Samson and Delilah

Read a Bead

Samson and Delilah By Megan Rose

Mardi Gras Publishing, LLC 133 Lake Front Dr. #204 Daphne, AL 36526 This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Samson and Delilah © 2007Megan Rose All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For more variety in your reading selection, please visit http://mardigraspublishing.com

Samson and Delilah

Megan Rose

Samson and Delilah Delilah took Samson’s dark mane in her hands and ran her fingers through the thick locks, one last time. It would indeed be a shame to cut such beautiful hair, she thought to herself. A man like Samson needed his identity. Was she about to take it away? She took a deep breath and reached for her scissors. Now was as good a time as any to take her revenge. She had won fair and square. The victory and the spoils were hers for the taking.

****

“That’s the last of ‘em Sis,” Sherri called, depositing the last of the boxes on the floor in the newly appointed hair salon. Lilah Shawcross emerged from the back of the room, with two tall glasses of lemonade in either hand. “How about a drink then?” She asked. Sherri smiled. “Sounds good to me. Looks good too. But not as good as that construction hunk you’ve been keeping to yourself these past few weeks. If I’d known that you had that sort of talent here, I’d of offered to help you out sooner.”

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Lilah led her sister outside into the small walled garden that now belonged to “Cut Above” and to her. “Who, Sam? He’s ok I suppose. I hardly look at him. You know I’ve sworn off men, whilst I concentrate on setting up the business.” She noted how Sherri eyed her sceptically. “Sweetheart, you swore off men when Joe broke your heart and don’t pretend otherwise. If you think that honey in a hard hat is just ok, then you need your eyes tested. He is the most gorgeous man in The Cannery today. And believe me, I’ve been looking.” Lilah laughed in spite of herself. “You’re man mad. Don’t you ever want a quiet night in, just you and the cat?” “Hell no. I can do that when I’m old and grey. Right now, I’m into living and loving. Which is just what you should be doing with that fine construction man of yours. Did you ever see muscles like that outside of Playgirl? And that hair. What I wouldn’t give to run my fingers through it.” Lilah took a playful swipe at her sister. “I’m not interested. Men are all the same, they’re just packaged differently.” Sherri grinned. “And speaking of packages did you get a look…” “Enough,” Lilah snapped. “I’m not interested in him. I wish you’d get that into your thick skull.” She stormed back into the salon, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks. It was easy for Sherri to be so blasé about men and falling in love. She had never been jilted nor had her heart broken. Love was easy to look for when you didn’t carry baggage like that around with you. But right now, Lilah felt she could never trust another man again. No matter how hot they looked. She felt her sister’s arms embrace her from behind and sighed deeply. It was never easy to stay angry with Sherri for long. “I’m sorry I shouted,” she admitted. She felt Sherri rest her head on her shoulder. “That’s ok. You’ve been through a lot. I wish I could take some of that pain away from you Lilah, I really do. But you’re the only person who can do that. I guess you just need more time.”

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Lilah turned around and hugged her sister. “How about I go grab us a sandwich from that little bistro around the corner? We could eat out in the garden and then get on with painting the treatment room.” “Sounds like a great idea. Bring me back something big and meaty. And I’ll have something to eat too.” Lilah giggled and headed outside. She could always count on Sherri to bring a smile to her face.

****

Samson McGinty placed his hard hat on the counter of the bistro and took a seat opposite his brother Adam. Sweet Steaks Bistro was Adam’s business venture and from what he could see of things, it was doing well. “Got time to make a working man some lunch bro?” he asked. Adam smiled and raked his hand through his hair, an unconscious action, which always resulted in him looking as if he had just woken up. “I’ve always got time for you Sam. What’s it to be? Surf and turf to go?” Sam shook his head, “I’m staying put today. That boss lady has me riled, Adam. The more I see of her, the more…” “You want her?” Suggested Adam. Sam grinned. “Man, if you could see her. She’s a peach, but hard as nails and prickly as hell. I’ve tried every trick in the book to get her to go out with me, but just trying to hold a conversation with her now is nearly impossible. She’s all work and no play, Adam. Some guy really must have done a number on her.” Adam raised his eyebrow. “You can’t accept the fact that she may just not be interested in you, Sam?” Sam shook his head. “She’s interested all right. I’ve seen her looking at me, when she thinks I’ve not noticed. But it’s like I say, something is holding her back. This isn’t a

