Forever and Always by Beverley Hollowed Page B

almost midnight when Sam suggested they heat up the food he had brought back earlier that evening. Sam put his jeans on and Melanie just pulled on her dressing gown.
    They sat on the rug on the living room floor and watched some TV while they ate their food. Melanie would peek over at Sam from time to time. He had a happy, contented expression on his face as he ate and watched the movie they had put on.
    But Melanie couldn’t concentrate. All she could think about was the fact that she, Melanie O’Leary from Swords in Dublin had just made love to this amazingly gorgeous boy sitting beside her. She wondered did she look different because she felt different. She felt grown up, older, mature.
    “Penny for your thoughts” Sam said pulling her from her daydream.
    “I was just thinking” she replied and smiled.
    “Is that a good or a bad thing” he asked shifting closer to her.
    “Good I think” she replied and leaned over to kiss him. “Will you stay with me tonight” .
    “I would love to” he whispered. He picked up the remote control and switched off the TV. Standing up he took her hand and pulled her to her feet. Wrapping her in his arms he kissed her briefly. Then without saying another word he took her hand and led her back to the bedroom. They made love again before they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
    When Melanie woke the next morning Sam was still wrapped around her. She watched him as he slept. She couldn’t believe she had just spent the night with him. It was everything she had ever dreamed it would be. She felt a little stiff, sore and also very hot laying there with Sam wrapped around her. She tried to adjust her position without disturbing Sam but as soon as she moved, Sam’s eyes snapped opened.
    “Good morning beautiful” he said sleepily.
    “Good morning” Melanie smiled bright.
    “How do you feel this morning” he asked as he placed soft feathered kisses up her neck.
    “I feel good” she replied.
    “Well you look beautiful” he said spreading his hand out over her bare belly. “And you smell so good”.
    “I bet you say that to all the girls” Melanie said with a giggle. “And I am sure many have fallen for you lines before”.  Sam stopped kissing her and leaned up on his elbow and looked down at her. His face looked troubled.
    “Why do you say that?” he asked sounding a little hurt. “Melanie I have never felt like this about any other girl. I love you”.
    “Sam I was kidding” Melanie said reaching up and gently brushing her fingers across Sam’s cheek.
    “I’m sorry” Sam said. “I just don’t want you to ever doubt what you mean to me”.
    “Ok” Melanie said surprised at Sam reaction to her joke. He kissed her softly on the lips and climbed out of bed. He disappeared into the en suite in her room. Melanie lay in the bed for a few moments. She felt a little confused by what had just happened. It was so unlike Sam. He was always happy and cheerful and such fun. Melanie remembered the last time he has acted like this was the first day they went out and that girl from the Italian restaurant made some offhand comment. His mood had change suddenly that day too.
    She sat up in the bed pulling her knees to her chest and looked over at the bathroom door. What was he thinking? Was there something she didn’t know about him? Her mind was racing.
    Suddenly her mobile rang and made her jump. She quickly grabbed it from the night stand and pressed the answer key.
    “Hello” she said trying to collect her thoughts.
    “Hi Mel” Maggie’s tired voice came across the phone. “How’s everything at the beach?”
    “It’s good Maggie” Melanie replied trying to sound at normal as possible. “How’s Mark?”
    “He is still unconscious” Maggie replied sadly. “He looks pretty beaten up”.
    “I am sorry Maggie” Melanie said honestly.
    “Thanks sweetie” Maggie replied. “So how did last night go, were you ok on your own in the house?”
    “Yeah I was