Island Peril Read online

  He laughed, giving her an assessing glance. Abby hadn’t been subtle, so he couldn’t pretend he hadn’t noticed. “My sister does that.”

  “Older sister?”

  “Yeah. She set me up on an online dating site last year.”

  “Really?”

  “Really,” he said, neck flushing.

  She couldn’t imagine why his sister thought he needed help meeting women, but his chagrin over it was adorable. “How did it go?”

  “Well...I’m still single.”

  Not due to a lack of appeal on his part. He got better looking every time she studied him. His golden-brown hair and suntanned complexion set off his dark eyes. He had a killer smile. She bet he had to beat them off with a stick.

  Wait. Was he telling her he was single for a reason?

  Before she could ask any more questions, he continued toward San Miguel. They traveled at a brisk pace, reaching the southern edge within the hour. The island was similar to Santa Rosa, majestic and wind-carved. Steep cliffs melded into grassy hillsides, speckled with wildflowers. Most of the coastline was jagged and unwelcoming, like a gate to keep humans out.

  “That’s Prince Island,” he said, gesturing with his paddle.

  Ella studied the moss-covered crag in the distance. “Where are the sea caves?”

  “Just around the corner.”

  When his radio beeped, he picked it up to answer.

  “Your two kayakers have arrived, safe and sound,” the woman said.

  “How do they look?”

  “Great. They’re eating a snack.”

  “Thanks, Ramona. Over and out.”

  Ella was relieved by the news. She didn’t think Abby had faked her illness, but she wondered if the nausea was a symptom of anxiety. Her sister had suffered from panic attacks for several years after the earthquake. Crossing the open ocean might have triggered another one.

  They passed Prince Island and Cuyler Harbor before arriving at a gaping hole in the side of an immense cliff. The cavern was a hundred feet tall and twice as wide.

  “Wow,” Ella said, enthralled.

  He handed her a helmet and donned his own before paddling through the entrance. “They call this room the cathedral.”

  Ella was mesmerized by the beauty of the cave, with its porous volcanic surfaces and hanging moss. No stalagmites or stalactites were in sight, but a rich vein of gypsum ran across the far wall. Paul led her through the ocean fortress into narrow tunnels and turquoise waters. He pointed out a number of spiny sea urchins and starfish in the shallow tide pools. It was a gorgeous hideaway of sea creatures and dripping rock.

  She snapped a few photos, although she doubted her disposable waterproof camera would capture the magic. “I wish my niece could see this.”

  “I’m doing another trip tomorrow with two couples. She can come along.”

  “That’s generous of you.”

  He studied her face, as if he found it more interesting than the interior of the cave. “What do you do in Northridge?”

  She paused before answering. Abby had once said, half-joking, that her profession scared off men. But only insecure knuckle-draggers were intimidated by smart women. She wouldn’t put Paul in that category, but he was a physical guy. For the first time in her life, she was tempted to downplay her intelligence.

  He was that hot.

  “Take a guess,” she said, tilting her head to the side.

  “Are you a student?”

  “No. I graduated already.”

  “An actress?”

  Her mouth dropped open. There were a lot of aspiring actresses in LA. She couldn’t believe he thought she was one of them.

  “Not an actress,” he surmised.

  “Why would you think that?”

  He didn’t answer, seeming worried that he’d insulted her.

  “Is this your full-time job?” she asked.

  “No, it’s a summer gig.”

  “Maybe you’re an actor. A model for outdoor apparel who bartends in the evenings and waits tables during the day.”

  “No,” he said, frowning. “God, no.”

  She laughed at his disgruntled expression.

  “Do I look like a model for outdoor apparel?”

  “Kind of. Yeah.”

  “Well, you look like a movie star.”

  “I do not.”

  “Natalie Portman.”

  Ella had heard that once or twice before. It was unbelievable, but flattering. “You have a thing for Queen Amidala?”

  “Yes.”

  “What’s your favorite Star Wars?”

  “The Empire Strikes Back.”

  “I prefer the new trilogy.”

  He clapped a hand over his heart as if she’d stabbed him.

  “Is that a deal breaker?”

  “Almost,” he said, smiling.

  Ella decided to tell him the truth about her job. Anyone who loved Star Wars was nerdy enough for her. “I work for a company called Geovision. We study seismic activity and do land surveys near fault lines.”

  His eyes narrowed in speculation. “So, you’re a geophysicist.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I majored in earth science. Now I teach it.”

  “Seriously? What grade?”

  “Eighth.”

  “Eighth grade,” she said, delighted. The nerdiest, most socially awkward year of all. “You must like kids.”

  “I do.”

  “Why are you still single?”

  When he laughed at her question, Ella realized that she was charming him. She’d never done that before. Maybe he was good at putting people at ease; he seemed very comfortable in his own skin. Or maybe they had the sort of instant, unexplainable chemistry that only happened on rare occasions.

  They headed back to the cathedral and through the entrance. The next phase of the trip involved beaching their kayaks and hiking to Harris Point. That section of San Miguel was home to one of the world’s largest seal and sea lion rookeries.

