Chapter 17

She shut up and rolled her eyes, Azrael doing the same as her but his lips soon curled into a smile. He could easily let her pay herself, but he didn’t know why but he felt like he had to spoil her a little, it made him happy doing so. After they left the store they headed to the next stop which was for men. Azrael picked out some new shorts with the help of Samaira along with matching shirts and button-ups. Samaira didn’t admit it out loud, but she enjoyed shopping for him. It was dress-up but with guys obviously, very different as she was used to shopping with her friends who were ladies.

Next, they went to another store to buy more clothes for Samaira, when it came to her casual wear Azrael didn’t have much to say, he wanted her to be as comfortable as possible and just helped her pick out colors if she needed advice and pointed out things he found pretty. When it came to the dinner outfits however she noticed he gave more input. After picking out all the outfits she turned to him.

“Can we go play now?” Samaira ran her fingers through her hair, fixing her ponytail carefully.

“No, of course not,” He retorted then pointed to her basket full of clothes. “You’ll put on those outfits.”

“Are you serious?” She raised a brow at him then looked at the clothes, there were so many outfits, did he seriously want her to try those on.

“What if you end up hating one of them?” He questioned, walking them to the changing room. “All I’m asking for is a little fashion show,” Azrael grinned and patted her shoulder.

“I hate you; you know that?” She groaned dramatically.

“I have a feeling,” He smirked and send her off to the dressing room.

Samaira headed into the changing room, leaving Azrael outside. He sat down on the couch, arms crossed as he stared at the door, waiting for her to head out. She came dressed in several different outfits picked out, sundresses, elegant rompers, wide-legged pants with crop tops, and such. As Azrael had predicted she wasn’t a fan of every outfit, so they had to get new ones. He lastly picked out a dress that caught his attention since he walked into the store but hadn’t mentioned it to her before. Now that she was looking for one last outfit he figured he’d bring that to her.

“Wait here, I’ll go grab something for you,” Azrael told her through the door and walked away to the dress. He checked the size and there was only one left in the color and size he needed. He let out a relieved sigh and carried the dress back to her. “Here,” He held it out to her through the opening at the top.

“Part of me doesn’t trust you,” She teased, taking the dress and immediately regretted the words.

“Just put it on, sweetheart,” He went to sit down again. After a minute or two, the door opened and Samaira came outside, dressed in an elegant maxi dress that had a halter top and a split on her right thigh. The green floral print looked rich and the dress itself was only skin fitting in the right places, it looked utterly stunning on her.

“I think it’s a yes,” She raised a brow at him, twirling around to give him a full 360.

“Shit, you look so pretty,” His mouth hung open a little, he truly wished he could take a photo to look at her like this for much longer.

A smile formed on her lips as she looked at Azrael, his words clearly got to her head for the moment. She got lost in her thoughts for a moment then cleared her throat, “Thank you.”

“I’ll go change then we can leave,” She headed back into the dressing room. “Sounds good,” He mumbled, looking at the door as it closed. Moments later Samaira came out, a pile in her hand that needed to be put back, sadly they did not make the cut.

“I’ll go pay, will you put those away?” He took the basket from her hand.

“Sounds good,” She nodded and went to put the clothes away, by the time she returned back to his side she noticed the lady behind the register was giggling with him making her roll her eyes. “Ready dear?” She looked up at Azrael who turned to her and nodded. She noticed the lady behind the register rolled her eyes and handed over the receipt. “Mhm, don’t worry I’ll carry them,” He responded when she reached for the bags in his hand.

“I think we should grab some dinner, if you don’t mind,” Azrael mentioned, patting his stomach.

“Oh I won’t complain, I’m starving,” She sighed and decided to check the receipt before stuffing it away. When she saw the price he paid her eyes almost popped out, who even spends that much on clothes?!

“What would you like?” Azrael opened the back door and put the bags there.

Samaira thought for a moment, they recently already had pizza. “Uhm some chicken burgers?”

“Sounds perfect. Would you mind if we got pick-up though? I’m sick of having my photos taken and just want some peace tonight,” He wondered, walking over to open the door for her.

“By all means. I’m sure tomorrow’s news on you won’t be too fun,” She sighed and went to sit down, looking up at him. He closed the door and walked over to get into the driver’s side.

“Bright takes his girlfriend out shopping, doesn’t sound bad,” He teased, starting the engine.

“You’re leaving out the part where I get called a gold digger,” Samaira rolled her eyes, pulling the seat belt over her body.

“Fair enough, I see your point of view on this,” Azrael realized how different it was for her. He called in and placed their order for them, he then drove over to the burger shack. He let her stay in the car and quickly went in, paid for their food and picked up their food, and returned back to Samaira.

“Want to drive home and eat?” He wondered, handing her the drinks and putting the food in the back.

