatrice's blushing cheek. The room remained dimly lit. He didn't care what time it was. All he cared about was spending enjoyable time with Beatrice.
"For me," Beatrice mustered her courage. She slowly opened her eyes and met Sam's gaze, which was only a small distance away. Beatrice's hand reached out to touch Sam's face. "That gift from you was incredibly precious." Beatrice nervously swallowed her saliva. Speaking to Sam always required great courage. "I felt close to you because of that phone."
"And now you don't feel close?" Sam laughed at Beatrice's words.
"Not like this." Beatrice pouted. Her hand, which had initially greeted Sam's face, began to descend and traced his arm. When it met his large palm, which undoubtedly bore some of his weight, Beatrice exerted a little force to make Sam comply with her request. Sam shook his head in confusion, but he didn't reject the hand that guided him to do something.
"What is it?"
"The closeness I want is not just like this," Beatrice smiled faintly. "But... truly close, not only through touch but also in the heart." She brought her hand closer to his chest, where his rhythmic heartbeat indicated that its owner was alive and that every nerve was stimulated by their proximity. "Closeness in the heart as well."
Sam stared intensely at Beatrice. He remained silent for a while before blinking slowly. All the words that had crossed his mind remained unspoken. He exerted all his strength to protect Beatrice. The safety of the girl beneath his wing was his priority. But the closeness in the heart that Beatrice desired was something Sam still couldn't grasp.
He was afraid. Many of his enemies knew his weakness.
Ah... Sam shouldn't have worried, right? After all, there was Quassano who would help him protect Beatrice. So, what was he afraid of? Didn't his own feelings... resemble Beatrice's? It was him who spoke about his desires, his commands, and his requests, not allowing the woman to move away from him.
Then why was he hesitating now?
"You know, Beatrice." Their hands tightly intertwined, gripping each other firmly as Sam said, "You don't need to worry about the closeness of the heart you desire. I'll grant it because you've become an addiction to my life."
Beatrice's smile blossomed.
"I'm not good with words, but there's one thing you need to know: you're the woman I choose to have by my side. The woman of Sam, strong and brave."
Truly, Beatrice's heart bloomed with joy. She embraced Sam tightly.
"What do you want for breakfast? I'll ask Hans to prepare it." Sam chose to create some distance. He released
Beatrice from his embrace, leaving her reluctantly. However, the sound of her stomach growling reminded them that they had other obligations in life.
Eating.
"Let me do it." Beatrice prepared to get off the bed.
"You wait here. Understand?" Sam looked at Beatrice with his sharp gaze, making her abandon her intention to leave the room immediately. The sound of the door closing made Beatrice even more elated. She screamed in excitement because Sam's words truly enveloped her in happiness.
"Oh, my phone!" She hurriedly got up, praying that her phone was still intact. Unfortunately, it was only wishful thinking. Sam didn't hold back when he threw the flat, black object. The evidence was the phone she picked up, now distorted and with a cracked screen. Although it still functioned, Beatrice doubted it could be repaired to its original state. Her narrowed eyes tried to read the message from her grandfather.