Complete Me

by Gray, Khardine

  "I'll hold you to that." He was trying, trying hard to be casual with her. Trying to act like being near her wasn't driving him crazy inside.

  "I'd love to go."

  They looked at each other for a few seconds and he wished he knew what she was thinking.

  "Come on let's get you out of here."

  They went to the pizzeria on Main Street and talked like they did last week, but there was a noticeable awareness between them. He took her home like he promised, but he stopped just before they got inside the main door to the apartment building.

  "You won't come up?" Concern washed over her face.

  "It's better if I don't." It was. He didn't trust himself. In fact, he knew that the minute he got a chance he wouldn't even question kissing her now.

  She looked nervous. "There's lots of hot chocolate." She offered a gentle smile.

  Sam shook his head. "I wouldn't be going up for the hot chocolate." Under the streetlights, he saw her cheeks flush that sweet dusty rose color he liked so much.

  She brought her hands together and looked up at him. "Sam, I didn't think you were presumptuous or taking advantage of the situation earlier, and as you know, Ed no longer thinks he's my boyfriend."

  Hope flickered in her eyes as he reached out and touched the smooth edge of her cheek. "I've disrespected Ed enough, and out of respect that you guys just broke up it's best we part here."

  "Part?" She looked worried

  "For tonight. Part for tonight." He clarified quickly. "I don't trust myself with you." He savored the feel of her skin as he touched her. "And, I'm finding it very hard not to kiss you right now." Her lips parted and her beautiful eyes rounded.

  "It would be okay to kiss me," she breathed.

  The most he could offer was a smile. "I ... shouldn't." Even though he was dying to. "You should have some time." He couldn't believe he managed to say that.

  "How much time?"

  "Just enough."

  She was making it harder by looking at him like that, with so much desire and want in her eyes.

  She held his gaze for a moment then said, "Sam... I never stopped thinking about you either. And I wished I at least knew your name. I would have found you in a heartbeat too."

  At that, he smiled. "Well, then we shouldn't keep each other waiting longer than necessary."

  He let go of her but then lowered to kiss her forehead. That was okay, and as much as he would allow himself tonight.

  Sam turned and walked away before he changed his mind, and he forbade himself to look back at her.

  At least now he knew where he stood.

  * * *

  As soon as Sam walked away, her senses returned to her, and she could see that he was right. Out of respect for Ed, she should have some time to be broken up. It was a penance for not breaking up with him sooner. Despite her crazy feelings for Sam, it was the decent thing to do. She just wondered how much time was needed.

  "Time." Hayley shrieked in disgust wrinkling her nose. "Are we still talking about time and Ed? Sometimes I wonder if we're seriously related." She held her hands out.

  Tamar shook her head completely agreeing with Hayley. Lexie didn't know why she thought they would agree with her, they never usually did. She'd filled them in on what was going on days ago, but them being them, insisted that more than enough time had passed.

  It was Wednesday evening, so nearly a week since she last saw Sam. Tonight she'd decided she needed quality time with her sisters, so they went to Mangetsu for dinner. It was their favorite Japanese restaurant.

  "It's been five days. Add two more, and that's a week. What is wrong with you people?" Tamar asked, her straight black hair glistened under the bright restaurant lights.

  "You work at the same place. Why haven't you gone to see him yet?" Hayley narrowed her eyes at her.

  "It's a weird situation," Lexie said resting her arms on the table.

  She felt much better about Ed now and was able to push all thoughts of him aside. She was truly single again, and all she could think about was Sam and the wild sexual charge that sparked between them every time they were together.

  "Honey, you're the one whose weird," Tamar expressed spearing her last piece of ebi katsu. "It wasn't even like you had a proper relationship with Ed."

  "I wouldn't have given any time at all." Hayley huffed. When Lexie told them what Ed said to her at the restaurant Hayley believed he should have seen the break up coming.

  "Me neither. And you guys need to get it together." Mischief flickered in Tamar's eyes.

