Happy Holidays from me to you! As a gift have a long chapter 14 and enjoy as Samcedes moves a little closer. Remember to be safe and enjoy time with your family and friends. Stay blessed and review.

Monday morning came all too quickly for Sam, he got himself up as early as before, showered dressed in one of his shirts over a skintight white tee and jeans and grabbed the rest of his things. Mercedes had avoided him while she was at Simon's and had she been anyone else. She might have given up, but he was determined.

Today, he would make her spend time with him, whether she liked it or not. Leaving the room after grabbing his things, she made his way to right where the night desk clerk said she would be in the morning. He shook his head watching her for a moment, her head was buried in a file, he could see her usually iced orange just had been watered down, and could tell her food have probably grown cold. She worked way too hard.

"Good Morning Mercedes, care if I join you?"

She looked up started, the earrings she wore shook against her skin. "Sam?"

He tapped the earrings in her ear with a smile. "You don't normally wear earrings like that, do you?" He had noticed them yesterday.

"No I don't." She said sounding breathless.

"You should wear them more often, they are really pretty." He tapped the chair next to her. "Can I sit here?"

She nodded. "Uh yeah, sorry, I am not thinking clearly right now." she placed her file on top of her notebook, as a waiter came to the table with a smiled placing a glass of orange juice in front of him..

"Good Morning Mr. Evans, should I get your usual?"

Sam nodded. "Yes, thank you."

The waiter left as SAm took a drink as Mercedes folded her hands together. "You realize that you are turning into a morning person right?"

Sam laughed. "Just don't tell anyone."

The waiter returned with a huge tray as another cleared away Mercedes uneaten food. He sat down Belgian waffles with strawberries, maple bacon, scrambled eggs for Sam, and wheat bread, scrambled eggs and sausage for Mercedes. They both smiled and said thank you.

Sam looked to her plate. "I take it your food gets cold often?"

She shrugged as she picked up her fork. "Sometimes."

Sam sighed, Mercedes took care of everyone, but what about her? No one seemed to take the job. "What are you working on?"

"Just a business venture. We should eat, nothing makes Henri happier than people enjoying his food."

"We do have that in common." Sam said starting to eat. "Good job changing the subject."

She smiled towards him. "You were always perceptive."

Sam sighed internally, she was stubborn and he wondered if she had always been this way. He bit into his waffle and smiled wiping his mouth. "How did you enjoy the cookout?'"

"It was fun, Mike Eldridge is going to let me use some of his works for the Hotel."

Sam rolled his eyes. "Eldridge was flirting with you." Sam said annoyed that that thought of it still annoyed him, the man walked in there and took Mercedes to the side telling her that her eyes resembled dark pools of mystery and intrigue.

"He was flirting wasn't he?"

Sam put his fork down wiping his mouth. "That man is a womanizer."

Mercedes smiled. "Hey he is built and looks like Shemar Moore, he can be that. He was mighty sad I turned down his offer to do my portrait."

Sam scoffed. "He does landscapes not portraits."

Faith took a bit of her eggs. "That is why he said it would be an honor."

"That man if full of it."

Mercedes laughed. "Maybe he is, but then again maybe he isn't. Anyways how is the bathroom coming?"

Sam rolled his eyes, she was falling for that old man's BS. Shemar looking or not he was 40. He wasn't going to let her be taken in by him. He wasn't going to let her be hurt by him, or any man for that matter, "Oh I am thinking of taking everyone's suggestions and remodel the place."

She looked up to him and smiled. "You are? I thought you were just getting some new fixtures I mean you are anxious to have it finished you know?"

"Well what can I say, the hotel has spoiled me. So I have decided to have my bathroom remodeled kind of like the one in my bathroom, and you and the designer of this place worked together right?"

Mercedes nodded. "Yes, we did, I pretty much told her what I wanted and we figured it out together."

Sam knew she had, Cam boasted about how Mercedes pretty much lead the charge for every phase of the extensive renovations at the hotel, three years before. "I know you are busy , but would you mind coming over this morning and giving me your opinion? If my mom hears I am redecorating she will have that designer up her quick fast and in a hurry."

Mercedes shrugged. "She's single I supposed.

Sam heard an annoyance in her voice that he could relate too. Mercedes knew how he felt about Marriage. "She owns her own study and has won numerous awards, blah blah blah, please Mercedes you gotta save me."

She glanced at him and chewed her bottom lip. Picking up her drink she smirked. "I might consider helping you."

"Name your price and it's yours." he said feeling victorious. She frowned and he knew she was thinking about attracting men and he just opened that door. She shrugged. "You know I haven't had a good steak in a long time."

