Enjoy! pureeee fluff! Please excuse any errors!
A Honky-Tonk and Moonshine
As they drove down the winding country roads, Mercedes couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. She had been so consumed by her life in the city that she had forgotten how beautiful the world outside of it could be. She looked out the window and saw fields of golden wheat swaying in the breeze, cows grazing lazily under the shade of a tree, and flocks of birds flying overhead.
As they pulled up to the bar, Mercedes could already hear the lively music coming from inside. Stacey parked the car and the three girls hopped out, eager to join in on the fun.
Inside, the bar was bustling with people of all ages. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, along with the twang of country music playing in the background.
Stacey and Santana immediately led Mercedes to a group of their friends who were sitting at a table near the dance floor. They all greeted each other warmly, and Mercedes felt instantly welcomed into their circle.
As she looked around, Mercedes couldn't help but notice how different this place was from her usual hangouts in the city. There were no fancy cocktails or designer outfits here - just good old-fashioned fun and a laid-back atmosphere.
Before she knew it, Stacey and Santana had pulled her onto the dance floor for a line dance. Despite feeling a little self-conscious at first, Mercedes quickly got into the rhythm and started to have a great time.
As she danced and laughed alongside her new friends, Mercedes realized that she had been missing out on this type of carefree joy in her busy city life. She was grateful for Stacey and Santana for bringing her here and opening her eyes to a whole new world outside of her comfort zone.
"Is everyone here always this nice?" She asked, after the dance ended and they went back to their table.
Stacey and Santana laughed at Mercedes' question. "Yeah, pretty much," Stacey replied with a smile. "People in small towns tend to be friendlier and more welcoming."
Mercedes couldn't believe it. Growing up in the city, she had always been taught to keep her guard up and be cautious of strangers, but here in this small town, everyone seemed genuinely kind and open.
"Just wait till you meet Britney," Stacey added, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "She's going to love you."
Mercedes nodded. "Who's Britney?"
Santana smirked. "My girl, she just walked in." She replied, waving her girlfriend over. Britney was the picture of charm and friendliness.
She hurried over to Mercedes and immediately enveloped her in a warm embrace. "Nice to meet you, Mercedes," she said, a bond seemed to form instantly between the two of them as they chatted and laughed together.
As they chatted and sipped on their drinks, Mercedes learned more about Stacey, Santana and Britney's lives in the country. They talked about attending rodeos and county fairs, camping trips in the mountains, and bonfires by the river.
Mercedes listened intently, feeling a sense of longing for a simpler life. She couldn't remember the last time she had been surrounded by such genuine people, without any pretense or ulterior motives.
"It's so crazy how this is a totally different world from what I'm used to and..." She sighed, looking around. "You never wanted to leave here?"
Stacey smiled. "Nope. we have something the city will never have." She answered and both Santana and Britney nodded in agreement.
"What's that?" Mercedes asked.
"Many people hold a stereotype that those who live in the countryside lack education and intelligence, but it's quite the opposite. In fact, some of the best and brightest individuals can be found here. Take Joe for example, with his unkempt appearance, one may mistake him for a hippie, but he has an impressive skill set when it comes to fixing cars. And then there's Matt, our town's physician and also the youngest in the entire county. Oh, and don't let their unassuming appearance fool you, Carol and Burt Hummel are actually top lawyers in the state."
Santana explained, "What she means is that while you may have all the glitz and glamour, you're not exactly the most approachable group. Unlike us, we welcome anyone and everyone with open arms. Can you say the same for the people you associate with?"
Mercedes paused. She had to admit, there was truth in Santana's words. In the city, the glamour and wealth often swarmed with shallow friendships and polluted minds. Here, they had grit and raw authenticity.
Britney squeezed Mercedes' hand gently. "It's about community here, and genuine bonds, you know? We all have each other's backs. City life can be so... isolating, sometimes."
Mercedes contemplated her words, her gaze flitting around the rustic surroundings. "Doesn't it ever get boring?" Mercedes asked, a tinge of cynicism creeping into her voice.
Stacey laughed heartily at that. "It's far from it! The land itself has a personality that keeps you entertained. Waking up to birds chirping instead of honking cars or noisy neighbors, walking through fields brushed with dew rather than concrete sidewalks, star gazing without the interference of bright city lights...it's peaceful. And when we want to get rowdy," she said, gesturing to the dance floor, "we certainly know how to party."
Britney chimed in, "There's also a lot more freedom to be yourself here, without the pressure of keeping up appearances or climbing social ladders. We play, work, live and love wholeheartedly."
