AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He nods once. “I need to grovel.”
“What did you do that was so awful?”
“I was a stupid, stupid man and it took me way too long to realize that I can’t be without her.” He takes one step closer to me.
My breath hitches. “And now? What changed your mind?”
“I realized what an idiot I was. And how scared I was that we couldn’t make it work, so I let it overshadow what we could have together if it did. I’ll do just about anything to keep her in my life.”
One corner of my lips lifts. “I’m sure she’ll accept your apology. I mean, you’re pretty easy on the eyes.”
“You think so?” He looks me up and down. “She’s a knockout, so I’m not sure I measure up. She could have her pick of any man.”
“I’m sure you measure up just fine. You know, I do have one room available, but you’d have to share a bed with the owner.”
“What do you think the woman I love will think about that?”
I lick my bottom lip. “I think she’ll understand. I mean, we can’t send you back out in the rain. And she really loves you too.”
“She does? Nothing changed during the weeks I was lost?” He steps toward me, caging me in against the reservation desk.
“No. She is still very much in love with you.”
“I’m sorry, Mandi. I was so stupid.” He runs his hand over my hair. “I don’t care what we have to do. I want this to work because you not being in my life isn’t an option.”
“Good, because not having you in my life doesn’t work for me either.” I rise to my tiptoes, and he grabs my head, bending down and capturing my mouth in a kiss that makes my knees weak.
He closes the kiss and rests his forehead against mine. “Tell me the kitchen is open?”
I laugh. “Only for you.”
“This time around, can I request room service?”
I smile. “Sure. I hope you’re a good tipper.”
“Oh, believe me, I’m a great tipper.” He bends down to my ear. “In sexual favors.”
“Then let’s go.” I tug him by the arm toward the kitchen.
He shrugs off his wet jacket and hangs it on the coat hook, then catches up to me on the way to the kitchen. His arms wrap around my waist, and he pulls me against him. Through the window is the arbor, and I think we both stare at it for a moment, wet and shining in the patio lights.
“Mandi?”
I turn around and he lowers to the floor, the ring I gave him back nestled in a ring box. “Will you marry me?”
My hands fly to my mouth. “What? Why?”
“Because I’ve fallen madly in love with you.”
“As simple as that, huh?”
He smiles. “As simple as that.”
“Yes, I will marry you. For real this time.”
He slides the ring back onto my finger, and it feels as if he’s giving me back a piece of my soul. I join him on my knees and kiss him again.
“Truth?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
“I think I fell in love with you the first time I saw you.”
I cup his bearded cheek. “Me too.”
We kiss again. And ditch the kitchen for my room at the inn.
