Stolen Feelings (Island Romances)

by Margaret Mayo

  Cameron was left with no choice, but back in their own camp he said brusquely, ‘What the hell were you doing, letting them come ashore?’

  Julie looked at him in astonishment. ‘How was I supposed to stop them?’

  ‘You could have told them the island was private.’

  ‘They knew it wasn’t.’

  ‘You could have said that visitors weren’t welcome.’

  ‘I could have said a lot of things,’ she snapped, feeling that he was being unfair. ‘But it was three against one. I didn’t relish arguing with them.’

  ‘Even so, you didn’t have to be so friendly.’

  ‘And why not?’ He was being boorish about the whole thing. ‘They’re a nice bunch, easy to get on with.’

  ‘So I noticed,’ he commented bitterly. ‘You had so much fun that you didn’t give Ian or me a second thought. How long have they been here?’

  ‘All day,’ she admitted.

  ‘So you’ve done nothing except sit and chat?’ Dark brows rose accusingly.

  ‘I didn’t realise the time,’ she confessed. ‘I’ll get our meal now. It won’t take long.’

  ‘I’m not talking about food, Julie. You’re here to work, not fraternise with whoever takes it into their mind to invade the island. I realise I cannot stop anyone else arriving, but I do take exception to you spending so much time with them.’

  ‘I was being polite.’ She felt he was going too far, that he was making a bigger issue than was necessary. And it was a wonder he hadn’t accused her of throwing herself at the young men. She could understand him being angry because their meal wasn’t ready—they were always starving when they came back—but a few hours out of her week to chat to their visitors was surely nothing to argue about.

  Ian looked at them both questioningly as they returned. ‘Who are they?’

  ‘Just holidaymakers,’ answered Julie.

  ‘Troublemakers,’ growled Cameron.

  And later that evening, when Rick, Lee and Alex walked across and invited them over for a drink, Julie thought Cameron was going to explode. It became very clear that he did not like intruders, that he preferred to choose his own companions, and they did not include strangers who had invaded his privacy.

  ‘I do not imbibe while I am working,’ he replied caustically. ‘If you must camp on this beach then so be it, but I’d be obliged if you’d keep yourselves to yourselves.’

  The two brothers looked at each other and shrugged, but the girl could not keep her eyes off Cameron. Whether it was his fantastic physique or his powerful magnetism that attracted her, Julie was not sure, but, whatever, she was totally fascinated.

  Cameron himself did not notice; he was too busy blasting them to see that Alex was gazing adoringly at him. But Lee noticed and he frowned, tugging at his cousin’s arm. ‘Come on, let’s go,’ he muttered. ‘I knew it was a dumb idea anyway.’

  The three sauntered back to their camp, the girl still looking occasionally over her shoulder. She was a leggy blonde and very beautiful, and Julie was glad Cameron hadn’t noticed how pretty she was. She could not have stood it had he shown an interest in her.

  The whole evening was a disaster. Cameron hardly spoke, Julie and Ian chatted desultorily, and from the opposite end of the beach came the sound of music and laughter. And the louder the laughter the more thunderous became Cameron’s expression.

  Even after they had gone to bed the noise did not abate, and it was well after midnight before their visitors settled down.

  When she awoke the next morning at daybreak and poked her head out of the tent Julie could not believe her eyes when she saw Cameron and Alex swimming together in the ocean. The young girl wore a white swimsuit that had turned almost diaphanous in the water, and was posing and cavorting and showing Cameron in the most blatant way possible that she was interested in him.

  And Cameron, to Julie’s amazement, was responding. He seemed not to mind. In fact, he looked flattered by the girl’s attention. Unable to bear the pain of seeing them together, Julie dodged back into her tent—and it was at that moment it struck her that she was in love with Cameron! This was why it hurt so much.

  All the feelings she had thought were purely physical were much more than that. It was her emotions that were involved, her heart—and at this moment it felt as though it was in danger of breaking in two.

