‘I’ve been meaning to ask, do you want me to come to the shoot?’ Ronan rubs the sleep from his eyes and blinks.
I don’t even have to think about it. ‘Yes.’
‘Consider it done.’ He presses a kiss against my temple. ‘What’s on the agenda today?’
‘I really need to write my speech for the ladies’ lunch at Huxley Castle. It’s only two weeks away and I have a half-hour slot on stage as their guest speaker. It’s a charityfunction for the Irish Single Parents’ Society.’ I shrug and that one simple motion conveys the guilt I feel, the hypocrisy.
‘You’ve been a single mother for seven years.’ Ronan traces small circles over my skin. ‘You’re still a single mother, technically. We’re not married – yet.’
‘Would you really want to get married one day?’ I blurt out, feeling my eyes widen. ‘To be a father to the girls?’
‘Is that a proposal?’ he teases, tickling my ribs. ‘Of course, I would. I’m dating their mama. Even if those dates are mostly comprised of stolen hours behind closed doors.’ He forces a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
I pinch his bum to lighten the mood. He jolts up and flips me on my back in one quick movement, so he’s on top of me. I hiss, but I love it really. I love his sheer size and his powerful physique. Love the abs that are so perfectly carved. Love the smooth, full contours of his ass.
I love everything about him. But I still haven’t told him. Haven’t said the words. Because when I do, there’s no going back.
I glance over his shoulder towards the window. The sun is creeping higher in the sky. The girls will wake before six. They’re like clockwork, no matter what time they go to bed. Like he can read my mind, he releases me with a small sigh and rolls out of bed.
‘What are your plans for tonight?’ I prop myself up on my elbows and watch as he pulls on the shorts I tore down last night.
‘Is that a joke?’ He stills, his blue eyes smouldering.
‘No. It’s Friday night. Maybe you want to go out with Richard or something…’ I can’t presume he wants to spend every night with me, just because I want to spend every night with him. I’ve got to be at home with the kids, but that doesn’t mean has to.
‘Or something,’ he answers with a grin. ‘There is nowhereelse I’d rather be than between your long, toned legs, lady. Though, seriously, I wouldn’t mind being able to take you on an actual date sometime soon.’ He raises his palms like a white flag. ‘No pressure or anything, but our families know. The kids know. While I’m ecstatic being here with you, we can’t go on sneaking around forever.’
I sigh, rocking up to a sitting position.
‘I’m not trying to rush you.’ Ronan hovers by the bed, his blue eyes boring into mine. ‘But I can’t wait to spoil you.’
‘You spoil me every day,’ I tell him earnestly.
He gives me a pointed look. ‘I want to take you to the best restaurants. To the movies. Whisk you to fancy hotels for dirty weekends away.’
It can’t be easy on Ronan, living in the shadows. Creeping out at the crack of dawn every morning. Cooking for us. Cleaning up after the girls. It’s completely unfair on him. If the roles were reversed, how would I feel?
Like shit, that’s how.
He deserves recognition.
He deserves better.
He said he loves me. He’s proved it over and over again by showing up for me and the girls every damn day since we went to Ballybowen.
I inhale deeply through my nose.
It’s time. Whether I want to be or not, I’m no longer Single Sav.
‘You’re right. It’s time we came out.’
Ronan drops back to the bed, perching on the edge of it, clasping my two hands in his. ‘I won’t let you down, Savannah. What we have is the real deal.’
‘I know you won’t.’
‘There might be a bit of backlash, but I’m sure a lot of your followers will be ecstatic to see you happy and settled.’He squeezes my fingers encouragingly. ‘Did your contract with Coral Chic stipulate you have to remain single?’
‘No.’ My fingertips turn white where they’re gripping his so tightly.
