Chapter 18 Dakota
DAKOTA
Okay, he’s working. This is his job. I can’t mess with that.
But does he have to look so good doing it?
Sweat has soaked through his T-shirt, and the amount of times he’s lifted that shirt to wipe his brow should be illegal. I’m drooling.
And I don’t even bother hiding it because the way he’s looking at me, while digging out the spot for my new hot tub, makes it very clear he knows what I’m thinking and wants it too.
“So that next date . . .” I start as I grab a shovel to help him out. I really wouldn’t mind other members of Oakley’s Crew coming out to help him now, but he seems content being the only one, and who am I to argue?
“Well, I have Amber this week.” And while he does look happy about that fact, I can see the hint of disappointment there too, which should make me feel guilty, but I can’t lie.
“So next week?” I ask, far too eager.
“Definitely next week,” he says affirmatively, and it sends a shiver through my body. How he could think he was incapable of giving me pleasure is beyond me. I could probably come just watching him work.
Which I won’t. Professionalism and all that. But I could.
The man is sexy. Watching him fall apart under me the other night, letting go like that. His deep, sexy pleasure-filled cry. Phew . . . Yeah, it was easily the sexiest thing I’ve ever witnessed.
And I want to do it again.
And again.
As often as he’ll let me. But I understand he’s a father, and his weeks with his daughter are a gift. One I’d never interfere with.
“I was thinking about bringing her out here some time.”
I falter, nearly falling flat on my face as I miss where I was trying to dig, and the shovel slips. “What?”
He just grins at me, probably very used to me being a fumbling fool most of the time. “Well, she wants to meet the kittens to help give them names.”
I think about the four chubby little kittens and smile. They don’t have their eyes open yet, but I think they’re getting close. “That would be nice,” I say, but my voice shakes, and he’s studying me.
“Would it?”
I huff and then try to go back to shoveling dirt. He has a big contraption thing where he can dig large holes, but he said he wants to focus on getting it just right, now that the initial hole has been dug.
“You look a little sick.”
I wipe my brow with my forearm, then glare in his direction—though I don’t think my glare holds any actual malice in it, and he’s looking at me like he does Mavis when she gets pissy. “I’m just working hard. Isn’t that what I pay you to do?”
He just chuckles and yup, looking at me like I’m a pissy little cat. “I want you to meet her, you know?”
He stops working, laying his shovel down and walking toward me.
My breath catches because no, I did not know that.
We just had our first date. And okay yes, if I’m being honest, it feels like we were dating long before that.
That I’ve let him in more than anyone else in my life and told him things I wouldn’t dare tell anyone else. But . . . his kid?
That’s a big deal.
Even I know that.
“I’m, um . . .” I hold the shovel still and look at him as he approaches. “I’m not great with kids. I haven’t been around a lot of them, you know? Well . . . none since I was one.”
His grin only widens. “I think she’d really like you.”
I’m skeptical, and I know my face shows it. “You’ve met me, right? I’m pretty sure I’ll scare little children.”
That makes him laugh, and I kind of want to kick him, but I don’t.
“She’ll love you. Amber really loves most people.
Don’t know where she got that from.” I frown because yeah .
. . weird. “But you’ll love her too. I have no doubt.
She’s funny and smart. The kid makes my brain hurt sometimes with the questions she comes up with. ”
“And has a love for dandelions,” I add.
He nods. “She does. And kittens. And every other animal and flower on the planet.” He moves closer still, his hands moving to my waist. “She’ll like you.
I know she will, and I really,”—he leans in, his nose brushing against mine briefly before his lips brush over mine in a not quite kiss, but it scrambles my brain all the same—“really like you.”
I swallow hard—more of a gulp. “I like you too.”
He grins and pulls back a little. I miss his close presence instantly.
“Our date was the best night of my life—except for the night Amber was born, of course. It only makes sense that you meet each other.” I gulp again because hello, nerves.
I’m not an idiot, I know Gabe is an amazing father, so if the kid doesn’t like me, that’s probably it for us.
