A Southern Star Read Online Free PDF Page B

glad the offer of a lift home with me fills you with such excitement.” Christie’s heart ached as she heard Blake’s comment, thoughts of his touch filling her mind. She longed to reply, silently repeating the responses she wanted to make.
    Instead, she walked quietly to the car park with Blake, sat next to him silently, watching his hands on the steering wheel, his shadowed profile. He, too, was quiet as she automatically gave him directions; he pulled up outside the crib only a couple of minutes later. Blake turned off the engine; the night air was quiet, the only sound the muffled breaking of waves along the shore below.
    “Thank you,” Christie said in the quiet of the cab. Blake nodded, watching her. Christie held her breath, aware of the stillness between them as Blake gazed at her, making no move to touch her. As if pinned to the seat, Christie did not attempt to open the door, remembering Blake’s kiss, his arms holding her.
    “What do you want, Christie?” She flushed as she registered Blake’s words, opened the car door abruptly, walked quickly towards the crib without looking back. Automatically, Christie fumbled for the door key as her tears spilled over, only dimly aware of Blake starting the engine and driving off.

    —#—

    Christie woke up on the morning of her trip to Mason Bay full of restless energy, pleased to realise her ever present tiredness had lifted. Settling her pack on her back she thought immediately of Blake lifting her pack up on the wharf, adjusting the straps over her shoulders, his hot gaze on her chest and hips. Her eyes became troubled as she thought back to the night he had given her a lift home, his voice burning her, asking what she wanted. And his embrace… Christie shut the front door of the crib with a slam as she started walking down to the settlement and then over the hill to Golden Bay.
    I just need some time to myself, she thought. The small close-knit community meant that Christie had made friends quickly, easily, but she also knew she would enjoy time exploring the national park, away from Blake’s disturbing presence. It was a glorious early summer day and Christie stopped to appreciate the view out into Golden Bay as she walked towards the wharf. She knew she was in plenty of time, could see Ian and the boat he had described to her. Her step quickened as she walked down the wharf; Ian had seen her but was talking to someone in the boat. Christie could feel the wharf trembling slightly as others stepped onto the wharf, their footsteps heavy on the old wood. She drew level with the boat, smiled at Ian.

Chapter Three

    “I’d better lift this pack, Ian.” Christie stopped, stunned at the sound of Blake’s voice. She looked into the boat disbelievingly, her heart loud in her ears as she struggled for composure. Blake stood there unsmiling; Christie quailed at the look in his eyes. She glanced down, unable to meet his gaze for any length of time.  
    Ian gave her a perceptive look. “Blake’s a last minute fill-in for a group going to the Homestead Block.”  
    “Homestead Block?” Christie repeated, still unable to believe Blake’s presence.
      “Hunting,” Blake said, stepping from the boat onto the wharf.
    Mesmerised by his nearness, Christie unclipped the straps of her pack as if in a dream, meeting Blake’s gaze with a flaming face as she recognised the amusement in his eyes. She barely heard Ian explaining that the rest of the hunters were flying into Mason Bay from Invercargill. Silently, Blake took the pack from Christie, putting it in the boat and then turning back to Christie.  
    “I can—”  
    Before she could protest further, she felt Blake’s arm encircle her waist in an iron grip, steadying her as he swung her into the boat, setting her down on the deck. “Too late,” he said roughly.  
    Unable to speak, her senses reeling, Christie sat down abruptly on the padded bench, looking around for Ian, trying to calm herself. Others