37. Ivy
Chapter Thirty-Seven
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 for tranquil ?’ 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.’
‘And did you ring specifically to tell me that? Or do you want something? ’
Rui returns with two cones topped with whipped ice cream and sprinkles. He hands one to Orla and one to Owen.
‘I want something, but that will have to wait until later.’ I hear his smile, even though I can’t see it. ‘The boat won’t be ready until three. Meet me in the restaurant for lunch at one.’
‘Yes, boss.’ I raise my hand in a salute and he snorts.
‘I think we both know you’re the one in charge.’ He hangs up before I can respond.
The ice creams melt quicker than the kids can eat them and they’re soon wearing more than they’ve swallowed. I take them up to the penthouse, shower them and dress them for lunch in their father’s fancy hotel restaurant. Room service has changed all the sheets, but Owen’s weren’t the ones that were in need of replacing this morning. Whoops.
I pick out a blush pink playsuit from my wardrobe and team it with a pair of gold low-heeled wedges. In this heat, there’s zero point in even trying to do anything with my hair or make-up, so I settle for a few squirts of Jo Malone perfume and a lick of mascara, and hope for the best.
When we reach the restaurant, Caelon is already waiting for us at a table by a window overlooking the cliffs. In a suit and tie, and wearing his serious game face, he looks positively powerful. His sheer presence sucks the oxygen from the room. Despite the air con, I am on fire.
His face breaks into a crooked smile as he spots us and his espresso-coloured eyes glint with an energetic spark. He stands as we approach. Orla and Owen run to him, hugging his legs and yelling over each other in their excitement to tell him about their morning.
Caelon answers with a convincing enthusiasm but his eyes are trained firmly on me, roving over my outfit before settling on my face. His crooked smile stretches into an almighty grin that makes my heart beat right out of my ribcage. Tortured has always been beautiful in that masculine way, but when he smiles, really smiles, he’s fucking devastating.
But his face morphs into an expression of horror as I reach the table.
‘What are you doing here?’ he demands incredulously.
I’m about to remind him he invited me, when I note his gaze has shifted to over my right shoulder.
‘Grandma!’ Orla and Owen squeal, leaping into the air.
I spin on my heels and find myself face to face with an immaculately dressed woman wearing a necklace dripping in diamonds and a grin as wide as the sea. A man who can only be Caelon’s father, given the striking resemblance, stands at her side.
‘Well, well, well,’ Caelon’s mother says, not even attempting to mask her glee. ‘Fancy meeting you here.’
Caelon drags his jaw from the floor and steps forwards so he’s standing beside me. ‘Ivy, I’d like you to meet my mother, Vivienne, and my father, Alexander.’ His voice is crisp, sharp and sullen again.
‘Ivy,’ Vivienne coos, taking my hands. ‘It’s such a pleasure to meet you.’ There’s an unmistakable warmth in her voice and actual tears welling in the corner of her eyes.
Alexander has the same deep, brown, thoughtful eyes as Caelon, which dart between us with curiosity. It’s clear to see where the Beckett boys got their looks from, even with the deep purple scar that’s carved across Alexander’s cheek. A shiver rips down my spine. The scar reminds me that the Becketts are dangerous. I should know. I’ve spent hours reading about the bitter feud between their family and their rivals, the O’Connors.
Vivienne launches herself at Caelon, wrapping her arms around him. He stands stiffly until I nudge him in the ribs with my elbow and he eventually reciprocates the hug, though not with nearly as much enthusiasm .
‘It’s so great to see you’re dating again,’ she whispers, none too discreetly, as she disentangles her arms from his back.
‘Oh, I’m just the nanny.’ I hold my palms up and take a step back, glancing at the kids pointedly. They have no idea about their daddy and me, and now is not the time to tell them.
Vivienne swats a slim, manicured hand in front of her face before leaning close enough that I can smell her expensive perfume. ‘That grin certainly wasn’t for me,’ she whispers, cocking her head.
