Sam smirked at her answer and got out of the car, running around to her side and going to grab her hand. He felt the electricity buzzing between them and couldn't stop smiling. She had expected him to link arms, not hold her hand, and a thrill ran through her skin.

They entered the restaurant, and he told the hostess that they had reservations and was showed to a table straight away. Santana pulled away slowly as they sat, giving him a genuine smile as he spoke.

"I hope you like Chinese food. You look like you enjoy all types of cuisines, so I took a risk."

" I look like I enjoy all kinds of cuisines, huh? Is that a polite way of calling me fat?" Santana smirked, teasing, but Sam gasped, looking horrified at the idea that she might believe this to be his meaning.

"No! How could you think I would think that? I mean, look at you… I just meant that some people don't like to explore their horizons. I know of people who only eat steak and potatoes, so I didn't want to assume…."

Santana laughed again, holding up both her hands as though to calm him. "Down, boy, I'm playing. You will find that I very much enjoy teasing." She licked her lips insinuatively at this, raising an eyebrow. What the hell, he was fun to play with, and it had been so long since she really felt like doing this with a man.

Sam let out a sigh. " Oh thank God… I didn't want you being pissed off for something I didn't mean to say."

He saw her licking her lips and bit his bottom lip, silently thinking 'why is she trying to torture me?' Then he picked up the menu and changed the subject.

" What would you like to have?"

"On this menu, or…" Santana let her voice pick up the insinuative tone again, grinning, before backing off at Sam's trapped expression. "This looks good. So, you ever dated a Latina girl before? 'Cause sexual teasing, it's sorta what we do."

Relieved when she dropped the tone, Sam took a breath, looking up at her over the menu. "No, I'm not big on dating. This is the first date I've gone on since high school….so Latinas love to tease? That's good to know…" He smirked, trying to give a returning look of his own, but not sure if he just looked like he had something caught in his eye.

Santana's jaw dropped and this time it wasn't in teasing.

"You're shitting me. You've got the California surf dude thing going, no way girls don't eat that up? What's wrong with you then?"

"No, not kidding…" Sam shrugged, a little uncomfortable. "I guess I didn't make the time. I hope nothing's wrong with me?"

"Didn't make the time? It ain't like learning a new language or going to the Bahamas." Realizing even after she said it that she herself had not been in a relationship since Antonia, Santana frowned slightly. Sam didn't seem to notice this, or if he did, he took it to mean she was judging him still.

"Well, you know, it takes time to be in a relationship…"

Trying to lighten up her accusing tone, Santana winked, referring back to her previous statement. "We tease, us Latinas, just so you know, but you'll be glad to know we also please."

She watched Sam swallow again, his eyes dropping to her collar bone. "What time of pleasing are you talking about? "

Santana leaned towards him, offering an improved view of her breasts as her dress gaped slightly. "I bet you make good guesses…"

His gaze landed on her perky breasts and flushed. " I don't know about that…" Realizing that his gaze was still on her breasts, Sam cleared his throat hurriedly, tearing his eyes back up to her face. "Um, so, how m any relationships have you been in since Toni?"

Santana paused. "Well, I'd say maybe eight… minus eight."

She let this sink in, eyeing his reaction as she sat back up slowly.

Sam was lost in his own world. All he could see in his thoughts were her perfect breasts heaving in that sexy bra. 'Stop it. She's going to think you're a pervert!'

That brought some sense back into his mind. He blinked a little and then looked at her face, realizing that she had been speaking.

" Huh? What did you say?"

Santana didn't fail to miss the dreamy, mesmerized look on Sam's face. She burst out laughing, more than a little pleased that when she tried, or even when she wasn't, really, she's still got it.

" I know you don't do relationships, but surely you see boobs every now and then. Not my awesome boobs, obviously, but boobs."

"Umm… "

Sam felt lost. What should he say to that? 'Better not say anything and make himself look like an even bigger pervert.

"So… anyway, how about them Cubs huh? They're actually doing well this season. I'm impressed."

Still grinning, Santana shook her head at him. " I don't know if I should ruffle your hair, kick you under the table, or give you a hug. Worst subject change attempt ever."

"A hug would be greatly appreciated," Sam smiled, finally relaxing a little. "And hey, don't mock baseball. That's what I'm good at. It's what I want to do for a living, if a team would pick me up."

"Of course you pick the choice where you can feel my tits," Santana laughed, shaking her head again. "You wanting to cash in now or save up?" Getting more serious again, she tilted her head. "No one will pick you up? What position are you?"

