| Birthday Wishes **Disclaimers** The song “Sometimes When We Touch” is by Dan Hill. Even I couldn’t come up with something like that! All WW characters belong to A Sorkin et al. The plot is mine…that’s about it. By their third year of working together, Donna was willing to admit that her birthday had become a bit of a tradition with Josh. She would write the date on the blackboard in his office as a reminder. Josh would ignore it. She would leave post-its on his desk and folders asking for specific presents…skis were still a popular choice. He would crumple them together into one massive, sticky post-it ball and hurl it at her when she least expected it. She would call him the night before her big day to give him one last chance to remember. He would then immediately forget why she had called. Or so it seemed. Because every year, just before she went out with the women of the West Wing for a debauched drunken girls’ night, Josh would call her into his office, close the door, ask her to close her eyes, and then surprise her. In the dark she’d hear him fumbling around, trying to get her present just right before she saw it. Every year it was the same. She would open her eyes, slowly, and see one small lit candle atop some fabulously extravagant dessert he’d found somewhere. Last year’s present had been the best yet. It was a piece of key-lime pie surrounded by rivers of raspberry puree and chantilly cream that Josh had gotten at the Occidental Restaurant near the Willard Hotel. It had been later than usual when he’d called her into the office so after he had closed the door they had been left alone together in the dimly-lit room. Josh had looked wonderfully rumpled and sexy after a fairly light day by their usual standards. The tension in the room was palpable as he watched Donna bend over and blow out her candle. She had leaned in across the desk, knowing he was watching her every move, and paused for a second to make a wish. Then she put her lips together and blew. “What’d ya wish for, Donna?” he whispered. In years previous she had never answered, only smiled as he tried to wheedle the information out of her, always unsuccessfully. “I’m not telling you.” “Aw! Come on!” Josh turning into a whiny three year old had never worked in the past, but then again, he’d never stood so close behind her before. “You gotta tell me, Donna! What was it?” She had turned around and smirked. “Joshua Lyman, don’t you know anything? If you tell a wish, it won’t come true.” He smiled right back. It seemed more intimate to see him smiling in the dark, like she could pretend they were in his bedroom instead of his office. “You’ve kept me hanging for way too long. Telling just once won’t hurt! Please?” She had been about to gently turn him down again, but he had tugged on her sleeve and the reaction had been electric. The evil twinkle in his eye was replaced by something else that smouldered, making her lick her lips. His voice dropped to a lower pitch as he leaned in. “Tell me, Donna. You know you want to.” Donna had taken one last look into those damn brown eyes and then spoken before she could stop herself. “I wished that we’d always be together on my birthday.” Josh had smiled and then pulled her to him. Her breasts pressed against his shirt, and she felt totally enveloped by the sexy scent of his aftershave as he held her close, running his hands over her back. “I’ll see what I can do about that,” he promised. Neither of them wanted to move, to let go. Donna loved how well they fit together. It made her mind run away with thoughts of how they might fit together even better without their clothes as a barrier. It was so easy to picture herself naked with him. Her heart had leapt up to her throat as Josh leaned back enough to press a soft kiss on her cheek. “Have fun tonight, Donnatella. Happy Birthday.” It had been a perfect moment. For months it had been so good between them—he had toyed with her underwear in public, she had said she wouldn’t stop for red lights, he had wanted to put her on a stamp…it had all seemed to be leading up to something big, something special that would soon overwhelm them both. That lingering hug on the night of her birthday had seemed like their new beginning. But that had been before Mrs Landingham died, before Josh screwed up Big Tobacco, before Cliff…before Amy. One year later as she sat in her cubicle in the deserted bullpen, Donna realised that she would give just about anything to go back in time and not say a word to Josh about her birthday wish. Because it hadn’t come true, and for the first time since they had met, Josh was not with Donna on her birthday. It wasn’t for any political reason or because of the re-election campaign. That she could have understood and easily forgiven. But not this. It would take a long time to get over the hurt of this. In some sick twist of fate Amy’s birthday fell on the day after Donna’s. And in a last ditch effort to save their rocky