Part 24 (2/2)

”I just wanted to apologize.” William sounded strained. Sarah caught sight of a scowling Pansy and repressed a chuckle. William's wife looked ready to kill him. ”Many of you tonight have had the pleasure of viewing the paintings in the gallery's Bold Room. As you may know, those paintings are all of Rivka Delaney's sister, Sarah Lazin.”

Sarah had pushed her way to the front of the crowd. Behind her, a woman grumbled that she couldn't see over Sarah's headpiece, but Sarah didn't care. She didn't want to miss a word.

”I once told Sarah Lazin that I thought she was not only unattractive, but of less than average intelligence as well.” The mouth Sarah had once found so handsome now pursed with anger. ”I told her that by dating her, I was doing her a favor.”

Some in the crowd gasped; others laughed. The laughter was different now, however. When William had begun speaking, they had been laughing with him. Now, as he obviously was aware, those who laughed, laughed at him.

”Jerk!” someone called from the back of the crowd, and this time more people burst into rude laughter.

”I wanted to say I was sorry.” William was as stiff as any good soldier.

His fingers were white-knuckled on the microphone. Sarah had never seen him so discomfited. The Iron Prince was falling off his pedestal, and she felt a little sorry for him.

William cleared his throat. ”Sarah Lazin is one of the most intelligent women I know. I broke up with her because she intimidated me. I wasn't man enough to handle her.”

His last words came out in a strangled growl that sent shrieks of feedback bouncing from the speakers. His eyes spitting venom, William thrust the microphone back into Alex's hand. Glaring at the crowd, the fallen Caesar prepared to get off the platform.

”William!” Sarah's voice cut through the crowd like a knife through b.u.t.ter. She climbed the steps to stand between him and Alex. The crowd hushed.

”I always knew you were a snake, William.” The microphone in Alex's hand sent her voice clear to the back of the room. ”I didn't realize you were such an asp.”

The silence that followed was broken by the sound of someone applauding. Sarah looked to see Rivka, in all her queenly glory, clapping wildly from her corner. Rivka was joined by Mick, then Martin. Soon the room swelled with the sound of people clapping, applauding her and laughing at the crestfallen William, face the color of fresh strawberries. He stumbled off the platform, grabbed Pansy's hand, and disappeared into the crowd.

Sarah turned to Alex as her heart thundered in her chest. He was smiling at her. She stepped into his embrace and didn't care that a roomful of people watched them. Feeling Alex's lips on hers was all that mattered.

”I'm sorry.” She clung to him, mouth next to his ear. ”I was stupid and afraid.”

”It's all right.” Alex held her shoulders. ”I don't care. I'm sorry I didn't make you understand before how much I love you.”

”And I love you. Nothing anybody says or does will ever change my mind.”

”Kiss her!” someone yelled from the crowd.

”Antony and Cleopatra!” another voice called. ”The perfect couple!”

She realized without embarra.s.sment that the crowd had heard their every word. She didn't care. She would shout her love to the rooftops, if that was what it took. She loved Alex Caine, and he loved her.

All at once, Alex fumbled with something at his waistline. Confused, Sarah watched as he pulled out a small velvet pouch. Dropping to his knees, Alex took her hand in one of his and the microphone in the other.

”Sarah Lazin, I love you more than I ever thought I could love someone. You are the reason I wake up in the morning. Without you, I have nothing. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

The swarm of party goers was roaring, or perhaps it was only the blood pounding in her ears. Sarah's knees trembled, and her fingers grew cold in Alex's hand. His hazel eyes shone at her, and his wonderful mouth smiled with such love she had to smile back.

There was only one right answer. ”Yes.”

As Alex slipped the diamond ring on her finger, the crowd's voice swelled as one, calling out congratulations and other well-wishes. Sarah didn't hear them, though. All she heard was her own name breathed from the mouth of the man she loved.

”I love you, Sarah.” Then the shouts and cries of the other people in the room disappeared for her, because his was the only voice that would ever matter.

Megan Hart.

Megan Hart began her writing career in grammar school when she plagiarized a short story by Ray Bradbury. She soon realized that making up her own stories was better than copying other people's, and she's been writing ever since.

Megan's award-winning short fiction has appeared in such diverse publications as Hustler, On Our Backs and The Reaper. Her novels include every genre of romance, from historical to steamy futuristic SF. In addition to her short erotic fiction for the Amber Kisses imprint, look for her other Amber Quill novels: Riverboat Bride, Lonesome Bride, Convicted! and Love Match.

Megan's current projects include a fantasy series, a futuristic trilogy and a dramatic suspense novel. Her dream is to have a movie made of every one of her novels, starring herself as the heroine and Keanu Reeves as the hero. Megan lives in the deep, dark woods of Pennsylvania with her husband and two monsters ... er ... children.

Learn more about Megan by visiting her website: .

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