Page 67 of Tease Me

He wriggled his eyebrows. “It’s not over yet.”

Chapter Twenty

Thedazzlein Henry’s eyes made me want to cartwheel up the beach, but I pulled him in for another kiss instead.

Henry set me down on the warm sand, and as I lifted my skirt, I wished I hadn’t worn such a long dress.As he left my side to talk to Steve,I tied the fabric into a knot above my knee.

He returned, carrying a large bag that looked the same as the one he’d had last time I’d seen him. As much as it was killing me to know, I resisted asking what was in there. I put my hat on, and he took my hand and led me away from the plane.

The view was spectacular. Gentle rolling waves lapped at the fine sand as we strolled along, and soon, all the worry that had consumed my thoughts this week evaporated, and I felt the most relaxed I’d felt in days.

He let go of my handand bentdown to collect asmallshell from the sand and gave it to me.It was a conch shell, caramel and white in color, and about the size of my thumb.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Just like you.”

I was two seconds away from objecting when I caught myself. “Thank you.”

“Ahhh, we’re making progress.”

I wanted to ask what we were progressing toward,but decided against itasI wasn’t sure I was ready for his answer. Especiallyas Henry considered this a date. Lolly had told me dozens of times that my sexual encounters were all about fun. I hadn’t pledged myself to any of these men. Butmaybe accepting this ‘date’ had me committing myself more than I’d anticipated.

Was that a bad thing?I had no idea.

Henry was incredible; everything about him made him special to me. Although his age had never bothered me, the fact that he had adult children made me wonder if he’d want more. I wanted children, myownchildren—three at least.Oh God, I’mtotallyover-thinking?—

“So, how’ve you been?” Henry lurched me from my illogical landslide, and when he turned to me, the concern in his eyes made me wonder if he’d somehow perceived my emotional rollercoaster.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m sensing you’re not.”

I tilted my head at him. “I thought wewere going todo this later, after our wonderful day.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”Nodding, he guided us away from the waves andheaded tothe center of the island which was a vista of healthy green trees and shrubs.

He touched the small of my back, just a gentle nudge of reassurance, and then moved in front of me to lead us up a smallembankment. His impressive body enhanced my already spectacular view.

At the top, the grass was mottled patches of brown and green. Henry continued walking farther inland, and soon, there was enough shade cover that I removed my hat and tousled my hair out.

I had assumed he knew where he was going, just like the last timehe’dled me into the bushes, but whenhestarted looking left and right, I wondered if he did. A dull roar caught my attention, and after a few seconds, I realized what it was. I turned back toward the ocean, and my jaw fell as our plane took off.

“Where’s he going?”

“Don’t worry.He’llbe back in a couple of hours.”

“Oh.” Trapped on a deserted island with Henry.Yay me.

“Here,” Henry announced as he turned to me. “This looks like the perfect spot.”

I glanced about the broad, grassy expanse. “Perfect for what?”

A small smile curled at his lips. “For us.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a picnic blanket very similar to the previous one.

“Did you buy these in bulk?”

Henry laughed, and it was such a deep, infectious melody that I joined him. “Maybe I should have.”

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