relationship, Josh had taken Amy on a romantic getaway…to Hawaii. He had even had the nerve to ask Donna if she thought it was a good birthday present. “Seriously, Donna, do you think this will help?” “Well, seeing as the fake palm trees in your apartment didn’t hurt your love- making streak, I can only assume that going to an real tropical island will be in your favour now.” “I’m just going to assume that somewhere under all that misplaced sarcasm you agree with me, so thanks.” And now he was gone. Not one word about her birthday. He had made no mention of key-lime pie or chocolate torte or double fudge chocolate cheesecake with chocolate vodka sauce. Josh had forgotten her birthday, except this time it wasn’t a clever ploy to catch her off guard on the actual day. He had really forgotten this time. And now, as Donna packed up for the day and put away the cards a few people had left on her desk, she realised that not being with Josh was what hurt the most. No doubt he was flying somewhere over the Pacific now, trying to convince Amy to join the Mile-High Club. “She’s probably already a life-time member,” Donna grumbled as she pulled her coat on. She took one last, lingering look at Josh’s dark and empty office. There would be no surprise in there for her tonight. With each step she took towards the parking lot, she lost a little bit more of her resolve not to cry. A year ago this day she had thought life with Josh as something more than her boss was about to begin. The Girl Friday act would end and he’d really see her, have feelings for her. Maybe even love her. “Love me? I’m an idiot,” she muttered as she passed security clearance. “I’m sorry, Miss Moss?” One of the guards gave her a questioning look. “Did you say something?” “Oh no, sorry! Just talking to myself.” He gave her a wry smile as he held open the door. “Have a good night.” That’s not possible, she thought glumly. “You too!” Josh was probably kissing Amy now. Full, long kisses. The kind of kiss Donna yearned for. It seemed too much of an effort to put her key into the lock on her car door. Instead, she lay her head against frame of her Honda and tried not to sob. The tears eked out anyway. “Donna!” She made the supreme effort of lifting her head up, only to see Sam running towards her. “Donna! Wait up!” He puffed a little as he neared, but his blue eyes were smiling at her, not showing any fatigue after such a long day. “You’re not heading home, are you?” “As a matter of fact, yes.” “No, you’ve go to—wait, have you been crying?” Donna turned away and fumbled with her keys. “Look, Sam, I know you’re trying to be nice and all, but it’s not worth the effort. Just leave me alone, okay?” “But it’s your birthday…” She looked at him, amazed. “Who told you that?” Sam gave her an easy smile. “No one had to tell me. I remembered.” She dabbed furiously at her eyes that had somehow filled up again. “I’m sorry,” she blubbed, “I don’t mean to cry. It’s…it’s just that…you’re so sweet to…to say that…and…and I’m so…so angry at Josh!” She smacked her hand against the car window to vent her frustration. Sam took a tiny step back, just in case. “I would have to be one of those people who…who cry when they’re angry,” she sniffed. He wordlessly offered a white handkerchief. “Thank you.” “No problem.” “Do you always carry a handkerchief with you?” “Only when Ginger or Bonnie has a cold and used up all of my Kleenex. Tonight you’re in luck.” They smiled slightly as an awkward silence descended. “Look,” Sam continued, “I don’t know what your plans are for your big night…” “I don’t have any.” “Really?” He paused. “Well then, what would you say to me making you dinner?” Brightening considerably, she laughed. “What?” “I know it’s not a trip to Hawaii or anything close to what you really deserve but, well, you seem pretty upset right now and no one should be upset on their birthday and so I’d like to do this for you.” “Why?” For a moment he didn’t know what to say. She looked so incredibly beautiful with the street lamp lighting her from above. “Because we’re friends,” he said weakly. Of course, real friends wouldn’t suddenly feel their chest grow tight as well as other parts of their anatomy as they gazed at a weepy, distressed Donna. Sam damped down his sudden need to hold her against him and looked at his shoes. “So, will you come?” Before either of them really knew what was happening, Donna launched herself at him, holding Sam in a tight embrace. “Thank you,” she whispered against his neck. “This is just what I need tonight.” He smiled in relief and squeezed back before disengaging himself. He took her keys and unlocked the car door, holding it open as she got in behind the wheel. “Meet you at my place. Drive carefully,” he added. “I’ll be right behind you.” After a hearty meal of scallops soaked in lemon juice and linguine covered in a white wine cream sauce, Sam held up yet another bottle of wine. “You’d probably prefer some rich dessert, but this