Behind The Proposal novel Chapter 40

"I love you," Sophie whispered sleepily as she lay on his chest, her hand resting over his heart.

"What?" Tom murmured, not quite sure he'd heard correctly. He'd heard the words, but couldn't believe she'd said them.

But she didn't answer him. He looked down at her closed eyes, her face relaxed in sleep. She'd just told him she loved him, and then promptly fell asleep. She probably didn't even realise she'd said it. He'd heard it though. He'd never wanted to hear those words before, but his heart still raced and his brain still went into panic mode. He needed to escape. Fast. He gently slipped out from under her and waited a moment until he was sure she was still fast asleep. He needed to think.

He'd remember this night for the rest of his life. It did give him a warm fuzzy feeling to know she loved him, but knowing that changed everything. He didn't deserve her love. He hadn't been honest with her. She'd fallen for him. He really hadn't thought this marriage through. Stupidly, he hadn't even contemplated the thought that their hearts would get involved.

The worst part was that she was right. He was expecting her to just go along with his plans. That would have to change. He needed to do some serious thinking about how to continue with the development and stay married to her. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. Or Jasmine.

"Where's Tom?" her mother demanded, yet again.

"He got stuck at work, but he'll be here soon," she dismissed, pushing the panic from her mind. She had no idea where he was, or when he'd be home. She'd tried calling him, but he hadn't answered. She did not want to have this conversation. Nor did she feel like eating with the way her gut was churning but she dug into her food without waiting for them to say grace anyway. She was really starting to worry now. Had he just got caught up in a meeting? Had he been in an accident? Was lying in a hospital bed somewhere unconscious? Or had he just up and left her? No, he was a grown man and quite capable of looking after himself. He'd turn up, sooner or later. Hopefully.

"Again?" her mother demanded.

"Yes. This hotel is a big project and Tom is in charge." Closing her eyes and holding back her tears, Sophie tried to push her insecurities from her mind, but it was difficult, given how different he'd been this week. He'd been distant all week. Sophie had though that everything was okay between them after their argument the other night, but the next morning she'd woken up to an empty bed and a note saying Tom had already left for work. She'd hardly seen him since.

She'd known how much this hotel meant to him when they got married - he'd been working so hard to make it all happen, he lived and breathed it. He was probably just caught up in what he was doing at the office. That's all it was, but she needed to know that things were okay between them.

She lifted her head and glared at her mother, embracing the anger coursing through her - it was better than feeling sorry for herself or wondering if Tom loved her at all. "Tom does. Like I said, he's extremely busy and he's working very hard at the moment. Don't you dare imply he isn't."

"I'm not implying anything," she denied and poked her food with her fork, a scowl of disapproval on her lips.

"Go on, say it, I know you want to," Sophie demanded. She wasn't sure what had gotten into her. She'd been more argumentative with them since she'd married Tom. She supposed it was a good thing, but it added to the stress of having them over.

"Nobody works Sundays," she scoffed. "He's obviously lying to you. He's probably been off somewhere with another woman, probably his secretary," she muttered.