Behind The Proposal novel Chapter 11

He placed their bags down in the entry and watched as Sophie tucked her daughter into bed. Reluctantly, she turned back to him, hoping he wouldn't ask questions - yes she had concerns, but it had only been one day. It was far from anything serious, they were going home next week and he would stay in Hawaii. She wanted to enjoy his attention while it lasted, but given the way he made her feel, she'd probably be going home with a broken heart.

"I need to see you again," Tom took her hand and tugged her towards him.

She glanced up and saw the heat in his eyes. This is such a bad idea! "I'd like that."

He ran his hands up her back and dragged her head to his for a kiss. As soon as her lips touched his she was burning up, wanting so much more from him. She was pressed up against him, but not close enough. There were too many layers of clothes between them. She found the hem of his polo shirt and ran her hands up inside it, over his hot skin, loving the feel of his muscles bunching and flexing under her touch. It wasn't nearly enough.

Sophie had never felt this kind of desire for anyone before. It was exciting. But it terrified her as well. She just seemed to lose her mind when he kissed her.

"I want you," he groaned as his lips skimmed the sensitive skin under her ear and down her throat. Her eyes drooped shut and her head lolled back. His warm hands on her skin set her on fire. His lips nibbled their way up to her mouth and he kissed her again before looking into her eyes. His eyes were darker than night with desire and she felt a heady sense of power that she could make this amazing man feel like that.

"I'd better go." He pulled her shirt back in place as her hands dropped from around him. "I had a great time, Soph." He kissed her one last time before he walked towards the door. She just nodded, lost in a complete daze as he opened the door and walked out, pausing to glance back with a silly grin on his face. "I'll call you, or find you or something."

She closed the door and leaned back against it, her jelly legs barely capable of supporting her. What had just happened? One minute they'd been making out like a couple of teenagers, and then the next he'd been walking out the door. Had she done something wrong? Or was her having a daughter too much for him? He was way out of her league. Maybe it was better to end it now before it went too far.

"Go to the beach," she nodded emphatically. "Build sandcastles. Can we build a princess castle again like Tom did yesterday?" she asked.

"We can try," Sophie felt her heart lurch. Her daughter adored him. She hadn't stopped talking about him all week. "I'm not sure I know how though."

"I do," Jasmine assured her and picked up her last piece of toast.

Sophie lifted her cup to her lips and drained the last of her mocha latte. How on earth had the man charmed them both so easily? She knew how. He'd made an effort to see her, and bring her flowers, and send her little messages during the day letting her know he was thinking of her. Nobody had ever done anything like that for her before. And that was only the beginning. Every afternoon, he'd made time to build sandcastles on the beach with Jasmine - something the little girl absolutely loved. And after they'd posed for photos, they'd go together to choose a new flavour of ice cream to try. Then he'd take them out to dinner somewhere. Jasmine adored him. And he adored her too. That in itself was enough for Sophie to know she was in danger of falling completely in love with this man. Even now she swore she could smell his unique scent. It was a mixture of sunshine, spicy sweetness, and all-Australian male.