is really all I have left in my kitchen.” Donna looked up quickly from her spot on the couch, wondering if Sam had known about Josh’s annual tradition, then relaxed when she saw he meant nothing malicious. Rolling the stem of her empty glass between her fingers, she gazed off into space. “I don’t want any dessert tonight,” she vowed. Changing the subject she teased, “So, has cooking me one dinner cleaned you out?” “Indeed it has.” It had started to rain while they were eating dinner. She had thought it a rather appropriate ending to a miserable day, but she refrained from making any comment. It was so nice to finally let down, even nicer when the person entertaining her had such deep, crystal-blue eyes. They made their way over to the couch and stared off into the flames of his gas fireplace. “How are you able to afford such plush place?” “I used to be a lawyer, remember? Back in the days when I was a well-paid, private citizen. I put the fireplace in to inspire me. When I relax at night I can pretend that I’m settling down to write the Great American Novel.” “Nice excuse.” “I thought so.” They listened to the quiet patter of the rain for endless minutes. Donna swung her feet up on the couch and took one last swig of wine before turning to Sam. “So, when are you going to ask me?” “Ask you what?” “Come on, Sam. You know I’m angry at Josh—I told you in the parking lot. You’re not the least bit interested why?” He looked across at her, his face blank. “I just assumed it was because he took Amy to Hawaii. I don’t want to pry…” She reached across and took his hand. “Sam, you’re very important to me. And rarely have you ever made me feel stupid or humiliated…” “Wait!” His eyes were full of concern. “I’ve made you feel uncomfortable? When? I promise, I never intended…” “Does Karen Cahill ring a bell?” “Oh,” he said sheepishly, “that.” “Yes, oh that!” Donna kicked him gently in the ribs. “Talk about embarrassing!” “I saw your underwear.” She sighed. “At least you weren’t the one who flung it at me.” Sam watched her for a long time before taking her hand again and refilling her glass again with the other. “If you want to talk about him,” he whispered, “I’ll listen.” She rolled her head back. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.” She took a sip of wine, rolling the rich red burgundy around her tongue before swallowing. Sam caught himself staring at her lips, watching ever so closely as her tongue came out to catch a drop of wine. “It’s not just that he took her to Hawaii,” she began. “I mean, that hurt, but there’s more to it than that. Did you know that her birthday is tomorrow?” Sam shook his head. “I had no idea.” “Josh took her there for her birthday. He didn’t even remember mine this year. And last year…” She paused to take another sip. “Last year was so different. Before all this foo-fah.” “Foo-fah?” “It’s a word!” He put his hands up in surrender. “I believe you!” “I know this is going to sound silly…” “No, it won’t.” She cocked her head, smiling shyly. “Thanks. The thing is, I always make a birthday wish. I’ve done it ever since I was a little girl. And the past few years Josh has always pretended to forget my birthday and then surprised me just before I would leave the office. Last year it was wonderful, almost romantic. I thought…I thought that he might be trying to tell me something…how he felt about me. And then, against my better judgement, I told him my birthday wish. I told him that I always wanted to spend my birthday with him. And now I feel that because I told him, my wish hasn’t come true. He’s flown off to Paradise with Amy, forgotten my birthday and…and I’m alone.” She sighed so deeply Sam thought he could see her soul shudder from the pain. He knew it might hurt her, but he had to ask. “Are you in love with him?” She was silent for a long time before answering. “I might have been,” she said slowly. “Once, a long time ago. It’s very different now between us. Do you know he calls me from her house? I can hear them in the morning. He’s talking to me on his cell and I can hear her moving about the room, getting dressed, hear the mattress springs sink under his weight.” She looked Sam straight in the eye. “If we were in love with each other, do you think either of us would put the other through that kind of torment?” “I don’t know the answer to that,” he replied. “Things happened in the past twelve months,” she continued. “Things that neither of us have been able to forget. There were the hearings and…and we both made mistakes. I thought Amy was a way of getting back at me. But I think it’s changed. I think he’s changed. We’re not in that place we were a year ago, and I don’t know how to fix any of it.” Sam leaned forward, still holding her hand. “Donna, what are you trying to tell me?” “I guess I’m saying that Josh means a lot to me but…I’m not Amy.” “No, you’re Donna. And for me, that makes you worth a thousand Amys.” Donna felt overcome by the sudden desire