To Breathe Again (Learning To Live Again Book 3)

by Dori Lavelle

  Kelsey glanced at Shaun. “You went all out, didn’t you?”

  “Anything for my girl. I’m lucky to have a brother who owns a limousine. Made things that much easier.”

  Kelsey gazed back at Dustin—the man who had been halfway up a tree in dirty work clothes when she’d seen him for the first time, the man who popped in and out of his mother’s house to fix leaking pipes and blocked toilets. It seemed he was a man of many colors.

  Dustin opened the door of the limo for them, then got behind the wheel. As they sank back into the cream leather and burnished wood interior, he smiled at them from in front of the glass partition and peeled out of the driveway.

  Kelsey turned to Shaun. “I have the feeling you and your family have been up to something behind my back. I’m surprised the rest of your brothers aren’t here. When will you tell me what this is about?”

  Rachel and Shaun laughed.

  Shaun took a breath and wove his fingers into Kelsey’s. “You’ll know soon enough. Just sit back and enjoy yourself.”

  Twenty minutes later, Dustin drove them through a wide cast iron gate and up toward a lit mansion.

  “Wow,” she breathed. “Whose place is this? It’s gorgeous.”

  “I’m glad you approve.” Dustin pulled up in front of a glowing fountain.

  “This is your home, Dustin?” It seemed she really didn’t know him at all.

  “My house,” he said. “My home is where my mother lives.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Rachel unfastened her seatbelt and opened the door.

  Kelsey stared up at the elegant roman columns before Shaun took her arm and led her up the stone steps.

  The double doors opened, and Garrett and Cole stood before them in tuxes. Behind them, waitresses held sparkling champagne flutes on silver trays. Garrett and Cole kissed Kelsey on the cheek and stepped back.

  Kelsey blinked at them and opened her mouth to ask what was happening when Shaun dropped to his knee right there in the doorway and gazed up at her.

  “Last time I did this, something went wrong.” He laughed, his eyes twinkling. “This time, I made sure nothing bad could happen. So, let me ask you again.” He held up the same ring he had presented her at the festival. “Kelsey O’Neil, will you marry me?”

  Tears welled up in Kelsey’s eyes. “Where did you find it?” she asked, her hand on her chest. “I thought it was lost.”

  “Someone found it in the grass. They gave it to me at the hospital. Now, can you give me my answer before my knees go numb?”

  “Shaun, what can I say? Of course. Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife.” She extended her hand, and he slipped on the ring. When he stood up, he was crying too. Rachel sniffled next to them.

  Their kiss was long and deep, and then he leaned down to whisper into her ear. “I sped things up a little. Welcome to our engagement party.”

  At that moment, music started playing and glasses of champagne were pressed into their hands. As Kelsey watched in amazement, people started appearing in the doorways. Among them were Melisa and Heat, as well as their son Ben and his girlfriend.

  Kelsey leaned her head back and laughed to stop herself from crying tears of joy.

  ***

  This was one night Kelsey would remember for the rest of her life. But as much as she enjoyed the food and music, and the panoramic views of Serendipity Lake, she couldn’t wait to start her life with the man she loved. True love was never guaranteed for anyone, and somehow she had found it.

  No matter what happened, she would try never to forget how lucky she was. The price they’d paid to get here was nothing compared to the happiness they’d found in each other. Shaun was everything she had ever wished for and more than she had ever known she wanted.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  As they ate, Kelsey looked around in awe. All that was missing from the engagement party were her friends and family. Of course Shaun had found a way to include them.

  After dinner, he led her into a large conference room, where Dustin turned down the lights and flicked on a large flat screen TV on the wall. Seconds later, video clips of her loved ones played for all to see. Maria, Delia, and even Maeve and her parents congratulated Shaun and Kelsey on their engagement.

  “You’re amazing,” Kelsey whispered to Shaun when the screen turned off and the lights came back on. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes for about the hundredth time.

