Skinny Dipping (43 page)
Authors: Alicia M Kaye
Tags: #Romance, #romantic comedy, #chic lit, #chick lit
Hugging him, she kissed his face, knowing they’d already shared one adventure together, learning to swim. Holding his hand, she was ready to start, something new, together, and wondered whether she could possibly teach him something? She furrowed her brow, contemplating the possibilities. Anything was possible with Matthew. She’d even learned that trusting a man was possible.
“Ever been trekking in the jungle, Soph?” he asked.
She gazed into his face, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
No. She’d never been trekking in the jungle and her chest constricted as she thought of tarantulas falling off fronds, and spider webs caught in her hair. God. She also had arachnophobia - a fear of spiders. And she’d just faced her fear of drowning.
Was it possible that she was one of those scaredy cat kind of girls. Scared of life and living? But Matthew didn’t seem scared of anything at all. And she
trusted
him. And she’d take him up on his challenge because she was safe with him. And her heart was safe with him.
With trust they’d do something she would never dream of, something exciting, something memorable, or something unimaginable. They’d do something. Together. Daring and non-prudish. Something like skinny dipping.
ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
There have been many special people who have helped and shown enthusiasm when writing this book. If I have forgotten anyone, I am sincerely sorry and please accept my gratitude.
Thank you to Lyn Worthen from Camden Park Press for your words of encouragement and your support.
Thank you to Peach and Julie, for sticking with me and reading iterations and more iterations of this book. It has been a journey. Thanks for listening to my concerns and continually providing support, enthusiasm, and friendship.
Thanks to Margaret for your advice and words of wisdom when writing this novel.
Thanks to wonderful Dana. You’re a true star! I am appreciative of all your help. You are one of my oldest friends and supporters (since high school). You are always absolutely encouraging. Your honest, reliable feedback has helped me make this the best book possible.
Thanks to Mum for being a true cheerleader. I feel incredibly lucky to have a Mum like you. Thank you a million times for your encouragement, support and lending me a hand in whatever way you can. Thank you for your patience and for being so gentle with your feedback. You have provided invaluable suggestions, and comments throughout the iterations of this book.
Thanks to Ginny Harrison at Swimming for Life.Com for your invaluable help. You generously gave me your time and knowledge explaining the intricate details about adults learning how to swim. I wish you all the best in setting up a foundation to provide swimming assistance for the underprivileged, including swimming scholarships for both adults and children teaching them water safety and of course, how to swim. Your commitment to helping people is so inspirational.
Thanks to the most wonderful man in the world, James to whom this book is dedicated to. You have been there all the way through, from the conceptualization to publication. Thank you for being there with me on the journey; and it truly has been a rollercoaster. I couldn’t have done it without your support. Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me and seeing the positive in every situation. I am thrilled to have found you, my greatest companion. I’m so blessed to be on the seat right next to you, and how lucky to be on such an amazing adventure together with you. I love how we roll.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alicia M Kaye is a writer of romantic fiction. She grew up in Australia, in sunny Queensland on a canal side property with her family. She also lived walking distance from Surfers Paradise, and the nearby beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast. Although Alicia is most probably and most certainly biased, she makes no secret in her belief that the Gold Coast is one the most breathtaking places in the world (where the beaches have real waves). However, by no means is Alicia a real surfer, although learning how to surf is definitely on her bucket list.
When she was twenty-four, Alicia realised she was curious about the world and she jumped on a plane and relocated to London. The move was only supposed to be for two years, but seven and a half years later, she was still living there with her husband. Together they explored England, Europe and the world as much as possible.
Although writing has always been a passion for Alicia it was in London where she began to write furiously. Writing is indeed a lonely occupation but luckily Alicia is not just a writer, she’s also an animal lover. She desperately would love a pet but her nomad life will not permit one. So, Alicia wrote this book with the company of a fostered cat (from the RSPCA) named Buttons (who is now called Clarence by his new adopted owners). When Buttons found his new parents she tried to encourage and attempt the stray cats of Highbury and Islington to take his place – to no avail. They would not join the party.
Over the last two years Alicia and her husband started on their journey back home to Australia. There’s been a little bit of side-tracking, with both the beach and the snow beckoned from different parts of the world. Together they’ve explored and lived in amazing countries including Thailand, Mexico, Austria and Malta.
For more about the author please visit
www.aliciamkaye.com
and look out for her new books.
Next in the Skinny companion adventures is a story about Michelle Vermont (her nickname Mickey), in the novel Skinny Cappuccino. Please email Alicia or look out for its release in the Kindle store in May 2014.
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