Summer Down Under Read Online Free PDF

impossible not to relax with surroundings like these.”
    Sam had felt his eyes burning into her for most of
their walk, but hadn’t wanted to acknowledge it before this
moment.
    “Sam?”
    Reluctantly Sam turned, feeling she had no choice but
to look at him now or appear just plain rude. Her stomach knotted
up into a ball when her eyes met his intense gaze. She dropped her
head to look at her toes that were now unconsciously digging into
the warm sand. Anything remotely resembling intimacy made her feel
like a cornered animal.
    Fingers caressed her chin, easing her head up
gently until she had no choice than to meet his sensual gaze. She
swallowed hard, but couldn’t move. Frozen to the spot, her legs
were refusing to take her anywhere. Fat lot of good she’d be in a
fight, she told herself ruefully. Although, this was hardly a
fight. Maybe an internal one between her brain and her heart.
    Daniel lowered his head. His lips brushed
against hers, tender and full of compassion. The softness and
warmth of his lips took her by surprise, so much so that she let
them linger there for just a second until panic took hold and she
jerked her head away. The fear that filled her took over. She
couldn’t allow herself to get close to another man, wouldn’t allow
anyone to have that kind of control over her again.
    Daniel’s expression turned to one of concern
at the sudden extrication of her lips. His expression registered
the fear filling her beautiful eyes, again he softly took hold of
her chin.
    “P-please, don’t,” Sam stuttered, choking
back tears that were threatening to spill over.
    “I won’t,” Daniel whispered, searching her
panic stricken eyes. “Someone really hurt you, didn’t they?” His
soft voice echoed in her mind.
    Was she that easy to read? She was losing the
battle with her tears and could feel her eyes glisten, but could
not pull her focus away from the warmth that exuded from his gaze
as he looked down at her. A tear escaped and trickled down her
cheek. Daniel brushed it away with his thumb. She didn’t need to
answer him, it was a rhetorical question. Although, the answer was
screaming at him through her eyes.
    They stood for a moment in silence, neither
one knowing what to say next.
    “Would you like to sit here with me and watch
the sun set?” he asked after a moment of silence. “It’s beautiful
from this beach.”
    Sam hesitated.
    Sensing her anxiety, Daniel added, “You have
my promise, Sam. I’m not going to try anything. Not all men are
pigs; some of us can be quite charming, if given the chance.”
    She pondered his statement. She’d love to
believe him, but that kind of trust had been ripped away from her,
and she wasn’t sure she would ever get it back.
    Daniel sat down and offered Sam his hand. She
cautiously accepted it and lowered herself to sit on the sand
beside him. They sat in silence for a while, not an awkward silence
this time, more a silence of mutual understanding. The only noise
was coming from the sound of the waves lapping against the shore
and the crickets singing in the vegetation behind them.
    A soft balmy breeze caressed Sam’s face like a sheer
silk scarf, and it felt wonderful. He was right, the sunset was
stunning. Just like everything else this island had shown her, it
didn’t disappoint. Daniel slowly, cautiously, wrapped a protective
arm around Sam’s shoulders. The gesture sent a little shiver down
her spine.
    She was longing to let go and snuggle into
the body that was inviting her so openly to enjoy his attention,
but self-preservation was keeping her mind in check. She didn’t
accept his gesture, but didn’t pull away this time, either.
    Sam enjoyed his warmth, but tomorrow he was
flying home and she doubted if they would ever see each other
again. It was for the best, she thought, as the sun dipped into the
ocean in front of them.
     
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    Sam woke up with a start to an urgent knocking on her
bungalow door. Groaning, she