Page 6 of SEAL the Deal

Mike looked through the windshield at the approaching landscape. A boulder-speckled glacier between two high peaks rapidly approached.

He glanced over his shoulder at the passenger in the rear. Ali’s green eyes sparkled from inside the hood of a North Face jacket. She wore a broad smile on her elfin features.

“Wow,” she mouthed.

Her expression went a long way to easing his nerves. He and Ali had been dating for over a year now. In fact, for the last two months they’d been living together. Mike had never felt this way about anyone. He was totally and utterly in love with the beautiful veterinarian. She was intelligent and kind, but also independent enough to deal with his military career. What’s more she adored his dog, Axe. This holiday to the South Island of New Zealand was his way of thanking her for everything she had done for them both.

Smiling he turned his attention back to the terrain ahead. The glacier loomed and a moment later the pilot touched the skids down on the hard packed snow, killing the turbine. “OK kids, this is it. Welcome to the Franz Josef glacier.”

Mike stepped from the cabin, opened the rear door for Ali and surveyed the surroundings. Snow-capped mountains stretched out in every direction. In the distance, he could see the coastline and bright blue Tasman Sea.

“It’s stunning, babe,” she murmured.

Feeling her arms around his waist he turned, wrapped her in a hug and kissed her. The view lost its magnetism as their lips touched.

A moment later they parted and Mike turned to see the pilot at the nose of the helicopter pretending to inspect the windshield. He looked up, saw they were done and smiled. “OK, lovebirds. If you come with me, I’ll show you the best view this side of the equator.”

As they followed him across the glacier toward a rocky outcrop Mike’s keen eye spotted fresh tracks in the snow. He glanced sideways at Ali; her attention was fixed on the horizon. She turned to him, grinning like a child at Christmas. Then she frowned and cocked her head. “Mike, can you hear that?”

He took her hand. “No, what can you hear?”

Her eyes sparkled. “Music.”

Mike’s pulse quickened as they rounded the outcrop and the notes of a violin reached his ears.

“You’re kidding me.” Ali stopped dead in her tracks and squeezed his hand.

A pair of deck chairs sat in the snow. Between them was perched a silver champagne bucket beside a platter of fruit, cheese and caviar. A few yards away a violinist dressed in a tuxedo was playing.

The pilot gestured to the chairs. “Please, take a seat.”

Ali sat and the pilot turned waiter, placing a blanket over her legs. Then he poured them each a glass of champagne before disappearing behind the outcrop.

Mike turned to Ali and raised his glass. “To the most incredible person I know.”

A tear formed in her eye as she lifted hers. “You’re so sweet.” She gestured to the view. “This is unbelievable.”

His heart raced as he glanced at the violinist. The man nodded and changed the song.

It took a moment for Ali to recognize the tune. “That’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’.” She turned to the musician.

Mike felt like a squadron of butterflies would burst from his stomach as he reached into his pocket. He slipped out of his chair, took her hand and knelt.

Her eyes went wide as he raised the velvet case and snapped it open. “Alison Charlotte Taylor,” he said with a waver. “Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”

Tears filled her eyes and she nodded. “Yes, yes. Of course, I will.”

As he slipped the diamond ring onto her finger, she leaned forward and kissed him. Their lips touched and Mike felt all the anxiety of the last twenty-four hours replaced by elation. He was going to be marrying the love of his life.

* * *

It was the next day when Mike eased himself into the warm water of the Japanese style hot tub and joined Ali on the submerged wooden bench. His fiancé wore a sleek black one piece that accented her luscious curves. They’d spent the day hiking, and now were taking a well-earned soak in a luxury outdoor spa overlooking the Shotover River.

“Mike, this place is heaven,” she purred as he wrapped his muscular arms around her waist and manhandled her into the middle of the pool. He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her passionately as he caressed her chest.

“Easy boy,” she murmured, sliding her hand down to his groin. “We’ve only got this tub for an hour.”

“More than enough time,” he slipped her breast from the bathing suit and kissed the nipple.

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