Strangers in the Night (26 page)
Jake caught sight of the shapely pair of legs he knew well, and his blood warmed. His eyes strayed to the dancer’s hips and at the curves and swells of a body he loved.
It was dark, and the soft glow of the moonlight touched the long, ivory skirt she sashayed. It seemed she had no idea she was being watched; she was laughing along, lost in the fun.
But no sooner had he thought her oblivious than she glanced up at him and he held her eyes, feeling a now-familiar longing in his chest. He’d spent every spare moment of his life with her these past few months, and still they couldn’t seem to get enough of each other. Her expression radiated warmth, love, and joy.
The song ended and a blaring bleep from a microphone interrupted the hot, promising glance. They turned to see the dance instructor, clad in a white suit and a silvery blue shirt reminiscent of
Saturday Night Fever
, take the stage.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen of Chicago! Those of you who just happened to come in this evening looking for some fun are in for a very special treat. Tonight, two very special people wish to share their joy with you. Please welcome to the dance floor, in their very first dance as husband and wife, our mayor-elect Jake Kelly and his lovely bride, Keila!”
Gasps, swiveling heads, and plenty of amazed, delighted stares followed him. Jake smiled and ecstatic applause erupted as he walked to the middle of the dance floor to claim his beautiful, still awestruck bride.
The slow, evocative beats of Rojita’s sensuous salsa version of Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night” began to play. Jake and Keila began to move together as only two people completely in tune with each other could.
They’d managed to keep the ceremony a secret, but it was now time to share their news with the people of the city that had witnessed their story.
“So much for taking it slow,” Keila smiled up at him. Jake smiled, too, and twirled her in a way he knew she enjoyed. He was getting good at this salsa stuff. He wanted to learn some forbidden dance next, preferably in the privacy of their bedroom.
Remembering there was something he’d been meaning to ask, he tugged her closer. “Would you have stayed with me that night, dancing under the rain, if I’d come after you?”
“I don’t know. It was pretty hard to walk away without you stopping me. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know, it’s just I wish Filip would’ve had the chance to finally see us together. If you hadn’t walked away or if I had stopped you … ”
Keila grinned up at him. “I suspect he knew where this was all heading, Jake.”
Jake chuckled. “Everyone knew. Except us, of course.”
“We weren’t meant to stay strangers, but we weren’t ready to see where it all could lead, either. Who knows? Maybe we both love Chicago so much, we somehow tapped into its magic to find each other again.”
“You think the city holds magic?” Jake rolled his eyes and smiled down at her.
“You think that’s a crazy idea?” Keila challenged, also smiling.
“Just a little. But I love you and your crazy thoughts.”
Keila sighed, looked up at him and said, “And I love you and your limited vision.” But her eyes were bright with genuine feeling.
Despite their familiar teasing, Jake felt emotions flowing between them so sweetly; he responded by holding her even closer, framing her face with his hands, and kissing her soul-deep.
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for choosing
Strangers in the Night
. I hope you enjoyed reading my debut novel as much as I enjoyed writing it. I’d love to hear from you, so please email me at
[email protected]
if you’d like to share your thoughts.
Best wishes always,
Inés
www.facebook.com/authorinessaint
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Best Laid Plans
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