“Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered back. “Why did you leave me?”
The room was chilly with big-city air-conditioning. Jake drew a silk throw from the back of the sofa and wrapped her in it.
“I didn’t tell you,” he said quietly, “because I didn’t deserve you.”
Addison balled her fist and punched him not so lightly in the shoulder.
“Jacob Wilde, who are you to decide who deserves me and who doesn’t?”
He laughed. She smiled. His laughter faded.
“I was a mess, honey. I needed help. I knew it but I couldn’t bring myself to acknowledge it.” He cupped her face, smoothed his thumbs over her lips. “Thank you for making me see the truth.”
“I didn’t do anything but love you, Jacob. I’ll always love you.”
“Yeah,” he said gruffly. “You’d better.”
Her chin lifted.
“Or?”
“Or I’ll just have to kidnap you, carry you off to the A and J ranch …”
“The what?”
He cleared his throat.
“The A and J ranch. The place that used to be the Chambers ranch. I bought it. It belongs to us now. You and me.”
“You bought …?”
“The deed’s in both our names—although we’ll have to change that, once you’re Mrs. Jacob Wilde.”
Addison raised her eyebrows.
“You’re awfully sure of yourself, Jacob Wilde.”
He gave her that cocky grin she adored.
“I am, indeed, Ms. McDowell. You’re going to marry me.”
She smiled. “First you have to ask me.”
“Addison McDowell.” Jake took her hand and kissed it. “Will you be my wife?”
Her expression grew serious. Serious enough to make him nervous.
“Adoré,” he said. “I’m not giving you a choice here. You have to marry me or—”
“Or?”
“Or my life will be empty.”
She sighed. “Mine would be empty, too,” she said softly, and Jake gave her a long, sweet kiss.
Then he sat back a little.
The hard part was yet to come.