Here you guys go another chapter to keep you occupied. This one is mostly fluff with a twist or two in it so enjoy. I know a lot of you are wondering about Mrs. Thornton. If I had to describe her I would say she looked a little of what the cartoon version of Cinderella's Stepmother looked like. Evil and old. And yes Sam will be handling her no worries. Next chapter you will see what happens with her.

The weekend arrived and Mercedes sat on the terrace in the Royal Service Garden Villa, at Paradisus Punta Cana Resort sipping her Bahama Mama and enjoying the soft breeze. She could feel the tension the built up in her body over the last few months leave. She looked over to Sam who was staring at her as he drank his pina colada and smiled happily. They had spent the afternoon a an ocean side restaurant enjoying their time. Like most of the women there she was dressed in swimwear. Her off the shoulder purple and white swimsuit clung to her curves as her sarong graced her hips. It was Sam's choice she wore it. He saw it as she unpacked and begged her to wear it.

Their lunch was delicious as well, while Sam was adventurous and chose to eat akee and saltfish, she went with the curried lobster which was amazing though she didn't care for Sam's dish.

Now they were in their resort room, relaxing before they went out dancing. The Villa was beautiful. The Garden Terrace and private pool had Sam already thinking of what he wanted to do to her. It had an outdoor summer house and Bali shower. With a beautiful view of the Caribbean Ocean, Mercedes had to admit, that Sam did very well in picking this place.

The tropical tones were throughout the villa and the dark mahogany furniture made for an inviting place to stay. She loved the Hydromassage bathtub, she was truly looking forward to using that.

Sam stood grabbing her hand. "Lets go for a walk along the beach."

Mercedes nodded taking his hand, Mercedes smiled looking at the jewel blue water, inhaling the ocean air, the soft rays of the sun beating on her back. She heard laughing and turned to see a group riding the incoming waves. Sam pulled her closer and tightened his grip around her. "Happy?"

Mercedes nodded. "I couldn't be better." Mercedes said. "I wish we could stay here forever. No jobs, no worries…"

"No family?"

Mercedes sighed. "I have always wanted more family." She said quietly. "My dad died when I was three and it was just me an her until she met Quinn's dad. Then it became just the four of us. I had always wanted more."

She looked at Sam who was staring at her as if urging her to continue.

"Quinn is amazing. And if you can't tell we are very close, she's my best friend. I always thought that I would marry a man with a big family loving."

Sam sighed. "I can't change the family i got, its very small and not at all loving."

"Except Savannah.
The sad worried lines on Sam's face lifted and he smiled. "Except Savannah."

'Yeah and besides her I am sure your family certainly doesn't love me."

Sam was silent for a moment. "Theodore and Holly were all I had, then came Savannah. But what you and I have Merce, its worth preserving, I want you more that I have ever wanted a woman in my life. I can't even begin to fathom being without you." He said softly touching her cheek.

"Maybe one day your dream can come true and we can make our own big, extended family." Sam said, his eyes full of promise.

"Maybe love will work everything out," Mercedes murmured. Sam pulled her close, capturing her lips with his and there and there was only Sam, Mercedes and the scent and sound of the sea.

Fatigue has caught up with them both and they wearily returned to the hotel. Mercedes fell asleep in Sam's arms. She awoke to the sight of the full moon bathing then with silver moonlight through the French Veranda doors in their villa. Sam's arms was across her breasts and his leg held both of her legs under his. His breathing was deep and regular which told her he was sleep.

Mercedes thoughts turned to the conversation they had on the beach. A thrill went through her when she remember that he said they could have their own big extended family. It was a sweet dream. Sam said he wanted her, said he wanted her more than he had ever wanted any other woman, but he didn't say he loved her.

He never said he loved her, not even in the throes of passion. Mercedes stroked his arm. Was her love enough? Could her love alone work out all their problems? She thought of Teddy, Holly and Mrs. Thornton and she doubted it could.