"Do you really have to ask me that question? I'm really afraid to answer you though. You might slap me," Sam bantered back, feeling braver now. "Not saying that they won't, the wait just feels long that's all. I'm a pitcher, but I also bat."

"Oh, you look like the kind of dude that likes it a little rough," Santana laughed, still teasing. "You'd probably enjoy that slap….and I thought everyone in baseball bats?"

"How about no. No one wants to be slapped." Sam laughed, still shaking his head. "Not all. Some of them are terrible batters."

"You just haven't been slapped right." Santana winked again, still teasing.

Just then the waitress passed by, and Sam waved her over to place their orders. After the waitress had left, Santana looked back at him, raising an eyebrow.

" So how many times have you been offered green eggs and ham and called Sam-I am?"

"Too many times," Sam laughed, shaking his head. "It's ridiculous if you ask me. I mean, do I look like I like Dr Seuss?"

"Nope, you look like…a muppet!" Santana laughed, sticking out her tongue playfully.

"Tease." Sam stuck out his tongue out in retaliation, as Santana took it up another notch.

"I tease and I please and I could make a rhyme about doing it on my knees, but it's a first date and I do have some boundaries." She was laughing, but she noticed then that Sam had a more serious look on his face, even before he spoke.

"Why don't you date, Santana? All joking aside. You're gorgeous. I highly doubt that you're not getting offers left and right."

Santana was slow to answer, and her express became as serious as his as she played with her napkin, her voice more guarded as she responded.

"I have a daughter. She's more important to me than going to the movies or making out or casual sex. I'm not letting just anyone come into her life. So I haven't focused on it."

Suddenly, the playfulness between them stopped and Sam could feel Santana's seriousness. He reached for her hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb, wanting on impulse to give her some sort of reassurance.

"Hey… I get it. I have Stevie, remember? It's hard for us because of them. Sometimes, it's really embarrassing that I am unlike any other 22 year old men out there, but I wouldn't change anything because Stevie is my little brother and I love him."

Santana looked down at Sam's hand on hers, her skin tingling slightly at his touch. She twined her fingers with his, measuring the difference in size of their hands, and smiled at him, glad he genuinely understood.

"Yeah. She's my baby. Anyone who's ever going to be in my life has to know that."

Sam felt something that he has never felt before as Santana entwined their fingers together. He couldn't pinpoint what it was, all he knew was that he didn't feel alone, somehow. Not with her fingers in his.

"I get it." He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb again as he spoke. "Just like Stevie is my number one priority. But from what I can tell, Santana, you are doing a great job. Toni loves you. She's a little hard to handle, but she's cute. Reminds me a lot of Stevie, except for I'm a little more inclined to do what she wants than what Stevie wants."

Santana's smile became soft as she let Sam stroke her hand. She kept it under his, her eyes on his as she replied.

"She's my mini me. According to my mami, anyway. And she likes you. You really got a soft spot for little girls, don't you?"

"I can see that she is. Especially the teasing quality," Sam smirked a little. "Yeah, though, I guess I do have that. Not only girls though, I'm generally a sucker for kids."

"Do you ever want any of your own? I think about it sometimes, more kids. Not any time soon, but some day."

"Yeah, I would like to have some. I was always lonely growing up and wanted more siblings, who knows, maybe when I get picked up by a league, I can actually make that dream a reality," Sam admitted, shrugging his shoulders. " You should have more kids, it would be shame to let Toni be the only child."

"Yeah, especially since she would only get more spoiled rotten with age. Gotta show her she's not the only person in this universe who will ever get my attention," Santana laughed, rolling her eyes. "Try convincing her now. I was an only child too and it kind of sucked, I never had anyone to blame anything on."

Sam laughed with her. " It's going to be tough to get her to learn to share her mommy's attention, but she'll learn. You're preaching to the choir about the blame thing as a kid though, because I have the same problems. All of my friends have siblings who can cover for them and blame thing on. My parents didn't have Stevie until I was 17. I feel cheated somehow."

"Hey, you can blame him big time though!" Santana protested, laughing. " He's a little kid, he can be blamed and not even get in trouble. Who would I blame things on, my imaginary friend? I tried that, Abuela wasn't too impressed."