  Shaun pulled her close as Dustin discreetly left the room. “Want to show me just how amazing I am?” he said with a wicked grin. He removed his hands from around her waist and went to the double doors. Kelsey heard the click as he locked them. Without a word, he picked her up from her chair and laid her across the gleaming conference table.

  “You naughty boy,” she gasped as he pushed her dress up to her waist.

  He placed a finger on her lips. “Shhh. We have to be quiet.”

  Kelsey giggled and pursed her lips, but not for long. Shaun lowered himself onto her and parted her lips with his tongue. Then he pushed it into her mouth.

  Kelsey melted instantly. She pulled his head closer and kissed him back, the passion flowing between them like electricity. Shaun pushed her panties to one side and his breathing deepened as he unzipped his trousers. Moments later, he pushed her legs apart with his hands and knees while his lips were still glued to hers. And then, with one deep thrust, he was inside her.

  Then he stopped and kissed her deeper, harder, until Kelsey forgot how to breathe. He eventually removed his lips from hers and gazed deep into her eyes, pulling himself out of her only to slam into her again. His darkening eyes didn’t leave hers as he pushed and pulled, faster and faster, his hips slamming into hers.

  Kelsey gasped as rolling waves of pleasure drowned her. Wanting more of him, she wrapped her legs around his butt and clenched her muscles around his cock.

  Shaun leaned down, still grinding into her, and sucked her bottom lip before moving to her ear. “You’re the most amazing woman in the world. I could fuck you forever.” He thrust upward into her again, his cock like a pleasurable punch, and grabbed her breast in one hand.

  Kelsey gave a shriek, but Shaun covered her mouth with the hand that had been searching for her breast. “Don’t make a sound.”

  Kelsey blinked and then closed her eyes with a deep-throated moan.

  Shaun wriggled from side to side, slamming against her, and then he pulled out, slid her from the table, and turned her around, lowering her gently onto her stomach while keeping a warm hand at the nape of her neck. Now that his shoulder had healed, his movements were fluid and unhindered.

  “Time for the engagement fuck,” he said, and groaned as his tip found her sweet spot. He placed both hands on each of her buttocks and pushed them apart.

  Kelsey almost exploded with ecstasy at the thought of what he was seeing. She felt his cock grazing her entrance and then stopping just moments before he slid into her again.

  He let out a stifled grunt and released her butt, slumping forward, his warm body trembling with hers.

  “Come with me, baby,” he said in a ragged whisper, and increased his pace.

  Heat rose from every one of Kelsey’s pores as his sweat dripped onto the back of her neck.

  He pushed his hand down her front and found her clit, massaging it as he continued to drive into her with such force Kelsey thought she might tear or break. Or both. Was it her imagination, or was he growing larger inside of her?

  He thrust into her several more times, and then trembled even harder. He removed the hand that was massaging her clit and placed it on her right shoulder, pulling it upward. He thrust into her one more time, tensed, then relaxed, and then did it again, and again, and again.

  Then he let out a groan so loud, Kelsey was grateful the conference room wasn’t next to the hall where the party was taking place. And for the music.

  “Fuck,” he said, still moving in and out of her. “The things you do to me, Kelsey.” He came then, floo
ding her.

  The ball of ecstasy inside Kelsey swelled and swelled, until finally it burst and wave after wave washed over her. Sapped of energy, she pressed her cheek against the table and sighed. “I was wrong,” she whispered. “You did top it.”

  Shaun gave a deep throated laugh and kissed her neck. “Now that this party is over, we better get back to our other party before they come looking for us.”

  Five minutes later, Kelsey had cleaned up and reapplied her makeup in the conference room bathroom. Thank God her evening gown didn’t wrinkle easily.

  As they walked out of the room, it almost looked as if nothing had happened, except for the deep flush in Kelsey’s cheeks. Kelsey’s nerves were still tingling and she couldn’t stop giggling every time her eyes met Shaun’s.

