Play for Me (24 page)

“What the fuck are you guys doing?” one man who had been shot
cried out.

“Don’t like it when someone uses my house as a drug cartel,”
replied Rock smoothly.

“Hey, man, these are not our drugs,” he replied. “We were
just told to watch them. I’m gonna die from bleeding to death.”

“Should have thought of that before you did something stupid
like this.” Ian just shook his head. “Listen, we want some answers.” Ian held
his gun at the man’s face. “Talk, buddy.”

“Got nothing to say. I want a lawyer.” The man shuffled and
tried to run away, but Ian's back-up had arrived and shoved the man on the
ground.

“What’s going on?” asked the agent after showing his FBI
card to Rock and Ian.

“This is our house and we haven’t been home for a while,”
said Ian. “These guys decided to make it their party home. Don’t appreciate it.”

“Lock ‘em up,” said the FBI agent to his partner. The men
were led out of the house to the paddy wagon where more police and an ambulance
arrived at the scene. By now, the situation had turned chaotic and Rock and Ian
let them do their thing. Ian and Rock went upstairs to collect their clothes
and checked in with Terri before they left.

“Good work. It appears while you two were elsewhere, the
Garcia cartel decided to use your house as a front. Bad news, though. They know
it's a government operation. There’s a leak somewhere so watch your backside. Don’t
go straight home. There’s a boat about a mile down the road waiting for you.”

“Duh,” commented Rock and shook his head. “Who do you think
the leak is?”

“I have no idea.” Ian shook his head, confused.

Ian and Rock were quiet on the boat trying to catch up on
some much needed rest from the adrenaline from the raid. Ian's thoughts were on
Sam. It had been a week since he had spoken to her. He hoped she would still
talk to him. Ian shook off a feeling of dread about Sam not wanting to see him
again. As soon as they were off this boat, they were headed to Los Angeles and
then he would fly to Maui to cover their tails, Ian called Sam from the
airport.

“Hey, there,” said Ian cautiously.

“Ian!” shrieked Sam. “Where are you?”

“LAX,” said Ian happily, liking Sam’s enthusiasm.

“I did nothing, but worry about you,” admitted Sam. “I’m so
glad you’re okay. Right? You’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” assured Ian. “I should be there in about five
hours. Is it okay if I swing around to see you?”

“Absolutely,” squealed Sam. “I’ve got so much to tell you!”

“Babe, I’ll be there as soon as I can,” said Ian. God, he
couldn’t get there soon enough.

****

Smiling, Sam checked the time and realized Ian would be
there around dinner. She checked her grocery supplies and noticed she needed
more wine. She happily made a list and went to the store to pick up the items. Once
home, she sat down and started to go through Jett’s emails. Sam felt guilty
because she had ignored them for a couple of days. She logged on and groaned
when the count read over two thousand.

“
Jett, this is the second time I’ve written and I don’t
want a subscription. I want you!”
read the first email Sam opened. Sam
groaned. Did these people crawl out of the woodwork?

For two hours straight, Sam plowed through the emails,
filing them in their perspective folders. Her back ached from hunching over the
laptop without a break. She stretched and looked at the time. Two more hours to
go before Ian's arrival. She happily got up and took a shower, dressing in a
sexy red sundress with matching sandals. Sam started dinner, poured a glass of
wine, sat down at the piano and began to play. At first, she started with
scales to warm up and then she proceeded to her favorite ‘Beethoven Moonlight
Sonata’. Feeling inventive, she started playing a tune that popped into her
head.

****

Ian could hear the sounds of the piano and smiled. The song
had a haunting melody, but sounded beautiful. He hesitated before knocking on
the door, not wanting to interrupt. He marveled at her talent. He heard the
last note and finally knocked on the door. When Sam answered, Ian appeared
speechless, drinking in her presence. The color red complimented her complexion.
He didn't even give her a chance to say hello. He immediately grabbed her into
his arms and gave her a long, lingering kiss, tasting the sweet, fruity smell
of the wine she had been drinking. She tasted like nectar.

“Oh, Ian,” sighed Sam. “I can't believe how much I missed
you! Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.” Sam kissed Ian again,
pulling him into the house and shutting the door. “I have so much to tell you!”

“When is dinner going to be ready?” asked Ian. If he could,
he would've taken her right there on the spot. He hoped Sam could read his
mind.

