Why, why, why, why was this so hard? Was this some kind of test to see just how strong her willpower was? Because if someone, or something was testing her, she didn't know how long she would be able to hold on until she cracked. She could feel herself wanting to just melt against him, her fingers aching to trace the smooth lines of muscle she could feel under her fingertips, lips ready to part and fit to his in a way had taken her only two kisses to realize was absolutely right.

But it wasn't fair.

She nodded and stepped back just the tiniest bit; not enough to step out of his embrace, but just enough that they weren't quite pressed together so closely. It was too tempting, and Sam wondered for a stomach-dropping moment if she'd waited too long, if her hands and mouth were simply going to act independently from her more rational thoughts and do what she so badly wanted to do. But no; she managed, with a huge effort, not to do those things.