Behind The Proposal novel Chapter 3

"Okay, fine," she sighed, but then looked pointedly at him. "One coffee," she insisted. Then she turned and walked in the direction of the restaurant.

"Sure," he mumbled as he followed her, his eyes drawn to the smooth shapely legs on display in the short blue skirt and sandals. Tom noticed the restaurant manager approach and paused in the doorway, letting Sophie walk toward a quiet corner alone and out of earshot.

"Welcome home, Mr Sanderson. Is everything alright?" the restaurant manager asked glancing down at Tom's bloodied shirt.

He drew in a deep breath and nodded. "Fine," he replied, keeping his voice low enough so as not to draw attention. "Would you tell Greta I'm unavailable for the next hour, please," he instructed. His PA and brother could deal with whatever cropped up in the meantime. He didn't have to be Tom Sanderson, manager and owner of the well-known Sanderson resort chain all the time. "And can you take care of this," he handed his suitcase over.

"Certainly, Mr Sanderson," the manager nodded and disappeared as Tom hurried over to the woman who'd captured his attention.

"Is this okay?" Sophie asked as he approached the table she'd chosen.

"Sure," he nodded, pulling out a chair for her.

"What happened to your case?" she asked, glancing around.

"The concierge took it up to my room," he lied smoothly as he sat beside her.

A waitress appeared, placing menus and glasses of water in front of them. "I'll be right back to take your order."

"I know what I want," Sophie halted her before she could leave. "I'll have a double mocha, please. And one of those mini chocolate lava cakes."

"One of the Tom's Kilauea lava cakes," the waitress replied and flicked a glance at him.

He stifled a groan. Of course that was on the menu today. It was going to be torture watching those rosy lips close around a forkful of the most delicious cake on the planet, which everyone assumed, incorrectly, was named after the famous volcanologist who had a museum out at the Kilauea volcano. "Double espresso," he murmured, hoping the waitress wouldn't point out that the chef had baked the cakes especially for him - like he always did when Tom returned home from a trip, because they were his one weakness. He breathed a sigh of relief when the waitress left them alone without a comment. "Rough night?" he asked Sophie.

"Mmmm, heaven," he murmured almost too soft for her to hear.

Why did she get the feeling he was talking about more than the cake?

She could feel him watching her. Heating her from the inside. She dared not look at him as she licked the spoon. But her eyes darted up as she put it back on the plate. Her cheeks warmed with the hunger she'd known would be in his gaze. Gulping down an overwhelming need to leave, she picked up her coffee to take a sip, hoping it would help settle the butterflies that had taken up residence in her tummy. It didn't. It was like her whole body had come alive just from sitting close to him. Her breathing felt shallow, she couldn't take her eyes off him, and electricity hummed up her arm when he reached out to touch her. She looked into his dark eyes, seeing the same baffled expression she was sure she had. It wasn't just her that felt that weird connection.

"Stay and have lunch with me?" his deep voice added to the warmth spreading throughout her body.

There was no doubt that she was drawn to him. He was gorgeous and interesting, and more importantly, he made her feel interesting. Wanting to agree, but still having her doubts, her eyes travelled down his strong biceps and tanned forearm until they reached the long fingers of his left hand. No ring.

"I'm not married," he said as if reading her thoughts. She met his confident grey gaze. He chuckled and held up his hands. It was a deep rumbly sound that sent off a tirade of warm tingles through her. She could listen to that sound over and over again. He had a great laugh. And he had the kind of deep male voice that seemed to caress her all over as he spoke. "Not that I'm asking for more than lunch, but just to be honest, I'm as single as a slice of cheese."