Sam nodded. "It's yours, so when can I expect you?"

"I have a little bit of free time this morning, I could come see your space and then offer some suggestions."

"I knew you wouldn't let me down Mercedes, eat up and then we can walk over?"

Mercedes placed her cup down. "We can go now?"

"Uh no, you need to take better care of yourself so we are not moving until you eat."

She glanced at him raising an eyebrow at him, she was about to speak but then she stopped herself and grabbed her fork.

Sam smiled internally. Yep she was definitely stubborn, and she doesn't' like being told what to do. To bad for her he thought as she drank his orange juice.

30 minutes later Mercedes stood inside of Sam's bathroom going over in her head how they can expand the smaller room. His bathroom was simple. A sink, a shower and a toilet. He really needed help. She turned to the waiting men and shook her head.

"How do you not get claustrophobic in here? This place is small out of style and you need an upgrade."

Burt chuckled looking at Sam. "Told you she was smart."

Sam sighed, normally he would argue, but he has been spoiled by his suite. "I know you agree because its more money for you."

Burt sighed. "Trust me you will thank me once its all over, and Mercedes too."

She walked past the men and too his connecting walk in closet, which he didn't even remotely fill. The closet was twice the normal size. "What about this, we knock out the wall here that connects the bathroom and the closet. Expand your bathroom in here and split your closet. Even if you decide to change your mind and get married there will still be plenty of space." She moved out the closet and to the living room.

"But if you feel like you need more space for your closet here would work." she pointed to the dead space on the outside of the closet. It literally looked like it could have been a hallway to nowhere.

"And I know you just wanted to do the bathroom but if I were you I would replace the kitchen cabinet doors, or at least do it soon. The ones you have are so plain, you can use the solid cherry wood you have but get that glazed chocolate with the details. If you get it in the bathroom as well it will make the rooms flow. You should also put a decorative mirror in place of that medicine cabinet. Then you can get like a hardwood Cherry chest, a built in his and her sink. Get about five or six canned lights and you would be right at home."

Sam ran his hands through his hair. "Honestly I was just thinking like painting and tile?"

"Oh that too, but you should do wallpaper. I am thinking go with like black and nickel to match the kitchen. You can even add a touch of beige. I promise you will love it Sam." She said patting his shoulder.

"I hope so, how long will all that take Mr. Hummel?"

"Well the pipes came in last night, I can get a couple of helpers to tear everything out today and I know a carpenter who just finished a job… if what you want is in stock, with my added crew maybe five days?"

Mercedes smiled. "I can pick up a few samples and bring them tonight if we meet for dinner but you should probably see them in person.

"No you are busy with the hotel I could just get the pipes fixed and nothing more."

"Sam, this place is too small even for you, for a man who took so many risks with his restaurant and makes so many changes, with your recipes, but in your own life you are scared."

"I am not scared I just don't like change."

"Well I get that but you have to at least want a change to have me here."

Mercedes was mere inches from his body and she could feel the heat from his body and exhaled softly as his scent over took her. Needing to pull away from hims he stepped back moving out the room, Sam was pulling her in again and she couldn't feel that pain anymore.

Sam was slower to follow but the way he was staring at her caused her body to react weirdly. "What do you think Mr. Hummel?"

"You have the eye and I think it's really great, but Sam if you are uncertain, why don't you ask your mom."

Sam looked at him and shook his head. "No, and don't you tell her either. Go ahead and tear out the walls." He turned to Mercedes. "We can go over the samples."

Mercedes nodded going to the closet but Sam stopped her. "No you have done enough, I can help Mr. Hummel you go ahead home. I will see you tonight."

Mercedes glanced at him then sighed. "I will let you know what I come up with."

Sam shook his head. "I trust you so whatever you choose will be fine."

Mercedes nodded, how pitiful was this, she was helping Sam, fix up his place and remodel a bathroom he was going to share with the woman he was going to marry, she would do it and do it with no regrets.

She walked out the room and when she started closing the door she heard Mr. Hummel tell Sam "Mercedes is going to make some man a fine wife."

She waited for a moment but didn't hear what Sam said in reply.

She was standing him up again, it was closing time and Mercedes hadn't shown up. She called and told him she had samples for him to look over, though he liked her taste so he was gonna choose whatever she liked. At least Mr. Hummel was on time, everyone he called were able to come and help him, and the walls were busted out, as well as the cabinet doors. Stacy had gotten him some racks for his clothing and sent her maid to clean up all the dust.

