‘I’ll make a reservation and email you the details. Mr Beechwood will be pleased.’ A hint of relief seeps into Susie’s voice.
‘Great, thanks. I’ll see you tonight.’
Susie chuckles. ‘Oh no dear, I’m not going. It’ll just be you and Mr Beechwood.’
She hangs up before I can ask any further questions.
‘Are you one hundred per cent sure about this?’ I stand, clasping the contract in my hand like it’s a ticket to Charlie’s chocolate factory.
‘The chance to hang out with my two favourite students, and snoop in their mother’s knicker drawer when they go to bed…’ He winks. ‘Abso-fucking-lutely.’
My jaw drops. ‘You wouldn’t.’
‘Relax, I’m kidding.’ His fingers brush over the back of my tricep and my skin pricks to attention. ‘The only time I want to see your lingerie is when it’s damp and discarded on the floor.’
My core clenches. He’s going to be the death of me.
‘What time do you want me tonight?’ The corners of his eyes crinkle as he smirks.
‘I’m not sure yet. I’ll text you when Susie emails me the details.’ The next family enters the pool area and Ronan and I jump apart guiltily.
‘I guess I’ll see you later then.’ Ronan adjusts the waistband of his shorts, and I force my eyes away. The memory of something impressive pressed against me is seared in my mind forever. Will I ever be bold enough to feel it again?
Bold enough and brave enough.
‘Let’s go girls.’ I signal to the twins.
Mammy has to get ready for a hot date.
And not necessarily the one in the city.
Chapter Fourteen
RONAN
How hard can it be babysitting six-year-old twin girls? Minding the kids is the perfect excuse to get close to Savannah.
I’m at my local store picking up confectionary when my brother, Richard, rams me with his trolley. ‘Evening, brother.’
It’s not unusual to run into him here. Richard bought one of the apartments in the same block as mine just along the street. Thankfully, it’s not the one directly below because it has had a few high heels traipsing across the wooden floorboards.
Though there’s been no one in weeks. I want Savannah more than ever and it’s an itch no one else can scratch. I know because I spent the last two years trying.
‘The boys are meeting in the new club in forty minutes. Don’t even think about driving tonight.’ Richard gives me a pointed stare.
‘I’m not going out tonight.’ I shake my head to reinforce my point.
‘What?’ He nods at the popcorn tucked under my arm. ‘Oh, I see… Netflix and chill.’ He uses his fingers to make quotation signs in the air. ‘Who’s the lucky lady?’
‘No one you know.’ My molars clamp together. I’d prefer not to have to explain myself, for Savannah’s sake.
‘Oh, don’t hold out on me now, Ronan!’ Richard’s black eyes gleam as he rubs his palms together.
‘I told you, you don’t know her.’ I inhale a deep breath and blow it out slowly. I swear to God he’s worse than a gossiping granny. ‘And don’t even think of turning up at the apartment because I won’t be there.’
‘Oh, now I’m really intrigued.’ He rams my thighs with his trolly, which is when I notice it’s filled with wine and whiskey.
‘Someone’s having a party.’
