First of all I want to thank everyone for all the love through your reviews and messages. I love reading what you all think and hope that I will be able to make this story and beautiful as it started. Please bear with me, I always have to add a little bit of drama, because life w/out drama is just fantasy!
Songs-Ed Sheeran "Kiss me"
Let's roll!
Chapter 4
In Season
Sam and Mercedes returned to the Evan's home with puckered lips, disheveled hair and wrinkled clothing. "Well, well, well, look what the cat drug in" said a smiling Dwight and Mary Evans. "A few more minutes and we were going to send out a search party, from the looks of you two I am hoping that this means that y'all are together?" Sam and Mercedes looked at each other with smiles and red faces. "Yeah momma, we're together, but don't start talkin' about caramel babies ok, we're taking things slow." Sam winked at Mercedes and Mercedes winked right back at him. Sam could not believe that such an accidental run in, lead to such an amazing blessing. "Well, baby, welcome to the family I can't wait for Sam's little brother & sister to meet you! We are coming up for homecoming, so hopefully we can all get together then." Mary said giving Mercedes a big hug.
"Thanks Mrs. Evans, that would be great, and I'll make sure that my parents are around that weekend, so that we can try to do something together." Sam froze when he heard that comment, meeting Mercedes parents was not something that he really thought about, but knowing how close she was to them really made him want to make a good impression. Sam walked Mercedes too her car and embraced her tightly before she got in. Mercedes loved the smell of Sam and knew that she could stay forever in those arms. Whispering into her ear, "You ok with everything that happened tonight? Did I pressure you to do something you weren't ready for?" Mercedes closed her eyes as a tear ran down the side of her face. She held him tighter wanting to tell him everything was ok through her embrace. "Tonight was perfect Sam, I felt no pressure and I'm glad that everything I shared was shared with you." As Sam held Mercedes in his arms, he kissed the top of her head. Loving the smell of her perfume that floated in the air. "What are you wearing?" Sam asked. "Jo Malone-English Pear and Fresia, you like?"
"Yes, I like a lot; when you get low, please let me know I want to smell this on you every day." Sam held Mercedes body even closer than before, he could feel every curve that she possessed and loved the feel of her small hands running up and down his back. "Well I better get going, have to finish packing and say goodbye to all my students tomorrow. Pick you up at 5?"
"Yes, I'll be ready." Sam kissed Mercedes softly on the lips knowing that respecting her limits was going to be torture. Mercedes pulled away smiling and shaking her head at Sam. "Boy you are crazy, you better go take a shower and put that fire out."
"You wanna join me?" Sam asked with a smirk on his face. Mercedes rolled her eyes and got into her car.
"That wasn't a no Mercy." Sam yelled out to her.
"Yeah, but it certainly wasn't a yes." Mercedes yelled back "Cool off lover boy, I'll see ya tomorrow."
Sam watched Mercedes until he could no longer see her car, excited for what the new year would bring…
Buckeyes
Sam and Mercedes both lived in off campus housing their senior year. Their apartments were about a mile apart so they were both excited to know that they would not be far from each other. Sam was super busy with preseason football but tried to spend as much time as possible with Mercedes. It was a few days before the big game against Penn State and Mercedes wanted to do something special for her Sammy. Since the team was doing a "male bonding" thing before the game, Mercedes decided to make Sam a nice home cooked meal at her apartment Wednesday evening. She went to Whole Foods to pick up the ingredients for Chicken Picatta and called Sam to invite him over. The phone rang once before Sam answered it. "Hey you, I was just thinking about you." Sam said, with Mercedes being able to picture the smile upon his face as he spoke. "Really and what were you thinking about Mr. Evans." She asked slowly with a sultry tone in her voice. "I'd tell you, but Mike is right here and I'd hate for him to get jealous, he and Tina are having problems this week." Mercedes laughed hearing Mike yell in the background, "Mercedes, if things don't work out with you and Sam, I have a brother that would treat you just fine!" Sam glared at Mike letting him know that if he said another word about Mercedes being with any other man, it was on.
"Ignore him, he's just jealous. What's up babe?"
