Story Two: The Bar

Synopsis:

Mercedes needing a break from her reality heads to a bar where no one knows her and meets Sam, the bar owner

Mercedes Jones needed to get away from it all, fans, managers, and crazy exes. So she took off, hopped in the car, started driving and ended up in a small town outside of Nashville. Stopping outside what looked like a decent bar, she grabbed her phone and headed inside, going straight for the bar.

Taking off her sunglasses she looked over to the bartender. "Whiskey, neat please."

The bartender nodded and proceeded to fix her requested drink. "Tough day?" He asked sliding the drink to her.

"Tough year!" She said, taking a sip of the drink.

He nodded. "You aren't from around here are you darlin'?"

She shook her head with a small laugh. "What gave me away?"

"No accent and you're wearing a dress… women around here only wear them for special occasions." He answered, looking her over once more. "That and I know everyone here."

She looked around the bar and nodded. "Yeah I guess I just needed to get away for a bit."

"Getting away is fun, especially when you find something to keep you distracted…"

Was that a flirt, she asked herself, staring at him. It had been a long time since a man who looked like him flirted with her. "Well when I find the distraction I'll let you know." She said, smiling up to him.

He smiled back. "Why did you need to get away?" He asked, pouring her another drink.

She sighed. "My life seemed like it wasn't my own, I was losing my muse I guess. Plus I was letting life pass me by, there are things I have never done that I want to do!"

He nodded slowly before pulling out a piece of paper and a pen. "Well, what are the things you haven't done that you want… within reason of this small town."

She laughed. "Are we really doing this?"

He smirked. "Is there something else you'd like to do instead?" He teased.

She raised any eyebrow at him, he wasn't just handsome he was a cocky one at that. "Well in the confines of this small town? I always wanted to ride a horse, go skinny dipping, lay under the stars with someone, have it be one of those really cheesy romantic moments…"

"Ride a horse huh? That can be arranged, pretty much all of the things you want to do can be done. I own a ranch not far from here, has all the things you need… and then some." He replied leaning into her slightly.

"I am gonna be honest here, I thought you were going to tell me to save a horse and ride a cowboy." She laughed.

"I'll be honest and tell you, I don't think you riding a cowboy would actually save a horse… not in my case at least."

Her eyes widened and she shook her head looking down to her drink. "Anyone ever tell you that you were a massive flirt."

He chuckled before using his hand to lift her chin. "I've been told that among other things in regards to being massive." He quipped.

"Well you won't be hearing any of that from me, I don't do one night stands." She said avoiding his gaze.

"That's good to hear because I'm not a one night man, I like to take my time and properly acquaint myself with a woman's body, judging by yours I'll definity want thirds and fourths.

She blushed shaking her head. "I don't even know you, what makes you think I would let you get acquainted with any part of my body?"

"How about we test a theory?" He countered gently running his thumb along her bottom lip. "One kiss and you don't like it, no harm no foul right?"

She scoffed, pulling away from him. "Wow, does that ever work?"

He looked at her intensely before shrugging. "Never tried it, you just have really sexy lips."

Was this really happening? This was like something out of one of her novels. "I um I.." She was lost for words at the moment,

"What? No one ever told you that before?" He questioned.

"No." She murmured.

He scoffed and shook his head. "No wonder you left wherever you came from. Be warned, I won't let you leave this bar without getting a kiss from you." He assured her with a mischievous grin forming.

"Pretty sure your boss might not like that, not to mention those girl's in the corner who have been eyeing me since I came in."

"Boss? Sweetheart, I own this bar so he would actually enjoy that and as for those two, they're harmless and very married. I like how you didn't turn down the thought of getting a kiss though."

"You own a bar and a ranch?" She asked avoiding his statement.

"Mhm and a few horses, cows and chickens. So I wasn't kidding about you being able to do everything there… and I do mean everything."

"So, man who does everything, why aren't you married?" she questioned.

"Haven't found a woman that can handle me yet." He replied. "Why aren't you married?"

"I was engaged once, but I guess I haven't found a man who wasn't intimidated by a woman who doesn't need a man. They don't realize that just cause I don't need one, doesn't mean I don't want one."

"Pity. I prefer them not to need me, them wanting me is far more fun." He said pouring more whiskey into her glass. "It's a shame for them since you won't be returning to wherever anytime soon, they won't get to see your new glow…"

"Pretty bold to assume that I am gonna stay here." She said, cocking her eyebrow.

"You seem like a smart woman so I'll be straight with you, you're going to end up in my bed and not because I'm telling you but because you want to." He said, giving her a minute. "My name is Sam, figured you'd like to know the name you'll be moaning out later."

