Sam looked confused. "Your answer to what?"

"Your question from earlier." I let go of him and walk over to my bed, sitting down quietly. I disentangled the flower from my hair and laid it on my side table. Then, I looked up at him from under my lashes, unsure of where to begin.

"You asked if I was sure that I wanted to do this," I gestured to the bed, "before we were so rudely interrupted. And it's strange to answer after all of this, I know." I laughed softly. "It's ridiculous, really. I don't do things like this. I've never been with anyone in that way, especially not someone I only met two days before.

"But the strangest thing of all is that I knew as we were sitting at that diner, stuffing ourselves with waffles and laughing as you got whipped cream on your face." Sam smiled, his eyes still trained on me. I willed myself to continue my line of thought. "I knew after only an hour together that you would be the one. I had promised myself that this wouldn't happen until I had found a truly good man, one who is caring, and gentle, and polite, and strong, and kind. You are all those things, Sam, and so many more. And I'd like you to stay with me tonight.

"That is, if you'll still have me after that speech." I looked down at my lap, embarrassed by my long-windedness. This insane idea had haunted me since the night before at the dinner, and now that I had spoken the words out loud they sounded even more ridiculous. What kind of person makes this big of a deal about their first time?

I held my breath, wondering how he'd react.

Sam put his finger under my chin and raised it, looking searchingly into my eyes. He brushed his thumb along my jawline, his fingers leaving a trail of heat where they touched. Then, brushing a stray curl from my face, he kissed me, wrapping his arm around me as I melted into him. When he finally pulled away, I looked at him, my eyes wide. "What's the verdict?" I asked.

"Of course, I'll stay."

With those four simple words, my worries and doubts disappeared. I had put my trust in Sam completely, and he had come through. I smiled with joy and relief.

"You know, you're stunning when you're baring your inmost thoughts," Sam commented.

"Shut up," I replied as I pulled him down, brushing his hair out of his eyes. I brushed my thumb against his lip, maddeningly slowly. A smile, almost a smirk, crossed my face as I drew his lips to mine, pausing when we were mere whispers apart. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. Then, with a sigh of anticipation, I pulled him to me.

An intensity like I had never known came over me. Our emotions were an ocean, crashing over us in waves of heat. His fingers burned as he pulled off my top. My heart beat frantically as he kissed my lips, my neck, my arms, my eyes. I ran my fingers through his hair, grabbing his neck as I pulled him closer to me. I touched him on his shoulders, his legs, his back, his muscles rippling over me as we struggled to get closer, to close what little space there was between us. My ringlets crumpled as we fell back onto the bed. My heartbeat grew in my chest and spread throughout my body, my blood pulsing through every part of my body. I gasped when I came up for air, involuntary moans escaping my lips.

The rest of our clothes were lost in the struggle. Our bodies fit together like puzzle pieces. When the pain came, I cried out, but Sam's murmurs in my ear made the discomfort evaporate. Light from the window streamed in on us, but my world was Sam and his was me.

Afterwards, we lay under the sheets, breathless, our hair rumpled and our hearts beating in sync. I felt for Sam's hand, and we lay silently together. As the night wore on, the moon shone in on our sleeping figures: my head resting on Sam's shoulder and our hands clasped above the sheets. The only movement was the rise and fall of our bare chests as we breathed together, deeply and calmly.