to be held. More to the point, she wanted Sam to be the one holding her. He was looking at her so intently. His eyes looked so blue, so earnest at that moment. If she didn’t watch herself, she could be swept away by the emotions that seemed to pour out of him, making her feel alive again. His sudden sigh disturbed her train of thought. The hand holding hers tightened and she felt herself leaning forward towards him, needing something that she couldn’t name. “I wish I could understand you the way he does. I want that, Donna, I do.” “But you’re not him.” “No,” he agreed, “I’m not.” “You’re Sam.” “I suppose I could ask what that was worth to you.” He knew the instant the words left his mouth that it was a mistake. She couldn’t be attracted to him, not after the way she had confessed a past love for his best friend. And now he’d just made the entire situation unbearable. “Donna, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he babbled. “That was completely unfair of me. Imagine, me asking you something like that. You don’t have to answer. You don’t have to say a single word. We can just pretend this whole thing never happened.” “Sam.” “You’re hurt and I’m being an idiot. I’m sorry.” “Sam!” He looked at her, confused. “Yes?” Her hand came up to cup his cheek, bring them even closer together. “You’re worth a lot to me too,” she whispered. Her kiss was soft and the alluring scent of her perfume overwhelmed his senses. Instinctively, his hands came up to cup the back of her head, his tongue tracing the outline of her lips as he sought permission to delve into her mouth. She gave in to his demands in an instant, their mouths melding together as the flood of the evening’s emotions found a climax they both wanted. Her arms tightened around him, and she felt herself falling back on the couch. Donna surprised herself at the need she felt to have his weight between her thighs, covering her body. This was Sam, a man she had always turned to for comfort and peace, but never before for love or affection. But the funny thing was, it didn’t feel odd to be with him like this. In fact, it was the first time something had felt right in far too long. Sam moaned as she moved her fingers lower, tracing patterns on the small of his back. She tasted so sweet, so new, and he wanted nothing more than to keep her there and love her until she could understand how precious she truly was. She arched slightly beneath him when he moved his hand to cup her breast, plucking at the nipple through the cloth of her shirt. His lips moved down along the curve of her neck, making her sigh and writhe as he hit sensitive erogenous zones. His hand still held her breast when he moved his mouth away. “Donna,” he panted. “I can’t promise to make anything better. This might not help you at all.” She heard him through the haze that was slowly overtaking her mind, his words slowly dawning on her. He was being good and noble, giving her a way out if she wanted it. The trouble was, she didn’t. Her hands drifted up to his face again, outlining his eyebrow, the curve of his cheekbone, the strong chin. “I don’t want you to solve my problems for me, Sam. You can’t do that. I don’t want any help. I just want to feel loved. I want one wish to come true this year.” He smiled down at her, his chest swelling with some emotion that he was nowhere near ready yet to acknowledge. “Tell me what I can do.” “You can kiss me again, for a start.” “Happy to oblige,” he smirked as he bent down to taste her again. Donna could feel her body beginning to quicken under the skilled touch of his hands and lips. There was a moment’s hesitation within her before she slowly moved one hand away from his ass to tease its way below the front of his shirt. Her fingers touched the silky ribbon of hair that led from his navel down to his sex, now rigid against her thigh. She almost laughed at how nervous she was, feeling timid because, for some unknown reason, it now all felt so right. “God! Donna!” he moaned as her fingers stroked his hard length through his pants. He moved away from where he had been laving her collarbone and looked down at her with a twinkle in his eye. “I’ve got an idea.” “Sam, you have got to be joking.” “Donna, it will be fun. I promise. Don’t you trust me?” “I used to. Not too sure about now, however.” He gave her a small crestfallen look until she laughed and shoved him gently. “You do realise,” he said softly, “that this is something we’ve never done together before. All these years of knowing each other, being together day in and day out and not once have I ever done this with you. Don’t you think it’s about time?” She looked at him dubiously. “I suppose we could just this once,” she sighed melodramatically. “But Sam, I’m not very good at this.” “Don’t worry,” he smiled. “This is one thing at which I am very good.” Putting his hands on her shoulders he steered her towards the wall above his sound system. “Just pick out a CD. Your birthday, your