Kate Hoffmann - Who Needs Mistletoe?

“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.”

A long silence grew between them as Sophie regarded him suspiciously. She wanted to believe him. The truth was there in his eyes. “I want you, too,” she said softly.

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.

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.