As on the beach, Gaby reacted gleefully to being lifted off the ground. It wasn't the actual lift that thrilled her. She had been hoisted into the arms and over the head of men before as a ballet dancer. But she liked the way that Illya scooped her up like he couldn't get close enough to her to be satisfied. She wrapped her legs around his waist and rested her arm on his shoulders so that she could snake one hand around his neck and cup his face with the other, holding him in place as she kissed him. She raked her teeth across his lower lip when she finally pulled away, then licked her own well-kissed lips as she looked into his eyes. Earlier, he had asked her what she thought of him. "Is that a better answer to your question?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with an irresistible combination of amusement and desire.