by Amy Brent
“When did you hear that?”
“He just stopped by for a minute, and when I told him he couldn’t stay, he said I was being a B-I-T-C-H.”
“That spells bitch, Daddy, and that’s what he called her.” I gave Mia a look, and she stuck her hands in her back pocket and lifted her shoulders.
“Nice. Thanks for the lesson, Katie, but I don’t want you to say that word again. It’s not nice, and a man shouldn’t call a woman that.”
“Sorry. I didn’t know she overheard.”
I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Mia, you shouldn’t let anyone talk to you that way. Especially if they are going to use that word.” My wife used to loathe that word and said that people, especially women needed to quit using it.
“Thanks.” She gave me and then Katie a hug before leaving, and I knew I was going to have to have another talk with her about it later.
Katie and I went to the carnival, and it didn’t take us long to find the mud.
“I’m glad this isn’t my red sandals, Daddy.”
“I’m glad too because I’m not quite sure that mud wasn’t sewage.” I wiped her shoes the best I could, but they were ruined. At least one of them was. I used the sink in the public bathroom to clean up and had Katie stand within sight after making sure the place was empty.
“Can we go get some cotton candy now?” We hadn’t been to the carnival but for an hour when the shoe incident had occurred, and we hadn’t seen much other than a few exhibits. For some reason, she’d asked the first clown she saw if he was evil, and the guy had looked at me like she’d ripped his heart out. I spent ten minutes explaining why it wasn’t polite to ask that.
We headed to the first cotton candy stand we could see, and as I waited to place our order, Katie got excited and tugged my pant leg.
“What is it, sweetheart?” I looked down, and she had one arm out and her finger extended to a woman who was stepping up to the stand; her teacher, Ms. Bloom.
“Ms. Bloom! We’re getting cotton candy. Do you want some too?”
I went ahead and ordered a third bag of candy and an extra lemonade. “Oh, no, that’s not necessary.
“It’s no trouble. It’s good to see you.” The young woman had kind eyes and sexy smile, and she didn’t look a day over nineteen.
“It’s great to see you too.” A couple of men passed by and stared her up and down, the way I had done before I realized who she was.
“Are you here alone?”
“Yes, I was supposed to meet a friend, but she backed out on me, and I was already here so I thought I’d get some cotton candy.”
“Well, here you go. Mission accomplished. Would you like to walk around with us for a bit? We’re only here another hour or so, and then I’ll get Katie home for bed.”
“Sure. I’d tell you to let her stay up late, but I don’t want to get myself into trouble.” She giggled, and Katie swung her arm.
She wore a pair of tight jeans with boots and a loose-fit top and my eyes trailed down to her cleavage. She was not at all the immature type like Mia, and that reflected in her dress and how she carried herself.
“You don’t look like the type to get into trouble.”
She turned a soft shade of pink and Katie stepped between us. “She’s not trouble, Daddy. She’s a teacher. She makes the rules.”
We shared a laugh at Katie’s observation, and finally, our lemonades were ready. We took our drinks to a picnic table and sat. Tori seemed a bit flushed and kept giving me curious glances, the type that a woman gives a man when she’s interested.
I wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Even though she seemed to have her head on better than most younger women, having a degree and being a teacher, she was still young enough to be my daughter.
I decided it might be best to keep our conversation geared toward school. “About that program, you were saying you feel Katie would be a shoe-in.”
“Yes,” she nodded as she stuffed the candy fluff into her mouth. “She’s reading well beyond her level, and she’s even doing so much better than the other kids with math and geography. Granted, we’re just a first-grade level class, but we try to incorporate some of those subjects as an early introduction for second-grade. Do you travel often?”
“No, not at all, but her mother and I used to.” Her face fell, and I knew she must wonder about Katie’s mother. “She had kidney failure brought on by diabetes. She died three years ago.”
“I’m so sorry.” She looked at Katie who was busy making a cotton candy mustache. “It’ must be tough raising her all alone.”
“Raising children is tough for two parents, but we’re hanging in there.”
“You’re doing quite well. She’s a very impressive little girl.” She wrung her hands together and then put a stray strand of pale blond hair behind her ear. Her eyes were so pale blue they were almost gray. “You can’t go wrong with the GT program. Of course, she will get to stay in my class for half the day, but she’ll have to go down to Mrs. Lewis’ class for the other half.”
“If that’s what you think is best, I trust you.”
“Do I get to read more?” Katie had been taking it all on. “And I’d like to have another recess and a few trips to the library more per week.”
“This isn’t a negotiation, Katie.” I smoothed down her hair in front. “You’ll be in a special class where you can do your best work.”
“I think you’ll enjoy it, Katie. They do get to go on special trips the other kids don’t get to attend.” That seemed to sell it for Katie. She was bouncing in her seat and then she gave Ms. Bloom a hug. “I will still need you to come in and talk a bit more, and sign the papers.”
Something told me she just wanted to see me again and I don’t think I was being arrogant. She hadn’t stopped looking at me with that star-struck look. I’d noticed her acting the same that day she hit her head in my car, and I wasn’t blind to her checking me out.
