Spoiler alert, but be careful: towards the end the mood changes and you will find a slightly more adult theme for a time together. I just thought I better warn you. Have fun while reading.

>Sam's POV<

We didn't say a word on our way up and as soon as the elevator doors closed behind us, we both leaned against the back wall and sighed in despair. I ran both hands through my hair, frustratedly wondering whether Penny would finally unfriend me or even strangle me.

"That was an... eventful day," I said when we finally reached our room and I closed the door behind us. I couldn't stand the silence that reigned between us anymore. The uncertainty of what Penny was really thinking was driving me crazy.

She turned to me and I gave a cautious smile - to my surprise, she did the same before turning back and taking off her shoes to put them in her bag in the closet. Jesus, did she have cute feet. Why had I never noticed this? And why was I thinking about something like that now? The fact that she still didn't say anything should definitely worry me more!

"Do you want to talk...about anything?" I asked her cautiously because I just couldn't stand it anymore and she stopped on her way to the bathroom. I watched her shoulders rise and fall as she took a deep breath before turning to me.

"I was hoping I could get some peace in my thoughts first. They've been in a bit of a mess since you proposed to me." Okay, her voice didn't sound angry or sad. Was that good or bad? Her look, on the other hand, made me feel like a little boy who had really messed up.

"I...I didn't know how to get out of it. Your mother ran over me when she gave me the ring at breakfast and suddenly you were back again and just then, there...I was like that. ..I didn't know what to say. I..."

"We're engaged, Sam! Do you know how many people down there work in the television station and took pictures tonight? Can you imagine what's going to be on the news tomorrow?"

"You said Susie promised you not to let anything private come out."

"Susie is flying off on her honeymoon tonight. I don't think any of her colleagues will miss this story. Movie hero proposes to wallflower at her cousin's wedding."

"It's not like you couldn't say no. Instead, you kissed me like there was no tomorrow and bragged to our parents about how little self-control we have when it comes to...intimate things to become."

"I wasn't bragging. I was just trying to make the best of the situation so we wouldn't be exposed. What else was I supposed to do? If I had said no, the newspapers would have torn us up and everyone would've talked about us for the rest of the night. I didn't want to do that to Susie, to remember her wedding like that. You should have told my mother from the start that you're not ready yet."

"I said the evening before that I would only be truly happy when you wore my ring on your finger and the next morning, with a hangover mind you know, should I tell your mother that I'm rowing back? What would that have looked like?"

"Better than the mess we're in now. How could you exaggerate like that, Sam?" she exclaimed in frustration and came towards me. I looked down, ashamed and a little offended.

"I wasn't exaggerating!" I replied quietly.

"Oh really?!" She held her hand in front of my face to emphasize what she meant with her grandmother's engagement ring on her finger.

"That was your mother's idea. What was I supposed to do? She completely overran me!" I defended myself again.

"Like I said, you could have said that you needed some more time or that you had something else planned. Anything. If I tell her on the phone soon that we've broken up, her world will collapse and she'll torture me forever because I have to let you go," she sighed heavily at the thought of what was coming her way and turned back to the bathroom.

"Then don't let me go," I answered her and was shocked that I had actually said that, especially when she turned back to me questioningly.

"What?!" she replied skeptically and I knew she was wondering if she had heard correctly.

Now or never. What did I have to lose? Wasn't it my plan to win her over and wasn't there a moment or two where I got quite clear signals from her that she liked me too? Game or not. You didn't kiss a friend the way she did, and the passion in her eyes wasn't as harmless as it should have been if there was no chance for me. Right?

"I know you just needed a companion for the wedding and we wanted to play it all for your parents and family, but it wasn't a game for me," I confessed to her and took a deep breath to gather all my courage. "Since I met you the first time, I dream of what it's like to hold you in my arms, to see you as the last one when I fall asleep and the first when I wake up. I'm aware of what you said last night after my kiss. That you're not interested, but I've never wanted anyone as much as you. That kiss before was incredible. I can't imagine it being just one-sided between us, by the way you kissed me." I paused for a moment and saw her blush. "I would like you to at least listen to your heart and think about giving me a chance."

"Sam...I..." she stammered. I had obviously unsettled her, which was no surprise given the fears her past had stirred up in her. Had I put too much pressure on her?

"I know. I guess it came as a bit of a surprise. I understand that you need time and I'll give you all the time in the world to think about it. I just want you to think about it. Please," I quickly interjected to show her that I wouldn't pressure her.

"Sam, I don't have to think about it," she replied immediately and so seriously that it could only mean one thing.

"Oh. Okay." I looked down so she couldn't see how much that had just hurt me. It was what I had feared all along, but I never in my wildest dreams would have expected her rejection to hurt so much. I had to get some space so she wouldn't notice. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel guilty or uncomfortable. That would ruin our friendship. So I walked over to the bed to grab the pillow and blanket. I would sleep on the sofa again...if I could get any sleep at all.

But before I could grab the blanket, she put her hand in mine and I looked up at her, confused.