Listening to them, Mercedes couldn't help but feel a twinge of intrigue mixed with envy. She had spent so many years chasing after success and status in the city that she had neglected the simple pleasures of life.
"Dance with me," Santana said suddenly, rising from her seat and offering her hand to Mercedes. Caught off guard, Mercedes hesitated before taking her hand and letting Santana lead her back onto the dance floor. Unlike earlier, it wasn't a line dance, but a slow one. Santana held her in a soft, comfortable embrace, and they swayed gently to the rhythm of the music. The noise of the bar became a distant hum as Mercedes focused on the woman in front of her, her twinkling eyes full of life and joy.
"Back home doing this would mean coming out." Mercedes said and Santana laughed.
"I think technically it would be the same here too but they all know I like dancing with pretty women so they'll assume nothing and I got Brit so..."
Mercedes laughed. "I can't remember the last time I dance like this, don't get me wrong, I've been to many parties but they usually end with me leaving with a guy I don't like that I have to keep accidentally kneeing the balls so he'd get the hint."
"Eh well men are the lower species, always room for you on the other side." Santana teased, as she spun her around delicately, Mercedes couldn't help but laugh heartily.
"I think-" Mercedes started before a man approached.
"Mind if I cut in?" A low, gravelly voice interrupted.
"Yes, Rick, I mind." Santana snapped. "There is one thing in common with the city and that's men like Rick Slater."
Rick was tall and thin with a mullet that rocked back and forth as he spoke. "Come on, don't be like that. I just want a chance to dance with her."
"No," Santana's voice was sharp, but there was an undercurrent of a warning that echoed louder. "She's dancing with me."
Rick, however, was not so easily dissuaded. He turned to Mercedes, his thin lips curling into a confident smirk as he took a step closer. "What about it, darlin? You wouldn't mind sharing a dance with me, would you?"
Mercedes glanced at Santana, her dark eyes wide with uncertainty before flicking back to Rick. She didn't like the way he was looking at her, like she was something to be won over or claimed. Twisting her mouth in distaste, she replied firmly, "No thanks. I'm good here."
Rick scowled at the rejection but didn't back down. Instead, he reached out to roughly push Santana aside. His actions sparked something inside Sam who had been watching the scene unfold from the sidelines. The sight of his friend being manhandled ignited fury within him.
"Hey!" Sam thundered, his voice ripping through the murmur of the crowd like a gunshot. He was on his feet in an instant, striding toward the dance floor with purpose. His usually amicable face was contorted with anger and protective concern.
Without a second thought, Sam shoved Rick back, separating him from Mercedes and Santana with a well-placed forearm to his chest. "The lady said no, Rick."
Rick stumbled back at the unexpected confrontation but quickly regained his footing and composure. "You gonna white knight her, Sammy?" he sneered, adjusting his dusty cowboy hat that had been knocked askew by Sam's intervention.
"More like I'm just stopping you from being an ass," Sam retorted, his gaze molten steel under the dim bar lights. He stood protectively in front of Mercedes and Santana, his broad shoulders forming a formidable barrier.
Rick's brow furrowed in a deep frown, his gaze shifting from Sam to Mercedes and Santana, who stood with arms crossed and eyes blazing. "They're just a bunch of bitches anyway," he spat, his words dripping with disdain. But before he could turn away, Sam lunged forward and landed a strong punch on Rick's jaw, the impact echoing through the air. Pain flared through Rick's face as he stumbled backwards, stunned by the unexpected blow.
"Is that so?" Sam growled, his chest heaving with the rush of adrenaline. "Then consider this a lesson in respect, Rick."
Mercedes watched as the bar erupted into chaos. A few men rushed forward to help Rick, who was sprawled on the floor clutching his jaw. On the other hand, there was loud cheering from those who favored Sam and his chivalry.
"Sam!" Stacey shouted above the ruckus, her voice shocked, yet a hint of admiration seeped through. The bar had gone deathly quiet, all eyes on the showdown between Sam and Rick.
Rick steadied himself against a nearby chair, wiping a trail of fresh blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes narrowed dangerously at Sam, the fury clear in his gaze. But instead of retaliating immediately, he took a step back, taking one last glance at Mercedes and Santana before striding out of the bar.
The silence that followed was broken by Santana's sarcastic clap. "Well done, Sammy-boy. A true hero."
Turning towards Mercedes and Santana, his gaze softened when it met Mercedes'. "Are you okay?"
Mercedes nodded. "I'm fine," she said although she couldn't hide the tremble in her voice.
"I'll stick around until he's gone. Just to make sure he doesn't come back and trouble you girls anymore."
