Sam found himself standing outside of room 12. He knocked on the door and waited to see what would happen next.
Earlier that afternoon he had embarked on what he thought was another routine business trip to Norfolk, Virginia. However, upon arriving at the Sheraton in Norfolk things took a strange turn. While attempting to check in, the front desk staff handed him a message that re-directed him here instead. Now he was standing in front of room in a small but very plush hotel in the Virginia countryside.
The door opened and a young woman greeted him with a smile.
"Sam?"
"Yup. I'm Sam alright...and you're?"
"I'm Jessica." She held out her hand and he took it. Her grip was light and dry, emanating a relaxed warmth. He decided he liked her, and not just because she was beautiful. "Come on in."
She stood aside as he entered the room. The hotel was furnished with antiques. The room, which was actually a suite, was stunning. The interior glowed with the light of dozens of candles. Black and dark red dominated the decor as tapestry-style throws covered a plush sofa, and a large four-poster bed dominated one corner. Paganini played quietly in the background. Sam noticed the faint trace of incense in the air.
He turned his eyes back to the woman. Mid twenties, petite frame, long dark hair that fell halfway down her back, complimented by stunning pale green eyes. She was wearing a classic cut black raw silk top cropped a couple of inches below her ample breasts along with a matching straight skirt that started at her hips and came down nearly to her ankles; it showed her slim waist and stomach off to the best advantage. The candlelight flickered off a small silver ring that pierced her navel. As she padded barefoot across the thick carpeting an ankle bracelet adorned with little bells jingled softly, announcing her presence and movement in the room as if the sight of her wasn't enough to dominate it.
"Make yourself comfortable. What would you like to drink?"
"I'll have a whisky sour if you got it."
The woman walked over to a small bar in the corner of the room and begin pulling bottles out from beneath the bar, placing them on top. "I'll fix you up."
"Okay. What's the deal here?"
She smiled at him as she filled two glasses with ice. "How was your flight?"
"Flight was fine. Who are you?"
"I told you. I'm Jessica."
"And who is Jessica?"
"Tonight I'm the girl of your dreams. That's all you need to know."
A few minutes later Sam was relaxing a bit, finishing his drink and chatting on the sofa with Jessica curled up next to him, her elbow resting on the back of the sofa.
"You're a lucky man. Your wife apparently loves you very much. She set this up. It's an anniversary gift. She wanted you to live out the fantasy you've dreamt of all your life."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying your going to kill me tonight." Jessica paused. "Let me rephrase that, I want you to kill me tonight."
Sam was momentarily speechless.
Jessica took a cigarette from the pack on the coffee table and put it between her lips. He lit it for her and watched as she took a drag.
She exhaled a long plume of smoke, "Don't look so surprised. There is a good explanation. I'm a prisoner of the state, sentenced to death. This was an option that was offered to me."
"You're on death row?"
"Yup, sure am. And no, I wasn't coerced into this. It's not about money, it's not about anything other than I want to go this way."
"I don't understand. State executions are painless; lethal injection. Why on earth would you opt for something so painful?"
"Well it's not that simple. You see, they give all death row prisoners psychological tests. I guess I showed a leaning towards sado-masochistic tendencies. I always have had an interest in that, but nothing too extreme. Apparently the tests showed I was a good candidate, at least as far as Ultimate Experiences, Inc. was concerned. That's the company your wife contracted with to make this happen. They gave me a very unique opportunity." She paused to take another sip of wine. "You see, I had a choice. I could die strapped to a table, scared, powerless, and watch as the state put a needle in my arm like so many thousands of others....or, I could choose to go in a way that would allow me some level of freedom, I could die with passion, and I was assured I would enjoy it."
Sam shook his head.
"It's mind control Sam. The doctors used the latest state of the art techniques on me. They implanted a chip in my skull, well in my brain actually, and it made all of this possible. I really _want_ to do this now. But don't misunderstand, it IS consensual. I knew what I was getting into and have been pleasantly surprised to see that it has gone a lot smoother than I expected."
"But, just because you think you want it now, that doesn't mean when the pain starts, when the reality hits... Then you might discover you feel differently."
"Actually, we already worked that out." Jessica ran her hand down her stomach, folding the top of her skirt down to expose a faint, one inch pink scar. "Three weeks ago they did this. It was better than I could have imagined. It was fantastic, the feel of the blade sliding into me, almost piercing my very center, the pain, seeing the blood ooze from my flesh. Since that experience I have wanted it more than ever."