“Whenever I want it,” whispered Sam as she got Ian's point.

Ian scooped Sam in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Once,
they reached the room, clothes came off flying. The urgency of their love
making seemed endless. Ian, having faced the threat of harm, realized that
every moment with Sam counted. He tenderly kissed her lips, her nose and then
moved onto her neck, inhaling the sweet smell of her skin. He was definitely in
heaven.

“Oh, Ian,” sighed Sam contentedly. “I knew I missed, you but
I didn't realize how much.”

Ian lay next to Sam with his head propped up on his elbow
and softly stroked Sam's skin with his fingers.

“Was it a really bad op?” asked Sam softly seeming to
understand his mood.

“I've been on worse, but this was definitely not a good one.
Especially when you're looking down the barrel of a gun.” Ian sighed, torn
about his role with the Seals. If he ever lost Sam, he wouldn't know what to
do.

“Now that I've found you, don't get yourself killed,” said
Sam, trying to lighten the mood.

“I have no intention,” said Ian as he kissed her one more
time. “Tell me all what's going on.” Ian smiled again at Sam, waiting to hear
the news.

“Oh, Ian,” began Sam happily. The next three weeks are going
to be so hectic! Would you like a glass of wine? I'm sorry I forgot my manners.”

“Let me get some clothes on,” said Ian as he picked up his
shorts which had landed in the bathroom. He held them up with one finger and
smiled at Sam. “We did it again.”

“You got that right,” laughed Sam as she picked up her sundress
which had fallen underneath the bed. “First things first. I met Bryce.”

“You did?” asked Ian, surprised. “How did that happen?”

“I just ran into him during lunch,” explained Sam as she
started to make dinner.

“Ran into him, how?” quizzed Ian, not letting this drop.

“I grabbed a bunch of brochures for my company and looked them
over while I ate. He introduced himself and then we got on the subject of Jordan and got carried away.” Sam looked at Ian expectantly. “You're not jealous, are you?”

“Maybe a little.” Ian shrugged his shoulders. “You are a
great woman, you know.”

“Well, thank you very much,” said Sam somewhat embarrassed. “But
right now, it's only you, Ian.” She reached up and kissed him on the lips.

“Good.” Ian slipped his arms around her waist and they stood
nose to nose. “So, who is all of this company that I have to be aware of?”

“Well, my parents are coming,” began Sam studying Ian's
face.

“I think I can handle that,” said Ian slowly.

“You won't be on assignment, will you?” asked Sam anxiously.

“I don't think so. If they don't like me, maybe I can
disappear.” Ian raised his eyebrows.

“Not amused,” said Sam as she pretended to be cross.

“Who else?” asked Ian.

“My best friend, Deb, and then Jordan,” finished Sam.

“I think I can handle those two.” Ian looked at Sam
perceptively. “How did all of these people just happen to want to come here?”

“Hey, when you're from the Midwest, Hawaii is like a dream
vacation,” explained Sam. “Besides the air fare, it's pretty much a free ride
and I don't mind the company.”

“Then, I'm not doing my job,” said Ian as he kissed Sam
again.

“Yes, you are,” countered Sam happily. “Besides, I want to
play matchmaker. Deb has always had a crush on Jordan, but Jordan just sees her
as a little kid, his sister's friend. With Bryce in the picture, maybe Jordan
will wise up and take notice.”

“Bryce is married,” commented Ian as he munched on a
breadstick.

“Nope. He told me his wife filed for divorce last week,”
explained Sam.

“Doesn't surprise me, really,” said Ian. “She is no angel.”

“Why is it that rock stars always marry bimbos?” mused Sam
thoughtfully.

“Beats me,” laughed Ian. “I'm no rock star and that's why I
don't have a bimbo.” Ian affectionately kissed Sam's cheek.

“You are too sweet,” murmured Sam feeling very loved and
wanted. “I have a surprise for you, but I can't show you now. Maybe tomorrow?”

“Can you at least tell me?” asked Ian hopefully.

“No, it's something I have to show you.” Sam smiled
secretly.

“Then I can't wait.” Ian reached for Sam and held her close.
“You know, Sam? I'm not hungry for food right now.”

“Me neither,” said Sam, giving into Ian's kiss.

****

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” laughed Sam as she tried to rouse
Ian.

“What time is it?” asked Ian as he tried to focus his eyes.

