The Women Standing United’s annual charity dinner and silent auction was the one event Sam always attended. The downtrodden held a special place in her heart. It was something she'd hidden away beneath her father's cruelty, but was working to cultivate, now that she was growing into herself.

Tonight, she'd make the announcement about her own plans, in hope that the people attending would be as supportive of her endeavor as they were of Women Standing United.

"Are you nervous?" Carla reached to pull her gown from its hanger in Sam's closet, giving her friend a knowing glance before turning her back, slipping out of her robe, and sliding into the sheath of beaded silk.

"Carla," Sam gasped. "Cameron is going to pop a gasket when he sees you. To answer your question though, I'm excited. Do you realize that this project is the first thing I've done in my life to actually do some good in the world?"

"You're absolutely wrong on that point, Sam." Sam turned at Nora's soft voice. The woman stood in the closet doorway, staring Sam down with the same look she used on her daughter when she was about to have the “mom talk”.

"You do good every day and you don't see it. Look at me. Where would I be, if you had been content to pass on by, like all those others who saw the same thing you did? I don't know. I'm sure I would have found a way to carry on, but I can tell you with certainty, my life is better because of you. Look at the charities you vet and donate millions of dollars of your own money to. Look at what you're doing right now, with this Carnelian deal. I don't know anyone who would fight for their employees, for the little guy, the way you have, the way you are. So don't tell me," Nora wiped a tear from her eye. "That you haven't already done good. Because you have. You have and you need to know that you have."

Sam fought back the tears threatening to spill from her own eyes at Nora's words. She blinked, unsure of what to say. Carla took advantage of the silence, interjecting her own thoughts.

"Sam, Nora's right. You have to know that you do good things, that you make a difference in people's lives, even though you don't get to see it. I think, with this, you're going to see the people whose lives you're changing, but don't think for one moment that just because you can't see the impact you've had, the impact you have, that it doesn't exist."

"How did I get so lucky?" Sam sniffed. "To have you two in my life?"

Carla reached for Sam, pulling her into a hug along with Nora. "We're all lucky,” She offered with a sniff. “To have each other."

The trio stood like that, huddled together, arms around each other's shoulders, foreheads pressed together as much as the large curlers adorning their heads would allow, until one of the stylists they'd hired found them there.

"Am I going to have to redo your makeup?" Sam glanced at the woman who huffed in frustration. "You guys were ready. All you had to do was put on your dresses. But now, I have to work some more magic before your men arrive."

"Our men." Nora giggled and Sam sent her a warning look.

"He's a player, Nora. I wouldn't let him work his charms if I were you."

"I know." Nora sighed heavily. "He's just so pretty. Isn't he? I just want to look. I know I can't touch. I have a daughter to to think about.”

"I'm not saying Zayne's a bad guy," Sam corrected. "He's a really, really good guy. He's a serial dater, that’s all."

"Ladies! Please."

Carla laughed at the stylist's frustration. "Come on, let's get this over with."

* * *

It was all worth it, Sam thought, twenty minutes later when Stone, Cameron, and Zayne stood in her entryway, Stone's eyes locked onto her as if she were the only woman in the room.

"Oh Love," He breathed. "You're gorgeous."

His words, the appreciative look in his eyes, melted her a little. “Thank you. You clean up quite nicely yourself."

Sam gave him an approving look of her own. Let herself get any eyeful of his handsome features, wrapped in a black tuxedo, tailored to perfection to cover his massive frame.

He reached for her, pulling her gently to him for a light kiss, moving his lips to hover beside her ear. "I already can't wait to get you home, beautiful."

Sam dropped her eyes, sure the others could see the blush spreading across her cheeks at his statement. No one affected her this way. She felt like a teenager with Stone, in love for the first time. It scared the living daylights out of her, yet she loved it at the same time. When he straightened, placing a possessive hand around her waist, she noticed Carla looking at her with a lopsided grin.

"Are we ready?" Her friend asked, not losing that grin, giving Sam a knowing wink.

Stone kept that hand on the small of her back as they rode the elevator to the lobby, warming her whole body with the heat of his touch. When they slid into the limo he'd hired to chauffeur them to the event, Sam was glad for the others surrounding them. Were it not for them, she thought, feeling the fire of his hand on her thigh, they might never make it to their destination.

* * *

Stone breathed an inward prayer of thanks when they arrived and were escorted to their assigned seats without disturbance. He glanced at Zayne, who gave him a reassuring nod. Everything was going according to plan. Norman and James were in attendance, but his team and that of Agent DeLuc's were doing an excellent job thwarting their attempts to approach. When the MC requested everyone take their seats to begin the evening's events, he breathed more deeply, taking the opportunity to enjoy the company of the woman beside him.

Samantha was a vision. Her pale skin glowed with an expertly applied shimmer. The dress she wore, a creamy chiffon that made her look like an angel come down from heaven, draped her slender frame in soft layers. The perfume she'd chosen made him want to do nothing more than hold her close and breathe her in.

