Stolen Feelings (Island Romances)

by Margaret Mayo

  ‘Of course he does.’

  ‘Is that what all the shouting was about the other day when you had your visitor? Is that when he found out?’

  Julie inclined her head. ‘As a matter of fact, yes, but he wasn’t angry for long. All is now forgiven and forgotten.’

  Alex frowned. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘It’s a long story,’ said Julie. ‘I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested.’

  ‘And now you’re making a play for Cameron, is that it?’ demanded Alex.

  Julie smiled. ‘Actually, it’s the other way round.’

  The blonde swore disbelievingly. ‘You’re a liar. It’s you who’s chasing him.’

  Julie continued to smile, even though her heart felt like lead. ‘The same as you are? It should be fun, shouldn’t it? I wonder which one of us will get our man?’

  Alex’s eyes flashed. ‘I don’t think there’s any doubt about it.’ And she swung around and resumed her seat at the desk, attacking the typewriter with unnecessary vigour.

  Julie found herself some shade behind her tent. The confrontation, coming on top of everything else, had been thoroughly unsettling. She was convinced that Cameron had unashamedly taken advantage of her this morning. Her only consolation, the only salve to her wounded pride, was the fact that he thought she was like this with every man. At least he hadn’t guessed that she was in love with him. That would have been the final humiliation.

  She closed her eyes and must have dozed, because she suddenly heard Alex talking, and it wasn’t to Cameron, nor was it to Rick or Lee. It sounded suspiciously like Roger, but how could that be? Was she dreaming?

  She got up and there he was, deep in conversation with Alex. Julie felt utterly confused. The whole thing was turning into a farce. Instead of the three of them spending time here quietly by themselves they were being invaded by people who posed all sorts of problems.

  ‘Roger?’ She approached him from behind.

  He turned and gave her a warm, yet faintly guilty smile.

  ‘What are you doing back here so soon?’

  ‘To see how you are faring, of course, my darling, before I go back to England.’ He gave her a kiss on the brow and held her carefully. ‘How are your ribs?’

  ‘Mending, I hope.’ She caught sight of Alex’s puzzled face. This really would give the girl something to think about.

  ‘I thought I might stay a day or two,’ said Roger. ‘Do you think Cameron will mind?’

  Julie shrugged. ‘You know him better than me.’

  ‘I’ve brought my tent. I think I’ll pitch it in any case. What time will they be back?’

  ‘When they’re hungry,’ returned Julie, and she glanced at her watch, amazed to see how much time had gone by. ‘Actually, that shouldn’t be too long.’

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Alex still looking at them curiously, and she wondered how much, if anything, Roger had told her. She hoped nothing. She would prefer to keep their private life private.

  She opened a couple of tins of chicken in wine and put some rice on to boil, and waited with trepidation for her brother and Cameron to return. By turning up again like this Roger would confirm Cameron’s belief that they had patched up their differences, and, although Roger could be the protection she needed, it left Alex a clear field.

  This was what bothered her most. Up until today, she had never been sure how serious the girl was—whether it came naturally to her to be a tease. It seemed that now she knew Julie could be an adversary she would go all out to win Cameron’s affection.

  Cameron’s face, when he did return, was a picture of conflicting emotions—politeness forcing him to welcome his friend, suspicion that he was here for Julie’s sake, and anger that they were being invaded once again.

  ‘I thought I’d stay a night or two before I head home,’ said Roger. ‘I hope you don’t mind?’

  ‘Would it make any difference if I did?’ barked Cameron, looking condemningly at Julie as he spoke.

  Roger appeared a little taken aback by this vehemence. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t realise it would cause so much inconvenience.’

  ‘It’s all right.’ Cameron shook his head in self-anger. ‘I’ve had a hell of a day. You’ve caught me at a bad time, that’s all.’

  A hell of a day! Was that how he saw it? thought Julie bitterly. He had virtually made love to her and it had been hell! She felt totally demoralised all of a sudden. Thank goodness Alex was no longer around to hear him say this or she would never-endingly crow her delight.

  The three men went for a swim while she laid the table, and Alex, for once, was conspicuous by her absence, though Julie saw her down at the other end of the beach, constantly looking in their direction.

