by Nikki Ashton
“We nearly ready?” Katie asked, coming into the lounge.
And there she was, my Katie Cat, my darlin’ who I loved with every fucking bone in my body – one specific bone in particular. Boy, didn’t she look cute in her cut-off jeans, white chucks, and a white off the shoulder tee, baring beautiful golden skin from our recent family holiday to Greece. She was forty-nine-years-old and she still made my dick hard just looking at her.
“You look nice Mumma, doesn’t she Daddy?” Savannah chirped, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Katie.
“She sure does, baby. Hey, Katie Cat.” I beckoned to my wife. “Gimme those lips.”
With a grin, she leaned in and let me kiss her.
“Hmm that was lovely.” She gave me a wink and then smiled down at Savannah. “And don’t you look gorgeous.”
“I do?”
“You certainly do. Is this for Teddy Robertson?”
Savannah nodded.
“You know about him?” I asked.
“We all do,” Annie answered. “We girls talk when you take Charlie fishing.”
“Yep, we Skype,” Savannah told me, scrambling from my lap. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Hey, now what did I tell you,” Annie cried, scooping Savannah up into her arms. “Don’t be too eager. Play it cool.”
“Play it cool, right.” Savannah high-fived her big sister.
“Okay,” I groaned, scrubbing a hand over my face. “Let’s go.”
“I already put drinks and snacks in the car,” Katie said, tightening her pony tail.
I smiled as I thought of the top of the range four by four I’d bought for her, Carl’s piece of crap long gone.
“Oh hey,” I called to my wife’s retreating back. “Did you put that bag in for Charlie?”
Katie turned to me and frowned. “Yes, what’s in it? It’s really heavy.”
“Clean clothes, aftershave, that sort of thing.”
“Aftershave.” Annie let out a belly laugh. “He’s only just fourteen, he doesn’t shave.”
“No, but he needs to smell nice for a certain girl he has his eye on,” I explained.
“What, just the one?” Katie asked. “There’s normally two or three hanging around him.”
“Ah, but this one’s special. This one is Emily Holliday-Hepburn. The real pretty, shy girl.”
“The one whose dad owns that big building company, Roman Hepburn?” Katie cried.
I winked at her and nodded.
“And that darlin’ is what we talk about when we go fishing.”
Katie
As Savannah sat on my knee and played with the beautiful yellow diamond on my wedding ring finger, I watched my amazing husband in awe as he cheered Charlie on from the side of the pitch. It was only a few games into the season, but Charlie’s team were unbeaten and there was no one more proud than Dex. Carl, Sophie, and Jessie were also there, a few yards away, supporting just as strongly. Carl shouted the advice, whereas Dex gave the support. It worked well and it made Charlie happy that we all got along.
These days Sophie didn’t make me feel inadequate. This was because I knew it wasn’t me that hadn’t been enough for Carl, or that he’d wanted a younger model. He truly loved Sophie and she was in many ways, much better suited to him. It didn’t occur to her that Carl should be showering her with love and attention. She was happy to be the giver in the relationship. Whether that would change over the years to come, I had no idea, but for now it worked for them. I had tried to tell Carl that he should make sure he put some effort into this marriage, but he didn’t get it. He simply upped his hours at the gym, thinking I’d been talking about his body. Oh well, you couldn’t help some people.
“Why are boys so horrid, Mumma?” Savannah asked, her little mouth pouting.
“Because they have no idea how special us girls are, baby.”
Teddy Robertson had barely looked Savannah’s way, preferring instead to watch the game with his dad, Liam, who sponsored the team. Savannah had tried strolling past him at least five times, and once even pretending to fall, but not a glance had been thrown her way.
“I am special, aren’t I?” she replied, snuggling closer to me, making my insides feel all squishy.
“Yes baby, you are. Very special and one day you’ll find a boy who knows that. Just maybe don’t worry about it for a while yet.”
“Like you found Daddy?” she asked. “Because Carl didn’t think you were special enough.”
Wondering where on earth she’d got such perception from at such a young age, I closed my eyes and breathed in her smell, relishing everything it represented – love, home, forever.
“Just like I found your daddy,” I breathed out. “And just like I found you and Daddy found me, Isaac, Annie, and Charlie.”
“Our family,” Savannah added, touching my cheek.
“Yep, our family and my life – flaws and all.”
The End
Every book gets harder and harder, because the list of people I need to acknowledge continues to grow, so here goes.
Brooke Bowen Hebert, thank you for casting your eyes over my words and making sure they were all correct and that Dex actually sounded Texan. You’re a star.
Tammy Clarke, another fabulous cover created from a few sketchy instructions from me – once again, perfection.
My fantastic BETA readers, Sarah, Cal, Ann, Laura and Patsy, thank you for your time and attention and your words of love and encouragement for this book. The fact that you got Katie and loved her will make me forever grateful.
To Victoria Johns and Chloe Walsh, thank you for endless conversations about plot lines, sex scenes and how hot Dex is. You’re both a constant support and a lifeline when I need it. Your friendships are appreciated more than you can know.
To my gorgeous niece Lily Barlow, who but for her and her offer of a pen on holiday, this book may never have been written. It was her favourite pen and she let me keep it, so maybe it will be a good luck charm.
A huge thank you as usual to my very own silver fox – well at least the chest hair is – Mr A. I love you more than I ever express. Your support and constant love helps me to keep on going, especially when my confidence is low and I’m sure I’ve written a big pile of dollop. I couldn’t do it without you and never want to.
Finally, you, my amazing readers. I am honoured to receive your continued support. All I ask is let me know what you think of this book, either by a message or a review and if you love it, don’t forget to tell everyone.
Much love always, Nikki xx