If I could hold you one more time, like in the days when you where mine
I'd look at you 'till I was blind, So you would stay." - Laura Pausini - One More Time
She sat in front of the mirror; staring but not really seeing as she ran the brush through her damp hair, the music played softly in the background. She paused; her brush still entangled in her hair listening to the lyrics, and sighed softly. She loved this song from the moment she had heard it, Ms Pausini's voice lifting wistfully to the haunting melody, a sad yet somehow comforting story of love lost. She pulled the bristles free and laying the brush on the polished wood of her vanity unit.
Turning away from the mirror she shivered slightly. Pulling her robe more snugly around her breasts she walked to the window, the soft pile of the carpet pushing between her naked toes. A slight breeze stirred the sheer curtain that protected the privacy of her bedroom. The window was large; it didn't matter, she was 20 stores up in the penthouse apartment of a very expensive complex that boasted all the latest features and security.
The apartment wouldn't have been her first choice but Michael had loved it, prancing around the large open plan apartment like a child in a toy store. She smiled softly as she remembered the pleading look in his eyes as he asked her for her opinion, silently willing her to say she loved it too and that they would take it. Of course, she had, she had never been able to refuse him anything.
As she pulled the curtain back she caught sight of her wistful smile in the glass. It faded quickly and the haunted look returned to the dark eyes reflected in the equally dark window. It was well after midnight, yet far below there was still the bustle of a large city. It looked kind of pretty from up here, she thought to herself. There were raindrops on the outside of the window, giving everything a gentle stretched effect. Suddenly the blackness was shattered by a blinding flash; a low grumble followed almost drowning out the soft notes of the stereo. Samantha shuddered again and let the curtain fall back into place.
Tears had started to streak unbidden down her cheeks. "Not a storm" she pleaded silently, "not tonight, please God. Not tonight!"
It was two years exactly from the fateful night when she had lost Mike. The weather had been just as bad as it was threatening to be tonight. They had gone to see "Message in a bottle" her hand searching out his in the darkness of the cinema as she heard the song - now playing in the darkness once more - for the first time. Tears glistened in both their eyes when the end titles rolled, they had laughed and made jokes about the air being smoky, all the while knowing that it was the film that had caused the dampness on each others cheeks. Then they had dined out at the fancy restaurant around the corner from the cinema to celebrate the fact they had moved into their "dream home" at last.
Later, they ran home through the rain, laughing like children, they had tumbled onto the bed and made long, slow love together, steam rising lightly from their damp, heated bodies. Closing her eyes on her tears, she let the memory flow, amazed that it was still so vivid even so long after; this one song always helped her to remember that night clearly.
Even now the thought of their love making brought a flush of warmth to her skin, a sigh escaped her lips. If she concentrated hard enough she could almost feel him there with her. Her fingers clenched, and she was shocked to feel satin beneath them. Opening her eyes she saw that somehow whilst lost in her memories she had moved to the bed and sat on the edge. The deep burgundy satin sheets crushed in her hand.
She drew a shuddering little breath, half sob, half hiccup and buried her face against the cool satin pillowcase. The bedding wasn't used that much now, in fact just three times since she had brought it. It had been on the bed that first night, her housewarming surprise for Mike.
It had been scattered with white rose petals when she had led him by the hand into their room. Scented candles filling the air with their heady fragrance. His eyes held more love then she could have ever imagined when he looked at her as they tumbled onto the bed.
"I love you so much Sammi! you do know that don't you?" He asked her, serious grey eyes intent on her liquid brown ones.
"Of course I know that you silly fool! But you could always show me" She smiled mischievously. Then she stretched her arms over his neck and locked her hands so she could pull him to her to kiss her.
That had been all the invite he needed and he had proceeded to undo her silk and chiffon dress with expert fingers. His warm skin brushing hers lightly as he coaxed the tiny, delicate mother of pearl buttons undone.
The light of the candle flames danced over them. His eyes never leaving hers as he slid the silk off her body. She lay there hardly daring to breath, fearful that her heart would explode with the unspoken emotion it held. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him, how she had waited for him all her life, how he was her soul-mate but somehow she couldn't find the words. His eyes stole away all power of thought and speech, yet somehow she knew he understood, that he could read the sweet torment in her eyes as they filled with soft tears
.
"Hush now" he cooed, bending to kiss her tears from her cheeks. "I know babe, I know! I feel the same." And suddenly she became aware that he was trembling as he held her to him. He was bare-chested, she couldn't recall when he had removed his shirt but she couldn't deny the feel of his warm skin against hers.
