His Outback Temptation (Pickle Creek)

by Annie Seaton

  “Looks like the rain has scared off all, bar the most intrepid explorers.”

  “Intrepid explorers? Where are they?” She looked around with a put-on smile, before she turned back to him. “All I can see is a chef and a photographer.”

  “A chef and a cow farmer,” he corrected her.

  “That sounds like one of those reality TV shows.”

  He parked the ute close to the river and smiled as Isabella jumped out and ran over to the shingly stones at the edge of the water. “Oh, quick, get your camera. It’s gorgeous.”

  He reached for his camera and walked across to where she was standing, her eyes wide and her lips parted. It was the light that hit him first as he followed the direction of her finger.

  The sun was close to the horizon, but it wasn’t until Isabella grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the water’s edge that he could see what she meant. A weeping willow swooped gracefully to the water, and between the softly draping branches, an old timber railway bridge was silhouetted by the setting sun.

  “Quick, or you’ll miss it.” Her voice was filled with the same excitement that hit him as he lifted the camera and clicked.

  A second or two later, the sun slipped behind the hills, and the tree and the bridge held no more magic. Sebastian pushed his camera over his shoulder to rest against his back and reached out for Isabella. His arms went around her, and he dropped a light kiss on her lips. “That, my dear assistant, was absolute perfection.”

  She tipped her head back and looked at him as her arms slipped around his neck. Her eyes were intense and her expression serious. For a long moment, he stared at her and she didn’t move. Her brown eyes held a question, and he lifted his hand and ran his thumb gently over her lip.

  “Isabella?”

  She slid her hands down his shoulders and gripped the tops of his arms. “Yes, Sebastian?”

  “What do you want to do first?”

  “Maybe we should put the swag up in case it rains?”

  He looked up at the sky. There wasn’t a cloud to be seen. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”

  She held his hand as they walked over to the ute and he put his camera away. He pulled the swag off the back of the ute, and by the time he’d unrolled it, Isabella had the groundsheet spread on the soft grass next to the water. She looked up at him, and his breath caught in his throat as she smiled up at him

  A wicked, sexy, inviting smile.

  “Haven’t you got that swag up yet?’ Her voice was husky and he fumbled with the strap, tempted to disregard the swag and lie down beside her on the groundsheet. The air hummed with tension as she stood and waited while he undid the clips on the swag. As he leaned over to pull it up, a teasing finger ran down the back of his shirt. He turned; Isabella was close behind him, her breath warm on the back of his neck. It was either that or the fact that she’d now managed to pull his shirt from the waistband of his jeans and her fingers were playing over the bare skin of his lower back that sent a shiver skittering down his arms.

  He groaned. “If you want protection from the weather, you’d better stand over there where I can’t reach you so I can concentrate on getting this swag up.”

  “Get the swag up?” Her grin was cheeky, and he shook his head at her double entendre.

  “I don’t think you’re going to have any trouble, um, getting the swag up, are you?” Her voice was low and husky, and it was all he could do not to reach out and take her in his arms.

  “Bella. Behave.”

  This time her eyes were innocent. “Why?”

  Sebastian grinned back at her and tried to steady his hands as he pulled the tent pegs from the small bag. It only took ten minutes to get the swag up and secure the pegs, but it felt like an hour to Sebastian.

  He stood back and gestured to the swag. “Madame, your room is ready.”

  Isabella smiled, and her tongue peeked through her rosy red lips as her eyes held his.

  “May I kiss you first, kind sir, to say thank you for finding me such a lovely place to stay?”

  Her eyes were dancing as he held his arms open. “You can.”

  Isabella’s breasts were soft against his chest. He closed his eyes, and her soft groan matched his as he lowered his mouth to her lips.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I am.” Her words vibrated against his lips, and for a moment, he forgot everything else as he lost himself exploring her mouth. She sighed as he moved down to kissing the soft skin of her neck, and his hands explored the soft curves under her T-shirt.

