Pier Lights (23 page)

It took her a little time to get the foot to
balance enough to support her and he was ready to move up and grasp
her if needed, but she made it, and he waited and took her
hand.

Caroline heard the ceremony. The minister’s
voice. The song. The seagulls around them. But she was captured in
Dio’s eyes. She willingly repeated her vows and her eyes watered
when he repeated his. And they were pronounced husband and
wife.

Dio picked her up as he kissed her. Their
guests showered them with bubbles, threw congratulations and well
wishes, and he carried her to the middle of the pavilion for their
first dance.

Caroline grabbed onto his shirt and raised
her right leg behind her in a modified arabesque. She teased him
with a pirouette. He picked her up, turned her around, brought her
down against his body until her leg was wrapped around his waist,
her left toes on the floor between his legs.

She sang next to his ear. She was a bad
singer but it didn’t matter. He gripped her left leg and brought it
up around him until she cuddled into his body, her face nuzzled
into his neck.

“Where have you always wanted to go,
Caroline?”

“Oh Dio, I’m exactly where I want to be.
Right now. Here with you.”

“Where else? If you could choose anywhere in
the world. Where would you go?”

“To Spain. To watch the Flamenco
dancers.”

“We’re heading there first thing in the
morning.”

“What? Just like that? You need...”

“Already taken care of.”

“But Dio, you don’t like to travel.”

“Only because of the scar, baby, but with
you at my side, it’ll be fine. Say yes.”

“On crutches? That’ll be...”

“You can do it. I’ll be with you. Say
yes.”

“It’s so much money, Dio.”

“I don’t care. Say yes, Caroline.”

“Dio?”

“Yes?”

“Yes. I love you.”

“And I am breathtakingly, maddeningly,
hopelessly in love with you. So you better never change your
mind.”

She smiled and teased his lips. “I’ll try
never to change your mind. Or to change you. I want you just as you
are.”

“My Lina, I want you to rock and roll the
hell out of me tonight.”

She chuckled. “As you command.”

~ ~ ~

Watch for more dancers in lighthouse
settings from Ella M. Kaye!

If you enjoyed this work, I
would love a review at your favorite book hangout. For private
comments or inquiries, contact me at
[email protected]
.
Please allow a few days or so for response, as the next book is
always in the works.

Music used in the novel

Song mentions do not
suggest endorsement by the artists or publishers.

Overjoyed
by Matchbox Twenty, from
North
, September 2012

Try
by Pink, from
The Truth About
Love
, September 2012

Shadow of a Dark
Crow
and
Rock and
Roll Me
by Melissa Etheridge, from
4th Street Feeling
,
September 2012