dance, your choice.” Donna looked at the rows of CDs in front of her, wondering where on earth to begin. Sam’s taste in music seemed to wander all over the proverbial map. And his stacks of CDs were spread out all over the wall in a floor to ceiling set of shelves. “Do you have a stool or something?” “A what?” “Something I can stand on. I can’t reach up high enough to see what’s on the upper shelves.” “Oh, of course.” He bent over behind a leather wing-back chair and pulled out a small, intricately carved, wooden staircase. It had three steps to it. “My mother had one room entirely of books in the house where I grew up. She called it her library. She had one of these so she could step up to the highest shelf. It should be for a bookcase, but I like having it out here near the fireplace. Donna smiled as he put in front of her. “I think it’s perfectly charming.” “Good,” he replied, taking the time to trail several hot, open-mouth kisses along the side of her neck. It felt wonderful. “Sam…” His name came out low and sultry. “I’ll never find a song for us to dance to if you keep that up.” “An extremely tempting proposition,” he growled in her ear. “But…” He slowly backed away from her body and went to turn out the lights. “I want to give you this, Donna. Swirl you around a darkened room like some old-fashioned movie. I guess I’m just a hopeless romantic.” “I think at our age we’re supposed to say something about being hopeful romantics.” “That’s cute. Your ‘our age’ comment reminds me…just how old are you tonight?” “Samuel Seaborn!” she chided from her position atop the stairs. “You should know better than to ask a woman her age!” Her sexy wink allayed any fears he had that he’d insulted her. “Okay, keep your secret. It just makes you more mysterious.” “And that’s a good thing?” “That’s a very good thing.” With that, he turned out the lights. “Sam…I can’t see the CDs anymore.” He laughed. “Just pick out whatever you last hand in your hand.” “Okay, but I should warn you, I think it was one of those power ballad compilation things.” “You’re going to tell everyone that I own that, aren’t you?” he grimaced. “Maybe!” she teased. He was standing beneath her now, his face level with her stomach. Donna wordlessly handed him the CD. She didn’t move from her spot above him as he loaded the music into his sound system. Rather, she watched him, mesmerised by the movements of his body. For someone so used to watching Josh’s daily swagger, Sam’s gracefulness was a stirring change. Josh’s cockiness and arrogant sex appeal were definite turn-ons, but the way Sam seemed the prowl around his own apartment, confident yet without a need to draw attention to himself, was intoxicating. He was reserved, but just thinking of the heated passion that lay beneath that gentlemanly exterior made Donna feel hot, aching for his touch. And now she also knew from experience that his ass could rival Deputy Downer’s any day. Why had she never seen him before? Banishing all thoughts of Josh from her mind, Donna moved to descend from the small set of stairs. Suddenly, Sam moved close, flattening his hand against her stomach, holding her in place. “Stay there,” he said softly. Donna could feel her insides quivering from the thrilling touch of his warm fingers. If only he would move them down a bit more… Just then the music started. The piano intro was familiar, the melody echoing within the room. “You ask me if I love you And I choke on my reply. I’d rather hurt you honestly, Than mislead you with a lie…” “Sam!” she laughed. “This has to be the cheesiest song of all time!” He looked up at her, smiling in the darkness. “Don’t you love it?” he teased. Then he moved closer, pressing his face against her where his hand once had been, nuzzling her soft skin through her blouse. In one fluid movement he picked her up and moved away from the wall, sliding her body down slowly against his, leaving nothing to either of their imaginations. “And who am I to judge you On what you say or do? I’m only just beginning To see the real you.” His arms were wrapped around her, her hands comfortably linked behind his neck. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered. “Happy Birthday, Donna.” They moved slowly in time to the music, grinding slightly to appease some of the rising tension. “And sometimes when we touch, The honesty’s too much, And I have to close my eyes and hide. I want to hold you till I die, Till we both break down and cry I want to hold you till the fear in me subsides.” She could feel him hard against her thigh and something within her soared to know that she could make him be this way. Shifting her body slightly, she moved so that he was tucked against her sex in a tantalising preview of what was to come. He couldn’t stop looking at her, wanting to sear this image of her on his brain. Her blond hair seemed bluish-white in the darkness and he ran his fingers through it, hoping that the vision before him was