Sam was heading to lock the door when his cell rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey Sam I am so sorry I can't make it."

"Merce are you okay?"

"No even close, an engagement party for 60 turned to 80 and of course the Mother of the Bride though it would be a snap to accommodate them all with food and desserts."

Sam ran his hands through his hair, he knew how that was. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Oh I have a number of things but none of them are legal."

Sam smiled sitting back in his chair. "I can only imagine."

"Henri is having a fit, he had to make the extra desserts which was a lot plus dinner. The florist helped with the flowers for the additional tables but dinner was late. And while things have settled I don't want to leave until everyone has left. And while the mother of the bride is happy, she won't be once she gets the additional bill because I know she didn't think we did all that for free.

"I understand, Don't worry about the samples I can go tomorrow with Stacy I guess."

"Oh I have the samples SAm, we can go over them for breakfast."

"All that and you still had time to grab them?"

"Yeah how do I do it?"

"I have no idea but I owe you, what time?"

"Umm 8? I have a full day."

"Okay that sounds good. Night.

"Night Sam."

Hanging up Sam sighed, Mercedes was doing all that work and he was certain she hadn't eaten, standing he moved to the kitchen to rectify that.

It was ten til midnight when Mercedes said goodbye to the last of the guest. She had been on her feet for 6 hours straight and all she wanted to do was soak in the tub and go to bed. Waving goodnight to the two night desk clerks she was stopped by Sunshine. "Mr. Evans left this or you."

From the awed expression on her face, she knew Sam had charmed her as he always did.

"Thank you."

She said removing the note. : Since you couldn't come to me, and we both know you didn't eat. I have food waiting for you in my suite. Sam

Mercedes sighed. He was so sweet but also so dense. That was the sign of a man though. She paused looking at the light through the sheer curtains. She knew avoiding him wouldn't work, she would still love him, even if the curse for the Jones clan meant love would never come to pass. You can't tell your heart not to love that's like telling yourself not to breath.

Smiling as she walked to his door she realized she wasn't tired at all. She stopped, turning to her home, glancing at herself in the mirror. She wore a black pencil skirt and silk blue top that she tucked in. Her 4 inch heels we're definitely going. Kicking off her heels she put her slippers on, then ruffled her hair and spritz herself with her perfume. Grabbing the samples she made her way to Sam's door, heart racing as she went to the door. It opened almost immediately. Her breath snagged seeing him standing in front of her, in t shirt and jeans, she couldn't stop her mind from wandering what exactly he hid under that skin tight shirt. It had been years since she had seen him shirtless.

"Hey so glad you could make it, let me grab those." He said grabbing the samples from her.

"You know me too well SAm, I truly didn't get to eat today so I am starving."

"Well have a seat, put your feet up and I will get your food."

Sam put the bags on the table and then went to the fridge. He grabbed the ingredients and started to make the chicken salad sandwiches that he knew she loved. He returned to the room with the dude and a lighter, it was then she realized the candle on the table. Sam smiled lighting it.

"I thought you were supposed to be sitting Miss!"

Mercedes smiled. "I just wanted to see if you needed any help."

"No I don't all you have to do is decide if you want to sit in the patio or on the sofa."

"Sofa." She said sitting down on the sofa. SAm grinned. "Love the shoes."

He said as she pulled her feet under her. She shrugged. "I was on my feet all day my shoes had to go."

Sam laughed shaking his head and touching his thighs. "Put em up here."

"Sam?"

"Not another word Ms. Jones, you sit back and eat while I spoil you for a moment."

Mercedes raised an eyebrow at him but then nodded as she gave him her freshly manicured feet onto his thighs and leaned. Back."

She broke off a piece of the croissant sandwich and moaned out from the taste and the fact that he started rubbing her feet. Sam inhaled deeply not expecting that moan to leave her lips, his body on full alert. He watched her lick her lips and smiled staring at her. She tilted her head.

"What's the matter?"

I keep wanting to make love to you. Sam said internally. "Nothing, just… thinking."

She nodded and continued to eat and Sam smirked. "So how was the party?"

Mercedes sighed breaking another piece off but this time giving it to Sam.

"Ha the father of the bride almost had a coronary when i gave him the final bill. He was not happy but then he looked at his wife and daughter and gave in."

"Hardest working woman I know, so when did you last eat?"

"He asked watching her finish off the first sandwich and give him another bite of the second one. His hands continued to work her feet as she closed her eyes.

"This morning. I swear with as little I eat you would think I was smaller."

"You don't need to be small you know? I can't imagine you any other way."

"What does that mean?" She asked curiously.

