Page 46 of Wild Tonic
“Whatever you want. Or don’t want. You need to work out what’s important to you. Take some time away from everything, decide whatyouneed. You can’t let them control you anymore.”
In that moment, Clem knew he was right.
She didn’t have to fight them.
Nate was all that mattered.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The reopening of The Roca Bar couldn’t have come at a better time. After all the drama in Westbourne Deane and the revelations of Dean and Marika’s treachery, Nate and Clem needed to get away. Even if the alternative was spending a few days with Poppy and Alik, who still weren’t exactly their biggest fans.
When Nate first asked Clem, she had been reluctant to join him. He insisted, saying that fresh surroundings and distance would help her work out what to do. Otherwise, she would be stuck in his flat, staring at the walls.
Plus, it gave him the opportunity to introduce her to India properly. When Poppy suggested that she and Parker wanted some time alone, Nate jumped at the chance to babysit. With Clem’s help, obviously.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Seriously, Poppy, how many times have I looked after my own daughter before?” Nate swept India up in his arms. “We’re going to have fun, aren’t we, sweetheart?”
“Just make sure you reapply her sunscreen regularly if you’re going to be out here.” Poppy smoothed a hand over her daughter’s hair. “And she seems like she might be coming down with a cold, she’s been a bit sneezy over the last day or so.”
“Don’t worry, Poppy, we’re going to be fine.”
Poppy’s gaze was drawn to Clem, who came out of the villa, a sarong wrapped around her hips, a string bikini top barely covering her breasts. She was carrying an armful of magazines and a jug of what looked like margarita. “How many times have I told you not to drink while you’re looking after India?” she snapped.
“It’s lime and mint cordial with sparkling water,” said Clem. She set the jug down on the table between two of the sun loungers. “It’s way too hot to drink alcohol.”
“You don’t have to explain,” said Nate. He didn’t want things to be prickly between the two of them. After all, it wasn’t long since he’d managed to get Alik onside and he didn’t want it to be awkward between Clem and Poppy.
Clem shrugged and settled herself down on the sun lounger. India wriggled in Nate’s arms and he let her down. The little girl ran over to Clem and picked up one of the kids’ magazines from the pile.
Parker appeared from inside. “Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“I guess so.” Poppy sighed and tossed her red hair over one shoulder. “We won’t be late.”
“Seriously, just go!”
The couple finally left and Nate went to join Clem and India.
“Daddy, look! S’Clem!” India waved one of the other journals at him. It had fallen open at a page with Clem modelling the Stelle D’Oro lingerie range. It was one of the more conservative shots of her, lounging on the bed, her legs stretched out, a robe around her, covering her modesty. “She’s pwetty! The pwetty princess!”
Nate laughed. “She certainly is, sweetheart.” He glanced over at Clem, whose mouth had turned up at one corner with a smile. “Daddy certainly agrees with you on that one.” Seeing that the little girl’s face was red, he placed a hand on India’s skin. “Ooo, you’re very warm, let’s get some of that suncream on you.”
India wriggled as he rubbed the cooling lotion on her body, then sneezed, snot coming from her nose. Clem reached for a tissue and held it while the little girl blew into it, then coughed.
“Oh dear,” said Clem. “Sounds like she is coming down with something. We should keep an eye on her.”
“Now you’re starting to sound like Poppy.” Nate shook his head. “Anyone would think I’ve never looked after her before.” He stretched, basking in the sun as it warmed every inch of his body. He stripped off his t-shirt. “Time to get a bit more of a tan.”
“You want me to rub cream on you?” Clem quirked an eyebrow at him.
“Much as I love the sound of that, we are in the presence of a minor and she’s definitely not ready for that.” Nate watched as India wandered a little too close to the pool and he jumped up to scoop her up just before she fell in. “Hey, let’s go and play in the baby pool.”
“I’m not a baby, Daddy.” India pouted.
“You’re not big enough to go in the grown-up one yet.” Nate took her hand and they went over to the shallow end.
Clem stood up and joined them, gently splashing him. “Why don’t you get some rest? I can look after India.”