The idea of fucking her had my blood flowing, but I knew that wasn’t a good idea, not to mention a conflict of interest where my daughter was concerned, and that’s not counting the age difference, which I still was tempted by.
Working over a hot young thing like her. I could show her things I bet she’d never thought she was capable of and I’d do it all free of charge. I shook off the insane, filthy thoughts and decided I better keep my mind out of the gutter and temptation at bay.
But then she asked me a simple question that not many did often. “If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”
“I’m fifty-eight.” She licked her lips, and her cheeks reddened. It was the perfect opportunity to ask her the same. There was no way she was as young as she looked, and with any luck, she was at least twenty-five.
“I’m twenty-two.” Dammit. Too young. My cock was protesting, but my brain was saying no way.
“I’m six,” said Katie and then she jumped up to hug me, kneeing me in the crotch. It was what I deserved for having naughty thoughts about her teacher.
Chapter 10
Tori
My heart pounded the entire time we sat together, and I couldn’t help but check out his body. I’d have bet money that he was not a day over forty, and by his fit shape he must work out every day. Now and then I’d catch him looking as nervous as I felt and he adjusted himself under the table a couple of times which made me take notice.
When we stood, I could see a rather large bulge in the front of his pants. I’d thought about that part of him more than once, and I longed to have him use it on me. Sitting there with him and his daughter, I could tell that he was just the type of man I needed to give myself to.
We walked around the carnival and played a few games. I had a stroke of luck at the dart game and ended up winning a teddy bear for Katie.
Katie yanked on her dad’s pant leg and begged him for tickets. “Ms. Bloom promised a ride with me!”
His brows pinched with confusion. “She did?” I had made that promise at school, and he turned and gl
anced my way as if waiting for an explanation.
“I did. Earlier today she told me that she was coming and I told her I might see her.” He seemed to understand and smiled.
“What a stroke of luck. How about we play a few more games while you finish your lemonade.” He gave me a crooked grin, and we walked to the next booth which was a goldfish toss. If you ringed the bowl, you kept the fish.
“Can I get a fish, Daddy?” Katie jumped up and down. “I’ll take good care of him.”
“These fish don’t live very long.” He gave her a warning look.
“I’ll have to make what life he does have really special, then.” The little girl seemed to truly believe that was all that mattered and it warmed my heart that she had such compassion for her age.
I saw the moment he gave in; his shoulders slouched and he let out a sigh. “Indeed. I don’t suppose one tiny fish will hurt.” He paid the man and got three rings. The first he tossed without a care as if he assumed it would be easy. But the ring bounced off the rims and landed in an empty space. On the second, he stuck out his tongue, curling it up against his top lip, which gave me all kinds of ideas where he could put it. He tossed the ring and looped a bowl.
Katie cheered and hugged his legs then she turned and hugged mine too. My eyes met Ross’s, and he smiled, happy to hand back the third ring to the attendant.
“No, sir. You have another chance. Two fish are better than one.” The guy turned around to take another players tickets, and Ross made a face.
“That’s debatable,” he said. He put his tongue out and tossed the last ring and ringed another bowl.
Katie let out a little squeal of delight, and the attendant let her pick out her two fish. She took one that was white and gold speckled and the other which was standard gold. “Aren’t they beautiful?” She had a bit of trouble holding both bowls, and so I took one of her hands and her father, who was still holding her lemonade, took the other.
“Are you done with this?” He asked about the drink and Katie nodded, still looking into the bowl he held. Ross handed me the other bowl and headed to the nearest trash and then he took the bowl back. “That’s much better. Have you decided what to name them?”
“This one is Ms. Bloom, and this one is Mr. Daddy. They are going to get married.” My cheeks stained with blush as his eyes met mine and then he let out a nervous laugh and patted her head.
“That’s nice, sweetheart, but I’m not sure fish get married.”
“Of course, they do, Daddy. How else do they make baby fish?” She shrugged her little shoulders as he stifled a chuckle and glanced my way.
“I guess I walked right into that one.”
“Can I ride something now?” Katie tapped the glass of the bowl and made little kissing sounds at her new fish.
“I guess. What do you want to ride?”
“How about we go on the carousel, and that will be our ride together?” I held out my hand and led the way after she jumped with delight and Ross gave an approving nod.
He held the two fish as we went around and around and I couldn’t help but stare at him as I passed. I could get used to this. Not just spending the night with Ross, but Katie as well. I’d never had a mom or a dad, and my aunt had never taken the time to take me places like this. I’d had to go along with friends and watch the family thing from the outside looking in. Katie was a real sweetheart and an all-around good kid, and Ross seemed like the perfect father, and I imagined he’d be the perfect boyfriend.
I was going to do it. I would ask him out before the night was over.
We rode the bumper cars next, and the attendant was nice enough to babysit our fish for us so we could all three participate. Katie drove her car into her father, and he bounced into me pinning me against the wall.
“Sorry,” he called over his shoulder as he drove away and I took off after him, prepared for impact.