“It's six in the morning!” Sam seemed anxious, throwing on a
cover up over her swim suit. She hadn't had the courage to do the bikini just
yet. Maybe five more pounds and she would. Ian kept telling her that he loved
her body, but she still didn't agree.

“What's your hurry?” Ian propped up on his elbows.

“This is the best time to show you what I can do! Come on,
Ian, please?”

“Okay, okay.” He yawned and reached for his jeans. “Where
are we going?”

“To the beach. I'm driving.” Sam had her car keys in hand. Cracker
pranced about picking up on Sam's excitement. “No, you're not going, Cracker. It's
just Ian and me.” The dog seemed crushed at the word 'no'.

“I've made a breakfast basket for us and there's coffee to
go.” Sam impatiently waited for Ian to get moving.

“Is this the secret? A romantic breakfast on the beach?”

“No, it's something else. Hurry before it's too late!” Sam
went out the door with Ian following her. They arrived at the beach, which had
started to fill up with surfers.

“What's this?” asked Ian starting to put two and two together.
He looked at her in amazement.

“I'm taking surfing lessons, Ian!” Sam blurted it out since
she couldn't contain herself anymore. “I can surf!”

“You're kidding, right? Honey, I don't want anything
happening to you. You said you didn't know how to swim in the ocean,” said Ian,
worriedly.

“No, I'm good. Really!” She turned to the teacher, Jessie. “Tell
him, Jessie.”

“She's good for a beginner, dude. She does need a bit more
practice before she tackles the big ones. Right now, these waves, she can
handle.” Jessie smiled at Sam proudly.

“Okay, Tiger,” laughed Ian. “Let me see what you can do.”

Sam eagerly got the board ready and paddled to find the
spot. She rode the first wave in like a pro smiling widely for Ian.

“That a girl,” said Ian, his heart bursting with pride. He
had noticed that in the weeks he had been gone, Sam had lost weight and looked
tanned and healthy. Even her hair looked sun kissed, slicked back with the salt
water. He gave her a huge kiss in front of everyone, not caring. “I am so proud
of you. What made you do this?”

“I'm in Hawaii,” explained Sam smiling. “I wanted to try to
see if I could do it. Ian, it is so much fun. We can go surfing together.”

“Ian is a professional when it comes to surfing,” explained
Jessie. “You're going to need a lot more practice, Sam. Give it some time.”

“Okay,” said Sam good-naturedly. “I guess it's like anything
else you need to master.”

“Well, don't expect me to play guitar or piano,” laughed
Ian. “That I know I can't do.”

“Hey, Sam,” called Jessie. “The waves are getting a little
bigger. You want to try again?”

“Sure!” squealed Sam as she excitedly ran into the water and
remembered everything Jessie had taught her. Concentrating hard, Sam waited for
the right moment. She started to stand, but slipped off and wiped out. She
landed hard on her rear and the board knocked her in the chin, drawing blood. Stunned,
she sat there and let the wave wash over her. Both Jessie and Ian were in the
water in seconds flat and pulled Sam to safety.

“Honey, are you okay?” asked Ian worriedly looking at the
cut on her chin. “I think you might need stitches.”

“I'm just a little embarrassed, that's all,” said Sam trying,
hard not to cry. She didn't know what hurt most, her chin or her pride.

“We're going to the hospital,” confirmed Ian. Jessie had
handed Sam an icepack to put on her chin. Ian took Sam's car keys and drove
like hell to the clinic.

“Do they teach you how to stitch in your Seal training?”
asked Sam, trying to make conversation, not liking the grim set to Ian's chin.

“I don't like seeing you hurt,” said Ian softly. “Seals
don't use pain killers for the most part.”

“My chin is starting to throb,” admitted Sam. “Oh, Ian. I'm
so sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen.”

“Things happen,” said Ian trying to lighten up the
situation. “Here we are. Go ahead and go in while I park the car.” He wasn't going
to admit how helpless he felt when she wiped out. When Sam hurt, he hurt.

Four stitches later and a black and blue chin, Ian and Sam
returned from the clinic and arrived home. Ian went to the fridge and pulled
out some wine, cheese and crackers.

“I'm proud of you for trying to surf, Sam. I want you to try
it again, but next time with me, okay?” Ian held her long and hard. “I don't
want anything to happen to you.”