Thank you for your continued support of this little lock-down madness and my other stories.

Standard disclaimer.

This chapter gets a little bit hot near the end, but, I think these moments are turning points in both Sam's and Mercedes' lives, especially Mercedes'.

Sam arrived around seven and we headed out to the Mexican restaurant.

He still wore his work attire...dark-wash jeans and black fitted shirt, along with his motorcycle boots.

His hair was unruly, just the way I liked it, and when I first laid eyes on him, tonight, I stifled a sigh.

We made our way down First Street, with Sam talking about the tattoo parlor and his art, and then, Adrian discussing the upcoming basketball season.

I felt light, happy, and proud, to have my two favorite boys spending the evening together, getting to know each other.

I hoped they could each see, what I admired in the other.

Sam reached for my hand.

"Can I tag along to one of your brother's games this season?" He ran his thumb along the inside of my palm, leaving me momentarily breathless.

"That would be really cool," Adrian said. I was still lost in the feel of his fingers holding my hand.

I could tell my brother liked Sam. Admired him, even.

He seemed to be asking nonstop questions, and looking for college advice, too.

And I guess, it made sense, since Adrian had never really had a positive male presence in his life. Maybe, he and Sam could become friends.

Unless Sam and I didn't work out...which was likely, given my fucked-up history.

But, I had a feeling, Sam would remain friends with him regardless.

The thought of not having him in my life, filled me with such melancholy, I had to inhale sharply through my nose, to keep me focused.

But, I needed to start being honest with myself, because it was undeniable. I was falling for Sam Evans. Fuck me!

At the restaurant we overindulged on chips and salsa, and Sam and I drank a whole pitcher of margaritas by ourselves.

Adrian asked, if he could have a taste of one and I gave him a stern look.

Sam shook his head and laughed.

"You do realize, Mercedes, that Adrian has probably been around beer and weed? I mean, what were you doing senior year?"

"Yeah, sis." Adrian smirked. "You don't have to worry, you know I'm responsible. But every now and again..." I covered my ears with both of my hands.

"I don't want to hear about it."

Sam's mouth dropped open and he nudged my knee under the table.

"I've never seen this side of you." I made a face at him.

"What side?"

"The protective, motherly side," he said. "I kind of like it."

"She can be a bigger pain in the ass, than our own mother," Adrian said. I pointed an accusing finger at him.

"Hey, somebody's got to be."

Adrian and Angela laughed and then started talking about, a huge homework assignment due Monday, in one of their shared classes at school.

I felt Sam staring at me, a lopsided grin plastered on his lips.

"What?"

"Nothing." He kissed my hair and then brought his mouth to my ear.

"Does this mean, there's a possibility you'd take care of me someday, too? Protect my heart, just as fiercely?"

His words stole my breath away.

I swallowed roughly.

I wanted to admit that, yes, I was beginning to feel that way about him.

I didn't want to hurt him, or see him harmed, by anyone else, either.

"There's always a possibility." I found I couldn't meet his eyes.

He lifted my chin and I saw my longing reflected in his gaze.

I was overwhelmed by the immediate closeness of him, and the feeling was staggering.

His knee brushing mine, his breath against my ear...in that moment, I realized, I didn't want to be anywhere else in the world, except next to him.

My hand slid to his thigh, and he hissed through his teeth.

"What are you thinking right now, five words or less?" he murmured.

My lips immediately sought out his ear.

I couldn't tell him how I was losing my mind over him.

Losing my fucking brain over my feelings for him. Not yet.

So instead, I told him how damn much I wanted him.

"I'm...wondering...how...you...taste."

"Jesus, Mercedes." His fingers grasped the back of my neck, as his forehead angled toward mine. "Now, I'm as hard as a rock."

I was so turned on, I gripped the armrest to get ahold of myself.

Sam shifted away from me and adjusted himself.

"I'm going to the ladies' room," I said, standing on wobbly legs.

"I'll go with you," Angela said.

We stood side by side, in front of the mirror, and I noticed my flushed cheeks.

Angela, who was applying lip gloss, smiled at me.

"You and Sam are so cute together."

I grinned and dotted my freckles with powder.

"And I hope you don't mind me saying this, but...Sam is smoking hot." I pointed my lip gloss at her, playfully.

"Hey, eyes on your own prize."

"No argument there." She sighed. "You brother is gorgeous. I can get so lost in those eyes of his."

I cringed.

"Not sure I can hear this." Her cheeks reddened.

"Sorry."

"No, don't apologize," I said, and turned to her. "I'm happy Adrian has you."

"That means the world to me." Her face grew serious. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of him."

I nodded my thanks, but I was already pretty confident, he could take care of himself.

Sam dropped us off at my door and gave me a chaste kiss on the lips, that didn't quite satisfy my craving for him.

"See you tomorrow," he said, looking right into my eyes. We stood that way for a few seconds and then, reluctantly parted.

Minutes later, I got Adrian and Angela settled in the living room.

They were now cuddled on the couch, clicking through TV channels, to find a good movie.

"Just so you know, sis, I'm gonna sleep on the couch, and Angela's gets the mattress."

"Adrian, I don't care if you sleep on the same mattress. Listen, I've been there. Sometimes it's nice to sleep next to the person you care about."

