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.
“Ally.” He broke away and leaned back. “We need to stop. I have to tell you about number three …”
“Why would we stop?” She kissed him again. Number three could wait. She wanted to kiss him all night; what could possibly be wrong with that? They were both rational and in-control adults. They wouldn’t go farther than kissing.
Preston’s mouth hungrily moved against her own, and she lost all track of time and accountability. She only wanted to keep kissing him and experiencing these incredible sensations. Then he did something that shocked her but also set her body on fire: he rolled her onto her back and pressed his body on top of hers. The kiss continued, taking on a life of its own, and her body responded to the pressure of his. She’d never known desire for a man existed like this.
Preston yanked away from her and said, “No! I can’t.” He pulled away from her and rolled completely over, turning his back to her.
Ally’s stomach was still full of heat and her breath was coming in fast gulps. What had just happened? She lay there for a few seconds, trying to register how he could’ve kissed her so hungrily and then torn away from her like that.
She leaned up and put a hand on his upper back. He sucked in a loud breath. “Preston?” she questioned timidly. “What’s wrong?”
“Please, Ally. You don’t understand ... men.”
What in the world did that mean? “No, I don’t,” she agreed, but she thought she understood him. What had yanked him away from her?
“You’re so innocent.” He pushed out a breath. “I’ll explain … tomorrow. Please don’t touch me right now,” he said in a controlled voice that terrified her. He was pulling away from her emotionally as well as physically, and it hurt.
Ally pulled her hand back. She rolled the opposite way and faced the tent wall. What had happened? She’d been consumed with his kiss one second, and then he’d turned from her and didn’t even want her to touch him? Her world was spinning. She knew Preston was a good man, an honorable man, and she’d kept making him kiss her when he wanted to stop. He’d probably realized it wasn’t fair to lead her on when he’d never want to be with her outside this island. A voice in her head reminded her of the painful reality of her teenage and college years. Men like Preston didn’t want a woman like her. Her softer, bigger shape had disgusted Preston or maybe him saying she was innocent was only code for her not knowing how to kiss correctly. He’d let himself kiss and hold her, and now he was regretting it and was shutting her out.
Squeezing her eyes shut tight, she couldn’t keep the tears from sliding out of the corners of her eyelids. She cried silently, hugging herself and praying desperately that they’d be rescued tomorrow. She couldn’t stand to see the rejection in Preston’s eyes in the light of day.
Chapter Twelve
Preston spent an absolutely miserable night curled away from Ally, cringing every time her soft, irresistible body brushed his from behind. He’d almost lost control, and with the most amazing woman he’d ever met. His parents had drilled it into him that if you loved someone, you loved them more than your selfish desires and waited for marriage to be intimate, and you never, ever took advantage of a woman. He didn’t know if what he felt for Ally was love, but it was definitely stronger than anything he’d ever felt for a woman. He wanted to protect her, laugh with her, explore and make memories with her, and touch and kiss her. Only her. He thought she might be the woman for him, and he’d almost pushed her too far physically last night. It was even worse because Ally was both innocent and vulnerable, obviously inexperienced with dating and ignoran
t of how attractive she was to him. As soon as she woke up, he’d explain to her how irresistible and impressive she was, and that he’d turned away last night to stay in control.
Even with the sun shining bright and a new day upon them, he was still worried he would lose control again. How long could he sleep in this tent with her and never take it further? Not long at all if they kissed like they had last night.
They needed to make some rules. That was it. This morning. He’d get out of this tent fast, and then, over breakfast, he’d explain how tempting she was to him and how they could only kiss in the daylight, standing up. That would be good. And he’d pray hard that he wouldn’t be such a weak fool ever again. He’d pray even harder that they’d get rescued soon so he could date her properly, see where these feelings for her could go. She was the complete package to him and he wanted more time to get to know her funny personality and watch her succeed at her career and simply be there for her.
