Stolen Feelings (Island Romances)

by Margaret Mayo

  Julie suddenly realised that by enthusing like this she was in danger of drawing herself and Cameron too close together—and this was what she could not afford to do. She turned away, looking in a different direction, exclaiming in delight when a blue-footed boobie landed almost at her feet.

  They were distinctive birds, looking for all the world as though they had stepped up to their thighs into a pot of blue paint, and so tame. Ian had said they were actually called boobies because of their tameness. At least it was a distraction, and she concentrated all her attention on it.

  ‘I think we should move on.’ Cameron’s voice sounded much harsher all of a sudden. He hitched the backpack which contained their lunch into a more comfortable position and strode away.

  Julie wondered what was wrong. It was as though some shadow had crossed their path, as though his thoughts all of a sudden had gone from her to something unpleasant. Whatever, it was perhaps for the best. There had been a very definite danger of them becoming too familiar.

  From the top of the island they tramped down the other side, Cameron leading her to a shore which was not a shore really, just a rocky incline leading right down to the sea. And on this occasion he made no attempt to help her.

  Julie wondered if she was the cause of his anger and tried to recall whether she had said or done anything adverse. Nothing came to mind—except that she had turned away and tried to ignore him. Was that it? Was that what was wrong? Or had he guessed how she felt about him and this was his way of dealing with it? The thought made her go hot and cold.

  She had no time to dwell on these disquieting thoughts, however, because it was here that they found the fur seals—a whole colony of them. With their squat, bear-like faces and upturned noses they were entrancing.

  ‘They’re smaller than sea-lions, and less friendly,’ Cameron told her. ‘Probably because of the way they were once hunted. Most animals here have no fear of man at all, which is the attraction for the visitors.’

  They sat on the rocks at the water’s edge, Cameron dousing them liberally with water first to cool them down. The hottest part of the day was two o’clock, and as it was nearing that now it was almost impossible to walk without the heat burning through the soles of their shoes. But there was no shelter and the heat did not seem to bother Cameron.

  They ate their sandwiches and drank luke-warm orange juice; unhurried, patient, silently watching the adorable creatures’ antics. Cameron’s mood seemed to have passed—or had he mellowed because of the seals and not her? This was his real interest, after all; humans came a poor second.

  Nevertheless, Julie felt happy sitting there, enjoying his company, enjoying the feel of this exciting male animal, conscious of excitement tingling through her veins. Although her eyes were on the fur seals it was Cameron who was in her thoughts. Every second of the time they spent together she was alive to him.

  When one particularly inquisitive pup came right up to Julie, its flippers on the rock at her side, its large brown eyes gazing curiously into hers, Cameron said, ‘You’re honoured; he must have good taste. It took me weeks the last time I was here to get them used to me.’

  Julie looked at him, her heart suddenly pitter-patter-ing within her breast. He was watching her again, though this time there were no emotions on his face.

  ‘How did you and Ian meet?’

  It was the sixty-four thousand dollar question that she had been dreading. She had no idea whether Ian had already mentioned the real circumstances of he and the other Julie meeting. She knew what they were, but not in any detail. It was a trick question, she felt sure, asked only because Cameron was already highly suspicious.

  CHAPTER SIX

  IT WENT against every principle Julie held, pretending to be her brother’s wife, and if she hadn’t loved Ian so dearly, if she hadn’t wanted his happiness so very much after the break-up of his marriage, she would never have agreed to the deception.

  ‘We’ve actually known each other all our lives,’ she told Cameron now, feeling distinctly apprehensive and hoping it did not show in her face.

  Cameron’s brows rose. ‘I understood it was a very sudden affair?’

  ‘Well—’ Julie pulled a wry face, lifting her shoulders in an airy gesture ‘—-it was.’ And that was no lie, because Ian asking her to pretend to be his wife had been sudden.

  He looked amused by her unease, his eyes glinting, his mouth quirking. ‘You’re saying that although you knew each other quite well the discovery that you were in love came right out of the blue?’