  Lexie grimaced at her, knowing the look meant her brain was already conjuring up some crazy plan. "Tamar, I don't know what you're thinking, but whatever it is I can't do it."

  "I'm just getting started. Lexie, you have to do something. The ball is in your court."

  How was the ball in her court? Surely, it was in Sam's. She'd wanted him to go up to her apartment, she even asked and yes, as bad as it was she was dying for him to kiss her. She even told him it was okay to kiss her.

  "He knows I broke up with Ed and it's me who whose waiting for him?"

  Tamar and Hayley both shook their heads.

  "Lexie," Tamar began in that let me give you a lesson about men tone. "Sam knows you like him. He feels bad that you guys kissed when you were technically involved with another guy. He's being respectful by giving you and Ed a chance to be broken up because he didn't want to be associated with the reason why you broke up. If he pursues you, then it would seem like he's still being disrespectful, but if you pursue him then your letting him know that you've had enough time to get over your grief with Ed."

  Lexie just stared at her and pursed her lips together. As the explanation sunk in and made sense she frowned. Why did she have to be so clueless when it came to men? The ball was indeed in her court, but what should she do?

  "Well... I can't exactly throw myself at him." Lexie laughed, thinking the idea absurd. But the look on her sister's faces told her that that was exactly what they thought she should do.

  She was about to dispute the idea, but then it occurred to her that throwing herself at him was literally all she could do. The question was, could she? She'd never really been the make the first move kind of girl, or make any kind of move type, but if she wanted Sam, she would need to branch away from her comfort zone.

  She'd need to see him. At work, it was difficult because he was always so busy.

  Her phone suddenly buzzed on the table bringing her out of her thoughts. Tamar and Hayley eyed it curiously and moved closer towards her. Lexie grabbed it before they could see the message preview. She knew it wasn't her parents because they hated cell phones and as for texting, well that was a big no, no.

  She looked at the phone and smiled when she saw that the message came from Sam.

  "Who is it?" Hayley slid right up to her. Tamar rushed from the other side of their table and squeezed in next to her.

  "Some Like It Hot or Maltese Falcon. I've seen Some Like It Hot three times already this week." Tamar read it out, and she and Hayley started laughing. "This guy couldn't be more perfect for you sis."

  "What are you going to say?" Hayley asked with dreamy eyes.

  Lexie sat still, savoring the thought of getting the text. "I don't know." She smiled to herself.

  "Oh my gosh. Give it here." Hayley snatched the phone right out of her hands.

  "Hayley, what are you doing? Give it back."

  Lexie reached for it, but Hayley elbowed her in her chest knocking her away. Tamar flew around to Hayley's side and surrounded her preventing Lexie from getting near. Her sisters were just as bad as each other. Who knew what they would write. Maybe she wouldn't even be able to go back to work and face Sam ever again.

  "How about I say, hey Sam both those films are lame. How about I come over and we play roll around in the sack all night, and all day too if your game." Hayley giggled.

  "No, give it back. Please don't say that." Lexie winced. This time Tamar held her back with her sur
prisingly strong arms.

  "Add to it. I have the perfect pair of crotchless panties for the occasion." Tamar laughed wickedly. Their debacle was creating attention and people around were looking.

  "Guys I'm not joking," Lexie argued, trying to get past Tamar.

  "Neither are we." Hayley scolded. To Lexie's horror, she started typing.

  Lexie frowned at them both. God, please, give Hayley a heart. Let her not be typing any of those things.

  "Send." She handed over the phone with a witchy cackle. Lexie scrolled to the message. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it would pop out of her chest. To her massive relief, God did give Hayley a heart, or a good portion of one. She'd actually written:

  Hey, Sam. Give Some Like It Hot another go. Maltese Falcon would be more enjoyable if you watched it with someone. Why don't we plan to watch it together?

  It was very tame for Hayley. The phone beeped again with Sam's response before Lexie could comment. Tamar and Hayley gathered beside her to get a better view.

