Tempted in the Tropics (16 page)

“Paige.” Only one word was out and he needed a deep breath. He couldn’t remember ever being this nervous. “You’ve been such an amazing surprise to me. I went to St. Lucia to play guitar for a wedding and came home in the middle of my own once-in-a-lifetime love story…with you.”

Lane tried to forget that so many people were watching and focus on Paige, who looked at him expectantly. He took her hands and held them tightly.

“Then there were some…complications. But through them I learned it was you that I want to be with. You that I wanted to give my heart to. You that I wanted to love.”

Her eyes had welled with tears and he could tell she was fighting them.

He hurried to finish saying what he’d planned before he lost his nerve. “You’ve shown me that love can be fun and unpredictable, but deep and true. Something I’d never experienced.” He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. “I want to take over my uncle’s practice and care for the people in Maple Creek. But I do have that heart condition he mentioned, and you’re the only person who can cure it.”

She nervously bit her lip and he resisted the urge to kiss her…yet.

“Since we’ve been apart, my head’s been a mess, my heart’s been…just broken. I know that might not build a lot of confidence in my future patients because that’s hardly a professional way to describe it.” People in the crowd chuckled, and even Paige gave him a small smile. “But it’s honestly how I feel.”

“Me, too,” she said softly.

“I can’t wait to settle down in Maple Creek,” he said. “When I left, I realized how much I loved it here. But I didn’t have to leave to realize how much I love you. I’m not asking for any promises, just to know that you want to try to make things work.”

“I do.” She nodded and swiped away a tear from her face.

Nearly dizzy with excitement and relief, he smiled mischievously. “I want you to say that in an official ceremony one day, too, but we’ll take it one step at a time.”

The crowd applauded and whistled, giving Paige and Lane a standing ovation. His parents stood in the back of the hall, clapping politely. After dealing with the whole truth about Stephanie and learning more about Paige from Lane and Sylvia, they’d started warming to the idea of him and Paige together. After all, they’d really liked Sweet Bee’s cinnamon rolls, so that was a place to start.

Buoyed by their support, Lane took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly, feeling as if he had found his once-in-a-lifetime, and it was going to be a wild ride.

Uncle Pete stepped up on cue and handed Lane a Sweet Bee’s bakery box. Paige looked at him suspiciously as he gave it to her. “A Special Recipe for us,” he said. “And we’ll tweak the program so it’ll work for everyone else, too.”

Her hands trembled as she opened the box to reveal two beautiful heart-shaped petits fours that Cyn had hooked Lane up with. They were the same as the ones Paige had baked for all the townspeople, except Lane’s and Paige’s names were iced on the top. He carefully picked up the one iced with
Paige
and held it to her mouth.

She took a delicate bite. “Delicious,” she said, and the crowd chuckled. Then her eyes widened as she seemed to realize what she’d seen when the cuff of his sleeve had slipped above his wrist as he fed her. She clutched his hand and turned it palm up to see the red heart tattoo that matched hers and her father’s.

“Oh my God.” She trailed her fingers over the tattoo, and glanced out at her dad who smiled knowingly.

“He went with me to get it,” Lane said, “to make sure it would match.”

Stunned, Paige faced the audience, directing her attention to the table where her father and close friends sat. “So you guys were all in on this with him?”

They all smiled like kids who’d gotten away with a prank. Paige nodded and gave them an I-can’t-believe-it look that she shifted to Lane. He hoped he’d be pleasantly surprising her for the rest of their lives. No doubt she’d keep surprising him.

Paige turned her attention back to the petit four iced with Lane’s name. “You’re unbelievable,” she said as she lifted it to his mouth, teasing him with the sweet smell of fresh-baked cake.

Lane bit into the petit four, expecting her to smoosh it all over his mouth, but she didn’t. That was his Paige, forever unpredictable.

The crowd became quiet as Lane faced Paige and gazed at her seriously. “I want you to know, the magic thing makes a lot more sense to me now.” He traced his fingertips along her cheek and swept them beneath her chin. “It’s not what you bake—it’s you.”

Acknowledgments

I had so much fun writing
Tempted in the Tropics
, especially because a lot of the story is set on the amazing island of St. Lucia where I’ve had many romantic moments myself, including part of my honeymoon. It’s lush and verdant there—like a tropical fantasyland—and the people are incredibly fun and friendly. An atmosphere perfect for romance.

Special thanks to my editors, Stacy Abrams and Alycia Tornetta, for their patience and guidance and for their incredible ideas that helped give this story that special something. Should we call it magic?

I also greatly appreciate the readers and reviewers of
The Practice Proposal
, whose feedback was valuable to me as I crafted this next story in the Suddenly Smitten series.

Last, but never least, I thank my remarkably steady and patient husband, Mike, who is adjusting with grace to my unpredictable writer’s life. His love inspires every romance I write, and he’ll always be my hero.

About the Author

Award-winning author Tracy March writes romantic thrillers influenced by her career in the pharmaceutical field and her interest in science and politics. She also writes lighthearted romances inspired by her real-life happily ever after.

Always up for travel and adventure, Tracy has flown in a stunt plane, snowmobiled on the Continental Divide, ziplined in the Swiss Alps, and been chased by a bull in the mountains of St. Lucia. She loves Nationals baseball, Saturday date nights, and Dairy Queen Blizzards—and rarely goes a day without Diet Coke and Cheez-Its.

Tracy lives in Yorktown, Virginia, with her superhero husband who works for NASA. They recently spent two years living in Washington, D.C., and enjoy visiting often—especially when the Nats are in town.

