Indivisible Souls: Book 3 of the Bound4Ireland Series Read online

  “Jesus, that’s not underwear, that’s an eye patch,” he says, still annoyed. “It covers so little, it might as well be nonexistent.”

  Olivia shakes her head, frustrated. As Ethan’s moods tend to do, he goes from angry to aroused in a split second. Backing her up against the wall, he pins her there, capturing her lips in a needy kiss. She drops the hem of her dress, freeing both hands, so that she can hold him, as close as possible, against her body.

  He pulls away and looks at her curiously. “What would possess you to buy those?”

  She kisses him again, playfully biting at his lip as she breaks for air. “Your sister suggested I try them.”

  Ethan squirms uncomfortably at the thought. “Just stop there, before you say anything else. I don’t even want to consider that my sisters wear panties like that.”

  Olivia smiles, tracing her fingers down the lapel of his tuxedo. “It’s okay with me if we don’t discuss your sisters, right now.” She grabs the end of the belt and gives it a rough tug, pulling him forward and releasing the buckle.

  “I still don’t like the idea of you having practically nothing on underneath that dress.”

  “What are you complaining about, O’Connell? They just make it easier for you to get what’s yours.” She unfastens the button on his trousers and slowly unzips them, teasing him with nips and nibbles along his neck. “Oh…” She giggles as she rubs her hand across his hardening cock. “Is there something in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”

  He smoothes his hands up her thighs, lifting the dress as he goes and discovering she’s wearing thigh-highs. “Keep going,” Olivia whispers as she locks her arms around his neck, bracing herself. “My panties are pink.” Lifting her off the ground, he presses her back against the wall. “This time, I was thinking about you when I put them on. You… and all the rude, naughty things I’m going to let you do to my body tonight.” Ethan growls, beginning to lose all control.

  Olivia wraps her legs around his waist, anchoring herself to him and pulling him closer. Maybe he does like these panties after all. There’s literally nothing stopping him from sliding into her. She’s very wet and ready for him. Ethan reaches down and takes himself in hand, guiding his cock; he pushes the throbbing head into her pussy.

  There’s a noise in the room behind them, and they freeze where they are. “Please tell me that someone didn’t just come in here,” Ethan groans.

  “Oh, it’s even worse than that,” she whispers in his ear. “Hi, Kaylie. Were you looking for us?”

  Ethan curses as Olivia unwraps her legs from around his waist and stands. She tries to hide her amusement at the look on his face.

  “What are you doing?” Kaylie asks curiously.

  Ethan stammers, trying to discreetly put himself back together. After a few moments of incoherent excuses, Olivia interrupts. “We were fooling around, Kaylie.”

  “Olivia,” Ethan objects.

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake,” she says exasperated. “She’s not a child, Ethan. She knows exactly what we were doing.”

  “You do?” he asks, surprised.

  “Of course I do,” Kaylie giggles. “Although I was curious as to what you were going to tell me was going on.”

  “Well, why then did you interrupt?” Ethan asks, frustrated. “You could have closed the door and gone on your way.”

  “I was sent to get you. People are moving into the ballroom and your special guests have arrived.”

  Olivia glances over at him, getting suspicious when he ignores her inquisitive look.

  “We’ll be right there, Kaylie.”

  Kaylie gives him a knowing little smile.

  “What are you two up to?” Olivia asks, looking between the two.

  “Absolutely nothing,” Ethan answers innocently.

  “What special guests?” she prods.

  Kaylie turns and quickly exits the room, leaving them alone.

  “Just some people I thought might enjoy the evening.” He presses his hand to her back and begins to gently guide her out the door. She hesitates at first, looking back at him. He slowly glides his hand down her back and over her ass. “Be a good girl, and I promise to finish what you started when we get home.”

  “Why wait until we get home?” She bats her eyelashes.

  “Behave. They’re waiting for us.”

  Olivia turns and leaves the room in a huff. “Did you just stomp your foot?” he asks amused.

