“Give me one reason why the sight of you two laughing hysterically shouldn’t scare the living crap out of me.” He bent down and kissed Tasha on the lips before Lizzie called to him.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, sweetie,” he called across to Lizzie.
“Hi, Mr Maybury,” called Danielle.
“Hi, Mr Maybury,” echoed the boys.
“Hi, can I get any of you a drink?” Jim called to them.
“No thanks,” they all called together.
Tasha smiled at the way Jim interacted with his daughter and her friends. He was chilled and at ease, speaking to them as equals yet somehow retaining his air of authority that commanded their respect. It was more than that though. Her smiled broadened at the realisation that she loved the father he was.
“What about you two?” Jim asked Tasha and Abby, shaking the former from her thoughts.
“Not for me, I have to go and collect Alexa from riding school, but I will see you tomorrow at Bria’s,” said Abby.
“Yeah.” Jim kissed Abby on the cheek then said, “You know Tasha rides so if Alexi fancies coming over some time call Tasha. I’m sure Travis will be happy to sort you all out.”
“She would love that. She likes Tasha,” said Abby.
“Everybody does,” Jim told his sister-in-law with a smile.
“Especially those boys over there.” Abby laughed again as she called to Lizzie and left.
Jim watched the boys watching Tasha. “Shall we go in and talk?”
Tasha was certain his words were more of a statement than a question so headed back indoors, followed by Jim.
Once indoors he asked, “Is this little bikini and short ensemble for my benefit or your teenage fans?” He reached over to finger the plastic clip fastening to the front of the top.
“It was very hot when I got back, so it was actually for my benefit,” she said, almost defiantly.
Jim arched a brow with a slightly disbelieving smile. “As if you’re not in enough trouble that you choose now to get all feisty.” He shook his head, but his smile remained. “I thought I made it clear we weren’t playing that whole defiant, pigtailed Natasha Winters thing, so I assume this is for real, baby.” He reached around and smacked her behind firmly making her jump. “Now, you can start by telling me why there are horny boys poolside with my daughter while checking out my girlfriend before explaining why Amanda was late back after lunch, and then we can decide on a wedding date.”
Tasha finished explaining how Lizzie had appeared with her friends and that they were poolside as she had refused to let them all go upstairs, much to Jim’s relief it appeared.
He had removed his tie and undone the top couple of buttons on his shirt as Tasha draped her legs across his.
“I am sorry that Amanda was late back, time just got away from us.”
“I bet it did.” He was still obviously unamused by her socialising with his ex-wives, unamused and unsure if anything good could come from it.
Chapter 16
Tasha woke with a start, the sound of the alarm made her groan loudly before Jim turned it off. She crawled up the bed slightly, lying on his chest.
“Why is the alarm going off? I thought it was a holiday.”
“It is, but we are going to the vineyard for breakfast, remember?” Jim’s arms slid around her, holding her tightly.
“We could go for lunch instead.” She traced a path down his torso and found his happy trail with her fingers making him groan and flex beneath her hand.
“You really need to rethink your objection to sex when you’re having your period, baby because we both know what you need.” He grinned cockily.
“Maybe, but it still seems odd to me, distasteful.” She shuddered. “But I more than enjoyed your alternatives last night,” she told him with a smirk at the memory.
