A/N: I just want to say thanks again to my beta, you're a gem.
Also, below is the link to the outfit that Mercedes wears in the chapter, if the link doesn't work for you for any reason you can message me and we'll figure something out.
out_my_mind_for_you/collection?id=1582927
Thanks and enjoy
Jay xxx
Chapter 4: Fever
It was Sunday when Mercedes received her first text message from Sam. She had been sitting on a windowsill in her living room, watching the rain pour from the dark, somber clouds in sheets. The atmosphere made her melancholy. Santana had gone out to lunch with a girl that she'd met at the grocery store the day before and the liveliness that was usually inextricable with her presence was gone from the apartment, just as she was. Mercedes wasn't sure what had caused this sudden feeling of gloom; it seemed to just blow in with the slow spring wind, sneaking up on her and causing her heart to feel heavy, as if it had been bricked over in her chest.
She looked over at the coffee table as she heard her phone ring, indicating that she had a new call. She debated with herself whether or not it was worth the effort of getting up and walking all the way across the room. Soon enough, the logical side won, reasoning that it might be important. She sighed as she stood up and fast-walked over to the glass table picking up her phone. The number wasn't one that she recognized.
"Hello," she said tiredly into the speaker.
"Uhh..Mer..Mercedes?" answered a deep, awkward voice.
Mercedes quirked an eyebrow and replied, "Who wants to know?"
"Umm, this is Sam…ya' know from Sully's," He let out an awkward chuckle, "Sam I am."
She smiled. "Ohh yeah, hey, I wasn't actually expecting you to call."
"Why not?" he asked curiously.
"Well, when a guy's really interested, he usually calls the next day," she replied smartly.
"Oh, well, I was going to, but Puck said that I should probably wait a day, so that I didn't seem too eager," Sam answered shamefully.
Her brows furrowed at the statement, "So...Do you typically take dating advice from puck, or…" she trailed off
"God no, it's just been a while since I've actually talked to a girl and I didn't want you to think that I was too eager.
"Well, why wouldn't I want the guy that I might, possibly be going out with soon, to be eager about talking to me? I sure as hell don't wanna go out with some overly nonchalant douchebag."
"That, is a very good point Ms. Jones, I don't know why I even listened to that fucker in the first place. I think it's just because you make me so nervous." He laughed, hoping that she hadn't heard that last part.
"Why would I make you nervous?" Mercedes asked, baffled by his admission.
Sam covered the bottom of the phone with his palm and spat a curse word into the air. "I don't know, I mean, you're fucking stunning, you have an amazing voice, and funny. Did I mention you are stunning? And you fucking know it too." He laughed a small nervous laugh and said, "You're a bit intimidating."
"Well, that's what every girl wants to hear," she stated, only half-joking.
"No, no, no, don't be offended or anything. It's not a bad thing at all, I'm just not used to women being so…" He trailed off.
"So what?" Mercedes questioned curiously.
"So sure of themselves. I've also never really seen a woman shoot down Puck before." He was quiet for a second. "That reminds me, your friend from the other night, was hilarious, Puck is still sulking because of what she said to him."
She laughed. "Yeah, Santana is something else."
Sam and Mercedes, both, became quiet, unsure of what to say. Sam spoke first.
"Anyway, I suppose I should get to the real reason that I called you."
"Okay, shoot."
"Well, I was wondering if you'd like to, uh, go out with me sometime this week?" His deep voice was steady.
Mercedes smiled to herself, "Well, what day this week are we talkin'? Because I've got two other guys snapping at my coattails, wanting dates as well," she replied, sounding completely serious.
Sam sputtered. "Uh..I…Um." He stood up and began to pace around his living room.
She stayed quiet and let him suffer a bit before she opened her mouth and let out a loud boisterous laugh. Sam pulled his phone away from his face to look at it questioningly.
"Boy, I'm just playin'! I never would have given you my number if that were the case. Of course I'll go out with you, Sam."
He smiled when she said his name—he eventually wanted to hear her screaming his name as he buried his face in her pussy.
"Okay good! You almost gave me a heart attack there, sugar."
Mercedes felt her stomach flutter at the endearment. She was used to having the guys that hit on her call her baby, sweetheart or something of the like, and it didn't mean anything. But with Sam, she felt an underlying tenderness in his words.