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pride thing either Adam, before you say anything. I’ve had my fair share of knock backs and I’ve taken them in my stride. But this woman is different.” Adam eyed his brother sceptically. “Are you sure you’re not just seeing her as a challenge?” Sam laughed. “She’s a challenge all right. But no, that’s not it at all. In the past few weeks, I’ve seen what an amazing woman Lilah is. She’s talented, got a great head for business, knows exactly what she wants and…..oh yeah, she has a body to die for.” Adam laughed. “Wow, you’ve got it bad bro. Take a cold drink while I fix your lunch.” He handed over a cold soda and moved to the other end of the counter to serve a customer. Once Sam heard the honeyed tones of the said customer, he knew exactly who it was that had just entered the bistro. Lilah. Slowly but surely, he could feel his body begin to react in its unmistakable way. It was as if she were coaxing his dick with that sweet and sensual voice of hers. Waking it slowly, teasing and caressing it, only to deflate it all too quickly with her barbed comments and quick put-downs. He wasn’t going to go through all that again, he told himself decisively. Let her get her lunch and leave. The sooner that particular sexy vixen was out of his life, the better. “Take a seat; I’ll be right with you.” He heard Adam instruct her. Sam knew that the only available space was next to him and he could feel Lilah tense instantly as she moved towards him. “Mind if I take this seat?” She asked. Sam turned and smiled. “I’d rather you sat on it, but if you want to take it, feel free.” “Your humor, like your persistence is unbelievable,” she told him coldly, sitting down beside him. Sam inhaled the light floral fragrance of her skin and hoped to god that she couldn’t see his errection. Wearing a cute little sundress and sporting short blonde hair, she managed to look sexy and sassy in one glorious sweep. “You don’t like my humor? Most people find me a funny guy. But then, in my experience, most people get to know me before they start to put me down.” He was on

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neutral territory here. She wasn’t paying his lunch hour and he’d had just about as much of her ice-maiden act as he could take. He noted the spark of surprise in her sea blue eyes and smiled inwardly. Point to Sam. “Actually Sam, I do know you. I know your kind and you’re all the same.” He swigged back the last of his soda. “And pray tell what would “my kind” be?” It was true that she was finally riling him, but the way things were in the trouser department, he could hardly get up and leave. “You really want me to tell you?” she asked. Sam nodded. “Do your worst. I’m all ears.” He felt her eyes slide over his body and had to admit that he loved to watch her. Knowing she was watching him was an even bigger turn on. Ok, so they were in a bistro full of people, but as far as Sam was concerned, they might just as well have been in the room alone. My god, he thought. She was actually lost for words. She continued to stare and lord knew what she was thinking, but Sam suddenly felt that he had made a break through with her at last. He noted how her eyes grew a little darker, her cheeks, a little redder and he saw too how her breath began to quicken. He would have given anything to know what was going on inside her mind at that moment. And then, almost as suddenly as it had come, that perfect moment went away. “You’re the kind of man that thinks all he has to do is stand there and look gorgeous and the women will come a running. You’re the kind of man, who leaves a trail of broken hearts all across a city, without a single thought for the consequences of your actions. You see women as conquests, not as people. You respect nothing and no one. You have no ethics, no sense of decency about you….” Sam held up his hand. He had to stop her, before she blew a gasket. “Whoa, there honey. Did you just admit that you found me attractive? I’m pretty sure that the word gorgeous just cropped up.” He watched in amusement, seeing Lilah’s face growing even redder. “I…You’re twisting my words. All I meant was…”

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“Here’s your lunch order,” announced the waitress, holding out a takeout bag for Lilah. He watched carefully, as Lilah snatched the bag away and stood up. “I want you finished at my salon by tomorrow evening. After that, we should have no need to deal with each other again.” She stormed out before Sam could reply. But she left him smiling all the same. She was one hell of a woman. And by tomorrow night, he had every intention of making her his woman.