"Well, I was calling to see if you wanted to come over tonight. I know you have your first home game this Saturday, so I was thinking about doing something special for you."
"Hmmmmmmmmm, like how special?"
"Yeah not that special, geez, is your mind always in the gutter?"
"Only when it comes to you baby." Mercedes laughed and made Sam smile even more. "Well, the invite is open and will be ready by 7."
"I'll be there!" Sam was so excited to see what Mercedes had planned for him. They've been going strong for 3 ½ months but each day it seems as though they have known each other forever. Mercedes finished preparing the Chicken Picatta and had it roasting in the oven. She cleaned the apartment that morning and even bought a new outfit just for Sam. Now was her second most favorite part of the evening (the first would come once Sam got there)
She wore a Kelly green strapless dress, with a fitted bodice and A Line skirt. Beautiful yellow earrings and matching yellow ballet flats completed her ensemble perfectly. Sam loved to nibble on her neck and collarbone, so she decided to leave that area naked for the evening. She used a salt scrub to exfoliate her skin and found a wonderful body cream to match her Jo Malone perfume. Her hair was in loose curls and makeup light and simple. She smiled as she looked at her appearance, still wondering how Sam found her so beautiful. Moments after her look was complete she heard a knock at the door. 'Ok, someone is eager, 7 right on the dot' Mercedes said to herself. She ran to the door only to see a smiling Sam holding a bouquet of roses and a small yellow box in his hand.
"WOW! Mercy, you look amazing. You opening that door is a good enough surprise for me, I could go home and leave a happy man right now." Sam blushed as he said the words that sounded perfect to the small ears hearing them. "You clean up pretty good yourself Sammy."
"These are for you Ms. Jones." Mercedes took the flowers and immediately found a vase to place them. "And do I need to ask what is in the box? Or is that for your next date after you leave my place." Sam shook his head and grabbed Mercedes from behind. After moving her hair to the side and placing light kisses to her neck he whispers, "you know there is no one else Mercy, only you and me. What's in the box is a gift for my baby for giving me such a wonderful night."
"The night has not even started Sam, how do you know it will be that wonderful." Sam replied with no words and continued to place sweet kisses upon Mercedes shoulders. She left them naked just as he likes it and knew he would not stop until he had to.
Right as things began to heat up; Mercedes heard the ding of the oven, letting her know dinner was ready. "Dinner's ready" Mercedes said as she wiggled out of Sam's death grip. Sam followed her into the kitchen with a mouth that was salivating for whatever was in the oven. "Oooohhh, I get Mercy kisses and dinner" Sam said as he patted Mercedes bottom as she bent over to get the chicken picatta out of the oven. Mercedes ignored the pat, because secretly she loved it and took the dish out to the beautifully arranged table that Mercedes spent an hour decorating. Candles lined the center of the table and crisp white dishes sparkled as the lights fell upon them. "Babe, is this all for me, it's beautiful."
"It's all for you baby, I just wanted to wish you a good and safe game on Saturday." Sam noticed Mercedes emphasis on "safety" as she spoke to him. In the season opener against Michigan, Sam received a mild concussion during a play on the field. Mercedes saw the whole thing unfold before her eyes and could not ignore the pain and fear she had inside. Sam took her hands and held them close to his heart, "I promise, I'll be careful." Sam promised looking directly into her eyes. "That's all I ask Sam."
Dinner went lovely, but Mercedes still had plans for the evening. She realized earlier in the week, that Sam had never heard her sing. She thought that she was mistaken, but realized she was right, when Sam mentioned it on the way home from one of his practices.
"So I have another gift for you."
"More than the dinner?" Sam asked
"Yes, and actually better than the dinner too."
Sam wondered what could be better than the chicken picatta, actually he knew what would be better than the chicken picatta, but didn't want to get his hopes up.
Quietly, Mercedes walked to her Ipod and pushed play. In the distance, Sam heard the opening cords to "Kiss me" by Ed Sheeran. Mercedes took Sam's hand and led him to her sofa. She had him sit in front of her and began to sing looking directly in his eyes.