  Again she shrugged, trying desperately to appear nonchalant. ‘Actually, I’ve always loved Ian.’

  Blue eyes widened again. ‘And he didn’t know?’

  He was making her sound stupid, and Julie knew that if she wasn’t careful honesty was going to be her downfall. Trying to get around the truth without telling any lies was proving to be very difficult.

  The fur seal had gone away, playing at the water’s edge with his family, and Cameron was sitting much closer to her than she would have liked. He was wearing a pair of denim shorts and his powerfully muscled legs with their scattering of dark hairs drew her eyes like a magnet. There were just inches between them and she could smell the intoxicating maleness of him.

  ‘Yes, he knew,’ she admitted, ‘but—’

  ‘Perhaps he wasn’t ready to commit himself?’

  ‘Something like that, I guess,’ she answered, smiling at last, relieved that he had put his own interpretation on the situation.

  His eyes gleamed. ‘Or perhaps he wasn’t sure that marriage between the two of you was—exactly right? Perhaps he felt that your love for each other was—what shall I say?—familial? More like the love for a—a brother and sister, perhaps?’

  Her heart went thud. His questioning confirmed without any shadow of doubt that he knew they were playing a game, or at least he was ninety-nine per cent sure. And he was trying to pressure her into admitting the truth. If only she could! But for Ian’s sake she had to go on with it.

  Her chin came up. ‘I suppose it was like that—in the early days—but not any longer. Just because we’re not in each other’s arms all of the time, just because we don’t spend every minute we have together making love, it doesn’t mean that we’re not in love.’ Fear made her voice sharp—too sharp, perhaps.

  This cat-and-mouse game was getting to her. She had to keep silent. Because if he ever found out for sure he would banish them. He was smiling now, relaxed and thoroughly enjoying himself, but no sooner the truth was out than his attitude would change; she knew that instinctively. He would have no compunction about sending them both back to England.

  ‘Have you never had any other boyfriends?’ he asked next, smoothly and with just the right amount of interest in his voice, but he did not fool her.

  ‘There have been others,’ she admitted.

  ‘But none of them came up to Ian’s standard, is that what you’re saying? What did he think when you went out with someone else? Or didn’t you tell him? Did you two-time him, in fact?’

  ‘No, I did not,’ she exclaimed vehemently. ‘We were always free agents.’

  An eyebrow rose. ‘Ian sounds very accommodating. Were there recent boyfriends, just before your—er—sudden marriage, or were they all in the far distant past?’

  It was all getting too much for Julie and she glared defiantly. ‘I don’t think that my private life has anything to do with you.’

  ‘But I’m interested.’ He pushed his face closer to hers, white teeth gleaming in a wicked smile. ‘You’re an intriguing woman, Julie Drummond, not at all what I expected. I want to know all about you—what makes you tick, everything.’

  ‘And if I don’t want to tell you?’ she snapped, wondering if he had spotted the rapid fluttering of her pulses.

  He lifted his shoulders in a slow, expansive gesture. ‘Then I will be forced to think that you have something to hide.’

  Julie gave a silent groan and wished desperately there was some e
scape. She was at his mercy as completely as a fly in a spider’s web. ‘There was someone,’ she admitted finally, ‘but…’ Her voice tailed away; she could not go on.

  ‘But Ian was your first and last love, is that it? What made him finally pop the question? What was the decisive factor?’ His eyes were ever watchful on her face.

  Julie twisted the ring on her finger, unaware that she was doing so, racking her brains for some convincing answer that was not too far off the truth. ‘I—I don’t really know. It just happened. Ian—’

  ‘It just happened?’ he repeated derisively.

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered.

  ‘Ian said, “Let’s get married” and you agreed, just like that?’

  Julie nodded.

  ‘How amazing. Have you ever regretted it?’

  Julie could take no more. She sprang to her feet, startling the seal pups playing close by. ‘I think that’s enough of this conversation. I’m hot; let’s move before I bake to death.’

  He controlled a knowing smile and hitched the backpack over his shoulder, and for the next hour or so they walked in relative silence, Cameron identifying various birds and animals, but asking no more uncomfortable questions.

