Page 33 of Redeem Me

‘It would appear so, unfortunately.’ I close my eyes and will for a tornado to sweep me as far the fuck away from here as possible. Rian’s probably brought some chick down here to woo and bang on the beach.

But no, it gets worse.

It’s not some random woman in the passenger seat. It’s my brother, Sean.

Ivy grabs the kids’ hands as the Porsche skids to a stop and my brothers hop out.

‘What do we have here?’ Rian lifts his Raybans from his eyes, balancing them on his head as he lets out a low whistle. His beady eyes rove over the length of Ivy’s body before finally reaching her face.

‘Uncle Rian!’ Owen launches at him, as Orla reaches for Sean.

‘What a lovely surprise.’ Rian lifts Owen up without taking his eyes off my nanny. I don’t think the surprise is seeing his niece and nephew.

‘Guys, this is Ivy, our nanny.’ My words are steeped with a clear warning. ‘Ivy, this is Sean, my middle brother, and Rian, my littlest.’

‘Huh,’ Rian scoffs, ‘I might be the youngest, but any woman who knows me doesn’t call me little.’ He waggles his eyebrows at Ivy, a dirty laugh tumbling from his lips. I thump his bicep hard enough to make him yelp.

‘What was that for?’ he says with wide eyes. The little fucker.

‘Behave yourself in front of the kids,’ I warn gruffly.

Sean extends a hand to shake Ivy’s. Thankfully, he’s a little more reserved than Rian, who’s bounding around like a dog with two dicks. ‘It’s nice to meet you, Ivy,’ Sean says warmly.

Apparently, I should have punched Rian harder, because he didn’t get the memo. He takes Ivy’s hand and lifts it to his lips, pressing a kiss against the back of it. ‘Ivy, it’s a pleasure.’ He jerks a thumb towards me. ‘I hope he’s treating you better than the other nannies.’

Girlish laughter peals from Ivy’s luscious lips as her eyes lock with mine. ‘He’s certainly treating me differently, by all accounts.’

Oh, I’ve a good mind to bend her over, smack her ass and tease her with my tongue again for that smart remark.

But no. I’m on my best behaviour.

I cut to the chase. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Same as you, by the look of it.’ Rian nods towards the picnic basket. ‘Thought we’d make the most of the day. James is on his way down with Scarlett and the babies,’ Rian gloats gleefully. ‘They’ll be here any minute. We couldn’t have planned it any better if we’d tried! I’m going to call Killian. Maybe he’s free to come down too.’

Could this outing get any worse?

Chapter Fifteen

IVY

James and his fiancée, Scarlett, arrive with their baby daughters, Harper and Halle, minutes after Rian and Sean. Caelon makes the introductions, and we stroll along the short woodland path to the beach together.

‘What are the chances?’ James slaps Caelon on the back. ‘It’s great to see you out in the daylight. I was beginning to think you were a vampire.’

‘I’m still waiting for my fill of blood,’ he grunts, exchanging a look with James that sets a shiver down my spine.

‘Do we have to be so morbid?’ I tilt my face to the sky. ‘The sun is shining. We have a basket full of food and drink, and the kids are getting an impromptu playdate with their cousins. Life is good.’

‘Is she always this cheerful?’ James’s pupils flit between Caelon and me with mild curiosity. If he recognises me from the bar, he doesn’t mention it.

‘Unfortunately, yes.’ Caelon gives me the side-eye. ‘I’m going to have to put a clause in her contract.’

‘Huh, I might add a few clauses in myself.’ I nudge his ribswith my elbow. All eyes turn to us. Mouths open wide enough to swallow the Titanic.

‘Holy shit! He’s fucking the nanny,’ Rian whisper shouts. Thankfully, Orla and Owen, who are running ahead, are out of earshot.

‘I am not fucking the nanny.’ Caelon’s face is grim. ‘But if I was, it would be none of your business.’

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