Page 13 of Ivy

“Baby girl, please don’t give us the mental image of your knickers.” Dex shudders and walks away.

We all laugh, and Jay looks between us before saying, “We love you like a brother, Luke, but Ivy and Carter come first. You have to understand that.”

“Yeah, man, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. But believe me when I say, I will never do anything to hurt either of them.” There’s no hesitation in his answer; he genuinely believes his words, and that alone makes me fall for him more. Jay nods, his understanding before leaving out the back, leaving me and Luke alone. My breathing picks up as I feel his brotherly protection leave with him. I don’t fear Beast, but my anxiety is building as I wonder if I can handle a man like Luke Baker.

“So, a date?” I choke out.

My nerves are blasting to the surface, and Luke can see them. He turns to stand in front of me and gently cups my jaw, his eyes, taking in my face, softening with every passing second.

“Yeah, honey, a date. You okay with that?” he asks. I nod and the smile that takes over his face makes my heart flutter like a thousand butterflies taking off. “Good. So how about we go to the school later and pick up your boy. Then maybe go out for some dinner and pop to the park close to my house?” He wants to take both of us out to dinner? I frown at him.

“I thought you wanted a date? I don’t want to take Carter out on our date, Beast.” He chuckles at me and leans in, laying a kiss on my dry lips.

Damn, I need to invest in some lip balm.

“Baby, we can go on a date another night. Today, I wanna spoil you and Carter.”

Oh. Well damn him and his sweetness.

“Oh, okay. Yeah, I think Carter will like that.” He cocks an eyebrow and I smile shyly at him. “Fine, I’ll like that too. Thank you, Luke.” He kisses me again and walks back to his room. Maybe spending time alone with Luke will do us good—well, as alone as we can be with a six-year-old boy running around.

Chapter 7

Luke

Watching Ivy and Carter together makes my heart beat in ways I never knew it could. I have always known I wanted a family, but I never knew I was ready to settle down until Ivy Bilson walked into Castle Ink. Yeah, I shagged around most of my life, but I knew, as soon as I met that one special girl I would stop all the nonsense and grow up.

I grew up with an amazing family. My sisters and I were always shown that we were loved, and we were always taught to speak freely and honestly. My parents are still madly in love after all these years. Sickeningly in love. Though I can’t say fuck all, because I want that. I want that with my Peaches.

I want it all.

Ivy and Carter.

But what I want doesn’t mean shit if she doesn’t feel the same way. So, slow and steady with us, is how I’m going to have to play this out. As the tortoise and the hare story goes, ‘slow and steady wins the race’.

I may have to take my time in building a relationship with Ivy, but this Beast will win his Peach.

One day at a time.

I smile when I see Carter throw his hands up in the air and yell, “FINISHED!” Both Ivy and I laugh at him. I lean across the table and offer my hand for a fist pump. He obliges and smiles at me. “See, I am a big boy, Luke. I can eat everything on my plate. Can I go play now, please?”

I brought Ivy and Carter to a small restaurant in town that has a play area outside. It’s dry but a little chilly.

“You can, but please put your coat on,” Peaches tells him. Good, this will give us some alone time to talk, yet still be able to keep an eye on the boy at the same time. We all put our coats back on and make our way outside. Ivy and I sit on one of the picnic tables, so we can watch Carter run around and burn off some energy. I have no clue where he gets it all from. He’s like a bundle of energy.The wind picks up and I put my arm around Ivy, pulling her closer. Carter runs up the metal stairs and slides down the slide, screaming as he does.

“Did you see?” Carter yells as he runs for the stairs again.

“Yeah, bud. Keep going,” I shout after him.

“He’s hyped up today. I blame you, Mr. Baker.” She nudges my ribs with her elbow, but I don’t feel much because of my leather jacket.

“My fault?” I ask, faking a hurt look. I pout and stick my bottom lip out. My mum falls for it every time.

“Yeah. He was super excited when he saw you picking him up from school, and then you mentioned food and the park.” Ivy looks over at Carter and takes a deep breath, her smile falling from her face a little. “I know he’s always had Tim in his life, but he wasn’t exactly father of the year.”

“How has he been, since you left the dickhead?”

“Since Carter has been around you and my brothers, he’s come out of his shell. He isn’t afraid to try something and fail now. I know I seem weak, but walking away before was scary. It took everything in me to leave when I did, but I am so fucking happy I did it. I know in my heart now that I should have left years ago.”

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