Hey guys sorry for the long wait, it's been a crazy new year. I hope everyone is have a blessed year. Stay Blessed, enjoy the chapter and review.
Sam was tired when he made his way to the hotel. He was happy to get the report back from his waiters that Mercedes had enjoyed her meal. He was sure eh knew her schedule so he was glad that he timed it correctly, though he was prepared to make her a new meal should he had been wrong. He sighed when he made it back to his room, looking over to Mercedes gated yard. He wanted to go over and see her but decided not to do it.
Walking into his room he threw his bag on the floor, when someone knocked on the door. Opening the door Sam saw an unfamiliar face who wore the hotel uniform. "Yes?" He asked worriedly.
"Good Evening Mr. Evans. This is for you, have a great night."
Sam was so surprised by the letter in his hand that he didn't know what to say. Grabbing a few bills from his pocket he handed it to the guy. "Thank you."
The guy smiled. "Thank you sir."
Sam shut the door and smiled seeing the dinner invitation from Mercedes. His mouth watered as he realized he really hadn't eaten since breakfast. He thought about not going but after everything she did for him, he couldn't say no. He took a deep breath as he made his way over to Mercedes place, knocking on the door and talking to himself, saying a mantra of how he could be alone with her.
"Come in." He heard, but when he opened the door he knew he was in trouble. Candles lit up the room and in the center was Mercedes in something that was black and silky and flowed over her body in beautiful waves.
"I wanted to thank you for dinner, so now it's my turn. Have you eaten?"
Sam shook his head no."
She smiled and all he could think was how much he wanted to taste her skin.
"Have a seat Sam."
She said softly, Sam could have sworn she was seducing him with her voice. Moving across the room he pulled out her chair. "Thank you Mercedes you know you didn't have to do this."
"I did Sam, you can't do it all for others and expect to get nothing back." He glanced at her and her scent of vanilla hit him in a way that caused his body to yearn for her. He moved away from her and took a seat knowing if he didn't he would have feasted on her instead of her meal.
"Go ahead and eat Sam, it isn't often that I cook, but Henri gave me some pointers." She moved to serve him.
"I know how much you love pastries so Henri and I thought you wouldn't be able to resist salmon wrapped in phyllo."
Sam swallowed hard, the food looked amazing but what he couldn't resist was her. After saying grace he tried his best to pay attention to the salmon wrapped in delicate paper thin layer of golden brown pastry. The taste itself was amazing it was crunchy and delicious, something he would have her make at the restaurant, but one look at Mercedes all he could think about was while the salmon tasted good, Mercedes tasted so much better, her lips were delicious.
"There is more if you want it Sam." Mercedes said looking at him.
Sam sighed because his body was betraying him. He wanted her, he wanted more of her, but he knew he couldn't have it.
"This tastes amazing. I appreciate you going to all this trouble for me."
He said as he tried to sound normal.
"For dessert, apple turnovers." She smiled at him shyly. "I might even indulge with you on dessert."
Sam's mouth watered as she spoke. "I uh.. Umm I think this is all I can handle tonight?"
Mercedes leaned in smiling softly. "One little bite please? I'll grab it."
Mercedes left the room and Sam closed his eyes trying to t.
take deep breaths. She was making all this so difficult. He had just calmed down when Mercedes returned to him with the apple turnover on the plate. She bent down in front of him and took her fork handing and taking a piece then putting it to Sam's lips. "Taste it."
Sam did as she asked taking the bite and she smiled standing and going back to her seat. "Few things taste as delicious as desserts like this, don't you agree Sam?"
He stared at her, oh he knew something he was sure tasted more delicious. He pushed the plate away from him. "It's really good, but I can't eat it all, have some."
With a bright smile she nodded. Taking the fork she took a bite and Sam realized just how wrong he was for asking her to take a bite. "Mmmm." she moaned as she closed her eyes. Sam's mouth watered as she ate. "Low in calories, delicious and addicting? I don't know if there was anything that can beat it."
Sam watched her and jumped to his feet needing to leave now. "Well thanks for dinner, good night." She stood placing her hair behind her ears. "Oh, I guess you didn't enjoy my meal as much as I enjoyed yours." She said sadly.