All these things paled however, to the light shining in her eyes. When it was finally her turn to speak, to thank the foundation for their work, for the importance of it, and to make an announcement of her own, the glow of excitement radiating from her made his chest swell with pride. And his stomach turn in knots.

Sam delivered her speech flawlessly, announcing her plans for The Phoenix Project, introducing a grateful and humbled Nora Banks as CEO, accepting the endorsement and support of Women Standing United, and with her final words, thanking the Montgomery family and Hartstone, for donating a portion of their ranch as The Phoenix's base of operations. Stone threw a worried glance to Zayne, who was on his feet with the rest of the crowd, applauding Samantha's new venture. His brother shook his head, disapproval sweeping across his features. Stone had been her sounding board for this speech. She'd never mentioned the Montgomery family or Hartstone. He guessed it was because she wanted to surprise him. If that was the case, she’d achieved that objective with astounding success. Now, he needed to sweep her away from here before all his hard work was shot to hell.

* * *

“I got the coffee this morning.”

Sam sent a quick text to Nora, laughing when she read the hastily typed response, K.

The dinner had been an astounding success. A few big-name philanthropists congratulated her, eager to see The Phoenix Project develop. Sam’s emotions were a clash of excitement and apprehension. So many unknowns needed to be ironed out, but there would be plenty of time for that, once she was free of her current chains.

“Good morning, early bird!” Nora’s cheerful greeting roused Sam from her musings. “I thought you’d be sleeping in today, wrapped around that hunky cowboy of yours.”

Sam chuckled at Nora’s smirk. “I couldn’t sleep. My mind is like a dog with a bone, working on my future, which includes you.”

“It’s close,” Nora concurred. “Hard to believe this is our last week as CSM women. I’ve been straining to wrap my head around it, and I’ve only been here a short time. I can’t imagine the struggle you’re experiencing.”

“Are you ready?” Sam wanted to know. “For this new phase of your life? Ready to become a heavyweight in your own right?”

Nora regarded Sam earnestly. “I am. I can’t express the gratitude I have, knowing who you are, being beside you all these years, at the fact that you chose me. Your belief in my ability, your trust to give me such a position, I’m humbled and thankful, Sam.”

Sam smiled her admiration. “Nora, there’s no one else I would have chosen. There’s just one problem.”

“What’s that?” Nora’s eyebrows drew together.

Sam smiled wryly. “Now, you’re going to have to find an assistant.”

“Ha! I wish I could just clone myself. Or hey, what are you going to do?” Nora inquired. “When you don’t have this company shackling you anymore, you’ll have some free time while development on The Phoenix is underway. Want to be my assistant?”

Sam chuckled. “I don’t know for certain what I’ll do, but I do know I’m going to take a long vacation!” Sam smiled with a short huff. “I hope Stone will go with me, but we haven’t talked about plans for the future, except that The Phoenix will be based at Hartstone.”

Nora’s eyebrows drew together skeptically. “You’re not serious. I can’t believe that man doesn’t have the entirety of your lives already planned out.”

Sam shook her head, letting her gaze fall to the papers on her desk. “He said he wanted to marry me.”

“There you go!” Nora exclaimed. “He asked you to marry him! I’d say that’s solidly in the future plans column.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Wait, why are you not ecstatic about this? What did you say?”

“He didn’t exactly ask, Nora. He told me he wanted to marry me, but said we’d talk about it when I was ready. I didn’t say anything.” Sam let out a despondent sigh. “There’s still something bugging me. It might just be how fast things have moved for us, everything else going on in my life, I don’t know. Marriage feels too big, too much. I’m not ready for that kind of jump.”

Nora raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you the one who just gave the speech about taking the leap?”

* * *

That night, Sam told Stone, feeling uncertain about his response, that she’d made a decision. A decision that wouldn’t affect her critically in the long-term.

"The nutcracker? That’s the ballet you chose?" Stone raised an eyebrow dubiously. He wasn't much for the ballet, it made him itch, acting so refined, so polished, and the Nutcracker was a long one. He could be polished and refined, if he needed to be, but there wasn't anything he liked about it. Being with Samantha would almost make it bearable. She wanted to make memories, and he wanted to give them to her, so he dropped the eyebrow and agreed to make the arrangements. “How about this,” he bargained hopefully. “I’ll set us up for the ballet, then I’ll arrange another special date of my choosing. Your big day is Thursday, right?”

Sam nodded, beaming at him.

“Then we’ll have our next date on Friday. We’ll celebrate your victory.” He promised with as much conviction as he could summon.

Sam regarded him tenderly. Her eyes glowing with the warm affection he’d been working so hard for. He wasn’t going to think about tomorrow, or the next day. Right now, all he wanted to think about was losing himself in the woman he loved, the woman he needed desperately.

“Jasper, stay.” Stone instructed the dog who just raised a resigned eyebrow at him. “Let’s go to bed, Sweetness.” I need reparations for this ballet I’ll be subjected to.

Sam dissolved into laugher, but sobered when he stood from their spot on the sofa, reaching for her hand.

“What do you have in mind, Cowboy? Want me to show you how good my riding technique is?” Her sultry voice slid across his skin, heating him instantly.