  Usually each morning she bathed in the lagoon, but now she did not want to leave her tent, at least not until the two of them had finished playing. Her ears were keenly attuned. Alex’s laughter floated on the air, light and carefree; she was thoroughly enjoying herself, and occasionally Cameron’s own bark of laughter sounded in response. It was as though he too was throwing caution to the winds. Gone was the serious side of him, in its place boyish good humour, something she herself had glimpsed only occasionally.

  Was that what it took? A much younger girl? Or someone free and unattached? Had she ruined any chance whatsoever of Cameron relaxing with her in such a manner by assuming the role of Ian’s wife?

  Finally, after what seemed like forever, they came out of the water. Julie heard them talking, heard their feet crunching on the crushed coral beach, and she half expected Cameron to invite the girl to stay for breakfast. But no, one set of footsteps continued into the distance, until finally all was silent again.

  It was obvious that Rick and Lee had slept through it all, Ian too, and Julie decided it was best to pretend that she had not seen them either. She waited a decent half-hour before donning her swimsuit and heading for the lagoon, and she could not believe it when Cameron joined her.

  Last night he had been in a black mood, this morning he was light-hearted and cheerful. What was she supposed to think? She decided to test him. ‘You look happier this morning. Is it because you’re hoping our visitors will leave?’

  ‘That’s up to them, isn’t it?’ he said, much to her surprise.

  Julie swallowed hard. It could only be because of Alex that he had changed his mind. She felt a sharp stab of disappointment, as though a knife had pierced her heart.

  ‘How about you, Julie, do you want our intruders to leave? Or are they just the diversion you need? Another couple of healthy red-blooded males to dig your talons into?’

  This was an unprecedented attack and Julie’s eyes shot sparks of fire. ‘You bastard!’

  ‘You’re still protesting your love for Ian?’

  ‘Of course I am,’ she tossed haughtily.

  ‘But how deep is that love?’ he derided. ‘What sort of love is it?’

  ‘The sort to stop me playing around with someone else,’ she snapped. And that was the truth. She loved her brother dearly, and while she was masquerading as his wife she would never do anything to jeopardise his job, even though it meant something as soul-destroying as hiding her love for Cameron.

  It was such a new and wondrous discovery, and such a tragedy that she had to keep it to herself. She couldn’t even tell Ian because he would be overcome with remorse; he would blame himself for spoiling her life.

  Not that anything would ever come of it, even if they confessed their deception. Cameron didn’t love her, he loved his job. He might have amused himself with her, the same as with Alex, but that wasn’t what she wanted.

  As soon as they reached the lagoon she slipped into the water. Cameron sat on the edge and watched. ‘Why don’t you come in?’ she called, feeling it would be preferable to this slow, thoroughly disturbing appraisal.

  ‘I’ve already had my morning swim,’ he told her, but he did not mention that he’d had company and Julie wondered whether it was a deliberate omission.

  ‘There’s nothing to stop you coming in again.’

  ‘I’m enjoying watching you.’

  Just as you enjoyed romping with Alex, she thought bitterly. The pool was deep following the earlier tide and she dived to the bottom, sharing the pleasure with dozens of tiny fish, wishing passionately that Cameron would go away. The more time they spent together now the worse it
was going to be. But wishing made no difference. He was still there when she resurfaced, still watching her just as intently, still tearing her heart apart.

  He took her hand and helped her out, and it was as though she had grabbed hold of a hot iron—heat and passion. searing through her, destroying her, making her tug away as soon as she was safely over the jagged rocks.

  Intent only on escape, Julie missed Cameron’s frown, the tightening of muscles in his jaw, the sudden calculating gleam in his eyes. Her feelings were getting more intense by the day, by the hour, by the minute—even by the second. She could foresee the time when she would be unable to keep her new-found love hidden—and that would be disastrous.

  Over breakfast Cameron was once again quiet, and after they had finished he surprised Julie by sending Ian off by himself while he went to talk to their visitors.

  Julie cleared away and sat down to type, but it was impossible to concentrate. Her gaze kept wandering to the other end of the beach, and although she was too far away to hear their conversation she could see Cameron and Alex deep in conversation.

