Castaways

by Lily Harlem

  She clenched around him and let out a small moan.

  “Olivia,” he said, dropping down but still taking the majority of his weight. “Oh God you feel so good.”

  “Mmm,” she said, wrapping her arms around his sun-warmed shoulders. “Yes.”

  “I’m gonna make this real good for you, okay?”

  “Yes, yes, real good.” Damn it. So far it was already real good.

  “I’m gonna make you come.” He pressed his mouth to hers. “With me.”

  She could live with that.

  He pulled back, almost withdrew, then eased in again. As he did so he caught her clitoris with his body.

  “Oh!” she gasped. “Yes, like that.”

  It was clear Evan didn’t need any instructions. He pulled back again, then repeated the action kissing her with a delicate passion.

  He did it over and over. Setting up a steady pace with a firm connection.

  She became lost in him. Lost in the kiss, lost to what he was doing to her. The pressure was mounting in her pelvis. An orgasm was building.

  “Don’t stop,” she gasped into his mouth.

  “Not…stopping…”

  She held him tighter and curled her toes. As he pushed into her she canted her hips to meet him so he hit the spot just right.

  They both groaned.

  “Like that…” she managed. “I’m going to…”

  “Come, babe. Come.”

  She held her breath and caught the climax hovering within reach. Her entire body tensed, he owned her pleasure and it needed to overspill.

  “Ahh, ahh…” she cried.

  He upped the pace and it was her undoing. Bliss ravaged her, spreading over her nerves and sending white-hot fingers of pleasure bursting over her body.

  She dug her nails into his back and dragged them over his flesh. She shifted her legs so they were wrapped around his waist and clung to him.

  “Oh fuck…” He pounded into her then stilled.

  She was aware of his steel-hard cock pulsating against the walls of her spasming pussy. It was hard to catch her breath. It was as if the world had stopped turning, time had stood still, and there was only her and Evan in this moment.

  As he withdrew slowly then pushed back in, deep, he caught her mouth with his.

  His kiss was less urgent, now it was full of emotion. Each move of his lips, stroke of his tongue told her he’d enjoyed himself as much as she had.

  Chapter Seventeen

  After several minutes of kissing, Evan pulled out. He flopped onto his back and rested his forearm over his eyes to shield them from the sun.

  Olivia spun onto her side and rested her hand over his chest. His heart was still beating fast. “That was intense.”

  “It was always going to be.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Between us. You’re something else, you know that?”

  “Well, I—”

  “Don’t even try to argue. You’re a sexy sailor, engineer girl, in a tiny white bikini and with a smile that makes me happy just to see it. Yes, you’re definitely something else, Olivia.”

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  “I do.” He ran his hand over her hair. “But we should get back, don’t you think? The others will be thirsty.”

  “Yes, we should.” Though she didn’t want the moment to end she knew it was the right thing to do.

  “Come on.” He sat and reached for his shorts, quickly pulled them on.

  Olivia hunted around for her bikini and t-shirt then dressed. “Will we tell them?”

  “What?”

  “You know what.”

  “If they find out, they find out.” He turned and picked up the water and knife.

  “Er, I think they might guess,” she said, looking at the row of neat red lines on his shoulder blades.

  “What do you mean, babe?”

  “There’s… how shall I put it? Evidence.” She nodded at his back. “Scratches.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You’re a wild woman.”

  She laughed. “I blame you. You made me wild.”

  He reached for her hand. “And you can bet your life, I’ll make you wild again… soon.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  They headed back toward camp. It was an easy enough route through the trees and glossy green shrubs now they’d passed through it. Once on the sand, they turned right.

  In the distance she spotted Harry perched on the rock with the radio. Instantly her attention was dragged out to sea, hoping to spot a ship, but there was nothing.

  “Do you think they’re looking for us yet?” she asked Evan.

  “Probably, but it’s anyone’s guess if they’re looking in the right place. Their square mile search area will be huge.”