  How could she be so lucky? Their wedding was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. But her heart was full to the brim already.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “I think I should return home. Check on the restaurant, you know?” Kelsey said to Shaun over a romantic dinner two weeks after their engagement party.

  “I thought your assistant manager was doing a fantastic job even in your absence. And you’re doing great from here.”

  “Dave is awesome, and I couldn’t have chosen anyone better, but I think I need to show my face now and then. I don’t want to leave you, but I think I have to. Two months is a long time. And you need to start focusing on your work again. Your dream is coming true. Your book will be a movie. So you’ll be busy travelling back and forth to California.”

  “I know. I still wish you would stay,” Shaun said. “I feel as if you belong here with me.”

  “I don’t have to be with you in person to belong with you.”

  It was hard for Kelsey to imagine waking up in the morning and not seeing him next to her now. But she had to be realistic. They were engaged, but they still had not made concrete plans about the wedding and where they would live.

  “Can you see yourself living here once we’re married?”

  Kelsey thought of Shaun’s family and friends, people who loved him, and loved her because she loved him.

  A few weeks ago, she couldn’t have imagined living in Serendipity, but things had changed. After everything that had happened, she wanted to be close to Shaun’s heart, and this was where it was. And as weird as it might sound, she wanted him to be able to visit Carmen’s grave as often as he liked.

  She would miss her own family and friends, but they were only a flight away. And she would find a way to efficiently manage her restaurant from Serendipity. Maybe she’d even accept Melisa’s offer and open one here.

  “Yes, I can. I’d love to move to Serendipity once we’re married. But we haven’t talked about that.” She sipped her wine. “When are we getting married?”

  “It depends on you.” Shaun traced the edge of her mouth with his finger. “Just answer me one question.”

  Kelsey raised an eyebrow. “Sure.”

  “Would you want to wait or get married soon?”

  Kelsey didn’t need time to think about it. They had been together for only a few months, but after all they’d weathered together, it felt like ten years. “I don’t see why we should wait. Wait for what, exactly?”

  A wide grin split Shaun’s face. “I agree.” He leaned back with a faraway look in his eyes. “Okay, stay one week, just one week here with me. Then you can go back home and do what you have to do. Then we’ll get married, and you’ll return to me for good.” He paused. “One last question. Ireland or Serendipity?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Where do you want us to get married?”

  Kelsey thought for a long time and then scrunched up her face. “I can’t choose.

  She laughed. How about both?”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Shaun and Kelsey woke before dawn. She’d finish her packing, and then he would drive her to Madison in time for her flight to Ireland.

  At eight a.m., Kelsey hugged Rachel in the front hall. “I’m so happy to have met you. You did an amazing job with your sons.”

  Rachel laid a hand on Kelsey’s cheek, tears in her eyes. “You make my son so happy. You make me happy. I look forward to you officially being a part of our family.”

  Kelsey’s eyes welled up too and she pulled Rachel in for another hug.

  Just as Shaun appeared at the top of the stairs carrying Kelsey’s luggage, the front door burst open and Dustin filled the doorway wearing a suit and tie rather than his usual working man’s clothes. “Ready?”

  Shaun placed the suitcases at the foot of the stairs. “Ready for what? I’m just about to drive Kelsey to Madison.”

  Dustin closed the door. “That’s not necessary. There’s an even faster way to get there. Hop in the car, both of you. Sam will drive us to my place. My jet will fly you to Madison.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Dustin,” Kelsey said. “We don’t mind.” Kelsey was touched, but she had looked forward to spending a few extra minutes with Shaun before they were separated for another month or two.

  “Come on, the jet is already waiting.” He hugged Rachel briefly. “And I’m coming with you. I have a business meeting in Madison.”

  “Okay.” Kelsey shrugged and gave Dustin a peck on the cheek. “Thank you so much. That’s very kind of you.”

