Even from this distance, nervous energy pulses off him. I crawl forward and straddle his lap, looping my arms over his shoulders. He grips my hips in those large palms of his.

  “You’re the best thing to ever happen to me. If they call, and that’s a big if, and if you really want to move to Ireland, I could probably be persuaded,” I tell Nathan.

  He doesn’t say anything at first. Then those lips of his turn up. “Yeah?”

  I bob my head up and down a few times. “Yeah.”

  Because it doesn’t really matter if I live in London or Dublin. Nathan is where my true home is.

  Epilogue One

  Lucia

  * * *

  I slowly walk forward, laughing, Nathan behind me, his hands covering my eyes and his chest occasionally brushing across my back. I’m not afraid of falling, though. I trust him to keep me safe.

  “Where are you taking me?” I sputter between giggles.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  Moira and Cormac have been visiting the last few days, and they took Enzo so Nathan and I could go on a date. We had a delicious lunch at my favorite little Italian restaurant I discovered shortly after we moved to Dublin. After we finished eating and stepped out onto the sidewalk, he stopped me.

  “Do you trust me?” he asks.

  “Of course.”

  He makes a circle with his finger for me to turn. I give him my back, and he places his hands over my eyes. Then we started walking.

  I’m not sure how much time has past since we left the restaurant, but we’ve had to have traveled at least five blocks. At last, though, we come to a stop.

  “We’re here.” Still, Nathan doesn’t uncover my face. I cock my head and try to capture any sounds that might give me a clue where we are. There’s a slight hint of flowers on the wind, like we’re close to a garden or a park. And I’m sure that’s a whistle blowing. Maybe from a nearby football pitch.

  At last, he drops his arms, and I raise my eyelids, blinking from the brightness of the sun. My vision quickly adjusts. I gasp and let out a squeal of excitement. We’re in the middle of what appears to be Millennium Arboretum and in front of me, standing beneath a giant tree blooming with bright pink flowers, is a pregnant Rory, and Jack. She and I both move at the same time, closing the distance between us, until we collide in a furious hug, being careful of both our bellies.

  “Oh my god, when did you get into town?” I exclaim.

  “Yesterday. Nathan wanted to surprise you. Plus, I’ve been sleeping almost the whole time. My goodness, I’d forgotten how terrible jet lag is,” she say with a groan.

  “You get used to it. I can’t believe you’re here. And look at you.” I step back and admire her little protruding basketball belly. “Pregnancy suits you.”

  “Remind me of that again when he or she decides to press on my bladder or kicks me.” She gestures to my own bump. “It looks pretty good on you as well.”

  “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you so much,” I breath out.

  “I’ve missed you, too. Besides, there was no way I wasn’t going to be here for this,” she says.

  “Be here for what?”

  She clasps my upper arm and turns me with a mischievous grin. “For this.”

  “Oh my god,” I cry out. Tears spring to my eyes, and I cover my mouth.

  Nathan and Enzo are both down on one knee, the latter a bit unsteadily, the Kelly green grass of the park carpeting the ground beneath them. Together they’re holding a small, velvet box. Several paces behind them stands Nathan’s parents. Moira is patting her cheeks with a handkerchief as she leans into Cormac’s side. They’re all slightly blurry through the tears sliding down my cheeks. I swipe them off my face with the side of my fist.

  “Lucia Giordano,” Nathan begins. “You are the love of my life. The mother of my children. You make me happier than I’ve ever been. You make me laugh. You help me to be a better man. A better father. I want to wake up with you every morning. And go to sleep beside you every night. There’s no one on earth I’d rather spend eternity with than you. Will you marry me?”

  I’m already nodding before he finishes the question. “Yes. Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”

  Nathan stands and then helps Enzo to his feet, opens the box, and hands it to our son. They take a step forward so we’re nearly touching. I squat down, and Enzo gently offers me the package.

  “Marry us, mama?” he asks.

  “Yes, baby, I’ll marry you, too,” I say, lifting the stunning emerald cut emerald ring from the satin padding. The green gem sparkles and shines in the sunlight.

  I stand up and Nathan takes the ring from me and then slides it down my left ring finger. He brings my knuckles to his mouth and presses a kiss to them. Enzo clasps my hand in his tiny one. Nathan holds his arm out and Enzo grips his as well. Together, we form a perfect circle. One that can never be broken.

  Epilogue Two

  I step off the private plane and glance out past the tarmac of the small airport owned by my Uncle Carrick. My gaze soaks up the rolling green hills in the distance. The shadow from a bird passing overhead flashes across the cement in front of me, and I shield my eyes to peer up at the bright blue, cloudless sky.

  I’m finally here.

  A sharp whistle draws my attention and I turn my head in its direction. Leaning against a sleek black sports car with arms and ankles crossed is Cian. I pull my suitcases behind me and make my way over. He unfolds his tall, muscular frame and meets me partway to wrap his arms around me in a giant bear hug. He lifts me off the ground with a growl, and I burst out laughing, smacking his shoulder.

