Page 15 of Sam
“Stick with me, beautiful. I’ll make sure you only hear good things.” I smirk at her with a wink. When she throws back her head and laughs, I get the reaction I’m after. And I smile. It feels good to have made her laugh like that.
When she collects herself, she sits up on the couch and puts her feet on the floor. Holding out my hand, she takes it, and I pull her up. When she’s standing, I tell her, “You’ve got a couple of choices, babe. One, you can go to work. Two, you can go home, or three, we can go for a ride and blow the cobwebs away.”
She bites her lip while she considers it until she catches sight of the clock on the wall. “Oh shit,” she breathes. “I’m really late. It’s eleven in the morning. Why did you let me sleep so late?” She slaps my arm. “Abby’s going to be so pissed at me.” She groans, covering her face.
Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her to my chest. She doesn’t relax, but she does lean her forehead against my chest. My palm cups the back of her neck, and I massage the tense muscles. “Nobody is going to be pissed with you,” I tell her. “It was Mum’s suggestion when she came by earlier.” I hesitate, “Well, not the offer to go for a ride, that was my idea.”
Ally’s head snaps up, her blue eyes widening with surprise. “Really, like on the back of your bike?”
Chuckling, I reply, “Yeah, beautiful, on the back of my bike.”
She narrows her gaze at me. “You’re not messing with me, are you? I know what you guys are like about women on your bike.”
“I’m not messing, beautiful. I think the ride will do you good, and I know you enjoy riding. You’d be the only woman, other than my sisters.” I pause because I don’t want to ruin this moment, but she has to know. Bella and I were never a secret, but I still hesitate before continuing. “And Bella’s been on mybike. I’d not ask you if I didn’t mean it. Having you on the back of my bike,” again I hesitate before continuing. “It feels right.”
Ally’s smile lights up the room, and she makes no mention of my Bella comment. There’s just pure delight and happiness in her tone when she tells me, “Let me give your mum an hour or so, and you finish whatever it is you’re doing. We’ll go this afternoon if it’s still okay with you.”
Bending, I press a kiss to her forehead, holding my lips there for a second. Letting my arms drop from around her, I rub my chest again when the strange feeling from earlier flows over me. “Sounds like a plan, babe. I’ll be in to get you in an hour or so.”
“Okay,” Ally grins and claps her hands, “I’m so excited. Thank you, Sam.”
“No problem, beautiful,” I tell her as she turns and walks away. “Ally,” I call after her. Her long, dark hair swirls around her as she turns to look at me. And I’m struck once again by how beautiful she is. Ally eyes me. “Make sure you eat something,” I order her.
“I will,” she promises.
Once she’s gone, I take a deep breath and look at the ceiling. I’m not sure what to do with all these feelings flooding through me, but I didn’t lie when I told Ally that having her on the back of my bike felt right.
Taking my phone from my pocket, I find our group WhatsApp. Well, the second generation, at least.
Me—I’m taking Ally for a bike ride this afternoon if any of you want to join us.
Beau—I’ll be there.
Booker—Yep.
Brice—Sounds good.
Ben—If we can do it at three, then Carly and I can join you.
Me—Three’s fine. She’s insisting on working.
Ben—K see you at three.
Alec - ….
Bubbles appear, and I watch as Alec types, and then the bubbles disappear. I’m not sure if I’m ready to reconcile with my friend, although I know I should. I’ll need to see. He’s surprised me with how much he’s stepped up when it comes to Bren and Lexi. I hope it continues. I’ve missed him, and it would be good if I could get his opinion on whatever the fuck this is that I’m feeling about Ally.
Sighing, I put my phone back in my pocket when he doesn’t type anything. A problem to be dealt with another day.
Calling through to the office, Ally answers, “Ally speaking, how may I help?”
My lips tilt at her professional tone, “Hey, beautiful, it’s me. We’ll go at three if that works for you. The rest of the boys and Carly will come with.”
“That’s perfectly fine, sir. Three p.m. it is,” she replies primly, and I chuckle.
“Is my mum in there with you?”
“That’s correct, sir.”
