Who Needs Mistletoe?
Page 16
Merde , she should have known. A man as handsome and charming as Trey Shelton was never single for long. Besides that, he was rich. But after observing his fiancée for no more than just a few minutes, Sophie had to wonder if she ever knew anything about Trey at all.
She and Tania Richardson had absolutely nothing in common. Tania was glamorous and aloof and probably rich, too. She wore expensive jewelry and designer clothes, she had a snooty accent and seemed a bit…ob-noxious.
If Trey was in love with Tania, what could he find remotely fascinating about Sophie Madigan? “I was convenient,” she finally said, throwing up her hands at the revelation. “He was horny and I was convenient. And easy. And more than willing to seduce him.”
Well, she’d gotten the lover she’d wanted. Sophie bit her bottom lip to stem a flood of emotion. Falling apart was not going to do her any good. She needed to accept that what they’d enjoyed had only been temporary. Before landing on the island, that would have been exactly what she needed. So what had really changed?
“Everything,” Sophie murmured. After only twenty-four hours, she’d imagined a whole future with Trey, an exciting life where she looked forward to every day-and every night. Unfortunately, his future was with someone else.
Sophie finally found the phone book and rifled through it, searching for the number of Trey’s hotel. Before he left the island, she intended to tell him exactly how she felt about his deception, if only to prove to herself she was strong enough to do it. Once that was accomplished, she could move on with her life.
But as she punched in the digits, Sophie realized her true motives for calling Trey. She wanted him to tell her it wasn’t true, that he didn’t love Tania Richardson and that he hadn’t lied to her. She wanted him to say he loved her.
Sophie dropped the phone back into the cradle and sighed. Maybe it was best to just get on with her life. If she got back to work, she’d forget all about Trey and what happened on the island. But why should she forget? He’d betrayed her and she deserved an apology.
His father had said they’d be holding a press conference at the Sofitel. Maybe she could get some answers to her questions there. She pushed away from the desk and crossed to the mirror hanging on the back of the office door. She was still dressed in the clothes she wore on the island.
Even after just a day of saltwater and sand, they looked a bit ragged. But she didn’t have time to buy something new. Maybe it was best to remind him of their time together. He’d worn her pareu and removed her T-shirt. If he saw her dressed in these clothes, he’d remember.
Sophie raked her hands through her hair. She’d lost the scarf she’d worn that day in the plane, but it didn’t matter. Staring at herself in the mirror, she gathered herself, calmed her emotions and thought about what she’d say to him.
“Sophie?”
She recognized the voice as soon as he said her name. Sophie closed her eyes and cursed softly because it wasn’t the voice she wanted to hear. Gabe stood outside the office door, his cap in one hand and a small bouquet of flowers in the other.
“Hi,” Sophie murmured. Gabe held out the flowers and she took them. “What are these for?”
He shifted on his feet, twisting his cap back and forth in his hands. “When I found out your plane had gone down, I was very worried, Sophie. And sad. Very sad because it made me realize how much you mean to me. And how I never really told you this.”
Sophie held up her hand. “You don’t have to-”
“I know we said we would not see each other anymore, but I want you to know my feelings haven’t changed. I am still very fond of you, Sophie. And I thought, perhaps, we might go out some night and…talk. Or eat. Or both.”
Sophie opened her mouth, prepared to make some feeble excuse. Though Gabe was incredibly attractive, very available and one of the nicest people she’d ever met, there had never been a spark between them. Not like there had been with Trey.
But then, Trey wasn’t available. Was this how it was to be? Sophie wondered. Would she compare every man she met to Trey Shelton? Maybe it was time to open herself up to new possibilities. Though Trey had allowed her to trust again, she wasn’t about to let his behavior set her back. She was stronger than that.
Sophie held the flowers up to her nose and drew a deep breath. It was time to get out there and try again. Even if it was with a man who seemed more like a brother than a lover. “All right. But I’m going to be very busy this week trying to get the plane back from Suaneva. How about next week?”
Gabe nodded, a warm smile breaking across his face. “Sure,” he said. “And I can help you with the plane. I’ll fly you out there and take a look at it. We’ll get it back up in the air in no time.”
“Yes,” Sophie said, warmed by his thoughtful offer.
Gabe glanced around nervously. “Well, I promised your father I’d fly you both home. I’ll go pick him up from the patisserie and we’ll be on our way.”
“Thank you,” Sophie said, reaching out to touch his hand. “For coming to get me. And for the flowers.”
He nodded, then turned and walked to the door. When it slammed behind him, Sophie let out a tightly held breath. She returned to the office and plopped down in the chair, then put her head down on the desk.