  It was a good half-hour before he returned, and she saw the three young people disappear over the rocks in the opposite direction. ‘I’ve told our neighbours how important your work is,’ he said, ‘and that they’re not to disturb you. I trust you’ll catch up today?’

  Julie looked at him in astonishment. ‘One day I’ve had off. What kind of a monster are you?’

  ‘I expect perfection,’ he answered coolly.

  ‘And you get it,’ she riposted.

  ‘You let me down.’

  ‘It won’t happen again.’

  ‘It had better not.’

  His attitude really got to her, and before she could stop herself Julie said, ‘It’s all right for you to play around with Alex, but I have to work like a slave and keep myself to myself. Is that what you’re saying?’

  Dark brows rose reprovingly. ‘My, my, we are touchy this morning. Suppose you tell me what are you talking about?’

  ‘I saw you swimming.’

  ‘Is that so?’ He looked surpised. ‘Why didn’t you join us?’

  ‘Because you seemed to be having such a good time,’ she answered sarcastically. ‘I didn’t think my company would be welcome.’

  His lips suddenly and amazingly twitched. ‘That sounds like sour grapes. I wonder why me enjoying myself with another girl should upset a married woman like you?’

  Julie saw disaster with a capital D looming. ‘Of course I’m not bothered,’ she responded quickly. ‘It’s just that you made such a big thing about them invading your privacy that it struck me as being rather peculiar.’

  His mouth widened into a smile. ‘She’s actually quite a nice girl, when you get to know her. She’s fun. I think she’ll be quite an amusing diversion.’ And with that surprising statement he made his way towards the cliffs.

  Diversion! Julie felt tears close to the surface. Damn! How could she sit and watch him playing around with Alex, feeling as she did? It would be pure, unadulterated torture.

  She sat down at her typewriter, but it was a full minute before she recalled that the day before yesterday she had come to a full stop because she couldn’t read his handwriting. Usually she had no problem, but in this particular instance she could not decipher it at all.

  ‘Cameron,’ she called, springing to her feet. ‘Cameron!’ Perhaps she could catch up with him before he went too far, or at least get within shouting distance.

  But whether it was because she was hurrying, or whether it was because she was not so sure-footed as Cameron, who had climbed the cliffside as nimbly as a goat, she was less than halfway up when her foot slipped, and before she could save herself she went crashing and rolling all the way back to the bottom, feeling each bump on the way, feeling as though every bone in her body was being broken.

  When she tried to call out nothing happened; every bit of breath was knocked out of her. More than a minute went by before she was able to make any sound. ‘Cameron!’ Her voice was faint at first, then gathered strength. ‘Cameron! Cameron! Help! Help me, Cameron.’

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  JULIE began to think that Cameron had not heard her calls, that she would have to get up and lick her own wounds. She prayed nothing was broken. And then she heard his voice, faintly at first but getting louder. ‘Julie, did you call? Julie, what’s wrong? Where are you?’

  ‘Down here.’ Her voice was fragile. She felt faint now, with the pain and the discomfort and the heat. There seemed not one part of her body that did not hurt.

  In no time he had reached her and his face was full of concern. ‘What happened?’ he asked as he immediately and expertly began to feel for broken bones.

  ‘I was coming after you,’ she said huskily, ‘and I fell, and, oh, God, it hurts.’ It was with great difficulty that she held back the tears.

  ‘You could have broken your back,’ he muttered, his face serious with concentration as he felt her limbs and then raised and bent each leg and arm in turn. ‘I’ve trained for all sorts of emergencies,’ he reassured her. ‘You can’t afford to be complacent when you live like this for many months of the year. Tell me if anywhere hurts unduly.’

  Julie winced suddenly. ‘Yes, it hurts when you move my right arm, and it hurts to breathe as well. Just here.’ She touched her side with her other hand and Cameron frowned.

  ‘Here?’ He felt her ribs with his fingertips, concentrating, watching her face for any reaction.

  She nodded, wincing as he found the spot.

  ‘I think you’ve possibly cracked a rib or two,’ he told her sympathetically. ‘Did you hit your side as you fell?’