“Do you have anywhere else we can go?” She asked sarcastically.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” He smirked and started driving. Azrael knew the right spot, it was a bit further from the city but not that far, there were big maple trees and Sakura trees planted there. The place offered so much privacy and tranquility, there was a lake not far from where the benches were. It was just the wildlife he worried about. Samaira watched as they got to a big gate where he turned the engine off.

“We’ll be walking from here,” He mentioned and got out of the car, helping to carry their food and such. They got closer to the gate and after the man recognized Azrael he opened the gate for him. Azrael greeted the man politely then led the way inside, heading straight on the path to the bench near the lake.

“Wow, this place is gorgeous,” Her mouth was in an ‘o’ shape as she looked around. Even the stars could be seen clearly from here.

“I know right,” He smiled, looking down at the brunette. Something about the way she looked just warmed his heart, seeing how mesmerized she was by this all.

“Why aren’t there more people around? I feel like a place like this would have many people,” She wondered, following him to the bench right between the Sakura tree and maple tree.

“Yeah but it’s private property,” He shrugged, taking a seat and patted down next to him for the brunette.

“Belonging to?” Samaira wondered, bringing the lid of the cup to her lips.

“My family. We never build much here though, the place is too pretty, and we don’t want to risk ruining the nature of this place,” Azrael explained as he unpacked their dinner, handing over the burger and fries belonging to Samaira then took his own.

“Understandable,” She shrugged and settled her food next to her. “So you just have people look after it?”

“Yep, that guard, Oscar keeps the wait whilst his sons do the landscaping once a month or so,” He pointed to where the guardhouse was.

“Not bad,” She muttered, looking around the place, it was kept clean and trimmed.

“Come on, let’s eat,” Azrael opened the packaging of the burger and dug in immediately.

“Oh yeah, I’m starving,” Samaira started out with her fries first. The two began to enjoy their dinner again, once again engaging in one of their silly conversations, finally, it all seemed like the past again.

“I got us some dessert by the way, but I think it melted by now,” Azrael gathered their trash on one heap.

“Oh, what did you get?” Samaira wondered, looking as he pulled out two small cups then stuffed the garbage back into the old plastic bag.

“Ice cream, they sell in these small cups though and there was only cookie dough,” Azrael looked at them, noticing it was now more of a milkshake either way he knew it would be good, he just wasn’t sure whether cookie dough was her desired flavor of ice cream.

“Dessert is dessert now handed over,” Samaira extended her hand out to him.

He chuckled at her response, handing her one of the cups, “Here you go, M’lady.”

“Thanks,” She smiled briefly and already tore through the lid. “You never skip dessert, do you?” She asked teasingly.

“No, of course not,” He grinned then sipped the melted ice cream. “It’s my only motivation,” He winked.

“What are you? Four?” Samaira scoffed, nudging him gently.

“Here we go again with the bullying,” He whined and shook his head at her.

“I would’ve made you my bitch in high school,” Samaira smiled at him and patted the top of his head. Sitting down was the only time she got to do that.

“Don’t worry, you’re still a bitch now,” He smirked looking at her, watching as her expression changed.

“How dare you!” Samaira glared at him.

“You started it,” He shrugged, a proud look in his voice. However, he noticed she got up and got up too, slightly intimidated by the shorter person.

“And I’m about to finish you,” She threatened, launching at him but he ran off, screaming, “Samaira, stop no, my ice cream.”

“I don’t care, babe,” She ran after him, following him behind every tree. Azrael ran for a good time before making the mistake to look around, slowing him down which is exactly when Samaira tackled him down, shoving him straight into the dirt and grass, the brunette small frame over his body. His hands moved her hips immediately, groaning.

Azrael glared at her, giving her a very short moment to enjoy her victory. “Now, why would you do that, Samaira?” He asked and flipped them over. Azrael took her wrists in his hand and pinned them above her head.

“Like it or not, you’re weaker than me,” A devious smirk appeared on his lips as he looked down at the brunette who was hopeless now.

“Azraellll,” Samaira whined, trying to kick her way out but Azrael moved his knee right between her thighs and the other leg on the other side, keeping her from moving her leg. “Let me go,” She glared at him, wanting to wipe away that stupid smile on his lips. How dare he change this around.

“Not without you apologizing first,” He decided, moving his head a little to the side so those black dangling strands would be out of his eyesight.

“What for?” Her thick brow formed into an arch.

“Tackling me down and bullying me too,” He spoke highly, his free hand moving to settle on her hip so she would officially be immobile.

“You called me a bitch,” She retorted, if glares could kill Azrael would be a dead man by now even when her mind was elsewhere by the way he was touching her.

“Yeah, after you made fun of me,” He reminded her and moved down closer to her.

“Boo-hoo,” She smirked.

