Behind The Proposal novel Chapter 21

Sophie had felt like the most beautiful woman on the planet the way Tom's eyes had lit up when he'd first seen her. Her simple white flowing dress reached all the way down to her bare hot-pink tipped toes and the frangipanis in her hair had the most amazing smell. Tom looked incredible in his white shirt and tan pants, his feet also bare, and his hair in that slightly messed up style that suited him so well. She felt so incredibly lucky to be marrying this man. He held her hands in his and is gaze never left hers throughout the ceremony.

Vows were said, rings exchanged and promises made. All while Tristan and his wife looked on and Jasmine played happily in the sand at their feet in her pretty pink princess dress. Then they were husband and wife, and her husband kissed her, wrapping her in his arms.

She was actually married, and she had this wonderful man who would be there for her and her daughter. Someone to rely on. Someone to support her. It was an amazing feeling to know that she could always count on him, no matter what. It was something she'd never had before. She couldn't even rely on her sister all the time, given the way her parents threatened to disown both of them at the drop of a hat if her sister didn't side with them. But she pushed all thoughts of them from her mind. It was her wedding day after all.

Tom whisked them away on a mini-honeymoon to a secluded beach house an hour's drive down the coast.

As soon as Jasmine was asleep that night, Sophie had expected Tom to take her straight to bed, but he surprised her, leading her instead out onto the back lawn. He'd set up candles - dozens of them - surrounding the large hammock that was set up between two palm trees. There was a bottle of chilled champagne and a fruit platter set up close by.

"This is amazing," she gasped, taking it all in. The candles twinkled in the darkness, giving off enough light to see the sexy grin on his face.

"I figured we'd only have one wedding night, and I wanted it to be special. For both of us," he murmured, drawing her into his arms. He kissed her long and hard, making her dizzy with wanting before stepping back to pour them each a glass of champagne. "Here's to a long and happy marriage, Mrs Sanderson," he grinned, holding his glass out to hers in a toast.

"Cheers," she tapped her glass gently against his. She took a sip, hoping that the alcohol would calm the crazy butterflies in her tummy, and noticed the sky as her head tilted back. "Wow look at all those stars," she gasped.

He glanced up briefly, then took her hand in his. "Come, they're better from the hammock."

She met his dark gaze, hesitating before climbing in next to him. As she settled down against his side, his arm wrapped around her, she looked up again, studying the stars so she didn't have to look at the hungry glint in his eyes. "Much better view," she murmured a little apprehensively. Surely he wasn't expecting things to happen here?

"Amazing huh?"

"Um, yes," she frowned, wondering what to say to him now that they were alone together for the first time as husband and wife. "The stars are different to back home."

"Yeah, they are," he said, wrapping his arm around her a little tighter and pressing soft kisses on her forehead. "Northern hemisphere and all that."

"I won't lie. I want you, Soph." His voice was husky as his finger traced her bottom lip. "But I still won't rush you. We've only known each other a week."

"That means a lot." She blew out a breath, feeling slightly less anxious. "But I want to, I really do. I'm just... nervous."

"Don't be." Cupping her face in his large, warm hands, he brushed his lips on hers softly. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes," she nodded, her eyes never leaving his.

He smiled at her before leaning over her to plant hungry kisses on her lips.

Then the honeymoon was over too soon. They'd spent time on the beach, which they had to themselves, relaxing on the deck or just strolling through the rainforest. It had been heaven, but now it was back to reality, and back to Tom's house to pack up before they had to face their families. Tom swept her in his arms to carry her over the threshold properly and into his house. "Welcome home, Mrs Sanderson," he said, smiling down at her, and her stomach dropped as reality hit. They were really married.