“Oh yeah, Love. I’ll definitely be taking you up on that offer. May give you a few pointers, show you some techniques of my own.”

* * *

“Wow. Sam, you look amazing.”

“Thank you, Alec. You can go home anytime you want.”

Sam felt awful, keeping Alec away from his wife when things had been so quiet. Stone was right, he was more than capable of protecting her, but Sam enjoyed having Alec in the role of her body-guard. She didn’t want Stone to be the one concerned about her safety. He could be overbearing enough as it was. The thought made her smirk.

“What are you thinking about, Sweetness?”

Sam jerked at the sound of Stone’s voice. “Hm? Oh, nothing.” She smiled sweetly up at his handsome face. Stone regarded her skeptically, but shook his head with a smirk of his own.

“Ready?” He asked, holding out his arm so she could slide hers through the crook of his elbow. “You do look absolutely gorgeous.” He added, surveying the navy-blue, spaghetti strapped gown she’d chosen.

“Why, thank you. You’re quite handsome yourself.”

“That’s my cue to go.” Alec proclaimed with a chuckle, slipping past them with a wave, disappearing onto the elevator.

Three hours later, Sam’s eyes twinkled at Stone as they rode home in the backseat of their limo. “Were you just tired, or is the ballet truly that boring for you?” She tried to be serious, was sure she should be upset with him on some level. It had been so sweet though, when after intermission, Stone’s head lolled to the side, rested on her shoulder, and stayed there until the ballet was over. She couldn’t be mad at him. He’d come with her tonight because she’d asked him to. Despite what her head told her, her heart warmed at the thought that he loved her enough to endure a ballet like the Nutcracker, just because she wished it.

“You got me Sweetness.” He grinned ruefully, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. “I’m terribly sorry about that. I’ll make it up to you. How ‘bout that? Won’t sleep a wink tonight. I’ll stay up, give you a first-class performance of my own.”

“Mm. I enjoyed myself tonight, but I welcome your apology. I’m looking forward to cashing in on your first-class promise.”

Cash in, she did. Stone gave her the performance of a lifetime, starting the moment they stepped thought her door.

"Every man in that theatre wanted to do what I'm about to do." He whispered roughly against her skin. He nipped at the sensitive skin of her earlobe, sending a shiver through her, then slid his hands over her shoulders, grasping the lapels of her heavy coat and slipping it off of her.

One strong hand slid around her waist, down the front of her hip where he grasped her, pulled her body snugly against his, letting her feel how much he desired her. Sam turned her head to the side, granting him access to the sensitive skin on the side of her neck where he peppered her with feathery kisses.

"Stone." Sam whispered his name breathlessly. "Please, take me to bed."

“Don’t worry about that Sweetness, I intend to. I like this view too much to rush though.” He slid the thin straps of her dress over her shoulders, then slid the zipper down, letting the backs of his knuckles caress her heated skin as it went, until he let it fall to the floor with a whisper.

Sam stood, her back to his front, nude except for the slip of lace she called panties, and her black stilettos. Stone bent behind her, his hands on her hips, kissing her low back where it met her bottom. He slid his hands lower, taking her panties with them, giving her a squeeze and a caress. “So perfect” He breathed against her skin. She felt the rush of arousal seep down her thigh. “Cup your breasts, Love. Pinch your nipples for me.” She did, letting her head fall back, swaying on her feet. An involuntary groan escaped her lips when he kissed one cheek, then slid his hand between her thighs, brushing against her sensitized flesh with the lightest touch.

“You’re dripping, Love.”

She could hear the smile in his voice, the hunger too.

“Yes.” She responded breathlessly. “I want you, Stone. So much.”

“We’ll get there.” He promised gruffly, stroking his fingers in and out, making her knees tremble. A moment later, he withdrew his fingers and stood, leaving Sam aching in the most delicious way. Stone swept her up, walking to her bedroom while she wrapped her arms around his neck, and snuggled into his shoulder. Gently, he deposited her on the bed, then came down over her, fastening his mouth around one taut nipple, causing her body to arch, pressing into the sensation.

Stone scooted Samantha back onto the bed, then pulled her panties all the way off before standing to remove his own clothes. He looked at her, lying there spread out before him like a fallen angel, and all he wanted to do was stare at her for a while. To take in her beauty. To remember her like this, wanting him so desperately, begging for his touch, love shining in her eyes. In a flash, his clothes were reduced to a pile on the floor and he was over her again, taking her mouth in a slow, sensual kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he slid into her, groaning at the feeling of it. She felt like home. Samantha Covington was where he wanted to be for the rest of his life.

“You’re so sweet.” He withdrew and thrust slowly, loving the way she moaned and writhed beneath him. He kept the slow, steady pace, wanting to remember her, wanting to stay with her as long as he could, as long as she would let him. Tomorrow would come and all bets would be off, but for now, for now, he had her and he didn’t want it to end. He buried his face in her neck, breathing in her scent, chanting out, I love you, on each exhale. When he couldn’t take it anymore and neither could she, he sped up his pace, holding her while she came apart in his arms, not fighting his tears while he followed her over the edge.