My words were strangely reminiscent of Sam saying, how nice it'd been, sleeping next to someone, after that first night in his bed.

"We'll figure it out," Adrian said, a bit flustered. "So, um, I really like Sam."

"I'm glad. What do you like about him?" I asked. I was curious what my brother saw in him. Were they the same things I saw?

"He's cool, mature, and a decent guy." Adrian ticked off Sam's qualities on his fingers, as he spoke. "And I can tell he adores you, sis. Do...do you feel the same?"

"I...I might." Suddenly, I wanted to see Sam, right that instant.

To show him how much I craved his company. How much I cared.

And maybe, even reveal what was deeply hidden...my longing, my doubts...how his nearness was overpowering, because, it filled up the hollow places inside of me.

"Which reminds me," I mumbled. "I...I'll be right back. I forgot to tell Sam something."

I flew out the door, before they could see how flushed I'd become.

I needed to hold Sam. Kiss him. Taste him. I was nearly blinded by my desire for him.

When Sam pulled open his door, he seemed bowled over to see me. "What are you..."

Before he could get the words out, my lips were on his.

I walked him backwards, into his apartment, shut the door with my foot, and forced him hard, against the wall.

"Mercedes...?" he moaned into my mouth.

I started yanking his shirt over his head, and saw goose bumps swell across his skin. He allowed me to take the shirt off and I flung it across the room.

I licked and sucked his neck, before dragging my tongue down his chest, stopping to flick against each of his nipples and watched how they hardened in response.

Sam knocked his head against the wall.

"Jesus..."

I felt powerful, in ways I hadn't ever experienced before. And it was a major turn-on.

When I continued down Sam's stomach, his breaths shot out fast and hard.

I kissed along the path of the tornado on his rib cage, and his stomach trembled in my wake.

Then, I trailed my tongue along his hip bone, turning him to continue on to his back.

I was determined to get a decent look at his hourglass tattoo.

I studied it, caressing it with my fingers.

It was outlined in black, with the sand inside a burnt orange hue.

The hourglass itself was misshaped...almost like it was melted...just like the one in his drawing.

"Tell me about this one," I whispered. He was trying so hard to control his breathing.

"I've...always been interested...in the concept of bending time." I slid my hands along his waistline, while he panted.

"There's a saying that goes like this...the hourglass freezes in moments of sorrow. Races along in moments of bliss..."

He spun and pulled me to my feet. Cupping my cheeks, he gazed into my eyes.

"...the very concept of time is a demand. That you own it, savor it, mean it. Before you waste it...or it wastes you."

Then, he fused his mouth to mine.

His kiss so intense, it was as if, I was unraveling from the inside.

Like he was siphoning my breath out of my body.

He broke the kiss, and we stood gasping against each other.

"That was totally hot," I mumbled. He reached around my waist.

"You're totally hot."

My fingers inched to his waistband, and I fastened my eyes on his.

"I want my mouth on you."

He sucked in a harsh breath.

"I want to taste every part of you. Will you let me?"

"Holy shit! Mercedes. When you put it like that..."

His eyes turned dark with want, and I felt the tickle of need between my legs.

But, tonight was all about him.

I worked to unbutton his jeans, then tugged them down, and he kicked them off his legs.

His cotton boxers were molded to his shape, and I could see the anticipation bulging beneath them.

My fingers stroked him through the fabric, and his head rolled back with a shudder.

When I pulled them off, he stood stark naked before me and never had I seen anyone, as breathtaking in my life.

"God, you're amazing. I could look at you all day long," I confessed.

He yanked my face to his, and his tongue lapped against mine in a deep, powerful kiss.

I felt him hard and taut against my stomach, as I walked him backward to the couch.

I positioned myself on my knees between his legs and stared into his hooded eyes. He was devastatingly handsome.

"I can't believe you're here," he whispered.

His hand snaked to my neck, and he freed my hair from its ponytail. My dark locks fell around my shoulders like a curtain, and he twirled the ends with his fingers.

"You're like a dream," he said.

As my fingers traveled up his thighs, to fasten around him, his shaft involuntarily twitched in expectation.

"I want you to come inside my mouth," I said.

"Fuck, baby," fell from his lips and I watched them tremble, as I dragged my tongue up the length of him.

When I swirled my tongue around the head, he closed his eyes and groaned, long and low.

Inch by inch, I took him into my mouth, until I felt him hit the back of my throat.

I bobbed up and down, in a steady rhythm, my fingers low on his shaft.

"Oh God, Mercedes..." He fisted my hair in his fingers, careful not to press too hard.

"Mmmm...you taste good." When I closed my lips around his tip, his breaths became frantic, and I knew he was close.

"I've never swallowed for a guy before." I looked into his eyes. "You'd be my first."

With that, I plunged my mouth down the length of him, in rapid succession and that was the tipping point.

He cried out, as warm salty liquid shot past my lips and I lapped up every single drop.

He let out a deep groan, that made the hairs stand on the back of my neck.

"Baby, that...no one's ever...that was incredible!" he said, in awe, as well as the other emotions he was currently feeling.

He pulled me onto to his lap and I straddled him.

And held him against me, until his breaths became slow and steady.

Stay safe, stay home and stay blessed. Much love to you.