“It was a hell of a lot more than that.” Every time Savannah opens her mouth and something like ‘fuck’ comes out, I always want to laugh because it’s so unexpected from her sinful mouth.
“You’re off the hook for now.” She starts to smile but I wipe it from her face when I claim her lips in a hungry kiss as I crush her against my chest.
With Savannah in my arms, my world rights itself. Mindful of the children I can hear playing in the backyard, I slow the kiss down until they are feather-light kisses. Brushing my lips against hers one final time, I say, “We better save the rest for when we’re alone.”
She pulls back, and immediately reaches to touch her flaming cheeks.
I smile in male satisfaction knowing that I put the flushed look on her face.
Clearing her throat, Savannah moves toward the kitchen and indicates with her head for me to follow…and follow her I do. I’d go anywhere she led. Not only that, but following her gives me an amazing view of her swishing bottom as she walks, and her tanned, smooth calves that lead up to heaven—best keep my mind off heaven right now, though.
Within seconds of my foot hitting the kitchen, I hear,
“Jace,” screamed at a level I had no idea was possible, and then Tammy appears and hurls herself into my arms.
I lift her up and settle her against my chest as her arms go around my neck in a strangling grip. I’m still surprised at her reaction. I know she clings to me during the softball practices, but she’s never so—loud. When she speaks, it’s usually a whisper and you have to strain to hear her words.
Savannah smiles, and rubs Tammy’s back. “We’ve discovered that we shouldn’t give her Pepsi as a treat.”
Chuckling, I kiss the top of Tammy’s golden head and meet Savannah’s gaze of longing. I reach out and caress one side of her face, and cupping the back of her neck, bring her in to join Tammy and me.
I sigh in pleasure when I feel Savannah’s hand caressing my back. As she lifts her beautiful face toward me, I see that she’s blinking back tears.
“Now that’s a picture.” Ned leans against the doorframe, and crosses his arms with a big grin on his face.
Kissing both of my girls on their cheek, I release Savannah and place Tammy back on her feet. She runs back outside, past a still grinning Ned.
“I’ll give you two a minute while I retrieve Tammy’s present from the truck.”
Ned chuckles. “Never thought you’d run from me.”
“Never dated your niece before.”
His amusement follows me outside to my truck.
Savannah
Turning to face my uncle, I know he’s going to have something to say to me about Jace. I’m just hoping it’s something positive since it’s Jace—his friend.
“I’ve never seen him like he is with you.”
I meet my uncle’s eyes.
“I’m serious, Savannah. That guy hasn’t been able to keep his mind off you since I first asked him the favor of helping you and your class last year.”
I snort, not really believing him, but there is a small flutter of happiness in my chest telling me that he’s not exaggerating.
“Savannah, honey.” Uncle Ned takes hold of my forearms and makes me face him. “He smiles now…my plan worked.”
He quickly moves away from me. “What plan?” I narrow my eyes, wondering what he’s talking about, although I do have a sneaky suspicion that he means that he’d planned on setting me up with Jace all along.
“I’m needed back outside.” He scurries off like a naughty boy.
Shaking my head, I turn to the sink and start running the hot water into it. There aren’t many dishes to wash as I had the foresight to purchase plastic dishes and utensils, which can just be tossed in the trash.
The children are having so much fun outside that it fills my heart with pleasure. They’re all good kids and today will probably stay with them for a while.
Smiling, I glance outside and see Jace surrounded by the children as he carries a florescent pink package with Disney Princesses toward the small table of gifts. I have no doubt that Tammy will be in her element with whatever is inside, although she loves wrapping paper and had insisted that she open mine carefully so she could keep the paper as well.