Thank you for your continued support. Once again, I hope this chapter finds you and yours in good health and happiness.

Warning: It's getting hot in here...

Standard disclaimer.

I followed Sam's care instructions to the letter, the next couple of days.

'Don't wear tight clothing. Keep the tattoo moist, using over-the-counter medicine, and expose it to air, as much as possible.'

The heart had scabbed over and was healing nicely.

And I couldn't stop admiring it, every chance I got. I even allowed Mrs. Jackson to peek at it.

She continued to recover from her latest mini stroke and was becoming more animated every day.

"Girl, I'm so proud of you. That boy is gonna to have some fun, with you and that tattoo."

"Mrs. Jackson, you're making me blush."

"Stop playing. You don't blush. You just can't wait to get home to him tonight."

It was true.

Sam had kept in touch with me, from his home, the last couple of days, but I missed him.

They'd had the family meeting and Henry and his mother had made up.

Also, Henry was willing to stick around and raise his twins.

'Until the next big fight.'

Sam's mom, was as much a work in progress, as was mine.

My mom had been different on the phone with me, since the restraining order ordeal.

She was more honest, less critical, and maybe, even a bit scared, of getting involved with another guy like Tom.

But that didn't stop her from trolling the bars every weekend.

I encouraged her to change all the locks, just in case, Tom still had a spare key, and she agreed to call a locksmith, before the hearing next week.

She even agreed to sign up for a local self-defense class.

But, I had a feeling she wouldn't follow through with it. Baby steps.

Sam had gotten back that morning, while I was at work and said, he'd be stopping over at my apartment, after his last tattoo appointment, to check on his handiwork.

I had a pharmacology test to study for, so I brought my textbook to work, to get a head start, during my lunch.

Waiting for him now, felt like the first time I'd seen him.

Butterflies were battering my sides, to get out of my stomach, and I was nervous, I'd say, or do the wrong thing, to mess it all up again.

But when I let him inside, all of my nervousness flowed out of me and was replaced by excitement.

He was so stunning and sexy, and I knew I wanted him in my life, for a long, long time.

I just hoped he felt the same way.

"God, I've missed you," he said, his gaze caressing me with such tenderness.

I focused on the curve of his jaw, the angle of his cheekbones, and the devotion stirring behind his green eyes.

There was a little apprehension, hidden there as well and that only made me want him more.

This boy had gathered the pieces of my heart, that had been scattered in the wind and tucked them in the safe pocket of his hand.

And now, it was time to treat his heart, with the same gentleness.

"Mercedes, I want..." He closed the distance between us. "...I need to touch you."

He cupped my cheeks and brought his lips to mine.

His kiss was slow, hesitant, delicious...and wholly intoxicating.

When I opened my eyes, he brushed a stray hair from my cheek and gazed at me in adoration.

My hands tangled in his hair, and I drew his mouth towards mine again.

The feel of my tongue, stroking hungrily against his, made him hum with desire.

His hands became more insistent, as he tugged my hair out of its ponytail and trailed his thumbs along my neck, making me shiver to my very core.

His fingers moved to my waist and back, exploring, before finally landing on the buttons of my shirt.

One by one he unfastened them, as his lips whispered against my collarbone and the tops of my breasts.

He peeled my shirt from my shoulders, along with my bra straps, and then licked and nipped the tender skin there.

After removing my bra, he swirled his tongue around one of my hardened peaks, while I clutched his shoulders.

When he moved to my other breast, he bit down lightly, and my knees buckled beneath me.

But, he grabbed my waist and pulled me to him, saying,

"I've got you, baby."

His lips found mine again, and he moved us backwards, into my bedroom.

"I need to check on my masterpiece," he whispered.

When he nudged me back on the bed, my fever for him continued to build, ready to consume me.

He pulled my leggings down to my knees and then slid them off my legs.

I reached for him to remove his shirt, and he lifted it over his head, then, laid next to me.

And I marveled at his smooth chest and tight stomach.

He gently shifted my underwear down my hips, and then pulled back for a look at his handiwork.

"Damn, that's sexy," he said, in a low tone and my heart flipped.

He shifted, hovering over me and reached for my hands, tugging them above my head, lacing our fingers together.

Then, he kissed me again, this time long and deep.

His desire, was like an undercurrent, humming through him and transferring to me.

"Mercedes, I have this overwhelming need...to be inside of you," he stated.

I melted into the covers, my body becoming liquid.

"Will you let me?"

I knew what he was asking, without him saying the exact words.

He wanted me to be his first.

He was giving me his body.

And I was desperate to feel him inside of me.

I wanted him so badly it ached.

But, part of me still worried, whether I'd be enough...be everything he needed me to be. Because, he deserved that and more.

"God...Sam." My voice was shaky, my breathing shallow. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, baby," he whispered. "I want you. I want you to be mine."

I yanked his head down in a frantic kiss, trying to convey everything I was feeling in that moment.

