Behind The Proposal novel Chapter 13

She shook off the thoughts. She knew he was a very wealthy man. There was nothing to compare. She couldn't and would never be able to afford a place like this. She knew that and that was fine. As long as she and Jasmine were happy, that's all that mattered. And they were happy in their little house. It was clean, it was tidy, and it was big enough for the two of them. They had everything they needed.

Think of all the cleaning in a place like this! That thought alone nearly had her laugh out loud, and she was doubly glad not to have to clean something so large.

"You can sit down," he teased as he opened the wine, pouring a little into one glass then tasting it.

Sophie eyed the sofa and thought about how she could entertain her daughter to distract her and stop her exploring her surroundings like the curious little girl she was. Cautiously lowering herself to the sofa she let Jasmine sit on the floor and play with her iPad.

"She's fine, she can't break anything," Tom said as he walked over to her and handed Sophie a glass of wine.

"Thanks." Sophie stood and took the wine and clinked her glass against his outstretched one.

"To getting to know each other better," he murmured, a hungry glint in his eyes letting her know he wanted to get to know her on the most basic level.

Her body immediately responded. Her cheeks flushed and her heart thumped heavily in her chest as desire swirled powerfully in her belly. She quickly took a sip of the wine and cast her eyes down away from him to control her reaction. She was not ready for this. Maybe coming here had been a bad idea.

The electrifying brush of his fingers on hers as he removed the glass from her hand had her eyes dart back up to his. Shocked by the predatory look in his dark gaze, her breathing quickened. Her blood seemed to flow south and pool deep down inside, causing a nervous sort of flutter through her and she stiffened to keep herself upright. Then his fingers were touching her cheek, tunnelling into her hair, pulling her closer. His body touched hers, a solid wall of male. His hands cupped her head and finally his mouth made contact with hers. She was instantly lost in a sea of wanting. She opened for him and his tongue was there. Inside her - brushing, caressing, stroking her. Making her forget everything. It was only her and him. Her hands found his back and ran over the hard muscles, enjoying the feel of him under her touch. One of his hands found her butt, the other still caressing the nape of her neck, all while their tongues danced together to some primal rhythm that she hadn't even realised she'd known until that moment.

He'd picked up some fresh fish and shrimp from the local fishmonger to barbecue. The familiar process of cleaning and basting the seafood got his wayward body back in control and his mind focussed on what he should be doing.

"Can I help?" Sophie asked, following him into the kitchen.

"Um, there's a salad in the fridge." He'd thought he could do it all, but with the way his mind was still all jumbled, he'd probably burn the potatoes and screw up the salad. "And there's some pre-prepared potatoes in there that I was going to roast."

"Okay," she nodded and opened the fridge, turning to laugh at him when she pulled out the supermarket bought packets. "You went all out, didn't you?"