  “Perhaps,” she replies, refusing to look at him as they make their way to the ballroom. As they approach the huge double doors, Ethan reaches up and takes hold of her arm, stopping her in her tracks. She looks at him, confused at first, but his look gives him away. He reels her in slowly, heightening the anticipation. She watches his lips, memorizing every line, every curve as he moves closer.

  “I don’t want you to go in there annoyed at me,” he says, as he raises his hand and twists her curls playfully around his fingers. It disarms her, leaving her speechless while his mouth closes the distance between hers. When their lips meet, Olivia’s shoulders soften and she purrs.

  “It’s hard to be annoyed with you sometimes. Especially after you kiss me like that.”

  “Good. Now if I could only figure out how to make that happen all the time, I’d be golden.”

  “That’s very ambitious, but I don’t see it happening. I expect there will be lots of kissing,” she teases.

  He claims her lips one last time before opening the door. “I’ll spend forever trying to get better at it. I promise.” He reaches for her hand, inviting her into the grand ballroom.

  With wide eyes, Olivia surveys the room. Golden chandeliers sparkle with diamond-like jewels, their reflections on the ceiling looking like stars against a dark sky. Plush red velvet curtains hang majestically, framing the orchestra at the other end of the room.

  “There are people waiting anxiously to say hello to you tonight.” Ethan presents his arm.

  Olivia is glowing, completely in love with this handsome, although difficult at times, Irishman. She links her arm with his and follows. She will always, follow.

  Aiden O’Connell stands across the room, in his usual military stance. The lovely Anna stands dutifully by his side, smiling. Ethan leads her toward them.

  “I’ve seen your mom and dad tonight, Ethan,” she says confused.

  “I know.” As they approach, they step aside revealing Olivia’s surprise.

  She lets out a high pitch squeal, making everyone close by cringe. “You brought my sister here?” She throws her arms around Meg and squeezes her tight.

  “I brought them all here.”

  “The kids, too?” she says excited.

  Meg nods. “The kids, too.”

  “Carter has taken them for a walk to try and keep them entertained,” Ethan explains. “They’ll be back shortly.”

  “Carter is here?” she shrieks in disbelief.

  “Yes, Carter is here too. And I’m a little concerned you’re that excited about it,” he says, quirking a brow.

  Olivia kisses him. “You have nothing to worry about, I belong to you,” she reassures him.

  “Mmmm, I like the sound of that. Seems to me there was someone else…” He puts his finger to his mouth, pensively.

  “You’re a jerk, O’Connell,” says a female voice from behind them.

  “Ah, yes…” he says in a teasing manner, moving to the side. “Rachel and Scott are here.”

  Olivia becomes a little emotional and puts her hand to her chest. “You brought them all here for me?”

  “Yes, of course. I can’t have my girl feeling all homesick. It’s not good for the baby.”

  “I love you.”

  “Good. I love you too. Talk to your friends, they’ve come a long way to see you, and they’re only here for a couple of days.”

  His heart swells at the sight of her smile. He’s glad that these days, he seems to be the reason for it. If he had it his way, he’d never see her frown again. Madison
wanders to his side.

  “Hey, big brother.”

  “Hey, Maddie.”

  “So, I’m just curious. Are you sure you want to do this tonight?”

  “Definitely.”

  “Okay, I’m just checking. Your girl doesn’t like to be the centre of attention. She might not appreciate what you’re about to do in front of hundreds of people.”

  Ethan pauses, concerned for a moment. “It just feels right, Maddie. I love her.”

  “I know, and I know that you’ve spent a lot of money so her friends and family can be here for it. I’m just concerned that it might be a little too much for her.”

  The orchestra strikes a few notes and the emcee interrupts the chattering.

  “Well, I guess we’re about to find out.” Ethan looks nervously at his sister.

  She gives him a hug and warm smile. “It’s nice to finally see you happy, Ethan.”

  “It’s like she’s the part of me that’s always been missing. She calms something inside me, makes me feel…right.”

