Page 30 of Redeem Me

‘We’ve already established you’re not hitting the road. You’re not going anywhere, Ivy.’

‘Which is why you should have a nightcap with me.’ Myshoulders sag, the fight falling from them. ‘I like spending time with your kids, but I could do with some adult conversation from time to time. I don’t have many friends. I’ve been away so long, they’ve all moved on, formed new friendship groups. Have a drink with me, please.’

His shoulders relax a fraction and his lips curl up into a half-smirk. ‘I suppose it’s easier than tying you to your bedposts.’

I press my thighs together. What a visual. Another pair of panties ruined. Not fucking helpful. ‘That’s my ultimate fantasy,’ I hiss.

His eyelids squeeze shut like he’s forcing away the image. ‘Why am I not surprised?’

‘I’ll speak to the driver.’ I start towards the driveway.

‘No need. I already told Damon to send him away with a tip.’ There’s a smug edge to his voice.

My mouth falls open. ‘But what if I’d said no?’

‘Then I would have tied you to the bedposts. Wine? Whiskey? Beer?’

This man is giving me whiplash.

‘Whiskey. I have a feeling I’m going to need it.’ I ditch my handbag at the bottom of the stairs as we pass. I head for the patio as Caelon fetches the drinks.

Crickets chirp in the distance. The scent of freshly cut grass and lavender lingers in the air. I kick off my shoes and get comfortable on the L-shaped couch overlooking the pool.

Caelon appears with two tumblers of whiskey. He hands me one, then sits on the other end of the couch like he’s worried I might throw myself at him or something.

‘I don’t get you,’ I blurt. ‘You say you don’t want me, but you don’t want me to go out either.’

He taps his index finger against the side of his glass. ‘I want you, but I shouldn’t want you. In case you haven’t already gathered, I’m fifty shades of fucked up.’

‘Really?’ I tease. ‘I hadn’t noticed.’

Caelon gazes out across the shimmering pool. ‘It took me eighteen months after Isabella died to even look at another woman. Then it took me another month on top of that to take one to bed.’ He pauses to sip his drink.

For once, I manage to keep my big mouth shut and wait for him to continue.

‘I felt guilty, you know? But then, after the first few times, I kind of let loose. I liked losing myself in someone else, for a while at least.’

‘We’re human. It’s what we were put here to do. Our purpose is to procreate.’ That’s what I tell myself on the days that I feel bad for wanting kids instead of a high-flying career, anyway.

‘I have a different purpose.’ His face darkens.

My curiosity piques. Work? His kids? Both? The revenge Dermot hinted at? The more I get to know Caelon, the less I’d put it past him. He has a dangerous edge to him. Like he’s got nothing left to lose, which isn’t true. He has his kids.

He pauses for a beat before continuing. ‘Which is why I can’t get involved with anyone. Even if their mere presence in my house is sending me demented enough to do things I’d never have dreamt of.’

I swallow. ‘Do you want me to go?’

‘Hell, no!’ His gaze snaps to mine. ‘Was it not obvious when I sent the Uber away? I want you to stay. You’re great with the kids. You’re… just great. But I need you to stop walking around my house looking like this, okay?’ He flicks a hand towards my dress. ‘You’re a distraction I don’t need right now.’

‘So, where does that leave us?’ My teeth dig into my lower lip. I can’t work him out. More like five hundred shades of fucked up.

‘Well, the second you walked in the front door, we werealready more than employer/employee. I know what you taste like. Know how you shudder when you come.’ Our eyes meet with an intensity that could start a fire. ‘The chemistry between us is insane, but we can’t act on it again. But maybe we could… I don’t know, try to be friends?’

Warmth flares in my chest. ‘You know, I was only thinking earlier that I could do with some new friends.’ I reach across the couch and clink my glass against his. ‘Cheers to that.’

‘That doesn’t mean I’ll stop wanking over you, though,’ Caelon quips, and his lips stretch into an actual grin. However handsome he is when he’s brooding, he’s beautiful when he lets his guard down. The effect is devastating. ‘Thanks for the lingerie, by the way.’

I snort. ‘You know, this is the first time I’ve seen you really smile.’

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