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 glanced 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.