  Julie felt sure she had confirmed his suspicions and she wished for the millionth time that she had never let Ian persuade her to carry out such a dangerous deception.

  When they got back Ian was much better, his migraine had virtually gone and he was in the process of cooking a meal for them. ‘Have you enjoyed your day?’ he asked, giving her a hug and a kiss.

  Julie knew it was intended for Cameron’s benefit, but it was a bit too enthusiastic, and unfortunately a bit too late to do any good now. Ian should have played the part better in the beginning.

  ‘I saw lots of wildlife,’ she said, ‘all sorts, too many to mention, and the most beautiful fur seals. They’re captivating animals. I can understand Cameron wanting to write about them.’

  ‘But how did you get on with Cameron himself?’ he asked quietly. Julie grinned and flashed her eyes. ‘I’d rather not talk about it.’

  Ian groaned. ‘You’ve not been at each other’s throats again?’

  ‘He just asks too many questions,’ she whispered fiercely. ‘It’s telling on my nerves, Ian. I don’t know how long I can keep this up.’

  ‘Oh, Sis.’ He hugged her yet again. ‘Please don’t say that. Don’t do it to me. I actually feel I’m beginning to live again. I’m not thinking so much about Julie, and I really do feel much better.’

  She smiled wistfully. ‘I’ll try, you know that. Your happiness means a lot to me.’

  ‘And yours to me,’ he said. ‘You’re not truly unhappy, are you?’

  ‘No, I’m not unhappy, I’m just worried—scared to death, in fact.’ She linked her hands around his waist and looked up into his face. ‘I love the place, I just hate the pretence.’ And her tremendous attraction for Cameron was the worst problem of all.

  Cameron emerged from his tent while they were still holding each other, black swimming trunks having replaced his shorts and shirt.

  The good thing about her close kinship with her twin was that there was nothing forced, they geninuely enjoyed each other’s company. There had been occasions in their past, before Ian was married, when if they’d had nothing else to do they had gone out together, maybe for a meal or to a disco, and anyone who did not know had always taken them for a couple. Theirs was something more than an ordinary brother-sister relationship, a bonding from birth that had never gone away. Surely enough to add credence to their lie?

  But Cameron didn’t seem impressed; indeed, there was a derogatory lift to his brows, and when Julie dived into her tent his mocking voice followed. ‘Won’t you join me for a swim, Julie? That’s if Ian doesn’t mind?’

  ‘Not in the least,’ her brother called out.

  Julie cursed silently. She wished that for once Ian would object, anything to help support their story. She knew he was desperate to please his boss, but surely something like this went beyond the bounds of duty. He wasn’t helping her at all.

  She did desperately need a swim, more than anything after their marathon trek, but she wanted to get away from Cameron, not rejoin him. Now she had no choice.

  Instead of her bikini she pulled on a one-piece swimsuit in black and cerise. At least she had her own tent, she thought thankfully; it hadn’t been a problem sharing with Ian—he had always let her go to bed first, and he was always up and dressed and out before she woke up—but this was so much better. It gave her breathing space and it was what she needed right now.

  When she emerged Cameron was already cleaving the ocean with his powerful arms. Actually, she would have preferred to use the pool she had found yesterday, but that would make it look as though she was deliberately avoiding him, so, taking a deep, fortifying breath, she ran lightly across the hot crunchy shore and joined him.

  To her surprise she found that the waters in this tiny, secluded bay were not so cold as on Santa Cruz. She decided it was because of the natural rocky spur that protected it from the wide ocean, and which had hidden it from view when they arrived.

  ‘Don’t go out any further than the rocks,’ Cameron warned her. ‘There are extremely strong currents around these islands.’

  They dived like seals and swam underwater for as long as they could hold their breath, and the brilliantly coloured fish which accompanied them were a constant source of pleasure. Julie felt her tension easing. When Cameron wasn’t accusing he was excellent company.

  ‘This is good,’ she said, smiling with genuine enjoyment. ‘How about we have a race to those rocks and back?’

