Page 67 of The Exposed Heiress

He stepped forward and captured her lips in devouring kiss.

Reaching out, she held onto his suit jacket and returned the kiss with all of the longing and desire she had.

His arms encircled her body, drawing her close, and he whispered into her ear, “The photographers are clicking madly. Let’s find somewhere more private.”

He kept a hand on her lower back and guided her over to her parents.

Leo shook her father’s hand. “James, you look great.”

Her father smiled. “I have more recovering to do, but thank you.”

Her mother said to her, “You’re needed for a statement.”

“My assistant is more than capable.”

Emma leaned down and kissed her father on the cheek.

He touched her arm. “The last gown was complete brilliance, Emma.”

“There’s a studio party back in Rotherhithe.”

Her mother shook her head. “Your father needs to go back. It’s been a long day.”

Her father smiled. “I’ll come and check out the studio in a few weeks. I should be discharged from the private hospital in a few days. We just have to figure out making the guest house accessible for a walker and hire a visiting nurse.”

Leo said, “We’re being summoned.”

Emma smiled and whispered to him, “Please, I want to be alone with you.”

They spent the next several minutes being asked about the collection, until finally a journalist asked, “Are there plans for a wedding?”

Emma looked at Leo. “I’ve given my heart and soul to Leo Bloom. We’ll have to see what he’s going to do with it.”

The reporter called out, “Were you surprised by the red dress, Leo?”

Leo laughed, “Yes. Now if you’ll excuse us?”

He whispered to her, “Go and put the dress on. I have a surprise for you.”

Emma hugged him. “It’s fine. The dress was for you, not to create interest in the Bolles collection.”

“Yes, but I’d like you to put it on.”

Emma nodded and made her way backstage. The pieces were being put onto racks for transport.

She went and pulled the red gown, finding a private dressing area. It was designed for a model to wear and would be too long. Within a few minutes, she put her hair up and pulled the gown on. She needed help with the back, and a stylist came to her rescue.

“You might need a temporary hem to walk properly.”

Emma shook her head. “I’m not walking in a show, so I’ll gather the extra material to the side. I’m just stepping onto the walkway for a photograph with Leo.”

Stepping beyond the curtain, she heard Jeremy shout “Emma, you’re beautiful.”

She smiled for the cameras.

Leo came up on the walkway, and instead of standing beside her, he stopped a few feet from her and knelt down on one knee.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.

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