He gave her a sidelong glance. "Were you the kind of kid who peeked at your
Christmas presents before the big day?"
"I'm sorry. I'll be good."
He cocked an eyebrow. "I didn't say I want you to be good."
She felt that familiar tingle between her legs, the one Tyler seemed to be capable of calling forth with a mere look, and fought the urge to launch herself into his arms. She imagined herself pushing him back onto the sand and straddling him. Her blush grew deeper and she cleared her throat.
"Shall I spread the legs…I mean, blanket?" She was certain that her entire face was scarlet.
"Feel free to spread anything you like."
"We'll get a decent sunset here, I would think," she observed, changing the subject as quickly as humanly possible. She pulled the rolled up blanket from the cart and unfurled it across the sand.
"We will. We're far enough to the west of the island to get a good view."
It seemed fairly isolated. Looking around, Alexis wondered whether anyone would stumble across them if she decided to do something rash. She was so torn between holding on to Mark and reaching for Tyler with both hands. When she was with him, she felt better about herself, about everything. Her usual bravado was born out of her abilities. Tyler, however, infused her with a confidence unrelated to her intelligence or her work ethic. It was like he'd glimpsed her very essence and declared it worthy.
"You seem far away," he commented, unwrapping two sandwiches and handing one to Alexis.
"I'm getting closer," she replied with a smile. "Promise."
"Closer is a word I like to hear from your lips," he said before taking a hungry bite of his sandwich.
"Tuna?" she asked as she scrutinized the sandwich.
He nodded and swallowed. "My mom's secret recipe. I can't tell you what the special ingredient is."
"Love?" she asked, batting her eyelashes at him.
"Are you making fun of my mother?" he asked with mock indignation.
"I wouldn't dream of it. I hate to ask, though. Shouldn't these be shaped like hearts? Did your mom not love you enough to use cookie cutters on your sandwiches?"
"Now you've done it," he said, tackling her. His sandwich flew to the blanket as he began tickling her. She fell backward on the blanket, laughing so hard she couldn't keep her eyes open. That wicked laugh of hers was going to be the end of him.
"And she left the crusts on," she continued between gasps of laughter. "You were truly neglected."
"I like the crust," he insisted, as his fingers deftly amused her.