Jessica ran her fingertips over the faint scar and then looked him dead in the eyes. He could see she was truly excited by it. Sam fidgeted in his chair, adjusting his slacks slightly.
"I believe you."
"Good."
"One question. What did you do?"
"I was an active member of an rebel underground group."
"Can you be more specific?"
"I was convicted of participating in an anti-government conspiracy. Specifically, distributing illegal propaganda." Her voice dropped to a whisper, as if she was afraid someone would overhear them, "I was an active member of the ACLU."
Sam shook his head. He knew there was no possibility of a pardon, not for an offense like that. Jessica was right, she was as good as dead.
"Don't judge me too harshly. That was two years ago. I was a college student at the time and somehow, though we knew the risks, we didn't really believe the worst could happen. I was young and stupid."
Sam nodded sympathetically. He too had been involved in similar antics while in college, but that was before the new government had so much control, before it was a capitol offense.
There was a knock on the door. Jessica was relieved at the interruption and got up to answer it.
Dinner had arrived.
Jessica into sliced her New York steak; she was pleased to see it was the perfect shade of pink. "Is your steak done right?"
"It's perfect."
"Good."
Sam took another sip of wine and asked in almost a whisper. "So tell me, what are you really feeling?"
She stared off into space, pondering the question. Finally she answered, "Part of me wants this so badly. I have never wanted anything so much in my life. I ache for it. But.... Part of me is afraid. Death is scary. No, correction; death isn't scary but dying is." She took another sip of wine, hesitating before she continued. "What do I really want? Well, it's almost easier to say what I don't want, what I fear. When the end comes, I don't want to feel like I'm dying alone." Her eyes searched his as she asked asked, "Do you understand?"
"I understand." He gave her a gentle smile. "I want this too, more than you know, but I want it to be good for you."
"I believe you."
A strange silence passed between them. They both picked at the food on their plates.
Finally Sam broke the silence, "Tell me more."
"I'd rather talk about the fun we're going to have. And trust me, it WILL be fun . How about if I tell you about the weird fantasies I've had ever since the 'procedure'. I've always been a bit kinky, like I said before. But ever since that implant....oh my God...it's been an obsession."
Sam listened intently.
"Suddenly the vision of a long steel blade...the thought of it sliding into me...it has consumed me. And then, a week after the operation, when I got to experience it for real... It was incredible! It hurt so much, yet it was the most exciting thing I've ever experienced. In fact, nothing in my life has ever come close. It turned a desire into a burning need. The way things are now, even if I was pardoned, I am so obsessed by this need I would probably still go through with it. At the center they made sure I didn't have unsupervised access to knives or similar objects; the doctor's feared I might do something to myself in a weak moment. I have to admit it was a real possibility."
Sam shifted in his seat and stabbed at another piece of meat on his plate. "So....ummm....can you be more specific about these fantasies?"
They talked through dinner and over coffee. They both confessed thoughts and dark secrets that they would never have trusted another living soul. The bottle of wine laid upside down in the stand by the table and their joking and laughter had increased with every glass.
Under the table, Jessica was running her bare foot up Sam's leg and giggling. She took a long drag off her cigarette, exhaled, then whispered, "I'm glad it's you. You're a good guy Sam." Then she got up slowly, snuffed out her cigarette and walked around to his side of the table. Standing close to him, she stared down at him as she said "And you know something else?"
Sam turned sideways in his chair and stared up at her with a grin on his face. "What?"
"I've been watching you cut up that steak; you're pretty good with a knife mister." He smiled. She leaned in closer, running her hand across her stomach. "You think I can tempt you to slide that blade into me?" She smiled as she pulled the taunt waist-band of her skirt a bit lower across her hips. "Right here..." tracing her finger lightly over her flesh, "ease it in....slow and deep..."
Sam picked up a steak knife from the table. Jessica took his wrist and brought it to her lips, licking the faint traces of beef juice off the shiny blade. She kept a light grip on his wrist as she slide it down to her stomach, tracing the outline of her belly button. He watched the blade caressing her flesh and moved his mouth to the smooth, warm skin...kissing her abdomen lightly and running his tongue along her naval ring. Jessica moaned and pulled his head in closer.
She closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his mouth for a few moments. Then she reached down and took his hand, coaxing him to his feet, leading him across the room and over to the four-poster bed.
Kneeling, she pulled out a small black briefcase from under the tall bed and placed it on top. He knew what was inside. When the latch clicked and the case popped open five shiny stiletto blades flickered in the candlelight. Jessica stared at them for a long moment. She whispered almost imperceptibly, "God...they are so beautiful..." Then tore her eyes away from the case and back to Sam.
Standing in front of him, her hands moved behind her and she slowly unzipped her skirt, letting it fall to the floor around her ankles. Sam's eyes moved down her slim body. Her hips were just wide enough to accentuate her small waist, her legs were beautiful, long and tan, and while her stomach was nearly flat it had just the right amount of padding to give it the right proportions. She gave him a playful grin and began pulling her top off over her head. Flawless skin, ample curves; adorned in only black silk panties and black bra. Then she reached behind her back and unclasped her bra, freeing her full breasts for his enjoyment.
He muttered, "Beautiful."
Jessica smiled. "It's all yours baby."
She came closer and wrapped her arms around his waist. Pressing her small frame against him and tilting her chin up. Their lips brushed lightly. She opened her mouth and their tongues began to explore each other. Her hands went to the collar of his shirt, loosening his tie more and finally freeing him of it entirely. She began unbuttoning his shirt, tearing her mouth away from his, nuzzling his neck and chest as more and more buttons yielded.
A moment later she was on her knees staring up at him with large green eyes, a playful grin on her face as she unzipped his slacks. Sam stared down at her, stroking her hair. Her small hand withdrew his very stiff member. She licked her lips with anticipation before running her tongue slowly around the head. He moaned. She continued teasing him, running her mouth and tongue lightly up and down the rigid shaft, wrapping her soft, moist lips around the head, yet pulling back every time he was sure she would take him into her mouth (The truth is, it was sooo big the poor girl found it intimidating!:).
Finally Jessica slipped her mouth around his manhood and took it deep inside her warm, wet, and inviting mouth. Sam shuddered and closed his eyes, moaning and pulling her face in closer with handfuls of her silky hair. She swirled her tongue quickly and felt him getting even harder. She had brought him nearly to the brink or orgasm, then he stopped her and reluctantly took her upper arm, coaxing her to her feet. He kissed her hard, placing his hands on her firm ass and pulling her up. She wrapped her long legs around his waist and kissed him back, moaning softly into his mouth.
He took two steps to the bed, laid her on top and pressed her into the mattress with his weight. His groin ground against hers, he could feel her juices soaking through the thin silk. As he kissed her throat her throat she moaned and rocked her hips against him.
Sam's mouth moved lower, kissing the tops of her breasts lightly before circling one of her nipples with his tongue. He moved off the tall bed and pulled her closer to the edge, her legs were bent at the knees and trailing over the edge. Jessica reached over, fumbling for the case, finding and withdrawing one thin blade as Sam's mouth moved back to her breasts.
"Talk to me, Sam. Tell me what you're going to do."
His voice was deep and throaty as he answered, "I'm going to drive the knife into you slowly...
She studied the shiny blade, watching as the candlelight flickered off of it. "Yes....go on...."
"Slow and relentless...into the soft flesh of your abdomen...."
"You'll slide it in deep?" She asked breathlessly.
"Very deep...inch by inch....until it sinks into the very center of you...." He moved his mouth lower, kissing her stomach.
"It will hurt...." Jessica closed her eyes, imagining what was to come. Circling one of her nipples with the tip of the knife.
"Yes...very much..." He slid her panties down her legs.
She shuddered, moving the blade lower. "Will it excite you?"
He began stroking the lips of her sex, feeling her flesh quiver under his touch. "Yes, it will excite me...your pain will be beautiful." She was soooo wet.
Jessica pressed the tip of the blade into the flesh of her abdomen as she hissed, "Do it..."
Sam took the knife from her grasp and ran the flat of the blade over her stomach, his left hand continued stroking her clit as he asked softly with a smile...."Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm sure....do it."
He placed the tip against her smooth flesh and pressed lightly. She moaned and raised her hips, pushing herself against the blade.
"Tell me you want it."
"I want it. Slide it in me. "
He put a little more pressure on the knife and watched her squirm. The tip indented her flesh, almost breaking the skin but not quite.
