Dare to Breathe

by S. B. Alexander

  So I pushed out the air in my lungs, nodded at my dad, closed my eyes briefly, and said silently, “I love you, Julie. I love you, Mom.”

  Then I turned to Kade. I swallowed thickly as Hunt gave me Kade’s wedding band. I had vows. I’d written out words, but suddenly I couldn’t even think.

  I frantically searched my brain for words, but I came up empty. If people were talking or whispering, I couldn’t hear them.

  Say what you’re feeling. Tell the man you love that it’s always been him. Oddly, the old man I’d spoken to at the cemetery in LA materialized in my head, as did a warm feeling of comfort as though my mom and Julie were there. I could feel my eyebrows coming together as I remembered the old man’s words. “Make sure you put your loved ones before anything else.”

  The tips of Kade’s fingers touched the underside of my chin. “Baby, you’re not panicking?” A tinge of fear swam in his eyes.

  I knew I should speak. I knew I should do something before Kade thought I was getting cold feet or heading for one of my famous blackouts.

  Kade leaned in slightly. “I love the crap out of you.”

  I giggled, and all sense of confusion began to clear.

  He straightened.

  I fumbled with the ring. I still couldn’t remember my vows. But I did know that all I had to convey was how much I loved Kade Maxwell. As the nervous nellies feasted inside me, I said the first thing that came to me. “Kade.” I snuck a peek at my dad and the empty chairs beside him. Then I set my sights on the man who made my heart race. “Kade,” I said again. “My mom always told my dad that he was the best thing that ever happened to her. When I asked her why, she said, ‘Because your father is delicate with my heart, soft with his hands, and wraps me in hugs every night.’ You are the man I’ve always dreamed about marrying. You are delicate with my heart. You’re strong. You’re protective, and you have so much love to give. I can’t wait for you to wrap me in your hugs every night.” I slipped the ring on his finger. “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am yours forever.”

  His chest rose and fell at huge proportions.

  Hunt then gave Kade my diamond-studded wedding band to match my diamond setting.

  He slid the band over my ring finger.

  My pulse began to slow.

  Kade then took both my hands in his. “Before I met you, I never thought I would meet a woman who would capture my heart like you did.” His tone was calm, confident, and full of love as we locked eyes. “I never thought I would ever settle down. When I laid eyes on you for the first time was the day my life took a turn I didn’t see coming. Since then, I couldn’t imagine my life without you. You make me a better man, a lover, and friend. I will be true to you. I will be the husband my father raised me to be. I will be the husband who will protect you, love you, and die for you.” He touched his heart. “This is yours until my last breath.”

  Tears were streaming down my face. Soft cries could be heard in the background.

  I tried to catch my breath.

  “You are officially husband and wife,” Mr. Maxwell said.

  Kade’s lips were on mine before Mr. Maxwell said anything else.

  Cheers and whistles peppered the air.

  Kade’s strong arm went around my waist, drawing me to his hard body as he shoved his tongue in my mouth.

  I was waiting for someone, like Kelton, to shout get a room. Instead, Kade’s father spoke. “All right, Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell.”

  Hearing him call us Mr. and Mrs. made me giggle.

  As hard as it was for me to let go, I took a step back, and we separated.

  Kade plastered on a smirk that sent lots of heat south. “Man, that sounds awesome. Are you okay now, Mrs. Kade Maxwell?”

  Mrs. Kade Maxwell sounded even better coming from him. I giggled more. It seemed so surreal that Kade and I had come so far.

  His dad slapped a hand on his son’s back. “Congratulations.”

  Kade threw his arms around his father. “Thank you so much.”

  Becca came up and hugged me. “I can’t stop crying. Congrats, bestie.”

  Then like a swarm of bees, people were congratulating us. Kade got lost in the crowd. I was sucked up by my dad, who was holding me so tight I couldn’t breathe. I was a bit sad, though, that my brother, Rob, had missed my wedding. He was somewhere around the world, trying to find himself. He’d said he would make it up to me when he returned next year.

