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I drummed my fingers on the countertop and let out a little growl. Where the hell was she? I glanced at the clock again, though it’d been barely thirty seconds since I’d last checked.
I’d felt anxious all day, on edge, nervous for Jules. I bet I’d checked my phone a hundred times over the past seven hours, expecting a call, a text—hell, anything—but the screen remained infuriatingly blank. I was proud of her for tackling this all by herself, but damn... I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want her to need me, to rely on me to shoulder all of her burdens.
Almost as soon as I thought it, I wanted to punch myself. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hinder her or hold her back from something. What I’d told her earlier was the truth: she was so incredibly strong, and I loved that about her. She’d endured something terrible, but she’d picked herself up, lifted her chin, and carried on. I loved her independence, but a huge part of me wanted to hold her close, protect her, tell her that she could depend on me.
What the hell was wrong with me? I couldn’t quite explain the conflicting emotions that rioted in my heart, turning my stomach into a tight knot. Maybe that was love, though. I’d never felt this way about anyone before; I wanted to push Jules to be the best she could be yet, at the same time, I wanted to tell her not to worry, that I would take on everything life threw at her.
The familiar crunch of gravel from the driveway reached my ears, and I damn near jumped out of my skin. I pushed off the counter, already striding toward the front door when I stopped midstep. Christ. What was I doing? I forced myself to change directions, and I headed back to the kitchen where I leaned against one of the cupboards, arms crossed over my chest in the most relaxed pose I could muster.
One minute passed, then two.
I let out a low growl and was half a second from storming outside when the front door swung inward. Jules stepped inside, bringing with her a wintry swirl of snowflakes that melted as soon as they touched the wood floor.
I didn’t spare them a glance as I watched her set her purse and keys on the table, then hang up her coat and toe out of her boots. She turned and met my gaze, and for a moment, we were both silent. She looked a little dazed as she started toward me, and I was already halfway across the room, reaching for her.
“Jules?”
Silently, she wrapped her arms around my waist and leaned her head on my chest.
Immediately on guard, I folded her in my arms. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, and I felt her chest rise and fall on a deep inhale before she peeled herself slightly away and angled her head to look up at me. “Everything is... perfect.”
I studied her for a long moment, unsure whether to believe her or not. Finally, I went with my gut. If she said everything was fine, then I had to trust her. “How was your day?”
Something akin to disbelief mingled with joy in her pretty eyes, making them sparkle like emeralds in the bright light. “I have something to tell you.”
“Okay.” My tone held a trace of impatience, and a tinkling laugh fell from her lips.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s nothing bad,” she assured me as she slipped her arms up my torso and linked them around my neck.
I pulled her infinitesimally closer and locked my fingers together behind her lower back. “I’m all ears.”
Her gaze darted away for a second, and she licked her lips before speaking. “Mia and Jack asked me to join them for a meeting today. While I was gone, they finished the spa and it’s almost ready to open.”
“That’s great,” I said softly. I knew how much work she’d put in and how proud of it she was.
“Well...” She drew the word out. “They offered to sell it to me, and... I bought it.”
I blinked at her. “What?”
“I know it’s a big decision, and I should have consulted you first, but they made me such a great offer and—”
I released her waist and framed her face in my hands, halting her rambling. “You’re serious?”
She bit her lip and nodded, her eyes wide with worry.
“God, Jules.” A smile tugged at my lips as I swept my thumbs over her cheeks. “I’m so happy for you.”
“You’re not upset?”
“That you’re a successful business owner? Hell, no.” I dipped my head and kissed her, long and slow.
She broke away and pressed one hand against my chest as she rolled her eyes playfully. “It’s not successful yet; We’re not even open.”
I covered her hand with my own. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you can make it work.”
She eyed me. “You’re not upset I didn’t ask you first?”
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a zing of jealousy. As a man, I was supposed to be the provider—but no way in hell was I going to quash her dream because of my masculine pride. I cupped her face in my hands once more and made sure she was looking at me before I spoke. “I would have been happy if you’d consulted me, if only to give you my opinion—which, if you want it, I wholeheartedly agree with you. I think it’s a great investment, especially with Jack and Mia behind you.”
She smiled widely, and I continued. “I want to give you the world, Jules. But I’m not rolling in money—I never will be.”
She opened her mouth, but I brushed a finger over her lips to silence her. “But I’m still a man, babe. I want to be the rock, the provider. It’s in my DNA.” I shrugged. “You’re mine, and I want to take care of you, give you what you deserve.”
She lifted a brow. “Can I speak now?”
“Only if you agree with me.”
“Egotistical much?”
I shrugged unapologetically. “I never want to rely on a woman to put a roof over my head.”
“We’re a team now.” She pinned me with that brilliant green stare. “You can provide as much as you want if it makes you feel better, but if we can have a better life with both our incomes, why not?”
“Because—”
“It was a rhetorical question, you idiot,” she said, punching my chest.
Her tiny fist connecting with the hard plate of my vest didn’t hurt me in the least, but she let out a little “ow!” and yanked her hand back, shaking her fingers.
I let out a little laugh when her face screwed up in dismay. “I know what you meant.” I took her hand in mine, then brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “I just want to make sure you know that money is yours. Reinvest it in the business; keep it for your future.”
“In fact,” I said before she could disagree, “we need to get you a prenup.”
She flicked me an irritated glare. “No, we don’t.”
“Don’t be stubborn. I want—”
She held up a hand. “The lawyers already explained it to me. First of all, I retain any assets obtained prior to the marriage. Second, we are not getting divorced. Ever.” She poked me in the chest as if to stress her point.
“No, baby. We’re not.” I captured her hand once more and looped it around the back of my neck as I pulled her close again. “You’ve been mine since the second I laid eyes on you, and I’m never letting you go. Ever.”