****

Lilah felt herself gasping for breath as she sat on the wall around the corner from the bistro. She had practically run out of the place. What on earth had she been thinking of? Telling Sam that he looked gorgeous had only added more fuel to the fire. She’d given him the perfect reason to continue his pursuit of her. And right now, that was the last thing that she wanted. Sam was gorgeous; she had already admitted that much to herself. What woman wouldn’t be attracted to all that solid muscle, long wavy hair that he wore tied back and a winning smile that made her stomach flutter every time he fired it in her direction? But Joe too had possessed looks, charm and a silver tongue. She absolutely refused to go down that road again. One broken heart was enough for anyone, she told herself. It was better to avoid all potential pitfalls, rather than fall straight into another one. Although, as she sat there, clutching her lunch, Lilah had to admit that the thought of falling straight into something with Sam was sounding like a pretty tempting idea. For several weeks now, she’d been distracted by the sight of him as he worked hard on preparing the salon for its opening day. The man seemed to have a frustratingly steady supply of skin tight t-shirts, that caressed his pectorals and accented his amazing abs. Lilah had found herself day dreaming about running her fingers across his body on more than one occasion. Usually at night, she would find herself dipping back into this image and bringing herself to a sensual release. However, the next day, it would start all over again. Her attraction to Sam seemed to be growing stronger on a daily basis

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now and it had been in the bistro, only moments earlier that Lilah had decided that she needed to get Sam out of her salon and out of her life as soon as possible. Sitting there, trying to compose herself, the last person she expected to see was Sam come walking around the corner. Trying to hide behind the bag of takeout was not an option, so she hurriedly decided to ignore him. However, over six feet of solid muscle and a winning smile was proving hard to ignore. He slowed his pace and stood directly in front of her, blocking the sunlight and causing her to look upwards into his face. “I thought you were taking a lunch break?” She heard the iciness in her own voice, even though she hadn’t intended to sound so harsh. Sam tipped his hard hat towards her and smiled. “I’m working for a slave driver this week and she needs the job finished a.s.a.p. Ergo, no lunch for me.” Lilah shuffled uncomfortably. “I didn’t mean for you to miss your lunch you know. And would you please sit down, you’re giving me a crick in my neck.” Sam removed his hat and placed himself next to her on the wall. She felt her body respond instantly as his leg brushed against her own. Damn, why on earth had she invited him to sit with her? He indicated towards her bag. “So, what’s for your lunch today?” “Ham salad sandwich and a meatball monster,” she replied. She heard Sam chuckle and had to admit that she liked the sound. “I bet the salad is yours and the meat ball is for your friend. I saw that you’d got extra help today.” Lilah nodded. “My sister actually. What makes you say those things about the lunch? Do I like look a ham salad girl?” She found herself suddenly interested in what he had to say. “You’re too uptight to have a meatball monster. Your sister looks pretty relaxed, very confident and really couldn’t give a damn about what people think of her. You on the other hand, worry too much. You get in the right calories and nutrition, but don’t enjoy your food. Same as you don’t enjoy life. You don’t participate, you’re just a bystander. Makes me wonder just what happened to make you stop living.”

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Lilah felt stunned. How was it possible that this man could read her so well? She had stopped living the moment that Joe told her he was leaving and that their wedding was off. She had asked herself then what was the point in carrying on anymore? Everything that Sam had just said was the truth. Nevertheless, she felt angry that he of all people was now telling her things that she tried so hard to hide from the world. “And what makes you such an expert on me and my life all of a sudden? You hardly know me.” She felt intrigued and resentful all at once. Sam again smiled and Lilah felt her heart melt. “Despite the fact that most days you refuse to talk to me Lilah, I know plenty about you. I know the obvious things like you’re a determined woman looking to make a mark in the world. I know you’ve got a great sense of humor, and I know that you used to have long hair. I’m guessing you had it cut short when your last boyfriend did a number on you.” Lilah felt like her heart had just stopped. The heat rose in her cheeks and she immediately felt like crying. “How do you know…?” Sam leaned in slowly towards her and she could feel his warm breath on her face. “I’ve seen your drive to get your business up and running. The same thing drives me. If you possess it yourself, then it’s easy to see in others. I have, on occasion, heard you laugh. It’s the thing I look forward to each day I come to work for you. And your hair…well, I see you touch your neck during the day, as if you’re reaching for something, a sense of security, your identity.” He reached forward and placed his hand against the skin on her neck, just as she herself sometimes did. Briefly, she closed her eyes and leaned in towards his welcoming touch. “When you got your heart broke, you changed that identity and made a new you.” He ran his fingers through her short curls and Lilah felt her body slowly awaken to the warmth of his touch. “You made a new you Lilah. A new and very, very beautiful you.” With her eyes still closed, Lilah at last felt able to relax. If she kept her eyes shut, the whole experience might seem more like a dream than reality. If it were reality, she would know that she had been weak, that she’d given in. She refused to be broken by