The tension in the bar slowly subsided, replaced by a hum of quiet conversations and the jukebox playing a slow country tune. Britney, always the peacekeeper, clapped her hands together drawing everyone's attention. "What do you say we all have a round on me?" She announced, trying to lighten the mood. A few nods, appreciative smiles and murmurs of agreement followed as she signaled for the bartender to start serving drinks.
As the drinks flowed and laughter began to fill the room again, Sam turned to Mercedes. He offered her a warm smile that seemed to sparkle under the dim lights of the bar. His hand extended towards her, inviting her onto the dance floor.
"Mercedes," he said softly, his green eyes sincere. "May I have this dance?"
Mercedes stared at him for a moment, the electric hum of her pulse loud in her ears. She looked down at his hand and back up at his face. The tension from earlier gradually eased away with the sincerity in his eyes. Santana nudged her gently, a small smile playing on her lips as she gave her an encouraging nod.
Taking a deep breath, Mercedes put her hand on Sam's outstretched one. "Why not?" She said, her voice stronger than expected. A broad grin spread across Sam's face as he pulled her into his arms. They moved slowly to the rhythm of the country tune; it was far different from the fast-paced life she had known in the city, but it was no less exhilarating.
As they swayed on the dance floor, Mercedes looked around the bar. Most people had returned to their drinks by now, forgetting about Rick Slater and the little piece of drama that had just unraveled. Some were clapping along with the music, others were immersed in their own worlds, whispering sweet nothings to partners or nursing their drinks. The atmosphere was light and convivial, a stark contrast from the tension that had gripped the place just moments before.
Sam held Mercedes steady as they moved across the dance floor, his hand warm on the small of her back. His gaze never left hers as they twirled, stomped and swayed to the rhythm of the country music that seemed to resonate with her soul.
Taking a moment, she looked up at Sam, his face serene in the dim light. His eyes sparkled with an intensity Mercedes had rarely seen, causing a shiver to run down her spine. Heart pounding in her chest, she realized that the city's bright lights and tall skyscrapers were no match for the allure of this small town bar and the cowboy who had just taught a lesson in respect.
Suddenly, the end of the song brought her back to reality. As the tune faded away and the clapping began, Sam grinned down at her, their bodies still close. Mercedes felt his hand tightening around hers. "You're pretty good at this," he said, laughter bubbling in his voice.
"Why, thank you, cowboy," Mercedes responded, matching his playful tone. She was surprised by her own boldness but was finding herself more comfortable with every passing moment.
As she broke their hold, stepping back to put some distance between them, Santana caught her eye from a corner of the bar. She gave Mercedes a thumbs-up and a wink, her smirk making Mercedes blush in response.
Taking her hand once more, Sam led Mercedes away from the dance floor and towards an empty table at the back of the bar. As they sat down, he signaled for Britney to bring over two drinks.
"I have to say," Sam began, his voice low but full of mirth. "I never imagined I'd be dancing with a city girl in this old watering hole."
Mercedes laughed softly, her eyes twinkling under the dim lights. "And I never thought I'd be dancing with a cowboy in a bar out here in the middle of nowhere."
Sam chuckled, lifting his glass for a toast. "To unexpected moments then," he proposed, making Mercedes smile.
They clinked their glasses together, the sound lost in the country music that had picked up again, filling the air with a lively melody. The drinks were strong and crisp, the burn of liquor going down smoothly but leaving a warm trail in its wake. They shared tales and anecdotes, each round of drinks bringing them closer as they stumbled upon common interests and shared laughs.
As midnight passed, it was their turn to become immersed in their own world — a world filled with laughter and companionship, where city dwellers danced with cowboys under the soft glow of dimmed lights. Their shared connection seemed to momentarily suspend the rest of the world, pushing away any urgency or worries that lingered beyond the door of the bar.
"Mercedes," Sam began, leaning back in his chair and studying her face under the warm glow of the hanging lights. He noticed a slight flush to her cheeks, much more pronounced than when they had been dancing. "You know, it's strange."
Mercedes raised a brow, curiosity piqued. "What is?"
He shrugged, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed, so at ease with someone I've only just met." His gaze was sincere, almost vulnerable, causing Mercedes to swallow hard.
Stacey exclaimed, the only sober one in the group. "It's almost three in the morning... we need to begin our rounds in an hour!"
Mercedes looked at the clock on the wall behind Sam's head in surprise. She hadn't realized they had spent so much time talking and laughing.
Sam too turned to look at the clock, his eyebrows lifted comically in disbelief. Turning back to Mercedes, he gave her an apologetic look, "I guess we got carried away."