  Julie nodded. ‘I remember banging it on the edge of a boulder. It winded me for a second or two.’

  ‘It would,’ he agreed, ‘and it’s going to hurt for quite a long time. Let’s get you back and I’ll give you something to ease the pain.’

  He lifted her up, ignoring her suggestion that she could walk, and once again she was held against his hard, dynamic body; once again she felt the destroying maleness of him. On top of that she felt foolish; he must think she was accident-prone. Twice in a few days she had hurt herself, and this time it would take much longer to recover. She was not going to be much use to him. Probably this time he would send her home. And even in the depths of her pain the thought caused her despair.

  He gave her painkillers and made her comfortable, putting her camp-bed beneath the awning where she usually sat and typed, plumping pillows behind her because it hurt to lie flat, and even when she said she was all right he did not leave; he sat by her on a chair and looked as though he was prepared to stay all day long.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I seem to be making a habit of doing stupid things. If you want to send me back home I’ll understand.’

  ‘Accidents happen,’ he said, with surprising understanding. ‘What was so important that it wouldn’t wait?’

  ‘I couldn’t read your writing.’

  ‘Is that all?’ he asked with a genuine laugh.

  ‘It was holding me up.’

  ‘And you thought I’d be cross if you didn’t get on with my book?’

  ‘Well, wouldn’t you?’ she asked.

  His generous lips twisted into a rueful smile. ‘I guess I would; I can’t bear slacking in anyone. But now you’ve got your own back. You won’t be able to work today after all.’

  It was Julie’s turn to smile wryly, self-consciously. ‘I’m sorry. I know how important it is that you get this book finished.’

  His answering smile was gentle and compassionate. ‘I’m sure you’ll catch up once you’re feeling better. It wasn’t your fault you fell.’

  He was being so nice to her that it hurt. If only he could be like this all the time. Why did they have to argue? Why was he hard on her? At least it proved he did have a caring side. It was worth breaking her ribs to find that out.

  ‘You’ve fitted in much better than I expected, Julie,’ he
said, much to her surprise. ‘Some women have hated it out here.’

  ‘I guess Ian’s enthusiasm has rubbed off on me.’

  ‘Ian!’ he exclaimed. ‘Of course, you must want him with you. Will you be all right while I go and—?’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ cut in Julie firmly. ‘Don’t disturb him. He enjoys himself out there. Don’t spoil his day.’

  Cameron’s brows lifted. ‘You think he wouldn’t want to come, if he knew?’

  ‘Of course he would,’ she said at once, ‘but he can’t do anything, can he?’ And then, as another thought struck her, ‘I’m being selfish, aren’t I? You want to get back to work yourself. I’m sorry. Please, it’s all right, you go. Tell Ian if you like. Otherwise I’ll be all right by myself.’

  ‘The hell you will,’ he growled. ‘If you really don’t want me to fetch Ian then of course I’ll stay. I can write, I can do other things, or I can sit here with you,’ he added, with a smile that did turbulent things to her heart.

  And so he stayed. They spent the whole day together—Julie resting on her bed, Cameron waiting on her, fixing their lunch, preparing the evening meal, his eyes rarely off her for more than a few seconds at a time.

  Rick and the others came back from their trek over the island and were extremely concerned when they heard of her accident. ‘If there’s anything we can do…’ Rick said.

  ‘Anything at all,’ purred Alex, but her eyes were on Cameron and not on Julie.

  When Ian returned he was naturally distressed. ‘Why on earth didn’t you let me know, Cameron?’

  He pulled a face. ‘Ask Julie. It was her choice. She didn’t want you to be disturbed.’

  Ian frowned. ‘Why ever not?’ He dropped to his knees and took her hand, looking desperately worried.

  Julie smiled self-consciously. ‘What good would it have done? Cameron’s looked after me; I couldn’t have asked for a better nurse.’

  ‘I’ve been called some things in my time,’ grunted Cameron good-humouredly

  ‘You know what I mean,’ she said, and it felt good, the rapport they now shared.