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Mercedes awoke in a dark room, wrapped in Sam's arms. She tried to move, but he had entangled himself with her to the point of her just giving up and laying back, listening to him breathe.

"You know you should run. The man gave you every chance to get out. So I have to know, are you doing this to find me or because you are falling for him?"

Mercedes closed her eyes, not wanting to deal with that question; it was one she had not wanted to think about.

"Sooner or later, this is gonna bite you in the ass just like Sam did last night. Instead of wasting time trying to get with Sam, you should be trying to find me."

Mercedes frowned. "I am trying."

"Not hard enough." Quinn hissed.

Sam stirred in her arms, waking up with a start and staring down at Mercedes, confused for a moment. He looked around, remembering where he was, and slowly put his guard down.

"What time is it?"

Mercedes shrugged. "I don't know…we fell asleep after you pretty much rocked my world."

"I fell asleep?" Sam frowned, untangling himself from Mercedes.

Mercedes nodded, looking at her phone. "It's a little after four in the morning, and we must have been asleep for hours."

Sam shook his head. "That can't be right." He reached to grab his phone and cursed as he looked at it.

"Sam? What's going on?"

Sam looked at her and shook his head before sending off a few texts. "I can't do this again, and I can't be around you."

Mercedes sighed, grabbing the blanket and covering herself. "You about done with this?"

Sam looked at her menacingly. "Excuse you?"

She sat up in the bed, running her hands through her hair. "Sam, it's clear that there is something between us. Clear that you and I are just…drawn to each other, and it scares the shit out of me. But I am still here; you seem to be a bit of a coward. Running because you don't like the feeling of needing anyone."

Sam glared at her. "Shut up."

Mercedes shook her head. "No!"

Sam growled, moving to the bed at lightning speed and climbing on top of her. "What did you say to me? You seem to forget who is the Dom and who is the sub in this situation; you do as I say, not the other way around." He spat.

Mercedes swallowed, staring at him. His arms held hers down as she blinked back, staring at him. "Sam, I'm... I'm sorry I know that I came out of left field because you did too. But I have to believe that we came into each other's life for a reason. If you want to leave, then leave. But I won't play this game. Don't find me again, and don't seek me out. Because I won't be here when you return…."

"Dammit, Mercedes!" Sam growled as his fingers tightened, gripping her arms. "You are a weakness to me! I don't fall asleep anywhere but in my bed, and never soundly. I am always aware of my surrounding of my enemies, and with you, my guard vanishes. You make me weak."

She nodded. "Then go."

Sam stared down at her, and his grip loosened as he did. "I am not used to this. Women don't affect me like you do; they don't mean anything more than something to do when I am bored. I never wanted someone….I never needed…."

Mercedes stared up at him. "I'm right here…." She said softly, wrapping her leg around him.

He moved closer to her, leaning down on her. "The last woman who I was close to was used and tortured to get to me."

Mercedes's heart broke at his words, as they were small and weak in a way that Sam had never sounded to her.

"So forgive me if I don't want another weakness like that." He said, pushing off the bed and moving away from her.

Mercedes moved closer to Sam, terrified that the answer to her question would be Quinn, but she needed to know. "Who was it?"

Sam looked at her. "Not here. Come to my place with me."

"You have a place here?"

Sam smirked. "I have a place everywhere."

"Sam, you are safe here; no one will bother you; they haven't, have they?"

Sam sat on the bed and pulled her to his lap. "You aren't going to make any of this easy, are you?"

She straddled him. "I'm here. I know you aren't used to this, but I am."

Sam moved her hair out of her face, sitting silently for a long while, just holding her. Mercedes wasn't sure how long it was before he spoke, but she was unprepared for what he said.

"It was my mom, and they tortured her to find me, and she never gave me up." He said, staring at her. "When I got my hands on the bastards who dared hurt her, I truly embraced being a monster."

"Is she? Your mom, did they?"

Sam sighed. "After what they did to her, she wasn't the same; she's been in a treatment center ever since." He looked at Mercedes. "You are now only the second person to learn the truth about her…to know that I murdered her attackers with my bare hands for touching her. That I smiled as I watched the life leave their eyes. Are you still sure you want me?"