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another sweet talking guy. Without warning Lilah felt the velvety smoothness of Sam’s mouth against her own and she felt as though a dam had burst within her. Dropping the takeout bag to the ground, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him towards her, savouring every sweet, breath-taking moment of the kiss. Leaning into his hard chest, she found herself revelling in his masculine warmth and solid protection. She marvelled at how strong a man, could kiss so soft and teasingly. Already, she could see that Sam McGinty was a man of many contrasts. Responsively she opened her mouth to his gentle exploration and found herself floating on a delectable sensation of complete and utter surrender. As their tongues entwined and moved seductively against each other, Lilah inhaled their mutual arousal and felt instantly light headed. Within seconds, she could sense that her body was responding to him in ways that she had thought impossible. It was almost as if he were awakening her from some sexual slumber, one that she had feared her body would never awaken from. What she would have given to be naked and alone with this man right now. But, horrifically, they weren’t. They were in a public place and much to her shame; she was falling upon him, like a sex-starved wanton. Abruptly she pulled away, already feeling hot tears pricking her eyes. “I can’t do this Sam. Not with you. Not with anyone.” Even she could hear the blatant lie in her voice, but she knew there was no going back now. “I’ll settle up with you tonight. I don’t want you working for me after today.” She pushed herself off the wall and practically ran for the safety of her salon. It wasn’t until she had slammed the door behind her, that she realized she had forgotten to pick up her sandwiches.

****

As Sam marvelled at Lilah’s fine ass retreating from him, he began to wonder just how many times in one day she was going to get him hard, before finally offering him

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some relief. That kiss they had just shared had been positively explosive. Even now, he could feel his skin burning with desire from where she had touched him. He knew then that no other woman would ever come close to her. If he couldn’t have Lilah, he’d rather be celibate, he decided. She was pure addiction, plain and simple. She was hot enough to burn him and yet ice cold too. Of course, he knew now that the ice queen act was all a façade. Whoever had been fool enough to let her go had been a real jerk. Still, one man’s loss was another man’s gain. And Lilah was definitely the woman that he wanted to gain for himself. Picking up her dropped lunch bag, Sam smiled to himself. So what if she’d upped the stakes a little and told him to be out of her life by tonight? It was no big deal. He’d just have to move a little quicker and up the anti. However, Sam knew, even from these brief weeks with Lilah, that he was prepared to go to any lengths to prove himself to her. She was too good a woman for him to let her get away. He wanted her and right now, he was determined to show her just how much. Sauntering slowly back to the salon, Sam worked out his plan of action and smiled to himself. By the time he opened the door and met with Lilah once more, he was even whistling. “You forgot your lunch Ms. Shawcross,” he said, holding the bag out towards her. Even though a few minutes had passed since their kiss, he could still see a faint blush against her skin. “You can leave it on the counter Sam. I’m sure you need to be getting on with finishing here. I’m going to the bank to get your money. But if you’ve any questions just ask Sherri.” The ice maiden had returned. “No questions Ma’am. Just a proposition.” She turned her eyes coldly towards him. “I hardly think that now...” “A business proposition. If I finish up here tonight, everything done, no mess to clear up, then you have dinner with me. If I don’t finish, then you won’t owe me a penny and...” he paused “You get to cut my hair. Just like...” Lilah looked horrified. “The real Samson and Delilah,” she finished. “I couldn’t. It would be like...”

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“Like taking my strength? My identity? We’ll see. I’m offering you a good deal here Ms. Shawcross. I have more to loose than you have. Much more.” He noted how she tilted her chin defiantly and his heart thundered against his ribs. God, she was a beauty. “Fine. It’s a deal. I’ll...I’ll leave you to it. I need to get some supplies in. I’ll be back tonight.” She looked over at her sister, who so far had been staring speechless at the both of them. “Will you be ok to do the painting Sherri?” Sherri merely nodded and continued to stare at Sam. “All your hair?” She asked him. Sam smiled broadly. “I’m a man of my word. Now, if you ladies will excuse me. I’ve work to do.” And with that, he went out to his truck and grabbed his mobile phone.

