“You don’t have to be an asshole to everyone, you know?” I whispered in his ear.
“But it’s one of my best qualities, kid.”
I rolled my eyes, walking into the house where angled grand stairs were the first thing you see. It opened to a wide foyer with shiny marble floors. Walls as far as I could see. I let go of Capri’s hand, knowing she wanted to look around and wander.
“Daddy! Can I go see my room?”
He gestured to one of the maids, who quickly took over and led her up the stairs, away from us.
My jaw dropped as I turned in a full circle, taking in my surroundings. I only stopped to look at him. He nodded again with a small smile playing on his lips, giving me the okay to go explore. I made my way into the stunning main sitting area. The sun was shining bright through every window in the wide-open space, illuminating the furniture and décor.
I heard his footsteps coming in my direction, abruptly stopping when they were close. I turned around, peering at him as he leaned against the archway, his strong arms crossed over his chest.
“This house is exactly what I described to you, Julian.”
“I’m fully aware.”
“How did you find this?”
“I had it built like this for you.”
“What?” My voice echoed through the mansion.
His intense gaze never left mine. “I bought the land and had it built several years ago. It was initially supposed to be an investment property that I would eventually sell off, but I could never bring myself to actually do it. Up until yesterday, I had every intention of following through, but when the terms of our agreement changed, I figured the time had finally come to put your ranch to good use.”
“Julian … several years? We only just saw each other a week ago. Why did you build my dream home when we weren’t in each other’s lives?”
“It’s really quite simple, kid. I was going to come back for you.”
My eyes widened. “What? When?”
“After I bought the land.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Because old habits die hard. I broke your heart and didn’t know where to begin to piece it back together. Each year, I told myself this would be the year I’d come for you. Then the following would come around, and history repeated itself. I just didn’t know where to start with you anymore.”
“Oh my God.”
He stepped toward me, and I stepped back, holding my hand up to stop him. He raised his hands in a surrendering gesture, meaning me no harm. However, it wasn’t his caress I was afraid of this time. His words were affecting me far more than his touch.
“All I want is to make a life with you here, Autumn.”
“Julian, my mind is spinning.”
“For the first time in my life, mine isn’t. I’m standing in front of you, hoping that you’ll stand with me.”
“Jesus,” I breathed out. “And I thought you were coming on strong before.”
“I go after what I want. It’s who I am, it’s how I’m made. I don’t ask for anything, kid. Yet, here I am, asking you to be with me. Truly be with me. Out in the open—no secrets, no hiding. Where we’re together and nothing else matters. I know you still love me, and I’m not asking for this to happen overnight. But I have a month, and I need you to seriously consider what I’m saying. You can’t push me away forever. You have to give me a chance. Not just for us, but for our daughter too. She deserves to have what you had growing up, Autumn. Two loving parents under the same roof, a family.” He grinned. “And several siblings.”
“Siblings?”
“Yes, I plan to knock you up. A lot.”
“Do you hear yourself right now?”
“I’m not the one who needs to hear me, kid, it’s you.”
“I don’t know what to say. I barely know what to think when it comes to you.”
“I’m coming for you. And it’s going to make this last week look like child’s play compared to what I have planned for us this month.”
My heart beat rapidly against my chest, waiting for I don’t know what. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got down on one knee and professed his undying love. The irony was not lost one me. For years I waited for this exact moment, even after he’d left. Now, here it was, and I didn’t know how to handle it.
Without wavering, he finally uttered the three little words I’d been waiting for all my life…
“I love you,” he expressed all in one breath. “I’ve always fucking loved you, Autumn.”
Although my mind was a jumbled mess, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was the first time he’d ever professed those words to anyone before.
And the fact that it was me resonated deeply.