Her heart, his soul

He found his happiness

3 weeks later

*Kate*

As I park the pickup truck and leap out, I catch sight of Sam straightening up to his full height. He’s clad in worn jeans and sturdy boots, topped off with a well-loved cowboy hat that casts a shadow over his face. The sun glints off the pearls of sweat glistening on his bare chest as he digs into the earth, unearthing an old tree stump half-buried in the ground. “Hello there, handsome! I see you’re actually getting some work done today,” I call out, teasing him with a playful grin.

“Yeah,” he replies, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. “I need to get this house built. You know I can’t exactly ask you to marry me and expect you to come live in my trailer, now can I?” He chuckles, pulling off his hat and running a hand through his tousled curls, making him look even more charming.

I shake my head, stepping through the gate that leads into his sprawling yard. This isn’t the first time he’s brought up the subject of marriage, but I can’t quite gauge how serious he is. After all, we’ve only known each other for a couple of months. Yet, there’s undeniably something special between us, a connection that feels both exhilarating and at times terrifying. “Well, I wouldn’t mind,” I reply, my voice light. “But my daddy might, especially when you go asking him for permission like a real southern gentleman.”

“Believe me, darling, I will ask him,” he insists, his eyes sparkling with determination. “Then I’ll pop the question to you, and you’ll say yes, and we’ll live happily ever after with a whole bunch of kids.” With that, he wraps his arms around me, pulling me close and kissing me passionately.

I push him away, scrunching my nose in mock disgust. “Ugh, Samuel! You’re all wet and sweaty.”

He lets out a playful chuckle, a devilish glint in his eye as he grabs me again, rubbing himself against me. “And you just love it.”

I squirm free from his grasp, backing away with a playful grin. “What about a big fat ‘no’?” I say, giggling as he suddenly lunges at me, his long legs giving him the advantage as he chases me around the empty lot.

In the end, my laughter is cut short as he catches me, his arms wrapping around me as he plants soft kisses on my neck. “Hey, if you help me with this stump, we can shower together afterward,” he suggests, his voice low and enticing.

“Well, you see, that’s the kind of offer a real Texan girl can’t say no to.” I declare, grinning up at him. I grab his hand, pulling him along with me, feeling the warmth of his laughter resonate between us as we head back to the task at hand. It’s moments like these that make my heart swell.

*Sam*

"I believe I owe you a shower, my dear," I say with a playful grin. I scoop up Kate, and she wraps those long, alluring legs around me as I carry her inside my trailer, the soft glow of the afternoon sun spilling through the doorway.

I set her down just outside the cramped bathroom. With a swift motion, I begin to undress her, my lips trailing kisses along her neck and shoulders, savoring the warmth of her skin. Her fingers venture to my jeans, deftly working the button free as I kick off my boots, the anticipation coursing between us palpable. "You do realize that the shower hardly has room for both of us to stand in there, right?" I tease, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, but I don’t plan on us both standing," she replies with a cheeky smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I lift her effortlessly, her naked form feeling perfect against me as I carry her into the small, steamy sanctuary.

As I press her against the cool tile wall, I reach for the faucet, turning on the water with a satisfying hiss. Kate giggles, a sound that dances in the air like music. "Oh, you are so bad, Sam. So very bad."

"And I’m going to show you just how bad I can be," I promise, eliciting another round of delighted giggles that quickly morph into soft moans as I begin kissing and nibbling my way down her neck, feeling her hands tangle in my hair and grip my shoulders.

My lips find one of her pert breasts, and she gasps, her breath hitching as my mouth plays with her. Her fingers dig into my shoulders, pulling me closer, urging me on.

I've always enjoyed the thrill of intimacy and s*x, but with Kate, it transcends the physical. There’s an unspoken understanding between us, a perfect harmony that feels as natural as breathing. I can sense her readiness in the way her body responds to me, the soft gasps and moans spilling from her lips. As I slide inside her slowly, she throws her head back, moaning my name, a sound that reverberates through me.

Our lovemaking is a beautiful dance… soft yet passionate, filled with the kind of urgency that comes from wanting to be as close as possible. We call each other's names, a symphony of desire echoing off the bathroom walls as we reach our c****x, lost in the moment together.

Afterward, I gently lower her to her feet, the water cascading around us, and I help her wash her hair, my fingers massaging her scalp as I relish the intimacy of the moment. Once the shower is over, we wrap ourselves in towels and retreat to the cozy warmth of the bed, where the world outside fades away. I pull her close, and as we snuggle up, I can feel the comforting rhythm of her heartbeat against mine. Slowly, I drift off to sleep, the scent of her lingering in the air.

1 year ago:

"What do you want?" I ask as I open my door to find Pamela standing outside. She is looking very sexy as always in a short lace dress. I haven't talked to her since the premiere 3 days ago.

She just walks inside, ignoring that I am glaring at her. "Well, what do you think, big boy? I missed you, and I haven't heard from you for days."

"And why exactly do you think that is, Pamela?" I cross my arms on my chest, asking her.

"How would I know?" She walks over to me slowly, running her nails down my arm, but I step away, and she rolls her eyes at me. "Is this about Max? Really?"

"Hell, it is about Max. I thought we were together. I asked you to the premiere, but you didn't want to go, and then you show up on Max's arm as his girlfriend." My voice is a bit raised. "Does Max know you were here f*****g me the night before the premiere?"

"Of course he doesn't," she says, smiling. "Listen, baby, dating Max is good for my career. Both for getting connections, for publicity, and for credibility. But you are the one I want, baby. This... us... we don't have to change."

I shake my head. "Pamela, you are dating Max. He is a great guy and a friend of mine. I am not going to fool around with his girlfriend."

"Fool around? You are just so adorable, Sam." She runs her hands up around my neck, gracing her nails over the base of my neck, knowing exactly what that does to me. "Come on, big boy... You know you want me."

I curse myself. I don't know why this woman holds such power over me. Before I even realize it, I have my arms around her, kissing her deeply, and she is ripping off my shirt. I know I shouldn't do it. But honestly, it isn't my reason and sensibility that rule right now.

Much later, I am lying on the bed, trying to get my heartbeat back down. Pamela is lying with her head on my chest, her arms and legs wrapped around me. I look at her. "What are we doing here?"

"Having fun, Sam... Taking care of our needs... Acting on our urges. Don't think so much about it, big boy," she says, running her nails over my chest, scratching over my n****e.

I gasp and close my eyes. "And what about you and Max? Is it just for show or are you sleeping with him? Is he just acting? He seemed very taken with you."

"Oh, he is. I got that man wrapped so tight around my little finger it is almost ridiculous. And yes, if you really want to know... I am sleeping with him. I mean, which woman would turn that down?" she says, and I feel my heart sink.

Back to the present day:

I awaken in the familiar comfort of my trailer, a wave of relief washing over me as I realize I’m back where I belong. Beside me, Kate peacefully sleeps, the gentle rise and fall of her chest making my heart swell with affection. I pull her into my arms, burying my face in her soft hair, inhaling the sweet scent of her presence. Again tonight my dreams were haunted by memories of Pamela, a stark reminder of the day I made the worst decision of my life… a decision that nearly derailed my happiness.

But that’s all behind me now, a distant echo of regret. This is my present, my future, and it shines brightly with possibilities. Kate is my anchor; she’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I am resolute in my determination to make her a permanent part of my life. Soon, I plan to ask her father's permission… a step I know is vital in honoring tradition. I refuse to squander any more time on fleeting relationships that lead nowhere.

What I seek is a true happily ever after, and I am certain that my journey leads me hand-in-hand with Kate. She is my other half.