"So everything you've said the last day is true? About the love of your life and that you want me to be your wife? That I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you? Were you serious?", she then asked me seriously and there was something like surprise in her look and her voice. How could she be surprised about that?

I just nodded before answering her honestly: "I'm completely serious. With every word."

"So it's true that drunk people always tell the truth?" I saw the smile at the corner of her mouth. I couldn't stand it and looked away. She probably wanted to cheer me up and use jokes to eliminate the embarrassing moment. I wish I could try to cover up how hurt I was with our usual banter, but it hurt too much. I needed some time.

To my surprise, she suddenly placed her other hand gently on my cheek and ran her fingertips into my hair. I looked at her and sank into her eyes, which radiated so much warmth, so much...what was that? Pity?

"I told Melinda that I love you more than my life," she then objected and I nodded curtly. Was I mistaken, or was her face closer to mine now?

"I know. Susie told your mom. You were very convincing."

"Exactly like you." Her voice was no more than a whisper. My hand was still in hers, my thumb on her pulse. It was racing, just like my heartbeat. "It was the truth, Sam," she murmured against my lips before mine sealed hers. She was pure temptation - the closer she got to me, the more I wanted her. She didn't even realize how weak she really made me.

The kiss was gentle, almost tentative. I still couldn't believe what was happening here and yet I couldn't let go of her. I let go of her hand to pull her close and kissed her again, encouraged by the passion with which she invited me to deepen the kiss and she nestled against me.

She fit so perfectly in my arms. Her body felt wonderful against mine. Kissing her intoxicated me. Nothing in the world would ever be able to beat this. There was nothing that would compare to it. Except maybe...

She slipped the jacket over my shoulders and we separated just enough to take a breath. That one moment was enough to see the passion in her eyes as her fingers undid the first button of my shirt.

I let go of her to let the jacket fall carelessly from my shoulders to the floor before I pulled her close again and kissed her. She sighed softly against my lips as I slid my hands down her sides and into her back. I was completely excited for her as I slowly unzipped the zipper in her back and inserted my other hand into the gap. Feeling her velvety skin under my hand was pure fire, but one that I loved getting burned by.

I only now noticed that she had completely unbuttoned my shirt and I jumped slightly as her hands came to rest on my chest. Her touch electrified me and if lightning had struck me, it wouldn't have felt as intense as her hands exploring my upper body as if she wanted to memorize every inch of me for forever.

I pulled back a little, releasing her lips so she could catch her breath as I did. I saw in her eyes that she wanted more, that she wanted me. I let myself get carried away, as I had now completely opened the zipper of her dress. I wanted it too, but first...

I gently ran my hands over her shoulders and down her arms as I planted soft kisses on her neck. My hands went to her sides and slowly moved down the dress, exposing more and more of her skin as she willingly tilted her head to the side so I had more room to pepper her beautiful neck with kisses. She was clearly enjoying it, as was I. Her hands pulled back my shirt, exposing my shoulders, to which she placed her lips, sinking into my skin wherever she kissed me, her breathing heavy, like mine.

I forced myself to take a step back when my help was no longer needed. I wanted to see her covers fall. I wanted to absorb her beauty and keep it in my memory forever.

Her dress slid down her body and I felt a sense of pride and longing to see her like that. She was the most beautiful woman on earth. No one would ever be able to hold a candle to her, especially not when something like shy flashed in her eyes for a moment. How could she not be sure of herself? She was indescribable.

My shirt had now slipped down to my wrists and I simply shook it off before stepping in front of her again.

"You're so beautiful," I sighed as I cupped her chin and forced her softly to look at me again. Her eyes radiated a love that overwhelmed me and I suddenly knew that this didn't just have to do with our raging hormones or animalistic urges. That moment was all about loving.

I put my lips on hers again - this time so tenderly that it almost pulled my legs away. Penny, on the other hand, actually grew weak in my arms and I held her securely as I gently slid her onto the bed, following her every move.

I explored her skin again with my lips, wanting to cover her all over with kisses for being her - my greatest happiness, the greatest treasure I had ever been able to have.

"Sam!" she sighed softly as I found a sensitive spot on her neck. Her hands wrapped around me a little tighter, as if she never wanted to let me go. I didn't want it either. Hearing my name come out of her mouth in a moment of such passion made everything inside me go crazy with joy, with pride, with impatience.

I slid my hand down her back to unclasp her bra, wanting to see and explore all of her. But how far did she want to let it go? What if I went too far? The last thing I wanted was for her past to catch up with her and later consume her with regret. I rose just enough to look into her eyes in the dim light, just then she reached for my waistband and looked for the button to open them.

"Are you sure you want this?" I whispered to her, wanting to give her a chance to think it over. It wouldn't be easy, but I would control myself and let go of her if she had even the slightest doubt. The last thing I wanted was to make her think that I only ever wanted to get her into bed.

"More than that. You're the right one," she replied to me quietly, breathlessly. Her voice hoarse with passion.

I kissed her at the same moment as we simultaneously undid the last two buttons that stood in the way of enjoying the night of our lives together.

To be continued...