December Heat (21 page)

“Oh
Nic.” Jake looked as if he were about to burst with happiness.

“But
what about your dancing? There’s little room on the yacht to practice your routines.”

She
smiled. “I’ll manage. I can adjust to the limited space. Besides, we’ll be hitting land sometimes on our travels. I can dance naked on the beach.” She laughed.

“Not
if I have anything to say about it.”

“What
I mean is, I’ll have all the room I need. I’ve plans to incorporate other dance cultures into what I know, work on my choreography skills. It will be like a working holiday for me, in a way. So I’ll get something out of it...besides you.” She smiled. “And I fancy I might learn something about crewing a yacht in my spare time.”

“What
can I say?”

“Say
you love me. Say you want me to be with you forever.”

“I
love you, Nic. I always will. Always did. From the moment I kissed you at that stupid party. And I want you to be with me, always, forever.” Nic closed her eyes, relishing his declaration of love and the sensations of his fingers combing through her hair.

“I
guess I was always afraid to admit it. That I’d disappoint you by not being in a position to be your partner for life.”

“Oh,
Jake.” She raised her hand and caressed his face.

“Marry
me, Nic?”

“Yes.”

He hugged and kissed her over and over, before easing her away from him. “I have to go away in a few days, for about a month. Isn’t that when your show ends its season?”

“Yes,
I’ll be free then.”

“Oh
no you won’t, witch.” Passion and tenderness filled his kiss. “You’ll never be free of me, Sweetheart.” And he kissed her again.

* * *

Nic was delighted. She’d never been so happy. Jake had made it back in time for the last show. As Danny and Tim stepped back and she took her final bows, the applause and whistles kept coming. She was presented with flowers and smiled into the audience, hoping the tears which threatened wouldn’t spill down her cheeks. Yes, she’d miss the accolades and curtain calls, but she could live with that.

Danny
surprised her by stepping up to the microphone. Eventually the crowd became silent.

“Ladies
and gentlemen, it’s with much regret that tonight I announce the retirement of our leading lady, Nicolette Oliver. Day after tomorrow she will become Mrs. Jake Harrigan, and sail around the world on the longest honeymoon in history. How romantic is that?”

The
audience applauded wildly.

Jake
strolled onto the stage, looking sinfully sexy, his gaze riveted to hers, his smooth easy strides covering the distance between them in a fraction of a second.

Nic
almost fainted in surprise, but Jake’s arm snaked around her waist and held her close to him as he acknowledged the audience with a grin and a wave.

“This
is a lot to give up,” he whispered, barely audible over the applause. “Are you sure?”

“You
know I’m sure. I love you, Jake.” She turned and stood on her tiptoes, her mouth seeking his.

Danny
grabbed the flowers on their way to the floor, and Nic’s arms wound around Jake’s neck as she leaned into him.

“Kiss
me,” she whispered.

And
Jake did just that, much to the delight of the audience.

The End

About the Author

Australian romance author, Joanie MacNeil, writes short contemporary romance novels. All but one of her novels are set in Australia.
One is set in Scotland and her dream is to visit there again.

She loves to travel with her own romantic hero, recently visiting Tunisia, Istanbul, Croatia, Venice, Mykonos, Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and also cruising the Mediterranean. The most recent adventure involved taking the Indian Pacific train from Sydney to Perth, then driving across Australia from west coast to east.

When she’s not travelling, or involved in writing-related activities, Joanie enjoys going to the movies, having coffee with friends, participating in aqua aerobics, and spending time with her three lively little grandsons.

No Boundaries, Joanie MacNeil’s next Books We Love romance, will be available soon.

[email protected]

www.joaniemacneil.com
– coming soon

twitter: @JoanieMacneil

About the Publisher

http://bookswelove.com

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. Happy Reading Jamie and Jude