He glanced at his father, as if seeking agreement. Or perhaps permission? Either way, Cash granted both, dipping his head in acknowledgement.
“Matthew once caught a fishthis big.” He held his hands about shoulder width apart, speaking to Callan, and was gratified by the way the lad’s eyes widened in wonder. “He wasn’t much older than you are now.”
“Was it here? Did ye catch it here?” The boy was bouncing in excitement.
Cash shook his head solemnly. “No, it was from the river near our—our home.” He caught himself before he mention hisestate. “My son excels at everything he tries,” he finished proudly.
As Matthew blushed and bit into his apple, Athena caught Cash’s eye and grinned appreciatively. He was surprised by the surge of gratefulness which welled up at her approval. He didn’tneedanyone’s approval—he was aduke,after all. So why did knowing he’d impressed her with his praise for his son make him feel all warm inside?
That’s your cock talking.
Oh, right.
As Matthew launched into an explanation about the best ways to entice a trout, Athena’s grin widened. Holding hisgaze, she bit into the apple, and how in all the hells did she manage to make something so simple look sosensual?
The red of the apple matched her hair, which was speckled with gold in the dappled sunlight under the oak’s branches. It really was a remarkable shade of red, almost fiery, and surely symbolized a personality to match. She wore it in a simple braid down her back, which had likely been for swimming, although small wisps of hair framed her face.
Although he knew she was likely a merchant’s educated daughter, or perhaps a disgraced member of the minor gentry, he was struck by the simplicity of such a coiffure. She’d braided her hair to go swimming with her son, but what would she say if he offered her a maid to arrange her hair or drape her in silks?
What would she look like wearing nothing but those red curls and his naked body?
As if she could sense his thoughts, her hazel eyes shifted to a knowing look, and he found himself grinning in acknowledgement. Here and now, his title and her past meant nothing. They were two adults, enjoying the summer afternoon with their children.
“Tomorrow, Mama? Can Matthew teach me to fish tomorrow?”
He watched as her gaze dropped to her son’s and saw the moment she understood what the question would mean. She opened her mouth to tell Callan no, because Cash and Matthew only came to the river once a week.
But the thought of allowing that to happen—disappointing the boys, and in a very real way, disappointing himself—was abhorrent, so he beat her to the response. “Of course, lad. We could be here tomorrow.”
It was Matthew who gasped. “Really, Father? Twice in one week?”
Cash shrugged easily, mentally reorganizing his schedule. Attending the Dumpkins house party had been playing havoc with his schedule anyhow, but at least the Countess had offered him a study from which to work. His correspondence was being forwarded to the Dumpkins estate, and his secretary had traveled with them. If Mother hadn’t been so insistent he escort Carlotta to this thing, his life would’ve been easier…but what was one more disruption?
“I think,” he began slowly, mentally cataloging what he needed to do in the morning, “if our new friends are willing to come tomorrow afternoon again, instead of in the morning, we could make that work.”
While the lads celebrated in excitement, Athena dipped her chin in response to his unspoken question. She was so regal and beautiful, he damn near ached to learn more about her.
Cock, remember?
Damn, he must need some relief, because every movement the woman made caused him to stiffen.
“We can be here tomorrow afternoon,” she said, in that soft Scottish brogue he was coming to love. “I will pack enough lunch for us all.”
Callan was practically bouncing up and down. “I’m going fishing, Mama! I cannae wait to tell Granda and Uncle Lysander!”
“Father,” piped up Matthew, “do I have to wear a bathing costume tomorrow? Callan swims in the nuddy.”
As Cash choked on his laughter, Callan smacked Matthew’s arm. “Yehave to wear clothes because yer pecker’s bigger than mine. Uncle Lysander says I’m a wee lad with wee parts that willnae scare the ladies.”
To Cash’s surprise, Athena blushed, her freckled skin turning a becomingly pink tint. He hadn’t thought anything could embarrass her, but apparently, her son’s poor manners did. As Matthew defended the size of his “pecker,” she groaned and dropped her face into her hands.
But once started, the rumble of laughter in Cash’s chest didn’t seem to want to stop. He was still chuckling as Athena tried her best to change the subject, and it almost worked.
In fact, his heart felt lighter than it had in…well, as long as he could recall. Usually, these stolen moments at the river with his son were the bright points of his week, buttoday…?
Today was special.
Even as he helped Athena pack up the blanket and the picnic basket, he had to fight back the uncharacteristic smile. Heshouldbe disappointed that their time was ending, but he’d been promised tomorrow.