  Just outside the mouth of the cave, she saw a strange object. A large, square package, wrapped in plastic and duct tape, floated on the surface.

  Paul paddled forward to inspect it. “Holy shit.”

  “What is it?”

  “Looks like a marijuana bale.”

  Ella glanced around the calm waters. No pirates or smugglers were lurking about. “From where?”

  “Out there,” he said, gesturing at the open ocean. “I’ve seen panga boats cruising past the west side of the channel. It’s become a more popular smuggling route since border security tightened in San Diego.”

  Her throat tightened with unease as he used his tow rope to secure the bale to his kayak. “What are you doing?”

  “Taking it to the beach for safekeeping.”

  “Do you think someone’s looking for it?”

  “I doubt they’d look here. It probably got caught in the current and drifted around the island.”

  She relaxed at his reasonable explanation. “Are you going to report it now?”

  “I probably should.” He picked up his radio and called Ramona. “You’ll never guess what I found by the sea caves.”

  “Tell me.”

  “Looks like a marijuana bale.”

  She made a whistling sound. “What are you going to do with it?”

  “Tow it to the harbor.”

  “I’ll notify the Coast Guard for you.”

  “Thanks, babe.”

  “Later, babe,” she said, laughing. “Over and out.”

  Ella and Paul continued on to Cuyler Harbor. The beach was empty of visitors. The long stretch of sand appeared warm and inviting, surrounded by a protective cove. Palm t
rees swayed in the breeze. It was a languid, picturesque scene. She had a hankering for a lounge chair and an umbrella cocktail.

  “Hungry?” he asked, paddling toward the shore.

  “Starving.”

  They climbed out in the shallow surf and pulled their kayaks onto dry land. Paul dragged the bale into the shade under a palm tree, where they used it as a lunch table. Ella giggled as she sat down across from him. “This is like Romancing the Stone.”

  “I was just thinking that.”

  “Are you going to chop through the jungle with a machete?”

  “I only have this,” he said, taking a utility knife from his pocket.

  “What’s that for?”

  “Fishing nets.”

  “Have you seen any sharks?”

  “No.”

  She was glad to hear it. After crossing miles of open water, exploring sea caves and lunching on a marijuana bale, she didn’t need any more adventure. She looked forward to an easy hike and uneventful return. They talked about inconsequential things over lunch, relaxing in each other’s company. He shared slices of apple with her. The temperature was at least ten degrees warmer on the beach. She removed her snug-fitting rash guard, which had been designed to hold in heat, and he took off his long-sleeved shirt.

  She tried not to stare, but...gah. He had a great body, strong and suntanned. Although his chest was mostly smooth, whorls of dark hair surrounded his nipples and formed a narrow strip on his flat stomach.

  Pulse pounding, she forced her gaze back up to his face. He was too busy checking her out to catch her doing the same thing. Her bikini top didn’t cover much, but she didn’t have much to cover.

  He glanced away, taking another sip of water. His throat worked as he swallowed. She watched a bead of sweat collect in the hollow, mesmerized.

  “Should we go for a swim?” he asked.

  She definitely needed to cool off, and this was the most beautiful beach she’d ever seen. “Yes, let’s.”

  His gray cargo shorts looked as if they doubled as swim trunks, so he was ready. Ella’s shorts were quick-drying, but she’d be more comfortable without them. She stood and unzipped, wiggling the fabric down her hips. Abby had talked her into buying a new bikini this summer. It was sporty and brief, with colorful stripes that accented her slim figure. With Paul’s eyes on her, she felt naked in it.

  “Race you,” he said.

  Before she could agree, he took off, sprinting down the beach. Laughter bubbled from her chest as she chased after him like a twelve year old. His students probably loved him. He was smart and fun and easy to be with.

  She wished Abby and Brooke were here to share the experience, even though their presence would have changed the ambiance.

  The Pacific Ocean was always cold, even on hot days. There was only one way to get acclimated to the temperature: a quick dunk. Paul hurdled through the shallow surf and dove under a breaking wave, going for it. Ella froze when she felt the icy slap against her knees. Instead of taking the plunge, she hesitated, water swirling around her thighs.

  He surfaced on the other side of the wave with a flip of his head, water arching from his wet hair. Wiping his face, he turned to grin at her. “You have to just do it.”

  “I know!”

  Arms outstretched, he came toward her, as if preparing to toss her in. Ella shrieked and ducked under the next wave, evading him easily. The cold shock was exhilarating. She broke through with a gasp, more thrilled than chilled.

  They swam around for a few minutes, treading water between sets and trying to bodysurf in waves that weren’t quite strong enough to carry them. Retreating, they strolled along the shore, searching for sea shells.

  Paul had a grass mat stashed on the beach. “I found this a few weeks ago,” he said, untying the rolled-up bundle from the trunk of a palm tree. He unfurled the mat and placed it on the sand. It was just wide enough for two bodies, with frayed edges and a hole in the middle that explained its abandonment.

