A Breath of Magic (26 page)

That sounded like Verda. All of it. I laughed, and another tear eased down my cheek. “And you agreed.”

“I wanted to surprise you.” His voice caught. Longing and something else—love?—winged into his eyes. “So I agreed, and with Verda and Elizabeth’s help, set the room up. And waited for you to arrive.”

“You were here?”

“In the bathroom. Worrying about what your reaction would be, if you’d be willing to even talk to me, let alone what I have in mind.”

“What do you have in mind?” I whispered.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he strode to the box of cupcakes and grabbed the solitary one with pink icing rather than white. Returning to me, he cleared his throat. “That depends, Red. But I hope you’ll hear me out.”

My heart pounded. Trembles of disbelief fluttered through me. I bit my lip and nodded. “I love you. So yes, Ben, of course I’ll hear you out.”

He pulled a chair so close that we were knee to knee when he sat down. My eyes focused on the cupcake, wondering,
hoping, but unable to actually believe the idea that floated in my brain.

“A long time ago, when I met Sara, I believed in love at first sight. I stopped.” His voice erupted, his tenor thick and heavy with emotion. “Then one day, I was on my way back to the office from a meeting. I remembered my assistant’s birthday was coming up.”

“Okay…”

“There’s a flower store right across the street from the Mystic Corner, Red. I planned on stopping there and ordering her flowers. As I do every year. But I saw your store, and a compulsion came over me.” His eyes gripped mine. “I
had
to go in. I didn’t know why.”

“Oh,” I breathed.

“I walked in. I saw you behind the counter, and my body responded like a sex-starved teenager.” He smiled at the memory. “It shocked me. I hadn’t reacted so suddenly, so strongly, to a woman in years. Then, when I managed to pull myself together enough to ask about pendulums—and by the way, my assistant didn’t even know what they were—I looked into your eyes. And I fell in love. Right then, at that instant, I was a goner.”

“Wh-what? But…you didn’t seem interested and—”

“I thought I was being stupid. I assumed my reaction was because I hadn’t had sex in a ridiculously long time, and that my brain was confusing lust for love. So I figured your fun and games offer would be perfect. That I’d get you out of my system and that whatever I thought I felt for you would disappear.” He combed his free hand through his hair. “What a deluded fool I was.”

“Deluded?” The question was more of a sob than anything else. “Fool?”

“Yes, Chloe. Because I loved you the minute I saw you, and that hasn’t changed.” Scooting his chair even closer,
which should’ve been impossible, he blew out a breath. “I love you. I know I love you. I’m done pretending that this kind of thing can’t happen.”

“Uh-huh?” I wheezed.

His lips quirked, and then he offered me the cupcake. “This isn’t how I planned this. I was going to explain everything to you, and if that went well, kiss you. Seduce you. And then feed you this in the morning. But I can’t wait.”

I accepted the cupcake, every instinct I had on high alert. “You want me to eat this now?”

“No. I want you to break it in half.”

Oh, God. I was right. I knew it to the core of my being. My tears fell faster and harder, and my chest filled with love for this man. My hands shook as I peeled the wrapper off of the cupcake, shivering in anticipation. Cracking it open, I saw it. And yep, I cried harder.

Tugging the ring from the chocolate center, I laughed. I shook my head, somehow still denying that every dream I’d ever had was coming true. Right now. Right at that second.

Ben pushed the chair out of the way and knelt in front of me. “Chloe, I don’t know if I deserve you. You make me laugh. You’ve made me believe in things I never knew existed. You make me want things I stopped wanting years ago.” His fingers touched my chin, and then my cheek. “I love you, Red. Will you do me the honor of making that drawing a reality? Will you marry me?”

Oh. Oh, wow. Just freaking wow.

“Yes. Absolutely. Yes, yes, and yes.” A huge, booming laugh flew out of me. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Now, tomorrow, a year from now. Whenever you want.”

“So…you’re saying yes?” he teased, with a grin just as wide as mine. I nodded, and he pulled the ring from my grasp and slid it onto my finger.

Awe mingled with shock coursed through me. I’d used my magic to coerce Kyle into accepting my proposal. I’d used
my power to compel Ben to date me. And then I’d given up my gift, had nearly given up on finding my happy ending, when true love found me. And how incredible was that?

Ben stood and pulled me upright, the chunks of cake falling to the ground. One fast tug, and I was in his arms. I raised my chin, stroked my finger along the plane of his cheek. “Kiss me, Ben. Kiss me now.”

He did.

“
A Taste of Magic
is a yummy concoction that will leave you craving more, more, more from exciting new author Tracy Madison!”

—Nationally Bestselling Author Tori Carrington

“Tracy Madison is an author to watch.
A Taste of Magic
is…magically delicious!”—Annette Blair, National Bestselling Author of

Never Been Witched

“
A Taste of Magic
is a magical tale of romance and revenge. Ms. Madison takes readers on an adventure in baking that’s highlighted with tasty treats, sexy men, and a touch of humor.”

—Darque Reviews

“This whimsical urban fantasy is a fun tale as the lead character will learn the effect of unintended consequences when she bakes her wish into a cake.”

—Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round Reviews

“[Madison] has a breezy, intimate style that’s fun to read.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“This is an uplifting and delightful story about finding love and trusting your heart. It’s humorous and heartfelt.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Ms. Madison has penned another delightful spell that will ensnare and bewitch readers and leave them wanting more…This book is one that you won’t want to put down until you read it from beginning to end and it will leave you craving more. This is a definite keeper…”

—Night Owl Romance

“Fans will enjoy this delightful paranormal romance filled with two wonderful lead characters and a strong support cast…Anyone who enjoys
A Taste of Magic
will appreciate this lighthearted frolic as once again, Tracy Madison provides a charming whimsical urban fantasy.”

—Midwest Book Review

A LEISURE BOOK
^®

May 2010

Published by

Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016

Copyright © 2010 by Tracy Leigh Ritts

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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0851-4

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