Very Tempting

Image credit: Tom: Jason Willheim/FOX

POISON IVY Tom -- yes, the Ivy League graduate -- tempted Counselor Shannon

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How often did your ''dream dates'' talk about their significant others?
TOMShannon and I talked about Andy a great deal. Their relationship is a part of who Shannon is, and I wanted to know her. Because of that, we spent half our together time feeding our impulses, and the other half resisting them.
ALISON Kaya mentioned Valerie on our first date, especially when he thought he'd seen her. But he really didn't talk about her on our last date. He really focused on me.

Watching the show now, what are your impressions of Andy and Valerie?
TOM Since I had gotten to know him through Shannon's comments, the kind of experience he had didn't surprise me. Andy is the type of person who says things right away; he'll blurt something out and without thinking about it. They're opposites that way. Unfortunately, that doesn't play well in two weeks -- or on an hourlong show.
ALISON On the show, Valerie is so upset and just goes on her dates and thinks only about Kaya. That was surprising, because she doesn't seem to enjoy herself at all, and the single guys were all great. Kaya, on the other hand, wanted to have the ''full experience'' of exploring his relationship.

Meaning what? Tell us about those final dates -- did they, as host Mark L. Walberg says, ''get steamy''?
TOM A lot of what Shannon and I experienced happened the next day. There were still issues unresolved by the end of the [overnight date]. Everything that happened will be on display on the last episode, but that's all I can say.
ALISON Hmmm. I would have to agree with Mark that things got steamy, but I don't think I can tell you who and where.

What happened off screen that you thought would make it on the air?
TOM The downtime of all of us on the beach, partying and bonding. A lot of the relationships, including mine with Shannon, were stronger than they seemed on the show, because you don't see everything that happened when people weren't on official dates.
ALISON Me walking around poolside with no top on. Two of the guys and me were skinny dipping, but I don't think Fox could show any of that. There was another night when Andy lost his bathing suit and he took my swimming suit bottoms. That also didn't make it on. There was a little bit of nudity, but it was all in good fun.

Read EW.com's ''Temptation Island'' episode guide.