Stacey grumbled, looking accusingly at both Mercedes and Sam. "You two better be up and ready when we start our rounds," she warned, giving them a stern look.
"Sure thing, boss," Sam replied with a lazy grin, raising his glass slightly in acknowledgment.
Mercedes smiled at the interaction and then turned to Sam, her eyes reflecting appreciation. "In that case, I think it's time we called it a night," she said, standing up from the table.
Sam followed suit, tipping his hat at Stacey as if to reassure her. They began walking toward the door when the jukebox in the corner started playing a slow tune. Sam stopped in his tracks, looking back at Mercedes with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "One last dance?" he asked, holding out his hand to her.
Mercedes hesitated for a moment, looking back at the clock and then to Stacey who simply rolled her eyes but said. "Fine but if you're late and we're behind that's on you two."
Sam shrugged. "I'll make sure she's back in time for work."
Mercedes bit her lip, torn between the desire to dance and the responsibility of her job. But as she looked into Sam's charming smile and warm eyes, she couldn't resist. "One last dance," she agreed, placing her hand in his.
They swayed to the slow melody, their bodies moving in perfect synchronization. Mercedes couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and ease in Sam's arms, as if they had known each other for much longer than just a few hours.
"I have to say," Sam began, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "You're not as bad as I thought."
Mercedes chuckled softly. "Coming from you, I'll take it as a compliment."
"Hey I'm trying to be nice." he joked, twirling her around gracefully. "I could go back to being an asshole."
She smiled up at him, their eyes meeting. "So you agree you're an asshole?" She joked back.
"You know," Sam said with a playful glint in his eye. "This asshole kinda saved you from Rick, gratitude would be expected."
Mercedes couldn't help but laugh at his words. "Oh my sweet savior, how ever shall I repay you for your act of bravery?" she teased back. "Perhaps a romp in the hay?"
Sam smirked. "Someone's watched too many westerns I see."
She giggled. "Is that not what cowboys do? Sweep a girl off her feet and then whisk her away to the barn?"
"Are you trying to find out?" He spun her around before pulling her into a close embrace. She looked up at him, feeling butterflies fluttering in her stomach as she bit her lip coyly.
"I don't kiss cowboys," she whispered teasingly.
Sam chuckled. "Well, aren't we lucky then?" His playful tone made her laugh even more.
As they continued dancing and talking, Mercedes couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something special about this moment - something she didn't want to end. Briefly it was like the music and the remaining patrons became muffled as they danced, there was a look in his eyes that made her feel like putty inside. They looked at each other, their dancing slowed as he slowly leaned in, his hands moving from her waist to gently relaxing on her neck.
His gaze flickered from her eyes to her lips and back again, causing her to do the same. A shiver ran down her spine as his thumb grazed the nape of her neck. Nervously, she licked her bottom lip before leaning in. Their lips lightly brushed against each other, but before they could deepen the kiss, the song ended and the lights turned on fully, signaling the end of their private moment.
"Alight y'all it's that time! You ain't gotta go home but you sure as hell gotta get out of here!"
Blinking, Sam stepped back. "Guess we'll never know if that's true or not." He teased.
She let out a small laugh. "Guess not…"
Sam grinned at her before turning serious again. "I meant what I said earlier though... I'll make sure you're back in time for work…"
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Way to ruin the moment." She joked and stepping out into the cool night air. Sam walked her to his truck, the gravel crunching under their boots as they crossed the nearly empty parking lot. The night air was crisp, filled with the smell of late autumn leaves and a hint of woodsmoke.
Opening the passenger door for her, Sam watched as she climbed up into the cab of his truck. It was an older model but immaculate inside and out. The leather seats were worn but clean, smelling slightly of tobacco and a hint of something musky that she suspected came from Sam himself. A small smile played on her lips as she imagined him cleaning his truck every day after working on the ranch.
"Safe to drive, cowboy?" she asked, raising an eyebrow playfully at him. He gave her a lopsided grin, climbing into the driver's side with ease. The engine rumbled to life under his touch, the sound comforting in the stillness of the night. "Don't you worry, sweetheart," he replied, his drawl more pronounced in the intimacy of the truck cab. "I've got everything under control."
A teasing smile tugged at her lips. "I can see that." The words were light but held an underlying note of sincerity. Mercedes was growing used to his sarcastic humor and found herself quite enamored by it.
As they drove down mostly empty roads, Mercedes leaned against the passenger door gazing out of the window, watching as farms and small houses dotted the endless landscape. Her heart still pounded in her chest from their almost-kiss, wondering what it could've been like if they weren't interrupted. She sighed softly to herself.
