Page 14 of Redeem Me

What asetting to spend the summer.

‘Owen, do you want to play “floor is lava” with me and Ivyafter lunch?’ Orla picks up her knife and instinctively I take it from her hand and place it down again.

‘No.’ Owen doesn’t even pause to think about it.

‘Do you want to play tag?’ I venture.

‘He doesn’t like running,’ Orla informs me, while Caelon watches on silently.

‘What do you like?’ I lean forwards, but Owen refuses to meet my eye. ‘I’m not great at football, but I can be the goalie if you want to play penalties?’

Owen glances at his father, then towards the pool sparkling at the far side of the house. ‘I like swimming, but we’re not allowed unless Dad’s with us. He worries we’re going to die like Mammy did.’

Caelon winces.

Did his wife drown? I open my mouth to say I’m a competent swimmer, but Caelon speaks first.

‘I’ll take you to the pool later, buddy.’ He lifts a glass of water from the table and raises it to his lips. ‘It’ll give Ivy time to unpack.’

Owen’s face lights up and he looks like a different child. ‘Yes! Thanks, Daddy. You’re the best.’ Caelon pats his head affectionately. ‘Do you remember the time Mammy jumped into the pool and soaked you in your work suit?’

Caelon’s teeth sink into his lip. ‘Course I do.’

‘And when you told her off, she got out and pretended to say sorry, but then she pushed you in with all your clothes still on.’ Owen hoots as his tiny hand slaps the table. ‘And the two of you laughed for ages after that.’

My eyebrows rocket skywards. So, Mr Tall, Dark, and Tortured wasn’t always this way. His wife’s death must have hit him horrendously hard. He must have loved her so much. I can’t imagine what he’s been through. No wonder he’s miserable, sullen, and cold.

He might not want me here, but he needs me. These kids need to laugh again. And so does he, whether he wants to or not.

Chapter Seven

CAELON

‘Your room is upstairs. Fifth door on the right,’ I tell Ivy, without adding that it’s not the usual nanny room, it’s the most opulent guest bedroom in the house and, coincidentally, the furthest room away from mine. ‘Samuel will take your luggage up shortly.’

I must be mad letting her stay, but how could I say no when Orla has latched onto her like a vine clinging to an oak tree?

‘Thank you.’ she flicks her golden hair from her shoulders and my focus is drawn to the bare skin of her chest. Her vest does nothing to conceal the perky tits straining beneath, or the faint outline of the lace pattern of her bra.

Where is Nanny McPhee when I need her?

Instead, I’m stuck with Nanny McSexy. Nanny McSunshine. Nanny McBestFriend’s FuckingSister.

All the work I have on at the moment suddenly seems like a blessing. Manual labour in ninety-degree heat would be less work than keeping my eyes off my newest employee.

And that’s the crux of the problem.

I don’t date. I fuck. There’s a reason I don’t bring womenhome. I don’t let women near my house or my kids. And now, suddenly, the woman I’ve spent the weekend wanking myself stupid over is my new roommate.

Even if Iwaslooking for something, which I’m not, other than revenge, of course, Ivy is completely and utterly off limits for a million different reasons.

Liz steps out into the sunshine carrying two plates of pasta bake for the kids, places them on the table and returns to the kitchen.

‘You should have most of the information you require in the contract, but I’ll run over it quickly, anyway.’ Ground rules. That’s what we need. Firm, rigid, unwavering ground rules, for my benefit, as much as for hers.

‘Great.’ Her tongue darts out to wet her lower lip and I imagine it darting over my cock.

Fuck’s sake, Caelon. Get a grip.

---