"I just wanted to make you sweat a bit, but it's all good. Anyway, you wanted to go out this week?"
"Yeah, I was thinkin' Thursday, if that's good with you of course."
Mercedes flipped through her planner, "Yep, that's good with me."
"Okay good, good." Sam threw a fist in the air, John Bender style. "I'll pick you up around 7."
"Sounds good, should I wear anything specific?" she asked
"Um…well, I don't want to give anything away but the restaurant is pretty dressy so…" He trailed off.
After Mercedes gave him her address and they exchanged a few more flirty quips they hung up, with Sam promising to see her Thursday.
Mercedes sat her phone back down on the coffee table, sat back on the couch and took a deep breath. 'Cedes, girl you need to get yourself together,' she thought to herself. She sat back on the couch for a few more minutes when she heard the front door open and her best friend trek her way into the living room.
"Satan, we've got to go shopping."
MSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSM
On the days leading up to Thursday, Sam and Mercedes exchanged numerous texts, some flirty and some so funny that they almost made Mercedes fall out of her desk chair. She concluded that she really liked Sam. She couldn't remember the last time that she wasn't completely skeezed out by a guy that showed interest in her, and she hoped that their date would go well. She had high hopes for this one.
By the time Thursday rolled around, Mercedes felt like she had a cinder block sitting in the pit of her stomach. She hadn't been this nervous since she'd had her interview with Spin. When she told Santana that she had a date with blondie from the club, the Latina had done nothing but let out a few guffaws and shook her head. Santana wasn't surprised. She told Mercedes that she knew it would have only been a matter of time. Mercedes simply rolled her eyes.
She left work an hour earlier that day to go get a mani-pedi, something that she usually did herself at home. She decided to pamper herself instead of doing a DIY. After she left the nail salon, she went home to wash off the smell of nail dust and polish remover. She stepped out of the shower, wrapped a blue towel around herself, and removed the shower cap to let her curls, now messy and a bit frizzy, fall around her shoulders. She then plugged in her curlers and left the bathroom to lotion and moisturize. After finishing her after-shower routine, she put on her matching purple lace bra and panties and made her way back to the bathroom to begin doing her hair which was by far, the most time consuming part of her beauty routine. When she was finished styling her hair to perfection, she put her curlers away and got her make-up bag from under the sink. She decided to go light on the makeup, opting for a natural but glamorous look. She finished the look with a touch of red lipstick with a little gloss on top.
Mercedes waited a while before getting dressed, not wanting to wrinkle her outfit before Sam arrived. At about a quarter to seven, she slipped on her dress, an ivory cotton A-line pleated dress that fell about a half-inch above her knees. She finished her outfit with bright red peep toed stilettos. She accessorized with a red earrings and matching clutch. After stuffing her cell phone, some cash and tube of lipstick into her clutch, she dabbed on some Chanel No. 5 and went into the living room to have a seat.
MSMSMSMSMSMSMSMS
At exactly 7:00pm, a firm knock sounded at the door and Mercedes' heart began to thump out of her chest. She briefly wondered if it was too late to fake sick. Mustering up all of her courage, she stood up, grabbed her clutch opened the door. She almost gasped out loud as she came face to face with the handsome blonde. God, he looked good in his professional black suit.
She spoke first. "Well, you clean up good."
Sam was awestruck. How could any, one person have the right to be this beautiful? "You look, utterly stunning," he said, shaking his head in wonder.
"Why thank you." She curtsied, while doing her best Scarlett O'Hara impression.
Sam chuckled. "Well, are you ready to go?"
"Uh huh." Mercedes stepped out of the doorway and locked the door. "So exactly where are we going? I hope I'm dressed appropriately."
"You look perfect, trust me. And I'm not telling you, it's a surprise."
Mercedes huffed playfully as they walked out of the building.
"So are we taking a cab or..?" she asked, trailing off, concluding that she could catch the name of the place when he gave the driver the name and address of the restaurant.
He chuckled. "You're relentless. But no, I'm driving actually."
He led them over to a parking meter to a sleek, black BMW. Mercedes whistled in appreciation. "Nice ride." She smiled, as he opened the passenger door for her.
"Thank you darlin'" he said, closing the door and strutting around to the driver's side.
After starting the car and merging into traffic, he pointed to an iPod classic that was plugged up to the state of the art stereo.
