The Winter of Temptation

"Hello."

Samantha jumped from the deep voice coming across the phone, bringing her out of the daze she was in.

"Samantha?" She heard him call.

She knew she had to say something quick or else he would hang up, so she took a deep breath.

"Hey, Calvin." She said keeping her voice neutral and clear. "How's it going?"

She shuffled in the love seat in her room, trying to get comfortable. She knew this conversation was going to be long, and awkward, so she preferred to have it in a comfortable position. She half listened, as he talked about how things were going in Virginia for him. Trying to figure out how she would break the news to him.

'How does this even work,'

she thought, as she nibbled on her bottom lip.

"Calvin I have to talk to you." She started. The other end of the line was silent as he waited for her to continue. "I don't know of a better way of saying this, so.... I'm just going to come out and say it. We can't have a relationship. I'm in love with Ian. I want to give him and I a fighting chance."

Calvin couldn't believe what he was hearing. It had only been just over a week, and already Ian had stolen Samantha completely away. He felt angry, and humiliated. He thought that Samantha was a woman that he could mold into the perfect women for him. Now here she was telling him that she didn't want anything to do with him that way. It bruised his ego brutally. He tried to rein in his anger.

"I know your mad, Calvin. So I just want to apologize for this. I am truly sorry for this. You just came into my life at the wrong time."

"I get it." He said curtly. "I have to go." He said suddenly.

Samantha felt his anger through the phone, and knew that he wanted her off the phone.

"Alright good ̶"

Samantha heard the sound of the dial tone in her ear. Pulling it away, she looked at it in shocked. The fact that he hung up on her before she could finish her sentence angered her a little. But under the circumstances she figured he just needed time to fume, then she would try to give him another call, after all she really wanted to have him as a friend. She sat and thought about the future she could have with Ian, and a smile blossomed. Her heart skipped a beat, as she pictured his reaction to her decision. It's been a while since she had experienced this light giddiness in her heart, so she stood and did a happy two step, before she went in search of her best friend.

Knocking on the door she waited for Caroline's boisterous cheerful voice from the other side. Yet she only heard a loud cough, and the sound of her noise blowing. Opening the door, Samantha walked into the room, too see Caroline buried beneath a mountain of covers, a box of tissue sat beside her, and wads of used tissues were everywhere. When Caroline saw her, she gave her a feeble smile. "Hey Babe, might wanna stay a̶" She coughed violently.

"Aww, Carol." Samantha cooed. She went over the bed, and methodically began to clean of the mess on the bed. "Babe I don't care. You're sick. Why didn't you come get me?" She threw away the soiled tissues. Then went to wash her hands. When she came back to the room she carried a bottle of medicine that would relieve her cough, and congestion. She ushered her to lean up in bed, and take a cup full. When she swallowed, Samantha rubbed her back, before she fluffed up the pillows on her bed.

"Seems, like you don't like our nice Boston weather." She said sarcastically. She pulled Caroline in to her arms, and held her. "Come here, babe."

Caroline laughed/ coughed, as she adjusted comfortably in Samantha's hold. "What?"

Samantha placed her cheek on the top of Caroline's head. "Since you're officially bedridden, declared by me. I've decided to spend the entire day, here with you."

Caroline groaned, and shook her head like a big child. Samantha in turn chided her, and continued. "We're going to lay here, enjoy holiday movie marathons, drink warm liquids, and get some food into that belly of yours." She playfully poked Caroline's stomach.

"Sounds good."

Samantha grabbed the remote, and channeled surf through the channels, until they came across something that they both liked. ABC Family was showing 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas' so she got up doing a commercial break, and went to get them some hot herbal tea, and a light breakfast. With all of the treats in her hands, she rushed back upstairs to find the movie back on.

"Ah, crap. Rewind, I missed my favorite parts." She cuddled back up to Caroline in the big bed, and they both, began to eat, and enjoy the movie. They did the same thing all morning, until both drifted off to sleep at noon.

Samantha came awake at the sudden feel of something lightly brushing across her cheek, she tried knocking whatever it was away. But when she felt it once more she sat up, and looked for the culprit. Michael, and Ian stood beside the bed, quietly snickering, as she gave them an evil side eye.

"You both were snoring." Ian laughed.