  “Put me down you damn psycho.”

  He sets me on my feet and stares at me with a cocked brow. “Is that any way to treat your favorite cousin?”

  “Ha. You better not let Aidan or Finn hear you say that.”

  “Why? Don’t want to hurt their precious feelings?” Cian reaches around me and grabs one of my luggage handles. Together we walk the rest of the way to the vehicle. He presses his key fob and a beep sounds while the trunk pops open.

  “Nice ride,” I tell him as my hand glides along the exterior, admiring the shine. “Last year’s model Audi R8?”

  His eyes widen as he picks up both my suitcases and sets them inside. “You know your cars.”

  I stop at the passenger door and glare at him over the roof. “Don’t act so surprised that a woman might actually be knowledgable about them. There’s a lot of things I know. Like the fact that you’re carrying a highly illegal Heckler & Koch VP9 in that holster of yours.”

  Cian closes the trunk on a chuckle. “You always were too smart for your own good, Caitlín-love.”

  “That should teach you not to underestimate us women.” I wink.

  He shakes his head and circles to the driver’s side, tipping his chin up. “Get in and be careful not to hit your massive ego while you’re at it.”

  Unable to resist, I shoot him both my middle fingers. Sometimes, it’s what a woman has to resort to when dealing with men. Especially the men in my family. It doesn’t matter that I’m almost twenty-six-years old, no matter what I do, they all still treat me like I’m twelve. Things are going to change while I’m here. I’m going to do everything Da and my brothers refused to let me do back in Brooklyn. Just because I was born a girl.

  My gaze takes in our surroundings as we leave the airport and head toward Uncle Carrick’s house. The green hills and the Georgian architecture. The iron fences bookended by stone plinths that guard sprawling properties. It’s been about five years since I was last in Ireland, and it’s still as beautiful as ever. I swivel toward Cian.

  “How’s the casino doing?” I ask.

  He glances over at me and then back to the road. “Fine.”

  I reach across the console and punch him in the arm. Hard. “Don’t you start treating me like I’m some airhead who doesn’t know shit about shit. I get enough of that from my brothers.”

  “Jaysus, you rabid little she-devil,” Cian growls, rubbing the spot where I hit him.

  I roll my eyes. “Stop being such a baby. Now, are you going to tell me how the casino’s doing or not?”

  He glares at me. “We’ve finally started turning a hefty profit. We’re laundering money through the back, making sure it’s squeaky clean.”

  “You’re welcome, by the way,” I say haughtily.

  “Yeah, yeah. You can take all the credit for the idea of buying it.”

  I cross my arms with a sniff. “I plan on taking the credit, because it was my idea. None of you muscle heads could think of anything.”

  Cian side-eyes me. “You should be a little nicer to us if you want us to start including you in our dealings.”

  “You’re right.” I fold my hands across my chest and bat my eyelashes. “You, Aidan, and Finn are gods among men. I’m sure the entire male population of Dublin wishes they were you. They are probably seething with jealousy. I bet the women throw themselves at your feet. As they should, of course. I mean, look at the masculine perfection you present. I’m in awe just sitting next to you.”

  I let loose a breathy sigh for good measure.

  Cian snorts and shakes his head. “You are such a little shite, you know that, right?”

  I grin cheekily at him. “Yet you can’t help but love me.”

  “Only because I can’t kill ye.”

  It’s my turn to snort. The rest of the ride is passed with casual conversation, until finally, we pass through the iron gate, travel up the drive, and turn into the large circle drive at the front of Uncle Carrick’s massive estate. I exit the car and stare up at the house. The giant Georgian architecture boasts wall-to-wall, multi-paned windows across the entire front with clinging vines filling the empty spaces between them. The branches and leaves of sky-reaching trees form an arch over the manor. This is my home away from home for the next six months. Although, if I have my way, I’ll be staying permanently. Not here, but in Dublin.

  The double doors crack open until they’re split wide and my uncle steps out. He’s still an imposing figure with his broad shoulders, slim waist, and black hair threaded with silver. He and Da are opposites sides of the same coin.

  “Caitlín-love, welcome back,” he greets me with that booming voice of his.

  I move around the front of the car and jog up the steps, while Cian grabs my suitcases from the trunk. I throw my arms around Uncle Carrick’s waist and hug him tight, breathing in the familiar yeast scent of his favorite stout.

  “Thank you for letting me visit for a while,” I tell him.

  He pulls away, still lightly gripping my arms, and smiles broadly. “You know you’re welcome any time. Although truth be told, I’m a little surprised Cormac didn’t put up more of a fuss about you coming.”

  Cian comes to stand next to us, and my uncle steps back a pace to make room.

  “Oh, you should have heard him before I finally wore him down. I knew it was only a matter of time before he gave in, but it took far longer than I thought it would.” I huff in annoyance.

  “Probably because he knows that we’ll let you get away with far more shit than he ever would,” Cian adds.

