Page 17 of Gorilla in the Groove (Shamrock Safari Shifters #3)

Touring with Riverdance was the most exciting, exhausting thing Irina had ever done, but the best part of it was that being part of the touring group meant Mick could arrange many of his DJ jobs around where she would be dancing.

Against every expectation Irina had had when they'd met, their lives were spent far more together than apart.

It all worked, just as Mick has promised.

Tonight they were in Paris, a free night between gigs and dances, though they'd be going back to Ireland next week for a charity gig being held at the Shamrock Safari Wildlife Park.

Irina couldn't wait to go home again—after almost two years of living and working in the European Union, she felt like Ireland had become home—but she'd also never had the chance to climb the Eiffel Tower before, so she was living in the moment, hand in hand with Mick as they climbed toward the second tier.

Mick's grip on her hand was very, very firm, and he muttered, "Gorillas don't like heights, either, you know," as they made their way up to the viewing platform.

"I won't let you fall," Irina promised.

Mick gave her the look she deserved for that, to be honest. "And how is it exactly you'd keep me from falling, I'd like to know?"

"Through the power of luuuuuuuuv," Irina said expansively, and despite his nerves, Mick laughed.

"If anything could do it, that would. Ah, it's only gorgeous, though," he said with a sigh as they reached the platform and the lights of Paris spread out around them. "Worth the climb."

"I won't make you go all the way to the top," Irina promised.

Mick snorted. "There's a lift to the top. I could manage that. But I haven't strong dancer legs and you've just made me walk eight thousand steps, so I'll be wobbling around for days now."

"I know for a fact you don't skip leg day," Irina said, leaning against him with a smile. "Even if legs aren't a gorilla's strong suit, you have mighty thews."

"If I skipped leg day I'd look like a gorilla." Mick paused and Irina giggled. "You know what I mean."

"I do. God, look at this, Mick." Irina sighed happily, gazing over the incredible gardens stretching out below them.

They were golden-green in the evening light, colored by the falling sun and waking streetlights, with traffic gliding through the roundabout at the center.

Paris lit up around it, as did the tower itself, coming to life at twilight with glimmers and shine that made it really feel like the 'City of Light. ' "How lucky are we?"

"As lucky as anyone's ever been," Mick murmured. "There's nothing more beautiful."

Irina glanced up, not surprised to find him smiling down at her as he said that. "You're a romantic at heart, you know that?"

"I do. All big muscles on the outside and a soft chocolate heart beneath. But don't tell anybody else. You'll ruin my reputation."

"I'd never," Irina promised as she stole a kiss. "Not now, not ever. Where are we going after the wildlife park event next week, is it Germany after that?"

"Berlin, then Rome," Mick said with a nod. "Our lives of adventure, all planned out in front of us."

"Well, maybe not all planned out. We need to leave room for a little spontaneity. In another eighteen to twenty-four months, maybe, since the tour is scheduled for that long."

Mick grinned. "Planned spontaneity. I like it. What will we plan?"

Irina took a deep breath. "I was thinking maybe a little gorilla or two."

"Oh my God." Mick let her go and dropped to his knees instantly, gazing up at her in adoration. "Are you ready for kids?"

"Mick! No! Get up! I just said, in another couple of years! Not now! Someday! Oh my God! Get up!"

"No." He beamed up at her. "Since I'm down here anyway…" He dipped a hand into his pocket and came out with a black velvet ring box.

Irina gasped so hard she saw stars as he opened the box to reveal a staggeringly beautiful, but simple, diamond ring. "Mick. What. Were you planning this?"

"I've been carrying the ring around for four months, hoping for the moment," he admitted sheepishly. "This seemed like the right moment. Will you marry me, Irina Zarabaka?"

"Of course I will! Yes! Yes," she said more softly as Mick slipped the ring on her finger and stood to embrace her. "You've give me a perfect life already, Mick. I can't wait to spend the rest of it with you."

"One happily ever after coming up," he promised with a kiss, and Irina knew that he would keep that promise, forever.