Samantha looked over at Caroline to see her rubbing her eyes, tiredly. Before she looked back at Ian. "Well did you ever stop to think about both of us being tired, and in need of a really good nap." She angrily sunk into the mattress, and pulled the covers back up high. She turned her focus onto the television to see National Lampoons Christmas playing. She completely tuned the two handsome devils in the room out, as she watched the screen. The guys had woke her up just in time, the movie was just starting.

"Sammy?" Ian called teasingly, to which she ignored. "Are you ignoring me, baby?"

Samantha playfully rolled her eyes, fighting to keep the smile off her face. She refused to look at him, because the moment she did she would throw herself into his arms. She laughed as a funny scene from the movie played out, when she felt the bed dip at her right. Her head swung to the side to see Ian stretch his impossibly long figure out beside her.

"What do you think you're doing?" She asked him indignantly.

"Why simply watching the movie with my favorite girl in the world." He answered smoothly.

Samantha eyed him for a moment, before she shook her head with a smile. Michael still stood close to the door, looking uncomfortable, and out of place. She sighed, and rolled her eyes. "Michael for heaven's sake, get over here, and stop acting like a complete stranger."

Michael jumped at her order, and hustled to the bed. He too kicked off his shoes, and jumped in right next to Caroline. He took a good look at her, making her self-consciously fiddle with her hair, trying to fix it the best she could with her fingers. "Hey, you feeling okay?" He asked concerned.

Caroline looked at him, with surprise, before she smiled and nodded.

He nodded, and smiled. "Good, good."

Samantha looked to Ian, who had one muscular arm thrown over her shoulder. He currently was focusing on the movie with a huge smile, laughing loudly here and there. "How'd you get in?"

Ian looked down at her. "You look absolutely breathtaking today, as usual of course."

Samantha giggled, and slapped his broad chest playfully. "Answer the question curly."

"Spare key of course." He dangled the spare key in front of her.

"That still doesn't explain why your here." She pointed out. "Not that I mind, really." She brushed his shaggy curls back.

"I texted, and called you, to see if you, and Carol was up to doing something. When I got no answer, I said fuck it, and just came over." He drew closer, bringing their face a hairs breathe away from each other. "As I said before, you're my favorite girl. Its pure torture to not see such a beautiful face, day after day."

"Okay Casanova lay off of the pretty boy charm will ya."

Ian grinned, and whispered. "It's working, though. So I think I will continue, using this pretty boy charm." He got out of the bed, and went out of the door. Leaving Samantha to stare after him, in a state of shock. She licked her lips, and turned to Caroline, who surprisingly looked a lot better. She touched her hand, drawing her attention away from Michael and the vibe they had going on, over on their side of the bed.

"I'm going to run to the kitchen real quick. Do you want anything? Are you feeling better?" she questioned.

"Yeah, I feel a lot better, just a little stuffy still. Do you mind bringing me more of that delicious tea you made?"

"Sure babe." She kissed her forehead, and got out of the bed as well. "Mike, you want anything?"

"How 'bout a beer?"

"Really? It's like 2:00 and you want to drink." She threw up her hands, and started to walk out, when a thought popped into her head. Looking back, she pointed at Michael. "Look after her, and keep your hands off. That's my ass." She winked, and laughed as she felt a pillow hit her head on the way out.

She strolled down the hall, humming to 'Christmas (Baby please come home)' to herself. She got to the stairs and felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist. She was startled for a second, but quickly relaxed into the embrace.

"You scared me." She groaned, as she delivered an elbow to his ribs.

"I'm sorry." He replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek. He let her go when she wiggled to be free. "Where you going?"

"To the kitchen." She said simply.

"For what?" He insisted.

She burst out laughing, as she turned on him. Causing him to stumble to a stop, suddenly to avoid crashing into her. "Really!? You question someone, because they want to go to the kitchen? I'm beginning to realize you have major screws lose in that curly head of yours."

"Oh, really? Me. Screws lose." He pointed at himself in mock seriousness. He moved forward swiftly, catching her off guard. "Come here you little menace."

She ran into the kitchen, and stood on one end as he stood on the other. Only the kitchen island separated them. "Dead end, little one. Where you going to run now." He teased.