  “Which is why I love you guys so much.” I nudge him with my elbow. I still get pissed at having to practically beg. Hell, Da barely blinked when Nathan told him he was moving over here so Lucia could come work at the museum.

  Uncle Carrick clears his throat. “Speaking of…why don’t you come to my office?”

  “I’ll take your bags up to your room,” Cian says.

  “Thanks.”

  I follow my uncle through the entryway and then down the right hallway. I’ve always loved this house. I have so many fond memories of running through these halls and up and down the stairs during the summer trips we took here. Despite being several years older than me, Cian, Aidan, and Finn always let me follow them around and included me in their trouble making.

  It had been Aidan who’d taught me how to fight. Finn taught me how to shoot. And Cian taught me how to play poker. Those were some of the best times of my life. Finally, we reach Uncle Carrick’s office door. He sweeps his hand out and I precede him inside. It’s similar in appearance to Da’s office at home. A massive oak desk sits in the middle. Bookshelves line the walls.

  My gaze pauses on the wood panel that no one else would notice is actually a door covering a secret passage that leads out into the fields behind the manor. I escaped through it on more than one occasion when Da would come looking for me. French doors leading out to a large concrete patio and the sprawling lawn comprise one wall. The sun shines through making everything bright.

  Uncle Carrick closes the door behind him and crosses the room to settle into the chair on the other side of the desk. “Have a seat, dear.”

  I drop into the leather wingback chair on this side of it. He steeples his fingers and rests his chin on them in a far too similar pose to Da. It’s the one that signals he’s about to say something I’m not going to like.

  “Your father had one condition he made me agree to before he’d let you come,” he says.

  The announcement shouldn’t come as a shock, yet it does. Anger rises up from my belly. No wonder Da didn’t fuss too much.

  “And what is this one condition?”

  Uncle Carrick opens his mouth, but there’s a knock at the door. It’s a single rap, but the power behind it is evident. “Enter.”

  It opens, and in strides a man who is far more than just any ordinary man. It’s obvious from a single glance that he’s a predator with eyes so deep a blue I could drown in them as he assesses the room in seconds. An aura of danger—violence—surrounds him. He fills the room with so much power, maybe even more than Emilio, I can barely suck in a breath. My gaze travels from the silver at his temples to along the length of the thin, white scar that runs from the top of his left cheek bone to his jaw line. A jaw line so razor sharp, my hand tingles with anticipation of pain. Beneath my bra, my nipples harden. My pussy grows wet.

  “Caitlín.”

  The gunshot boom of my name ricochets with enough force to jar me. I blink away the fog of desire and my gaze collides with the stranger’s. He raises a brow and smirks as though he read every dirty, filthy thought that raced through my mind. It takes all my willpower to drag my eyes away from him and meet Uncle Carrick’s.

  “Did you hear me?” he asks, his lips turned down.

  A flush rises up my neck and my cheeks heat. I clear my throat. “I’m sorry, no, I missed it.”

  “I said, this is Roarke O’Sullivan. He’s been assigned as your bodyguard while you’re here.”

  * * *

  Thank you so much for reading IRISH CHARMER! I hope you enjoyed it. I’d greatly appreciate a review on the platform of your choice. Reviews are so important!

  * * *

  Oh, Caitlín! She’s finally met her match in Roarke.

  Get IRISH REBEL today

  * * *

  If you haven’t started the Brooklyn Kings series yet, you can find Jacob and Brenna’s story in THE DEVIL I DON’T KNOW

  Doms of Club Eden

  Forever

  Submission

  Desire

  Redemption

  Protect

  Betrayal

  My Christmas Dom

  Absolution

  A Naughty Christmas Eden

  * * *

  To Love and Protect

  In Too Deep

  Striking Distance

  Atonement

  Bullet Proof

  For Always

  Point Blank

  Saving Evie

  * * *

  Brooklyn Kings

  The Devil I Don’t Know

  The Enemy in My Bed

  The Beast I Can’t Tame

  Irish Devil

  Irish Rogue

  Irish Charmer

  Irish Rebel

  * * *

  Other Books

  Love Notes: A Dark Romance

  SEALs in Love

  Say Yes

  Black Light: Possession

  About the Author

  LK Shaw is the bestselling author of sexy, sinful suspense. She resides in South Carolina. She is a dog mom and self proclaimed chocolate lover, world traveler, and perpetual procrastinator. An avid reader since childhood, she became hooked on historical romance novels in high school. She now reads, and loves, all romance sub-genres. Her books feature sexy, protective heroes and the strong women they love.

  * * *

  Want a FREE short story?

  * * *

  Be sure to sign up for her newsletter and download your copy of A Birthday Spanking, set in the Doms of Club Eden world!

  * * *

  https://bit.ly/LKShawNewsletter

 

 

  LK Shaw, Irish Charmer

 

 

  Thank you for reading books on GrayCity.Net
Share this book with friends