“You’re nervous about seeing your parents?” Howie inquired, more than a little puzzled.

Samantha smiled a weak smile. “I am always a little nervous when I haven’t seen my Dad for a few months.” She hesitated.

“Sam” Howie wrinkled his brow and stared at her for a moment. He ran his fingers along Samantha’s face ending with his hand cupping her cheek as he stroked it. “Why does seeing your Dad make you nervous?”

Samantha sucked her upper lip into her mouth. She looked into Howie’s eyes and then down into her lap. “I guess it is better if you know ahead time." She took a deep breath. "I’m a big disappointment to my father. I’m a failure in his eyes.”

“What?” Howie cried out in disbelief. “How can you say that Sam? With everything you have accomplished in your life, you are anything but a failure sweetheart!”

“Tell that to my Dad.”

“I fully intend to as soon as I get the chance to Sam.”

A Samantha’s eyes grew huge with fear. “I’m kidding Howard! Please don’t tell my Dad what I said!”

Mateo’s voice came over the intercom. “We are safely in the air. You can move around the cabin if you would like to. We should be landing in about 4 hours and 15 minutes.”

Samantha pressed a button on the panel beside her. “Thanks Mateo.” She returned her attention to Howie. He was looking at her with a deep look of concentration in his eyes. “What are you thinking about Hun?” She inquired.

Howie blinked. “Nothing really. Just glad I’m here with you.” He unbuckled his seatbelt as he leaned in to kiss her. He placed a quick kiss on her lips. “I’ve missed you so much sweetheart!” He pressed his lips tightly to hers & laced his fingers through her hair, bringing her head closer to him. Slowly, he caressed her lips with his tongue, prompting her to part them.

Samantha drew Howie’s tongue into her mouth. She lightly raked her teeth over it causing a shiver to run down Howie’s spine. He moaned softly against her lips and caressed her back as he deepened the kiss. He brought his hand between the two of them and ran his fingers delicately up her stomach to her chest. Samantha felt the oh so familiar butterflies begin their dance in her stomach. Howie softly massaged Samantha’s breasts through her blouse. ‘God I have missed being near her!’ He thought as he inhaled the scent of her perfume and began teasing her nipples.

Samantha broke the kiss. “Wait Howie!” She said breathlessly.