Sam glanced over at her, the soft sigh not going unnoticed. An easy silence filled the cab, both lost in their thoughts and the hum of the engine serving as a backdrop to their musing. The moon overhead was full and bright, bathing everything in its soft glow. It was a night that seemed to exist purely for lovers, all twinkling stars and intimate whispers.
The corners of Sam's lips turned upwards into a tender smile as he took another glance at the woman beside him. "Penny for your thoughts?" he offered, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.
Mercedes turned her gaze from the window to meet his eyes. Smiling softly, she shrugged. "Just thinking about the dance floor... and your cowboy moves."
He laughed heartily at that, his cheerful baritone filling the truck. "Oh, is that so? Seems like my 'cowboy moves' impressed you more than you'd like to admit."
Mercedes blushed but didn't shy away from his playful accusation. "Maybe. Or perhaps it was the lights... they can be quite deceptive, you know."
"Evasion will get you nowhere, darling," Sam teased her, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement.
She snorted in response, deciding to play along with his charade. "And who says I'm wanting to go somewhere, cowboy?" She shot back, her eyes glittering playfully in the moonlight.
He chuckled at her response, a slow, deep sound that set off a flurry of butterflies in her stomach. "Well then, Miss Mercedes," he drawled out, his gaze momentarily flicking from the road to meet hers, "Do enjoy the ride."
And she did. The remainder of the drive was filled with more banter and easy silence, a comfortable familiarity settling between them. When they reached Mercedes' cottage, Sam gently parked the car at the front and turned off the engine, plunging them both into an abrupt silence. The stillness seemed to amplify the lingering electricity between them, and for a fleeting moment, nothing else mattered.
He turned to her, his face softly illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the truck's window. His eyes held a depth that made her heart flutter, and before she could second guess herself, she reached out to gently cradle his face. "Thank you for the ride, cowboy," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.
His eyes wandered to her lips and back to her eyes again, a tell-tale sign of his growing temptation. He took a deep breath, his calloused hand coming up to envelope her slender fingers still resting on his cheek. His warm touch sent a jolt through her body, as if suddenly every nerve ending was on high alert. He did not break the electrifying contact, but instead, he leaned closer to her.
"Anytime, darlin'," he replied in a low drawl, his breath fanning over her face. His eyes were dark and intent on hers, the teasing cowboy replaced by a man with deeper desires.
A moment of hesitation passed between them, a palpable tension, a question in the air. Then Sam closed the distance, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that was soft and gentle and full of promise. Mercedes let out a sound of surprise but didn't pull away, instead melting into him.
His grip tightened on her hand as the kiss deepened, his other hand fumbling to find her waist and pull her closer. The world outside of his pickup truck disappeared for Mercedes. All she knew was Sam. Sam's touch, Sam's scent, the feel of his lips against hers. She responded eagerly, her free hand tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck, tugging slightly and eliciting a groan from him. The sound vibrated through her, setting off a wave of desire that coursed through her veins. His stubble grazed her skin, leaving a trail of fiery goosebumps in its wake.
Sam reluctantly pulled back, panting slightly. "Mercedes," he breathed, his voice heavy with unspoken emotions. His eyes drifted to her lips once more before locking back onto her eyes, dark and mysterious under the pale moonlight. His heart throbbed in his chest, unaccustomed to such vulnerability.
"Sam," she responded, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes glimmering with an intoxicating mix of excitement and uncertainty. Her chest heaved with each shallow breath she took, the feel of his lips still lingering on hers.
A heavy silence filled the truck's cab, thick with unvoiced questions and nascent emotions. But it wasn't uncomfortable. It was almost soothing, a silence that whispered of shared understanding. The radio crackled in the background, a country melody that seemed to encapsulate the moment perfectly. The dim light from the dashboard cast a soft glow on their faces, outlining their features in an intimate dance of shadows.
"You should get some rest," he reminded her, and she blinked, nervously licking her lips before nodding in agreement.
"Right," she replied with a quick breath, hastily opening the door and stepping out of the truck. "See you... later."
He gave her a half-smile. "Later." He watched as she walked away and disappeared inside before releasing a heavy sigh. "What the hell did you just do?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. With a deep breath, he started his truck too wired to go home just decided to park his truck at his parents' house and get an early start on the work that awaited him there. His mind was still reeling from their encounter, he knew he needed to tread lightly because the last thing he needed or wanted was to get attached to someone who was there temporarily.
they kissed and we all like it... and I'm ruin it hahahahahaahaha until next time XOXO!