The Bet (The Bet #1)(68)

Some of those things, like her dad’s favorite hunting trophies and stuffed animals were mounted on the wall of his living room.

She swallowed the giant lump in her throat when she walked to the east end of the room and saw a picture of Travis and her dad, shaking hands and laughing on one of their hunting trips.

Funny, how she had forgotten how close Travis and her father were until now. They’d been hunting buddies for as long as she could remember. Jake hated hunting. He said it was cruel to shoot animals, and actually had gone as far as to tell Kacey that her dad hated the furry things for doing that.

It hadn’t mattered that her father had always eaten everything he’d hunted.

Jake had always thought it a stupid sport.

It hadn’t been stupid to Travis, though. Her dad had come home after every hunting trip with funny stories about what Travis had done and how proud he’d been of him.

Her eyes fell to the planked-wood floor. The moon shone in through the French doors that led to the outside balcony. Travis had done a beautiful job building the house.

“Shall I leave you?” Grandma said from behind her.

“You don’t have to.” Kacey’s voice shook.

“I think he’d rather I left.” Grandma nodded towards the door and gave Kacey one more hug.

Kacey’s eyes fell on Travis.

She wanted to run to him.

To throw her arms around his neck and beg for him to never let her go again. But at the same time, what he’d done was still so raw and hurtful. Especially the way he’d reacted at the airport.

Grandma walked by her grandson and mumbled something that made Travis laugh. The door closed behind her and they were left alone.

“Kacey,” Travis began to speak then walked purposefully toward her, gaining speed the closer he got. “Kacey,” he mumbled again as he pulled her against his body and kissed her across the mouth. “I’m so damn sorry.”

Kacey melted in his arms.

“I need to explain.”

“You do.” Kacey tried to pull away, but his arms locked around her body.

“I was scared…”

“Why do I scare all men?” she interrupted, frustrated and hurt.

“Let me finish.” He smiled and she became even more irritated that her stomach flopped at the sight. “Holding you in my arms, kissing you, making love to you. It was everything I’ve ever wanted and then suddenly I felt like such an ass because I got lost in it all without saying the one thing I’ve been dying to say for my whole life.”

“What’s that?”

“I love you.” His voice trembled. “You and only you. I love you so much that I can’t breathe.”

“You’re breathing right now,” she pointed out, still trying to be mad at him while her heart was thumping wildly in her chest.

“Well, that’s because I’m using your air. It’s because you’re in my arms. Kacey, I’m never letting you go.”

“Good.” She reached for his neck and pulled his head down so their mouths could touch. His lips parted. Home. “I love you too.”

She felt his mouth form a smile beneath their kiss, and then he lifted her into his arms and twirled her around the room. “Does that mean you’ll stay?”

“If you ask nicely and promise not to throw things or pull my hair.”

“You know I can’t promise those things. I’ll probably pull your hair, jump on you, and push you against the wall. And I’m pretty sure in a few minutes you’ll be screaming my name.”

Kacey felt her knees turn to jelly.

“But…” He placed her back on her feet “…I can promise to love you forever.”

“Are you asking me to live in sin with you, Travis Titus?”

“No.” His eyes darkened as he got down on one knee in front of her. “I’m asking you to be my wife.”

****

“Kacey?” Travis was still on his knee. “Aren’t you going to say something?”

“I thought a long pause was necessary after what you put me through tonight.”

“I don’t like long pauses.”

Kacey shrugged. “Too bad.”

Travis raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, I’ll marry you, …Satan.”

“Aw, see? We already have pet names!” Travis jumped to his feet and picked her up again.

“Where are we going?”

“To celebrate,” he answered gruffly.

“Where?” She giggled.

“The bedroom. Where else?”

“You can’t propose to a girl then sleep with her,” Kacey pointed out. “It doesn’t work that way!”

Travis paused and placed her on her feet. “Wine on the porch?”

Kacey nodded her head. She didn’t trust her voice not to squeak with excitement.

“You’re beautiful when you smile like that.” Travis touched her cheek with his hand.

“You make me feel beautiful.” She looked down.

“Don’t do that, don’t look down when I give you compliments.”

Kacey met his gaze. “I’ll try not to.”

“Come here, I want to show you something.” Travis grabbed her hand and led her into a room off the main living area. It looked like a study. Every wall was lined with books. In the middle of the space was a giant oak desk sitting on a circular rug. The room had a private entrance to the porch as well.