Page 53 of Bedding his Innocent Mistress

She laughed softly. “Private jets, staff, mansions in Spain, Penthouses in London…”

“This bothers you?”

Her heart thumped hard in her chest. He was right. It did bother her, and that fact was a disaster, because it spoke of a desire for permanence that was absolutely unwelcome.

“It might if I wanted anything from you other than your beautiful body,” she said with an attempt at lightness.

It failed. She saw the warning flash in his eyes, the tightening of his mouth, and she resented the stupid comment immediately.

But his reaction was just a lightning bolt; he was himself again almost instantly.

“Come.” His smile burned her all the way to the soles of her feet. “Let’s go outside.”

She reached for the platter but he shook his head. “I’ve got it.”

She followed behind him, through the enormous living space with low-line white sofas and a white baby-grand piano, through enormous glass doors that led to the kind of outdoor area that would have been at home in a six-star resort. An infinity pool gave way to views of the ocean, citrus trees grew to one side, forming a green-screen and offering fragrant shade, and sun lounges provided the perfect spot to sit and relax. Towels were rolled on each, ready to be used.

“Your staff?” she prompted, as he placed the platter in the middle of a glass table, around which white wicker furniture had been set.

“Going to hold it against me?”

She smiled and shook her head. “How can I, when I find myself in the midst of heaven?”

He leaned down and kissed her, just a brush of his lips against hers, but fire arced through her body.

Perfection seared her soul.

But, that sense of completeness was a double-edged sword, and as she watched him disappear back into the house, a sinking sensation settled upon her. She would say goodbye to him, when it was time. The devastation she’d felt at losing Steve would be nothing to how she’d feel if Rafe were to end things with her before she was ready.

She surrendered to that knowledge, even when it made no sense academically. After all, Steve had been her life for many years, and Rafe she’d known such a short time… how was it possible that he posed an even bigger threat to her happiness than Steve?

Ivy didn’t know, but she acknowledged the truth, deep in her heart, and if anything, it only served to strengthen her resolve.

She had to be ever-ready, and to leave on her terms, when it was time.

She breathed in, tasting the sea, tasting it all the way into the pit of her belly.

When Rafe returned, it was with a bottle of his signature champagne and two flutes. Ivy watched him expertly uncork it and pour two measures, handing one to her.

“Thank you.” She frowned. “For everything.”

He arched a brow inquisitively, taking the seat beside her and putting one of his strong, tanned arms around her shoulders as though the intimacy was the most natural thing in the world. Pleasure, desire, guilt flooded her system. Her cheeks flushed.

“Everything?” He reached for a piece of cheese.

“For bringing me here,” she said quietly. “Especially today.”

She felt him stiffen.

“I don’t know what I would have done.”

He spoke slowly. “You would have got mad, as you should, then you would have got over it. Because you are not a fool, Ivy, and you know that this man is a part of your past. That he reaches out to you because he can’t accept the fact that you’re not in his life anymore.”

He was right. She knew it wasn’t about her so much as Steve, and what Steve wanted. What Steve couldn’t accept. It didn’t make it any less confusing, though.

“I wanted you to see my home,” he said after a few moments of quiet reflection had passed. A bird flew overhead, with big black wings and a bright patch of colour in the middle of its chest.

“Why?” Ivy drank her champagne, the taste forever intertwined with their first night together in her mind.

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