“Yes, but not our Banksy. He is named after the England goalkeeper Gordon Banks. Every dog Grandpa has had since 1966 has been called Banksy, which was confusing when he got this Banksy before the last Banksy died.” she laughed.
“They love you very much,” said Jim.
“Who the dogs?” She smiled, knowing exactly who he meant.
“Your family,” he said. “I have just had the ‘what are your intentions?’ inquisition.”
“And?” she asked.
“I have convinced them that my intentions are perfectly honourable.” He smiled as he considered that most of his intentions for Tasha were downright depraved.
“Shame.” She settled next to him and leaned against his chest.
“You are very naughty.” He rubbed his hand over her bottom. “In fact, your grandfather has assured me I need to be very firm with you because you have a reckless streak. He even uttered the words that you sometimes need to be put over a knee.” He grinned.
“I would have died on the spot had I heard Gramps make that suggestion.”
“I assured him I have no issue in asserting my firmness with you.”
Tasha giggled while Jim wiggled his eyebrows. “I like you when you’re firm,” she teased.
“You keep flirting with me like this and you won’t have long to wait long, honey,” he told Tasha as she threw the ball for Banksy again before taking Jim’s hand.
“Did you mention marriage or L.A. to them?” she asked nervously.
“I said I still believe in marriage and I see you as my long term future and I also said I would take very good care of you when you are in L.A. but no more,” he reassured her. “This is a nice house and the gardens are lovely.” he deliberately changed the subject.
“Mmm, this is a proper family home. We spent some weekends and holidays here. Dan and I used to hide from Pippa in the woods when she was being a pain,” she laughed.
“Very naughty, Natasha.” He laughed back, pushing her against a nearby tree. “I am glad you decided to wear a dress.” He smiled, already lifting the skirt of the tribal print maxi dress.
“I think you decided more than me.” She slipped her hands under his shirt where she gently stroked his skin and was rewarded with his muscles tensing beneath her touch.
“I love you, Natasha, especially when you’re naughty.” He rubbed her cheeks through her lace pants, abrading the skin beneath them making her wince.
“Maybe lace was not one of my better ideas.”
“Take them off then,” he suggested, smiling.
“I thought I was the naughty one?” She laughed again.
“You have no idea how naughty I can be, baby. Take them off, Tasha, let me touch you,” he told her, triumph and arousal rushing through his veins when he felt her hands brush his as she prepared to remove her underwear.
Suddenly, they both heard Pippa calling, “Tash, Banksy.”
Tasha shook her head at Jim’s look of disappointment and the knowledge that she was going to have to wait for Jim to touch her. “Do you see why Dan and I used to hide from her?”
“Tasha, old, rich guy.”
Jim frowned. “The smart mouth is definitely hereditary.” With his frown deepening he continued, “But that will piss me off Tasha, so maybe you could have a word, please.”
“No problem.” The last thing she wanted was for Pippa’s attempts at humour to be a bone of contention for Jim and it would be better for her to speak to her sister and prevent that happening than for Jim to take her to task directly. She kissed him gently on the lips as Pippa found them.
“Shit, Tash, get a room.”
“Pippa, don’t swear,” she said crossly, feeling Jim tensing beside her.
“Sorry,” said Pippa. “Gramps loves you,” she said to Jim. “He’d prefer you to be English, but he likes you anyway and I think Grandma swooned, either that or her vertigo has flared up.”