Sam looked at her. "Merce, I did, it was delicious."
"Then why do you want to leave?" She said sadly. She turned away from him and he moved behind her. "Merce it was amazing I appreciate you going to all this trouble for me."
Mercedes turned towards him and placed her hand on his chest. Staring up at him with hooded eyes she smiled.
"It was no trouble Sam."
She said softly. His heart beat out of his chest as her hands touched his chest. He wanted to push her away from him but somehow he ended up pulling her closer. He wasn't thinking he was acting on pure desire for this woman. Grabbing Mercedes voluptuous body closer to him, the next thing he knew she was in his arms and he had her against the wall. The silk material fell away as he lifted her thighs to wrap around his waist. Hands gripping at them, he deepened the kiss and her hands went through his hair.
Her need was as great as his, as he grinded against her core. "Sam" left her lips, and it seemed he came back to his senses, the desire in her voice, the need she felt, he could hear it. He could also hear complete trust. She trusted him, she needed him. His lips hovered over hers, as they stayed in place. Her body against his felt so perfect, it fit his like a glove. All he had to do was carry her to her bed and make love to her. He groaned, she was way to tempting for him,
"Sam?" She said, this time he could hear how unsure she was of what was happening.
"Its okay Merce, nothing's gonna happen."
"Oh." She said and was disappointed and he searched her eyes. "Mercedes?"
He asked letting her down. "Are you okay?"
His fingers lifted her chin so she could meet his gaze, but in the candlelight he couldn't see anything but her silhouette.
He sighed heavily. "I should go."
"Okay."
She said said softly . "Thanks for stopping by."
He moved away from her and gave her one last look before he made his way out her door. He was in trouble.
Mercedes sighed looking at the text she awoke too. Sam was canceling on her, not that she didn't expect it. She knew he would try to run from her, however her newfound confidence wouldn't let him get away. She waited far too long for Sam to realized that she was more than his friend, she was a woman, a woman who needed to be desired.
She wasn't stupid enough to think that it was anything permanent, she basically caught him when he was steering clear of women, well with the exception of Tina. The thing is that Mercedes didn't mind being the stand in because no matter how much Sam tried to avoid her, she knew that he couldn't make her feel the way he did, couldn't hold her, kiss her and touch her if he didn't feel a deeper connection for her other than lust. There was no way he was getting away from her, not yet.
Sam sighed looking at his computer screen, he shouldn't have ran but he didn't have a choice, he couldn't see any other way to get out of this mess. The problem was he couldn't stop thinking about Mercedes, her lips, her thighs, the taste of her skin. He shook his head. He would rather wrestle a lion than hurt her, but he feared he had done just that.
She trusted him to stop before things went too far, but he wasn't sure that was a possibility. Though that might not be a bad thing since she didn't seem to mind the direction their relationship had gone. She acted as if her actions towards him, her making his body temperature rise so high that steam came from his ears, was no big deal. And he didn't know how he felt about that.
He sighed, maybe it didn't bother her because she figured it was his way of teaching her how to get a man, how to tempt a man. The more he thought of that fact, the more he realized that that was reasonable. And if that is the case then she would expect them to continued. And if that was the case then he was a goner.
His phone beeped and it was Mr. Hummel, letting him know that he was there. Sam grabbed his keys and walked out the door, but stopped in his tracks when he noticed that Mercedes was with the older man. "Mercedes." He said looking at her in shock.
"I know you said you had to be here early, so I knew you would be skipping since I didn't get to see the place yesterday, I wanted to see the progress.I hope you don't mind."
"Of course he doesn't mind." Mr. Hummel said. "You are his decorator, beside you are not leaving until I see what smells so good in that box of yours,"
Sam lead them up stairs and Mercedes placed the bag onto the counter and took out the makings for a small spread. She had small paper plates and four plastic cups, she placed the box of treats out and opened it. "Okay fella's we have blue mountain coffee or orange just and an array of scones, croissants, muffins and Danishes. What would you like first Sam?"