  "I like that plan better." Sam's message read.

  Hayley and Tamar did their trademark laugh and high five.

  "Now you have to say when," Tamar offered, her hazel eyes bright with excitement.

  "Yes don't just leave it open," Hayley added.

  "I don't know when he's free. What if I make suggestions and he says he can't do any of them?" Lexie winced. This was why she was never good at making any form of first move.

  "Okay, my turn," Tamar snatched the phone and started typing. Again before Lexie could see the message it was sent.

  "Must you guys keep doing that?" Lexie swatted her as she took her phone back.

  "Needs must," Tamar pouted.

  Lexie read what she wrote. Plain and simple were the words "just say when." She had to give her sister credit. Tamar was smooth.

  "And now the ball is in his court." Tamar smiled.

  She supposed a lesson or two from her sisters couldn't hurt. Seconds later Sam messaged back "I definitely will," bringing a smile to her face.

  "But you have to go in the court to play the game," Hayley added. "And for heaven's sake woman look the part. Dress up more."

  So, she was still left with throwing herself at him. She laughed at the thought of it all but now thought maybe she could. She would gear up herself and do it tomorrow. The only thing that could stop her was nerves.

  Or Mags.

  Mags could stop her, with her thick rimmed black frame glasses and a large beehive up-do. She'd taken over from Janine at the start of the week. Lexie heard Janine had been relocated to archives.

  Lexie had always had a deep respect for Mags, but she knew the woman had some super strict ways. Old school marm strict. Deciding to be brave Lexie had ventured into the court, and she was going to try to play the game. She started out at Simon's office to check in with him then used the excuse of being on the floor to casually make her way over to Sam's. Unfortunately, Mags intercepted guarding the path to Sam's office like St. Peter did at heavens gates.

  "He's busy all day," Mags stated stiffening up her face.

  "All day?"

  "Lexie, unless if you have an appointment or something seriously important, then I'm afraid Mr. St. John won't be able to see you." Mag's southern drawl was even more pronounced when she was annoyed.

  Lexie sighed. She couldn't believe she needed an appointment just to see Sam for five minutes. Maybe she should go back to the drawing board and rethink her strategy. Or, think up something seriously important.

  "Okay," she told Mags and made her way back to the labs.

  The next day she returned with a file she needed signing off. When Mags looked at the file, she looked even more annoyed than yesterday.

  "This is an order form. You have authority to sign this off for your team." Mags huffed.

  Lexie hadn't thought of that and honestly didn't think that Mags would inspect the file first.

  "I need to talk with him about the changes in the types of materials we need to order," she lied, trying to be creative.

  "Again, he's very busy." Mags blinked behind her glasses and turned her lips into a scowl.

  "Can I make an appointment then?"

  "Can't you see Simon about this?"

  Oh, Mags was definitely a hard cookie.

  "No," Lexie said pointedly.

  Mags focused on her computer and tapped the tab key. "He's block booked all of next week."

  All of next week.

  "What about the week after?"

  Mags looked back to her. "The earliest I can book you in is six weeks from today. What time should I schedule you in?"

  "Six weeks." This was ridiculous.

  "You'd best better see Simon then hey?" Mags gave her a blunt smile that wrinkled the corners of her eyes. It reminded Lexie of the Grinch when he smiled. Scary.

  This was fruitless, and Lexie was beginning to look silly. "I don't want to see Simon. I just need to see Sam."

  "Lexie, I don't know when you got to be on a first named basis with Mr. St. John, but I assume you're an intelligent girl. We're in the middle of an ongoing investigation here. I don't have to remind you that Mr. St. John came here to fix our problem. He doesn't have time for you ladies and your flirty clothes."

  Flirty clothes? Was Mags being serious? Lexie was dressed no different than she would on any other day. Sure she added more perfume, and okay the skirt was new. But her salmon pink blouse was work appropriate.

  "Mags you misunderstand."