She stared at him, he seemed so sure of himself she actually wondered if she would actually end up in his bed. "You really do seem sure of yourself."

He chuckled before whistling loudly, getting everyone's attention. "Last call!" He said looking at her. "That doesn't mean you're leaving, can't have them in here for the rest of our conversation."

Mercedes would have been impressed by the man had she not been utterly shocked. "I think that's my cue to actually go and find a hotel for the night."

Sam smirked and handed her a booklet. "Here's the list of them and their numbers." He said before waving as few of the other patrons began to leave.

Looking at the booklet she saw a small bed and breakfast and smiled. "This place looks like it's something out of a romance novel." And she would know, she described a few.

"It's definitely the best spot in town but rooms do go quickly so I'd call before they closed for the evening." Sam replied before walking off to talk to the last lingering patrons to make sure they were good to drive home.

Grabbing her phone she frowned. "Would I be able to use your phone? Mine is dead…which really isn't a good thing being in a town by my lonesome."

"Sure, just walk around the bar and go ahead." He answered, walking the last patron out so he could lock up behind them.

Mercedes walked behind the bar and dialed the number to the bed and breakfast waiting for them to answer.

"Hello and thank you for calling Evans B & B. How can I assist you?" a voice came over the line.

"Umm hi I am in need of a room for the night and I was wondering if you had any available?

"Let me check and see…"

Mercedes glanced at the door and watched Sam saying good night to the patrons, he was sexy and hot and if she wasn't in her right mind a night of passion might be what the doctor ordered.

"Seems we have one room available if you'd like to come over now we can get you booked and settled."

"Thank you so much, can you book it under Mercedes please."

After finishing up the call she smiled, hanging up. Sam walked over to her. "I take it, they had a room available?"

"They did!" She replied happily and he just smirked.

"Well I guess, I was proven wrong. Can I atleast walk you out?" He asked.

She looked at him before nodding. "Harmless enough, didn't take you for the type to give up without a fight." She teased and Sam chuckled.

"Who says I'm giving up?" He asked, unlocking the door and leading her out. "I hope your stay there is… pleasurable." He added leaning in and placing a chaste kiss on her lips. "Mmm… as I thought, delicious."

Mercedes' eyes widened as he kissed her, a part of her wanting to lean in and kiss him again, deeper, longer…she shook off that feeling. "I really should get going…but thank you. I do hope I see you around."

"Be careful what you wish for, drive safely." He said with a nod before walking back into his bar. He pulled his phone out and texted his brother telling him to move the booking to the room next to his.

Mercedes found the place fairly quickly and it was stunning for a BnB, she knew she wanted to explore the property during her stay but for now, she just wanted to get a shower and some dinner.

Sam had taken his time cleaning and locking up the bar. He knew that Stevie would set her up right. When they inherited the ranch from their parents, he and Stevie both decided if they wanted to make the most of the Ranch, of the bar, they could turn the Ranch into a BnB for all the tourists, and lucky for Sam the tourist he wanted to get his hands on would be closer than ever.

Walking into the BnB Sam smiled at his baby brother. "Good night?"

"Great night, we have three new guests, including that sexy lil thang you sent my way." Stevie said with a smile.

Sam rolled his eyes. "I sent your way? Don't make me kick your ass, she is not here for your enjoyment."

"Oh I see, she's here for yours." His brother said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Sam ran his hands through his hair. "Look just keep your grabby paws off of her, got it?"

"Hey, you don't have to tell me twice but you know you have a no fraternizing policy." Stevie said, teasing him.

"Doesn't apply to the owner, go home." Sam said before walking upstairs towards his room. He could hear humming and running water coming from the room next to his and smirked, he would give some time to get settled while he ordered them dinner.

Mercedes thoroughly enjoyed her shower and was now laying on the bed looking over the menu to decide on what to order for dinner when there came a knock at her door.

She slipped on her robe before walking over to open the door and her eyes widened. "How… how did you know I was here?" She asked.

"Well this is my ranch." Sam replied before nudging her aside and pushing in the tray he had with him. "I figured you're more of a dinner and movie kind of woman. So I brought dinner." He added.

Mercedes looked at him in shock, opening and closing her mouth before shaking her head. "What? No, this is Evans BnB." She replied and he chuckled, moving to where she stood frozen.

"Guess we should get proper introductions out of the way, my name is Sam Evans." He said tugging on the tie of her robe, pulling her closer. "Now yours?"

"I'm not telling you!"

Sam shrugged. "That's fine, I have ways of getting what I want."

*Evil smirk*