We weren’t far from home, but the fact I couldn’t run drove me insane!
Pippa would beat me but what the hell could she do if something was on fire?
We’ll lose everything.
Everything we couldn’t afford to lose.
I followed as fast as I could. The messenger bag dripped down my thigh from excreted seawater from the clams.
Nausea from moving too quickly mingled with starvation as I cut across the soft sand.
Instead of stumbling onto a scene of carnage where the sun had somehow incinerated our belongings just for the hell of it, I slammed to a halt as Conner grabbed Pippa in his arms and danced with her.
Estelle laughed, waving a palm frond with fiery ends.
“What the hell is going on?”
I couldn’t decide if I was impressed, grateful, or pissed off that, once again, Estelle had made me look like an idiot. She’d conjured fire. She’d created heat and cooking facilities and— Goddammit, who am I kidding?
I wasn’t falling for this woman. I was absolutely bloody besotted.
Where had she come from and how the hell did I make her mine?
Conner clapped his hands, his face rosy and flushed. “Fire! We made fire!”
For a second, I ignored the massive implications of such a marvel and peered at Estelle.
Had she obeyed me? Had she avoided going near the dead? However, nothing haunted her gaze or tainted her voice. Her eyes glittered as she spun like a dancer, holding her burning frond aloft. “We did it! We created fire!”
“I can see that.” My gaze leapt to the sleigh-like contraption by our belongings. Not only had they succeeded in something wondrous, but they’d also carted back items that would extend our likelihood of survival.
I wasn’t besotted; I was infatuated, intoxicated, completely and utterly blown away by how incredible this island-wrecked woman was.
My heart pumped like an out-of-control locomotive complete with coal smoke. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as Estelle tossed the burning plant into the fire and wiped the back of her hand on her cheek, spreading soot over her skin. “You’re back. We were worried.”
Conner bounced up and down. “Fire. Fire. Fire!”
I fought my smile. I didn’t know why. I was just as excited as he was. But somehow, I felt excluded. Like I’d never be worthy of Estelle because she had no need for me when I had desperate need for her.
Stop being such an idiot.
Estelle made her way to me, pulling something from her pocket. The tanning skin of her arms and face clutched me around the throat.
Hell, she’s beautiful.
And smart. And brave. And strong. And so goddamn selfless.
“Here, I found something that belongs to you.”
“Oh?”
She took my hand. My skin charred beneath hers, zinging with attraction and desire. She sucked in a breath but didn’t look up, avoiding the sudden intensity between us. Uncurling my fingers, she placed half of my glasses into my palm.
There goes my ability to see clearly on this island.
I chuckled to hide my disappointment. “They didn’t survive the crash too well.”
She cringed. “I’m sorry. They’re not useful to you anymore, but they’re by far our most precious item.”
I looked over her head at the crackling, cheery blaze. “You used them to make that.”
“Yep.” A smile stretched her face. “It took a few goes but Conner helped. The sun truly is a wondrous thing.”
I had no response. Just awe. Awe and lust and amazement and...I could go on and bloody on.
Her gaze fell to my bag. “What did you guys get up to?” She glanced over her shoulder. “And why is Pippa soaking wet?”
“Uh, I have a good reason for that.” Unhooking the bag from my shoulder, I passed it to her. “It so happens your fire attempt couldn’t have come at the more perfect time.” My heart warmed as she took the weight of the heavy bag with surprise. “Otherwise, we would’ve been eating these raw, and I can’t imagine that would be nice.”
Her mouth fell open as she lifted the flap. “Oh, my God.” Without warning, tears burst from her eyes and she dropped the bag. Leaping toward me, her arms slung over my shoulders and her lips graced my stubbled cheek. “Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Shit.
My arms snapped around her. My balance teetered in her sudden embrace but nothing would make me let go of her. I buried my face in her hair, inhaling the faint scent of salt and sunshine and castaway. There was no hint of shampoo or perfumed products anymore.
I was glad about that.
This way, I got to smell the real Estelle, and she smelled goddamn gorgeous.
My arms banded tighter.
She gasped as my nuzzling turned to kissing. I knew I shouldn’t but she’d just thanked me as if I’d changed her life. She’d made me feel so damn good when she was the one who’d created a miracle. The fact that she didn’t resent me. That she accepted me, limp and all. That she didn’t try to pry into my unsavoury background. That she liked me for me even in our imperfect circumstances.
I could never repay her for that.
That kindness.
That generosity.