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  “I think it would be smart if we lay down and slept. Tomorrow, when we’re not cuddled in a too-small tent, I’ll tell you more about how attractive you are, but right now my self-control is at its limits.”

  Ally’s heart walloped against her chest again. He was the undeniably attractive one and she’d give anything to kiss the night away, but she loved first of all that she was testing his self-control, and second of all that he was strong enough to control himself. Preston was incredible, and she suddenly felt that being stranded with him was a gift from above.

  Preston slid down on his back and cuddled her against his side. Her head fit perfectly against the defined muscles of his shoulder.

  “You’re sure your arm won’t fall asleep?” she asked.

  “Don’t insult my manliness,” he reminded her, chuckling.

  Ally laughed too. Her right arm was trapped between their bodies and might well lose blood flow during the night, but her left arm was free. She cautiously placed it on his chest. He started breathing quicker, and she could feel his heart thumping under her palm. The smooth skin and musculature of his chest were perfect. “Is that okay?” she whispered.

  “Better than okay.” His voice was tight and controlled, but he tenderly kissed her forehead again. “Good night, Ally.”

  Ally closed her eyes and savored the feel of him against her, waiting for his heartbeat to calm under her palm. She drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face, loving that his pulse raced because of her.

  Chapter Ten

  Preston woke to birds twittering outside and the most incredible sensation—Ally snuggled against his chest. His left arm was indeed asleep, but he would never tell her that. The sun was up and the tent was getting hot again. It had cooled off late in the night, and as Ally’s breathing had relaxed, he’d forced himself to not focus on her soft shape in his arms and her hand on his chest. Eventually it’d worked and he’d drifted off.

  Last night had opened his eyes to a reality he was still struggling to comprehend: Ally thought she was overweight. He recognized that most of the women he’d dated were much too thin and society was crazy about being perfectly skinny or fit, but that didn’t make Ally unattractive. She had the most irresistible curves and a gorgeous face. To him, she wasn’t even close to overweight. He wondered if it was society and the media that skewed women’s images of themselves like this, or if someone in her life had said or done something to make her feel like less. Someone besides her crazy aunt. Big-boned. What a joke. He wanted to get to the bottom of it. He smiled grimly as he realized they had time … lots and lots of time.

  Ally’s eyelashes fluttered as her eyes opened. Her beautiful face curved in a smile as she saw him staring at her. “Good morning,” she murmured.

  “It really is,” he said. That was crazy, as they were stuck in this insane situation, but he thought this was a great morning as well.

  “Don’t sound so shocked.” Her smile grew. “Is your arm asleep?”

  “Nope,” he lied, trying to discreetly clench and unclench his fist to get some blood flow back to his arm.

  “Well, lucky you. Mine’s a throbbing mess.” She shifted away from him, sat up, and moved her right arm, which had been trapped between their bodies.

  He sat up too and stretched. He immediately missed her cuddled in his arms, but they might have an opportunity this sunny day to do more than simply hold each other. He wanted to kiss her, now that it wasn’t nighttime and he wasn’t so overwhelmed with her tempting form pressed close. It would be much easier to stay in control if they were standing up and out in the sunshine. He wanted to brush his teeth, convince her how amazing she was to him, then ask if he could kiss her. He would show her exactly how attractive she was to him, and not just because of her looks—her great attitude, funny personality, and success all drew him in as well.

  “I’ve got to pee like a racehorse,” Ally shot out.

  Preston chuckled. “Well, don’t let me stop you from doing that.”

  She crouched next to the tent zipper, undid it, and screamed. Preston leapt to his feet, pushing her behind him. A snake sat coiled just outside the tent, staring at him.

  Preston zipped the tent up quickly, then pulled her against him and scooted them to the other side of the tent. Unfortunately, the tent wasn’t big enough, or thick enough, to give the illusion of much safety. Ally buried her head against his chest, and he was distracted temporarily by her warm breath against his bare flesh.

  “I hate snakes, I hate snakes,” she muttered over and over again.

  “It’s okay. It’ll go away,” Preston tried to reassure her. He wasn’t fond of snakes either, and that snake was between him and the knife he’d cleaned in the pool, after killing that snake’s friend or brother.

  Squeezing his eyes shut, he prayed audibly, “Please protect us, Lord. Please let the snake go on its way. Amen.”

  “Amen,” Ally repeated. She clung to his lower back and Preston held her close against him, both of their legs tucked up underneath their bodies to try to stay as far away from that snake as possible. Long moments passed, and Preston waited for the snake to snap at the tent and rip clean through it. Nothing happened. Preston thought he heard the snake slither away, but he couldn’t be sure. He’d stand up and check through the higher window, in a minute. Right now he was going to hold Ally and help her calm down.

  “Do you want to hit me again to make yourself feel better?” he tried to joke.

  She looked up at him, her dark eyes so vulnerable and beautiful. “I kind of did like hitting you.” Pulling back slightly, she looked over his chest, then frowned. “You don’t even have a bruise.”

  He chuckled. “I told you, little thing like you couldn’t hurt me.”

  “Don’t call me little,” she threw back at him, but she was smiling.

