The Midwife's Marriage Proposal (Lakeside Mountain Rescue 3)

Quickly he gritted his teeth and reminded himself of his plan.

‘You wanted me?’ Sally’s voice was smoky and soft and he knew that she’d phrased the question in that particular way by design, not accident.

He turned, noticing the heightened colour of her cheeks and the brightness of her green eyes.

Her blonde hair shone under the harsh light of his office and she was still wearing a scrub suit that showed off the curves that he knew so intimately.

And he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted a woman in his life.

‘Marry me, Sally.’

He saw the soft look in her eyes turn to shock and then wariness.

‘Tom, for goodness’ sake …’

He closed the distance between them, his eyes never leaving hers. ‘Marry me.’

She shook her head and backed towards the door, but he slid an arm round her waist and hauled her against him, using the other to turn the key and ensure that they weren’t disturbed.

‘I don’t even want to have this conversation.’

But the scrub suit was made of thin cotton and he felt the power of her response to him, saw her nipples peak under the revealing fabric, saw the confusion in her eyes.

‘Fine.’ He lowered his head, his mouth hovering only a breath away from hers. ‘No conversation.’

And then he kissed her.

She tasted fantastic and he groaned against her mouth, his lips and tongue exploring her intimately, stoking the fire that was already burning inside both of them.

He held her hard against him with one hand, feeling the softness of her body through the almost non-existent barrier of her scrub suit. The other hand he slid upwards, cupping her breast and teasing her nipple with the tips of his fingers.

She sucked in her breath and detached her lips from his, but he lifted his hand and slid it into her hair, bringing her mouth back to his with determined force.

Desire throbbed inside him and he felt her instant response, felt her press against him, felt the moment she yielded.

Her hands slid around him, pulling him closer, and her mouth opened under his, allowing him access.

He took full advantage, tasting and teasing until he felt her fingers biting into the muscle of his shoulders, felt her need rise up to meet his.

And that was when he pulled away.

For a moment she swayed, then she stared at him dizzily, her expression devoid of comprehension.

He drew in a breath that was decidedly unsteady and struggled to resist the temptation of her soft mouth. ‘Marry me.’

She looked at him blankly, her lips parted, her eyes still clouded with passion. ‘Tom?’

He slid a hand under her chin and stared down into her face, thinking that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life. ‘I said, marry me.’

She closed her eyes and reached for him again, but he took a step backwards, shaking his head, wondering which one of them he was torturing the most.

‘No. Not again.’ Ignoring the almost agonizing throb of his body, he denied himself. Denied both of them. ‘Not until we’re married.’

This time he had her attention.

Wide, startled green eyes fixed on his. ‘You cannot possibly be serious.’

‘I’ve never been more serious in my life. I know I hurt you, Sally, and I regret that more than you will ever know, but I’m going to make it up to you.’