For Sam: A new-girl small town cowboy romance

Chapter 59 Sam

Yes, he left. But he didn’t leave.

And he didn’t leave me.

“Never,” he says again.

The rollercoaster of emotions I’ve already been through feels like a kiddie train ride compared to what I just learned.

Avery’s hand at my back is still now, offering silent support. Courtney is holding Tommy’s arm, I think. But as hard as it has been, I’ve been unable to look away from Tommy. I thought he was going to confirm what I told the girls, but the truth is so vastly different than what it looked like. The scenes play again through my mind, but this time, I let Tommy’s words narrate.

Everything falls into place. I think about any time Tommy’s ex was mentioned, someone noted that he was over her.

“So, you’re not getting back together with Maisy?”

“Absolutely not,” Tommy says resolutely.

“Should we…” Courtney begins, pointing between herself and Avery and the stairs.

“I’m okay,” I tell them. “Thank you.”

And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

Tommy watches me carefully while fidgeting as they leave.

“There’s nothing I want more than you. I’m so sorry that you saw that. I should have come back to the table right away, damn Maisy if she followed. But I let her lead me away. I should have never let her manipulation take a single moment from our date. All I could think of was keeping her out of our lives. Not because she holds any part of my heart, she doesn’t. But because she is a master of manipulation and I couldn’t stand the thought of her pulling any crap with you.”

He takes one step towards me as my chest expands with emotion.

“The only thing that’s going to take me away from you is you telling me you’re done. I’ll respect that, but no one, ex or not, is getting any of my heart.” One more step. “You hold my entire heart Samantha Davies and I’m completely in love with you. If you’re okay with it, I’m not going anywhere, not without you at my side.”

“Truth or truth?” I ask, leaving a little space between us even though my body is screaming to close it.

Tommy looks a little confused. “Aren’t you supposed to ask me ‘truth or dare?’”

“Not this time.”

“Okay, truth.”

I take a breath to steel my nerves and ask what I need to know. “How much did I mess up?”

He opens his mouth and closes it. “How much did you mess up?”

I nod. “Yes, how much did I mess up?”

“You—” He lets out a sharp breath and starts again, putting his hands on my shoulders and sending shivers down my spine. I didn’t think I was going to feel his touch again, other than a pity hug during the official break up. Tears threaten to spill out again. “You did nothing wrong, Sam. Nothing.”

“I made you worry.”

“I made you think I was capable of leaving you.” Okay, he does have a point, there.

“Can I kiss you now?” Tommy’s eyes search my entire face as I nod because at this moment, nothing else matters. “Thank fucking God.”

We both close the remaining space between us as we collide. My hands find purchase on the back of his neck while his kiss is almost burning with its intensity. Fisting my hair to keep me in place, his tongue dives into my mouth. The way he plunges in again and again has me wanting to have him inside of me. I’m craving that connection right now and I can feel that he’s interested, too.

When his hand scoops my butt, my legs clamp around his waist like a vise and I’m so grateful I picked the outfit with pants so I didn’t rip my skirt trying to do this. My back is pressed against either a wall or a door. I’m not even sure and right now, I don’t care. I’m just soaking in every touch from a man I’m in love with who I thought…God, I’m not even going to let that cross my mind again tonight. I’m sure I’ll replay the horror I felt later, but not now that he’s here, and he’s choosing me.

And Maisy Jones won’t take another moment from us.

He even said that he’s staying with me until I ask him to leave. Was that just about tonight and us not being apart, or was it about something more permanent? A new tingle runs down my spine from both the thought of Tommy wanting to stay with me for a while and those three words coming from his lips.

Those very lips that I pull back from for a moment, cradling his face in my hands.

“What? Is something wrong?” His voice is a little breathless.

Placing one soft kiss on his lips I take a second to soothe the worry that I can see building in his eyes. Then I speak the words I’ve wanted to say.

“I love you, too.”

He groans and kisses me with renewed enthusiasm, peppering my neck with kisses while repeating that he loves me.

“Please don’t have sex on my couch,” Courtney calls from the top of the stairs, effectively cooling us down.

We hear a muffled “ouch” and then, “What? It’s still new.”

Tommy gives me a wicked smile and calls back, “Don’t worry, we’re against the bathroom door.”

“But we’re not doing anything!” I add, mortified at the thought of having sex in my friend’s basement. “You should come down, actually.”

“We’re counting to ten to give you time to put your clothes back on. One,” Courtney begins.

“Oh my God, I can’t take you anywhere.” I can almost hear Avery’s eyes roll as she says that. “We’re coming down the stairs. If you’re naked this fast, then that’s on you two.”

“Psht, you and Jax should talk.”

“Jackson and I are not in your basement when our clothes are shed, we’re in our own house.”

By the time those two come around the corner, Tommy has set me down and spun me to face Avery and Courtney while he’s pressed against me with his hands clasped in front of my belly.

Avery lets out a happy sigh. “I’m so happy for you two. We’re going to put on face masks and then finish the movie, and I’m guessing you two need to head out.”

“We’ll get the details from each of you tomorrow.” Courtney gives us a wink.

Tommy looks down at me, giving me one hell of a sexy smile and tells them, “Yeah, we might need some time alone and we’ll join you two next time.”

I smile because I love his plan. I can already picture more nights like this to come. Hopefully with less drama and fewer tears. Or maybe just tears of joy…

We say goodbye as Tommy scoops up my purse and guides me up the stairs and to this truck. His arm tightens around me and he whispers into my ear, “Your place or mine?”

I’m about to say ‘mine’ simply because it’s closer, but I pause and think about how it would feel to stay at Landen Acres. To wake up in his arms on the ranch. To figure out how to navigate life around his brothers. Or with his brothers.

And I want that.

“Yours.”