Sharing a Beach House - Chapter 18
“That was pretty damn good.”
Alisha laughed as Tyler praised himself yet again on the edible breakfast.
“It helps if you keep the heat down,” she reminded him. “But if you’re feeling super cocky, you can also make lunch.”
He stilled as he put the last plate in the dishwasher. “Are we having peanut butter sandwiches?”
Alisha shrugged. “If that’s what you want to make—or I can help you expand your skills and we can move up to grilled cheese.”
Tyler closed the dishwasher and grabbed her around the waist before she could even think. She couldn’t help the laugh that escaped, and she realized that she’d laughed and smiled more with him in this short time than she had in…well, she couldn’t remember.
“I love to see you smile.”
Alisha’s heart clenched. She hadn’t heard that word come from his lips toward her before. Even though he was only talking about a physical aspect of her, just having that word settle between them stirred up feelings that both excited and terrified her. How could she want more when the risk was far too great?
“Did I say something wrong?” Tyler asked, pulling her back to the moment.
“Not at all.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and toyed with the hair at his nape. “This just feels so…I don’t know. Everything is so comfortable, and it should be weird.”
Tyler gripped her waist and lifted her onto the center island like she weighed nothing. He came to stand between her legs. The position had them right at eye level.
“Nothing about this should feel weird,” he countered. “I’ve wanted you for years, Lish. And I’m going to want you after these days are over, so we’re going to have to figure out how to handle that.”
Her breath caught in her throat. She had no idea how to respond.
“I know you think I’m just a player,” he went on. “But that’s only because I was trying to find the right woman and get you out of my head.”
“What?”
He smoothed her hair away from her face and tipped her chin up. “I’ve waited for you for years,” he added. “I’ve always wondered, and my thoughts have gone well beyond just fantasies. There’s more here than sex.”
“Well, that’s good to know.”
Alisha jumped at the same time Tyler jerked around to the doorway, where Adam and his new wife, Sara, stood smiling.
“Adam.” Alisha shoved at Tyler to move so she could hop off the counter. “What are you doing here?”
Adam laughed. “Seeing if my plan worked.”