Chapter 38: It Better Be
Kei caresses Sam's hand with his thumb as he drives her home. Their fingers have been intertwined ever since they left the restaurant.
"You know," Kei finally breaks the silence. "I had to fight for my life so that Yoko would let me celebrate your birthday with you tonight."
Samantha chuckles. "Is that so?"
"Oh yeah, it was fierce." Kei smiles. "But thankfully she settled on having a party for you at our house tomorrow. She told me to make sure you make it."
"Aww, that's so sweet of her. Of course I'll come."
When they arrive at Sam's building, Kei pulls in front of the entrance and stops. Samantha turns to look at him with a frown.
"Why are you stopping here?" She asks.
"I'll walk you to your apartment," Kei answers, a bit confused.
"Why don't you spend the night?" Sam's voice is full of something that Kei can't decipher.
"Are you sure?" Kei is not sure what her invitation entails. He doesn't want to misunderstand and screw things up.
"I'm sure." Sam nods as she squeezes his hand.
Kei gulps and drives into the garage silently. He parks the car and they head inside the building, to the elevator. The tension is palpable. With a ding, the doors open and they enter. It feels like the tension rises with every floor they pass. Sam's heart is pounding against her ribcage, loud and fast.
Samantha pushes the code to unlock her door, then turns to Kei and takes his hand. He does not resist. She leads him in, they take off their shoes, then walk upstairs toward her room.
'Is this really happening?' Kei gulps. He can't even remember the last time he had sex. All he knows is that he hasn't done it ever since he had his first encounter with Sam. 'I didn't even feel like fucking Candy that one night, and I used to always want to fuck Candy.'
Kei looks at Sam's hand holding his. It is cold and, even though it is subtle, he can feel it tremble.
"My love." He tugs on Sam's arm to stop her right at her bedroom threshold. "We don't have to do this if you're not ready."
Samantha smiles at him. "I'm ready, Kei. I want this."
That is all it takes for Kei's self-restraint to vanish. He pulls Sam to him until their bodies are flesh against one another. As if that is not enough, he wraps his arms around her, bringing them even closer.
"Fuck, Sam." Kei's voice is hoarse and raw.
Samantha's eyes flutter before they meet Kei's. "Kiss me."
Kei obliges immediately, bruising her lips with his. She tastes of chocolate mousse and Moscato. Sam yelps when he picks her up and walks them to her bed. She giggles and bounces when he lets her down.
He takes a step back before Sam pushes up on her elbows to watch what he is doing. He takes off his jacket and throws it on the carpeted floor. Then his vest, before he starts unbuttoning his shirt.
"I think you have too many clothing items on, sir," Sam jokes with raised eyebrows.
"My apologies, Ms Martin. I wasn't planning on taking them off while someone is watching."
Sam bites her bottom lip as she watches Kei pull his pants down and reveal his erection.
"My turn." She jumps off the bed and pushes Kei down before standing exactly where he was just seconds ago.
She starts opening the side zipper of her dress while holding Kei's gaze. She gracefully slips out of it, allowing it to fall to the floor with a soft rustle. Then, she unhooks her bra and throws it to the side.
Suddenly, it becomes hard to breathe for Kei.
Sam takes a few steps to the bed and places her right knee on it, then her left one, straddling Kei before locking her arms behind his neck.
"This is real, right?" she whispers, almost afraid to wake up from a dream.
Kei gently pulls her from the chin and kisses her slowly and passionately. "It better be," he says against her lips.
"I love you."
"I love you, Sam."
***
"Happy Birthday!" Yoko rejoices as soon as Sam enters. "You are late, Kei."
Kei only holds his arms up in surrender and grins.
The living room is decorated with birthday balloons and flowers. Everything is white and gold.
"Oh my gosh, Yoko, you didn't have to do all this."
"Of course I did, we haven't celebrated your birthday in years."
Sam beams as her eyes shine with emotion. Andrew was not big on birthdays, so she hasn't celebrated ever since they started dating. It has been a while.
"Let's just say that I was almost kicked out of the house when I questioned an item on the menu," Jiro says as he walks into the room, holding Haku in his arms.
"Aww, how is my nephew doing?" Sam rushes to Jiro to check on little Haku.
"He's growing so fast, it's scary," Jiro answers with a chuckle.
"Can I hold him?"
"Of course you can." Jiro carefully places his son in Sam's arms. The latter immediately sits on one of the couches and starts playing with Haku, forgetting about her birthday party and everyone else who is present in the room.
The three just exchange understanding smiles with each other before sitting with her.
The afternoon is delightful. After they have a late lunch, the four of them decide to take advantage of the weather and get in the pool. Chilled drinks are served as their laughter echoes through the garden. Yuta also joins them after he wakes up from his nap and they continue their fun until the sun starts setting.
"I was hoping you could stay for dinner, Sam," Yoko complains with a pout.
"I am so stuffed from lunch I don't think I can eat for three days." They both chuckle.
Yoko leans in closer to her friend. "Don't think that I haven't noticed the looks you and Kei have been exchanging all afternoon." Sam blushes as a smile pulls on her lips. "Let's have tea tomorrow, so I can interrogate you properly."
She busts out laughing. "Yes, ma'am," she says between laughs.
Samantha leaves with a heart filled with happiness and gratefulness. Her face hurts from all the smiling and laughing and she says a small prayer in her head. 'I pray that this happiness will last for a very long time.'
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MeriemR
MeriemR I wasn't sure if going into details while writing intimate scenes goes with the vibe of the story. What do you guys think? Was it enough? Or should I have described the whole thing?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone