Page 85 of Redeem Me

IVY

I wake up to find Caelon’s muscular arms wrapped around my waist, his taut torso pressed against my bare back, and his chin resting on my shoulder – the exact position we fell asleep in. I feel the gentle thud of his heart and hear his soft, deep breaths. His unique male scent encases me in a Caelon-shaped bubble I’d happily stay in forever.

I squint at my Apple watch. It’s two minutes to five. Neither of us has moved for almost five hours straight.

As if sensing I’m awake, Caelon stirs. He presses his nose against my neck and inhales my skin before sprinkling tiny kisses across my shoulder blade.

He’s always been A1 at the aftercare, but this, these sensual little kisses, and the way he’s cuddling me, are on a whole-new level. Even after I bought a dog for his kids .

‘I wish I could stay in bed with you,’ he whispers.

‘Yeah, yeah, but you have a six-pack to maintain and a billion-euro empire to run, I know.’ I twist to face him, and our eyes lock. ‘And I have a date with an adorable five- and six-year-old, a teddy that’s in need of a wash, and a strong coffee.’

‘Your job is way more important than mine.’ Caelon presses his lips to mine and a heat stirs in my stomach and lower. I pull back before we start something we won’t have time to finish.

‘Oh, believe me, I know.’ I shrug playfully, running my fingers through his hair.

‘My kids love you.’ His voice is rough with gratitude.

‘I love them.’And you.

Thankfully, for once my mouth behaves and doesn’t blurt the latter part of that statement out loud.

His hand glides over the back of my arm slowly, sending goosebumps scattering in its wake. ‘I’ll see you this afternoon.’

‘We’ll be ready.’ I smile. I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for Caelon Beckett in any shape or form because the more time I spend with him, the more his tortured soul claims my tranquil one.

He untangles his limbs from mine, presses a kiss to my forehead, and drags himself from between the crisp white sheets. I roll over, staring at the wall, waiting for him to go so I can process everything that happened last night, last week, and last month, but instead of him slipping away quietly, he returns five minutes later with a cup of coffee, just the way I like it.

‘Here. If you need anything else, just ask any of the staff. They’ll take care of you.’

My eyes drift to the platinum wedding ring he still wears.

I sit up, propping the plump pillows behind my back while Caelon picks up a remote and points it at the blinds. They open electronically, revealing the morning sunrise over the sea.

‘How’s that fortranquil?’ A smile lifts his lips, something which has happened multiple times in the past twelve hours, even though we were asleep for five of them.

‘It’s perfection.’

He kisses me one more time before disappearing.

I spend the entire morning in the opulent infinity pool with the kids. Between the excitement, the heat, and the exercise, they’re exhausted before midday. It doesn’t bode well for the boat trip. Wrapping towels around them for the hundredth time, I prop them on a sun lounger under an umbrella and order ice creams from the waiter, Rui, who can’t do enough for us.

I pull out my phone from my beach bag to check the time and find missed calls from both Dermot and Caelon. My heart sinks. I hope Caelon’s not too bogged down with work that he’s cancelling this afternoon.

I’m about to call Caelon back, but my phone rings before I have the chance.

‘Sorry, I only just saw your missed calls.’ I smile at Orla, who is reclining on a lounger rocking a pair of pink Barbie sunglasses. She’s going to be one hell of a diva when she grows up. A pang strikes my sternum. I hope I’m around to see it. ‘The kids are fine. Everything is fine.’ Caelon worries about them, and I can’t blame him.

‘I know they are,’ his smooth voice purrs into my ear. ‘I’m watching you on the hotel’s CCTV. That’s my favourite bikini, by the way. I can’t wait to peel it off you later.’

My head snaps, scanning for the hint of a camera.

‘It’s deliberately discreet.’ Caelon barks out a laugh.

‘Can’t I go anywhere without you perving on me?’ I whisper, but there’s no denying the thrill that he’s as into me as I am to him.

‘Nope, it’s my favourite pastime.’

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