Page 37 of Sunburned

“I had a pillow over my head,” I said. I could see the question in his face, and I let my gaze flit quickly to Gisèle. He understood. “But tonight that will be helpful. Thank you.”

He ran his tongue over his bottom lip and I heard Gisèle’s purr,You like what I can do with my tongue. Heat crept up my neck and I quickly turned away.

“Morning,” Allison said as I approached the table. Her benign expression made it clear she had no idea I’d followed her to the club last night. “Laurent,” she called. “As soon as Tyson gets here, we’re ready to go.”

“Okay,” Laurent said, checking his watch.

His eyes flicked up and I turned to see Tyson prowling across the outdoor living space, his black hair swept back from his forehead, aviators perched on his nose. My stomach clenched. Samira stood as he approached and met his lips with a kiss, while Laurent scooped a green powder from a jar and stirred it into water, hastening to deliver the concoction into Tyson’s hand.

Tyson stalked over to the table, where he lingered at the head, his hand resting on the chair back. He was smiling. It was unnerving.

“Good morning,” Allison said, her countenance impassive.

“It’s the vernal equinox,” Tyson said softly. He dropped a handful of polished black rocks on the table. “Keep these in your pockets today for grounding.”

I noticed then that he had what appeared to be the same sort of rock on a leather string around his neck, as did Samira. He had always loved his charms.

“Thanks,” I said, swiping a rock off the table and pocketing it as Gisèle did the same.

A trace of disdain marred Allison’s placid face as her gaze lingered on the rocks. “Let’s go,” she said without picking one up.

“We’ll dive tomorrow,” Tyson murmured. Across the kitchen, Laurent’s ears pricked up and he was at Tyson’s elbow in lightning speed.

“How many will be diving?”

“All of us,” Tyson said. “You’ll figure it out.”

“What time would you like to go?”

“The water will be clearest in the afternoon. We’ll need the boat. We can have dinner on board afterward, and spend the night.”

“Of course,” Laurent said.

“Did you bring your dive gear?” Tyson asked, fixing his eyes on me.

I shook my head. I didn’t get to dive as much as I liked and would’ve loved nothing more than to dive here in St. Barth’s, even if it meant diving with Tyson. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Go to Gary’s.”

“Gary’s?” I echoed.

“It’s a dive store in Gustavia,” Jennifer clarified, rising from the couch. “They have everything.”

I nodded, but from what I’d been told about the prices on the island, the idea of my being able to afford anything there was preposterous.

“Put whatever you need on my account,” Tyson said.

“Thank you,” I replied, surprised.

As he strode for the front door, I thought about calling out to him, pulling him aside to ask about Samira’s dead husband. But Allison and Cody were already following him out of the house, Laurent close on their heels. I’d have to find another time.

The second the door closed, Gisèle and Samira disappeared down the stairs, leaving Jennifer and me alone.

“That was generous of him,” I commented.

“He has his moments.” She took a rock from the table and rubbed her thumb over its smooth surface. “He was different, when you dated?”

I nodded. “I mean, he was ambitious, and morally flexible, and into this kind of shit—” I gestured to the rocks. “But he was also charming and fun. Even sweet, sometimes.”

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