"He was a baby when I was a senior," Sam explained, laughing. "What kind of a jerk would I be if I let my 1 year old brother take the blame for my mistakes? But you're right, at least I have someone to pass the blame on, you don't even have that. Did you really try to blame your imaginary friend?" He laughed again, picturing an all too innocent little Santana point to thin air in an effort to blame.

"Yeah I did," Santana confirmed. "Her name was Lila. She was quite the little brat, apparently."

As the food arrived, Sam let go of Santana's hand reluctantly. Santana had barely realized that she was still holding hands with Sam. It felt natural, like an extension of her own. She looked down at it, startled, and then gave a slightly shy smile, not her usual one. She considered making a comment about him feeding her but then flushed at her own ridiculous thought, shaking her head at herself and laughing slightly.

"Stop infecting me," she said aloud.

Sam had already dug into his food, but hearing her speak, looked up, quirking an eyebrow. "Stop infecting you with what? My charm? That's hard to do. I've been told that I was born with charm." He batted his lashes at her and broke out laughing.

"Your dorkiness, obviously. I think that's what you mean by charm." Santana laughed again, starting to eat. "I bet you're a total Trekkie. Or is it Star Wars? You geeks don't seem capable of liking both equally."

"I am not a dork. I'm charming…and I don't know what you're talking about. What's a Trekkie and I've never seen Star Wars before." Sam kept up the facade for a few seconds before he gave up, his lips twitching. "All right, I'll tell you. I'm a huge Avatar nerd. I even learned some Na'vi."

"Charming is a strange euphemism for dork…." Upon hearing Sam's confession, Santana burst out laughing, actually putting down her fork to gawk at him. "NO. Have you painted yourself blue?!"

"Haha. Laugh it up. But just so we're clear, chicks dig the blue paint," Sam laughed.

"YOU DID!" Santana was guffawing now, not even trying to look cool about it. "What, they love it because it's the edible kind and you're having kinky avatar fun or something?!"

"Body paint! Now why didn't I think of that? I would have gotten lucky at Comic Con….okay, maybe they don't, but whatever. I still love Avatar. Don't tell me you don't have a secret obsession with something because I can see it in your cute face that you do."

Santana's laughter cut short at that, and she attempted to look nonchalant as she shook her head.

"Nope, not me. Everything I do is cool."

"I don't believe you. There has to be something. C'mon, admit it. I won't judge…" Sam was leaning forward, making his best puppy dog eyes.

"No way," Santana shook her head, but it was playful, not quite adamant. "Nope, ain't falling for that. I am not being swept into your geek web."

"Oh c'mon, you can tell me… " Sam batted his eyelashes in a goofy manner, clasping his hands under his chin. "Pretty please…"

"Fine." Santana mock scowled, sighing dramatically. back at him. "Xena…Buffy…X Files…" she paused, her cheeks flushing as she dropped her voice to a mutter, " and…maybe Sweet Valley Twins. And…maybe Hello Kitty. "

"Ah hah! I knew it!" Sam laughed, pointing a triumphant finger in her direction. "You, Santana Lopez, are a secret geek. No judgment here, as long as you don't tell the world about my secret obsession with Avatar. Do we have a deal?"

"Deal."

Santana reached out to take his hand to shake, more for the excuse to touch than anything. Sam shook Santana's hand and took the opportunity to caress the back of it a little too long before letting go and began to eat again.

Santana knew she had a goofy smile on her face when Sam pulled away, but she couldn't control it. Every time Sam smiled at her Santana couldn't help but smile back. She knew her whole face was probably glowing by the time she finished eating, and she didn't even care anymore.

Sam's breath hitched as their eyes locked, then his gaze slid down to Santana's lips and the tongue that was peeking out at him. She's trying to kill me…

He could only nod as she told him that she was ready to leave. Forcing his eyes away from her, and those sexy lips, he told the waitress that they were ready for the check. She pulled the bill out, giving it to him, and he handed her two twenty dollar bills, enough to cover both the meal and tip. After the waitress left, he put his attention back at Santana.

"Are you ready to go?"

She was more than ready. Standing, she held out her arm again, playful, but there was seriousness in her eyes.

"Lady needs her escort again?"

"Of course she does."

Sam took her hand, lacing their fingers together before walking out of the restaurant and back to his car. He opened the door for her.

"Ladies first."

Santana kept hold of his hand, reluctant to let go. When she slipped into the car, she looked over at him, raising an eyebrow. "So…is this night over now or…?"

Sam went to the driver's seat, the tension between them thick. Her question had him biting his lower lips nervously before he replied.

