Page 25 of Forbidden Whispers
Maggie’s heart did a little happy dance in her chest. “I’d love that.”
He took her hand as if they were an actual couple and led her toward the steps leading to the upper deck. The boat was full but not overly crowded, and they easily found a space along the rail.
They leaned against it side by side and looked out as the boat glided past the picturesque homes lining the shore.
The boat carried them along the edge of Pere Marquette Lake and onto its connecting river to enter Lake Michigan. Maggie looked down as the boat cut a swath through the rolling water below, the white foam tinged rose-gold by the lowering sun.
She thought about people’s reactions upon first seeing one of the Great Lakes. The sheer size and immensity of the lakes always shocked them. Maggie had been to the shorelines of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on vacations, and it was nearly impossible to tell the difference between those famed bodies of water and this one.
She glanced at Noah, who was looking toward the horizon. The wind off the water rippled over his dark curls, making her want to reach up and thread her fingers through them. He turned to her then, his light eyes reflecting the lake and sky. Looking into this man’s eyes was like looking at a glittering gemstone, where every facet revealed something new to capture her attention. She could gaze into their depths forever. But instead, she dropped her own eyes, determined not to let her thoughts about Noah run away with her.
She faced back toward the water. “You know, I’ve arranged this as a first date option for my clients, but I’ve never actually taken this cruise before.”
“Really?” Noah sounded surprised. “Why is that?”
She waved a hand to encompass the people around them who were all looking out at the view. “It’s clearly more of a couple thing to do, isn’t it?”
“I guess that’s true.” Noah angled toward her, leaning one arm against the rail. “I know you said you don’t have much time to date, but I can’t believe that not even one guy ever brought you here. It’s one of the first ideas that would’ve popped into my head if I was taking you out.” His voice trailed off as he spoke and she glanced at him, wondering if she imagined the warm flush suffusing his cheeks.
“Really? Why?”
He looked thoughtful, his eyes seeming to scan every inch of Maggie’s face. “Because it offers the perfect recipe for romance. You’ve got the beautiful sunset and then dancing once we return to the dock.” He leaned closer, his voice low. “And even without knowing what you do for a living, there’s always been something about you, Maggie. Something that exudes pure romance. I suppose that’s part of what makes you so good at your job.”
Heat blossomed inside her as she struggled to maintain composure under his intense gaze. How did this man understand her deep craving for romance so easily when her previous boyfriends had been so hopelessly oblivious?
“Thank you,” Maggie said softly. “That’s...sweet. And you’re right, I do love all things romance.” She looked back out over the water. “I may not be in a place right now to experience romantic moments for myself, but it’s satisfying to be able to create those moments for my clients. And at least now I can see for myself how this truly does make for a pretty dreamy date.”
The glowing sun sank ever lower in a sky that was now painted in vibrant streaks of pink, purple, and fiery orange, their brilliance reflected in the undulating waves below. A crew member came past, offering glasses of champagne and sparkling water. They each took a sparkling water and clinked their glasses together before taking a sip.
Then they stood together in silence with the rest of the guests, soaking up the incredible panoramas as the boat made its way past the Whispering Pines lighthouse. The glimmering water reflected a path of liquid gold leading from the sun, and it felt like everyone watching held their breath until it slowly, finally slipped beneath the horizon. The crowd on both decks clapped and erupted in cheers, and conversation began flowing around them again. Eventually, the boat slowly turned to churn its way back toward the dock.
“So beautiful,” Maggie breathed.
“Yes.”
Something in his voice made her glance at him, and their gazes locked. The way he was looking at her caused little flashes of heat lightning to zing around her insides.
The boat reached the dock and the sound of dance music began drifting on the breeze around them as the boat’s live band on the deck below started to play.
The music, the soft evening air, and being here with Noah were making for a very heady combination, and she felt like she was drifting along in a dream. With a monumental effort, she tore her gaze away from his. But then he spoke her name.
“Maggie?”
She looked back at him.
“Would you like to dance?”
She hesitated for a moment in surprise but then slowly nodded.
He took her hand again and led her back down to the lower deck. White plastic tables and chairs were arranged in a U-shape around a wooden dance floor. Several couples were already out on the floor.
“This song sounds different,” Maggie said.
Noah grinned. “It’s Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’ in a salsa version.” He took her glass from her and set it down next to his on a nearby table, then he took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor.
“Do you salsa?”
“No!” Maggie said, suddenly insecure as she attempted to pull her hand from his. She loved to dance, but she’d never learned any formal styles, let alone the salsa.