real. Slowly their mouths came together, fusing them into one being, their tongues seeking, probing, wanting to feel everything the other had to give. He groaned softly as, without separating their lips, she began to peel off his shirt. His hands ran up and down her back, feeling her body through the flimsy material, then rucking it up in the back so he could touch her skin and marvel at its softness. The jousting of their tongues seemed lazy in comparison to the speed of their fingers as they blindly undressed each other. She whimpered when he pulled away momentarily to cast off his undershirt, but then his hands were framing her face for yet another searing kiss. Donna felt as though a part of her soul was being touched as his tongue cunningly plundered all her defences. With every kiss she leaned more heavily into him, wanting him to know how close he was to her in every way. “At times I understand you And I know how hard you try I’ve watched while love commands you And I’ve watched love pass you by. At times I think we’re drifters, Still searchin’ for a friend, A brother or a sister, But then the passion flares again.” Then they were down on their knees, gazing at each other as they gasped for breath. “Donna,” he panted. His hand traced her face, then followed the lines of her body down to her breasts, sliding his fingers across the lace of her exposed bra. The intensity of his gaze was staggering. “I want this…I want you to want this. Are you sure?” She reached for him across the small distance between them, holding him close as her lips moved across his shoulders, his neck, teasing their way down his chest. “I want this, Sam,” she whispered. “I want you.” He took her face in his hands, holding her still. His eyes raked over hers, searching to see if her words were true. The smile that grew and played about his lips told her he had seen his answer. “I’m glad,” he said simply, before bring her close again and lowering her body to the floor. The simple joy of kissing another human being was not overlooked by either of them. They both moaned and sighed as they kissed again and again, each foray varying in speed and intensity. She ran her fingers through his hair, playing with the tips of his ears as he braced his body against hers and began a mission to find every sensitive part of her neck with his mouth. He removed any barrier of clothing as he made his way down her body. Soon she lay naked before him. Every nerve in Donna’s body cried out for Sam’s attention and she could feel her hips straining forward as his breath tantalised her thighs and the damp curls between them. He took one more look at her passion-filled face before lowering his lips to her core. She writhed on the floor, thinking she could never get enough of him as his tongue and teeth casually played with her clit. He tasted every part of her, moving his hands to cup her ass and tilt her even more towards his mouth. All too soon she could feel the fabulous rush of arousal beginning to reach new heights. More than anything she wanted to stay in that moment of heart-stopping bliss, but then his tongue stroked her once more and her orgasm bent her body back in a perfect arch. He kept his mouth against her as she slowly drifted down from her climax. When he did look up at her, he thought he had never seen her so relaxed or happy; to know that he was the cause made his blood thrum through his veins. “Well,” she said languorously, “that was the best dance I’ve ever had.” Sam laughed from his current position draped across her lower body. “Yeah, sorry about that. I had a waltz or something more traditional in mind, but I think I was somewhat diverted.” She smiled back at him. “I think you might have been.” “I also think we can continue this someplace more comfortable than a wooden floor.” He picked her up gently, cradling her in his arms as he carried her to his bedroom. Donna felt as though her spine had been removed and still needed some time to recover. Once in his bedroom, words escaped them. Sam stood before her, still wearing pants. Donna reached out and unbuckled his belt, then slid both pants and boxers down to the floor. He moved onto the bed as she scooted back up toward the headboard, taking his hand in hers so that they were still connected. As she reached down to stroke his prominent erection he lightly clasped her wrist. “Do we need anything?” he asked. “No,” she answered softly. “We’re fine.” He gave her a bit of a look as his mind raced at the possibility of Donna having constant sex with other men. She could tell what he was thinking. “I’ve been on birth control for years…to control my period.” “Really? Actually, I’ve heard that it can be very good for easing cramps and PMS.” Donna gave him a wry smile. “Sam, as interesting as this conversation is, and I am somewhat astounded that you know that stuff, do you think we could pick it up later and…you know…move on to something else?” He smiled too and pulled her