  “We haven’t gone that far from Temptress’ final resting place though.”

  “You know as well as I do, they have no idea where she went down.”

  Olivia said nothing. Of course she knew that. She’d just wanted some reassurance.

  “But it will be okay. We can wait it out now we have water and fishing lines. Hell, we even have a top class chef.”

  “I know you’re right. My parents will be so worried, though, and my friends.” She thought of Sandy, and of her little niece. She hated to think they’d be upset, thinking she might be dead. Drowned in the Pacific, their worst fears when she’d said she was undertaking the trip.

  “I doubt Vidal Inc. has told them we’re missing. Likely they’ll do a preliminary sweep first. If they pick us up and we can tell them what happened without them ever knowing we were lost, that will be for the best.”

  “I hope that’s the case.”

  “And they might pick us up on the preliminary search, you never know.”

  Olivia knew they’d be pretty damn lucky if that happened but didn’t say it. She didn’t need to. Though Evan was right, they could sit it out. Wait for weeks, months if they had to.

  “Mmm, something is cooking.” Evan pointed in the direction of camp.

  As he’d spoken a delicious BBQ aroma drifted toward her. “Oh, the guys must have caught fish.”

  “Good news.”

  They made their way to camp and everyone but Harry was sitting around the fire. Raul was hunched over several large glossy green leaves set out on the stones. Each held a mound of rice and a cooked fish. He was sprinkling herbs over each one, flicking his wrist and jigging his shoulders flamboyantly as if really enjoying himself.

  “This looks and smells amazing,” Evan said, handing out the bottles of water.

  “No need to eat like savages just because we are marooned,” Raul said. He looked up. “You found water!”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank goodness.” Mason opened his bottle and took a drink.

  Lucas did the same.

  “A good supply too, plenty, about twenty minutes from here. It’s a moving source so reliably clean.” He shrugged. “Well, it certainly tastes okay.”

  “I agree.” Mason had another slug. “Nothing stagnant about this.”

  “Hey, Harry,” Olivia called. “Come and have food and drink.”

  He looked up. “Be right there.” He set the radio aside.

  Olivia took a seat between Mason and Lucas, who’d both stripped off their t-shirts, and happily accepted the meal Raul offered forward. “Where did you get the rice and herbs? No, don’t tell me, in your magic sack.”

  He chuckled. “What can I say, it was like supermarket broom when I saw the fire on the boat.”

  “What?” She was confused.

  Mason burst out laughing. “Supermarket sweep, you mean.”

  “Same thing.” Raul tutted.

  Olivia chuckled. “You know you’re forgiven for the odd wrong word, Raul.”

  He turned to her and winked then carried on handing out the food.

  Harry strolled into the shade. He paused as if letting his eyes adjust to the dimmer light. For a moment his attention lingered on E
van’s back then he glanced at Olivia. “You had a successful trip.”

  “Very,” she smiled and wondered if he’d mention the scratch marks. It was pretty damn obvious what had caused them. “Come and eat, drink too,” she said. “You must be thirsty.”

  “I am.” He returned the smile and picked up a bottle of water. “Might have to be the one to collect water with you next time, Liv.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Especially if it ends in an orgasm.

  She munched on the fish, it was so fresh and moist and whatever herbs Raul had added complimented it very well. When she’d finished that mouthful she said, “Tomorrow I thought you and I, Harry, could make the other trip you suggested. Up to the rocky outcrop. See what we can see and perhaps set up a beacon, then if we spot a ship we can light it.”

  “Not if, when.” He took a long drink then replaced the lid of his bottle. “We have to believe that.”

  “I do.” She glanced at Mason, Lucas and Raul. “But we’re okay, aren’t we? It’s not ideal but we can survive. There doesn’t appear to be any cannibals, or ferocious creatures here. As long as we’re careful not to get sick.” She glanced at Raul’s arm. “Or injured. We can wait this out. Because they will find us, not least because we have you, the famous Harrington Vidal with us.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “What does that mean?”