  Ella lay flat on her back beside him, enjoying the sun and breeze on her bare skin. Paul tucked his hands behind his head. Palm tree fans rustled above them, pale green against the hazy blue sky. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so alive. It was like a first date, but she’d never enjoyed a first date this much.

  “Why are you still single?” he asked, referencing their earlier conversation.

  “I asked you first.”

  He glanced at her, his brows raised.

  “You must meet a lot of attractive women here on the islands. Hikers, kayakers.”

  “Yes.”

  “Anyone special?”

  “I’m not supposed to fraternize with park visitors.”

  “Do you ever break the rules?”

  “I haven’t yet,” he said, his eyes trailing down the front of her body. As he looked away, a muscle in his jaw clenched.

  He wanted her, she realized with a shiver. She was alone on a deserted island with a handsome, well-built stranger who wanted her. Instead of being intimidated by that, she was excited. Her nipples pebbled under the damp fabric of her bikini top and a beat pulsed between her legs.

  Taking a ragged breath, she stared out at the sea. Turquoise waves broke against a gray andesite boulder in the close distance. “Is it always like this here?”

  “Like what?”

  “Paradise.”

  “Not at all. It’s usually cool and overcast, cloaked in fog. The wind is hell, too. Blows sand in your face.”

  “Sounds rough.”

  “It’s uninhabited for a reason.”

  “Tell me about your sister,” she said, getting comfortable on the mat. “Why does she think you need help finding a date?”

  He wore a rueful expression. “It’s kind of funny because she’s the recluse. She lives in a cabin by Mammoth Mountain. But she met someone this winter. He crashed his SUV into the lake and she pulled him out.”

  “No,” she said, amazed.

  “They’ve been together ever since.”

  “What a way to get acquainted.”

  He nodded. “So she’s head over heels for this guy—”

  “Do you like him?”

  “Yeah, I do. He treats her right.”

  Ella melted inside a little more. It was sweet that he cared about his sister.

  “Now that she’s settled down, she thinks I’m a lonely bachelor.”

  “Are you?”

  “Not really. But I humor her.”

  “You’re a good brother.”

  “I am,” he agreed. “I even let her pick a date for me because I felt weird about searching through profiles online.”

  “How did it go?”

  “It was a mismatch. We didn’t click.”

  Ella wondered if she’d have better luck choosing a date for Abby. They didn’t always find the same men appealing.

  “The next time, Paige made me look at the photos first. Then she accused me of selecting the hottest girl.”

  “Did you?”

  “Yeah,” he said, shrugging.

  “What happened?”

  “We went out.”

  “And?”

  “The physical attraction was there, but...nothing else.”

  “That’s too bad,” she said, not-so-secretly pleased. He wanted sexual chemistry and a deeper connection. Perfect.

  “I haven’t tried again.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “Since when?”

  “February.”

  “You’ve been busy since February?”

  “What about you?” he asked, dodging the question. “Why hasn’t your sister put you on a dating site?”

  “I should put her on one. She�
�s been single longer than I have.”

  “She’s not married?”

  “Divorced.”

  “You’re both on the market, then.”

  “Sort of. She’s seeing someone, but it’s not serious.”

  “And you?”

  Ella moistened her lips, nervous. “I had a steady boyfriend. We broke up after I got the job at Geovision.”

  “Why?”

  “The distance bothered him. He wanted me to stay in San Diego.”

  “It’s not that far.”

  “It was too far for him to keep tabs on me, I guess. He started acting weird and controlling, texting nonstop, accusing me of flirting with other men. When I came to visit him for Comic-Con, he said my outfit was ‘begging for attention.’”

  Paul’s gaze darkened with interest. “Describe this outfit.”

  She smiled, shaking her head. “It wasn’t that revealing.”

  “Did he ever consider moving to LA with you?”

  “No.”

  “What did he do for a living?”

  “He worked at a video store.”

  They both laughed at Kevin’s expense. It felt pretty good.

  “No offense, but he sounds like a jerk.”

  “None taken. He was.”

  “How long were you together?”

  “Almost three years. I think he regressed instead of maturing.” They’d met in one of her physics classes. He was a video game fanatic, clever but unfocused. She’d graduated and started her career while he coasted backward.

  Before she could ask about Paul’s last serious relationship, a gust of wind kicked up, spraying sand over their reclining forms. On instinct, she turned her face to his chest and clapped a hand over her eyes. He put his arm around her, fingertips brushing her bare shoulders. Her skin tingled with awareness.

  Ella lifted her head when the wind died down.

  “Told you,” he said, giving her a crooked smile. “We should hike now or we won’t make it back to camp on time.”

  She rose with him, sad that their beach interlude had come to a close, but eager to see what other delights the island had in store.

  CHAPTER THREE

  IT WAS A magical afternoon.

  They hiked through the Caliche Forest, a fascinating stretch of petrified tree roots and dry, cracked earth. Ella could have lingered there for hours, taking soil samples and studying the calcification process. But they moved on to Point Bennett, which was home to thousands of seals and sea lions and closed to human visitors. The sheer number of animals lounging on the wide peninsula amazed her. The beach was speckled with plump brown bodies.