Behind The Proposal novel Chapter 15

It was no longer if, but when he asked her to marry him.

The warm, clear night was perfect for watching the sunset from Tom's deck. Sophie had had a great evening, especially as Jasmine had behaved all night. After dinner the little girl had quietly lay down on one of Tom's spare beds to watch her favourite movie, falling asleep within minutes, clutching her doll. Now, she and Tom were sitting on the day-bed, wrapped in a blanket, and Sophie's legs brushed against his as they chatted and laughed.

Their conversation didn't last long though, and soon Sophie found herself in his arms with his mouth on hers.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured against her lips and shivers ran through her body at his words. Nobody had ever made her feel as treasured as he did in this moment. His hands ran lightly up and down her back and over her hip, adding to the rightness of the moment.

She never wanted to move from this exact spot, but knew she had to.

"Will you stay?" he asked as his fingers moved up to trace her neck and her chin gently.

She wanted to spend all night with this man. She wanted to spend forever with him. But she had her daughter to think about - her daughter who was currently sleeping inside. "I don't know, Tom. Jass needs her bed, and I need pyjamas."

"She's already asleep in the spare room," he murmured, his lips brushing against hers as he spoke. "And I'm sure you can live without pyjamas," he grinned cheekily. "Please stay?"

The way he was looking at her, the way his hands touched her, she couldn't say no. Not tonight. Besides, she only had four more days, and then she'd go home and never see him again. She needed this. Just once in her life, she needed to do something crazy. "Okay."

He pulled her down onto the day-bed with him, gathering her close, then he kissed her. It wasn't enough - not nearly enough. "I need you, Soph," he murmured huskily into her ear as his mouth brushed against her neck and his hands ran up her skin under her t-shirt. It felt incredible, but it still wasn't enough. Her back bowed as she begged for more, running her hands through his hair and pinning him to her.

"Please, Tom," she moaned. She needed so much more from him. It had been a long time since she'd been with anyone and she'd forgotten what it was like to be with a man, feeling him touch her like this, and kiss her like this. But even in her head, it had never been this incredible before.

Tom ran his hands up her legs, slowly lifting her skirt higher and higher to reveal more and more of her bare legs. He yanked his own shirt off so fast she was almost dizzy. His shorts were unbuttoned moments later. He settled his magnificent body over her, leaning on his elbows as he kissed her and looked into her eyes. "Are you sure about this?" he asked.

His dark gaze clashed with hers, but he said nothing.

"I can't do this," she shook her head, hoping he'd understand.

"Can't do what?" he frowned, his eyes still dark with desire.

"This..." she waved her hands between their half-naked bodies. "I thought I could. But I can't. I'm sorry," she murmured. She felt terrible for leading him on. He'd given her everything. And now she was repaying him by clamming up like she usually did when things got intimate.

He blew out a breath and rolled onto his back beside her. She took a moment to pull her clothes back into place before wrapping her arms around her knees. Who knew where her undies were?

Was he furious with her? Taking her lip between her teeth she turned her head to study him. He was lying there with his eyes closed, his hands running through his hair as his chest moved rapidly up and down, making his impressive muscles bunch with each laboured breath. She wished she could just have a fling with him. But she just wasn't built that way.