Enjoy!

Chapter Nine

Sam looked over at Mercedes while she rested, they had another forty-five minutes before they arrived at their destination and it was taking everything in him not to spend it inside her again. He sighed, turning his attention back to the email he was reading. His head was hurting slightly as he reread the words.

Samuel Evans, it deeply saddens me that you have chosen to rekindle your… romance with the woman that tried to destroy our family. I would hope that you would have at least warned us before these photos were shared.

Sincerely,

Mary Evans.

Sam looked at the attached images of Mercedes and him before opting to reach out to the publication company that posted it. He was clearly off his game considering that the pictures were taken when they arrived at the train station. Quickly typing up a well worded threat to them, he figured a quick shower would do him some good. He wasn't a huge fan of Tennessee but he also knew what they were walking into and needed to look the part.

After sending the email, he walked into the ensuite to take a refreshing shower. He had a lot on his mind but there was one thing he was certain about, his plan to keep Mercedes. He knew all of this was out of character for him but he'd missed her more than he was willing to admit. He stepped into the shower, wondering how things would go over in Tennessee with his less than… filtered clients. He knew that Mercedes could hold her own if needed but he also knew they had to convince the world that they were indeed a couple.

Letting the water roll off his skin, he devised a plan that would make the trip less strenuous. He knew that the biggest hurdle would be Cooter Menkins. He was one of his mother's oldest friends and the person he was forced to keep doing business with due to their families connections.

He didn't want to put Mercedes in that situation but there was no avoiding it, the event was being thrown by the Menkins' Corporation. Sighing, he quickly washed up before getting out to get dressed. He chose a crisp charcoal suit with a black button down, leaving a few unbuttoned showing off his toned chest. He paired it with a pair of black dress shoes and his gold cufflinks.

Giving himself a once over as he raked his hand through his hair, allowing it to fall over naturally. Grabbing his cologne he put it on, pacing the bottle on the counter as he glanced at himself once more, before walking out to the room.

Mercedes blink, adjusting her eyes before they landed on Sam. She looked at him, biting her lip as she groaned involuntarily. He looked like sin dressed in his suit and his cologne made her cross her legs and squeeze. This was going to be a long trip if he planned on dressing like that the whole time.

"Hey sleepyhead." He said, breaking her from the dirty thoughts flooding her mind. "We have about thirty minutes before we're there."

She nodded. "And where is 'there' exactly?"

Smiling, he walked closer leaning over her. "I have a dress in the closet for you." He said, pulling the cover down revealing her naked body. "I'm sure the sizing is correct."

"A dress?" She questioned. "What are you getting me into?"

Sam sighed, figuring he owed her a heads up. "A fundraiser… somewhat conservative…"

"Oh hell to the no! You are not about to have me in a room of hillbillies who've never seen a free black woman before! Uh-huh, nope!"

He chuckled, pulling her upwards and wrapping his arms around her. "I don't mean in that sense, I mean it more like it's a work event with old people who have absolutely seen a free Black woman before… they're just assholes."

Mercedes narrowed her eyes before sighing. "I swear Sam… I can't be seen with that type of crowd." She warned.

He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Trust me, it's not but I want you to stay close to me… there's one person I don't trust."

"Who?" She asked and he just looked at her before kissing her again.

"Go get dressed, you'll know when you see them." He answered, releasing her from their embrace. "We're going straight to the event from the station."

Mercedes was still skeptical about going to this event, but somehow knowing that Sam wanted her at his side, made her ultimately decide to go. She grabbed the garment bag and walked into the bathroom, taking a quick shower, because she knew she needed time for her hair.

As she debated on wearing her hair down, but ultimately she went with the twisted mohawk, it gave her such an elegant look. Deciding on subtle makeup she went with the natural look. Grabbing the garment back, she gasped at the gorgeous dress Sam picked out.

The red floor length, off one shoulder sweetheart neckline dress with a slit that went up her thigh, and a small train. As she slid it on, she exhaled, that man not only had great taste, but he seemed to really know her body because the dress fit like a glove. It flowed over her curves, and left nothing to the imagination.

She stood, adding the diamond teardrop earrings that Sam had given her last week with the matching necklace, she stepped out of the bathroom and beamed at the way Sam was undressing her with his eyes.

"So? What do you think? I love the dress but I need shoes."

Sam didn't hear a word she said as he checked his watch. "Dammit…you are so lucky we don't have time… you look…hell I am tempted to say 'fuck it' and we just go to my place."

"I did not get all dressed up to be shown off, now do we have time for me to get shoes?"

Sam sighed finally realizing what she was saying. "Oh. No, here." Walking to his bag he pulled out a box.

Mercedes groaned seeing the five in black heels. They had a strap that went over her ankles and a gorgeous diamond pattern on the back. "Sam, I am in love!" She said, hugging the shoes. "They are perfect!"

Laughing Sam took a shoe and bent down to place it on her. She hissed as his hands ran up her thighs.

"Just a taste…"

Mercedes shook her head holding out her other foot. "No! Because it's never just a taste. You have no self control."