Mercedes looked down at his hands, then back up at him. "My brother is an alcoholic because of me. My mom left when I was young, and I tried my best to be there for my siblings, best friend, and dad." She linked her fingers with his. "There was this guy named Jack. He was my brother's best friend. But he was also a creep, someone who… well, he was a bad guy."

Sam lifted her face to his. "What did he do to you?"

She tried to look away, but Sam wouldn't let her. "Tell me, Mercedes."

"He attacked me…forced himself…I said no, but he thought all the consent he needed was my flirting. I told my brother, and he called me a liar and said I was trying to tear his friend down… then he attacked my best friend, and I lost it. I beat him badly; if my brother hadn't stopped me, I would have…I would have…." She sighed. "My brother felt so guilty for not believing me that I don't think he's ever forgiven himself."

"That is not on you; it's on him. He failed you, and it's a devastating feeling as someone who has failed a loved one." Sam said. "But that doesn't take away what happened to you."

"I was fine; I am fine."

Sam smirked, shaking his head. "No, you aren't. He didn't get caught, did he?"

She exhaled. "No. After I attacked him, his father told my dad it was best we let bygones be bygones, he got his jaw rewired, and I got attacked. It evened out. Can you believe that bullshit? And he just said okay."

Sam leaned in and kissed her softly. "You did something."

She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"We may not have known each other long, but I know you well enough to know that you didn't let it go. What did you do?"

"I had this friend, well he's more like a brother who used to use his tech-savvy powers for evil…we created an untraceable email, and anytime he started dating someone or showed interest, an email would go to that woman letting her know he was an abuser and to steer clear. And it may have rolled over to dating apps… It's not what he deserved, but it made me feel like I was doing something."

Sam kissed her, "You deserved to get your revenge. Still do."

Mercedes gave him a half smile. "I am just saying we are all capable of something dark."

"Come back to New York with me. I don't want to leave without you." Sam said, not asking.

Mercedes nodded. "I guess I better start packing."

Sam shook his head no as he lifted her from the bed, her thighs still wrapped around him. "No need for that. Anything you need, I will provide. Besides, our car will be here in an hour or so; I'd much rather use that time for something else."

Mercedes moaned, feeling Sam's hands grip her ass as he pressed himself into her.

"You're mine. All mine." He growled.

Mercedes lounged around the pool, letting the sun beat down on her as she relaxed. She had been with Sam for the past two weeks, and while she may not have gotten information on Quinn, she and Sam had grown closer. She felt a pair of eyes on her, and she smirked, looking up and seeing Sam. His home was gorgeous, with two stories, 5 bedrooms, a gym, a theater, meditation, and a sauna.

She joked that his house was a mini resort, and she didn't mind being there.

Standing from the chair, she stood, removed her wrap, and dived into the pool; she swam, putting on a show, knowing he was watching her, debating if she should swim naked. Coming out of the water, she frowned, seeing another pair of eyes on her. Sam's right-hand man, Puck. The man leered at her, and she tried her best to ignore it. Swimming to the edge, she dove deep, trying to relax, but when she came up, he was closer.

"Mmm, you know, I could watch you swim all day long." He smirked.

"What do you want? I thought I made myself clear about how I felt about you last time you leered at me like a pervert."

"I just like what I see…You know Sam won't mind if we…got to know each other. I know I came off pretty strong last time, and I am sorry about that."

Climbing out of the water, she sighed, grabbing her towel. This man didn't know when to walk away, and that was going to be his downfall.

He moved closer to her. "But you need to realize what your role is here; you are here for Sam's enjoyment and, sometimes, mine. When you agreed to be here, you entered an agreement to give in whenever I want. All of Sam's previous women understood that, and it's time you did too."

Mercedes nodded. "Uh-huh, okay, well, here is my counteroffer." She punched him in his throat, spun around, kicked his feet from under him, and then stepped on his throat. "I told you not to touch me, and you just don't get the memo. I am not here for you, nor am I here for your enjoyment. My body is here for Sam's. I do not want to have this conversation again. Because next time I won't hold back."

Puck grabbed her foot, struggling to push her off of him, but she pushed harder, staring at him. "Do you got me!"

"Yes!" He screamed out breathlessly as she pressed down on his throat harder for good measure.