  After all the congrats and kisses from family and friends, our photographer corralled the wedding party for pictures, while the guests sipped champagne and listened to music.

  About an hour later, my mouth hurt from smiling so much. I wanted to find a quiet place and take a nap before the reception, but I only got married once, and I wanted to celebrate no matter how tired I was.

  Our family and friends were laughing and talking when Kade and I arrived hand in hand.

  Jessie, who was dressed in a soft peach sundress, stood on stage with a microphone in hand. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Kade Maxwell.” She flicked her multi-colored hair off her bare shoulder as she nodded at us.

  Cheers, applause, and whistles greeted us as we walked over to the dance floor.

  Then Kody picked up his guitar. Jake Trent twirled a drumstick in his hand as he got behind the drum set. Jennifer squealed from the sidelines, as did Heather. They were crushing on the green-eyed hunk, who I’d known for quite some time. He’d managed his brother JJ’s band, Zeal—the same band my dad had signed to his old record label.

  The song Kade and I picked started.

  Kade wrapped an arm around my waist, took my hand, and brought it to his chest. When we’d been planning the wedding, I asked him if he could dance. He’d rolled his eyes at me then turned on the radio. The song that had been playing was “The Rest of Our Life,” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The words were perfect for us.

  Jessie sang, “Sitting with you in a dark room. Warmed by the fireplace. You know there’s just something about you. You brightened my day.”

  Kade’s feet moved, then I was dancing with him. Our gazes were glued to each other.

  Jessie’s voice was melodic as she sang the words, and when she got to the lyrics “I’ve been making plans for children. Since I’ve been looking in your eyes. I even have names picked out for them,” sad tears slipped down my face as Julie and Mom came to mind.

  Kade brought me closer to him, cradling our hands in between us. “What do you think of Julie for a girl’s name?” he whispered in my ear.

  I cried harder. I’d never told him I wanted to name a girl Julie if we had a daughter.

  He hugged me tighter to him. “Shh. I know you miss your mom and sister. I miss Karen. How about we make your mom and sister a memorial in our backyard like we did for Karen?”

  I craned my neck up, tears flowing. “I would love that.”

  He swiped his fingers over my cheeks.

  As the song was ending, the wedding party joined us on the dance floor.

  Becca waltzed over with Hunt. Her black halter-style bodice that clasped around her neck with sheer fabric covering the area from her breasts to her neckline complemented her bluish-black hair and long neck. Hunt had a grin on his face as though he was pleased to have a beautiful lady on his arm.

  Peggy and Kross joined us next. Peggy, along with Heather and Jennifer, wore a slightly different style gown than Becca. All the gowns had crisscross bodices made out of chiffon, but instead of the halter neckline, the bridesmaid dresses were strapless and red.

  Jennifer and Kelton danced on the other side of Kade and me. I was about to search for Heather and motion for her to join us even though she didn’t have a partner since Kody was on stage, but she glided up like an angel with a huge smile on her face and Dillon Hart at her side.

  I could see why she was smitten. I hadn’t seen Dillon in a long time, and even though he was still sporting his almost-shoulder-length brown hair, he had grown in
a nice close-shaven beard that made him look like more of a badass. And if I remembered correctly, Dillon loved blondes, and Heather was blond and beautiful.

  All my bridesmaids were gorgeous and the sweetest women I knew.

  “Thank you.” I pinned a look on the girls, and even the guys, in the wedding party.

  Kade chimed in. “We’re grateful that you are in our lives.”

  Jessie sang her popular song, “Dare to Live,” that had gotten a lot of traction on the radio.

  More guests joined us on the dance floor.

  Then someone tapped me on the shoulder. “Can I have this dance?”

  I froze.

  Kade stepped back with a huge grin, waving his hand for Rob to take his place.

  When my brother came into view, I jumped into his arms. Well, I tried to. It was hard to do much in a wedding dress.

  Rob wrapped his arms around me. “I wouldn’t have missed this day for the world.”

