Worth the Risk_ A Contemporary - Megan Hart Page 0,175

seen him so discomfited. The Iron Prince was falling off his pedestal, and she felt a little sorry for him.

William cleared his throat. "Lila 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 Tom’s hand. Glaring at the crowd, the fallen Caesar prepared to get off the platform.

"William!" Lila’s voice cut through the crowd like a knife through butter. She climbed the steps to stand between him and Tom. The crowd hushed.

"I always knew you were a snake, William." The microphone in Tom’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. Lila 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.

Lila turned to Tom 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 Tom’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." Tom 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 embarrassment 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 Tom Caine, and he loved her.

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

"Lila 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. Lila’s knees trembled, and her fingers grew cold in Tom’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 Tom slipped the diamond ring on her finger, the crowd’s voice swelled as one, calling out congratulations and other well-wishes. Lila didn’t hear them, though. All she heard was her own name breathed from the mouth of the man she loved.

"I love you, Lila." 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.

Always You: A Novel in Three Parts

Playing the Game

Chapter 1

Josie took the bottle of beer from the cute bartender, being sure to make eye contact. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Any time.” He smiled and gave her a nod.

She read the gleam of interest in his eyes. She could have continued the flirtation, but her heart just wasn’t in it. She gave him another smile anyway because he really was cute and shoved her lime down to the bottom of the bottle. She took a swig, relishing the tang of the cool liquid on the back of her throat. It was her third beer tonight, when her normal limit was two. She was feeling bored, and a little reckless.

The bar was getting crowded. The thump of dance music reverberated in her belly. She scanned the row of low benches against the railing that separated the bar area from the dance floor. Her heart jumped, as it always did lately, when she saw the tall, broad-shouldered man clad in the tight, gray t-shirt and jeans. She finished her beer in four gulps, and to her own surprise, called for another.

The man sitting at one of the high top booths almost directly across