He sat up and glanced at Ally. Her back was still to him and she was curled against the other side of the tent. Could she still be asleep? He didn’t want to wake her if she was getting some much-needed rest, but she looked amazing in that too-big T-shirt, her dark hair spilling around her and onto the smooth skin of her neck. Maybe he could just lean around and kiss her cheek and still keep things chaste. Brush the hair away and sample the curve of her neck.
No! He couldn’t even keep his own self-imposed rules. No kissing in this tent, ever again. Crouching, he looked out the window of the tent, prepared to see that snake again, but what he saw wasn’t a dangerous reptile. What he saw sneering at him was much, much worse.
One of the men from Carlos’s yacht—the one who spoke English, if he remembered correctly—was glowering at him with a pistol pointed at the mesh window. “Come out nice and slow, mi amigo,” the man said.
Preston nodded, hoping he could keep Ally out of this. But she stirred quickly next to him, and he realized she hadn’t been asleep at all. Her eyes were wild as she jumped to her feet and took in the man and then turned to Preston, fear evident in the beautiful lines of her face.
“Preston?” she whispered.
“It’s okay,” he said.
“Hola, mujer hermosa,” the man murmured. “Happy to see you. Unzip the tent,” he growled at Preston.
Preston didn’t know what else to do but obey. Maybe he could jump the guy and knock the gun from his hand. He unzipped the tent, then slowly eased outside. Reaching for Ally, he held on to her arm and helped her out of the tent, keeping her behind him.
“Don’t hide, mi bella,” the man crooned.
“What are you doing here?” Preston asked, his eyes flitting to the gun aimed at his chest.
“Your brother come.”
Preston’s stomach hopped. Gunner had come for them? Thank heavens. Preston would dismantle this guy, then go find his brother. “Is he close?” he asked.
“He kill Carlos, big fight on the yacht last night. I escape in little boat. Nobody come. I know this island. I come to take the woman and kill you.”
Preston’s palms dampened. He could throttle this guy if he could get around the gun. “Well, that sounds simple, and nasty,” Preston said. Had this guy escaped pursuit? Was there any hope Gunner would come for them? After he took this guy out, Preston would have to figure out which direction to travel in whatever boat the man had come on, or maybe get the stupid branches to do more than smoke when he twisted them.
Ally eased around to Preston’s side. He pulled her back.
“Let me go,” she whispered.
“No.”
She rose up on tiptoes and whispered into his ear. “Tackle him when I distract him.”
Preston’s body trembled. It was a simple plan, but so many things could go wrong. He didn’t have much to lose, as the guy had already said he was going to kill him; the bullet could hit his chest any moment. But what if Ally got hit in the crossfire? Yet would Ally want to live with what this man would do to her? Preston had to protect her, and her distraction would up his chances of succeeding in taking the guy out. He squeezed her arm, then released it.
Ally stepped around Preston and made the most seductive look he’d ever seen in a woman’s eyes, and it was even more appealing because it was Ally. Yet it wasn’t directed at him, but at the man pointing a gun at him. His stomach boiled with jealousy, even though he knew she wasn’t really after this guy.
“I’m so glad you came,” Ally said, all sweet and irresistible. “I’ve been thinking of you and wanting to get away from him.” She pointed at Preston and took a large step away from him and toward the man. Touching his face, she murmured, “I’ve been waiting for you.”
The man hung loosely to the gun as his eyes focused on Ally. Preston hated that she was touching him, and then the man used his free hand to trail his fingers down Ally’s arm. “Muy bella,” he said.
Ally was Preston’s girl, and no one had the right to touch her but him. The fierce protectiveness he felt toward her swelled until it was almost overwhelming. He blinked, knowing he had to keep a clear head and not let the jealousy overtake him.
The man’s eyes were fixed on her as she kept talking about how she’d noticed him on the boat, how handsome he was, etc. Preston waited until the man’s grip on the gun loosened and it was no longer aimed at him. He leapt, putting his 4.3 40-yard combine skills to the test. He rammed the man from the side, knocking him into the ground and away from Ally. The pistol went off, and he was terrified that a stray bullet might have gotten Ally.
