skin along the collar of his shirt. She nuzzled his neck a bit and then her eyes flew to the bartender who stared at Maggie at first with a look of jealous anger in her eyes. Maggie smiled at her and raised an eyebrow at the younger woman.
Jake stiffened. He held his mug close to his mouth and then laughed out loud. As he set his mug down, he turned to Maggie and crushed his mouth to hers, surprised Jake would show affection in such a public place. When he pulled back she was out of breath. Panting.
Jake grinned. “Two ladies making eyes at one hunk of man. Nice!” he joked and leaned towards Maggie. “Of course, I had to show her who was going home with me.”
Maggie shook her head, still a bit dazed.
“You all right?” he asked before taking a long, slow pull on his beer.
“Jake, you’re a big tease.”
“Baby, you haven’t seen nothing yet.”
Maggie swallowed. She couldn’t wait. There was still another night here until they headed back to the Keys.
<><>
Maggie couldn’t believe they were both on stage, singing along with the others in a karaoke type atmosphere. The two were singing and dancing and getting the house rocking with rockeoke. It’s supposed to make you feel like a rock star, the server told them earlier when they stopped by to see what was going on. A live band played behind them on stage.
Some couples danced together while others sat at small tables scattered along the sides of the dance floor. They finished their rock song when Jake requested a slow song. Everyone clapped and urged him on. He faced Maggie and she blushed as the lights dimmed even more and the band began to play a soft tune. “Look into my eyes and you will see what you mean to me,” he began, his voice out of tune but his words going deep. “Take me as I am, I will give it all,” he continued. The words faded as she looked deep in his eyes.
“I would fight for you, I’d die for you,” he kept on, his deep, husky voice reaching into her heart. She reached out and took his hand, happy to see another side of him. This trip was good for them both.
When the song ended she wrapped her arms around his waist and looked in to his smouldering eyes. “Thank you,” Maggie whispered. “That was beautiful.”
They stood there until the clapping began and Maggie’s cheeks began to flame. The audience began to shout and call out for more, but Jake put his hand up and waved them on. He guided Maggie to their table along the dark wall. “Man, I enjoyed singing with you.”
Maggie smiled. She had a hard time talking because her emotions were so over the top. What man will stand up in front of a crowd of strangers and sing a love song when he can’t carry a tune? It was beautiful and crazy and fun.
He took one look at Maggie’s face. “Come on, let’s get out of here,” he told her, taking her hand and guiding them through the crowd. A few guys slapped Jake on the back and he stopped for a moment to make a comment and then moved on until the lights and action of the nightclub faded in the background. The walked down a path lit up by torches. A small garden with foliage and flowers surrounded a stone fountain.
He took Maggie by the shoulders and faced him. Was this it, was he going to propose? Her heart began to pound. She bit her bottom lip and then forced herself to stop. Maggie made up her mind earlier she wouldn’t be upset if he didn’t propose. She had the letter, the one proclaiming his love and his desire to marry her. It was no longer a big deal, she didn’t care if he couldn’t do this one act.
Or did she care after all?
“Maggie, I’m glad you brought me here, even if I wasn’t crazy about the idea at first.” He brushed her hair out of her face and kissed the tip of her nose.
She smiled up at him, knowing it was all she would get from him and that was okay. Her Jake sang a love song to her not many men would do. “I’m