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Another pause passed between us before Jacob said, “Anything?”
“Yes. Anything. Whatever you need me to do to prove I won’t leave you.”
I held my breath as I waited for his reply. I meant my words. I would have done anything he asked of me if it just meant I got to feel his arms around me once more.
“There is something you could do that would prove you won’t ever leave me.”
Excitement worked its way through my body. “I’ll do it. Whatever it is, I will do it. Please, Jacob, I need you.”
“I want you to marry me, angel.”
I gaped at the door, my lungs momentarily forgetting how to work. But it wasn’t a question I needed to give any thought to. If I married Jacob, he wouldn’t be able to marry that Marie woman. Plus, what better way of proving to him that I would never leave by becoming his wife?
“I’ll marry you, Jacob.” A tear of happiness glided down my cheek, my heart galloping with joy.
The clinking of a lock undoing reverberated around the room, and I took a step back as the door opened. For several seconds, I was frozen to the spot as I stared at Jacob, letting my gaze roam over his face, remembering how damn handsome he was, and my entire body feeling like it was melting under his dark eyes.
“Angel,” he said softly, opening his arms wide.
Not caring that I hadn’t washed or changed my clothes for nearly a week, I launched myself into his arms. He caught me with ease, and I wrapped my legs around his narrow waist, burrowing my face into the crook of his neck and sobbing.
He held me to him, one hand running over my back in soothing strokes as his mouth peppered my hair with little kisses. When I managed to get my cries under control, he gently pulled my head away to look at me. “I missed you so much, angel.”
“I missed you too,” I replied, my voice coarse from crying.
His warm, affectionate grin spread across his mouth, sending my pulse into a frenzy. “You really mean it? You’ll marry me?”
I nodded frantically. “Yes, Jacob. I’ll marry you.”
He kissed my forehead and then held my gaze as he said, “Then let’s get married, angel. Today.”
Chapter 20
Too weak to walk, Jacob carried me up a set of stairs, holding me in a bridal carry as if we were already married. His scent wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, and I nuzzled against him, relishing in the feeling of his touch after being starved of it for so long.
When we reached the top, he pushed open a door, and I slammed my eyes shut, the bright sunlight streaming in through the kitchen burning my retinas. Lost in the overwhelming emotions flooding me, I barely registered that the cell I’d been locked in for weeks was in the basement of the house, which I knew nothing about.
Carrying me all the way to the bedroom, Jacob lowered me to sit on the edge of the bed before kissing my forehead. “I’ll be right back, angel.”
My hand whipped out in panic, and I grabbed his arm. “No, please don’t leave me.”
His lips curled into a lopsided smile. “I’m just going to run you a bath, angel. And while you’re soaking, I’m going to get you some food. I promise I won’t be far.”
Reluctantly, I released my grip. A bath sounded incredible, as did the food. Jacob kissed my head again, striding into the ensuite. A few seconds later, the splash of running water filled the room, followed by the scent of my favorite bubble bath.
A gentle breeze blew through the balcony doors, ruffling the curtain that had been pulled across and letting in a streak of sunlight. I wrapped my arms around my body as goosebumps lifted on my skin, but thankfully, my eyes didn’t sting as much from the light.
I glanced around as if it was the first time I was seeing the bedroom, even though nothing had changed since the last time I was here. Seeing the fresh bouquet of sunflowers in the vase on the table, I stood on shaky legs and took tentative steps to them.
An enormous grin spread over my face as I sucked in a deep breath, their delicious, flowery smell filling my senses. I stared at them for several seconds, appreciating the vibrant yellow and the softness of the petal brushing against my fingertip.
When another breeze blew in, accompanied by the cry of a seagull, I was drawn to the open doors like a moth to a flame. I stepped out onto the balcony, squeezing my eyes against the brightness and lifting my head to the sun.
A wave of peace rolled through me as I listened to the waves crashing gently against the shore and the gulls crying as they circled high above. Never again would I take for granted the warmth on my skin and the blue of the sky.
“Enjoying the view, angel?”
A contented sigh floated from my lips, and from behind, Jacob pressed his chest against my back and wrapped his arms around me. I leaned against him, savoring the feel of his touch on me.