  “I’ve just got to go to the car,” he said. “You get in there in case it rains.” He looked up at the cloudless blue sky. “Hurry up. You don’t want to get wet.” Heat raced up his neck as she raised her eyebrows.

  “Don’t I?” she said with a wicked grin.

  The sexy giggle that followed him made him hurry all the faster to the car to get the packet he’d put into his backpack.

  Just in case.

  Be prepared. He hadn’t been a Boy Scout for nothing.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got enough fire to last me for a few hours. I can keep you warm,” he said.

  He grinned as he thanked the stars that he’d had the foresight for “just in case” as he crawled into the swag behind her.

  Isabella’s eyes were bright in the dim light, and he stretched out beside her. After putting the small packet under the pillow, he propped himself on one elbow and smiled down at her.

  “Now where were we?”

  “Didn’t you say you were hot?” Her giggle almost curled his toes. “Maybe you’ve got too many clothes on?”

  “You look very warm, too. Maybe I could help you take your T-shirt off?”

  She nodded and he slid his hand down to her waist. Her skin was warm beneath his fingers. Seb lowered his head and nuzzled her neck. “Mmm. Warm, very warm. Definitely need less clothes on.” He was finding it hard to get the words out.

  Isabella lifted her arms as he pulled the T-shirt over her head, and the sight of the pink lacy bra was his undoing. With a groan, he pulled her closer and took those delectable lips with his.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The night spent under a cloudless sky and the myriad of diamond stars had been perfect. The most romantic night Isabella had ever had spent. Forget the five-star hotels and the Michelin-starred restaurants, she’d never forget this night in a campground by the river in the Pilliga Scrub. Sebastian was a skillful lover, and Isabella knew the memory of that night would stay with her for the rest of her life. It didn’t rain, but they didn’t leave the swag all night.

  The next morning, their relationship had taken on a different feel, and it was second nature to stop and hug and kiss as they worked together packing up the campsite.

  “Seb?” Isabella waited as he secured the swag on the back of the ute.

  “That’s me.” He turned, and the rush of feeling that slammed into her scared her.

  “We’re on the same page, aren’t we?” she asked.

  “Same page?” He reached down and brushed a kiss across her lips.

  “We can stay friends after this bit of a fling?”

  “Bit of a fling?” His voice was wary, but his eyes were full of…

  Damn, they are full of something that I don’t want to see.

  She nodded. When he smiled it was gone, and she thought maybe she’d imagined that look.

  “Of course we can. I’d love to be friends with you. No matter how far away you are.”

  Since then, she’d been walking on air but at the same time trying to keep in mind that this wasn’t going anywhere. She didn’t want that, nor did Seb. They were two adults enjoying themselves, but she knew they’d stay in touch. He’d said as much.

  On Sunday afternoon, she drove over to Prickle Creek Farm for a visit before she left on Friday, but in hindsight Isabella wished she’d called before she’d driven out on the spur of the moment.

  Seb, Liam, and Garth were in the yards working flat chat. Seb h
ad dropped a quick kiss on her lips before he’d gestured to his dirty clothes.

  “I’ll kiss you properly when we finish,” he promised before Liam yelled out for him to send the next beast through the crush.

  Helena and Harry were out, Isabella had passed Angie heading to town, and Lucy had been busy cooking in Helena’s kitchen. Isabella had only been there five minutes when the phone rang and Lucy answered it.

  “Yep, okay.” She nodded. “On my way.”

  Lucy put the phone down and walked over with James in her arms. “Bella, that was Garth. Can you put James in the cot in the spare room for me? I’ve just got to run this cattle drench over to the guys. I’ll only be five minutes. He said as soon as they finish the drenching they’ll be back in for a cuppa. Oh, and just keep an eye on those scones I’ve got in the oven, in case I’m gone a bit longer. They’ve got about another eleven minutes before they come out.”

  “Of course.” Isabella shook her head as Lucy passed James to her. “You are incredible, you know. Babies, scones, helping out in the paddocks and all the volunteer stuff you do in town. I don’t know how you keep up.”