  “You know,” Mason said. “What are the gossip mags going to write about if you’re not creating a paparazzi storm in LA? Will Twitter survive? Of course they’ll be looking for you. Hell, you’re a story just by not being there.”

  Harry scooped up some rice and shoved it into his mouth. His eyebrows were pulled low. “I don’t ask for it, you know.”

  “I’d say hanging out on Malibu beach with a bunch of gorgeous girls and looking like you’ve just walked out of Men’s Health Magazine is asking for it,” Evan said.

  “Hey. I live there, okay, and I like the beach, it’s my back garden for all intent and purpose. As for girls.” He paused. “There’s no one back home, no girl waiting in my bed. Contrary to popular belief I don’t have a string of women at my beck and call.”

  “Is that true?” Olivia asked. God she wanted it to be. They’d shared the briefest of kisses earlier, but it had felt special, everything about their relationship felt special.

  “Yeah,” he said, his attention on her. “There’s no one back home.”

  “And he can’t help the way he looks,” Lucas said.

  They all turned to Lucas.

  Evan paused with his food halfway to his mouth and stared.

  “Well he can’t.” Lucas nodded at Harry. “He’s got good genes, clearly, and he lives a healthy lifestyle. That’s how he looks. I’m guessing there’s no steroids or Botox.”

  “Too damn right there isn’t.” Harry rubbed at the increasingly dark hair growing on his chin. It was sprouting faster than all the other guys’ facial hair. “A good friend of mine once told me vanity was an unattractive quality. I’ve tried to remember that.” He looked down at his meal.

  They all ate in silence for a few minutes.

  “So we’ll go tomorrow, up to the rocky outcrop, right,” Olivia said. She didn’t make it a question, it was something she and Harry were going to do. Not least because she wanted a good look around and why shouldn’t she be the one to go—just because she was a girl?

  “Yeah,” he said. “We’ll go early, before it gets too hot.”

  “And Lucas and I will go get water,” Mason said. “I’m guessing that’ll be a job that needs doing several times a day.”

  “Yep,” Evan said. “But we’ll harvest some water too. Might as well.”

  “And I will fish,” Raul said. “I am good at that.” He glanced at Lucas. “Well I had some help, two fishermen better than one.”

  “You did great, both of you.” Olivia finished her meal and set her leaf aside. “That was amazing.”

  “I’ll restack the fire in the morning and collect more wood,” Evan said. “It’ll need attention each day. But it should be okay to go all night with what we’ve got.”

  “What time is it?” Olivia asked Harry. He still wore his expensive watch. Suddenly she felt tired.

  “It’s eight o’clock. The sun will be going soon.”

  “But we have somewhere to sleep,” Evan said.

  “I might go to sleep soon. It’s been a long day.” She was tired.

  “We need to burn these leaves with food scents on them or the ants will be all over us,” Evan said, tossing his leaf onto the fire.

  Olivia did the same and it shriveled and crinkled creating a fragrant aroma.

  “But they were plates,” Raul said, fluttering his fingers in the air. “Now what will I use?”

  “There’s plenty more.” Mason stood. “I got them from down the beach. I’ll get some more.” He looked at Olivia. “Fancy seeing the sunset with me?”

  “Sure.” She stood then bent and dropped a kiss on Raul’s head. “Thanks for dinner. It was amazing.”

  “You are very welcome, mi niña hermosa.” He grinned up at her. “Very.”

  She stepped away from the camp as the men started a conversation about the radio range and possible shipping lanes.

  “Are you okay?” Mason asked when they were out of earshot. “Really?”

  “Yes, why?” His question surprised her.

  “A lot has happened today. It’s been pretty intense and not how any of us thought it would go.”

  She bumped her shoulder against his. “And have you asked Harry, Evan, Lucas or Raul the same question?”

  He cleared his throat. “Well no… I haven’t.”

  “But because I’m a girl you thought you should ask me.”

