Tempted by the Tycoon's Proposal by Rachael Stewart

Author:Rachael Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-10-07T15:29:35+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

‘A SLEEPOVER AT the age of thirty—who would have thought it?’

Jack’s voice was low as he tried not to disturb a snoozing Lily who was lying between them, propped up on pillows with the blanket covering them all.

‘I still can’t believe she roped us into getting the sofa bed out just to watch the film.’ Sophia didn’t look at him as she said it; her eyes were fixed on the TV screen and not on the proximity of his. It was too snug, too easy, lying like this with the lights down low, the TV playing a movie she could remember nothing of, and all in her own domain.

It was easy to forget who Jack was. From the moment he’d got on all fours at the party and rolled around with the kids, taken a slop of cream to the nose with his unmanly drink and cosied up on her ancient sofa with her well-worn tartan blanket, she had lost sight of what was real. Because she didn’t just want him, she realised; she wanted so much more.

‘I think I was too busy worrying about her upcoming birthday I’d have agreed to anything.’

Now she looked at him and saw the lines of concern creasing his face as the colours of the TV danced over them. ‘You’re really worried about it?’

‘It’s not just today. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you’ve said, about her having no base and being unable to set down roots or make real friends of her own.’

‘I’m sorry.’ She felt guilty even though she knew she’d been right to raise it. ‘But I think it’s important for her to have all that, although I know it makes things difficult for you.’

‘Perhaps.’

‘Have you thought more about speaking to her grandmother?’

He sent her a quick look and sighed. ‘Yes. I have. And I will. It won’t be easy, but I think it’s worth a shot.’

‘From what you’ve said she’ll likely have aunts and uncles close to her own age, family that she can play with, grow up with.’

‘That would mean coming back to the UK.’

‘And you’re not ready for that?’

He worked his shoulders into the pillow behind him, under the pretence of getting comfortable, but she had the feeling it was more to mask the pain of what that thought brought.

‘It’s not going to be a quick fix though; it’s not going to help with the imminent arrival of her birthday.’

‘No, I guess not. Do you have to go to Tokyo? Perhaps you could stay longer...’ She couldn’t stop the spark of hope, the idea of having them around longer too appealing to ignore.

‘You could borrow Noah and his friends?’ She gave a teasing smile. ‘They’d love to see you again, I’m sure.’

He laughed, the sound sending a shiver of delight through her. ‘It’s an idea... I just wish things were different.’

He went quiet, his eyes distant, and she reached over to place a reassuring hand on his above the blanket. ‘It seems to me that you’re on the right track though.

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