  He grinned. ‘You’re on.’

  Julie knew she would not win—Cameron was a tremendous swimmer—but it was fun trying, and she was only a few yards behind him at the end.

  ‘I’m impressed,’ he said. ‘You’re an excellent swimmer for a girl, and much better company when you’re not hating me quite so much.’

  His compliment took her by surprise. ‘Put my irritability down to the heat,’ she said lightly. ‘It’s not really anything personal’.

  An eyebrow rose. ‘If that is the case then I’ve found the perfect answer to your bad moods.’

  Julie gave a faint, quizzical frown.

  ‘I shall just pick you up and dump you in the ocean.’

  ‘You wouldn’t dare!’ she cried, laughing.

  ‘Wouldn’t I?’ he asked warningly. ‘Don’t ever challenge me, Julie. I’m not one to back down.’

  When they waded back to shore Julie felt happier than she had all day. They actually seemed to be achieving some kind of rapport; she flashed him a happy smile and then cried out in agony as a sharp pain pierced her foot.

  She was immediately swung up into Cameron’s strong arms, held against his hard, masculine body, and for an insane moment the pain was forgotten. All she could feel was the heat and the power of him.

  ‘A sting-ray,’ he declared grimly as he examined Julie’s foot a few seconds later, her brother looking on anxiously. ‘They do bask in the shallows on certain beaches but I’ve never come across any here. I’m afraid it’s going to be very sore and painful for a day or two.’

  It was almost worth the pain, thought Julie, to be treated with such concern, to have Cameron’s undivided attention. It didn’t even hurt while he was tending the wound; she was conscious only of his nearness and the effect he was having on her.

  Not until she was in bed did she begin to feel the sting. Her whole leg throbbed and it kept her awake, and she wanted more than anything to have Cameron at her side.

  Through the opening in her tent she watched the dawn, a glorious spectrum of colours that constantly changed the sky and the water through greys and purples and reds to gold. She listened to the by now familiar sound of the mocking-birds, scavenging for leftover pieces of food, the scratching of a finch on her tent roof, and then, through her limited field of vision, she saw Cameron walk down to the water’s edge.r />
  The tide was in, and much closer to their tents than when they had pitched them. Julie’s heart began its familiar drumming, almost painful in its intensity. He wore white swimming trunks this morning and they complemented and emphasised his tan; his body was magnificent.

  He walked with the grace of a feral animal and Julie looked after him hungrily. He carried his snorkel and mask and a container of some sort, and as he entered the water he shuffled his feet. She imagined it was in case there were any more sting-rays lurking. Already Julie had made up her mind that she would restrict her bathing to the lagoon.

  He headed towards the outcrop of rocks, disappearing beneath the water for a considerable length of time, although if she looked really hard she could occasionally see the tip of his snorkel.

  When he finally emerged it looked as though he had something in the basket, though she could not make out what it was. She called his name and he came to her tent, holding his prize out for her to see. ‘Our supper,’ he told her.

  Julie’s mouth twisted in dismay when she saw three lobsters. ‘You’re not expecting me to cook them?’

  ‘It is your job,’ he announced severely, and then he smiled. ‘But I’ll let you off since you have a bad foot. How is it this morning?’ His wet hair clung to his well-shaped head, dripping down his face and off his chin, his whole body glistening, the sun behind him emphasising his breadth and strength.

  Julie drew in a ragged breath. How could he affect her like this so soon after Roger? After she had sworn never to let herself get interested in any man again? It was an ironic twist of fate.

  ‘Still painful; I’ve hardly slept,’ she admitted. ‘But I’m going to get up now and take a swim in the lagoon.’

  ‘I’ll join you,’ he said at once.

  ‘That’s not necessary.’

  Brows rose warningly. ‘I happen to think it is.’

  Julie wished Ian was awake so that she could suggest he go with her, but there was no movement at all from his tent. She shrugged. ‘If you insist.’ Though she could not quite see the point in it. It was only a stone’s throw away. She could yell if anything happened.