Page 16 of Her Maine Distraction

Smiling like he doesn’t have a care in the world, he looks sexy with his scruffy stubble, worn-in and faded backwards baseball hat, and a t-shirt and jeans. And my insides melt just a little when I see his dimples pop out, making him look even more boyishly handsome.

Tyler catches me watching him, and his smile widens even more. Patting his friend on the shoulder, he makes his way over to me with a swagger and confidence in his stride that only comes from a lifetime of knowing who he is, and owning every inch of that.

“Hey, beautiful.” His smooth voice floats over me like warm honey, and I suddenly have the image of him drizzling some all over my body, and licking it off slowly, enter my mind.

Oh, lord have mercy.

“Hi,” I rasp, hoping my thoughts don’t give me away.

“Make sure you save me my five minutes.” He smirks.

“Actually, we have enough players for this round, so she’s free now, Ty,” Courtney tells him, offering me up.

“Good. Let’s go.” He nods his thanks to Courtney and then takes my hand, walking us away from everyone and towards the water.

When we’re a safe distance away, he still doesn’t let go of it, and I don’t make him. His large hand envelopes mine, and with just this simple union, I feel my body reacting to his touch – a sense of comfort and warmth blooming in my chest.

“You look beautiful, Ellie,” he says, looking down at me with a small smile on his full, kissable lips.

“Thank you,” I reply, and I see his eyes dart down to my red lips like a siren call, and then back up. “Your parent’s house is beautiful,” I tell him, looking out at the ocean. The edge of their yard drops off at a slope into the ocean, with large rocks and boulders as it’s coastline.

“Yeah, growing up here was great. I’m trying to make sure my house brings me the same feeling.”

“You have a house?”

“Sort of.” He laughs. “I’m fixing it up, so right now it’s still a construction site. Only my room, the bathroom, and the kitchen are done. I’m almost finished with one of the guest rooms, though.”

“You’re doing it yourself? I thought you were a firefighter…”

“I’m a man of many talents.” He smirks. “I also work with the local contractor on my days off.”

“Oh,” I breathe, the image of Tyler as both a firemananda construction worker has my ovaries exploding. A man who can fix things has always been a weakness of mine.

“Oh?” He laughs, seeing the look on my face.

Turning away so he can’t read into my dazed expression, I ask him, “Do you live on the coast, too?”

“Yeah, it’s a pretty good view. I can show you sometime if you’d like,” he offers casually as we continue to walk slowly along the edge.

“Uh, okay,” I answer hesitantly, not sure where he’s going with that offer.

“What’re your plans while you’re here?”

“I have a few things in the works. I’m actually staying longer than I thought.”

Stopping short, he lifts his hat off his head, and then puts it back down in a sexy little move I can tell he’s done a million times before. “You’re staying?” he asks, his aqua eyes searching mine.

I nod. “Yes. I think so.”

“Interesting,” he says slowly, rubbing his jaw. “I may need a new game plan, then.”

“What?”

“To get you to go out with me. If you’re staying, then I need a new game plan.”

“I’m not a game to win, Tyler,” I tell him, narrowing my eyes slightly.

“I know, but I don’t take no easily.”

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