I wouldn’t expect anything less. But that’s a lot of pressure. “I’m crazy about you, Dakota.”
“I’m pretty crazy about you too.”
“I know it’s early.” But he still looks determined.
“But I’m all-in. And when Shelly and I got divorced, we agreed we wouldn’t introduce our daughter to anyone until it was serious.
” His hand takes my free one, and I revel in the feel of his rough yet still somehow soft hand. “And I’m very, very serious.”
I nod my head slowly, trying to take in what he’s telling me. He’s all-in. So am I. I don’t understand how we got here so fast, but it’s been effortless. Even despite my awkward ways. With him, it’s been easy.
“I knew you were a father from the start, and she’s a priority. Your biggest priority, as it should be.” See, there I go stumbling over my words. “And I’m all-in too, Gabe. I swear I am.”
“But it’s too soon?” he guesses.
I take a deep breath. “You’re amazing, and our first date was incredible. I want so many more. I know you’re a package deal. I’m not saying I never want to meet her or that I don’t even want to meet her soon . . .” Because I won’t lose him, and I love that he’s a good father.
But I don’t know how I’ll do with a five-year-old. I don’t want to mess this up. And all I can picture is messing it up.
“So you’re saying after two dates then?” He’s teasing me, and it lightens the mood.
I smile. “Exactly.”
He chuckles and then rests his hand over my cheek.
“I won’t rush you. When you’re ready, I want you to meet her.
Even if it’s just as my friend Dakota. It’s not a rush though.
I’m enjoying this part with you just fine.
” He winks, and I melt, like always. “She’s a big part of my life, and I want you to be too. ”
I nod and rest my hand over his that’s still on my cheek. “I want to be too. And I really do need help naming those kittens.”
He brushes another kiss over my mouth, and I have to remind myself once again that he’s on the clock. He has a job to do, and while I wouldn’t care in the slightest, I know Gabe isn’t that kind of man. “I guess maybe I should talk to Shelly first.”
“That might be a good idea.”
“Yeah,” he says begrudgingly. “She did take time to talk to me about Randy and her before he met Amber. Though she wasn’t asking for my permission.”
I can’t help but laugh a little at his haughty tone, especially when he says his ex-wife’s new husband’s name.
“Did she need it?” I ask him carefully because, to be honest, I don’t know a whole lot about divorce and kids and all that.
I don’t know if I ever even pictured having a kid or marriage. Or anything like that.
“Nah. We aren’t a couple anymore, and I trust her with Amber just like I know she trusts me too.”
I like the conclusion he’s clearly come to and think it would be nice to give her a heads-up, though I don’t think it’s my place to point that out.
He doesn’t seem all that worried about telling his ex-wife.
I’m not going to add to any nerves by adding in my own stressful questions.
“So that second date?” I ask against his mouth because God, I need to feel his body against mine again.
“I was thinking this Saturday after I drop Amber off with Shelly, I could come over here and we can watch another murder doc.”
That makes me laugh, and I nod as I press another kiss to his lips. I’m only human. And he’s here, all sexy, sweaty man, standing so close, I can’t catch my breath. So I had to sneak in a kiss or two. “Yes. Yes. I really, really want that.” I have zero chill.
“Good. I’ll even cook for you again.”
“So pancakes?” I ask.
He waggles his brows at me. “You know it.”
I laugh and kiss him again, wrapping my free arm around his neck, the other still holding the shovel. “How about I cook for us? We can eat inside my house and then we can head out to the barn?”
He pretends to think, holding onto me with his strong arms circled around my waist. “I suppose that’s acceptable for the second date.”
I laugh and then release him, swatting his ass because I can. “Now get back to work. I have plans for this hot tub.”
“How about you tell me all about those plans while I get back to work?” he suggests, wagging his eyebrows, and I can’t believe this is real.
That this man is flirting with me and talking about dates.
And while I don’t go into the dirty details of everything I want to do to him in that hot tub, I do let my mind go there as he works.
Something tells me he knows exactly what I’m thinking about too as he works away. Sorry, not sorry.