" I don't want it to be." He eyed her lips, wondering if she would be offended if he kissed her. "Do you want it to be?"

"No…"

Her eyes were on his lips too and she licked hers unconsciously. Sam was unsure what he should do. Every instinct in his body was telling him to grab hold of her face and kiss her lips, but he didn't want to get slapped for being too forward. This was after all only their first date. He didn't even pay attention to what she was saying anymore as his gaze locked on her luscious lips and all the hesitation inside of him melted away as her tongue peeked out to wet her lips. Without thinking twice, he reached for her face, cupping her cheeks and kissed her passionately.

Santana didn't hesitate. The moment Sam's lips covered hers she leaned into him, fingers twining in his hair and gripping hard as she kissed back just as intently. Her tongue caressed his, and she moaned slightly as sharp tingling feelings swept through her spine and up her scalp. She couldn't remember the last time she's felt this way so fast.

Sam hadn't kissed a girl since high school. He hadn't thought about it or even missed it until now. Now that he was kissing Santana, he felt like he was somehow awakened. Jolts of electricity and desire shot through his system as the kiss progressed. After a while, he felt the strain in his neck due to the awkward positioning of his body, but he couldn't pull away. If this was going to stop, then she was going to have to be the one to do it because he had no intention of detaching his lips from hers.

Santana was not stopping it. It's been well over a year since she even gave a guy a peck good night, and definitely she's done nothing like this. Leaning over the console between their seats, she was awkwardly leaned so she was half in Sam's lap, but she didn't care. She looped one arm around his neck, trying to support herself and pulling him closer.

Any expectation of Santana stopping the kiss went out the window as she moved even closer to him. It was an awkward position for the both of them, so feeling a little bolder now, Sam pulled her fully onto him, letting her rest her whole weight on his lap. His arms went around her waist, and although he wanted to explore every curve of her body, he kept his hands there. He was able to deepened the kiss in this position, and that–for now–was enough for him.

With the short skirt she was wearing, riding up her legs, Santana's bare skin now had quite a lot of contact against Sam's legs, even if they were covered by his pants. Twisting her torso, half straddling, she dug her nails slightly into his neck, scratching its skin as she opened and closed her mouth against his, lightly sucking on his lower lip and nipping it. She took the hand pressed against her waist and pressed it down harder against her skin.

Sam was lost in a sea of lust and desire. He could feel his member hardening with each lick and nip of her lips. This make out session was slowly getting out of hand, yet for the life of him, he couldn't pull away. Instead, he pulled her even closer and caressed the skin that she exposed for him.

"You're so soft…" he whispered before putting his attention back onto her lips.

Santana could feel Sam's hardness against her thigh, but it didn't make her want to roll her eyes like it normally might. Instead, her panties were actually getting damp in response to him. The muscles of her thighs twitched in response to his caresses, and she was breathing fast, beginning to drag her lips down his neck.

Sam was having a hard time breathing, not in a bad way, but in a 'this make out session is so hot, I swear I'm going to explode in my pants' kind of way. He really needed to pull back and stop, but the moment her lips reached the sweet spot on his neck, all reasoning flew out the window again.

"Shit… "

Hearing Sam's hissed word and feeling his body tense beneath hers, Santana took in a shaky breath, knowing that she needed to cool them both down if they didn't want some serious pants actions to be happening soon. Well, she did want it, but that was sort of the problem, considering they were in the car in public and her daughter was waiting for her at home. Reluctantly, with one last kiss to his neck, she pulled back, her chest heaving, swallowing heavily as she tried to regain control. But then she broke out into a dimpled grin, giggling, and buried her face in his chest.

"God…"

Sam was really relieved that Santana had stopped them. He didn't have the strength to do that. He was surprised that Santana was giggly after that. It was cute and it made his attraction towards her multiply. Not knowing what to say or do, he put his hand on her head and started to swipe back her hair, playing with the strands.

"You're a good kisser, Tana, and I think you can agree that I'm a good one too. These big lips come in handy sometimes…"

No one called Santana Tana. She was surprised how much she liked it, but then, what didn't she like about Sam right now? She enjoyed his playing with her hair, giving another pleasurable shiver in response as she relaxed against him.

"I bet…and I bet I can just keep finding new and awesome uses for them."

Reluctantly she pulls back, sliding back onto her seat. She caught Sam's slightly breathless smile, and as he drove her home, she too couldn't keep from smiling.