"You can choose a song if you like."
"Oooh, a guy that doesn't command control of the radio…I like that, I like that a lot," she teased.
"Well, I aim to please."
Merecedes scrolled through Sam's music collection. She had to admit she was impressed. She eventually chose to play Human Nature. She eventually spoke up.
"So, what do you do Sam Evans?"
"I'm an architect."
"No way! That's amazing. What sort of things do you design?"
"All sorts of things really. Right now I'm designing a new music hall for a local university, which I am not at liberty to name just yet." He winked at her. "And you, where do you spend your week days?"
"Actually, I write for Spin."
"The music magazine?" Sam asked, raising both of his eyebrows.
"The very one," she nodded "Do you read it?"
"I used to, when I was in college, but I'll have to get back into it now that I know you're writing for them."
Mercedes let out a girlish giggle and slapped her hand over her mouth, her brown eyes wide in surprise. Sam continued to stare at the busy road, pretending to be oblivious. The rest of the ride was spent in a comfortable silence, with Mercedes choosing the songs the rest of the way.
Mercedes looked up from the iPod just as Sam pulled in to a full parking lot that was facing the back of a small restaurant.
"Well, here we are, m'lady," he said as he opened the passenger side door and helped her from the car. "We're in the parking lot because I hate using valet," he told her matter-of-factly.
"And where is 'here' exactly?" she asked, hopeful that he'd finally give her an answer.
Sam laughed as he led the way, still holding her hand. "We are at Abe & Arthur's. It's a great place with beautiful atmosphere and delicious food. You'll love it, don't worry."
When they stepped inside of the front doors, Mercedes had to admit she was very impressed. The place was beautiful. There were two levels and the top floor had a glass wrap around railing. There was a large bar in the middle of the first floor. The lights were dim, creating an intimate ambiance, and the building had plenty of windows allowing some natural light into the restaurant. As Mercedes looked over the patrons, she became very pleased with her wardrobe choice. Thankfully, all thoughts of being overdressed flew out the window.
They stopped at a host stand and where Sam smiled at the man and said, "I have a reservation for two at 7:30 under the name Evans."
"Ah, yes, right this way please," he said as he led them through the restaurant to small two top table.
"Actually, could we get a booth please?" Sam asked.
The man sighed at the 'inconvenience' "I suppose, follow me."
He led them to a rounded booth, so that they were sitting beside each other facing the rest of the restaurant.
"Your waiter will be with you momentarily," he said as he turned and walked away.
"This place is beautiful," Mercedes said, as she turned to look at the handsome man next to her.
"It is," Sam nodded. "You know, some of the guys at my firm designed this place."
"Oh wow! So do you make a habit of only going to places that your firm has designed?" she asked, smirking.
"Of course not. I've been here a few times and when I was thinking of places to take you for our date I thought that it would be perfect." He smiled at her.
"Well, you thought right. I really like it so far."
Before Sam could reply, their waiter, Daniel, came to take their drink orders. By the time Daniel returned with their drinks, they were ready to order. Sam ordered a medium rare stake with a side of asparagus and Mercedes ordered butternut squash risotto.
They fell into an easy conversation while waiting for their food to arrive, speaking about their respective jobs and other small talk. When the waiter arrived with their food and after taking their initial bites and voicing their satisfaction with their choices, they resumed their conversation.
"So where are you from?" Sam asked while cutting off another piece of his steak.
"Lima, Ohio. I moved here to go to NYU with my best friend Kurt after graduating from high school. What about you?"
"I'm from Nashville actually. I went to Cornell."
"Ohh, Ivy League-a smart man," she teased.
Sam was so entranced by her smile that he didn't say anything for a few seconds. "Well, yeah, I worked my butt off to get there too."
"I'm sure," she affirmed. "Your parents must have been very proud."
"Oh they were. I think my mama cried for three whole days when they found out."
"Are you still close with them?"
"Oh yeah! I talk to them and my little brother and sister almost every day. What about you? Are you close with your family?"
"Well, I'm close with my older brother, but my parents…" she trailed off shaking her head.
"What about them?" He asked.
"We pretty much stopped talking when I moved here. They thought that my choice to move out here was impractical." She shook her head and looked down into her lap.
Sam reached his hand out to her and lifted her chin with his fingers. "Don't be sad, sugar. I'm sure they just wanted what was best for ya. They were probably just afraid because their little girl was moving so far away without them." He smiled softly at her.
