I tensed as my fingers interlocked with hers. The same spark and tingle of awareness danced on my skin. She was sun and sin and safety all at once.
Her lips parted as heat ignited between us. She tried to hide the fact she felt whatever it was unfurling intensely; it took every effort not to tug her into my lap and hug her. Just touch her. Yes, I wanted to kiss her but not because the old me was selfish and crude. But because this new me wanted to kiss her with gratitude.
Her gaze darkened as we shook hands. “I’m Estelle Evermore. Pleasure to meet you.”
My heart became a dragon, breathing hot fire as she smiled so innocently yet completely seductive.
Did she have any idea what she did to me?
Breaking our handshake, I cleared my throat. “I’m Galloway Oak. Likewise.”
“Should we get the simple bullet points out of the way and then head to the beach?”
“Bullet points?”
“Yes, you know. Age, occupation, future aspirations, that kind of thing.”
My lips twitched. “Shouldn’t we be enquiring what survival skills we bring to the table? This isn’t exactly a first date situation.”
She stiffened.
Way to go, Oak.
I sighed. “Did that come across as rude? If it did, I didn’t mean it to.”
She waved it away. “Don’t worry. You’re right, though. Okay, who are you, Galloway? Give me the abbreviated version so we can get back to Pippa and Conner as friends rather than enemies.”
My gut spasmed at the thought of ever being her enemy. I never wanted her to hate me. Not because we were literally the only man and woman in this place, but because something inside already howled at the thought of never being able to talk to her.
The problem with telling her about myself meant a whole lot of censorship. She didn’t need to know about me. It wasn’t lying; merely self-defence. Besides, I was a better person starting now. None of that crap mattered.
“All you need to know is I find you stunningly attractive and out of anyone in the world to crash land with, I’m glad it was you.”
She stumbled.
I grinned. “I take it I just shocked you.”
“Well...a little.”
“I’ve decided to use a different approach.”
“And what’s that?”
“Brutal honesty.”
She bit her lip.
“I’m sick of hiding.” I shrugged. “Crashing here just reminded me how short life is and I’m not going to waste another second of it.”
“Okay...but you do understand that I only want to be friends. I’m not exactly on the prowl for a date.”
“Completely understood.” I lowered my brow. “Doesn’t mean I’m willing to stop at just friends, though.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
“I can’t deal with this right now. We have to get back to the children.”
Clapping my hands together, I said, “Fine. Deeper introductions can wait. Hand me the stick and I’ll see what I can do about fixing my fucked-up ankle.”
She flinched at my curse but didn’t chastise me. I hid my smile. Already we were compromising. She wasn’t comfortable with me...yet. But I had time. If starvation and dehydration didn’t kill us first, of course.
Estelle passed me the stick. Doubt shadowed her face. “I don’t think I can set your break here. The ground is too uneven. I need to get you to the beach.”
I didn’t see the difference, but I let her be in charge. “What do you suggest then?”
“I need to find a way to get you to your feet.” She rubbed her ribcage. “Normally, I would just do my best to haul you upright, but I don’t think I’d be able to withstand my own pain—let alone you living through the torment.”
“Ah well, can’t have everything. Don’t worry about me.”
I had to admit, the very mention of what lay in my future made me sick. Just a simple poke irritated the bone to the point of agony, let alone standing upright.
Regret filled her gaze. “I shouldn’t have had those painkillers. You need them more than me.”
“Stop that.” Temper peppered my voice. “I wanted you to have them. Don’t bring it up again.”
Her fingers fluttered by her side as she deliberated. My jeans hid the break (apart from the nasty cut on my opposite thigh) but couldn’t hide the fact I sweated with pain. The amount of liquid I’d perspired didn’t help my rapidly increasing thirst.
I’d never broken a limb before. Was the dull throb supposed to be this bad? When would it fade?
It has to fade.
That was the only way I’d be able to survive and ensured I walked off this island—or rather limped off this island.
Estelle murmured, “Wait there.”
“Like I can go anywhere.”
She jogged into the undergrowth before I could stop her.
Goddammit, this girl.
When I first met her, she’d come across shy and aloof; now, the depth of caring she possessed annoyed me because she made me feel as if I was lacking as an average human being.
Crunching and crackling drifted on the stagnant air.
What the hell is she doing in there?
Visions of a cooling sea breeze and fresh air made me eager to leave the soupy humidity of the forest. The more I thought of relocating to the beach, the more anxious I was to go.