  “If I can have everyone’s attention, please,” the emcee requests. Ethan walks to Olivia’s side and waits. She has no clue just how nervous he is. “We have a very special request from one of our long time supporters, Ethan O’Connell, who would like to dedicate this first waltz to someone very special to him.”

  When he holds out his hand, Olivia looks up at him for an explanation. “That’s us.”

  “What?” she asks, completely stunned. “Ethan,” she protests, looking over at Maddie.

  “You’re ready,” she confirms.

  “You’re not going to keep these nice people waiting are you, Liv?” Ethan, waves his hand toward the dance floor, trying to urge her along.

  She looks around at the crowd. The dim light hides most of their faces, except for those closest to her.

  “Just relax. I’ve got you,” he assures her. “You know this waltz, we’ve practiced it all week.”

  Aiden locks eyes with her, nodding his ascent. She swallows hard, determined not to disappoint either of the O’Connell men. Meg smiles, but it doesn’t do much to put her at ease as Ethan leads her to the middle of the ballroom.

  The room has become completely quiet as everyone watches. Her nerves begin to overwhelm her, making her feel weak. Panicked, she searches the room for Ethan’s parents, his sisters, family and friends. “I can’t do this.”

  She tries to take a step back but his hands band around her, stopping her escape. He pulls her close and whispers, “Have I ever pushed you further than you can handle?”

  “No, but, Ethan, I really think I’m going to throw up.”

  “Trust me. Who knows your limits better than I do?”

  “No one.”

  Ethan nods. “You can do this… for me.” He lifts his arms, creating a muscular frame. “Just let me lead.”

  Olivia takes her place in hold, and for a few moments, her nerves magically disappear, until the music begins. Her first few steps across the black and white marble floor are stiff and carefully executed as she counts them diligently in her head.

  “Relax,” he whispers. “Trust me to lead you.”

  When she takes a breath and listens to the music, she settles into the movements and gives him complete control. The pale pink, ball gown swirls around her as he confidently waltzes her to Tchaikovsky’s, Sleeping Beauty Waltz, just like in her dreams. She steals a moment to look at him as he sings some of the words. “I know you, I’ve walked with you once upon a dream.” He flashes her an enamored smile.

  Ethan is an incredible partner, in all things. As the music winds down, she finds herself wishing it would never end. When the last few moments of the song near, he guides her back to the centre of the floor and stops. She looks at him confused, waiting for his cue. He raises her right hand to his lips and kisses it, then lets it fall to his chest. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulls her close. He sways to the last few bars of the music, finishing the dance with his body pressed against her, nuzzling against her cheek. It’s as if they’re alone in the universe at that moment. Every one else in the room ceases to exist.

  As the song ends he whispers, “I love you.”

  Her eyes well up with tears in this tender moment. As he releases her, she leans back so she can see the love in those sparkling meadow green eyes. Without breaking eye contact, he kneels in front of her.

  Her heart begins to pound at a dangerous pace, making her legs start to shake. “Ethan, what are you doing?”

  He puts his hand in his pocket and pulls out a small ring box. He looks down as he opens it and swallows hard trying to keep control of his emotions. When he looks back up at her, tears are streaming down her cheeks. Being nervous is a feeling he’s not accustomed to. The words he’s been practicing, over and over in his mind, become lost. He clears his throat, trying to get a grip on his emotions.

  “Olivia, you are the keeper of my soul and guardian of my heart. Now that I’ve experienced your love, I can’t exist without it. You are more precious to me than air.” He lifts the box, presenting it to her, as if it was his very own heart on display.

  She looks down at the traditional Irish Claddagh ring. The centre heart is a sparking emerald, almost the same color as his eyes. The crown and cuffs around the hands that hold it are adorned with diamonds. Around the gold band, silver Celtic love knots stand out brilliantly in contrast.

  “Marry me.” He holds his breath while he waits for her reply, tears starting to well up in his own eyes.