  “Pint-sized, teeny-tiny, absolutely beautiful, and hilarious, small woman.”

  She leaned back and softly punched him in the stomach, grinning broadly. “Stop it.”

  “You call me names now,” he said, happy to be distracted from that snake. He prayed that it was gone.

  “Egotistical, overly muscled, absolutely beautiful, and kind, massive man.”

  “You obviously didn’t have brothers. Your insults are lame.” Preston chuckled. What he wouldn’t give to kiss her right now. But first they needed to get out of this tent and brush their teeth.

  “Nope, but sisters can be vicious, so don’t push me.”

  Preston’s smile slid away. Would the famous Kim Heathrow or Ally’s other sister have demeaned her because she wasn’t as thin as them? That made no sense to him. His brothers teased and wrestled and made fun of each other, but it was understood that they loved each other deeply and they would always have each other’s backs. True, Preston was a world-class athlete, so confidence hadn’t been hard to come by; from the time he was small, he was showered with praise from his parents and coaches. But he’d never compared himself to his brothers, only cheered for them.

  “I am going to pee my pants,” Ally declared.

  Preston couldn’t resist kissing her forehead. He’d done that a lot and liked it a lot, but it was past time to kiss her lips. “You’re adorable, you know that?”

  “Adorable?” Ally fluttered her eyelashes at him. “I’m glad you think so. When I pee on you, will you still think that?”

  Preston shrugged. “Brothers, remember? I’ve been peed on before.”

  “Gross!”

  Preston couldn’t stop laughing. Who cared about a snake and being stranded? He had Ally to make him laugh and to tease with, and soon he was going to show her exactly how attracted he was to her when he kissed her.

  He released her and stretched to look out the window. No snake anywhere in view. “It’s gone,” he said.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ll go first to make sure.”

  Ally stood and gave him a fierce hug, kind of awkward with them bent over, but he loved that she’d initiated the cont
act. “You’re my hero. Please don’t get bitten by a snake. I have no clue how to suck venom out of a wound.”

  “Oh, it’s easy. Just get the knife, make some cuts, suck, and spit. Oh, and don’t forget to tourniquet above it.”

  “So gross! You cut that snake’s brother apart with that knife; you’d get poisoned and be dead for sure. Don’t get bitten!” She released him and pushed him slightly. “Now let’s go so I don’t pee in our sleeping spot.”

  Preston smiled and slowly unzipped the tent. The snake was indeed gone, and he said a prayer of gratitude and another prayer that a snake wouldn’t catch them unaware again and they could be safe today. He stood outside the tent and stretched, searching for a snake, or something worse. He wondered if Carlos had known this island was overrun with snakes. Carlos probably did know—he’d found an island with a great source of fresh water, so he must’ve explored it.

  “All clear?” Ally squeaked out.

  “Yes.”

  She eased out of the tent, dancing slightly. “Okay, you turn your head, because I am not going far.”

  He laughed and turned to face the tent. “Be careful.”

  “You got it.”

  He liked her, a lot. At this moment, he wouldn’t complain if they were stuck here for a good, long time, even with the snakes.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ally enjoyed the day with Preston as much as any day she could remember. There were no more too-close snake sightings, and they very carefully explored their small island. They found mango and guava trees that bore ripe and delicious fruit. They tried, and failed, to start a fire by spinning sticks. They walked the perimeter of the island again, staying close to the sand but still in the shade to get some exercise, talking about his career and schooling and hers, family and friends, and the Patriots. He was impressed that she was such a football geek.

  They went for a swim in the ocean, swimming back and forth in front of the spot where the creek went up to their camp. Ally loved how the salty water made her feel buoyant, but it was awkward to swim in the big T-shirt. She wasn’t taking it off, though. When they went back up to their camp spot, Preston said, “Do you want to shower in the waterfall first?”

  “We can do it together,” she said. His eyes widened, and she realized what she’d suggested. “It’s not like either of us are taking off more clothes.”

  His gaze was practically smoldering now, but all he said was, “You’re going to shower in the T-shirt?”

  She nodded. “I need to wash it anyway. It’ll dry before we go to sleep.” The thought of being in that tent again, all cuddled in his arms, made her hotter than the sun. She’d loved him holding her last night, and she loved feeling so close to him. This incredible and irresistible man thought she was attractive. She wanted to jump and sing.

  “Okay.” He grabbed the little bag of toiletries, and they waded into the pool together. Ally felt all lit up as they stood close by each other and took turns rinsing their hair under the small waterfall. The setting was incredible with the lush greenery and water trickling down and the shirtless man next to her. My, oh my, he was perfect to her. The most amazing part was that he thought she was beautiful. Her mom wouldn’t like that it mattered to her—she’d always taught them to focus on their talents and their brains—but Ally knew Preston liked her personality as well. He seemed to like all of her.

  Preston opened the bottle of shampoo and squeezed some into her hand. She started lathering it into her hair, smiling at him as he stared at her. His stare was longing, fiery, inspiring.

  “May I?” he asked in a deep voice that pulsed through her.

  Ally slowly lowered her hands and said, “Wash my hair?”

  “Yes.”

