But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t make the man grovel. Because for him, that would always be part of learning too.

“Say something,” he demanded.

She gestured to the candles and the flowers. “What’s all this?”

“After bein’ at your place, I know you like candles and flowers and shit. So I got some. For you.”

“Thought it’d help your cause, did you?”

“Figured it couldn’t hurt.”

“You put this together by yourself?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I called the orders in before I left Texas, and Knox picked up the flowers. He and I hauled it all up after Amery insisted I use the poolside as a staging area—whatever the fuck that means. Then Shi-Shi arranged the flowers, ’cause I suck at that stuff. But I lit all the candles.”

“That’s a lot of candles. So you’ve been here awhile?”

“Seems like a fucking eternity since I saw you last night.” Deacon shoved his hands in the pockets of his suit pants.

She was impressed he’d dressed up. Her eyes narrowed. Wait. He was still wearing the same clothes he’d had on last night. He’d been so anxious to get to her that he hadn’t taken the time to change clothes? “How did you get to Denver before me?”

“JFW jet.”

“That’s not fair.”

“I won’t play fair when it comes to you. You know that about me.” He paused. “Look, I’m sorry I ditched you at the country club. I’m sorry I was short with you in the hallway. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what was goin’ on with Dad and Julianne. There’s a lot I need to tell you. And I’m really fucking sorry that I didn’t call you to say I wouldn’t be coming back to the hotel.”

“That’s a good start,” she murmured.

“It is?”

“Yeah. I was worried about you.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“So what happened with your parents?”

“I’ll fill you in on everything about that later. Because this right here? This is about us. Only us.” He locked his gaze to hers. “Molly, do you still love me?”

His vulnerability did her in completely. He hadn’t come here believing she’d fall back into his arms—but he wouldn’t let her go without a fight either.

“You hurt me. And I hated that I couldn’t talk to you about it. But I’m sure I hurt you too by leaving you with a helpful fucking note. But it wasn’t a breakup note.”

He remained stoic. Waiting for her to continue.

“Love isn’t something that just stops. Not real love. So yes, I’m still in love with you. I don’t ever want you to doubt that, Deacon.”

Then he was on her. His hands cradling her face as he kissed her with hope, love, and passion.

The man definitely had the hot-makeup-kisses thing down.

When he finally released her mouth, he buried his face in her neck. “I need to hear you say it again.”

“I love you.”

He shuddered with relief. Then he said, “Close your eyes.”

Molly obeyed him without question.

Deacon kissed the knuckles on her left hand and slipped something on her ring finger.

Her heart hammered. Blood whooshed in her ears. Did that mean what she thought it did? No. It couldn’t. It was too soon, wasn’t it? But what if it—

“Babe. Gotta remember to breathe.”

She sucked in a huge gulp of air.

He curled his hand beneath her jaw. “Look at me.”

Those amazing blue eyes were the first thing she saw.

“Marry me.”

Of course the man didn’t ask her; he never did anything the right way. He did it the Deacon way. And that was fine by her. “Yes.”

Deacon smiled. And she wondered if she would ever get used to how gorgeous the man was when he smiled at her like that.

“Don’t you wanna see the ring?”

“You have to let go of my face so I can look down.”

Still smiling, he kissed her. Then he shifted back, turning her wrist so the light from the tiki torch spilled across her hand.

Stunned by the fire flashing in the diamond, she forgot to breathe again. The square-cut stone seemed awfully large in the simple platinum setting.

“Well? Do you like it?”

“It’s breathtaking.”

“If you look closely, there’s a flaw in it. The jeweler tried to get me to pick a different stone, but I liked this one. I like the reminder that nothing is perfect. That it’s better to overlook a small flaw when the rest of it is so—”

“Beautiful and perfect.” Like him, her wonderful man.




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