Behind The Proposal novel Chapter 35

He felt Sophie's soft fingers on his scalp before he heard her. "Are you going away again?" Sophie murmured softly, her breath warm on the back of his neck as she gently massaged his temples and the top of his head.

"I have to," he sighed heavily. "Nothing is going right, and I need to sort it all out before it causes too many more delays."

"How long until you have to be there permanently?" she asked as her fingers moved over his neck. It didn't surprise him that she'd figured that much out on her own.

"A few months, maybe," he guessed. He'd known that time would come, but he hadn't known how to ask her to move to the other end of the country. They'd only been married eight weeks. Her job was in Melbourne, and so was her family - although he didn't know why she stayed for them. They hadn't got any better since that first day; if anything, he now had a better picture of them and how they just walked all over Sophie. "We'll work something out," he assured her.

"I'm sure we will," she muttered. He wished he could see her eyes right now so he could figure out what she was thinking, but her hands on him were just too good. He couldn't move, the tension draining out of him as she worked on his head. By the time she was finished several minutes later he was so relaxed, and incredibly aroused. Why had he thought marriage was a bad idea?

He opened his eyes and took her hand, leading her around the tiny sofa before tugging her down onto his lap so he could kiss her thoroughly. It was comforting to know she'd be there for him. Always look after him, support him, and make love with him.

"I need to take you to bed," he murmured against her lips as she squirmed on his lap. That was better than a run any day. She looked at him, her blue eyes clouded with desire as she brushed her lips on his again and wrapped her arms more tightly around his neck. And just like that, he picked her up and carried her off to bed.

Sophie needed another holiday. Already. She'd been busy at work, and even busier at home, between looking after Jasmine - who'd come down with a nasty cough - and doing all of her normal household chores. She also now had an extra person to cater to. It meant more washing, more dishes, more cooking, more cleaning. She just kept doing it all though, because that was always how she'd done things. She did everything for everyone.

She heard him huff in annoyance and turn to walk away. That's when she lost it. She'd thought it'd be nice to have someone to rely on. Instead she just seemed to have one more person relying on her. It was not how it was supposed to be.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not wonder woman who can do everything," she snapped angrily. Part of her hoped he hadn't heard. But then his hand was on her arm and he spun her around to face him.

"What the hell is that about?" he asked, frowning at her.