Samantha put her hands on her waist, and feigned indifferences. She watched as he slowly stalked towards her. When he got close enough to her she charged him. She twirled behind him, enabling her to jump onto his back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and held on. He moved from side to side, gently trying to shake her off. When he wore himself out, he stood up straight, and took a deep breath.

"Okay, you won." He huffed. She leaned over his left shoulder and grinned cockily into his face.

"I swear you're like a freaking spider monkey or something." He mumbled, as she slid down his back.

She walked over to the fridge and, pulled out the tea she had made earlier, she put it on the stove to reheat it. She turned to look over her shoulder at him. "Are you hungry? I can make you something if you would like?"

Ian leaned on the counter with his forearms and stared at her mischievously. "Where is this coming from? I rather like this wifey treatment."

"You did not ju-" she stopped mid-sentence and threw her hands up. "You know what!? Never mind."

Ian started to whine like a baby, as she ignored him. "Come on. I take it back." He said.

She turned to him and couldn't help but chuckle. No one she knew would ever believe that the towering giant in front of her, would throw a tantrum, and whine whenever they were alone, because he couldn't get his way.

"What do you want?" She asked begrudgingly.

He smiled broadly, he knew he had gotten his way. "Um... let's see, I want some ..."

Samantha just knew he was going to rattle off a butt load of food for her to cook. So she held up her hand, to stop him before he could. "I'm making you Broccoli chicken salad." She said with finality.

"Okay." He surrender. "I would totally love anything right about now, I'm starving."

She got the ingredients for the Broccoli chicken salad that she had perfected over time.

"Can I Help?" Ian asked.

Samantha smiled and beckoned him to her. "Get the bacon out of the freezer, and grab the chicken breast too."

"I would rather be grabbing your breast right about now." He mumbled to himself.

"What did you just say?" She asked. Laughing at the look of surprise he threw over his shoulder, as he dug through the freezer for what she asked.

"Nothing, I said, I... couldn't wait to get.... these breast in me now." He lied, quickly. He slapped himself on the forehead as he thought about what he had said.

Laughing Samantha shook her head. "Yeah, uh huh. Busted."

She took the items from his hands, and placed them in the microwave to cook them. As she waited she put the broccoli in the strainer to wash. Ian stood over her shoulder observing her as she cooked, admiring how natural this was for her. She glanced at him, then turned away. He felt as if she wanted to say something.

"What?"

"What do you mean what?" she asked.

"Sammy, I know you. You have something to say. So just say it."

Samantha nibbled on her bottom lip, and concentrated on straining the broccoli. She handed him a big bowl. "Mix this together for me." She handed him the mayo, and vinegar and measured by sight as he poured. Instructing him on all the things he needed to add, while she worked on dicing the chicken, and bacon.

"I broke things off with Calvin." She bluttered out.

Ian dropped what he was doing and went over to her. Gripping her shoulders, he forced her to look at him. As she did, his eyes searched her eyes, wondering if what she was telling him really was true. "Are you telling me the truth?"

Samantha rolled her eyes. "Of course I'm telling you the truth. Why would I lie about something such as that?" She huffed.

Ian didn't answer, he was too ecstatic. With an overjoyed gasp, he pulled her into his arms. "You've made me the happiest man in the world."

Samantha wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and melted into the embrace. She inhaled his scent, and felt her head begin to swim. He pulled back and brushed her curls out of her face, then cupped each cheek in his hands. "Does this mean your giving us a chance?" Samantha nodded her head, and smiled brightly up at him. "Oh baby!" Ian kissed her passionately. Stealing her breath away, as he brought her closer into his arms. Tears seeped down her cheeks, as she accepted the fact that this is what she wanted, and needed. Ian would always be 'it' for her, no one could ever be him, or even come close.

Pulling back he looked down at her, and silently wiped her tears away with the pad of his thumb, moving in slowly, he tasted her lips. A breathless moment passed between the two. After a final peck to her lips, he took a step back. "I'm sorry. I couldn't resist." She mutely nodded. Drunk from the heart stopping, pantie dropping lip lock. "You won't regret this."

She shook her chills, and turned back to the food. "Let's finish up this food." Her stomach growled, and it broke the sexual tension coursing between them, as both of them snickered.