  “I love it. I’m happy and I never get bored.” Lucy looked intently at Isabella. “I have a full life out here…and a man who loves me.”

  “I’m happy for you. But Luce, don’t go getting any ideas. I’m leaving next weekend.”

  Lucy’s mouth turned down. “I know. And you’ve already told me you and Seb are a holiday romance. Nothing more. But I’m going to miss you, Bella. And Seb will, too.”

  Isabella held her arms out and a strange feeling ran through her as she looked down at the sleepy little boy when he snuggled into her chest. His plump fist curled into the fabric of her T-shirt, and he yawned before he lifted his head and smiled up at her. Two more cute baby teeth had appeared over the past week. She’d never thought of herself as maternal and didn’t plan to settle down and have a family for a long time. There were too many other things to do before she settled into that. But the feel of the warm little body pressed against her chest stirred something unfamiliar inside her.

  The door slammed behind Lucy, and Isabella walked around singing softly to James. “Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock,” she crooned softly and was rewarded with another cute smile before James’s eyelids fluttered closed. She placed him carefully in the cot and pulled up the light blanket to cover him. She stood there and watched him for a few minutes before she ran a gentle hand over his soft hair and walked thoughtfully back to the kitchen.

  The timer clock on the oven buzzed. She picked up an oven mitt and pulled out the tray of scones as Lucy burst back in the back door.

  Isabella grinned at her as she hurried over to the kitchen. “I think the only time you sit still is when you’re feeding James.”

  “Did he go down okay?”

  “He did.”

  “That’s good. I’m just going to make a batch of pikelets. Liam said they’re all starving. They’ll be back in half an hour.”

  Isabella reached down and picked up a mixing bowl. “I’ll give you a hand.” Since their camping weekend, she’d spent a couple of nights at Prickle Creek Farm and knew her way around the kitchen. She’d been a little bit embarrassed about sharing Seb’s room, but Helena had waved a dismissive hand.

  “Don’t be silly, Bella. Just because we’re old doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten what it’s like to be in love.”

  Heat had rushed into her face, and she’d looked down before she caught Sebastian’s eye. She had felt his gaze on her, and she knew he wanted her to stay; even though he hadn’t said a word, she knew him well enough to read what he was thinking.

  Lucy passed her the eggs, and she took the bowl over to the sink. From the kitchen window, Bella could see the three men working together in the yards. She stood and watched as they moved the cattle through from the side paddock into the crush. Sebastian’s shoulders were set as he balanced on the rail, pulling the gate across as soon as the beast was in. He was focused on what he was doing. Isabella’s mouth dried when he reached up and pulled his T-shirt over his head and threw it over the railing. He leaned forward and his muscles rippled. Those same muscles her fingers had caressed and her lips had kissed. The feeling of loss that slammed into her was physical, and she took a deep breath.

  God, I’m going to miss him so much.

  An empty feeling settled in her stomach as she cracked the first egg into the bowl. There was no point dwelling on it. She was going, Seb was here to stay, and that was the way it was going to be.

  A holiday romance was supposed to be fun and leave you feeling good when it was time to move back to real life. She couldn’t stay here. As much as she loved Sebastian, it wasn’t an option.

  She took another quick breath. Where the heck had that come from? How can I love him? It was too fast.

  But she knew as clearly as she knew she couldn’t stay here that she had fallen in love with him. He was a great guy, and they had so much in common. She understood his commitment to family, and the farm, but she didn’t have to agree with it.

  It meant she wasn’t as important to him as she could have been. But even if she was, she wouldn’t consider staying here. It wasn’t where she wanted to be, and it wasn’t a place where she could develop her career. Okay, so she’d be leaving a bit of her heart behind, but she’d get over it.

  Once she was back in familiar territory, she’d be fine.

  I will.

  “So when do you actually leave, Bella?” Lucy looked at her curiously as she pulled the skillet pan from the cupboard.

  “I’m not sure yet. I was going to hire a car, but I don’t fancy the drive to Brisbane.”

