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Mercedes sat on the bed waiting for Sam to return; she was just ridiculous. There was no reason for Sam and her not to work; she would move back home for him. She would do anything for him because he was worth it. And as long as they were open and talked to each other, anything could be worked out.

Yes, her career meant a lot to her, and it would be a challenge; she probably couldn't leave right away, but she would talk to him, and they would figure it out. There was nothing they couldn't do if they went into it headfirst and with both of them being on the same page.

The door opened to the cottage, and Sam walked in; Mercedes walked immediately over to him and hugged him tightly. "I'm so sorry, Sam."

He hugged her back for a moment but then pulled away, creating distance between them. "You were right. There are so many things that can go wrong."

"No, Sam, wait, that's not what I am saying at all."

He shook his head. "It's okay, you don't want me, I get it."

"Sam, will you just listen to me?"

"No, because you said all you needed to say, I thought we would be good together."

"We would be great together, Sam."

"Yeah, well, you made up your mind, and I don't need your pity."

"I don't pity you, Sam, I need to tell you that-"

Mercedes was interrupted by Sam's phone ringing. She took a breath as Sam reached for it.

"It's my mom. Give me a minute."

He picked up his phone, and Mercedes could immediately tell something was wrong. After a moment, Sam dropped his phone and fell to the bed. Mercedes reached for his phone, then took Sam's hand.

"Hello? Mary?"

"Mercedes? Oh good. Is Sam okay?"

"No, he's not, Mary; what happened?"

"It's Quinn, she and Mike went cliff diving, and she landed on her head. They are flying her back here now."

"Oh Mary, Okay Look, everything is going to be okay; Quinn is one of the strongest women I know; she gets it from you. Just have faith that everything will be okay."

"I know; I have to call Stacey and Stevie but just, take care of him."

"Mary, I will, as much as he will let me."

"I appreciate it."

They hung up, and Mercedes sat beside Sam, taking his hand. "Sam, it's gonna be okay."

"And you know this how? You can see the future?"

Mercedes took a breath. "Sam, I know you are upset."

"Oh, do you? And what gave it away? My anger? My tears?"

Sam yanked his hand away from hers and stood. "I need to go."

Mercedes stood with him. "Sam, please just calm down."

"My sister fell on her damn head! She could die; she could be dead right now!"

"Sam, stop thinking like that! And don't push me away."

"Leave me alone, Mercedes." He warned.

Sam walked out of the cottage, and Mercedes followed him. "I let you walk away from me once today. I won't let it happened again."

Sam didn't say a word; he just walked towards the woods. Mercedes followed him, matching him step for step. "Sam, you can't keep running. You did the same thing when your dad was in that crash a few years ago. You pushed me away, and I didn't let you, then I won't let you know."

She could see his fistball as he turned towards her. "What the hell do you want?! You made it very clear you didn't want to be with me, so what you feel sorry for, poor Sammy? You wanna run and make everything all better like always!"

"No! I could never feel sorry for you, you are hurting Sam, and you need to let it out. I get that, but this is not the way. It's not your fault!"

"Except that it is!"

Sam stopped walking and turned towards Mercedes. "I told her to try something new and to stop being so boring. I have been telling her for years to break out of her plain Jane rut! And she listened to me, and now she could die."

Mercedes moved closer to Sam, pulling him to her. "Sam, baby, this isn't your fault. None of this is. This was an accident."

Sam hugged her for a moment but pulled away and walked back towards the cottage. Following him, Mercedes sighed as he frantically started packing.

"What are you doing now?"

"I have to go. I have to get home."

Mercedes took his hand in hers. "Sam, it's ten at night. There are not flights headed out right now. Look, just take a breath. You are tired and frustrated and scared, and that is not a good combination. Lay down. Take a breather, and then we will get you home, I promise."

Sam looked at her for a long while before nodding and going towards the bed. Within minutes he was sleeping, and Mercedes wiped her eyes, not wanting to break down, she had to be strong for Sam. She pulled out her phone, looking for the first flight out, and found one for early afternoon. Booking the flight for Sam, she glanced around for flights for her so she could join him in a few days. She needed to be there for him, needed for him to see that she wanted to be with him, for real. Taking a breath, she made her way to the bed and set her alarm to wake him up in enough time because the airport was about 50 miles away. Laying next to Sam, sleep escaped her. Her mind replayed the entire night. How could everything go so wrong?

Sam stirred in his sleep, and Mercedes looked over to see green eyes staring at her. "What time is it?"

Mercedes looked at her phone. "A little after one. Are you okay?"

"Ask me that once I see Quinn."

Mercedes nodded, feeling her eyes water as she saw the tears in his eyes. She pulled him close to her and he held her. She wasn't sure why she just wanted to feel close to him at that moment, It was clear to her that it was something they both wanted and needed, something that could for the moment help with their fears. She wasn't sure who kissed who first, but the moment their lips touched, a fiery passion took over them, hands were everywhere, and clothes were thrown all over the place.

Mercedes pulled Sam closer to her as his hand snaked down her stomach and found the treasure he was searching for. His finger slipped inside, and she spread her legs, giving him better access. His finger teased her clit, moving in tight circles as she thrust herself forward, adding to the friction.

"Sam!" She screamed out as she grew closer to the edge; Sam seemed to sense it because he adds one then another finger, pushing them deep inside of her. His lips moved to her neck, sucking right below her ear.

"I want you Merce, I know we shouldn't, but I want you so bad."

Her face turned to his cutting off his words, hushing him with a kiss. "I want you too."

Mercedes let her hands run up Sam's chest as to enforce her words. He moved over her, snuggling between her thighs and not hesitating to replace his fingers with his rock-hard shaft. They exhaled together as Sam pulled all the way out just to slam back into her. Mercedes yelped, arching up as Sam repeated the process. While the first time was hurried but sweet, this time was rough and slow. Sam took his time torturing her body with pleasure. Building her upright to the cusp just to pull back so he could work her right back up.

"Sam, please."

She begged, needing to cum with him for him.

Her tongue tangled with his as his thrusts became erratic. "So close, Merce, cum for me."

Sam begged and hit her spot repeatedly until she came, screaming out his name, and Sam followed suit. Their breathing labored as they both slowly came down from their high. Snuggling close together, Sam kissed her forehead, and they both fell into a peaceful sleep for the rest of the night.

Mercedes awoke, laying against Sam. She wanted to stay there, wanted to stay in his arms, but she knew he needed to get up in time to get to the airport. Waking Sam up, she stepped out of bed and grabbed his bag.

"Sam, your flight leaves in a few hours."

"My flight?"

Mercedes nodded. "I booked you a flight for early afternoon. Since we both have to shower so I can take you, we should get going."

Sam shook his head, "Thanks for that, but you don't have to take me."

"Sam, your sister is hurt."

"Yes, my sister is, and I can get a cab to the airport so I can be there for my family. You have things here you need to take care of."

Mercedes frowned. "Sam, you come first, you know that. Always."

"And yet you don't. I am leaving you to go to my sister, so obviously, things change."

Mercedes tried not to let his words sting. "Sam, this is a situation I understand. And after last night, I figured we both wanted the same thing."

Sam shook his head. "We don't. Like I said, you have your life, and I have mines. Let me go shower so I can get back to it."

Mercedes stood speechless as Sam left to shower. She tried again to get him to let her take him to the airport, but he refused and noted that her car wasn't fixed and she should see about doing that.