Suddenly, she felt exhausted. It was no wonder. A life-and-death landing in the lagoon, followed by nonstop sex was enough to make anyone want to curl up in bed and sleep for three or four days. In truth, she wanted to sleep so she wouldn’t have to think about Trey.
Tears pressed at the corners of her eyes, but she stubbornly pushed them back. She wouldn’t get emotional about this. Instead, Sophie would look at their relationship for what it was-short, sweet and incredibly satisfying. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift, back to the island, back to the man who’d made her body ache with desire.
“Sophie?”
At first she thought she was dreaming. But then Sophie opened her eyes and saw him standing in the doorway of the office.
“Are you all right?” Trey asked.
Pressing her hand to her heart, Sophie felt her pulse begin to race. He’d showered and changed and he looked so different from the man she’d grown to love on the island. He wore a loose cotton shirt with a flower tucked into the pocket and shorts that revealed his long, muscular legs.
His face was a bit sunburned and his hair looked a little lighter than she remembered. But his eyes were the same beautiful shade of hazel and his smile still made her blood warm.
“I-I didn’t think I’d find you here,” he said.
“I’m here.” Sophie slowly stood, twisting her fingers together in front of her, holding tight to calm her nerves.
Trey reached out to touch her, then let his hand drop to his side. “I’m sorry.”
“Yes,” Sophie murmured, staring down at her feet. “You probably are. She’s very pretty. I can understand why you’re with her. And it’s fine. We don’t have any claim on each other and-”
“I’m not with Tania.”
“Then she’s back at the hotel?”
“Yes.” He frowned. “I mean, no. She’s not here. She’s not with me. She’s not with me.” He reached out and took her shoulders in his hands, giving her a gentle squeeze. “Sophie, Tania and I haven’t seen each other for six months. There’s nothing between us.”
“But one of the reporters told me-”
“He’s wrong. Trust me on this. Do you honestly think I’d choose her before you?”
“She’s beautiful,” Sophie said.
“You’re beautiful,” he countered. “You are everything I’ve been looking for all my life. The funny thing is, I didn’t know I was looking until I found you. And now that I have, I’m not going to let you go.”
Sophie swallowed hard. Was she hearing this right? She’d been so stunned to learn Trey wasn’t engaged that she’d forgotten to listen to the rest. “You want me?”
“Yes.” He bent close and kissed her gently. “Yes, yes, yes.”
It was a risk she had to take, but for the first time in her life, Sophie knew it was the right risk. A giggle slipped from her lips. “I was going to go to your press conference and demand you tell me the truth.”
He grinned. “That would have been nice. We could always drive back to the hotel and you could do that. Tell them what a great guy I am and how I built fire on the island and made a hammock.”
“You’re missing your press conference?”
“I don’t need a press conference,” he said. “I’m going to be out of the public eye for a while. For the next fifty or sixty years. I’m hoping they’ll soon forget about me.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Well, first, I’m going to take you out to lunch and then we’re going to go back to my hotel and we’re going to take a long bubble bath. And then, I need you to take the nail polish off my toes.”
“No, I meant what are you going to do. About your work, your job,” Sophie said.
“I’m going to build my resort. I told my father about my idea and he thought it was a good one. He’s going to back me on it financially. I’m going to move here while it’s being built. And after that, we’ll see what happens.”
“You’re staying here?”
He nodded and Sophie felt a smile break across her face. She couldn’t help it. She wanted to pretend she didn’t care, but she did. And if Trey was here on the island, they’d have plenty of time to explore all these new and wonderful feelings.
“So, now that I’m staying, I was wondering if you’d be my girl.”
“What would that mean?”
“It would mean that when Gabe puts his arm around your shoulder, you’ll tell him you’ve got a boyfriend. And when I have to go back to the States for business, you’ll come with me. And we’ll maybe spend the night with each other occasionally. Or always. Your choice.”
Sophie wrapped her arms around Trey’s neck and pressed her body against his. She gave him a sweet, tantalizing kiss. “I think that sounds like a good idea. Especially the always part.”
Trey nodded. “Then there’s only one thing to do.” He stepped out of her embrace and reached for the flower he’d tucked in his pocket. He brushed it across her lower lip, before tucking it behind Sophie’s left ear. “There. That makes it official. You’re taken.”
“Yes, I am,” Sophie said. With a laugh, she threw herself into his arms and kissed him fiercely. She would have a man for the New Year, and not just a lover, but a friend. And if all went well, they’d have many New Years to come. Suddenly, life seemed full of possibilities. And the islands didn’t seem so small after all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Hoffmann lives in a small town in southeastern Wisconsin with her two cats and her computer. In her spare time she enjoys golf, genealogy and gardening. She is also involved in local musical and theater activities with high school students.
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