Szereto, Mellanie - Two from the Triangle [Bewitching Desires 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Free Page A

Heath. You start by ogling her. Then you conduct an inquisition and talk to her like a kid instead of asking if she’s okay.” Shaking his head, he followed her. “We’ve got no fresh water and no food, and you’re worried about how she got on board.”
    He walked the path of tiny footprints she’d left in the sand, his longer strides closing the distance between them by the time she slowed near the water at the south end of the cay. She sat on her skirt, folding her knees to her chest and lowering her head. Was she crying?
    Heath’s gut twisted at that thought. He hadn’t intended to hurt her feelings, but so much of his life had gone to hell in the past year. His love of flying had turned to hate. The female attention had only been the beginning, and the unexplainable engine trouble on the test route was the last straw. He’d finally reached his limit with the failed flight today. Even if they managed to somehow return to civilization, he was done with aviation.
    Owen sank to the sand beside Heléna, his arm draping around her narrow shoulders. A stab of jealousy forced Heath to look away.
    Her slight build and angelic face never would’ve suggested she was twenty-one years old. She couldn’t be more than five-foot-two and a hundred pounds. Her innocent nature spoke of someone who hadn’t been exposed to the harsh realities of his world. Why was he attracted to her when he normally preferred more experienced women?
    Owen was right. What did her motive matter when they likely wouldn’t survive more than a week or two if they weren’t found? Considering the secrecy of the project, the chances of his employer searching for anything other than the plane itself were slim. To stay alive, they’d have to save themselves.

    * * * *

    Settling next to Heléna, Owen couldn’t resist wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Nothing brought out the protective instincts in him more than a crying woman. Although she made no sound, her whole body trembled.
    “It’s okay, honey. We’re all shaken up from the rough landing.” He smoothed her wet hair from her forehead. “Heath’s kind of superstitious about the area we had to fly today, and he was already about to blow a gasket before he found you on the plane. Damn full moon. Don’t let his temper get to you. He’s a nice guy most of the time.”
    She stopped shaking, but she didn’t lift her head from her knees.
    “Merry Christmas, by the way.” A rueful laugh escaped. “Some tropical vacation we’re having, huh?”
    “I don’t celebrate Christmas.” She shifted out of his hold and pushed to her feet, facing the now deceptively calm Atlantic. “The full moon. I can’t get away from it. I thought I’d at least...”
    “At least what, Heléna?”
    She shook her head, sending her hair swishing back and forth. “It isn’t important.”
    The hopelessness in her tone made his chest ache, and he stood to slip his hand around hers. “Whatever’s on your mind—if you want to talk about it, I’ll listen.”
    Her jaw tensed. “I can’t. You wouldn’t understand.”
    He wanted to tell her she was wrong, that he’d do his damnedest to fix whatever was bothering her, but she wouldn’t believe him—especially if the certainty in her voice was anything to go by. Her determination to deal with her problems alone rankled less than he expected. As much as he liked the idea of a woman depending on him to take care of her, they were all better off with no weak link in the situation.
    “Maybe, Heléna, maybe not. The offer stands.” Urging her back toward the spot they’d come from, he scanned the surf for a glimpse of wing or propeller. Since no yellow showed in the shallow turquoise water, the current had probably dragged the airplane off the limestone shelf and into the depths of the sheer drop-off. “We need to find some shade. You’ll end up with a bad sunburn if we don’t.”
    Adjusting his hold on her damp skirt and sweater, he focused his search on the