For you to leave, he thought. And not in the I want you to stay away way, but the if you don't leave I will ravish you here and now way. She wore an apricot colored suit, the jacket went down to her waist and the pencil skirt hugged all of her curves and fell just below her knees. Her hair was pulled atop her head with tendrils hanging down on both sides of her face and all Sam wanted to do was pull her close and release her hair one by one before he gathered her up and- his thoughts were cut off by Mr. Hummel.
"Make up your mind Sam, I have work to do and that looks so good."
Sam sighed. "I will have whatever."
Mercedes eyed him then nodded. "Okay." She handed him a plate with a croissant and a danish and he nodded as she turned her attention Mr, Hummel, he was eyeing the scones. Pouring him a cup of Juice and Sam a cup of Coffee handed the guys their drinks, Sam frowned. "You didn't make anything for yourself."
"I already ate, can I check the bathroom?"
Mr. Hummel nodded looking over to Sam than Mercedes. "Of course he doesn't mind. You go check it out sweetie. If I must say so I outdid myself here. It's pretty amazing."
Mercedes smiled. "I don't doubt it."
Mercedes walked into the bathroom hearing Mr, Hummel speak with a mouthful. "Mercedes is a mighty sweet woman right here. I heard she was dating some fancy rich man,, he would be damn lucky if he marries her."
Sam scoffed putting his plate down. "She isn't dating anyone."
Mr. Hummel laughed. "And how would you know? Sometimes a woman just doesn't tell, even her best friend."
Sam sighed. "Excuse me."
Sam walked into the bathroom and sighed seeing Mercedes bent down in front of his shower stall that was now big enough for three people. He didn't even have to think hard on how he wanted to strip her suit off and them taking a shower together, him getting his hands all over her silky smooth skin. Sam sighed shaking his head. "So what do you think?"
She turned to him and for a moment, he could have sworn that she had the same thoughts he did.
"Mr. Hummel has done a wonderful job, when did you decide to get the tub?"
After you mentioned how much you liked to soak after a long day, he thought to himself. "It seemed like a good idea at the time,"
She nodded. "Everything looks amazing, the cabinets around your bed will allow for your books. And I didn't see any clothes out there so am I right in assuming the closet is done?"
"It was finished yesterday. I can show you." He moved from her and she followed him to the closet.
Mercedes smiled. "It's just as I imagined." she ran her hands over the center island with multiple was made in solid cherry.
"It's great I will never have to look for anything again. Everything has its place and I love it. You know I owe you a lot right?"
"No you don't, It was my pleasure."
They stared at each other, Sam didn't even notice her moving but she was in front of him, he pulled her closer to him and smiled a little. His hand moved to her hair, brushing the tendal out of her face.
"How did you like it, Mercedes?"
She jumped and moved away from Sam.
"It's better than my expectations Mr. Hummel, I love it."
"I took pictures, if this doesn't get us more business I don't know what will."
Sam smiled. "Well in that case you should give me a discount."
"Yeah right." He said still looking at Mercedes. I better get going, I need to get that tile."
He nodded his head as he stepped out the room. Sam stared at her. "You alright?"
She turned towards him.
"Why do you keep asking me that?"
He moved closer to him. "Isn't it obvious?"
Mercedes shook her head. "If it was I wouldn't have to ask."
He frowned. "You usually know what I am thinking before I do,"
"I guess my crystal ball must be on the fritz today," She walked to the door and stopped looking at him, "Don't forget your bedding, rug and chairs will be delivered tomorrow. They will call first and you can call me. Bye Sam."
It didn't make much sense to him but he didn't want her to leave, plus she looked sad. "Mercedes, you know I only want what's best for you right?"
"Yeah I know, but what you think is best for me may not be. If I don't see you tonight I will see you tomorrow." This time she didn't stop.
Outside of the restaurant. Mercedes tightly shut her eyes. Wanting her was making Sam miserable and she could see it. She hadn't counted on that. She could push the issue or she could let him figure out for himself that the change in their relationship shouldn't cause him to worry about her. He wouldn't hurt her any more than loving him all these years and knowing he would never leave her back the way she wanted to be loved. She wiped her eyes as she headed back to the hotel, she would never have Sam for her own.