  “I thought you were somewhere across the ocean.” I could never keep track of where he was.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I spied Kade snagging his mom and pulling her onto the dance floor. Mrs. Maxwell was as pretty and elegant as ever, dressed in a royal-blue tea-length dress that hugged her curves and sat slightly off her shoulders.

  Rob let go of me and combed his fingers through his wavy brown hair. “Dad and I wanted to surprise you.”

  I beamed like a kid in a candy store. “Best surprise ever.”

  Or at least I thought it was until I spotted Tara with her friend. I did a double take when I saw John Gleason, the scout for the Red Sox. I didn’t know they were dating.

  John regarded me with his kind brown eyes.

  Rob followed my line of sight. “John Gleason?”

  I swallowed, nodding. Rob knew John from his days in the major leagues.

  “Sis, did you sign with the Red Sox?”

  I jerked my head at my brother. “Not at all. The lady with him, Tara Bannister, is my agent.”

  Tara and John stopped dancing next to Rob and me.

  Tara extended her hand to Rob. “Tara Bannister.”

  “Rob Robinson,” my brother said.

  Tara flipped her brunette hair over her shoulder. “I know who you are. It’s sad you decided to stop playing baseball.”

  “Well, I’m here to celebrate my sister’s wedding, not talk about baseball.” My brother would always deflect the attention away from him and onto others. He’d never liked the spotlight, either.

  Then John and Rob exchanged a handshake.

  The song stopped.

  “We’re going to take a break,” Jessie said.

  People scattered off the dance floor with the exception of John, Tara, Rob, and me.

  Kade strutted over. “What’s going on?”

  Kade had met Tara when she’d come into town several months back to talk to me just before I’d signed with her.

  Kade draped an arm around me.

  Glasses clinked, and voices peppered the air as everyone settled in, ready to eat.

  “Before you’re scooped up with all the wedding activities,” Tara said, “I wanted to share some good news with you.”

  My pulse sped up. News from Tara meant that a major league team could be interested in me. I eyed John, who was smirking.

  Tara tipped her chin at John.

  The man rubbed his hand down his dark-red tie. “After many meetings and conversations, the Red Sox would like to offer you a relief pitching position with the Portland Sea Dogs. You would start after the All-Star break.”

  I clutched my chest. “Are you serious?” The Sea Dogs were a Double-A team within the Sox organization, and they were based in Maine, which meant I would be close to home.

  Kade squeezed me to him. “She’ll sign.”

  I whipped my head up at him, not that I was mad he’d spoken for me, but I was a little shocked that he wanted me to go. We had our honeymoon to think about, although I had over a month before I would start playing.

  He leaned down to my ear. “Say yes.”

  “Yes,” I shouted. I couldn’t contain my excitement. Even though it wasn’t the big leagues, I was beyond excited to get to play baseball. Besides, it was a place to start my climb up. If I did well, then the management team would see that, and maybe one day, I would be pitching with the big boys.

  For now, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect man, day, and life. My brother was there. My dad was happy with his new recording studio. Kade was healthy, and so was I. Above all else, I was Mrs. Kade Maxwell, and Kade and me and our love for one another trumped anything and anyone, including baseball.

  Chapter 19

  Kade

  The lake area that had been buzzing with laughter, excitement, dancing, and music was now quiet except for the crickets.

  The late-night air held a thin layer of humidity, or maybe my body was overheated, anticipating that moment when I carried Lacey over the threshold.

  We climbed the steps up to the boathouse, hand in hand. I could almost feel her pulse beating against my sweaty palm. Lacey reached out for the doorknob.

  “Wait,” I said.

  I wanted nothing more than to get inside and get naked. Man, I’d been dying to do just that when I saw her in her wedding dress, which she was still wearing.

  Her long lashes swept down over her cheeks. The illuminated deck and the moon shining provided more than ample light to see how her face was a shade of rose from the blush she was wearing.

