“Forget you saw that.”

“I won’t because it’s nothing to be ashamed of.” I moved to his side and passed him the crutch with the slightly wider end. “Come on. Please.”

He looked up. For a second, the crackle of connection and lust sprang between us then dispelled as Galloway growled, “Goddammit, you don’t play fair.”

“I didn’t know I was playing, but if it means I win, then great.”

“Bollocks.”

I laughed despite myself.

Muttering under his breath, he wedged the crutch into the sand and allowed me to duck beneath his arm. Conner dashed forward to help lever him from behind.

It took a lot of pain and effort from all of us, but we finally got Galloway to his feet.

He squeezed his eyes. “This better get easier.”

I’d taken my shoes off while we ate and the sugar-soft sand oozed between my toes. “It will. Once it’s set and has support, the pain will fade.”

I’m lying again. I have no idea if that’s what will happen.

“She’s right.” Conner held up his wrist. “This freaking killed but ever since she tied the stick to it, it feels better.”

Apparently, my lies are based on truth.

Pippa followed us like a tiny shadow as Galloway limped and hopped from the shady campsite.

A ragged groan fell from his lips.

He swayed and I quickly pressed against him, allowing him to wrap his arm tighter around my shoulders.

My heart played a harpsichord as he trembled.

Holding him reminded me of how much I wasted my life being alone. How much I’d valued silence over nightclubs and preferred conversations with a pen and paper rather than flirting with a stranger.

I’d been alone most of my life, and now, I was alone on an island. And for some reason, the only male of dateable age found me desirable.

The longer we spent in each other’s company, the more I saw beneath his mask. He came across as brash with hard edges, but I sensed there was a lot more to Galloway Oak than he wanted to reveal.

Pippa darted in front of us. She spun around with her bottom lip stuck out. “Can I jump in?”

I stopped as the first lap of seawater met my toes. “Think you can take some of your clothes off, so they don’t get wet?”

Or is it best to swim in our clothes so they’re semi clean?

We all had a few pieces to change into. I’d found my handbag with my nightgown, bikini, and shorts. And Conner had sourced Galloway’s messenger bag and his father’s rucksack. We had enough clothing to tide us over.

The clothes we’d folded neatly and weighed down with a rock after rummaging through supplies. What I’d really been searching for were things of use: lighters or matches, cell-phones or communication devices (even a flare would’ve been nice). But Galloway’s phone was dead with no charger, and Conner said his mum and dad begrudgingly left their tablets behind so there would be no work distractions.

I have to find my jacket.

I had a phone and a charger.

That was our best hope of rescue.

Conner jogged to his sister, peeling off his t-shirt and hopping on one leg to shed his shorts. His actions were awkward with his wrist splint, but he stood proudly in silky Star Wars boxers. The satiny material clung to his skinny boy hips.

He nudged Pippa, who’d gone shy. “Come on, Pip. Swimming in clothes is no fun.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You’re so scrawny.”

“And you’re just a chicken.” Dashing into the lapping waves, he called, “Last one in has to give the other their allowance.”

Allowance.

My heart rattled like a moneybox with no change. Those normal things had now vanished. There would be no allowance here. Unless payment in the form of shells were welcome currency.

Pippa squealed, hurriedly ripping off her t-shirt before slipping out of her trousers and barrelling toward the water in just her knickers.

I slapped a hand over my mouth at the nasty gash in her shoulder.

“Oh, my God.”

Galloway flinched. “Ouch. That kid has balls not to scream every time she moves.”

I couldn’t stop looking. Her pearl-white skin was torn apart and angry. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

His answer took a long moment. “I hope so.”

My throat clogged with tears.

Galloway’s arm tightened around my shoulders. “Hey...it will be okay. She’ll be okay. You’ll see.”

I nodded, unable to reply. Shrugging, I wordlessly requested he let me go. He obeyed, loosening his hold and placing more of his balance on the crutch.

I moved down the beach, never looking away from the children diving beneath the crystal water and acting like nothing was wrong.

Everything was wrong.

Including my feelings toward a man I barely knew.

Galloway had the unnerving ability to slip into my thoughts and trickle into my heart. I could cope with him being a bastard but not his sincerity and concern. That would ruin me because I didn’t have any more space to care so much when our future was unknown.

“I’m going to join them.” Shoving away my nerves, I yanked my black diamante top over my head (which bloody hurt my ribs) and anxiously stepped out of my jeans.

I didn’t dare look at Galloway.

Not one glance.

But I knew he looked at me because my skin prickled with heat.

I kept my head high as I waded into the ocean in my black knickers and bra. So what if he saw me in my underwear? I had no doubt he’d see me in all forms of undress over the next few days while we waited for rescue.