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  A muscle jumped in Blaine’s jaw. “You’re wearing red.”

  She swallowed. Managing a nod, she uttered inanely, “Yes, it’s…I’m so used to the color…”

  “Kate, don’t do this,” he said softly, though every atom inside her body perceived he was hurting.

  The count peered down at her, his face perplexed. “Brandy?”

  Her attention stayed fixated on Blaine. “I can’t be your mistress, Blaine.”

  What she’d known all along—if she’d only admitted it to herself—struck her as if a lightning bolt. Blaine was forever or nothing. She couldn’t accept him any other way.

  “That’s not what I want either. Not anymore. I want all of you, Kate. Not just what you can give me in the bedroom. I want to have a home with you…a family. Everything.” He smiled a slightly lopsided smile. “After I’d coerced you into attending the fundraiser, I’d planned to do this whole romantic proposal thing once we were alone—”

  Proposal?

  Her breath caught in her throat as hope bloomed and spread. “Wh…what?”

  A crowd was beginning to gather outside, watching the spectacle unfolding.

  “I realize now what I should have a long time ago. The most precious things in life can’t be bought. Baby, your love is priceless.” Blaine dug into his jacket pocket. He sank onto a knee, an opened jewelry box with a gorgeous gold ring encrusted with diamonds sitting snug inside. “I want a lifetime with you, Kate. As my wife. Will you marry me?”

  She was speechless. Stunned. She’d got him so wrong! She’d experienced prejudice as a call girl, and yet she’d been so incredibly judgmental herself on so many levels. When he’d shown her the harbor-side mansion, it wasn’t because he’d wanted her there as his mistress. She had no doubt in her mind right then that he’d planned to reveal it after he’d proposed.

  When he’d told her he was saving the romance for later, he’d really meant it.

  Her voice cracked. “Yes, Blaine. A million times, yes!”

  He grinned, his stare adoring and inconceivably damp. “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” she whispered, everything inside her overflowing with devotion for the man before her. The man she would marry. The man who’d spent quite some time already on one knee.

  He slipped on the beautiful ring. When he straightened, she stepped away from Pierre and into Blaine’s arms, only half aware of the smattering of applause and heartfelt sighs outside the elevator.

  No more doubts, no more insecurities. She’d love Blaine with everything she had and then some. She did love Blaine with everything she had. She looked up at him with tenderness filling her from the inside out. He’d pushed her out of her comfort zone, made her see she wasn’t really living, just existing on life’s fringes.

  Sex couldn’t replicate love, no matter how much she enjoyed the act.

  Blaine tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his eyes alight with adoration when he bent his head and his mouth slanted across hers, sealing the deal. She leaned into him, deepening the kiss, not wanting to ever let him go again.

  Someone cleared their throat. Blaine pulled back first, however reluctantly, and glanced at the count.

  The other man shook his head. “And to think I had such grand plans tonight.”

  Blaine tucked her closer. She tilted her head up and smiled at her future husband, aware this time his possessiveness felt right. Good.

  Blaine dragged his stare from her and back to the other man. “I’ve already ensured that you’ll be compensated for your trouble.”

  The count emitted a heavy sigh. “I don’t want your money—”

  Blaine looked out the elevator doors and jerked his head. Two dark-haired beauties sashayed forward in gold-spangled micro dresses—twins, if Kate wasn’t mistaken.

  She couldn’t stop the peal of laughter bursting free. Only Blaine would make up for the count’s loss, twofold!

  “While I know no one else could ever make up for Kate, I didn’t want your being alone on my conscience.” Blaine nodded to the twins. “Ladies, meet Count Pierre Moretti.”

  The count broke into a grin. “Hello, pretty little ladies.” Blaine winked at her, before he took her nearest hand in his. “Let’s go home, Kate.”

  Something shifted inside her chest. Brandy Alexander had been a huge part of her life, but she wouldn’t be sad to say goodbye to her. No. It was past time she shed her armor and revel just in being herself.

  Plain old Kate Matthews.

  Loved and adored by the one man she loved and adored back with all her heart.

  Seemed the life she’d once secretly dreamed of having was about to come true after all.

  About Mel Teshco

  Mel Teshco lives in rural Australia with too many animals, too many children and not enough hours in the day to write!

  Her loving husband is in training as a real-life hero and waits patiently to retire on the success of his wife’s writing.

  Mel welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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  Also by Mel Teshco

  Alien Hunger 1: Galactic Burn

  Alien Hunger 2: Galactic Inferno

  Alien Hunger 3: Galactic Flame

  Carnal Moon

  Discovering Sofia

  Kallie Revealed

  Lusting the Enemy

  Moon Thrall

  Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 1 anthology

  Winged and Dangerous 1: Stone-Cold Lover

  Winged and Dangerous 2: Ice-Cold Lover

  Winged and Dangerous 3: Red-Hot Lover

  Print books by Mel Teshco

  Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 1 anthology

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing

  www.ellorascave.com

  Enraptured

  ISBN 9781419945854

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Enraptured Copyright © 2013 Mel Teshco

  Edited by Briana St. James

  Cover design by Syneca

  Cover photography by George Mayer/fotolia.com

  Electronic book publication July 2013

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