  “No, it’s not that,” he said quickly.

  They reached the shoreline and turned toward where the sun was kissing the horizon and the sky glowing scarlet.

  After dodging a few waves, Olivia took off her shoes and tossed them up the beach out of reach of the sea.

  “The thing is, Mason,” she said as she allowed an approaching fizz of water to trickle over her feet. “I came on this trip hoping it would be an adventure. And no, I didn’t plan or expect this.” She gestured to the island. “But it’s happened, as you said, and we can’t deny it’s an adventure.”

  “I just don’t want you to be scared.” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

  “You’re sweet but I’m fine.” Any irritation she felt ebbed away as the warmth from his touch replicated the warmth that was obviously in his heart.

  “Good, just know I’m here, we all are, if you need anything.”

  “I think, Mason.” She stopped and looked up at his face. The twilight was rendering him in shadows but what light there was shone on his angled features. “We’re all here for each other. The Challenge team did a good job with us. We’ve all got the right personalities for this…well, this challenge.”

  “Yes, we have.” He nodded. “But can you…”

  “Can I what?”

  He glanced away. “Lucas, he’s…”

  Olivia tipped her head. Mason was clearly struggling to find the right words. Which was unusual in a big, tough Scot, but something was obviously bothering him. And if there was anything that would bother Mason, she guessed it would be a problem with his twin.

  She decided to help him out. “He’s a soft soul, right?”

  Mason released his breath and his shoulders sagged a little as tension released. “Yes. That’s the way to describe him. He looks like a hard nut, but he’s a soft soul.”

  “Don’t worry.” She pressed her hand over his shoulder, the inked one, almost surprised when it didn’t feel like armor, it was so realistic and with the evening light it glistened like steel. “I won’t hurt him. I promise.”

  “Can you really promise that?”

  “As long as everyone is cool, then yes.” She paused. “I like you all.” She’d spoken quietly, her gaze drifting to the palm trees over his lef
t shoulder.

  “We understand that.”

  “We?” She widened her eyes and looked back at him. “You talked about me, amongst yourselves?”

  “Yes, well, kind of. How guys talk, you know. A bit of grunting, the odd slap on the back.” He hesitated. “What I’m trying to say is you won’t have to cope with any snide comments or jealousy. You wanna spend time with Evan, or Harry and have fun, that’s between you guys. You wanna walk on the beach with me, that’s our time.”

  Now it was Olivia’s turn to let her shoulders release some tension. She hadn’t really known it was there, but clearly it had been. She’d had sex with Evan, great sex, and she didn’t regret that. But the truth was each of her castaway guys appealed to her, a lot, in their own way. And the more she got to know them, the more each was finding a space in her heart.

  “You’re unnervingly quiet,” Mason said, keeping hold of her hand and continuing to walk along the beach.

  She stared down at a shallow wave gliding around her ankles. “And Raul and Lucas?”

  “Of course. That goes without saying. We’re stuck here, we have to get on together. And let’s face it, any guy would be crazy not to be head over heels, heart-stoppingly, dick-achingly attracted to you.”

  “Hey!” She shoved her body into him and he staggered sideways a little. “You clearly skipped the romance class your twin went to.”

  “What?”

  “Yes, he’s got quite a way with words, when he does speak. He’s even given me a little present since we’ve been here.”

  Mason chuckled. “And here was me thinking I knew everything there was to know about him.”

  “Guess there are some things he saves for the girl in his life.”

  Mason hesitated then, “Aye, I guess so.”

  They walked in silence for a few minutes then Mason turned away from the waves. “Those big flat plate leaves were up here.”

  “Okay.”

  She followed him to the darkening treeline. “Hey look, there’s Angel.”

  “What? Who’s Angel?” He followed her line of sight to where the big white bird was settling down on a patch of dried weed next to a rock.

  “The bird. I named her. Shame she’s on her own.”

  “I saw a couple of those birds back there earlier, there’s a few around.”