"Mercedes."

Mercedes looked up and saw Sam staring at her, and she raised an eyebrow at him. "Yes?"

"You've made your point. Come with me."

Sam turned and walked away. Mercedes removed her foot, looking down at Puck. "And I don't want ever to have to have this conversation again."

She walked inside and followed Sam down a hall; she silently watched him as he led her to his master bath and turned the water on. He undid his belt as she turned towards him, not saying a word as he tossed his belt to the side and unbuttoned his shirt. "You know, I find you extremely sexy," Sam said. "But seeing you man-handled Puck…."

Sam moved to her removing her swimsuit. "Get in the shower. Now."

Mercedes nodded, moving into the huge shower, the rain shower head falling on them.

Sam smiled. "I want to watch you."

She raised an eyebrow. "Watch?"

Sam smirked with a nod. "I want to watch you tease yourself. Touch yourself. I want to see that strong, beautiful woman who doesn't need a man to cum."

Mercedes exhaled as she ran her hands up her body, stopping at her breast, pinching and tugging on her nipple as her eyes met Sam's.

"Just like that, baby," Sam said, watching as her hand traveled down to the apex of her thighs, letting his own hand fall to his cock, stroking himself.

Mercedes let a moan leave her lips as her finger ran over her slit. Sam moved closer to her. "Move to the wall."

She did what he said and his hand moved down her body. "Sex to me is all about control." He said as one hand wrapped around her throat and the other tugged at her breast. "I get my fill, and then if she's earned it, I satisfy. But with you…all I want to do is satisfy you the way you do me."

"Please.." Mercedes whimpered.

Sam nipped at her lip as his cock brushed her clit.

"Satisfy me…please… I need you." She begged.

Sam smiled. "I will, and I will do it my way. I am gonna fuck you while I choke you, and I want to show you how pleasure and pain coincide with each other."

Mercedes nodded as Sam used his free hand to pull her hips around his waist, thrusting deep inside of her as his hand tightened around her throat. Excitement and fear coursed through her as Sam fucked her against the wall while he pressed her neck harder.

Mercedes gasped for air as the pleasure mounted, and everything was heightened; Mercedes felt her eyes roll into the back of her head. "Yes." She managed to breathe out.

Sam slammed into her cumming hard as he pushed her over the edge to her climax with him. Sam pulled her closer, smiling. "You are fucking perfect." He said, kissing her neck where his hands were.

Mercedes let her head fall back as he lathered up his soap on a loofah and rubbed it all over her body. "Mmm, that feels good," she murmured.

Sam turned her around and did the same with her backside. Making sure to clean every inch of her. Mercedes turned, grabbing his loofah and doing the same with him. Cleaning him from head to toe.

As Sam wrapped them in fluffy towels, he led her to his bedroom. "No one has ever cleaned me like that."

Mercedes smiled as he laid her on his bed. "I want to take care of you like you do me, Sam. I want to protect you."

"You can't protect me, baby, not really."

She nodded; she hadn't felt this conflicted ever. She was supposed to be finding out about Quinn, but all she wanted was for Sam to be hers.

Sam moved from the bed to his safe and smiled, looking at her. "You know, it's been a long time since I felt at ease with someone." He handed her a small box.

She stared at him before taking it. "What's this?"

"It was my grandmother's and then my mom's." He said.

Mercedes opened it, gasping as she saw a solid gold heart locket with a diamond rose in the middle. "It's beautiful, Sam."

He took it from her hand and moved her hair as he placed it on her. "I want you to have it so you know that you belong to me. Only me."

She turned towards him and smiled. "Only you?"

Sam hovered over her, kissing her soundly. "Mines. No one touches you, loves on you, fucks you but me."

"Your guy didn't get the memo." She said as Sam spread her thighs.

"I'm sure you were loud and clear, and don't worry, if you weren't, I will be. Puck is my most loyal guy, but if he fucks with you again, he will regret it." Sam said, pushing deep inside of her.

Mercedes nodded as a moan left her lips; Sam pulled her closer to him. "You are safe with me, Mercedes. I promise."

"You're safe with me, too, Sam." She said, fully submitting to him. She was in it now; there was no going back.