Sam kissed her inner thigh as he placed her other shoe on, knowing he was getting to her. "Whether I get to do it now, or I pull you away later, I am gonna get a taste of you, so you might as well let me do it now." He said, running his hand over her clit.

"Sam." She groaned. "You said we don't have time."

"I said I don't have time to fuck you, but taste you… that's completely different." He said as he moved her thigh over his shoulder, pulling her thong aside as he began to suck on her clit.

"Sa-fuck!" Her hands went to the wall gripping it as her body shook.

"Mmm, you taste so damn good." He mused as he added a finger. "Cum for me baby, we are running out of time."

Mercedes whimpered, toes curling as she came hard against his lips, screaming out as he lapped up her essence.

Putting her foot down, Sam stood and smiled, grabbing a tissue and wiping his mouth. "Now, I am ready to go." He said adjusting himself.

Mercedes looked out the window as their limo came to a stop, she could see what looked like one of the most lavish buildings she's ever seen and that was saying a lot being that she was from New York. The tall glass building sparkled in the night light like a star, there was a long line of black limos in front of them and suddenly it hit her that this was going to be the first time they were anywhere as a couple.

Looking over at Sam who was engrossed in his phone, she knew this was important but a part of her wanted, hoped they could really pull this off in front of his constituents. This wasn't like a red carpet where you were surrounded by other celebrities, no one knew who she was and that both excited and scared her.

Looking back out the window, she saw some approach before feeling Sam's hand on her waist. "Treat it like an important dinner, we'll make our appearance and then in about an hour we'll leave."

She nodded. "It's a fundraiser so shouldn't we stay for the bidding?"

Smiling, he shook his head. "I've already written a check, this is just for the formalities." He replied right as the door opened.

Sam stepped out first and Mercedes had to blink several times to adjust to the constant flashing, something she knew she would never get used to because she hated it. When Sam held his hand out for her, she quickly grabbed it, allowing him to help out of the limo.

He smiled at her before pulling her close so they could pose for a few pictures. "You do look beautiful." He whispered, slowly lowering his hand to the curve of her ass, making her blush.

"Don't start." She warned playfully. "I refuse to be in some conference room screaming your name for everyone to hear."

Sam chuckled before leading them up the entryway and into the massive building. The interior was just as beautiful as the exterior, large floor to ceiling windows, marbled flooring and golden chandeliers that hung from the vaulted ceiling. The room was filled with sophisticated guests, all dressed to the nines, sipping on champagne and engaging in hushed conversations. The air smelled of rich perfume and power. This was a world she wasn't used to, yet here she was, standing side by side with Sam, looking every bit a part of it.

"Ready for the fun part?" He asked, grabbing them a glass of champagne as one of the many waiters walked by.

She accepted the glass, taking a sip and nodding. "As long as they don't ask me anything about math…"

Sam shook his head, smiling before it fell when he saw the bane of his existence making a beeline for them. Instinctively he wrapped a possessive arm around Mercedes, who noticed the sudden change in his demeanor.

A large man with thinning blonde hair and a too tight suit stopped directly in front of them with a pensive expression. "Sam fucking Evans, who would've thought you'd show your ass here tonight?"

"Cooter, always a pleasure. No Penny tonight?" Sam asked, his hold on Mercedes growing tighter.

"Nah, I left at home with the cows." The man answered before his eyes shifted over to Mercedes. Licking his lips he smirked. "And just who might this… lovely, lovely dove be?"

Mercedes saw Sam's jaw tick before remembering what he told her on the train. She smiled, reaching out her hand. "Mercedes, Mercedes Jones."

Cooter gladly took her hand, lightly caressing it with his stubby fingers. "Well aren't you just as delicious as freshly picked apple on a hot day."

She let out an uncomfortable laugh before sliding her hand from his. "Well, I can't say I've ever been complimented that way but… thanks."

Cooter's eyes slowly roved over Mercedes's body before meeting hers again. "I fear that might not have been sufficient enough… a woman of your… stature deserves all the praises a man could think of and then some."

Sam cleared his throat, his ears bright red and eyes set to kill. "Trust, she gets all the praise from me and me alone. If you'll excuse us." He attempted to walk away but Cooter blocked his path.

"Surely you wouldn't mind if I gave this pretty dove a little tour, after all this is my fundraiser." Cooter said more than asked and that's when Mercedes noticed just how tightly Sam was holding onto her.

"I don't-"

"As lovely as that sounds, I would prefer to stay with my date. Like he said, I get the praise I need from him and him alone." Mercedes interjected sweetly. "Perhaps after we've made our rounds, Sam can show me all the… sweetspots."

Cooter frowned, fixing his too small pants. "Well, if that's what the little lady wants but I will have to ask that you allow me a dance."

Sam chugged the rest of his drink, before attempting to smile. "If she has the time." He answered before walking away with Mercedes close at his side.

Cooter watched them walk away, admiring the way Mercedes' hips swayed and vowed that he would be leaving with her. "Evans you sly fox, she may be on your arm now but she'll be in my bed later."

Oh shit... now we gotta deal with Cooter ass! Sam about to be knucking and bucking