He was putting his faith in me, and I wanted to cherish it. Nurture it. Worship it.

I leaned back, as he unbuttoned his jeans and slipped out of them, along with his boxers.

He was naked before me and I couldn't help but appreciate the view.

His sturdy shoulders and his strapping arms, were contrasted by his delicate hipbones, that led down to all that was divinely him.

He grabbed hold of my ankles and gently tugged me to the edge of the bed.

Then, he positioned himself over me.

I gasped, as he flicked his tongue along the length of my torso and dipped below my navel, careful not to touch my tattoo, which would still be tender for a few more days.

I tried reaching out my hand to touch his chest, but he backed away.

"No," he said. "You. All of you. Your soft milk chocolate skin, you perfect breasts, your taste, your smell...your heart."

Then, his hands were on my knees, nudging them apart, and his gaze fastened on the area between my legs.

He swept kisses along the inside of my thighs and watched, as my breaths grew desperate.

Next, his tongue dipped down and tasted me. I moaned and tensed beneath his mouth.

He softly parted me with his thumbs and swept his tongue over me, and then inside of me, as I whimpered and squirmed, practically coming unglued.

My back arched off the bed, as I reached for him, begging him with my eyes.

I wanted him inside of me, that very instant.

But it needed to be on his terms, not mine.

He looked at me with such need, such want, and such affection.

And I knew what this meant to him.

He had told me, he was waiting for love, and though he hadn't uttered those precise words, his eyes conveyed everything.

I was bursting with emotion for him, and I hoped it was reflected in my eyes as well.

"Mercedes, I didn't exactly plan this. Do you have a condom?"

I motioned to my bedside table, almost embarrassed, that I was so prepared.

He removed the foil wrapper and then fumbled with the condom. I put it down to nerves.

So, I took it from his fingers, unrolled it, and pulled it over his taut skin.

He was so hard and ready, he was trembling with need.

I slid my body up the bed, to my pillows, reaching for his hand, asking him to join me.

His crawled up to me and then crushed his lips into mine.

"I want you so damn bad," he growled.

He positioned himself between my legs, and I was panting from anticipation.

His eyes pressed into mine, with a silent question.

He was asking my permission...making sure I wanted this, too.

"Yes, please," I moaned. "All of you. Only you."

And then, he urged his tip inside of me, and I shuddered against the feel of it.

He kept his eyes locked on mine, as he pushed in deeper and deeper, filling me completely.

His mouth fell open in heavy breaths.

"Jesus, Mercedes, you feel fucking incredible."

I was overcome with the emotion of him being nestled inside me.

It felt different, to anything I'd ever experienced, and my eyes became glassy and full, from the pure wonder of it.

It may have been his first time, but, in a way, it was my first time, too.

He rocked his hips gently against me, sliding almost all the way out and then driving himself back in.

"Fuck, baby, I'm so deep, " he muttered.

The feeling was indescribable, and a familiar tension pulsed low in my belly.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and rocked against him, in a slow, seductive rhythm.

He leaned down and claimed my mouth, in a profound and meaningful kiss.

"You're so warm, Mercedes. God...so warm."

I couldn't utter a word.

I was lost.

The only thing I knew in that moment, was him.

Is this what making love to the person you loved, felt like?

Well then, I've been missing out, because, I wanted to feel this way forever.

"Sam..." I moaned, and his eyes found mine. They were filled with so much love.

He leaned in and softly kissed my lips and pulled back, to accelerate his actions.

He seemed to have let loose at that moment, throwing his hips into overdrive.

My hands went to his strong back, just as he found my sweet spot, and kept hitting it, over and over again, driving me to the edge.

My legs tightened around his trim hips, as he finally drove me to my breaking point.

And I came with a violent shudder, all around him, and his name on my lips.

Sam became still for a beat, relishing the feel of me tightening and pulsing around him, with complete and utter awe in his eyes.

"Oh God, Mercedes..." He thrust himself back inside of me, the tempo controlled and deliberate.

Again and again, he drove into me, moving with supreme skill and graceful fluidity, so much so, I almost forgot he was new at this.

"You...I...Jesus! This is unbelievable!" he all but screamed.

Watching him get his release, was a thing of pure beauty.

His lips were opened, his pretty eyes unfocused, and his chest shuddering from sheer pleasure.

He collapsed on top of me, raining warm kisses on my lips, my jaw, and my neck.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he whispered against my ear.

And I tightened my grasp around his neck.

"Don't move. Not yet," I mumbled. "I want to feel you just like this." He complied.

We laid that way until our breaths slowed and our limbs were less fluid.

Before he fell asleep that night, Sam mumbled my name over and over.

And I felt my heart unfurling, smoothing out, blossoming...into an unblemished kind of love.

I don't know about you guys, but to me, that was simply beautiful.

Stay safe, stay home and stay blessed.