Awakened - Chapter 4

He kept his word, and called Samara minutes after she and Melanie entered their house.  

Melanie gave Samara a crosswords glance.  With that one look, Samara knew what she was thinking.

Melanie often threw caution to the wind when it came to men, and she knew from experience, this whole fiasco could turn out very dreadful.  Melanie tossed up her hand and headed to bed.  It had been a long night, meeting those three men, the dancing, and the wine, all taking its toll.  “Night Samara!  Don’t forget to lock the door!”

While Derek was in town working, they’d managed to meet several times a week.  Samara wasn't sure where the relationship would lead; knowing Derek was in town on business for only a short while.  He would soon be leaving; as the job was completed.  Guilt and shame filled Samara’s heart.  She loved Walter, but deep down inside she knew it would never be more than it was.  She knew she’d be constantly waiting on a proposal that would never come. 

Derek lit a fire in Samara's heart that she'd never felt with Walter.  He held and loved her the way she desired to be loved.  Samara's heart raced each time she looked into his deep, dark eyes; her blood boiled with each touch.  Samara knew the love she felt for Derek, in the short time she knew him, was real.  How could she do this; how would she ever face Walter again?

When Walter returned from his hunting trip, Samara met him at his home to tell him it was over.  She tried to break it to him easy, but no matter what she said, or how she tried to say it, Walter became angry, then distraught.  Samara hurt for him, knowing she was the cause of his pain; his sorrow.  She wanted to reach out to him. Each time she tried to touch him, he pulled away.  He finally turned away from her, "Leave Samara, just leave.".  Without saying another word, she walked out of his home, and his life.

Derek returned home to Valdosta, Georgia within a month of their meeting.  Samara felt certain his promises of calling and writing would be short lived.  After a few weeks of not seeing him, her heart ached.  Samara had a difficult time admitting and convincing herself what she and Derek shared was more than just a fling.  She was certain she’d never see or hear from him again.  She longed for his touch, his embrace; yet tried to forget the passion she felt for him.  The nights they’d spent swimming in the warm waters of Lake Hartwell, making love on the shoreline in a remote, secluded cove or curled up in her bed holding one another, giving themselves heart, body and soul, replayed over and over in her head.  She pushed the memories out of her mind; or at least she tried.  She missed him, and needed him.  She was in love. 

Two weeks had passed since she’d last seen him.  And, although she had Derek’s number, she hesitated calling him.  She wanted Derek to be the one reaching out to her.  She was testing his feelings towards her.  She prayed it would be much more than a month long fling.  Samara prayed the feelings Derek had for her were as strong as the feelings she had for him. She prayed he loved her, as she loved him.