Tuck’s breath whooshed out of him. He held up both hands. “Oh, no, Maryn. Oh. The room. You thought…”
“What did you expect me to think?” She arched her eyebrows and glared at him.
“But you know I wouldn’t try to…” He shook his head.
“I’ve spent three days with you, Tuck. How am I supposed to know you so well? You don’t know me that well either. I thought maybe you would assume I might want this after I let you sleep in the bed with me in Island Park.”
She gnawed at her lip and Tucker had to force himself to not get distracted at the mention of snuggling through the night and the way her teeth tugged at those soft lips.
“No. I didn’t think that. I apologize, Maryn. I got the room so we’d have a place to change now and shower after we play in the water. I also wanted to have access to this beach. It’s a nice quiet one. Plus I love Maggie’s Blue Rose for lunch and Lloyd’s for candy and there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms so I promise you will have lots of privacy. All the privacy you want.” Tucker stopped at the amused look on Maryn’s face. “You make me talk more than I ever have in my life.”
“Especially when you’re in trouble.” She tilted her head to the side.
“Please forgive me.”
Maryn smiled and he let himself breathe again. “You’re forgiven. I’m sorry for assuming.”
“You had every right to. Lunch first or beach?”
“Lunch on the beach sounds good.”
“Yes, it does. I’ll call in some food then go change in myprivatebedroom.”
She smirked and he knew she’d forgiven him. He cursed himself for being so stupid and not explaining when they pulled up to the hotel. His dating experience was much too limited.
* * *
Maryn liked the quiet little beach. The front desk handed Tucker two beach chairs, an umbrella, and a small cooler with treats and drinks. Maryn carried a platter of shrimp, lobster, and chicken tacos from Maggie’s Blue Rose. She felt so stupid for assuming that Tucker wanted to spend the night with her. He’d proven himself a gentleman in Island Park and just because of James’ stupid insinuations she’d gotten all bratty and judgmental. Again, Tucker had shown his true character when he didn’t get upset, but apologized to her instead. Maybe he was too good to be true, but she was going to enjoy each moment they had together.
She took off her cover up and relaxed into the chair. She sighed as Tuck took his shirt off and didn’t hide that she was ogling him. He was broad and had lots of evident muscles, but Maryn loved that he didn’t have some chiseled abdomen, just a normal one. It was obvious he worked hard, but he didn’t spend his life in the gym trying to form the perfect body. Tucker Shaffer had more purpose than that and she loved it.
“You’re um, staring,” he said, folding his arms across his chest and making her stare more at the breadth of those biceps.
“So are you,” she shot back.
“Yeah, but you’re perfect and worth staring at.”
“So are you.”
He grimaced. “I’m not sure about that.”
“I love your shape,” she said then she rotated around and tugged down the back of her one-piece swimsuit to show him her scars. The skin had healed, but it was still pink and bumpy. “I’m definitely not perfect.”
Tuck groaned, sank down on the chair next to her, and traced his fingers over the scars on her lower back. Maryn trembled from the soft touch of his calloused fingers. “It kills me that I did this to you.”
Maryn flipped back around to face him. “You didn’t do it. That grumpy ten-foot tall bear is to blame.”
Tuck smiled. “I still feel responsible.”
“Well, don’t. It’s going to be fine. The scars will fade soon and all we’ll have is the memories.” The image of him standing between her and the bear would never go away, but she hoped they’d have more together than the memories. She reclined into her chair and chose one of the shrimp tacos from the platter. They ate in silence for a few minutes, the laughter of children, the gentle lapping of the ocean against the sand in the bay, and the squawking of sea gulls their entertainment. Maryn ate a lobster taco next then had to drink some strawberry lemonade to cut the spice.
“So,” Maryn said, “we’re just going to chill on the beach all day.”
“You know me better than that.”
Maryn giggled. “What’s next?”
“Come for a walk with me.” He stood and offered his hand. Maryn had no problem placing her hand in his. They walked slowly down the beach.