  “Only the best for my future sister-in-law. Now, come on. Let’s get going.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Dustin’s private jet was like an Italian luxury hotel, and a romantic one. Bouquets of white roses were everywhere, and on shiny tables were boxes of chocolate and champagne chilling in buckets of ice. Soft classical music filtered in through hidden speakers.

  Shaun turned and slapped Dustin on the back. “This is perfect. Thanks, man.”

  Kelsey placed her purse on a leather couch and turned to both of them with a frown. “Why do I have the feeling you guys are up to something again?”

  Shaun wrapped his arms around Kelsey’s waist and kissed her. When he moved his lips away from hers, she was breathless. “I don’t want you to leave like this,” he said, his eyes glistening. “I don’t want you to go with just a promise.” He pulled her closer. “You don’t want to wait, and I don’t either. This is just an idea. You can say no, but I thought… How about we just do it now, just us. We could do something bigger later with everyone else.”

  “But how? Do you have a little chapel reserved in Madison?”

  Shaun grinned. “It’s simpler than that.” He looked at Dustin. “My brother happens to be a wedding officiant. He could marry us right here and now. You only need to say yes, and we will be husband and wife. Dustin and his secretary will be the witnesses.” A woman hovering in the doorway, who Kelsey had assumed to be a flight attendant, gave a little wave.

  “Why wait?” Dustin added. “You two were made for each other. What does it matter when and where you get married? I’m ready to help you take the leap.”

  A grin spread across Kelsey’s face and her heart leapt to her throat. If she said yes, she’d be Shaun’s wife right now. The only thing standing between them was her word. Kelsey thought back to everything they had gone through together—their start in Dreara, the tears and joys that followed, him saving her life, them coming to Serendipity.

  “I like it,” she said. She reached for his hands and held them tight. “Let’s do it right now.” She leaned into Shaun. “I want you to be my husband so badly.”

  Shaun brushed her hair back and kissed her forehead.

  Everything moved fast after that. Kelsey handed her documents to Dustin’s secretary, and Shaun took her to a luxury bedroom where she found a box on the bed. “What’s that?”

  “A present from my mother. I hope you’ll like it. I’ll be waiting outside for my future wife.”

  “Shaun,” Kelsey said before he walked out. “Are you sure you’re ready to do this? To take this step, after everything? I’ll understand, you know. For you, I can wait.”r />
  “I have never felt more ready in my life. Marrying you will be the best decision I ever made. Now get dressed.”

  Kelsey giggled when she pulled from the box a mermaid-style ivory gown in Venice lace with a V-shaped back and beaded sash. Her mother-in-law had given her the ultimate wedding gift. The second wonderful gift she had given her. Shaun had been the first.

  ***

  After saying “I do,” Kelsey changed her flight to the next day so she and Shaun could spend their wedding night in a small romantic hotel in Madison, where they enjoyed each other, and the room service. They didn’t leave the room once until the morning.

  It was hard parting for a while, but Kelsey was happy they had gotten married when they did. Dustin promised to legalize everything for them while she was gone. It was indeed the perfect way to end her visit to Serendipity. With a marriage, they both had to make a few sacrifices, but she was ready for whatever the future held.

  At the airport, Kelsey stood on her tiptoes and kissed her husband. “I won’t stay too long, I promise. I’ll be back soon so we can start our life together.”

  “Now that you have my ring on your finger, take the time you need. And anyway, I can’t stand being without you, so I’ll come and see you in two weeks. I have to say I miss Dreara too. We can visit.”

  Kelsey smiled and leaned her forehead against Shaun’s. “You’re the most wonderful husband ever.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  As Kelsey’s flight was announced, they kissed one more time before reluctantly letting go. She walked toward the gate but turned to blow Shaun a kiss before she disappeared into the river of people.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  TWO YEARS LATER

  Kelsey unpacked the last box and then lifted herself off the floor with difficulty. She lay on the couch just as Shaun walked into the airy living room carrying two mugs of tea.

  “I think we deserve a break, don’t you?” He placed Kelsey’s steaming mug on the coffee table and sat down on the couch next to her.