  Much to Julie’s dismay, Roger gave her his undivided attention during the meal. Cameron continued to scowl, and Ian seemed to be wondering what was going on. But Julie knew she would never tell her twin about Cameron’s attempts to make love to her—and her own unmitigated response!

  After supper Cameron disappeared into his tent. Roger produced a pack of cards and the three of them played rummy until Ian declared that he was going to bed. By this time Julie was tired too, but Roger put his hand on hers when she made to get up.

  ‘What’s wrong with Cameron?’ he asked in a hushed voice. ‘I’ve never seen him like this before.’

  Julie grimaced. ‘Then you’re lucky.’

  ‘But it’s unlike him,’ insisted Roger. ‘He’s always calm and unruffled, and the sanest person I know. Something’s gone wrong, that’s for sure. He’s still not mad at you and Ian for lying?’

  ‘Some,’ she admitted.

  ‘No! He can’t be. It’s out of all proportion. It’s ridiculous. Is it bothering you? Would you like me to have a word with him?’

  Julie held up her hands in horror. ‘Please, don’t say a word. You’ll only make matters worse. He’ll get over it—eventually.’ It was best that Roger thought it was this at the root of Cameron’s anger.

  She was undressed and in bed, reliving again Cameron’s kisses, still feeling his caresses, when she heard movements outside her tent. She gave a faint cry of alarm when Cameron’s body blocked the opening. She knew it was him this time; he was the only one who ever dared invade her privacy. ‘What do you want?’ she whispered fiercely.

  He came in and hunkered down at the side of her bed. ‘I want to know what Roger’s doing here,’ he growled, his voice still tight with anger.

  ‘He wanted to say goodbye,’ she replied defensively, ‘and to see how my ribs are doing.’

  ‘And you invited him to stay?’ asked Cameron, his voice filled with derision.

  ‘No!’ she said at once. ‘That was his own idea.’

  ‘Hmph!’ he growled. ‘It’s very clear that now you’ve made it up he can’t keep away from you. He’s more of a fool than I thought. Any woman who gives her body to another man as easily as you do isn’t worth wasting time on.’

  Julie said nothing. What could she say? She had let Cameron believe she and Roger had made it up. To change her story now would do no good. He would think she was lying—yet again.

  ‘Have you nothing to say in your own defence?’ he rasped.

  Julie shook her head.

  ‘I cannot hear you.’

  ‘No,’ she whispered achingly.

  ‘Damn you, woman.’ He knelt over her and took her face between his palms, and she could see the faint glittering light in his eyes. She thought he was going to kiss her, and knew that if he did she wouldn’t be able to do a thing about it.

  ‘It was the worst thing I ever did, suggesting Ian bring his wife.’

  ‘For me too,’ she whispered passionately. ‘Do you think I’m enjoying this? Do you think I enjoy being the butt of your anger?’

  ‘I think you enjoy me making love to you,’ he muttered harshly. ‘I can sense your response even now; I can feel your excitement.’

  ‘No, you can’t,’ cried Julie in panic, trying to thrash he
r head from side to side, desperately trying to escape his vice-like grip. ‘No!’

  ‘Then what is it you feel?’ he questioned fiercely.

  ‘Anger!’ she told him strongly. ‘Disgust that you dare try to take advantage of your so-called friend’s girl. Some friend you are proving to be.’

  ‘Try to take advantage?’ he asked with a cynical smile. ‘Try?’ Eyebrows rose mockingly. ‘You were one very willing participant, Julie. Deny it if you dare.’

  ‘You’re not an easy man to resist when you set out to charm,’ she protested. ‘Do I have to tell you that yet again? I lay the blame in your court. You shouldn’t have started anything when you knew I was back with Roger.’

  ‘Are you saying you are so weak-willed that you let any man take you who tries?’ His eyes were suddenly savage again.

  ‘I am saying nothing of the kind,’ she returned defensively, realising, sickeningly, that she had said the wrong thing. ‘And I demand that you get out of this tent right now, before I shout for Roger. Would you like him to see what sort of a man you really are?’