  “It is a long way and it’s hard to get flights out of Narrabri when you want them.”

  “Yeah. When I looked, I had to fly from Narrabri to Sydney and then to Brisbane. And it meant an overnight stop in Sydney. Dad offered to drive me to Brisbane.” She laughed as she put the eggshells into the bin. “But I said it would be a long round trip for him. Truth is, I don’t think I could survive a trip that far in his old beast.”

  “Um.” Lucy cleared her throat. “What about Seb? He’s got his new ute.”

  Isabella shook her head. “No. I won’t ask him. Like I said, it’s a long way when you have to drive back here.”

  Besides, Sebastian hadn’t offered.

  Lucy turned around. “I know!”

  “You know what?” With Lucy, you never knew what she was going to come up with.

  “Gran and Pop!”

  “What? Ask them to drive me?” Isabella shook her head. “No.”

  “No, silly. You’re going on Friday, aren’t you?” Lucy turned the pan on and leaned against the benchtop with her arms folded.

  “Probably. My London flight leaves early Saturday morning.”

  “That’s perfect. I’ll give Gran a call now.” She turned to go to the living room, but Isabella held her hand up.

  “Whoa right there. What are you organising now?”

  “Gran and Pop are leaving for Kakadu this weekend. And I know they’re flying out of Brisbane. So I’ll find out how they’re getting there.”

  Isabella bit her lip. It made sense. “Okay. That would be good. I’ll put the mix in the pan while you call. Where are they?”

  “They went into town for lunch with their friends. Ted and Julia are going on the trip with them.” Lucy headed for the phone, and Isabella listened as she put the batter into the sizzling butter. As soon as the bubbles appeared she quickly flipped the pikelets over.

  “Yes. Sounds good. I’ll let her know.” Lucy put the phone down and came back into the kitchen. She opened a drawer, took out a clean linen tea towel, and folded it in half, ready for the cooled pikelets to be wrapped.

  “So?” Isabella waited.

  “It’s perfect. They’re picking up a coach in Narrabri and taking it to Brisbane on Friday morning. It goes the back way up through Goondiwindi. Gets in abo
ut seven on Friday night. Suit you?”

  “Sounds perfect. I didn’t think of a coach. I’ll get online as soon as I get home and book.”

  And then if Sebastian suggests taking me, I can say no.

  …

  Sebastian pulled out a chair on the verandah and flopped into it. He was hot and sweaty and out of sorts. Wiping the back of his hand over his brow, he grimaced when it came away covered in red dirt. He was sitting here to catch his breath for a moment while Liam and Garth let the cattle out into the paddocks, and then he’d grab a quick shower. He didn’t care what Liam wanted. He was taking the afternoon off. He’d been hard at it with bloody cattle all weekend. Liam had insisted on bringing in the herd from the back paddocks on Friday afternoon, and Garth had been free to help them.

  Disappointment had made Sebastian gruff. It was Isabella’s last weekend here, and he’d really wanted to go camping. Privacy here at Prickle Creek Farm was nonexistent. Isabella had blushed bright red when she’d stayed over this past week; Gran had tapped on the bedroom door with a cup of tea for them both mornings.

  And then had sat on the side of the bed and chatted to them!

  Honestly. His family!

  When he’d told Isabella they couldn’t go camping over the weekend, his mood had worsened.

  “That’s fine,” she’d said with a wide smile. “I’ll spend it with Dad. It is my last weekend here.”

  As if I didn’t already know that?

  He forced the bad mood away and tried to think of a way to address the problem. Finally, he grinned, threw his hat onto the table, and headed for the bathroom. “Get that cuppa going, gals. I’m just having a shower.”

  He had a plan.

  Half an hour later, the scones and pikelets were gone, the teapot had been emptied and refilled twice, and the three couples were sitting on the verandah. Angie had arrived back from town at the same time the men had finished in the yards. Sebastian had his arm around Isabella’s shoulders. He had snagged the double swinging hammock chair, and she leaned against him while he played absently with her curls.