Settle down with me
Cover me up
Cuddle me in
Lie down with me
Hold me in your arms
Your heart's against my chest
Lips pressed to my neck
I've fallen for your eyes
But they don't know me yet
And the feeling I forget
I'm in love now
Kiss me like you wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
This feels like I've fallen in love
Fallen in love
Fallen in love
Settle down with me
And I'll be your safety
You'll be my lady
I was made to keep your body warm
But I'm cold as, the wind blows
So hold me in your arms
My heart's against your chest
Your lips pressed to my neck
I've fallen for your eyes
But they don't know me yet
And the feeling I forget
I'm in love now
Kiss me like you wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
This feels like I've fallen in love
Fallen in love
Fallen in love
Yeah I've been feeling everything
From hate to love
From love to lust
From lust to truth
I guess that's how I know you
So hold you close
To help you give it up
So kiss me like you wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
This feels like I've fallen in love
Fallen in love
Fallen in love
So kiss me like you wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
This feels like I've fallen in love
Fallen in love
Fallen in love
Sam sat in his seat, silent, dazed, inspired, an in awe of what he just heard. He tried to discreetly wipe the tears from his eyes, but realized he failed when Mercedes grabbed his hands and wiped the tears with the soft kisses she placed upon his face. "So what did you think" she whispered into his ear. "I'm don't even know what to say, is there a word I can use to describe what I just heard. It was like listening to an angel. It was beautiful Mercy, thank you." Mercedes bowed her head as the weight of Sam's words sank deep within her soul. He raised her head and kissed her gently on the lips. The feel of her softness caused him to lay her down upon her back. Her lips opened slightly allowing Sam to explore her warm mouth even more. Hands stayed in safe territory as Sam knew that leaving her this evening was going to be hard for him. As their kisses slowed down, Sam sat up gently lifting Mercedes off the sofa and walked over to get the little yellow box that held something very special for her. "I saw this when we were in Nashville and it's been burning a hole in my pocket ever since. I knew it was perfect for you, but I couldn't find the right time to give it to you. I think now is as good a time as ever."
Mercedes placed her hair behind her ear and straightened out her clothes as she held the delicate box in her hands. "Open it" Sam said softly. Mercedes was still sitting on the sofa as she opened her present. When she opened the box and saw the most beautiful sterling silver necklace with two teardrop discs. One disc said Sam and the other disc said Mercedes. Mercedes stared at the necklace speechless. "Sam I…"
"Don't say anything Mercedes" Sam quickly interrupted. "I saw these and knew I wanted to get it for you. I know I'm rushing into things and my dad always says that when it comes to love, I've never been patient. But I'm in Mercy; I'm in this for good. I thought that if you give me the chance to let me make you happy forever, that each time we add a member to our family that we can add a disc to your necklace. Is that ok?" Sam said with a ray of hope in his eyes. Inside Mercedes cried at the mention of "adding to their family" Sam knew so much about Mercedes, but there was still so much to share with him that at times his intensity was a bit overwhelming. "I love it Sam, and although you are intense in the love department. I'll take it over the alternative." Mercedes placed a hand upon Sam's cheek and kiss him softly on the lips. Sam took the necklace out of the box and placed it around Mercedes neck. "Perfect" Sam said as he gazed at Mercedes. Silence filled the room and Mercedes was not sure what was going to happen next. She stood up and took Sam's hand into her own. She laced their fingers together and quietly walked back into her bedroom. Sam stopped once he entered and said "We don't have to do this Mercy, please don't think I expect anything in return."
"I know you don't expect anything Sam, and although I'm not ready to give everything, I would like to do some exploring tonight." She turned her back toward Sam prompting him to unzipper her dress. As the dress fell to the floor Sam gazed at the beauty before him. "Are you sure?" Sam asked as tears began to fill his eyes. Mercedes smiled and said, "Yes, I'm sure." She placed his hands upon her shoulders and allowed them to roam freely. And though the evening did not end with complete intimacy, what they shared was another first for Mercedes and Sam as their bodies expressed their love allowing each to ending the evening whispering the others name softly among the silence.
Happy dreams everyone…til next time…