  I caged her in between the door and my body, studying her, absorbing her citrus scent that had driven me mad all day. Her breathing slowly ramped up.

  I debated whether to suggest skinny-dipping, but the lake water was rather cold. Earlier, as guests were leaving, I’d checked the temperature real quick. Sadly, the boathouse didn’t have a shower or a tub where we could lather each other up or relax in a warm bath.

  Her tongue snaked out. “I’m not afraid to go in.”

  My body was humming as I watched her lick her bottom lip. “My brothers decorated the place. Are you sure about that?” I had no idea what they’d done to the inside. Frankly, as long as a bed existed, I was fine with whatever would jump out at us.

  Her answer wasn’t with words. Instead, she found Mr. Steel. “Mmm. Does anything else matter?”

  My eyes rolled back in my head as she rubbed her hand along my dick. I fumbled with the doorknob.

  Laughing, she let go of Mr. Steel, and I fucking whimpered.

  She was about to dash inside, but I caught her arm. “Wait one second, Mrs. Maxwell.” I lifted her in my arms. “I need to carry my bride over the threshold.”

  She locked her hands around my neck as I stepped into a room lit with candles.

  “Mm,” she muttered, wiggling down out of my arms.

  The room was jam-packed not only with candles but with flowers. The fragrant aroma permeated the air.

  “I caught Kelton slipping into the boathouse about an hour ago. He must’ve lit the candles,” I mumbled.

  Lacey walked around, smelling the lilies and roses.

  I closed and locked the door before padding over to the bed, where a note sat mysteriously underneath one long-stem rose. I snagged the white piece of paper then read aloud, “Hey, bro and Mrs. M. I bet you two thought we would prank the joint. Well, we wouldn’t call it a prank, but if you’re reading this note, then you’re near the bed. So look up.”

  Lacey slowly lifted her gaze. I hesitated, praying it wasn’t some sort of joke, although I had no idea what prank they could pull from the ceiling.

  Lacey broke out in a fit of laughter.

  So I looked up and saw myself in the mirror that was tacked to the ceiling.

  I glanced down at the note. “Pretty kinky, huh?” I read aloud.

  Lacey inched over and flopped on the bed. “I like it. I’ll be able to watch you better.”

  At that thought, my tuxedo pants became impossibly tight.

  Her watching me. Me watching he
r.

  Fuck.

  I couldn’t get my clothes off fast enough. But I slowed to a halt when I started to unbutton my shirt, remembering what I’d done while Hunt, my brothers, and I were in Boston. “I have a surprise for you.”

  Sitting up, she yawned.

  Then I yawned.

  She laughed. I did too.

  The anticipation of this moment had been on my mind all fucking day. Now we were both ready to fall asleep. Well, that was not happening.

  She adjusted herself so she was on her knees at the edge of the bed. “I’ll undress you. What’s the surprise?”

  I went quiet.

  She lifted her gaze to me. “Cat got your tongue?”

  Nope. I unpinned her hair and let the strands fall around her. My balls tightened at the sight of how fucking gorgeous she was.

  She abandoned my shirt for my belt.

  I finished her task and removed my shirt then T-shirt. She had just gotten my belt off and was working on my zipper, when her eyes flickered up my chest.

  Her jaw came unhinged as she examined the bandage over my heart with her fingers. “Kade Maxwell, who hurt you?”

  I chuckled. “Take off the bandage.”

  She did, albeit slowly. When the bandage was gone, she squealed. “Are you for real? Is that what you did in Boston?”

  I twirled a clump of her hair with my fingers. “I told you in our vows. My heart is yours forever.”

  She gently traced the outline of my new heart tattoo that sat above the other four. Only this heart had her name inked inside of it.

  “I love it.” She grasped the waist of my pants and tried to pull me to her.

  I hesitated. “First, the dress needs to come off.”

  I would like to say that our clothes were off in a flash. But with the intricate way the back of her dress was clasped together, it took us five minutes before we were both naked, and she was straddling me in the candlelit room.