Visit Tracy online at
www.TracyMarch.com

Don’t miss the first book in the Suddenly Smitten series

The Practice Proposal

by Tracy March

Liza Sutherland isn’t looking for love. Not from a charity-auction date she didn’t even bid on and especially not with Nationals first baseman Cole Collins, the guy she obsessed over as an awkward teenager. She won’t get involved with a notorious player, no matter how attractive Cole is.

 Cole Collins is up for contract renegotiation, but after too many late-night parties, he’ll need some positive publicity before he can make the roster. His agent, Frank, pitches Liza as the perfect prop…only Cole didn’t account for Liza no longer being just a teenager with a crush. She’s gorgeous and smart and he’s instantly hooked.

 When Frank makes Liza a deal she can’t refuse—a bet she will fall in love with Cole or a cool half mil goes to charity—the game is on. But neither bet on the real feelings that surface. Could a fake fling turn into an official forever?

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Find your Bliss with Roxanne Snopek’s

Fake Fiancé, Real Revenge

So much for sentimentality. He wanted business? She’d give him business.

“About that ring.” She poured his coffee, one sugar, one cream. “Expectations are running high.”

“Thanks for the embarrassment, by the way. Much appreciated.” But he smiled, licked his finger, and marked an imaginary point in the air. “You got me good. Prepare for retaliation.”

“Looking forward to it. Remember, it’s all about size and the one you’re giving me is
huge.”

“Oh, so we’re still on that, are we?” He rested his elbows on the counter, his arms crossed, his body angled toward her. “Maybe we ought to refresh your memory. I mean, no question, it’s plenty big…that
diamond,
I mean. But it seems to me it’s gotten even larger in your fantasies.”

“My memory is fine. And there are no fantasies.” She set her mug on the counter and leaned forward, making sure he had a good view of her cleavage. “But I suspect my taste is a bit more refined now. Since the last time I saw your…
diamond,
I mean. I know you don’t want to disappoint me.”

Mitch’s gaze seared over her flesh. Then, as her words penetrated, he lifted his eyes, as if coming out of a fog.

“Relax, Mitch, it’s not like I’m planning to seduce you or anything!” Sabrina forced herself to laugh a little harder than necessary. “But this is the kind of banter we’re going to have to do. I’m just giving you a taste of it, so you’re not shocked. Yesterday, you looked like you’d swallowed your tongue.”

His lip twitched. “Been thinking about my tongue, have you?”

She snorted. “Please. You only wish.” But now that he mentioned it…all sorts of memories were returning.

“And I guarantee you,” he drawled slowly, “when it comes to that…diamond…disappointment is not even on the table.” Sabrina gulped. She hadn’t had the conversation in as tight a grip as she’d thought. “Enough of this,” she said hoarsely. She cleared her throat. “Let’s save the flirting for when we need it, okay? Right now, we’ve got to get our facts straight.”

“That was flirting?” He reached out a hand and trailed it over the edge of her V-neck, tracing her collarbone. “Proper flirting is a contact sport. In my opinion, anyway.”

She jerked away. A line of fire burned where he’d touched her, sending sparks throughout her body. Her words were no match for his touch.

“What’s the matter, Sabrina?” Mitch’s expression was a perfect mix of innocence, seduction, and triumph.

“Nothing!” She grabbed his hand and held it against her neck. “Nothing at all. Feel me up all you like. Make it look real. But remember, after this, you’ll be doing it in public and I don’t want to get arrested.”

But instead of pulling away, he threaded his fingers through her hair. All the words she might have used disappeared when he cupped the nape of her head and pulled her toward him. His eyes were mysterious, fathomless, magnetic, and she was powerless against them.

“We should probably practice our kissing, don’t you think?”

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Don’t Miss Tracy March’s sexy and thrilling suspense novel,

Girl Three

Available in stores and online now!

Dr. Jessica Croft has avoided the players, the power, and the passions of Washington, DC. But when her estranged sister’s suspicious death is classified as natural, Jessie resolves to expose the murderer. As she pursues elite suspects who’d kill to keep their secrets buried, she encounters sexy security consultant Michael Gillette, who knows more about her sister than he’ll admit.

Michael has a vested interest in Jessie’s plight. Her sister died on his watch--while he wasn’t watching. His plan to find her murderer becomes complicated when Jessie’s father hires him to protect Jessie, and his interest turns from professional…to romantic.

Jessie and Michael must unravel a mystery rife with political agendas, deceit, and betrayal. When confidential papers reveal a fertility scandal surrounding the enigmatic Girl Three, the two realize the danger of exposing the truth. Who is Girl Three? And will the murderer kill again to keep a secret?

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Firefighter Jasmine Mackinnon has always just been one of the guys. So no one’s more shocked than she is to find herself kissing fellow firefighter and all-around sinfully handsome playboy Aaron Parkes after a friend’s wedding. Jasmine knows she can’t risk an emotional connection with a colleague—a potentially dangerous entanglement when fighting fires together—and nothing’s more important to her than her job. But when their casual flirtation builds into a steamy affair, both will have to “man up” to get what they truly want.

Bikers and Pearls
by Vicki Wilkerson

When rebel biker Bullworth Clayton meets pastel-and-pearls- clad April Church, sparks fly immediately. Sure, April would clearly rather be paired with anyone else, but if working together means a successful charity event for a sick little boy they both care about, then so be it. Bull tempts her to don a pair of leather pants and go for a ride with him, while April desperately tries to keep her wild side hidden from her small town. Can they meet in the middle in order to find love?

Kissing the Maid of Honor
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Sela Sullivan is resolved to be the best maid of honor ever, even if it means tolerating the best man. Arrogant Luke Watters is not only the guy who humiliated her at a kissing booth in high school, but he also happens to be her best friend’s older brother. Luke can’t deny Sela inspires a passion he’s never known, but can he prove to the maid of honor he’s become a man of honor?

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