"Shh." Samuel laughed, burying Kali's face into his neck until she could compose herself.

Kali wasn't drunk, but she also didn't have much control over herself either. It was almost one, and Giovanna was obviously in bed. The jangling of the keys travelled far, so he wrestled them from her hands and set them down quietly in the bowl. He didn't want to wake his sister because he remembered Giovanna had a hard time falling asleep once she woke.

"Come on," He whispered to Kali, gathering her in his arms and pressing his front of her back. "It's time we got to bed. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

"Indeed we do."

She rubbed her palm over his forearm, playfully dragging her nails down his skin till he hissed. She waddled up the staircase with him behind her. He left her at the door of their room to check on Giovanna, returning after he confirmed his sister was fast asleep.

"I hope we can wake up tomorrow." He shared, and Kali laughed.

She dropped on the bed to take off her shoes, and Samuel sat on the couch to do the same. He picked them up and set them at the foot of the dresser.

"Did you enjoy the party?" Kali hugged him when he turned, resting her chin on his chest.

"I did."

"I am glad. You deserve good things, Samuel Madden."

He brushed his hand through her hair, watching her with curiosity. "You always say that."

"I mean it."

She pushed his lips apart with her own and kissed him deeply, unhurriedly, with a slowness that was almost exploratory. He sighed, settling his locked fingers at the base of her spine as he returned the kiss with his own leisured pace.

His fingers closed over the back of her head, and he yanked it down, breaking their kiss and tilting her head back. He gathered the rest of her hair in his hand, holding it away as he made his way down her neck. Kiss by kiss he moved, taking his time, feeling the goosebumps that broke out over her skin.

"Samuel?"

He knew what she wanted to ask, but he didn't have the answer. He only moved.

The back of her legs caught on the bed, and they went toppling down together. He caught himself on his elbows to keep from crushing her underneath him. She laughed, roughly prying his jacket off as she kissed him. He did the same, unzipping her jacket and sliding it off her shoulders.

"Samuel." She sang his name with a giggle, but he could still hear the warning.

"Kali." He chuckled against her lips before he swept her into his arms, dragging her up to him.

Hesitantly, he pulled the strap of her bra down, kissing her shoulder blade. Unfortunately, whatever block the alcohol had put on his inhibitions slowly faded, and doubt poured over him like a bucket of cold water.

He pressed his face into her neck and held her tightly. Kali, seemingly unaware of his change of heart, kissed the top of his head, her fingers still combing through the strands.

He pulled himself straight and sadly shook his head as he lowered her back on the bed. "I'm sorry."

"About?"

"I am sorry. I am sorry." Her face, after the haze cleared from her eyes, made him feel worse. He dropped beside her and repeated. "I am sorry."

"It's okay." She replied after some time. "It's fine. Really."

"It's not. I keep doing that."

Kali sat up and adjusted her bra strap as she looked down at him. Then, out of nowhere, she started laughing. He watched her, confused, and she laughed even harder at the expression on his face.

"Sorry." She choked as the laughter began to die down. "It's only happened twice. You don't have to act like you do this regularly."

"Well, I am happy you find it funny. Better than you being angry, I guess."

"Why would I be angry. It's fine." She looked him over. "For me, anyway."

It took a second to get her meaning, but she earned a pillow to the side of her face when he did.

"Silly."

She collapsed beside him, resting one arm over his chest and using the other to support her head. He didn't look at her. He kept his eyes on the ceiling, waiting for whatever she had to say. But she didn't speak. He felt her draw several patterns on his chest; she drew spirals, squares, flowers and maybe even a kite. She continued until he finally relented and looked at her.

"Hmm. Listen and listen well, Sammy. I mean it when I say it's okay. I mean it. I mean in it because I would rather you stop a thousand times than have you regret it in the end. I don't want regrets with you because I have to see this face every day. You are not some boyfriend living in another house that I can ignore. Okay?"

He shrugged. "Okay."

"Don't feel in a hurry for anything. If you doubt, if you're afraid, it's alright to stop. Okay? Ours is not a conventional relationship, so doubts and fears are alright. Okay?"

"Okay."

She kissed him.

"Now. I can't shower because it would keep me awake, but I can brush my teeth. What do you say we get ourselves ready for bed?"

"Agreed."

"Alright. I'll go first."

She disappeared into the bathroom, and he cursed himself beneath his breath. He remained on the bed, gazing at the ceiling as he internally scolded himself. What held him back was fear.

Each day, he wondered when his mother would pull the plug on her charade. It could be tomorrow, in a month's time or two, or even in a year. He didn't know what she wanted to do, but what he started with Kali was developing day after day. He loved her. There was no denying that. He loved her more each day and wanted to be close to her in every way. Yet, he was afraid. What if they crossed the final step, and his mother decided it was time for them to divorce? Would he be able to do it? Leave Kali and return to life as if nothing happened?

He didn't think so.

Plus, there was the fact that he still hadn't told her the truth about Richard.

"All yours." Kali popped in to say before returning to the dressing room.

Samuel finally got up and cleaned up quickly. He brushed his teeth and washed his face, changing into his sleeping clothes in the dressing room.

When he opened the door, he stopped to watch Kali in front of the mirror. She was busy with the hand of her pyjama top. It had a wide neck, so she moved it over one shoulder to the next, fixated on getting a perfect spot. As she thought, her eyes wandered, and she noticed his attention.

She sighed. "If you dare apologise again, I'll shoot you."

He rested his head on the door frame. "We don't have guns in the house."

"Beat you then." She stalked over to him and slapped his shoulder. "If you apologise again, I'll slap you over the back of your head like displeased mother."

"Fair enough. I wasn't going to apologise."

"Good."

She went back to the mirror, and he followed her. When she tried to adjust the shirt again, he held her hand and lowered them to her stomach.

"I think the shirt has had enough. You are going to be anyway. Right?"

"I guess."

"Come on."

He took her hand, and they walked back to the bed together. He got on first, crawling a few feet from where she slept before pulling her along. She followed even though he could see she was curious to know what he was getting at.

He didn't speak, only waited for her to get under the blankets. With them covered, he rested his arm across her stomach and her head against his chest.

"Is this okay?"

"Yeah." She returned, lacing her fingers through his. "Why?"

"Nothing. I wanted to. But if you feel..." He started to slip away, but she held fast.

"I said it's okay."

"Let's get some sleep then. We have work tomorrow."

"For a man that owns his company, you don't like to take advantage of it."

"That you know of."

She glared at him over her shoulder, and he grinned. "What are you not telling me?"

"What goods a secret if I go around sharing it."

"Silly."

"Proudly." He kissed the back of her head and sighed. "Come on, we should get to sleeping."

They snuggled close together and closed their eyes. Soon, their bodies went limp as they slipped out of consciousness. Before the darkness took over, Samuel had one last thought.

He felt good.