With everything nicely diced and mixed, Ian came to stand behind her. Together they put the final result into a casserole dish where they then put it in the fridge to chill. As they waited, she made them some hot chocolate, where they then sat and reminisced about the many holidays they've shared.

"Baby, I think we should talk about something." Ian spoke, as he pulled her out of the high chair. Into his lap. He laced his fingers with hers, and placed them at his heart.

"What it is?" Samantha questioned the smile on her face fading, at his sudden serious tone.

"I know I hurt you Samantha. With the way I treated you, and the way I acted towards you that night at your place..." Samantha tensed, tried to pull back; yet Ian held a firm grip on her hand. "Hear me out please." He pleaded.

Samantha turned her head away, but she made no further attempt to get up. He took this as permission to continue. "That night should have never went as it did. I hate myself for the way, I casted aside your feelings; to only thinking of mine." He paused, trying to figure out all the words he wanted to say. "I apologize, Samantha." He said lamely.

Samantha turned her head to look at him, to see him with his head casted down. Ian continued.

"When I went to my dad, I told him everything. Even when it was so hard to look him in the eye, knowing I had disappointed him. Yet I had too, I had to be a man, and face my mistakes. Each day, I had sessions with him. He has really been a big help, with my temper, and controlling issues." He lifted his head, and locked eyes with her. "He wants to talk to you, give you an opportunity to express anything you've held inside."

"I think you should, before we go any further. You have to know for sure, if you want this." He cupped her cheek. "Because I can't promise you I'll ever let you go, once you're fully mine. Will you talk to him?"

Samantha nodded her head in consent. Laying her head on his chest she listen to the sound of his heart beat for a long while. Taking comfort in the fact that, he was close, and their relationship was beginning to heal.

"Sammy?" She purred from the rumble of his chest.

"Hmm?"

"Baby, I was wonderingq if you wanted to take a trip up to Jiminy Peak, for a few days." Samantha lifted her head in excitement. "I was going to reserve a condo. But I waited, until I ran it across you first. Do you want to go?"

Samantha was nodding her head eagerly, before he even finish his question. "Of course. You know how much I've wanted to go there!?" She questioned. "How do you plan to get us a room? That place is literally always packed at this time of year, curly."

Ian pinched her nose lovingly. "I have my ways Ms. Wilson." Quirking his head to the side, an idea popped in his mind. "As soon as you have that talk with my dad, the sooner I will have those reservations made for the ski trip."

Samantha squinted her eyes, and pursed her lips into a pout. The action caused Ian to chuckle, and shake his head.

***

"Hey, Buttercup." Jacob greeted with a kiss to her cheek, as he opened the door to his office wider for her entrance. "Take a seat. How have you been, darling'?"

Samantha took a seat in one of the plush leather chairs in front of his desk. "I'm doing good papa Jac, How have you been?" She asked politely.

Jacob groaned, as he took a seat behind his big mahogany desk. "Ah, as well as an old man is expected." He smiled sheepishly. "Do you want something to drink?"

"Yes, please. I'll take some water."

Jacob handed her a bottle of water, and sat back in his chair to observe her. Samantha idly sipped from her bottle, waiting for Jacob to go on. She felt nervous from the stare he gave her, not able to get over the fact that he knew the ordeal she had went through with his son. Her eyes connected with those of Ian's father, and couldn't help but think of him. He was the spitting image of his father, on forty years younger.

"Buttercup, would you like to tell me why you decided to call for this meeting?"

Samantha sipped, and thought about what she should say. "Because I think that I want to be with someone that I really care about. Yet, I need to be sure, I can get past all of my fears, and pain."

Jacob gave her a thoughtful look. "What do you fear?"

Samantha shifted in her seat, and tilted her head back, to hold the tears at bay. "I ̶ I'm afraid that I won't be good enough for him." A tear fell and left a track down her left cheek. "I'm scared that he will eventually become tired after he had his fill, and leave me. Both as my lover, and best friend." After the words fell from her lips, she knew it was too late to take them back.

"Do you not trust this fella?" Jacob inquired.

"I feel as if I can't really trust anyone as of right now." She fumbled with her hands, unable to look at him. "People that I trusted, did things that I never would have imagine them capable of."

"That's where your pain comes in? You've been hurt by people that you trusted, and so now you don't know how to let that pain go."