Sam moved restlessly and then she felt his lips in her against her forehead, "You smell like Vanilla," he said brushing his finger along her breast.

"Its after 8 babe, weren't we going dancing?" Mercedes asked as Sam groaned.

"The type of dancing I have in mind is the private kind." Sam said, but sighed when Mercedes got out of the bed. "Well I guess we should go. We're only gonna be here two days."

Mercedes nodded. "And the first day is about over."

She said heading to the shower.

The dancing was fun and just what Mercedes needed. She wore a red sundress that clung to her body just the way Sam loved. Her hair fell over her shoulders in soft curls. Sam donned a pair of Khakis and an open buttoned down collared shirt. This was the most relaxed she had ever seen him. Song after song they danced to the hypnotic music playing. They dined on fresh fish and Lobster and just enjoyed being together.

As the night wore on, the music changed to R&B and Blue, and the surrounding couples swayed on the dance floor. The band played "God Bless the Child." and Sam stood trying to pull Mercedes to the dance floor. "I like this song." He said reaching for her but she stayed put in her seat. "I don't."

Sam looked at her confused as Mercedes didn't meet his eyes. She sighed. "I used to love this song. But recently someone has been making prank phone calls, playing that song over and over then they hang up."

Sam sighed, "Have you reported it?"

She shook her head. "No, since the calls aren't obscene or anything I haven't bothered too."

Sam ran his hands through his hair. "Its strange though, Marley loved that song, it was one she played constantly."

Mercedes felt a shiver run up her spine as Sam continued. "When I hear it, I think fo the few times that Marley and I were on good terms and it makes me feel peaceful."

They were silent for a few moments, then Mercedes glanced up at him. "Sam, how did Marley die?"

Sam looked out into the ocean as his lips tightened. "She died violently. A truck ran her over."

Mercedes reached out for Sam. "I'm very sorry."

Sam stood taking her hand. "Lets go for a walk."

They walked along the warm sand silently. They came upon a rocky, secluded cove about a mile down the beach.

This is the perfect place for swimming." Sam said as he pulled off his shirt.

Mercedes raised and eyebrow. "What about sharks?"

"Don't worry darlin, the inlet is too narrow and shallow for sharks, barracudas or things of that kind." He said as he dropped his khakis to the floor and pulled her against his nude form. "Besides, you have got your own personal barracuda right here," He said biting her neck.

He untied her sundress and pulled it from her body, letting the dress fall to the ground and latched his lips into left nipple as his hands traveled down to her hips. He released her with a pop as he let her silk panties fall to the pile of clothes.

He led her to the warm water and smiled kissing her softly before he took off with wide strokes towards the center of the cove. His head disappeared and he was no longer in sight.

"Sam?!" Mercedes called out, beginning to panic when she didn't see him nor did he answer her.

"Sam? Stop playing." She said feeling panic hit her.

She felt something warm against her leg and screamed out until she realized it was Sam. He broke from under the water laughing. "Scared ya!"

She hit his chest. "You jerk!"

Sam gripped her hands and pulled her closer to him. "I'm sorry darlin I couldn't resist." He lowered his head to her lips kissing her deeply, fighting her tongue for dominance as she wrapped herself around him. The water danced around their bodies as he moved to her neck tracing his lips down to her breast attacking each with vigor. Mercedes melted and moaned under his sweet torture as one hand held her up and his other searched for her sweet core. Mercedes inhaled deeply as he slipped his fingers into her core and his hand palmed her clit giving her pleasure. Mercedes arched her back thrusting against his hand. "Sam please" She begged wanting him inside of her. Sam knew her cries, knew what she want. Laying her back against the sand he eased inside of her, pulling her body as close to his as he could.

Mercedes whimpered out as her hips eagerly arched up to match his. He moved faster wanting more of her, needing more of her. This was everything to him and the more he gave her what she wanted and needed, the higher she took him.
Suddenly she stiffened under him and he felt her body shake into her climax, which triggered his own as they fell apart together on the beautiful beach, moonlight shining on them.