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  "He would have needed to know sooner or later,” he explained. “And I told you I wouldn't ask you to play the act again, didn't I?"

  You also told me he wants all vampires dead with a passion, she wanted to say, but maybe it was best not to remind Emery that he ought to dislike her.

  "I can't say I'm thrilled,” the oldest Jordan said, his eyes shifting between Lilia and Vincent behind her as he spoke. “But it's not like I have much say, is it?"

  And as easily as that, the matter was settled, and Lilia was left to wonder what had just happened.

  * * * *

  "Would you have ever thought about it?"

  Her body continuing to follow the soft rhythm of the music, Lilia raised an eyebrow at him and didn't need to ask before Vincent clarified.

  "About marriage, I mean. If there had been no spell to push you in that direction, is it something you had ever wanted? Not just with me, with anyone."

  She shrugged lightly against him, repressing a smile when she noticed the effect the small movement had on certain parts of his anatomy.

  "It doesn't matter, now,” she replied absently, accentuating the pressure of her hip right where she could feel him hardening against her while trying to remain inconspicuous. Jeanie would have her head if she created any kind of fuss. “The spell happened, as did the rest. You can't change the past.” Another raised eyebrow. “Do you wish you could change what happened?"

  Her actions were definitely affecting him, for it took him a few seconds to answer her question.

  "Hmm? Wha ... Of course not. I wouldn't change a thing. Just wondering if the lovely woman currently trying to make me embarrass myself in the middle of a crowded dance floor had ever thought of marriage before she proposed to me. And if she might have proposed without a spell forcing her hand."

  Lilia shuddered; focused on the added sway of her hips into her dance, she had not noticed his fingers creeping up from the middle of her back to her neck and the sensitive mark there.

  "No, she wouldn't have,” she replied as she rested her cheek against his shoulder, bringing their bodies that much closer. “Because unlike you, she remembers that vampires aren't legally allowed to marry. So the point is moot. Let it drop, Jordan."

  He couldn't have missed the warning in her voice, especially punctuated with her use of his last name, but he continued as though he hadn't heard a word of what she had said.

  "It could have been nice. That way, we'd have had the vampire Mating, and the human marriage. Joined in both worlds."

  Sighing, she pulled back, just a little, so she could see his face. A few months back, she would have taken his words as one more proof of his desire for a human girlfriend. She knew better, now, even if she didn't know what had prompted this conversation. “Vincent..."

  "Shh ... Does it matter, if it's not legal? If you come down to it, it's also illegal for vamps and humans to Mate, and that didn't stop us."

  A fleeting wave of heat ran through her as her mind summoned memories of their Mating.

  "I'm not sure anything could have stopped us,” she grinned, and he returned her smile.

  "Probably not, no. And I don't think there's anything that could stop me now."

  She had but a second to wonder what he meant before his right hand let go of her left for an instant, then returned to slide something cool and smooth down her ring finger. She didn't look at it, she didn't need to, not after the talk they had just had.

  "You asked, and I said yes,” he murmured. “I don't go back on my word. At least, not this time."

  There was a knot tightening in Lilia's throat, and she was certain her mascara was going to be running down her cheeks soon.

  "Not fair,” she mumbled. “I don't even have a ring to..."

  "Right pocket,” he interrupted gently.

  Lilia's hand trembled when she slipped it into his jacket's pocket and found the wedding band. She closed her fist over it and pulled it out, taking at the same time a step away from Vincent. He looked at her in alarm, but she shook her head and smiled at him, trying to reassure him.

  "We need to go,” she said, just loud enough for him to hear. “Because if we don't, I'm going to reenact our Mating right here and now. And I'm not sure Don and Jeanie would be all that happy to see the demonstration."

  Laughing, Vincent took her hand and pulled her toward the exit, the slim gold band pressed between their palms.

  The End

  About the author

  Kallysten is a French citizen whose most exciting accomplishment to date was to cross a few thousand miles and an ocean to pursue (and catch!) the love of her life. She has been writing for almost fifteen years, and always enjoyed sharing her stories and listening to the readers’ reactions. After playing with science fiction, short stories, poetry and fanfiction, she is now trying her hand, heart and words at paranormal romance novels.

  Check out Kallysten's other books, available at Alinar Publishing—www.alinarpublishing.com

  On The Edge Series (erotic, vampire)

  On the Edge

  Out of the Box—Books One, Two and Three

  Forget Ever After

  Other books

  In This Life or the Next (time travel)

  All Things Except Blood (vampire)

  Free read on Alinar Adult Yahoo!Group

  Dancing.

  Visit Kallysten's Website at

  original.kallysten.net

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  Visit www.alinarpublishing.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.