“Oops, I said as I slammed into him. He belted a laugh that rose above the noise of the cars, and then Katie smashed into us both. We were having a wonderful time, and then the ride was over. When I stepped out of the ride, I stumbled, tripping on a large cable. I felt myself lunge forward, but Ross caught me before I went down, his strong arms wrapping around me. He smelled amazing. As he put me back on my feet, I looked into his eyes which were smoldering, and his mouth was so close it would have been nothing to reach up and kiss him.
My breath hitched as a wave of desire washed over me with a tingle between my legs. And he stared at me with an unreadable expression, and then he cleared his throat and backed away. It all happened so fast, but seemed to me, to be in slow motion.
“Are you okay, Ms. Bloom?” Katie took my hand, and I smiled at her.
“Yes, thank you.” I met his eyes. “I’m afraid I was still getting my land legs back. That must have been an awfully hard hit your daddy gave me.” And oh, I’d love for him to give me more.
“That was fun,” said Katie taking her fish from the man. She made soft cooing noises at them and then saw the next ride she wanted to take. “Daddy! Can I do that?” She pointed up at a huge slide, and he took her fish and gave her the tickets as we followed her to it.
We stood against the railing with our namesakes and watched as she went up the long ladder and waited in line behind the other kids halfway to the top.
“Thanks for letting me tag along. I haven’t had this much fun in a long while.” I stared as he kept his eyes on Katie as if she were much too far away for his comfort.
“It has been fun. Katie really likes you.” My heart was in my throat. I wanted him to like me, and to know I liked him. With Katie busy, it was my chance to let him know how I felt.
“You know, maybe we could go grab a drink sometime? I’d like to get to know you a bit better.” I couldn’t believe I’d managed to get the words out without stuttering. My nerves were buzzing so bad I was on the verge of shaking.
He turned and met my eyes, his face wearing a much softer expression. “I’m sorry, Tori. You’re a nice girl, but I don’ think it’s appropriate for us to see each other that way with you being Katie’s teacher and well, I hope you understand, but I don’t date young girls your age.”
“I’m a grown woman, actually. Not a child and your age don't bother me. I’m attracted to older men.”
“I’m sorry. It’s really nothing personal. You’re a gorgeous young woman and if you were three years older, who knows.”
I couldn’t believe what I’d heard. “If I were three years older? That’s ridiculous.” I was suddenly pissed and ready to leave, but I didn’t want to rush out on Katie.
“It’s ridiculous, but a necessary limit.”
“I guess we all have our limits.” I followed his eyes as he looked up at Katie who was at the very top and about to come down.
She caught air after a few of the humps in the slide and was giggling so hard she was beet red. “I want to do it again, Daddy!”
“Katie, I’m afraid I have to go. It’s getting close to my bedtime, and I still have papers to grade.”
She frowned and looked at her Daddy. “Are we leaving too?”
“How about I let you take one more ride and then we’ll walk Ms. Bloom to her car.” He turned and lifted his brow, but I had the feeling he wasn’t asking. It was like he wanted to play some fatherly, protective role with me.
“You two go ahead. I’ll be fine.” I leaned down and hugged Katie and then handed her to Mr. Reed.
Ross shook his head and placed his hand on my arm. “I’d feel better if I walked you out.”
“I walked in here all alone.”
“And that makes me nervous too, so just wait a moment and I’ll—
“Fine.” I stood against the rail, and he seemed to relax a moment while handing Katie another row of tickets. She climbed the ladder, and this time the line wasn’t as long.
“Thank you for waiting. I don’t feel good about a young woman walking alone at night.”
“Let me guess, in your day that�
��s how they did it?” I mocked his age by doing my best old man impression.
He chuckled. “Now you’re the one being ridiculous.”
“I was trying to escape the awkwardness of your rejection, but thank you for insisting I stick around.” I shook my head and kept my eyes toward Katie.
“I’m sorry it’s awkward. But I’d rather you be a little uncomfortable than turn up missing. My daughter would miss her favorite teacher.” He smiled and gave me a nudge.
“It’s good to know you care.” I took out my phone, and he let out a short huff as I checked the time.
Finally, Katie came down, and she took her father’s hand as I carried one of her fish all the way to my car. “Thanks for everything.”
After unlocking my car and passing Ms. Bloom off to Ross, who now held both fishbowls, I got inside my car and shut the door. I let out a sigh as I put the key in the ignition and watched as they walked the next aisle over.
Once they were out of sight, I lay my head back on the seat and groaned. I’d made a fool of myself. The worst part was, I still wanted him.
Chapter 11
Ross
Katie and I headed out every morning, and we were well adjusted to our routine. We’d get up and have breakfast, then get dressed for the day and I’d take her through the circle and drop her off with her teacher. I’d noticed the beautiful, young Ms. Bloom before, but hadn’t thought much about her until after the night a couple of weeks back when she’d showed up at the carnival and spent the evening with Katie and me.
I wanted to think she hadn’t orchestrated that meet up, but the way she’d stared at me the entire time, not to mention asking me out and the reaction she’d given me when I’d rejected her, had me wondering.
It was a nice effort on her part and if it was orchestrated, and I was complimented by the effort even though I’d had to pass. Since that night I’d only seen her in the pickup line, and we still hadn’t gotten together to discuss Katie.