  Mags stood up and straightened sharply. "Lexie, I may be an old boot, but I wasn't born yesterday. Now run along." The Texan drawl was super heavy.

  Run along. Lexie had never felt so humiliated. And annoyed. She turned on her heel and left. When she went back to the lab, she evaded Tim and Gina's curious looks. They'd been asking about Sam too every chance they got, and it was all getting a little too much for Lexie.

  As the ball was in Sam's court, it couldn't have hurt for him to contact her again. She understood he was busy so it may be difficult, but anything would have been better than nothing.

  Maybe it was best to back down and let things take whatever course they were meant to take.

  * * *

  Sam had seen Lexie talking to Mags. He'd caught a glimpse of her through the glass panel on the door during Carlingford's presentation.

  He'd wanted to contact her yesterday but time got away from him. He'd had one meeting after another and work spilled over late into the night. By the time he got home, he just collapsed into bed. Today looked like it was going to be just as bad and he was going to Chicago this weekend to see Amy in one of her stage shows.

  If he wasn't careful Lexie would either lose interest or think he had, so he approached Mags the first chance he got.

  "Mags, how's everything going?"

  Mags greeted him with a friendly smile tipping her head briefly in reverence, the way most southerners did.

  "Picture perfect. All meetings are scheduled in for next week, your letters and reports are done. I've even arranged everything so that you get an hour's lunch and get to leave by six." She smiled proudly.

  He nodded with complete approval. An hour's lunch and leaving by six sounded amazing.

  "Thank you. Mags you are an absolute star."

  Her smile widened, displaying her pearly white teeth.

  "Tell me Mags. Was that Lexie I saw talking to you earlier?" He tried going for subtle and even rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to make it seem as if he was only mildly curious.

  Mags rolled her eyes. "Shivering biscuits. I swear to the good Lord that I never expected a bright girl like that to follow sheep."

  Sam was from Chicago where people tended to talk a little plainer, so he had to really listen when her southern drawl was at its height, more so when she started referring to biscuits and sheep.

  "Oh, what um sort of sheep was she following?" Sam asked with a wide grin.

  As Mags grimaced and tsked, the deep wrinkles in her forehea
d became even more pronounced. "It's a good thing you're too busy to notice all the young women after you. I have to fend them off daily."

  Interesting, she must have been right because he didn't notice anything of the sort. Or, it could just be that his mind had been too much on Lexie to notice.

  "Are you sure they didn't just need me? Lexie could have needed me." It was more inconspicuous to keep the casual conversation going.

  "Sam you're the CEO. All these girls have managers and assistant managers that can sign whatever document that needs to be signed or report that suddenly needs to be looked over by just you. For heaven's sake, Lexie is head of her department with free reign over pretty much everything. What on God's green earth could be so urgent that she'd come up here two freaking days in a row to try and schedule an appointment with you?" While she shook her head, Sam was wrenching inside.

  He couldn't believe Lexie had tried to book an appointment with him.

  Mags rattled on. "Anyway, I know you aren't like that, so I told that Lexie the same as I did everyone. To take her flirty clothes and run along. You got work to do." She looked so proud of herself. Without thinking, Sam winced and put his hand to his temple and felt the vein pounding beneath his fingers. It was bad enough that he hadn't been able to keep in touch, but for Mags to fend Lexie off like she was some school girl, well that was just bad.

  "You should have seen her. It was so obvious she was just trying to see you."

  He had to fix this. It was his own stupid fault for taking too much time to give her time to be broken up. Screw time and Ed. Sam owed him nothing, and sometimes being too considerate was a bad thing.

  He had to see her, but when? He had an international teleconference at six fifteen so was more than likely looking at a very late finish.

  What about now? No, he had to get back and prepare for his next meeting. And that was quite important because it was with the loss prevention officer. After he had sent his report to him last week, and they sent Rachel an email asking her to meet with them they found out that she'd gone on holiday, abroad. They weren't even told where abroad. Just abroad. It didn't take rocket science to figure out what was going on.