He stalked forward.
She edged back. “Derek,” she said in warning.
He really shouldn’t.
But she was so dry and…tempting. “How about I give you some warning? One, two…three.” He pressed the hose and directed the long stream of cold water her way.
She squealed and ran, but he was faster. Catching up to her with the hose, he gave her a thorough dousing before releasing the makeshift weapon and letting it drop to the grass.
She was bent over, panting and laughing, while from behind them, Holly was giggling like he’d never heard before.
Gabrielle raised her head and glared at him, but he saw the beginnings of a grin on her face.
“I couldn’t help myself,” he said.
“I bet.” She stood up straight and pushed her wet hair off her face.
He took in her gym shorts and the T-shirt she’d borrowed from him for the occasion. The white T-shirt, which was now sheer. Her breasts rose and fell beneath the flimsy material, her nipples rosy and hard, pressing through the light cotton.
He swallowed a groan, unable to think of anything except wrapping her in his arms, pulling her to the ground and making love to her right here, right now. And from the sultry look in her eyes, she knew exactly what he was thinking.
“Dad!”
Holly’s voice brought him to his senses.
“Yeah?” he asked, his gaze still focused on Gabrielle.
“Fred’s dry and he’s trying to get free. Can I let him go?” she asked.
He turned his gaze toward his daughter. “Why don’t you take him to Grandpa’s house, so he won’t get into any more trouble out here?” he suggested.
“Good idea. Then I’ll take my shower so we can go shopping!” She pulled on Fred’s collar and somehow got the dog to follow her toward the house.
Derek picked up a dry towel from the table and tossed it to Gabrielle, then grabbed one for himself.
Neither of the adults spoke on the way back to Derek’s. They didn’t need to. Holly did all the chatting for them. His daughter was happy and still laughing over Fred’s bath and her father’s unexpected fun side.
He was too preoccupied with his own thoughts. They’d all been comfortable with one another. They?
?d had fun. Holly was happy.
Somehow Fred’s hosing had become a family affair.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
TO DEREK, IT WAS OBVIOUS Gabrielle loved Target. She insisted they could find everything they wanted in one place, including food. They didn’t, however, which necessitated a trip to the local supermarket. But this was only after they’d loaded up the trunk with all the new clothes, hair accessories and DVDs Gabrielle and Holly had chosen.
Derek marveled at how quickly the time had passed in the store. Even more, how much fun he’d had shopping with Holly and Gabrielle. How often had Marlene asked him to join her on a shopping trip? Too often to count, and she hadn’t always been referring to sitting around the women’s department while she tried on clothes. As he’d made more and more money, she’d asked for his opinion on items for their new apartment, for Christmas presents for Holly, her parents and his. He’d always rejected the idea outright.
He’d thought his time could be better spent working, even on the weekends. In his job, he’d found an escape from reality—he hadn’t had to face the truth of his life. He’d abandoned the woman he loved, married a woman he didn’t and he wasn’t happy. All because of that damn curse. More than once today, he found himself struck by a twinge of guilt when he found himself enjoying the day.
The three of them strode to his SUV, Holly climbing into the backseat behind Derek, who was seating himself in the driver’s seat.
Gabrielle opened the door just as someone tapped her on the shoulder.
She gasped in surprise, then turned.
A young woman with her hair in a ponytail, wearing sunglasses, beige pants and a cream top stood before her.