  Olivia looks down at the man, who has just professed his love, and doesn’t feel frightened or nervous anymore. Until now, her fear has been an insurmountable obstacle, but all of the sudden her world makes sense. The universe has brought them together because that’s where they’re meant to be. She reaches for him and leads him to his feet. When their gaze meets, eye-to-eye as equals, she smiles. She takes the ring out of the box, seeing for the first time the engraving on the inside of the band: Love, Loyalty & Friendship.

  “You’ve given your proposal a lot of thought.” She smiles, knowing that later, she’s going to give him a hard time about ordering her to marry him, instead of asking. But then, that’s the Ethan O’Connell way.

  “Yes,” he replies, in agony at her drawn out reply. The air in the room crackles in anticipation. She lifts her hand to his face and wipes at a fallen tear. He closes his eyes, relaxes at her touch, and rests his cheek in the palm of her hand.

  “Yes, I’ll marry you. You’re my destiny… I couldn’t survive without you.”

  His chest expands, finally taking in air. He lifts her left hand and slides it on her finger with the point of the heart indicating, in accordance to the custom, that she’s engaged. He brings his lips to hers and lingers there before rewarding her with a kiss that’s as tender and sensual as their first.

  Olivia wipes the raspberry lipstick from his mouth with the pad of her thumb. She’s almost forgotten there’s anyone else in the room. The sound of sniffling causes her to turn her head. Everyone is crying.

  “Oh my.”

  Feeling elated, Ethan wraps his arms around her and lifts her off the ground. “Tears of joy. Guaranteed.”

  As he lowers her feet to the ground, they’re joined by their loves ones. Her sister throws her arms around her, squeezing her so tight she can hardly breathe. Little Marcus clings to her side. Leila looks up at Ethan, with those big blue eyes, and reaches up to take his hand. Finding his family by his side, sharing in his happiness make his heart feels like it’s going to explode. His mother wipes away her tears with his dad’s handkerchief.

  Chapter Thirteen

  A hand grips Ethan’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. He turns to find his father standing behind him. A long awaited look of approval washes over Aiden’s face, and the corners of his mouth curl in what appears to be a smile. Ethan becomes nervous, flustered. Unsure of how to react, he extends his arm. Aiden grips it firmly and gives it a shake, then pulls him in and wraps his arms around him. A
s this rare moment occurs, Anna stands beside Olivia and holds her hand, watching as her two O’Connell men hug it out in this manly gesture of respect and acceptance. Overcome by emotion, Aiden’s eyes glass over, and he releases his son, desperate to regain his composure.

  As Ethan is joined by John and other well-wishers, Aiden makes his way to Olivia. Anna squeezes her hand tighter as he approaches then let’s go.

  “Are you sure you’ve thought this through?” Aiden says, in a serious tone. “Dealing with the O’Connell’s isn’t always an easy undertaking.”

  Olivia smiles. “You don’t frighten me at all.”

  Aiden glances at Anna and smiles. “Well then, I guess I should welcome you to the family.” Before he has a chance to wrap his arms around her, Olivia is swooped into the arms of a squealing teenager.

  “Kaylie!” Anna scolds. “Be careful of the baby.”

  Madison joins in the group hug. McKenna stands to the side, out of hugging distance, but she nods and smiles when Olivia looks in her direction. The emcee interrupts and gets the party back on track by prompting the orchestra to begin the next dance. One by one, couples make their way on to the dance floor. Ethan and Olivia move to the side.

  “It’s nice to see you again,” a woman says from the table.

  “Rosemary!” Ethan exclaims. “I didn’t see you earlier. You’re here alone?”

  “Not exactly.” She smiles, seated around her at the table are a brood of children.

  “I’m sorry, Olivia, this is Rosemary. We went to school together.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Olivia says politely, not liking the doe eyed look on her face.

  “Wow, how the kids have grown since I’ve seen them last. I’m not sure I remember all their names.”

  “I don’t remember all their names,” Rosemary jokes.

  “These are all your kids?” Olivia asks, trying not to sound rude or judgmental.

  “All six of them. My husband is a good old Irish Catholic. He’s always wanted a large family.”

  “If you’ll excuse us,” Ethan interrupts.