Page 82 of The Money Man
The oxygen whooshed out of Alice’s lungs. Now she knew why he had created this beautiful fantasy for her. Nerves shimmered through her, not because she didn’t know what her heart wanted but because she wished to answer him in a way that was worthy of the occasion.
But he began to lead her in the graceful, elegant turns of the waltz, his arms firm so that she never stumbled. She understood why Regency mamas worried about their daughters dancing. She had to focus on the most subtle movements of his body so that she could follow him in the steps of the dance. The brush of his thigh against hers, the imprint of his warm palm against the thin material of her gown, the closeness of his lips—all fanned the arousal simmering through her. “You waltz well, Mr. Killion.”
“Another skill learned from theater school, although I practiced a bit last week.” His smile alone sent a melting feeling through her bones. “I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t wear proper ballroom attire but I liked the boots.”
“I didn’t even notice because I like the boots too. And the tight pantaloons.” She gave him a flirtatious sideways glance.
His grip tightened so that her breasts now pressed against his jacket with every turn, sending sparks down into her belly.
“I considered being the Duke of Avon because he’s one impressive fellow but the wig and the heels put me off that idea,” he said. “So I opted for some combination of Mr. Beaumaris, Lord Damerel, and the Marquis of Alverstoke since I remember those being favorites of yours. Beaumaris for his wealth, Damerel for his witty banter, and the Marquis of Alverstoke for his title.”
“I actually called you Mr. Beaumaris the first time I came to your office. Just as the elevator doors were closing.”
“So I chose well ... in more ways than one.” Again the glow in his eyes stole her breath.
Alice couldn’t decide whether she wanted to dance with Derek forever or she wanted the music to end so she could stop being so keyed up about what would happen next. But end it did, the projected dancers around them all bowing and curtsying to each other. She and Derek did the same.
When she straightened, he took both of her hands in his, his grip light but inexorable. She looked up at him to find he was taking a deep breath. “Alice, you are—and always will be—amazing to me. You amaze me with your integrity, your courage, your passion, and your love of numbers.” His smile had an edge of nerves, which shocked her. She forgot to inhale as his words tumbled through her brain while she tried to remember each heart-touching one. “I fell in love with you in less than a week, something that no longer surprises me. Since then I have only come to love you more and more deeply.”
When he gracefully sank to one knee, she gasped.
“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked, his full attention locked on her.
There was no thought of how to answer him. She nearly shrieked, “Yes! Yes! Oh my God, yes!” All her doubts evaporated as though they’d never existed. She tugged her hands free so that she could bend down to thread her gloved fingers through his hair and kiss him with all the love that surged through her.
He gave her a kiss in return before he took her wrists to pull them away from his head. “Let me stand up and kiss you properly.”
When he rose, she threw herself into his embrace and wound her arms around his neck. He reciprocated by splaying one hand on her back and the other on her bottom to pull her hard against him. Their lips met in a kiss of such intensity that she could feel it in the roots of her hair, setting her scalp tingling in a delicious way. The rest of her body was on fire. She wanted to wrap herself in him.
Finally, she pulled back because she had something important to say. Looking into his beautiful face, she put every ounce of emotion into it. “I love you so much. I love everything about you.” It wasn’t enough. “You are more wonderful than an unqualified opinion from an auditor.”
His smile was pure delight. “Now I know you truly love me. Wait!” He released his hold on her. “I have something for you, but we need to remove this.” Picking up her left hand, he began to pull off the kid glove, one finger at a time. By the time he lifted her wrist to his mouth, brushing his lips over the pulse point while he looked into her eyes, she felt his touch expand in a ripple of bliss over every inch of her skin.
Reaching into the pocket of his jacket, he pulled out a tiny black velvet pouch. As he shook the pouch, spilling a ring onto his open palm, he gave her an apologetic glance. “The coat was too tight to fit the box into.”
Taking her hand with a caress of his thumb to her palm, he slid the ring onto her fourth finger. “It was made in England around 1806,” he said. “If you’d rather have something more contemporary, just say so.”
“This is perfect.” The ring was composed of one large diamond surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds, evoking the shape of a flower. The gold band had touches of black enamel scrolling around it. When she moved her finger, the diamonds threw off sparks of light. She smiled at him. “Absolutely perfect.”
“Then we should celebrate.” He clapped his hands loudly three times and commanded, “Bring champagne!”
Alice looked around as a concealed door swung open and Leland appeared, carrying a silver tray dotted with champagne flutes. Behind him Tully—minus his greatcoat—carried a silver tub filled with ice and several bottles of champagne. Then Gabrielle, Natalie, and Dawn spilled through the door.
Happiness fizzed through her with more bubbles than all the champagne. She turned to Derek, hoping that he could see the wonder she felt at such love.
He did, because his insanely beautiful face reflected every bit of what she was feeling. It wasn’t rational. It wasn’t probable. It wasn’t anything that her careful life of numbers had promised her.
It was so much more that her world tilted and spun before it resettled with Derek at its center.
He pulled her back into his arms and lowered his head so their lips were an inch apart. “If you keep looking at me like that, our friends will have to drink all the champagne without us.”
She leaned into him. “Have you ever made love in a carriage? I hear it’s even better than on a jet.”
His mouth came down on hers and everything faded away except love.