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  After the wonderful days in Paris, they drove to the villa in Provence. Vivienne took in the sight of the bright flowers across the fields and the colorful blooms on the fruit trees. Jacob held her hand, his expression filled with joy.

  During this special time together, Jacob had shared many confidences, as had Vivienne. As they opened up to each other, each moment drew them closer, and she cherished the intimacy. Yet when she looked into Jacob’s blue eyes, it seemed as though he still held a secret close to his heart.

  Vivienne thought it was the happiness that welled inside him, as if he’d been gifted a key to the future, one that made him glow from within. She basked in his love, content to see him free of shadows and filled with hope.

  Vivienne looked forward to the days in the French countryside, followed by the nights alone in the villa. She loved Jacob so much, and in touch with her deepest desires, her true sexual nature, she wanted to please him.

  As they rounded a curve, the villa came into view. The stone structure rose on the top of the hill, and it felt like home. When they arrived, Jacob put his arm around her to lead her up the path, but instead of going inside he took her out to the terrace.

  It was nearly dusk, and the blue sky was painted with wispy clouds, backlit in orange and gold. Vivienne looked in amazement at the stairs to the garden. There were hundreds of red candles in crystal glasses displayed on the stone steps, their delicate flames flickering in the early evening light.

  Jacob guided her to the edge of the terrace, and they gazed at the lovely candles that he’d had lit before their arrival. “Jacob, they’re so beautiful.”

  When his lips touched hers, Vivienne melted against him, and he wrapped his arms around her. It was a moment she’d always remember. Her heart swelled with love. As he released her, there was a motion in the sky. Vivienne looked up to see a small plane flying low across the darkening blue sky.

  Then, as if my magic, thousands of flowers cascaded from the plane. As it slowly glided over the terrace, red roses covered the stone walkways and the gardens below. Vivienne gazed in awe at the blanket of fragrant flowers. It was such a romantic gesture that it brought tears to her eyes.

  As she turned to face him, Jacob took her hands in his. He was so handsome in the dimming light, and so impossibly sexy. “When we were last at this villa, we’d only just met,” he said.

  “That seems so long ago.”

  Jacob’s blue eyes filled with emotion. “I asked you something then…do you remember?”

  “You asked me to agree to be your submissive,” Vivienne said.

  Jacob kissed her fingertips. “I asked you the wrong question,” he said, and Vivienne’s heart skipped a beat.

  “I thought I wanted you to share my playroom, hoping you could satisfy me.”

  Vivienne held her breath.

  “And you did, Vivienne. But that wasn’t what I truly wanted,” Jacob said. “I just didn’t know it then.”

  In the stillness of the evening, Vivienne heard the soft chirp of a sparrow. She wanted to ask what Jacob really wanted, but was unable to find her voice.

  “I want to share my life with you, Vivienne.” Still holding her hand, Jacob got down on one knee, there at the top of the stairs. “Please marry me. I want you to be my wife.”

  Tears filled Vivienne’s eyes, and her throat locked up so that she couldn’t speak.

  “I want to be with you…always,” Jacob said. He withdrew a ring from his pocket, the diamonds glittering in the candlelight on the steps. He held it up so she could see. “I promise the best future I’m capable of giving you.”

  Jacob’s sweet promise was a dream come true.

  “Marry me, Vivienne.”

  Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she brushed them away. “Yes…yes,” she said through the tears. “I’ll marry you.”

  Jacob slid the ring on her finger and wrapped his arms around her. When his lips touched hers, Vivienne trembled with joy. He dug his hand into her hair and pressed deeper into the kiss. Then Jacob released her and looked into her eyes. “I love you, baby…so much.”

  If you enjoyed Jacob’s romance, you’ll want to read the other Rinaldi Romances. Each of his brothers, and his younger sister, has a love story of their own. You can see them all here: RINALDI ROMANCES

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Sweet Promise by Emily Jane Trent ©2016 All Rights Reserved

  Published By Camden Lee Press

  Cover Art by Kellie Dennis at Book Cover by Design - www.bookcoverbydesign.co.uk

  Emily Jane Trent writes steamy romances about characters you’ll get to know and love. The sex scenes are hot, and the romance even hotter! If you are a fan of stories with a heroine that’s got spunk and a hunk of a hero that you’d like to take home with you, these stories are what you’re looking for.