Page 53 of Her Maine Distraction

“I can take you if you want,” he offers.

“Really?”

“It’s not far, and we can go today. Courtney told you to take the day off, remember?”

I look up at him and momentarily get lost in his eyes that remind me of the deep, clear Caribbean Ocean.

“Okay.”

He flashes me my favorite boyish grin. “Good.”

Chapter 12

The drive to the lighthouse is only about twenty-five minutes, and when we pull into the parking lot, I lean forward, stretching my neck to the side to look up the length of the imposing white structure.

“Wow, it’s bigger than I thought.”

“Thank you, sugar,” he says smoothly, making me laugh.

“That too.” I wink, hopping out of his truck.

The slight tension we had this morning while watching the sunrise dissipated over breakfast when he pinned me against the counter and swiped pancake batter across my cheek, then licked it off while I squirmed in a fit of laughter trying to escape.

Those were subsequently the most delicious blueberry pancakes I’ve ever had.

Ally and Ash love to talk about how Jake and Ryan are always cooking for them and how good they are, but I think Tyler can give the other Taylor men a run for their money. Their parents taught them well. Women love a man who can cook, and cookwell.

And while Kyle was a chef, he didn’t like to cook at home for me. Of course I understood, too, because that was me with him – always understanding.

“Can you take my picture, please?” I ask nicely, handing him my phone. “Make sure you get the whole lighthouse in it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, giving me a serious salute, taking his photographer job seriously.

After he snaps a few, I jog back over to inspect his work. “Oh, these are actually good.” I smile, and he laughs.

“I’m a man of many talents. You know that.” He winks.

“Yes, I know.” I smile slyly.

“Now, let’s take one together.” Taking the phone from me, he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “Smile, sugar,” he says, and I don’t need to be told twice. My smile always comes easy when I’m around him. “Alright, you ready to climb a hundred stairs?” he asks, handing me back my phone.

“Damn it, I didn’t think of that part.” I’ve been a little lapse on working out lately and I don’t want it to sound like I smoke a pack a day by the time we get to the top. I’m sure he can probably climb this with all of his firefighter gear on and not even break a sweat.

Laughing, he takes my hand and guides me to the entrance. “If you get tired, I can always carry you.”

“Fireman’s style?” I joke, squinting against the sun as I smile up at him. His eyes are even bluer in the sunlight. How is that possible? Or fair?

“I wouldn’t do it any other way.” He smirks, and I swoon slightly. God, he’s sexy. It feels as if I’ve had a few glasses of wine and am unsteady on my feet, but it’s him. I get drunk off of him and his smile, eyes, laugh, voice, perfect face, and body that’s made for sinning. Everything.

I give him a nervous laugh. “It may just come to that.”

“I’ve got you, El.”

“Alright, let’s do this,” I say with more confidence than I feel at the moment.

Stepping through the entryway, I start up the spiral staircase in front of him. There’s only room for one person to walk up, and one to walk down, at the same time.

“I’m loving the view, sugar,” Tyler says cheekily, slapping my ass playfully.

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