  She couldn’t speak, overwhelmed by attraction. She nodded and he stepped in closer. Raising his arms, he started massaging her scalp. Ally was in awe of how beautiful the musculature of his upper body was, but she was quickly distracted by the insanely good feeling of him massaging her hair and scalp. Tingles of pleasure radiated from her head down. She might have moaned softly, but she hoped she’d held it in.

  Closing her eyes, she gave in to the incredible feeling of his large palms working their way through her hair and gently untangling it. Who knew how long passed as he went over her head time and again with his fingers and palms. He tilted her head back under the water, and she reveled in the shampoo washing out as his hands kept working their magic.

  Some water trailed over her face and along her cheek. She blinked her eyes open. Preston’s gaze was heavy on her, so warm and tempting she knew she couldn’t resist him any longer. Why would she want to resist him?

  She wrapped her arms around his lower back and tilted her head up. His hands were still in her hair as he pulled her slightly away from the stream of water and up and into his body. His eyes swept over her, full of tenderness and desire. Ally’s entire body was on fire. She’d never had a man look at her like that, especially not a man like Preston. He was good, kind, funny, smart, talented, and incredibly handsome.

  “Ally?” he whispered. “May I kiss you?”

  Ally’s stomach hopped with happiness. He not only wanted to kiss her; he remembered that she’d made him agree not to kiss her, until he asked. “Yes, please,” she whispered back.

  He gave her his irresistible grin; then his head bowed to hers and he didn’t waste any time as he claimed her lips with his. Ally’s body seemed to soar off the ground as his hands worked their way down her back to encircle her waist and her lips were lit up from the sheer pleasure of his mouth on hers. He took his time kissing her, savoring every part of her lips and keeping her body tightly clasped against his.

  When he finally pulled back, Ally realized that it wasn’t just his kiss that gave her the soaring sensation; she was indeed suspended in the air as he held her tightly against him. He gently lowered her to her feet and pressed his forehead against hers. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” he said quietly.

  “Well, why have you been wasting time waiting?” she asked breathily.

  He chuckled. “I wanted to make sure that you wanted me as much as I want you.”

  Ally’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. “I’ve got you so beat on the wanting thing.”

  Preston shook his head. “Not even close.” Then he was kissing her again, and not even a snake could’ve pulled them apart.

  * * *

  The rest of the afternoon and evening just got better and better. They talked and kissed and simply savored being together. When night fell, they were safely in the tent, wrapped in each other’s arms. Ally barely remembered the reality of their situation and the fact that a snake might get one of them at any time.

  “Ally?” Preston whispered roughly.

  “Hmm,” she said.

  “Two things. No, three.”

  “Okay.” She smiled. “One?”

  “I’m sorry I was so rude about your marketing idea that night in Bucky’s garden.”

  Ally hadn’t even thought about work or the real world today. “It’s okay. I’m probably too focused on the marketability of everything. It’s impressive what you and your family do, not wanting any glory for giving. I love that about you.”

  “Thank you, but your idea is great too. I got on my philosophical high horse, and it’s silly. Any idea that can help make someone’s dreams come true, and bring more awareness to stories that touch people’s hearts, is amazing. If it helps sell out the stadium, I will be grateful for that too. More fans cheering for me, right?”

  Ally laughed. “Thank you, Preston. If we ever get back, maybe we’ll run with it.”

  He nodded. “Good plan.”

  A few beats passed and she said, “Two?”

  He didn’t say anything for a few seconds then asked quietly, “Who made you feel like less?”

  “Like less?”

  “Like you aren’t the complete package? You’re smart, talented, funny, and beautiful, but someone in your life, besides your crazy aunt, made
you feel … bigger?”

  Ally’s stomach plummeted. She didn’t want to get into this discussion, but she found she trusted Preston more than she’d ever trusted anyone, her sisters included. “There was a kid in middle school who I liked. He kissed me, then he told everybody how gross it was because I was fat.”

  “What an idiot. He was probably just being a stupid teenager.”

  She hummed in acknowledgment, not telling him about the other two boys who’d basically done the same thing to her and how she’d stayed far away from boys after that. She continued, “My mom was focused on each of us being successful women, and that was supposed to have nothing to do with our exterior. I heard her a few times telling my sister Kim how beautiful she was and that it would help her career. She and my dad never once told me I was attractive, but I did overhear her telling my dad how sad it was that I was … chubby, when my sisters had such gorgeous shapes.”

  He grunted in disgust. “That’s not true at all. You realize that, right?”

  “You realize you’re the only one who thinks that?” She leaned in close and tenderly kissed his neck.

  He let out a moan and his grip on her tightened. “Don’t do that, or I can’t have a rational conversation.”

  “Maybe I don’t want a rational conversation.”

  Preston laughed but stopped abruptly when she kissed his neck again, then slowly trailed kisses along his jawline and up to his mouth. She softly pressed her lips to his. Preston returned the kiss—oh, how he returned it. His kiss told her more than even his words that he was attracted to her, that her teenage rejections and her mom’s philosophies didn’t matter. What they had together was real, and he cared for her and wanted her. She was safe with him.