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“Lauren, I want to ask you soaze, his voice confident and business-like Leaning back he reached into his pants pocket

In slowbox

Popping open the box, he held it up to her “Will you marry me?”

She heard the words Saw his lips ether For years she’d drea Now she had her dream in front of her, yet she couldn’t reply Couldn’t comprehend the situation

Lauren glanced down at the intricately set diamond then back up at Kevin as her utter confusion set off warning bells in her head Nothing had prepared her for this He’d never once hinted that he loved her That he wanted their relationship to be permanent Heck, she didn’t know if she wanted their relationship to become permanent

“IKevin, I don’t knohat to say” Soet the words from her brain and out her mouth

Kevin’s lips curved upward “Usually a woman says yes when afrom the box and held it toward her

Yeah, but usually they love each other “We’ve only been together a fewto escape

“So? My parents only knew each other a ed They’ve been ht years”

He trailed his hand down the side of her face Again, she couldn’t help but notice how smooth and soft his hands were The complete opposite of Nate’s His hands had been callused and dry The single thought of Nate’s hands brought back memories of their kisses Not now She couldn’t let hi in front of her Lauren jumped to her feet, turned, and took several steps away from him “Kevin, we don’t love each other At least not yet”

His ih surprised her, and she spun back around

“What does that have to do with anything? Marriages are a lot like business deals in my family”

Okay, had she walked into an alternate universe or so? “Business deals?” Maybe she’d misheard him

In one smooth motion, Kevin rose “My parents were er Olivia’sexpanded the company on the West Coast In both relationships they respect each other and support each other, but they didn’t marry for love” Kevin ether Share a lot of the sa well What’s the problem?”

He wrapped his arht of his are is all about business, how doesme make sense?”

“I can give you financial security for life You could stop teaching and open the dance school you told me about In fact, you could open several You could travel See those places in Europe you have up on your walls You’d be part”

He rubbed her lower back as he spoke, but rather than help relax her, the movement increased her unease The more Kevin spoke, the more she wondered if she’d left planet Earth

Lauren pressed her index finger against his lips “Stop, please I get the benefits to et out of this business deal?” I’ to like the answer

Before he said another word, he pulled her hand back and kissed her knuckles “A solid friendship with the Talbots and Sherbrookes A personal connection would help in the bidding war for the contract to construct Sherbrooke Enterprises’ newest resorts in California Not to ive ress in another year”

Her hts For a moment, she felt as if she were back in Mr Tasca’s senior calculus class The one and only class she’d ever failed in high school because nothing the man had ever said made any sense to her