Page 40 of The Rake I Wished For
“Mmm, because it’s not my concern as a lady, I suppose.”
“That’s right.”
She drew in a deep, steadying breath. “It’s only…I’ve been thinking of investing myself, you see.”
She felt his eyes on her, and the heat of his stare combined with the sun made her feel lightheaded. It didn’t help matters that her heart was galloping along like it was trying to win a race.
“With what money?” he asked.
She could hear the suspicion in his voice and her own shook slightly when she turned to face him. “My dowry.”
His brows drew down. “Jo…”
“If you married me, my dowry would be more than enough to do whatever it is you wish to do with this land.” She ran out of breath and her inhale was shaky as she held his dark, fiery gaze.
Was she really doing this?
She bit her lip as her breath hitched. Yes. Yes, she was. She lifted her chin, the sound of her heart drowning out the birds chirping and the breeze that whipped around them.
For a long moment, Harlow was silent, but Jocelyn could see the storm in his eyes.
“Don’t tease me, love,” he murmured, his voice low and gruff, and filled with more emotions than she could bear.
Her heart ached. “I’m not teasing. I’m…” She let out a huff of humorless laughter. Drat but she sounded as desperate as she felt. “Well, I suppose I’m proposing.”
His brows knit together. “You’re not serious.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’ve always wanted it all, Jocelyn. A title. A fortune.” His brows lowered until his expression grew quite fierce. “And youdeserveit all.”
Her throat grew too tight to breathe. That’s what this was about. “You think I deserve better?”
His sigh was weary as he turned to face her head-on. “I know you do.”
“Harlow, listen to me.” She reached for his hands, grateful beyond measure when he didn’t pull away, but instead gripped her hands and tugged her closer.
His words might be pushing her away, but he wanted her as much as she wanted him. And that knowledge gave her the confidence she needed.
“I wanted those things because I thought they’d make me happy…” She stopped, frowning. “No, not even that. I wanted them because I thought they’d keep me safe from heartbreak. But I was wrong. Nothing could break my heart more than being away from you.”
“Jo, you’re caught up in the romance of it all now—”
“Nonsense,” she interrupted.
He arched a brow and she sighed.
“Very well, perhaps I am rather swept off my feet,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t think straight.”
“Love,” he murmured. “I can’t ask you to give up a life of—”
“You’re not asking.” Her patience ran out, and irritation filled her. “Blast it all, Harlow, I love you.”
His eyes flared wide. “You…”
“I love you,” she said again, the words coming out in a rush, like they’d just been waiting for her resolve to crumble so they could come tumbling out of her mouth. “I love you more than anything. You’re my best friend and you’re…you’re more than that too. You make me feel alive, and you challenge me, and you make me laugh, and you see me, and—”
He cut her off with a crushing kiss that made her forget everything but him. This moment. And the fact that he loved her as desperately as she loved him. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he tugged her close and held her tight.
