Page 39 of Redeem Me

Whoever came up with the saying, “red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning,” was wrong. Shades of pink and purple tint the sky, and the forecast promises another corker of a day. I sit on a plush, padded outdoor sofa, gazing out over the pool with my coffee, waiting for the kids to wake up. It’s supposed to be my day off, but it feels weird not helping with breakfast. Plus, it’s another excuse to ogle my tortured boss.

After our day at the beach yesterday, we came home and put the kids to bed together before he disappeared into his office. I spent the evening binge-watching Love Island, nursing a tumbler of his family’s whiskey, hoping Caelon would emerge and join me, while simultaneously hating myself for hoping for anything.

He’s clearly still grieving. I thought he didn’t want me, but it took until midnight to remember he fought Rian over me. That has to mean something, doesn’t it?

An incoming text pings on my phone.

Dermot: Won’t make lunch today, something came up.

Urgh, please tell me it wasn’t your dick. What’s her name?

While Dermot is super obsessed with preserving my virtue (he has no idea I don’t have any), he has no such concerns for his own. Women flock to him and he laps it up.

Dermot: Wash your mouth out, young lady. I’ve a good mind to forward your message to Mother.

I dare you. I’m a grown woman. When will any of you accept that?

Dermot: Maybe when you get a real job and start acting like one.

A flicker of irritation burnsin my chest.

Shall I tell your best friend you don’t consider me minding his kids to be a real job?

Dermot: Caelon gets it. He has a little sister too. Which is why I know you’re safe with him.

I snort. Sated, yes. Safe, no. Watching him with his kids makes my ovaries weep.

I’m still trying to think of a reply whenI hearthe soft thud of approaching feet.

Caelon.

A million hummingbirds swoop through my stomach at the sight of him. He’s barefoot, wearing a pair of low-hanging grey sweatpants and a tight black t-shirt that clings to his torso like a super-seductive second skin. His dark hair is tousled, and there are crinkle marks on his cheeks from his pillow. My fingers itch to smooth over them.

‘What are you doing up?’ He saunters over and drops to the other end of the couch.

‘I’m an early riser. Always have been.’ I shrug.

His gaze flicks over my shorts and vest top before settling on my face. ‘It’s your day off. You should relax, stay in bed.’

‘It’s no fun alone.’ There goes my big mouth again.

His lips press tightly together, tension lines his jaw. He’s so serious all the time. What I wouldn’t give to see him loosen up a little.

‘I had fun yesterday at the beach.’ I take a sip of my coffee. ‘You have an amazing family.’

‘They’re okay, I guess, apart from Rian, who I could cheerfully choke,’ he says, but there’s no missing the affectionate taint to his tone. ‘Your family is pretty cool too,’ he adds. ‘Dermot is one of the few people I’d call if I needed help to bury a body.’

‘Ha ha.’

‘I’m not even joking.’

He is. He has to be. The alternative doesn’t bear contemplating. ‘Dermot is sound, but we don’t share the banter you have with your brothers. Dermot has always babied me. He means well, but it can be suffocating. It was one of the reasons I went to the States.’

‘What about your parents?’ Caelon asks, staring over the horizon. ‘Your mother is one of the top paediatricians in the country. That’s impressive. Do you have a good relationship with her?’

‘I exasperate her!’ I laugh, though it’s not funny. My perceived lack of ambition is a bone of contention with both my parents. ‘She keeps asking when I’m going to get a “real job”’ I scoff.

‘Should I be worried?’ Caelon’s gaze cuts to mine. ‘About you leaving us? I do have a habit of driving nannies away.’

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