  Eyes glinted dangerously. ‘How you love to turn the tables. I think Roger would be more interested in hearing that you haven’t reformed after all.’

  Julie lay limply against the pillows, all the fight knocked out of her. He could be very cruel, this man, devastatingly so.

  ‘You’re giving up the battle, are you?’ he derided. ‘You’ve suddenly decided that you can’t win?’

  ‘Just get out,’ she said wearily.

  ‘I think maybe I’ll take another kiss first.’

  Her eyes flashed. ‘You swine!’

  ‘You’re so beautifully angry.’

  ‘I hate you.’

  ‘And, despite your being all I despise in a woman, I still can’t resist you.’ His head swooped, and Julie was unable to avoid him.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CAMERON’S kiss was punishing, intent only on humiliation, bruising Julie’s lips, determined to draw out a response, grinding her lips back against her teeth until she felt the salt taste of her own blood.

  She fought her feelings, fought the quagmire of emotions that surfaced, remained resolutely limp until finally, with harsh, derogatory laughter, as if he knew of her inner struggle, he let her go and disappeared from the tent.

  Julie knew she ought to be disgusted and furious by his behaviour but she wasn’t. Although his kiss had been meant to hurt and punish, she had experienced nothing but pleasure and excitement. It seemed as though love had biased her mind where this man was concerned. She could only hope and pray that there would be no further repeat, because it would be impossible to deny him yet again.

  It took her a long while to get to sleep.

  She was woken at dawn by Alex’s excited voice. Again she was out swimming with Cameron. But then Julie heard Roger as well, and could not resist peeping out of her tent to see how Alex was taking it. Poor Roger, he wouldn’t know that he was being an unwanted third party. He had no idea that Alex had set her sights on Cameron.

  The girl was scowling but she continued to swim, and when the three of them came out of the water she took Cameron’s hand and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. It was a light kiss that could have meant nothing or everything. Julie was certainly not fooled.

  Roger looked surprised and left them to it, and he said to Julie later, when she was preparing breakfast, ‘I didn’t realise Alex and Cameron were—an item.’ It seemed to disturb him.

  ‘It’s nothing serious,’ she answered. At least, that was what she kept telling herself.

  ‘Cameron’s a sworn bachelor.’

  ‘I know, he told me.’

  ‘How much longer is she likely to remain?’

  Julie shrugged. ‘I guess until I’m fit enough to take over. I suppose I ought to try, though it still hurts like hell when I move.’

  ‘Cameron’s lucky he’s found someone else to do his work, don’t you think?’

  ‘Maybe.’ And there was something in her voice that made Roger look at her sharply.

  ‘What’s wrong? Don’t you like Alex?’

  ‘It’s not that,’ she said quickly. ‘She’s not really very good. I don’t know why Cameron puts up with her.’

  Roger grinned. ‘Probably because she has a fantastic body.’ And then he pulled a face. ‘I’m sorry, that wasn’t meant to be disrespectful—you’re in pretty good shape yourself.’ And as if to make up he leaned across the table and kissed her.

  After breakfast Cameron invited Roger to join him and Ian. ‘Otherwise you’re going to be bored out of your mind.’

  ‘With two beautiful women to keep me company?’ queried Roger mockingly.

  ‘I don’t want you to disturb Alex,’ announced Cameron sternly, ‘and Julie is still not up to par. She needs to rest.’

  ‘I wouldn’t dream of putting any pressure on either of them,’ said Roger. ‘But I will stay here, if you don’t mind.’

  It was clear Cameron did mind, and Julie could not understand why. Why shouldn’t Roger spend time with her? Why should he spend the whole day studying fur seals? Roger’s interest in ecology was nowhere near as intent as Cameron’s or Ian’s. It was a hobby with him, that was all.

  And so her brother and Cameron left, and after she had tidied the kitchen she and Roger sat and put the world to rights. Their conversation was desultory, and occasionally he wandered over to where Alex sat typing to ask whether he could get her a drink or something to eat.

  The blonde took her usual break during the hottest part of the day and Julie took a dip in the ocean with Roger. To her relief he made no further mention of getting back together, and for this she was grateful; it certainly saved her having to deal with another set of emotions.