"It means when I look at you I see a woman of substance, caring and beautiful."

"I wish people saw that and wanted to be with me. Guys see me and I am that best friend that girl who they love to talk to. I know I am not a size two but I am just as beautiful as anyone else. I just wish people could see that."

"Sometimes it takes people a while to see the truth."

She stared at him wanting to say something but not wanting to ruin the moment. She licked her lips then notice Sam shifting in his seat. She placed her hair behind her ears as he sat up.

"So let's look at those samples."

Mercedes pulled her feet from his strong hands and took another bite of her sandwich and placed it down. "Can I have something to drink?"

"I got you."

He said standing. She placed the samples on the table as he grabbed them both bottled water.

"I decided that I wanted to give you sleek and uncluttered because we both know too much becomes confusing. I spoke with Mr. Hummel and his guy can stain the cabinets to look like this."

She said showing him the cabinet. With the marble tile, nickel futures and shower head. The effect will be stunning."

"Mercedes, all this took more than a few minutes from your day."

"I wanted it to be right Sam." Even if she was making this for him and another woman she wouldn't be selfish.

"Well you look over these." She said drinking her water. "I am stuffed and tired and I better go before you have to carry me back to my room."

"You know I wouldn't mind, I have done it in the past."

Mercedes smiled. All the girls in her sophomore class were jealous of her. "To be fair, it was raining and I had those pink satin shoes on. You were my Prince Charming that night."

"I know and we did have a lot of fun didn't we?"

"We did, just like we did for my Jr. and Sr. prom too."

She sighed. "Do you still play the guitar?"

"Not so much now, it's all about cooking."

"That's a shame. I can still remember going home and telling my mom about that night."

"How is your mother?"

Mercedes frowned. "She's okay I guess. I saw her a few months back and she seemed happy. But I don't know I guess i get this feeling every time I talk to her that everything isn't as happy as she wants me to believe. It didn't help that Cam and Duncan don't talk to her as much as I do."

"I am sorry, it's never fun when a marriage fails, your parents were always so caring and welcoming."

"They are great parents I just wish they were still together, mom had to leave, but I wonder if it was because of the Jones curse."

Sam glanced at her. "I don't understand."

"Did she use it as an excuse to leave us? Did she give up because she thought there wasn't any hope of things getting better."

"Whatever her reason I know your mom still loves you and your brothers."

She nodded. "Yeah, anyways this isn't about that. So are you excited about the remodel job or still hesitant?"

"Well considering you guys have me spoiled here I am excited about it. I was wondering if you would look at my bedroom and let me know if you can come up with any suggestions."

She nodded. "Sure I am here to help." She sighed. "I should get going."

Sam stood. "Let me walk you to your door then." She nodded taking his hand and shock ran through her as he gripped her small hand in his big one. She smiled not even bothering to take it away. They walked hand in hand to her front door.

"This was fun, after the day I had i needed the break and the foot rub."

Sam nodded. "I had fun too."

He stared down to her and his finger brushed her cheek, and then like it was the most natural thing in the world to do he bent down and kissed her. Pulling her he deepened the kiss as he learned all the curves of her mouth, his hands itching to touch her ran up her back as desire took over. Pushing her gently against the door his tongue fought hers as his hand went to her breast, running his fingertips over her nipple grazing it. She moaned against him pushing her breast against this hand needing more.

It was the moan that snapped him out of his daze. He softly pulled away unsure of what happened. He continued to stare down at her as her eyes fluttered open. He wanted to apologize but he didn't know what to say, what could he say when all he wanted was to keep kissing her and more. But he knew he wouldn't have stopped there. He lowered his forehead to hers and sighed.

"Sam." Mercedes said voice full of want and need and yet there was a softness, a tenderness to it, no one had ever said his name and made him feel like that before. His hand slid down her sides as he lifted his head and stared at her.

"I don't know what's happening her Mercedes."

She swallowed hard smiling up to him, as if she knew all the secrets of the universe. "Well I'm sure you will figure it out Sam."

She leaned up kissing him softly. "Good night Sam."

She turned going into her house and leaving Sam outside confused as to what he was supposed to do,

Mercedes leaned against the door herself, her legs wobbly. Sam kissed her, kissed her with passion and want. With desire and need. She ran her hands down her body remember the way his hands felt on hers. He wanted her, and while she knew a kiss wasn't a slam dunk or or meant they were going to be together, and seeing how confused Sam was about it she knew flight or fight was battling within him. But in that moment she was happy, too happy to worry about the bad, she would tackle that tomorrow.