Her voice took on an urgent quality as she said, "Oh God...do it....put it in me."
"Shhhhh.....Lie still."
She held still and waited. Sam watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. She was resting on her elbows now, her eyes were glued to the knife about to pierce her. He said, "Look at me."
Her eyes locked with his as he began to slide the steel in, sensing by feel alone as it broke through her skin. She gasped, her eyes got wide then fluttered and closed as she whispered, "Oh... yes."
He drove the blade in a bit more, pressing past the resistance from her muscles.
Jessica muttered, "Deeper." She reached down and put her hand over his, trying to push the blade in faster. He pushed her hand away gently, "Patience."
The knife was barely a 3/4 of an inch deep now. He drove it in further, watching as the blade disappeared slowly inside of her. She could not hold still any longer. She squirmed, her hips rocking as she gasped. "That's it...drive it in deep...and when it's in... then I want you inside of me...."
Her body was covered in sweat. The scent of sex emanated from her. He could feel her legs shaking, he knew the pain was intense. She looked like she was coming close to orgasm as the blade tore through her abdominal wall, then suddenly the resistance was almost gone and it slid in easily.
The wound was almost bloodless. Jessica's hand moved down to her stomach, rubbing the surrounding area, "Fuck me Sam."
Sam didn't need to be asked twice. He grabbed her behind her knees and pulled her closer to the edge of the bed. Holding her knees he pressed himself into her sex. She was so hot and slick she felt like she had already come. Her muscles were tight from the pain and anticipation. He eased himself inside of her and had to close his eyes for a moment, fighting the desire to come. After a few seconds he opened his eyes and began to move inside of her. "Good?" He asked.
"Better than good. Harder....I'm so close."
He pounded her faster and watched as Jessica put her hand around the handle of the knife, pressing it into her flesh a bit more. She moaned louder, closing her eyes and rolling her head back. Sam knew she was close, she was teetering on the edge of the abyss.
Suddenly she began to cry out, her hand gripping the blade as she did; pressing it in hard, leaving only an inch of the shiny metal exposed. Then she started to withdraw the shaft, dragging it from her flesh inch by agonizing inch, gasping from both pain and pleasure as the bloody steel revealed itself. Sam watched in amazement. As the metal came free from her body she cried out and her muscles began to shake from head to foot, her back arched violently and he could feel her internal muscles vibrating with a powerful orgasm. He was overcome and felt his own climax rise to the surface. For a few precious moments he was lost in the most intense waves of sensation he had ever experienced.
He collapsed on top of her. Both of them panting and covered in sweat. For a few moments there was silence as the endorphins rushed through their heads.
Finally, when reason had returned he lifted his head and looked at her. Her face was glistening with perspiration and her eyes were closed. As he kissed her on the forehead she opened her eyes and smiled at him. "That was....uhhhh"
"Yeah...it was."
Sam rolled off and lay beside her, asking, "You okay?"
"I'm fine. Amazing actually. But thirsty."
"Water or more wine?"
"Wine, what the hell." She laughed. "I don't have to worry about a hangover."
He didn't laugh. He looked at her solemnly for a moment and was about to say something when she stopped him, "Now don't get sentimental and ruin our good time, just go fetch that bottle over there."
This time he did laugh as he got up and got a fresh bottle from the small fridge, a corkscrew, and the glasses from the table.
She scooted herself up against the headboard and lay back against the pillows. He came back to bed and opened the bottle, filling two glasses and handing her one.
She looked down at her stomach and grabbed the corner of the sheet to wipe some of the blood away.
"Let me." He and unwrapped the linen napkin from the bottle, dipping the corner in his glass of burgundy. He moved down for a closer view and began wiping the smudges of blood from her skin.
She stroked his hair and lay back against the pillows, closing her eyes. Working gently, he dabbed the blood away from the small incision, watching with fascination as the wound opened and closed. "Does it hurt now?"
"Not really. Just stings a little when I'm still. Hurts if I move though."
When he had finished cleaning off the blood he was glad to see the cut was hardly oozing at all. He leaned back against the pillows and lit up two cigarettes, handing her one.
They smoked and drank and talked for another half-hour. When a natural break entered the conversation Jessica curled up closer to him and laid her head on his chest, playing with his chest hair. After a bit she moved her leg moved over his, pressing her sex against his outer thigh.
