Island of the Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

related to someone like you.
    Perhaps you really are some kind of changeling.'
    She saw the lean face darken, and was aware of him taking one
    threatening step towards her. His hand closed on her arm, anchoring
    her, making retreat impossible.
    He said softly, through his teeth, 'Now if you really want to make
    comparisons...'
    He pulled her against the hard length of his body and kissed her on
    the mouth.
    After Crispin's beguiling gentleness, Flynn Killane's cold-blooded,
    deliberately sensual exploration of her lips had the shock of an
    assault. For a moment Sandie was frozen, unable to credit what was
    happening, then she began to struggle wildly, her body twisting
    against his as she tried to free herself, and heard him laugh, deep in
    his throat., His hands slid down her body, moulding her slender
    contours through the thin fabric of housecoat and nightgown, and
    her whole being seemed to burn with shame at his touch.
    For a long moment he held her, then, totally unhurriedly, he lifted
    his head and released her, stepping back.
    'Take that to bed with you, darling,' he said silkily. 'And while
    you're lying there, remember they're my sheets you're wrapped in.'
    He paused. 'Sweet dreams!'
    She lifted her hand and slapped him as hard as she could across his
    tanned cheek, then she ducked her head, picked up the trailing skirts
    of her housecoat, and ran like a hare for the stairs and safety.

CHAPTER THREE
    WHEN Sandie opened her eyes the next morning, the sun was
    shining into her room from a clear sky.
    She sat up, aware of a faint throbbing in her temples, and pushed her
    hair back from her face. For a moment she felt totally disorientated,
    then, as the events of the previous twenty-four hours rushed back to
    confront her in their entirety, she sank back against the pillows with
    a little moan of dismay.
    She glanced towards the window and the untrammelled blue of the
    skies, and winced. 'Hypocrite!' she muttered.
    She knew an ignominious urge to stay where she was, with the
    covers pulled over her head, rather than have to get up and face the
    inevitable repercussions of Flynn Killane's unexpected return.
    No wonder everyone had reacted as they had to her arrival if he was
    always as hostile and intolerant to people who were not there at his
    personal invitation! Vet surely someone of Crispin's eminence in the
    world of music did not have to go cap in hand to ask his half
    brother's permission before inviting anyone to Killane.
    Helpless colour flooded her face as she remembered the way Flynn
    Killane had spoken to her—the unequivocal inferences that he'd
    drawn from her presence. That had been quite bad enough without
    the appalling humiliation of that odious kiss.
    It mortified her now to recall her own wistful fantasies about
    Crispin. It was as if a trail of slime had been laid across them, she
    thought, shuddering.
    By this time, of course, everyone at Killane would know the owner
    of the house had returned. Flynn Killane was undoubtedly someone
    who could make his presence felt.
    Sandie groaned and got reluctantly out of bed. Well, there was little
    point in delaying the inevitable.
    Half an hour later, dressed casually but comfortably in her usual
    jeans and T-shirt, her hair twisted into one long braid, she went
    downstairs. It was essential, she thought, standing in the hall rather
    irresolutely, to find Crispin, and tell him what had happened.
    As she paused, Steffie, followed by James, emerged from the dining
    room.
    'Hello there,' Steffie was eating a thick slice of bread and
    marmalade. 'Do you want some breakfast?'
    'I'm not very hungry,' Sandie excused herself hastily. The way her
    stomach was churning, it would be a miracle if she ever ate anything
    again.
    James gave her a speculative look, then glanced at his twin. 'We're
    away down to the paddock,' he said. 'Why don't you come with us?'
    Sandie hesitated. 'I think I'd better stay here.'
    'I wouldn't,' Steffie said candidly. 'Flynn and Crispin are