Behind The Proposal novel Chapter 6

Sophie gazed across the restaurant until her eyes snagged on a familiar tall, dark-haired figure standing at the bar with his phone to his ear and a coffee in his other hand. His back was to her, but it was definitely Tom. In well-fitting khaki pants and a navy polo shirt, he had the appearance of a man who knew he couldn't put a foot wrong.

The few hours she'd spent with him had given her a glimpse of another life. One where she was interesting. One where she wasn't invisible. And then she'd found out his surname. The fact that he wasn't just another regular guy - he was a very rich, very powerful, very gorgeous man who owned a chain of hotels - had been too much of a surprise for her jet-lagged brain to handle. He was so out of her league it wasn't funny. Why someone like him would want to see her again, she had no idea. So she'd just shut down and hurried out of there as fast as her jelly legs could take her.

"Sophie!"

She looked up, surprised to see him standing in front of her. He'd obviously been serious about seeing her again.

"How was your breakfast?" Tom's deep voice and magnificent grin teased her and she forgot all about who he was. She sat there gaping at him for several moments. It had to be the combination of the spicy male scent, his deep voice and that smile that turned her brain to mush. Because all she could think about was pressing herself up against him again. "Sophie?" he prompted as he sat down beside her, frowning slightly as he stared into her eyes.

"Sorry," she murmured, pushing all of her thoughts aside.

"And you must be Jasmine," Tom said, looking at the little girl.

Jasmine only briefly look up from the episode of Peppa Pig she was watching on the iPad.

"What do you say, Jass?" Sophie prompted.

"Hello," she said without even looking up.

Tom chuckled and turned back to Sophie. "What are you doing today?"

She hesitated. "Why?" her own voice a raspy whisper.

"We'll be ready," she assured him as he stood up. She was just getting her breathing and heartrate back under control when he lowered his head and brushed his lips on hers briefly.

"I'll see you shortly." As quickly as he'd arrived, he was gone and she felt the loss of his warmth.

She put her fingers to her mouth, savouring the feel of his kiss. He actually wanted to spend time with her. He did weird things to her brain and hormones, but the attention was thrilling and just a little bit addictive.

Two hours later the seaplane was finally heading towards their destination. Tom was desperate to impress her. He needed her to want to see him again. His future depended on it. So he'd called in a favour to organise a day he hoped they would never forget. Sophie had clearly been shocked when he'd pulled up at the wharf and led them to the seaplane. Jasmine on the other hand had been so excited about going on another plane, she'd jumped up and down and couldn't wait to get on board. Tom's best friend, Tristan, had helped the little girl on board before he'd climbed up into the front of the plane.

Sophie had nervously clung to his hand across the very narrow aisle as they'd lifted into the air. After getting her first glimpse of the turquoise water and black and white sandy beaches, her grip on his hand had lessened, but she left her hand in his. When she saw the lush green valley below, she looked at him excitedly with a huge grin on her face. His chest puffed out a little in the knowledge he'd made her smile like that. He'd long since seen all of the sights of the Big Island, so it wasn't the sightseeing that had his heart racing. It was her. With her long blonde hair tied up in some sort of loose braid, her dimples and her shy smile, he was well and truly hooked.