“Evie, you know me better than that.”
“I don’t you at all.”
“You know me more than anyone.”
“That’s sad. It’s also another lie. Nobody knows you better than my brother. You know, the man you spent years using against me.”
“Is that what I was doing when I was fucking you senseless?”
“No. It was always before and after.”
“I made a mistake.”
“You’ve yet to apologize for.”
“Is that what you need from me? An apology for always protecting you?”
“That wasn’t protection, Caleb. It was control.”
He grinned, leaning into my lips. “Control isn’t what I would call it, darlin’.”
“I didn’t think I could hate you calling me that more than I do right now.”
Ignoring my statement, he ordered, “You need to go pack.”
“I feel like this is a trick.”
“We’re leaving in thirty minutes.”
“You’re not listening to me like always.”
Finally, he stepped back, giving me the space I thought I wanted.
Why did I instantly miss his touch?
“I’ve always listened to you, Evie.”
“How many more lies do you plan on telling me on this trip?”
“I might not have listened to your words, but I’ve always listened to your heart. You’ve always wanted a family, and Jax was all you had back then.”
“He’s all I have now.”
“No, you have me and my kids.
My eyebrows lowered, taking in what he’d declared.
“I refused to be the man who’d steal that from you.” Sweeping the hair away from my face, he spoke with conviction…
“You see, Evie Monroe. When you love someone, truly fucking love someone, you put their needs ahead of yours. Even if it means, breaking their heart in the process.”
Chapter 22
Evie
Did he say he loved me?
The question troubled my mind the entire time I was packing the kids’ suitcases and then mine.
The captain announced, “Sir, welcome aboard Living the Dream,” bringing my focus back to the present. “We’re so excited to have your family onboard for the next couple of days.”
“Oh,” I breathed out, caught off guard. “I’m just the nanny.”
I could feel Caleb’s anger burning a hole in my side.
“Evie.” Ariel tugged my shirt.
“Yes, honey?”
“You’re my best friend too.”
I smiled at her before locking eyes with Caleb. He was staring at us with affection, but there was also something I couldn’t quite place.
Quickly shaking off the sentiment, I responded to Ariel. “Baby girl, you’re my best friend too.”
For the next hour, the captain and his crew showed us around their massive yacht. From the seven staterooms to the fully stocked kitchen, where the chef would cook for us at any time of the day, to the living room, dining area, the crew’s quarters, then down to the top deck of the yacht which had the most amazing view of the ocean. There was a landing pad for a helicopter to arrive if needed and two jet skis for us to play on.
I’d never seen anything like this luxury home on the water. I couldn’t imagine what this was setting Caleb back. He even brought his assistant, Jennifer, to help with Ethan and Ariel. I’d met her the morning I rang their doorbell, letting him know I was his new nanny for their trip to Spain. The kids liked her, and it was all that mattered to me.
While they were unpacking with Jennifer, Caleb barged into my stateroom, making himself at home on my bed. He leaned against the headboard, smiling at me.
“Don’t you know how to knock? I could have been changing.”
He grinned, looking at me with a predatory regard.
“You being naked isn’t anything I haven’t seen before.”
“That was different, and you know it. I have a boyfriend who wouldn’t appreciate your—”
“My what, Evie? Love for you?”
“Why do you keep throwing out that word?”
“What word would that be?”
“Don’t be a smart ass. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“You used to love my smart ass personality. I thought I’d bring that back for you too.”
“I don’t need you to bring anything back for me, Caleb. In fact, I love feeling like I don’t know you. It makes it easier to hate you.”
“Whatever you have to tell yourself, sweetheart.”
I rolled my eyes. “What do you want?”
“Can’t I enjoy a casual conversation with my nanny?”
“I’m not your nanny. I’m your kids’ nanny.”
“What if I need you to tuck me in at night too?”
“That would make it hard, seeing as you’re never home.”
“Home?” He grinned again.
“You know what I mean.”
“Do you?”
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“The flirting.”
“Is that what I’m doing?”
“Caleb, I mean it. My boyfriend—”
“Is a fucking idiot for letting you come live with me.”
“I’m not living with you. Besides, he doesn’t control my life unlike some men I know. We actually have a healthy relationship. One that’s built on trust and respect.”
“Your make-believe boyfriend sounds like a pussy.”
My mouth dropped open. “He’s a nice guy!”
“I’m a nice guy.”
“I hardly define you as a nice guy.”
“Is that right?”
“You scared away every date I had in college.”