****

It was gone nine when Lilah finally returned to The Cannery. White fairy lights decorated the trees in the courtyard and she noted how a few tourists were settled down for the evening at the small jazz bar on the corner. Her eyes moved towards the salon and her heart lurched. The lights were still blazing and she could see Sam packing the last of his tools away. Nervously she walked towards the door, knowing that after tonight, she would have no need to see the man who made her feel so alive, ever again. Entering the salon, their eyes met and she found herself indulging in the sweet memories of their earlier kiss. Even now, she could recall the passion that she had experienced in those few, brief moments with him. He had made her feel so good, so alive. But now was not the time for sentimentality, she berated herself. Within a few minutes, she would have Sam gone from her salon and gone from her life. The sooner she ended the relationship, the better. “As I know you’re not superman, I don’t suppose that you’ve finished off, but I’m still willing to pay you for your time,” she told him.

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Sam smiled. “Nope, I guess you’re right Ms. Shawcross. What man could finish all those last minute details? However, we did have an agreement. And as I told you earlier, I am a man of my word.” Lilah watched speechless, as Sam sat himself down in the nearest chair and grinned. “Look on me as your first customer. Your sister even got your equipment ready for you.” He indicated towards her scissors and razor. “Where is Sherri anyway?” She asked. Sam settled back into the chair and pulled the band from his hair. “She just popped out to get a soda. She said she’d be back soon. I suggest that you get on with your job Ms. Shawcross. I’d like to get away real soon.” Lilah walked towards the chair and let her eyes shamelessly caress Sam’s thick long hair. Could she really do this? She sharply reminded herself that the idea had been his and not hers. If he was fool enough to make such stupid bets, then maybe she should be the one to teach him a lesson. Delilah took Samson’s dark mane in her hands and ran her fingers through the thick locks, one last time. It would indeed be a shame to cut such beautiful hair, she thought to herself. A man like Samson needed his identity. Was she about to take it away? She took a deep breath and reached for her scissors. Now was as good a time as any to take her revenge. She had won fair and square. The victory and the spoils were hers for the taking. Standing behind him, her scissors poised, she heard the door open and a steady hubbub of voices greeted her ears. Turning, she noticed Sherri, carrying a box of sodas and surrounded by at least seven or eight muscular men. “What are you doing?” She heard her sister shriek. “Sam and the guys finished hours ago Lilah.” Lilah’s eyes met Sam’s in the mirror. “You finished?” He flashed that killer smile again. “I had help. Called in some favors and got things moving.” “But you were going to let me think that I’d won. You were willing to let me think the worst of you. And you would have let me cut your beautiful hair, just to make your

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point.” She felt stunned. What had he been about to do? What lengths had he been prepared to go to, in order to make her see that he wasn’t like Joe? Sam got out of the chair and took the scissors from Lilah’s hands. “You jumped to conclusions Lilah. You wanted to see the worst in me. I understand that. You’ve been treated badly in the past. But I’m not your past, Lilah. I’m somebody else. I wanted you to see how much I would give up for you. I needed you to see how far I would go, to prove to you that I’m not the guy who ran out on you. I’m Sam McGinty, a man who thinks that you’re one hell of a woman.” Lilah smiled, as cheers and wolf whistles from the crowd at the door greeted Sam’s speech. “I guess that I owe you an apology Sam.” “And dinner,” he reminded her. “Are you free tonight?” Lilah nodded. “And tomorrow? And the night after and the night after that? And…” Laughing, Lilah decided the only way to keep him quiet was to do what she had been longing to do all evening. She kissed him. Though her sister and Sam’s friends had discreetly left the salon, the only thing that Lilah was aware of now was Sam’s strong, firm body holding her tightly. In that instance, she knew that he would be her lover and her protector for as long as she wanted him to be. He understood her better than anyone ever had or ever could and she knew then that she could always trust him. Somehow, Samson McGinty had managed to open her heart again to the possibility of true love and she never wanted to look back.

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