He laughed. “I’ve never considered myself a matchmaker, but there you go.”
Hand in hand, they ran up the beach to join the group, who were now ensconced in a private room. Everyone had turned up, and even Mitchell and Mila were there, as was Chantelle. The three of them were causing quite a stir, which was as it should be.
Chloe and Ryan were dancing and looked so darn cute together that Keira felt her eyes prickle. Or maybe it had more to do with the feeling Aiden gave her as he stood beside her, holding her hand.
Epilogue
Aiden was a happy man. He’d taken a risk, and it had paid off. Since they had signed the papers on their venture of Majestic Weddings and Cruises almost a year ago, every event Keira organized was a hit.
The rich and famous of Sunrise Beach had helped promote the business after the mystery murder night, Plus Mitchell and Mila’s clothing line and Mila and Chantelle’s connections within the television industry. It had blown him away how well they’d done, and every day seemed filled with promise.
There had even been talk of using Majestic as a spin-off for another rendition of a reality show that focused on a new couple each episode. The previous show was a hit, but he wasn’t sure how he felt about that. It was only talk at that point, but he enjoyed the teasing from Keira about him getting a fancier captain’s uniform, and how sexy he’d be in it. The truth was whatever she loved turned out pretty darn good for him.
He watched her in the midst of more preparations for a cruise the next day. She had moved in with him, and they had spent an uncomfortable month in a guest cabin while his was extended, modified for two people and redecorated. These days it was hard to remember a time when she wasn’t around. A human dynamo, Keira achieved so much in a short space of time. He was still in awe of her, and probably always would be.
He called her from outside the reception area. “Sweetheart, can you leave that for now?”
She smiled and blew him a kiss. “I have a couple more things to do, and then I’m all yours.”
“Please? I need you now.”
She stopped, put down her clipboard, and raced to his side.
“Is everything okay?” she asked with worry, then took in his unusual look. “Why are you all dressed up?”
Her suspicions were clearly aroused, and she didn’t look too pleased with the conclusion she’d jumped to. He was happy to make her wait until he was ready to show her what he’d done.
“You tell me.” He took her hand and led her up the stairs.
It was Keira’s birthday, and he’d had the crew set up an intimate dinner for two on the top deck. The seasons were changing, and the sunset was spectacular. A tropical breeze gently touched the roses he’d had delivered, and the smell of the food from the covered dishes in the corner was inviting.
One delicate hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Aiden, this is lovely. I didn’t even notice you being so sneaky.”
“I was counting on it.” He pulled out a chair for her while Ryan poured champagne. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
They clinked glasses. Before she took a sip, she held up her hand. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He frowned as she flew down the stairs to their cabin. Her reaction was not what he’d expected.
“Good luck, boss.” Ryan left the deck with an awkward wave.
It was less than five minutes before he saw her again, though it seemed like forever. She looked like an angel. A white shift dress hugged her body, and he was immediately aroused, which was nothing unusual these days. He held out her chair and she sat once more, gazing at him with those sparkling blue eyes.
She grinned mischievously as she noted his reaction, then nodded at his suit. “Now I feel more the part.”
He didn’t often dress this way, since it was expected of him to wear the captain’s uniform on each cruise, and he was glad she approved. He wanted the night to be perfect.
She sipped her wine. “This is so romantic. What a lovely thing to do, Aiden.”
He shrugged, pleased he’d chosen the right option. “It’s your birthday. You deserve a night of romance, and you said you didn’t want a party.”
“I’m partied out.” She laughed in that glorious, unselfconscious way she had, head thrown back to expose her lovely neck. He leaned down and kissed it, eliciting a hum of encouragement. Kneeling, Aiden took her face in one hand, producing the same velvet box he’d had for nearly a year in the other.
Her eyes widened, and a wave of doubt hit him.
“Don’t be frightened. I would love to marry you, Keira Davis, but if you’re not ready, I’ll wait until you are.”
Her eyes glistened and she sighed. “Open the box.”
With a shaky hand, Aiden did just that, his eyes never leaving her face. “Is it okay? I can change it.” The diamond was a decent size, but the simplicity and elegance were what had made him choose it.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. “It’s stunning. Just what I would’ve chosen.”
“Not as stunning as you. Keira, will you marry me?”
“I only have one question.”
His hand stilled on her face and he nearly dropped the box. “Yes?”
She batted those ridiculously long eyelashes. “What took you so long?”
“You little minx!” Aiden swooped her into his arms and kissed her hard.
When he had quite finished, he put the ring on her finger and kissed her palm. “You know, you haven’t answered me.”
Keira rubbed her cheek against his. “Yes, Captain. I will marry you, as soon as you like.”
“Tomorrow?”
She laughed at his hopefulness. “Not tomorrow. How about a couple of weeks? I’d like to invite a few people and get something decent to wear.”
“If I had my way, you would never get dressed again,” he growled in her ear, rewarded with a shiver from his fiancée.
“Hmmm. Shall we practice that?”
They stood, and Keira rubbed herself against him.
“What about dinner?” he managed to ask.
She wriggled out of his arms and sat back down. “Sure, if that’s what you want.” She smiled innocently.
Aiden growled. “I think we both know what I want, and it’s not food.”
She was all he wanted, and with her soft lips touching his face and neck, her hands running through his hair, he was convinced that the feeling was mutual.