When she nuzzled his throat Sam murmured, "Hmmmmm....nice."
She eased on top of him, her 90 pounds barely pressing him into the mattress. Her tongue tracing his lower lip before biting it gently. They kissed tentatively at first, then more deeply, she began rubbing her sex against his quickly stiffening member.
She sat up, her firm thighs straddling him, then brushed most of her long dark mane away from her face. He looked at her and reflected once again how beautiful she was. Even with most of her makeup faded, her cheeks and throat slightly pink from rubbing against his beard, her skin still had a golden sheen to it in the light. Her eyes had a fire all of their own. He ran his hand across her face and felt the curves of her shoulders and collarbone, slipping lower to cup her breasts. He thought to himself, "This girl really is perfect."
He noticed her wound was dribbling a few drops of blood from her movements. The blood looked black as slowly coursed its way down her abdomen, disappearing between her thighs. She was obvious to it as she continued stroking herself against his cock.
He could feel how wet she had gotten in just their few minutes of foreplay. Her sex was swollen and so inviting, dripping with both of their juices now. She leaned over and grabbed the case, dragging it closer to them. Then she raised up a bit and took his cock firmly by the base, glancing between her legs she slowly impaled herself on it.
Sam closed his eyes and relished the feeling of his rigid cock being engulfed by her tight, warm sex. She was moving slowly, too slowly, he put his hands on her hips and drove himself into her hard and fast. She let out a little gasp of surprise as his meat filled her and touched bottom.
She began pumping him, as her muscles loosened up a bit she rocked faster, moving forward and back, rubbing herself against his pubic bone. Her hands were on his shoulders and her eyes were closed, Sam knew she was in her own little world. He reached over and took another blade from the case.
He traced the knife along the hollow of her throat, the sharp metal looked so enticing against the backdrop of her perfect body. She said nothing; and only moaned slightly as she felt the knife caressing her. He took his time, enjoying the sensation of her massaging his cock, slowly running his hand over her breasts and hips, memorizing the look and feel of her body.
He moved the blade lower, watching as her stomach muscles flexed slightly with each gentle thrust. He ran his thumb over the indentation of her navel, playing with the small ring imbedded in her flesh.
The previous wound was still oozing, the gouge opening and closing a tiny bit with her movement. Placing the tip of the blade on the opposite side of her abdomen, he watched as it pressed into her skin. She didn't open her eyes, but she did whisper almost imperceptibly, "Do it..."
He began sliding the steel into her. She jumped once as it pierced her skin, the muscles of her sex shuddering in response to the invasion. "Drive it in deep...I want to feel it in me...just like your cock is in me..."
Sam pressed harder and felt the muscles of her stomach being sheered by the razor sharp edges. Jessica leaned forward slightly, gasping and moaning as it tore relentlessly into her body. "Oh god...it huuurrrts...."
He stopped for a moment, watching her face.
She hissed, "No....don't stop..."
"Look at me."
She opened her eyes and stared into his. Her gaze was a bit unfocused, having been dragged from her private world.
She muttered, "All the way...."
With a sudden yet controlled motion, Sam drove it in two inches deeper. Jessica threw her head back, her body bucking violently as every muscle become rigid. For a moment following her small convulsion she was still, then she slowly let out a deep groan.
Her sex was pulsing and incredibly hot around Sam's cock as she began to thrust again, harder than before. He watched her riding him, the blade lodged firmly in her flesh as she gyrated against him. She reached down, staring at the handle, and began withdrawing it slowly. Sam watched as blood spilled from the narrow cut, a few drops dripping onto him. Then suddenly she did something he didn't expect; as the blade was almost free of her flesh, with just the very tip imbedded, she drove it back in again. Hard.
Her angle was different. Wrong. Too close to the center. Sam immediately wondered if she had inflicted a fatal wound. She was still moving, her thighs flexing as she pounded his cock with wild abandon so her spine was undamaged. But then the blood started flowing fast, bubbling out around the snug fitting blade, running down her abdomen in what was at first a small trickle, then a steadier stream.
He knew what had happened. She had severed her abdominal aorta. She seemed oblivious to blood that was pouring out of her. He watched the expression of ecstasy on her face. He reached up and brushed a strand hair away from her eyes, then stroked her cheek. Jessica opened her eyes and smiled at him.
