Blackmailed Merger (12 page)

Sam had grinned widely, partly at knowing that he was so willing to help her, but more at his use of the phrase “my love” which had inexplicably sent a small tremor of happiness coursing through her.

The next three months had been like a dream to Sam.  She had loved the luxurious
two
bedroom
penthouse suite he lived in right in the centre of New York.  True to his word, Dante had introduced her to Joseph, who had made it very clear to her that he was not going to be swayed with his decision based on who her boyfriend was.  However, within minutes the two were talking like old friends, Joseph impressed with her knowledge and enthusiasm for design.  He had started her as a junior designer, quickly promoting her to be a lead within a month of working for him. 

She had an ability to work well with clients and see both their practical needs and their vision, with a
ruthless
ability to stick to budgets that so few others seemed able to do.  Soon she was one of his most requested designers
,
and Sam
loved
her job.

Most
nights
she would arrive home before Dante, who
as she had predicted was a worka
holic.  She loved to then make dinner for them both, taking pleasure in
such a small chore, given that the apartment was professionally cleaned on a daily
basis.
  He had told her that she did not have to do this, but had loved the fact that she wanted to, finding that coming home to her and dinner, where they would both talk about their day was strangely enjoyable
something he had not anticipated
.

Both would try and make sure that they had at least one day during the week-end free, to allow them to spend that important time together
.  On those days they would explore or simply have
long lie
s
in
,
where they would invariably make love for most of the morning, Dante realising that he was happy, the revenge plan put onto the back b
urner
for the time being.

Their fourth month together Dante had
sat in his office, his mind playing over the previous evening, smiling gently at the way she had surprised him at the door, wearing nothing more than
six
inches
heels and
a smile
, a glass of whisk
y
in her hand as she had purred so seductively at him
.

“Whisk
y or me
?
”
a
wicked smile playing on her lovely
mouth, her green eyes flashing so warmly
.  Moving forward he had remembered
plucking
the glass from her fingers and depositing it on the nearest table before pulling her into his arms, just the memory making him shiver with pleasure.  At 28 he had never lived with a woman, preferring his own space, but being with Sam had been more than just easy, it had been wonderful.

  The ringing of the phone
had pulled
him from
his
very pleasant
musings
.

“
Dante Dur
ant” he had replied, falling silent as the person on the other end had spoken,
his fingers curling whitely around the receiver as he had listen
ed to the news being given to him
. 
When the call had ended he had slammed the receiver back down, swearing loudly under his breath, the white searing rage filling him.  Dante was a man who took precautions, ensuring that he knew of anything that might be happening that could
jeopardise
his company, his network of informers widespread.  Once more glad that he took such precautions h
earing that his rival was trying to
surreptitiously
buy stock in his company, knowing that often such action heralded a hostile takeover
.  His handsome
mouth harden
ing, h
e had
fo
ught to control
the rage fill him at this
man’s
plan
s
, determining that he would put a stop to it, that he would not let history repeat itself.

His mind had moved
back
to Samantha, his
revenge
plan once more coming to the fore
, frowning as he had
realised that things were different now.  When he had initially set out on his plan, Samantha Trey had in his mind been a spoilt brat, deserving of what was about to befall her.  However,
   She was kind and gentle with a caring nature, her intelligence and sense of humour fascinating him, the thought of hurting her not pleasant. 
There had to be a way that she would be none the wiser that what was to happen had been by design.  Already he knew that Sam
antha
was in love with him
, although never openly stated, he
instinctively
knew it
, not sure how he felt about her himself
.  Sitting back he had
entwined his fingers together pressing them thoughtfully against his mouth, his eyes looking unseeingly out at the city skyline as his new plan had taken shape
.

That evening he had moved into his home, smiling hearing the clatter of pots coming from the kitchen.  As he had entered, she had her back to him closing one of the higher cupboards, Dante moving quickly
to wrap
his arms around her waist, laughing as she had
squealed
in surprise.

“Dante!!” her laughter filling his ear
s
, as turning in his
hold
she had draped her arms around his neck smiling happily up at him.

“Good day?”
h
er voice sensual as her eyes had
flicked over his face falling to his lips.  Groaning softly he had fought the desire to kiss her, smiling.

“Not bad...pretty good”
.

Sam moving in harder against him, as he had pulled away from her, grabbing her hand and pulling her from the kitchen, Sam
antha
giggling with expectation, frowning as he had led her to the living room and not the bedroom
. 
Pouting she had looked at him with a sigh
.  However as he had turned and looked so intently at her, her look had become more concerned

“Is everything OK Dante?”

Her eyes seeking answers, turning to confusion as he had
smiled
something so warm glowing in
the
dark
depths of his
eyes.  Silently he had taken her hand, slowly dropping down onto one knee, realisation falling on Samantha as she had felt tears rise to her eyes.

“Sam” he had began looking up into her shell shocked face
.

“I know that we have not been together for long,
but I also know how I feel...
and I
love you Samantha Trey”
, h
is voice full of emotion as she had stood frozen and silent.

“Will you marry me
?
”

As her hands had flown to cover her mouth, the tears had finally fallen,
Samantha
sobbing
with pure joy
as
she had nodded her head, Dante once more rising and pulling her into his arms
.

“Yes, oh yes” she had finally managed, her lips kissing him, both of them laughing together happily.  Pulli
ng back she had looked up
, her eyes full of such devotion
.

“I love you so much Dante” her voice breaking with
emotion and
honesty, Dante feeling something so deep within him lurch.

“I
was just so happy being with you...I never thought you could feel the same way”
.

Smiling, he had
dragged
her down onto the large couch, pulling her in tightly.

“Oh Sam...How could I not
.  You are the most wonderful person I have ever met”
, s
urprising himself with the honesty of his words.  She truly was the best person he had met.  Pulling her in
even
tighter, her head tucked under his chin he had frowned in confusion at this thought.
  Gently
stocking
her hair, he had smiled as she had tucked her feet up beside him, a sigh of complete happiness leaving her.  Nuzzling her he had began speaking softly.

“I was thinking that we could get married soon, not have a long engagement”.  Samantha had looked up at him in surprise, her features still glowing with joy
.

Chuckling she had scrunched up her nose at him.

“I promise that I am not going to run away you know”
,
Dante laughing softly.

“Well I am very glad to hear that........but I guess that I just think that the sooner we are married.....well the sooner we can look at maybe starting a family”
.

At these words Sam had pulled back in stunned surprise.

“You want children?” she had asked, a small smile on her lips, the thought of a little Dante suddenly filling her with more happiness than she would have ever believed.  He had smiled.

“Well I’m 28, not getting any younger...and I just know that I have found the right person.  I guess it feels right” his expression suddenly so serious “We feel right”
.

Groaning softly she had reached up to kiss him, Dante pulling her into his arms and
rising with her strutting with determined steps into
the bedroom. 

There love making had been slow, languorous and gentle the knowledge that they would be together adding to the intensity they shared.
 
As they lay
in each
other’s
arms
, both soaking in the
afterglow
of their lovemaking, both still panting for breath he had smiled down at her
.

“
Let's
do it next week.....
let’s
go away somewhere and come back married”
.