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Turn the page for an excerpt from Waves of Passion.
Waves of Passion
Chloe couldn’t help feeling out of her depth. You could take the girl out of small-town Kentucky, but you couldn’t take the small town out of the girl. No matter how much she’d tried—and she had. She’d pushed her shyness to one side, worked hard, partied when she wasn’t too tired, flirted, and had a couple of dates since her arrival two years ago. Not a lot by the standards of Sunrise Beach, of course, where people were living life in the fast lane and changing lovers like it was a game of tag.
Speaking of which, Chloe turned back to the piano player. His music called to her, and his sex appeal drew her to him like a moth to a flame. Gabriel’s charisma and talent were legendary, and that night it was on full display. As she moved closer, it came as no surprise that it wasn’t merely her who was affected by him.
The men nearby enjoyed Gabriel’s music. The women did too, only in a much more primitive way. His eyes half-closed, his body bent and twisted enticingly to the melody as his hands made love to the keys. How Gabriel looked when he played was as much a turn-on as his music.
Hence her annoyance.
She had to stop thinking about him like that. Chloe’s thumbnail took a battering for a minute or two as she tried to break the spell. Gabriel knew what he was, and so did she: he was a player of more than music. He flitted from woman to woman, a
nd he made no apologies for it.
Fortunately, her friend Keira came around the piano and stood beside her. Gabriel’s older brother Aiden tagged along, his eyes only for his bride-to-be.
The spell was broken.
“I love listening to him. You’re such a talented family.” Keira turned to look adoringly at her fiancé.
Aiden kissed her nose. “I think you got the dud in the family. I have no musical ability.”
Keira snuggled up to him. “I love the music we make when we’re together.”
Chloe hugged her stomach. “Oh please, I’m going to throw up.”
Aiden laughed. “You’re such a Grinch.”
“No, I just think these PDAs you two insist on forcing upon us are over the top.” Chloe was only half joking
Keira patted her arm. “One day you’ll feel the same way, and then I can laugh at you.”
“No way. I’m never going to be like that.”
“Really? Things can change without you being aware of it. Look at us and tell me how you can be so sure.”
Chloe saw Aiden’s arm snake around Keira’s waist, which wasn’t unusual but still made her feel strange considering what they were discussing. She flicked her shoulder-length hair off her face. The chestnut strands had been trying to cover her eyes, and she rued not using hairspray.
“Because I think true love is very rare, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to pretend I love someone if I don’t.”
Unaware that Gabriel had finished his medley, her words sounded exceptionally loud in the quiet that ensued. She heard a few snickers and felt her cheeks glow. Annoyed at making a fool of herself, she searched for an escape route.
Too late.
Gabriel stood in her way and their eyes locked. He studied her intently for a moment or two, then grinned. His eyes danced as if he’d heard the funniest joke, which gave her the strongest urge to slap him. Hard.
He didn’t know her. Nobody there knew her. Not the real Chloe. They didn’t get to judge or decide what or who was right for her.
She had to leave for a while so she didn’t embarrass herself further.
Chloe pushed past Gabriel and hurried out to the deck.
Also by Cheryl Phipps
Prossers Bay Series - set in New Zealand
Prosser Bay Boxed Set – Books 1-3
Doc’s Town
Finding Liam
Seducing Megan
Saving Stephanie
Emily’s Wish
Billionaire Knights Series
Billionaire Knights Books 1-3
Restless Billionaire
Ruthless Billionaire
Reluctant Billionaire
Reckless Billionaire
Resident Billionaire
Millionaire - Family Ties Series
The Millionaire Next Door
The Millionaire’s Proposal
The Millionaire’s Seduction
High Seas Weddings
Against the Tide
Kisses on the Sand - Out Soon
Waves of Passion - Out Soon
Cheryl also writes Cozy Mysteries and Women’s Fiction as C.A. Phipps
Books by C. A. Phipps
The Maple Lane Cozy Mysteries
Apple Pie and Arsenic
Bagels and Blackmail
Cookies and Chaos
Doughnuts and Disaster - Coming soon
Sycamore Springs Series
Jack and Gill
Adam and Eve
Samson and Delilah - Coming soon
About the Author
Cheryl Phipps is a USA Today best-selling romance author from beautiful Auckland, New Zealand.
As a young mother with three small children, Cheryl escaped the daily chaos of motherhood through her beloved romance novels. She loved being whisked away from nappies and wiping noses to exotic locations filled with suave heroes and feisty heroines in wonderful small towns with heart-warming tales of strong family ties and life-affirming true love.
Her bookshelves still hold those favorite authors – Nora Roberts, Marian Keyes, and Cathy Kelly – plus new-found favorites like Marie Force and Bella Andre, who write stories that echo Cheryl’s own values: family always comes first and life’s struggles and challenges are always surmountable through love.
Cheryl’s three children now have families of their own, leaving her free to pursue her dreams of writing novels. She lives in a quiet suburb and enjoys walks with her wonderful husband, who she married the moment she left school (yes, they were high school sweethearts), spending time with friends and, of course, weaving sensual stories that celebrate the joy of love, family, and resilience.
Cheryl loves talking with fellow romance readers and fans. Join Cheryl's mailing list for news about new books or contact her at:
www.cherylphipps.com
Against the Tide: High Seas Weddings Page 15