Page 40 of Redeem Me

‘No!’ I sit straighter. ‘I enjoy my work. And I consider my job to be just as important as what my parents do. Raising children is a privilege. My parents were gone so much when I was small. I was passed from childminder to childminder. It wasn’t fun. I vowed if I had kids, I’d be at home with them, play with them, make sure they felt wanted.’

‘Did you feel unwanted?’ Caelon’s eyes darken.

‘It wasn’t that I didn’t feel loved. If anything, my family smothered me. They still treat me like I’m fragile, weak, incapable of making my own decisions and of knowing my own mind.’ I pause and take a sip of my coffee. ‘I had a sister. She died. I suppose that’s why they’re the way they are with me.’

‘Jesus, Ivy, I had no idea.’ Caelon inches closer. ‘Dermot never mentioned it in all the years we’ve been friends. That is rough.’

‘It was a long time ago.’ I sigh. ‘My parents threw themselves into their work, and just like Orla and Owen, I had a lot of nannies. I shouldn’t judge, but I like to think if I lost a child, I’d lavish love on the ones who survived.’

‘Do you want your own kids?’ he pries, blurring the boss/employee/friend line even further.

I don’t hesitate. ‘Yes. Four of them.’

He swipes a hand over his stubble. ‘Why am I not surprised?’

‘So, if I’m going to stay here on a long-term basis, you’re probably going to have to reconsider your stance on me going out on a Friday night, because I’m not going to find a man here. Eventually, I’m going to start dating.’ I sweep my hand over the pristine grounds just as Jared comes into view. He’s wearing a tight vest and khaki shorts and holding a watering hose. ‘Unless…’

‘Oh, please. He’s so doped up with weed, I doubt he could get it up,’ Caelon scoffs, a frown creasing his already sullen face. ‘And Dermot definitely wouldn’t approve.’

‘Dermot doesn’t approve of anyone.’ I drain the remainder of my coffee, and we sit quietly for a few minutes, both staring out over the water.

‘I need to ask you something.’ Caelon swallows and I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs in his throat.

The man is a walking red flag, yet I’m still stupidly hoping he’s going to reconsider our unusual situationship, because the more time I spend with him, the more I want him. Tall, dark and tortured is my jam, and I’d do anything to have him spread all over me.

‘Ask me anything. I mean, you already know me better than any other boss I’ve had.’

Translation: you’ve already made me come twice and I wouldn’t be averse to a third time.

Anticipation swells in my chest like a helium balloon.

Did he spend the night stewing over Rian’s outrageous flirtation?

Did the day at the beach yesterday stir something in him?

‘Will you be okay with the kids for a few nights next week? There are some complications with one of the hotel refurbs in Monaco. I need to meet with the architect in person.’

The balloon in my chest bursts like it’s been poked with a pin. I thought for a second there we bonded, but no, I’m the nanny, not his friend, or anything else significant.

‘Of course.’ I plaster on my widest smile. ‘That’s what you pay me for. They’ll be fine, I promise.’

‘Thanks, Ivy.’ He stands, hovering for a second. ‘What are your plans for the day? Are you going for dinner with Dermot again?’

‘No.’ I swallow hard and straighten my shoulders. If Caelon doesn’t want me, I know a man who does. Rian slipped me his card yesterday and I’m damn well going to use it. ‘I’m going on a date,’ I announce.

His head snaps up. ‘Who with?’

‘Your brother.’

‘You’ve got to be joking.’ Caelon’s expression is positively murderous.

‘Like you said, it’s my day off.’ I stalk towards the back door, deliberately sashaying my denim-clad ass.

I take it back. Whoever said, ‘red sky in the morning, shepherds warning’ was right. I am about to do something dangerous.

Chapter Eighteen

CAELON

---