Mercedes nodded sadly.
"I do wonder through, why you didn't go for a singing career? Girl, your voice is fuckin' amazing!" he said, lightening the moment.
"Nahh, I love singing, but writing is my passion. Plus technically, I'm still in the music business."
"Alright, fair enough."
Mercedes looked up at him, smirking, "Now to the real question of the evening…how the hell did you meet Puck?"
The both laughed. Sam clutched his belly. "He was my roommate in college. He grows on you, I promise."
Mercedes pursed her plump, red lips, unconvinced.
"I swear, once you get past the initial douchey-ness and all around slutty behavior, he actually DOES have some redeeming qualities."
"If you say so," Mercedes said, turning back to her food.
The rest of dinner was a relatively quiet affair, with both of them intent on finishing their food. After they both finished their meals, Sam paid the bill, giving Mercedes a look when she reached for her clutch to contribute. They held hands as they walked back to the car.
"So, where to next?" Mercedes asked one they were on the road.
"Well, I figured that since it's a weeknight, we'd go get some ice cream and maybe talk a little more."
"Sounds good," she said, smiling.
Sam drove them to a small, busy ice cream shop. Sam ordered a cup of soft serve chocolate vanilla swirl topped with chocolate sprinkles. Mercedes couldn't help but smile at the symbolism as she ordered a waffle cone with strawberry cheesecake flavored ice cream.
Mercedes admitted, "I've got to say, this is probably the best date I've ever been on. I like how you didn't try to impress be too much by doing something over the top. You kept it simple."
"Good! That's what I was striving for. I wanted this date to be about us getting to know each other."
"I know you're not supposed to talk about people that you've dated in the past, but I've got to say, they all pretty much pale in comparison," she admitted, as she licked her cone.
Sam lustfully stared at her pink tongue running along the length of the ice cream. He would have given anything to be that cone. He was getting hot under the collar; it would be a matter of time before she was going to give him a fucking heart attack. Gathering his thoughts, he said, "I know exactly what you mean sugar. I hope you'll let me show you more of me." He was honestly oblivious to the innuendo.
"I'm sure that can be arranged," Mercedes giggled, owning it this time instead of being embarrassed by it.
After they finished their ice cream, they headed back to the car heading to Mercedes' apartment. During the drive, they held hands the whole way; Sam's thumb was continuously rubbing circles in her upturned hand. The whole exchange seemed very intimate to Mercedes; she could imagine them driving like this on the way to the grocery store or to see a movie. The realization that she was imagining a future with Sam somewhat startled her.
Sam parked in front of a meter, not bothering to put any money in it. Mercedes admired him because he wasn't presumptuous, and expected nothing from her.
There was an awkward silence when they reached her front door. Mercedes had her hands clasped behind her back and Sam was rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
"I had a great time tonight, Sam," Mercedes said quietly.
"I did too. I'm so glad you had fun tonight darlin'." Sam's palms started sweating. "I'm gonna kiss you now, sugar," he said leaning towards her.
Their kiss was soft and slow at first, until Sam swiped his tongue across Mercedes' bottom lip effectively getting her to open them. Mercedes granted him entrance and as their tongues met for the first time, the couple felt tingles running down their spines, Mercedes dropped her clutch and didn't care that it it fell to the carpeted floor with a 'clack'. She reached up and ran her fingers through Sam's soft hair, letting them rest at the nape. The kiss quickly became more passionate as Sam's large hands strayed from Mercedes' lower back to her big round ass. He squeezed it for good measure. After a couple more minutes of heavy kissing, Mercedes found the strength to move away.
"We've gotta stop before I lose myself, boy!" She let out a shaky laugh.
"Right, you're right. God, that was amazing," Sam said, trying to figure out a way to discreetly adjust himself in his slacks.
Mercedes squatted down to pick up her clutch and took her key out, unlocking her door.
"So you'll call me?" she asked, smirking.
"Of course! Yes, of course." Sam stuttered.
She moved into the apartment, closing the door halfway. She gave Sam a sly wink and whispered seductively, "Goodnight, Sam," before closing it fully.
Sam groaned and closed his eyes as he rested his head on the wall next to him. Mercedes Jones was going to be the death of him, that's for damn sure.