Sam smiled back and said with ragged breaths, "You're beautiful Jessica, absolutely stunning. I'll remember this moment for the rest of my life."
She was panting as she answered with, "So will I, Sam." Then she let out a short laugh. She stopped moving for a moment and blinked twice, as if trying to clear her head, he suspected she was getting dizzy. For the first time she looked down and saw the crimson river pouring out of her. She looked surprised and said, "Oh....." Her hands moved down, touching her abdomen, staring for a few moments, watching as the blood flowed through her fingers.
"You're tired. I'll get on top."
"Noooo....I was so close..."
She closed her eyes and brought herself back to that place, concentrating on the sensations running through her. Tightening her muscles around his cock, she felt herself coming closer to her destination. The pain was unbearable yet the pleasure was just as intense. But she was getting tired, she felt so close to coming yet she couldn't break through the plateau. She pounded him harder, he put his hands on her hips and drove into her with equal force. If she didn't climax soon her strength would give out.
She knew what she needed, and didn't miss a stroke as she leaned over, and grabbed a fresh blade from the case, leaving bloody smears on the remaining knives. Sweat poured off her body as she put every ounce of energy left into striving for one more peak experience. She placed the knife to the side of her stomach and concentrated completely on the image of the blade in her mind. As she began pressing the knife into her flesh her essence was completely absorbed in the visions of searing pain...so blinding in it's intensity that for a moment it blocked out everything, even the pleasure. Then as the blade pressed through the muscle and slide in easily almost to the hilt, the feeling of need that burned inside of her was satisfied, and finally the orgasm she had been fighting for crashed down on her like an apocalypse. She screamed for the first time that night, a cry of agony and pleasure so primal it shook Sam to the very core. As her bestial cry filled the room Sam felt his own body become rigid and a moment later he erupted inside of her with a cry of his own.
For a few seconds neither of them moved. And then Jessica collapsed on top of him.
He wondered if she was unconscious. He hoped she wasn't. He wrapped his arms around her and gently rolled her off of him, laying her on her back. In a soft voice he said, "Jessica...."
She slowly opened her eyes. Her face suddenly looked pale. Her voice was faint as she whispered, "Sorry....too quick...."
"It's okay. Just relax."
She coughed.
"You feel sick?"
"Dizzy. Get them out of me...."
He looked down at the handles protruding from her abdomen. He placed his hand around the blade that had delivered her death blow and slowly withdrew it. She moaned slightly. He watched as the gash left in its wake spilled forth more of her red essence. The other knife took more effort to withdraw, she cringed and twitched in agony as it tore reluctantly free from it's snug home.
He took her hand and looked into her eyes. "I'm with you."
She squeezed his hand and met his gaze with her own though she had a hard time focusing. "Sam...I..." Her words were interrupted up by another rasping cough. She continued to cough for a few seconds, gasped for breath, then she slowly rolled onto her side, curling up loosely in a fetal position. Sam continued to hold her hand. He felt her squeeze it one more time before she slipped into unconsciousness.
Several minutes had past. The room was quiet; the only sound was the air conditioner humming softly in the background. The CD player had stopped for some unknown reason. He sat there, propped up against the pillows, stroking Jessica's hair, staring at the dinner dishes left on the table.
The bed was soaked in blood; the sheets were cold and clammy. He wanted to jump in the shower yet his years of experience with women had trained him to stay put, even now. He knew there was no need to wait; no need to comfort the corpse that was already beginning to cool next to him. Nevertheless he lied there for a few more minutes.
A while later he was showered and dressed.
He went over, grabbed the phone and dialed. Glancing at the clock he saw it was 1:00 a.m.
The phone rang twice before she answered, her voice heavy with sleep.
"Hello?"
"It's me."
Pause. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. Everything's okay. I just wanted to hear your voice."
"You sound..."
"I'm fine. Just tired. There's a flight leaving in an hour. I think I can make it. Should be home around 6 a.m."
"Alright. I'll be up. I'll have coffee on."
"Sounds good. See you then."
"Bye."
"Cheryl?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
He hung up the phone before she could reply.
A minute later Sam stood in the open doorway, wearing his trademark trench-coat, garment bag in hand. He slipped his hat on, tipping the brim of the fedora once in the direction of the dark form on the bed before quietly closing the door behind him.