‘Nah, just like to keep stocked up. Nick and Shane brought a couple of girls back last night after you left with the woman in the white dress. They made a good dent in my drinks’ cupboard.’
‘Yeah, well.’ I shift from foot to foot. ‘Enjoy your night.’
He raises his hand in a sarcastic wave. ‘I expect all the gory details over Sunday lunch at Mam’s tomorrow.’
‘Yeah, Mam would love that.’ Not. Sarcasm seems to be a family trait.
I grab a packet of Kinder bars and a couple of Barbie magazines with the plastic accessories attached to the front. ‘See you tomorrow.’
Richard’s beady eyes linger on the confectionary and magazines, but I stride away before he has the chance to bombard me with any more questions.
Outside, I slide into my Tesla and type in Savannah’s address. Her house is in Dalkey, one of the nicer suburbs. I wonder if she’s near the beach. I’m about to find out.
Twenty minutes later, I swing into an asphalt driveway. A large white, two-storey modern house comes into view. It’s set well back from the road. The generous sized garden issurrounded by high trees. The driveway is lined with stunning rose bushes, bursting with colour. I’d never have pegged Savannah as the green-fingered type, but a garden like this takes maintenance.
A wooden treehouse with swings and a slide sits to the left of the house along with a wooden Wendy house and sandpit overflowing with brightly coloured toys.
The property itself is symmetrical in appearance. Huge corner windows flank either side of the house. I glance at the beach in my rear-view mirror. She must have one hell of a sea view. Thank God she’s learning how to swim. When the twins get older, they’re going to want to be at that beach any time the sun shines.
Something squeezes in my chest at the thought.
A huge summer wreath, painted a deep shade of pink, hangs on Savannah’s front door.. Did I expect anything less?
Probably not.
I step out of the car with the treats clutched to my chest like a shield.
‘Ronan!’ Isla cannonballs out of the door and lands surprisingly on her feet while Eden hangs back a little shyly in the doorframe.
‘Hi girls. I brought treats. I thought maybe we could watch a movie…’ I trail off as Savannah appears in the door.
My greeting lodges in my throat as my jaw hits the floor.
Pale pink silk sculpts her every curve, showcasing her stunning cleavage and clinging to her womanly hips. Her blonde hair bounces over her shoulders in huge curls that I’ve dreamt about wrapping round my hand. Her stunning blue eyes appear twice their normal size with whatever make-up she’s applied, and I swear to God her skin is glowing like a fucking angel.
And those lips.
They’re outlined with a slightly darker shade of pink and all I can think about is having them wrapped around my….
‘We’re not watching a movie, Ronan.’ Isla’s high-pitched voice drags my mind back from the gutter.
‘We’re not?’ I tear my eyes from Savannah and focus on the two little girls.. Carbon copies of their mother, apart from their colouring. ‘What are we doing, then?’
‘We’re going to make up a dance routine,’ Isla announces. Eden nods enthusiastically.
‘A dance routine?’ I repeat, dumbly. Rachel’s boys are so much easier pleased. Snacks, magazines, and a movie usually ensure my babysitting duties are effortless.
I’m beginning to realise I’m not going to get off nearly as lightly tonight.
‘Come in.’ Savannah beckons me in.
I step forwards, still salivating over her figure in that dress. Every caveman instinct lurking inside demands I sweep her up into my arms and claim every inch of her body with every inch of mine.
Eventually, I find my tongue. ‘You look stunning.’
‘Thank you.’ A subtle blush lights her delicate cheekbones.
Cheekbones which I feel brave enough to brush a kiss over as I step into the hallway. She inhales sharply as her fingers mindlessly trace the spot my lips just left. ‘Are you any good at dancing?’