He grabbed the man’s hand and slammed it into the ground as he jammed his own forehead into the side of the man’s head. The man howled in pain and released the gun.
Preston was seeing stars from hitting the man so hard with his head. How had that not knocked the guy out?
Ally’s hand darted in and she grabbed the gun.
“No, Ally!” Preston didn’t want her anywhere near this man or the gun.
The man bucked his body and slammed his free hand into Preston’s temple; there was something solid in his grip that had Preston swaying and hardly able to keep his head. The darkness was encroaching on Preston, but he wasn’t going to pass out and fail Ally. He rolled his body weight on top of the guy and punched him in the side of the head. The man’s hand came up to hit him again just as Preston saw the rock in his palm. He hit Preston in the temple with it. Stars exploded and the world started going black. Preston slid to the side, nausea threatening as he tried to hold on to consciousness. The rock was coming at him again. This hit might finish him off.
“Stop!” Ally yelled. “Or I’ll shoot.”
The man’s fist stopped in midair, and he looked at Ally in surprise. “You won’t shoot,” he said snidely.
“Move, Preston,” Ally commanded.
Preston slid off of the man and onto his knees. How could he protect Ally when he couldn’t even see straight?
The man sprang up and was raising the rock to smash it into Preston’s head again. The gun went off, and the man screeched in pain and sprang away from Preston.
Preston stared through bleary eyes at the man and Ally. She stood, shaking slightly, with the gun still aimed at the man. “I told you I’d shoot.”
She was so incredibly brave. Preston couldn’t believe she’d actually shot the guy.
Blood spurted from the guy’s shoulder. “Loco señorita,” he cursed.
“I’ll do it again,” Ally warned. She came close to Preston and knelt down next to him, still clinging to the gun. “Are you okay?”
“Dizzy,” he admitted. He was going to pass out or puke. They needed to … tie the guy up and go to the beach and make a signal fire or something. Gunner was close by, but Preston could hardly keep his nausea down or his head clear. He’d had concussions before, but nothing had felt this debilitating.
“You’re incredible, Ally,” Preston whispered. His ears rang from a roar and another shot, and his head exploded as the rock caught him in the temple again. Then ev
erything went dark.
Chapter Thirteen
Ally was panicking hard-core. Preston was passed out, and she had no clue how much damage the guy had done to his head. She’d shot the man again, this time hitting his leg. The man was glaring at her from not far enough away, as she’d yelled at him to get back or she’d finish him off this time. Yet she had no clue how to keep him under control, even with a bullet wound to his shoulder and leg. She had no rope to tie him up with. With her luck, another snake would appear. Maybe the creature would go after the wounded man. Did snakes sense blood? No, that was sharks, right?
Last night had been horrible as she’d felt confused and basically rejected by Preston, but today was even worse. He had said she was incredible before he passed out, but his safety was the bigger concern right now. She felt for a pulse, and luckily, he still had one. He’d taken more than enough hits to the head as a football player. How long would he be passed out? How did she treat a head injury? What if he didn’t wake up? Her heart constricted at the thought. She needed Preston, in so many ways.
The man groaned in pain and she clung to the gun, pointing it at him. Thank heavens the gun had been loaded with no safety on and all she’d had to do was aim and fire. She shook slightly, realizing she could’ve killed the guy instead of hitting his shoulder, but thankfully she hadn’t. No matter how vile he was, she didn’t want that on her conscience.
“You.” She pointed the gun at the man. “Go get in that tent.” She gestured toward it with her head.
He nodded, stood with a grimace, and shuffled toward the tent. The look in his eyes was murderous, but he appeared compliant. He reached the tent, and she suddenly realized she was telling a bleeding man to get her safe spot all dirty. She needed to get Preston in there and nurse him back to health, without the worry of a snake slithering over him.
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