She turns to her son again, who is flushed in the face and tight-lipped. ‘Do you mind if we join you for lunch?’
‘Do I have any choice?’ Caelon mutters, but Vivienne’s attention is already refocussed on me.
‘We’ve been touring Europe. We spent last month in the south of France and then we decided to come here. It’s a special place for us as Alex proposed to me in Portugal many moons ago. I have a soft spot for Carveiro. Thought we’d check in for a night or two before moving on to Lisbon. I am so happy we did.’
Judging by the grim expression on Caelon’s face, he’s not quite as ecstatic about this turn of events.
Three waiters appear, pulling out seats and faffing with napkins. Caelon orders wine. I think we’re going to need it.
‘Tell me, Ivy, how long have you been working for Caelon?’ Alexander doesn’t beat around the bush.
‘A couple of months.’ I brush Orla’s hair from her eyes, then turn my attention back to Caelon’s parents.
Surprise flits across Alexander’s eyes. ‘And he hasn’t terrified you off yet?’
The only thing that’s terrifying is how hard and fast I’m falling for him.
‘He’s not as big or as bad as everyone makes out,’ I beam. Caelon coughs to hide his snort .
‘Well, I’m so glad it’s working out,’ Vivienne clucks, leaning into my ear as Orla climbs onto my lap. ‘Caelon deserves some happiness.’
I nod, but don’t comment, all too aware of little ears listening. The waiter returns with the wine, and we order a selection of tapas.
‘How long are you here for?’ Vivienne asks.
‘I’m stuck here for at least another week,’ Caelon replies. ‘Although you can go home before, if you want to?’ he says to me.
‘Hmmm, let me think about that,’ I tease, ‘Stay in this luxurious five-star hotel with my two favourite kiddos and my broody boss,’ I tickle Orla’s ribs, ‘or go back to dreary Dublin with my two favourite kiddos and see if Uncle Rian calls in for a visit.’
Caelon growls, his nostrils flaring. Vivienne and Alex exchange a look of surprise.
Alex steers the conversation towards business, and Caelon launches into a long-winded, boring spiel about red tape, regulations, and structural repairs. I tune out, drink more wine than I should as Vivienne keeps up a rapid stream of conversation which thankfully, requires little or no response. The woman is warm and so welcoming, but my God, she can talk.
‘We go to the Eden spa every Friday; you simply must join us! Have you met my daughter, Zara?’
I shake my head. ‘I met Scarlett, though.’
‘Scarlett is such a doll. She’s so good for James. And the kids are just adorable. I miss them all, but we’ll be home in a couple of weeks. It’s good for Alex to get away. Even though he’s retired, he’s a devil for ”popping into the office” to check on the boys.’ She rolls her eyes dramatically, ‘Boys! They’re all men now.’
That we can agree on .
By the time we’ve finished eating, the kids are practically asleep on the table.
‘We might have to take a rain check on the boat trip.’ I cradle Orla’s head and reposition her on my chest. Her eyelids are fluttering closed, even as she protests that she’s not tired.
‘What’s this about a boat trip?’ Vivienne asks Caelon.
‘I’d arranged some time off this afternoon to take them out.’ Caelon lifts an equally exhausted looking Owen onto his lap. ‘Looks like we might have to give it a miss. Pity.’ His eyes stray to mine.
‘You two go,’ Vivienne says. ‘Alex and I will take the kids for the afternoon. They’re not the only ones who need a rest. We’ll take them up to our suite and put a movie on for them, won’t we, Grandad?’ Vivienne stares pointedly at her husband. ‘You two go have some fun.’
Alex’s eyes glitter. ‘Caelon is overdue some fun. He’s always so serious.’
That’s what he thinks. Caelon’s been having a lot of fun lately. It’s me who’s been getting serious. Although, Caelon’s decided he wants to tell Dermot about us, so maybe I’m not the only one.