against him without another word. She threw herself into his kiss, loving the feel of his naked skin moving against hers. His cock was hard and pulsing against her belly. She rolled them so that she was astride him. “Like this?” she asked shyly. Sam showed his agreement by moving up to kiss her breasts, laving her tightened nipples with his hot mouth. Donna rocked against him for a few precious moments, then guided him into her. He filled her up slowly and he fell away from her breasts, his face contorted in agonised pleasure. “God, Donna…” he stammered. Sam then lost the ability to speak as she began to rock above him, their hands laced together. She began to move faster, loving the heated feel of him inside her. Her hips worked back and forth as he pulled her down to him, changing the angle so that he rubbed against new parts of her. Donna’s second orgasm of the night came without warning, her harsh cries filling the room. She fell against him, replete. He rolled them again and she brought her legs up around his waist as he drove into her faster, seeking his own completion. At that moment, Donna wanted nothing more than to satisfy his needs. Her keening sounds in his ear and the feel of her hands running down his back were enough to send Sam over the edge. As they lay tangled together, sweaty and satisfied, Donna felt the need to laugh and sob at the same time. She was so happy, but now that Sam’s intense blue eyes were closed, she couldn’t help wondering what it would have felt like a year ago if this had happened, and if the eyes that held her entranced had been brown instead of blue. At that moment, Sam pulled her to him, holding her against his chest with a grunt of happiness and kissing her temple. And just like that, all thoughts of brown eyes disappeared for the rest of the night. By the time she had reached her place the next morning, Donna’s thoughts focussed on a hot, steamy bath followed by a morning of pampering herself. With Josh thousands of miles away there was no need to rush into the office. And in the sleepy fog of their early morning parting, Sam had mentioned something about having lunch together. He definitely wanted to continue what they had started last night. Donna smiled to herself as she ran a finger over her swollen lips. Yes, Sam’s goodbye kiss as she was leaving left no doubt in her mind as to how he felt about her. It wouldn’t surprise her if he had already called her house to leave her a message. The light was flashing on her machine and she eagerly hit the button to start the tape. “Hey Donna! It’s me.” She froze, staring off into nothing, her finger still poised over the machine’s play button. “Look, I know I’m an idiot. Ok, a big stupid colossal idiot, you’re right. Tonight’s your birthday and I’m not there. Well, techinically it’s the middle of the night here, but back in DC it’s still your birthday. I’m really sorry I forgot. I know I’ve let you down and you have every right to smack the hell out of me when I get back. If it makes you feel any better the trip here was a big mistake. Huge mistake. Epic, really. Anyway, never mind about that. I just wanted you to know that I did remember your big day in the end and…well…I, you know, wish I was there with you. I promise, I’ll take you out for some extravagantly expensive dessert when I’m home. Hope you made a good wish this year and…and your goddamn machine is about to cut me off…so, Donna, I want you to know that…aw, hell…what I’m trying to say is that, despite everything, I really do…” The machine beeped loudly as the rest of Josh’s message cut short. She had felt numb throughout the message, then unaccountably angry at Josh for once again ruining her good mood. But, as Donna stood alone in her apartment and watched the flashing light on her answering machine blink off she realised was glad that Josh had remembered her birthday. And a part of her deep down inside was even more glad that his vacation with Amy was apparently a complete write-off. She didn’t know yet what she was going to do when he got back from Hawaii. A thousand and one emotions swirled through her as memories of Josh from years previous battled with memories of Sam from last night. Donna took a deep breath and pressed the button to save Josh’ message. She would wait and deal with it later. She and Josh could wait. It might be they would wait forever, but that small part of her wanted to ignore that possibility. The time might come when she would have to give up on those dreams, but for now she could deal with shutting them away for a while. No birthday wishes had been made this year, but maybe the next twelve months would give her some ideas for next time. The thought made her smile. Grabbing the phone, she rang the familiar number, hoping he wasn’t asleep. “Hi…Sam? It’s me. I was thinking…I have some cheesy love songs of my own on a burned CD that I think would go really well with some dancing. Do you want to have lunch in today?” |