So, yeah, it was nice to know that maybe I could make them both happy.
“You know the best part about you dating my mom?”
“You have someone closer to your age that might understand you?”
She paused, blinking a few times before smiling.
“Okay, the next best thing?”
We both chuckled and I nodded.
“Tell me.”
“When the sessions end at the end of summer for the kids, I get to still have you, and you can still take me horseback riding and do all the fun things around the ranch. And because mom works there, kinda, as well, then we can do things as a family.”
“Do you miss that?”
I heard the sliding door open and watched as Katie walked out, standing just next to me. She rested her hand on my shoulder and I took it, linking our fingers together.
“Sometimes. Mom is great, but I do miss having a man around to make her laugh.”
She lifted her head and looked at her mom, who only shook her head in response.
“If you two are done bonding, dinner is getting cold. Come on.”
Three hours flew by and I couldn’t recall when I ever had so much fun. These two were a hoot and their relationship wasunlike any I had ever seen. I mean, of course mine growing up sucked. But even for being just them, Tiffany and Katie bonded. It was a beautiful sight to see.
“Are you sure I have to go to bed,” Tiffany whined, making Katie roll her eyes.
“Yes, or Zeb won’t be by anymore because he won’t want to deal with a spoiled child. Now go.”
Tiffany huffed but gave her mom a kiss and a hug before giving me a hug and headed off to bed. We heard the door close and Katie let out a breath.
“I’m glad she’s close to you, Zeb. I think if she didn’t know you this wouldn’t be so smooth.”
“Oh, no, I think anyone you picked to fall for might have been smooth. Tiffany adores you, Katie. All she’s wanted is for you to be happy.”
Katie opened her mouth to say something but instead, she shook her head and stood up, gathering the dessert dishes.
“Do you think we’ll be okay to move along?” I asked as I walked up behind her, placing my hands on her waist and kissing the side of her neck gently.
“I think so. You sure you want to tackle me and my daughter?”
“Baby, I honestly don’t want anything more.”
She shivered under my touch and my words and hell if it didn’t make me feel ten feet tall.
“People will talk, say that you shouldn’t date someone so old.”
“Yeah, well, they don’t know how much of a tiger you are in bed. I still have the marks to prove it.”
“Oh my gosh, stop!” she hissed, but the blush on her cheeks told me she enjoyed it as much as I did. And it only solidified how much we really belonged together. I was just glad I pulled my head out of my ass long enough to see it.
Chapter 13
Katie
Six months.