  ‘Do you think we’re going to have a storm?’ she asked later in the afternoon. It seemed oppressively warm, more so than usual. They had gone out to the lagoon and he had helped her in, and was constantly attentive at her side.

  ‘I wouldn’t think so,’ he said, shading his eyes and looking at the cloudless blue sky. ‘It’s the wrong time of year. January to April is the rainy season, I believe. It’s also the hottest. It hardly ever rains otherwise.’

  ‘Are you saying it’s cooler now than it was a few weeks ago?’ she asked, eyes wide.

  ‘Apparently.’

  ‘Then thank goodness I won’t be here when it gets hot again,’ she said with fervour. ‘I don’t think I could stand it.’

  ‘Do you think Cameron will change his mind and let you stay on?’ he asked. ‘It seems to me a great pity to get rid of two very good people simply because of a little harmless deception.’

  ‘It wasn’t little to Cameron,’ she admitted ruefully. ‘If it wasn’t for his book we’d have both been home by now.’

  He put his hand on hers. ‘I’m sorry he’s giving you a hard time, Julie. I wish you’d let me say something to him.’

  ‘No.’ She shook her head firmly. ‘We brought it on ourselves, we have to suffer the consequences.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘I don’t want to discuss it any more, Roger.’

  That evening Roger again joined Alex and Cameron in their customary swim, and Ian too. Surprisingly the girl appeared to enjoy the company of all the men—while Julie was left to work in the kitchen.

  She noticed, in the days that followed, that Cameron seemed to be making a point of watching her and Roger very closely. Perhaps it was because he couldn’t understand why his friend should give her another chance? His opinion of her was absolutely rock-bottom, and the more she thought about it the more depressed Julie became.

  Deliberately, though, she kept her feelings hidden, playing up to Roger for all she was worth. And then came the day she announced that she was well enough to recommence typing his book.

  They had finished their evening meal, Roger and Ian had drifted away to talk to Rick and Lee, who had come wandering along the beach, and she was for once left alone with Cameron.

  Instead of looking
pleased, as she had expected, Cameron’s brows rose in a derogatory manner. ‘I thought this moment would never come.’

  Julie frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I thought that with Roger here you would play for more time. Just think, Julie, no more days spent sunning yourself in his company, no more days swimming together and whispering sweet words of love.’

  ‘I’ve not been feigning it,’ she protested vehemently. ‘Do you really think I like sitting watching Alex doing my work? I enjoyed it, Cameron, I want to get back to it.’

  Brows lifted sceptically. ‘You sound serious.’

  ‘I am serious,’ she insisted. ‘I’ll start tomorrow, so you’d better tell Alex. Rick and Lee have been getting rather restless; I imagine they’ll be glad to move on.’

  ‘And is Roger going too?’ he asked drily. ‘Will we at last get back to normal?’

  Nothing would ever be normal again, thought Julie. ‘I imagine so,’ she said wearily.

  ‘You mean you haven’t told him yet of your decision to start work again?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘But you will tonight? There’ll be a charming little goodbye scene. Maybe he’ll even spend the night in your tent. Is that what you plan, Julie?’ He sounded bitter and angry, and Julie could not understand why.

  Roger’s voice suddenly interrupted them. Neither had noticed that he was back. ‘I know I shouldn’t be listening,’ he said, ‘but I think you’ve got hold of the wrong end of the stick, my friend. Julie and I finished a long time ago.’

  Cameron turned cold eyes in Roger’s direction. ‘But you made it up again?’

  Roger frowned and looked questioningly at Julie. She shook her head, trying to tell him not to say anything, but in vain. ‘Yes, we made it up,’ he said. ‘But we’re simply friends now, that is all. Whatever else we had going between us has gone, surely you knew that? I did ask Julie if we could get back together but she didn’t want to, and I don’t blame her. I did her a terrible injustice and I shall never forgive myself.’

  Cameron frowned harshly. ‘An injustice?’ he queried. ‘What are you talking about?’

  It was Roger’s turn to frown. ‘Julie hasn’t told you?’