Page 96 of Redeem Me

So do I.

Ten minutes later, Caelon strides into the room in a cloud of cologne and raw masculinity. He’s dressed in smart shorts and another chest-hugging polo shirt. My mouth waters at the sight of him.

‘Good morning.’ His deep velvety voice floats across the kitchen.

The kids abandon their cereal and run to him. My ovaries weep on either side of my achingly empty uterus. I need to get a grip.

‘Dad, can we go to the funfair today? Or the circus?’ Owen demands, tugging his father’s hand.

‘We need to put flowers on Mammy’s grave,’ Caelon says, ‘then we’re going to see Uncle James and Aunty Scarlett.’

‘We are?’ Orla exclaims. ‘Do you think Scarlett will let me hold the baby?’

Do you think she’ll letmehold the baby?

The thought bombards me, followed shortly by another crushing realisation. No one’s invited me. The kids don’t even know Caelon and I are together.

‘I don’t see why not.’ Caelon shrugs. ‘Coffee?’ His attention shifts to me, his eyes roaming appreciatively over my bare thighs before landing on my face. An involuntary shiver rips down my spine.

‘Earth to Ivy,’ Caelon teases. ‘Coffee?’

‘Yes, please.’ It’s not as if I have anything else planned. I texted Dermot last night, hoping he’d come to his senses and finally realise I’m an adult woman who can see and sleep with whomever I choose, but I’ve heard nothing. It’s going to take him a while to get over this one.

I suppose I could visit my parents. It’s been a while. Though I’m not sure I’m ready for another,‘What are you goingto do with your life?’speech, especially not when it’s become crystal clear what I want to do; marry my hot tortured boss and have stinkingly cute babies.

Caelon makes the coffee while the kids return to the table to shovel in spoonfuls of Cheerios like they haven’t eaten in years. Milk splatters in every direction with each flick of their spoons, much to Roxy’s delight. She licks the floor until it’s gleaming.

‘We’ll pick up some flowers and go to the graveyard, then circle back round for you just after one,’’ Caelon says, over his shoulder.

‘Sorry?’ I startle, dragged from my daydreams.

‘I want you to come to dinner at James and Scarlett’s,’ Caelon smirks. ‘Rian, Killian and Sean will be there.’

I push my chair back and slink over to him. ‘Isn’t it a family event?’

‘Yes.’ Caelon glances at the kids, who are still engrossed in their breakfast, before fleetingly brushing his lips against mine, stealing the breath from my lungs.

‘Are you taking me to rub it in Rian’s face?’ I quip. Little does Caelon know, Rian has it bad for someone else. I have no idea who, but he had no qualms admitting it on our date.

‘I’m taking you because you’re my girlfriend, and I hate being more than ten feet away from you. The only thing I’m rubbing is myself against you any chance I get,’ he growls into my ear.

‘About last night…’ I keep my voice low so the kids can’t hear.

‘Don’t.’ Unspoken words hang between us like an assassin’s axe. ‘I told you, Ivy, there’s no way I’m giving you up.’

It’s not exactly,‘I’ve given up all thoughts of murder and revenge,’but for now, it’ll do.

‘In that case, I’ll go get showered.’ I take the coffee heoffers, and I’m about to stride away when something occurs to me.

‘Do you want me to come to the graveyard with you?’ I suck on my lower lip. This is unknown territory for both of us.

‘One day,’ he says solemnly, catching my hand, ‘but not today.’

I squeeze his hand back and drop it before the kids see. ‘I’ll go and check Owen’s bedsheets.’ He’s been mostly dry the past ten days, but there’s been the odd accident.

‘No need.’ Caelon’s lips part in a genuine smile. ‘They’re dry.’

‘Again?’

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