“I’m gonna tell my mother for you,” Azrael teased back only for it to backfire on him.

“You really are a four-year-old,” Samaira muttered under her breath, looking away from the man for a moment.

“Samaira,” Azrael warned, his tone was dangerously calm, only intimidating her more than it should. She turned her gaze back to them, watching as those blue eyes pierced straight through hers, almost as if he was looking into her soul.

“I’m sorry I made fun of you,” she said sincerely and sighed, feeling his knee moving from her crotch area.

“Now say please,” He still smirked, studying her face, watching as her lips twitched for a moment.

“Excuse me?” She raised a brow at him, noticing he wasn’t kidding at all. “Ugh, please let go of me,” She sighed and rolled her eyes as she asked somewhat politely.

Azrael removed his hand from her wrists and hips, moving away from her body completely. “Asshole,” Samaira muttered as she sat up.

“You really are something different, Samaira,” Azrael chuckled and shook his head, she truly was a piece of work.

“I’m a gem,” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and winked at the man.

“If that’s what your mama told you,” He shrugged and held his hands up.

The two ended up laying down there on the grass and looking up at the sky, enjoying the night sky together along with the cool night breeze that was amazing near the lake. They were having such a great time they lost track of time. By the time Samaira arrived at her apartment, it was close to 11 pm. Both Akira and Emma grew a little worried but luckily they hadn’t a reason to worry.

~~~

Wednesday.

Samaira was dropped off by Akira who said her quick goodbyes before having to go. Azrael would’ve offered to get Samaira however he had something to do for Rae and it had to be done personally by him. Samaira was surprised she managed to pack her bags at the last moment, the real question now was: Had she forgotten anything?

She felt insecure about having two bags at first but then she saw that the others had three to four bags… They wouldn’t even be gone that long…

“You arrived,” Azrael smiled, walking over to Samaira and helped her with her bags.

“Yes, babe,” She smiled and moved onto the tip of her shoes to reach up and kiss his cheek. He kissed her cheek too then led her to his family.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Bright,” Samaira greeted politely, looking at the older couple who had their arms linked.

“Hello dear, are you excited?” Ashley wondered, a small smile on her full lips, which was definitely where Azrael got his beautiful lips.

“I am actually, I’m looking forward to this trip,” Samaira answered and looked over at the Bright sisters.

“We’re glad we have an extra person!” Rae cheered as she fought off Azrael who tried to steal her chips. They all turned around when a black SUV pulled up. Samaira frowned as she saw Hendro and Hailey stepping out of the car, so far she thought it would be just the Brights.

“Oh, are the Jensens coming too?” She looked up at her supposed boyfriend who seemed just as confused as her.

“I don’t know,” Azrael mumbled. “They’re coming too?” He asked louder, looking in his parent's direction.

“Mhm, Hendrick and Marie mentioned wanting to take a trip, so we decided to invite them too,” His mother explained as another older couple got out of the car.

“Awesome, we can totally have a girl's night out with Hailey,” Zoey grinned, looking over at Rae and Samaira.

“What about the guys?” Azrael pouted, looking at his two sisters who shrugged and said, “I don’t care.”

“Fucking rude,” He scoffed whilst Samaira laughed quietly and rubbed his back.

“Hey! How have you two been?” Hailey walked over to them, smiling as she looked at the couple.

“We’ve been good, how about you?” Samaira wondered; this was the first time in a week since Hailey was available which was understandable.

“Just excited for this trip honestly,” Hailey removed her sunglasses and placed them on top of her hair, holding her hair back.

“Come on, let’s a board. Everyone is here now,” Vincent spoke up after shaking the hand of Hendrick Jensen.

“Private jet?” Samaira frowned, noticing this wasn’t a normal airplane.

“You betcha,” Azrael answered proudly.

“Sometimes I forget how loaded you are,” She muttered, holding onto his hand as he led the way.

“Mhm, come one, I’ll let you sit by a window,” He turned to her and booped her nose as she rolled her eyes at him.

Once the jet took off Samaira drifted off the sleep, in fact, everyone slowly drifted off to sleep whether it was after a drink or two. It wasn’t until they arrived Azrael was woken up by his youngest sister then went ahead and woke up his girlfriend. The two families and Samaira got everything in order then headed straight to the hotel they’d be staying at. Ashley checked them all in. She began to hand everyone their keys. Hendro and Hailey each had their own room. Zoey and Rae had one room to share as always. Marie and Hendrick had a couple’s suite as did Ashley and Vincent.

“Last couple suite keys go to Sammy and Azri,” Ashley handed over the card keys to the two, finally done with that part.

“Wait, we’re sharing a room?” Samaira realized she would have to sleep next to Azrael. After everything that happened between them, she wasn’t too sure how to feel about this happening.