His Outback Temptation (Pickle Creek) Read online

  She nodded as she unwrapped the sandwich. “I would, thank you.”

  “Unfortunately, I didn’t pack the crystal flutes. We’ve only got the plastic mugs in the picnic set.”

  “I think I can cope.”

  Sebastian propped up a couple of pillows and leaned back after he’d poured the wine. He lifted the plastic mug and held it against hers. “To our first date,” he said with a smile.

  She lay beside him and they chatted. He had his head at one end of the swag and she had hers at the other.

  Later, as he organised their pillows, he said, “Makes it like a twin bed. That okay?”

  “That’s fine. It’s ages since I camped out.” Curling up close to him was tempting but Isabella stayed firm. It was bad enough that she’d kissed him before.

  “Where did you camp?”

  “A few of us did a tour of the Cote d’Azure when we finished at cooking school in Rome,” she said. “We were all broke, but we had the opportunity to visit some of the top restaurants there, so we had a couple of old vans and a tarpaulin and we had the best time.” She stared into the dark. “That was the last holiday I had. Five years ago.”

  “Sounds like you work hard.” The nylon of the sleeping bag cover rustled as Sebastian stretched out. “Tell me about your new job. It’s sounds like you’re on the successful chef path now.”

  She bit her lip. If she agreed it sounded as though she had tickets on herself, but that was not her motivation for wanting to get to the top. It was hard to say what motivated her without sounding as though she was critical of what she picked up as Sebastian’s more casual approach to life.

  “I guess,” she said after a long silence, “it’s not because I want to be at the top, it’s more because of how I’ve planned my life out.” She rolled over on to her stomach and propped her chin in her hand. “I guess I’ve never left things to chance. It was hard being pulled from pillar to post when I was a kid. Mum and Dad were always moving. You know, we’d lived in seven different countries before Dad bought the milk bar and we moved to Spring Downs.”

  “Wow. You’ve seen a bit of the world then. I didn’t leave Spring Downs until I finished high school.” But Sebastian’s voice held sympathy rather than envy.

  “I did. And it made me absolutely firm in setting some pretty clear objectives for what I wanted out of my life, and putting them into a plan. A certainty that my life would go where I wanted it to. Not where a whim, or a fancy, or the lure of change would take me. I suppose you think that’s a bit rigid.”

  “No,” he disagreed. “But I do believe you have to be open to change, if something comes up. Take me, for example. All I wanted to do was see the world. Roam around with my camera and go where the whim—or the contracts—took me. And look at me now. Change happened. Gran called us home and here I am. A cattle farmer, back where I started.”

  “Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. I really don’t think that a hit-and-miss approach to life is the best way to live. It still surprises me that Dad has stayed here so long.” Isabella gestured to make her point and then realised he couldn’t see her. She switched the light on and looked at him.

  Bad move.

  Sebastian’s eyes were shadowed in the dim light of the swag. He was propped up on the pillows and his T-shirt was bunched up. A glimpse of tanned skin beckoned below his T-shirt and Isabella wished she hadn’t turned the light on as a rush of need fluttered in her tummy.

  How easy would it be to have a night together? But could she walk away with no regrets?

  No, that is not a part of my plan.

  “I guess the bottom line is that you’ll have to hope that it all works out and that you’re happy here,” she said faking a yawn. “I guess if we’re going to get some sleep, so we can work tomorrow, I need to stop with the deep and meaningful stuff.”

  “Probably should get some sleep.” His voice was soft. “But thanks for the insight. I can see where you’re coming from. And Isabella, I want you to know how much I admire you for knowing what you want out of life.”

  As she drifted off to sleep she wasn’t sure if she heard properly, but she swore that after a few minutes he added softly, “I wish I did.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The sound of birdsong woke Isabella early the next morning. She rolled over and opened her eyes. She was alone in the swag. Sitting up, she fluffed her fingers through her hair and rubbed her eyes. She’d slept surprisingly well. The foam mattress had been soft, and the swag was warm and dry. Once Sebastian had turned the light off after they’d finished the sandwiches that his grandmother had packed, and half a bottle of wine, they’d lain there and talked for what seemed like hours. When he’d held the bottle up and offered to pour her a third mug of wine, she’d shaken her head. It had been hard enough to think about sharing a bed with him, without the added relaxation of more wine. Isabella knew it wouldn’t have taken much persuasion to do more than sleep beside Sebastian but kissing him last night had been a spur of the moment thing, and while she had no regrets, she still wasn’t sure about taking their relationship that one step further. She only had another week and a half here, and she didn’t want to complicate matters.

  As she poked her head through the opening, she was greeted by a cheerful voice. “Morning, lazybones.”

  She clambered out—not very gracefully— and looked around. She was not a morning person, but she could still enjoy the view. The sun was shining and the grass was dewy and glistening after the rain of last night.

  Sebastian pointed to a brick building a few hundred metres away. “Take my ute if you want to. The amenities block is a fair walk.”

  “I’ll walk. She reached into the swag and grabbed her toiletries bag and the towel she’d packed. “Which way’s the lake?”

  “Um. I think we’ve made a big mistake. Or I have.” His voice was serious, and Isabella turned around with a frown as she tucked the towel under her arm.

  “A mistake. The photos you mean?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “The photos will be perfect. That rain has washed the bush clean, and the colours will be amazing. I mean the lake.” He gestured to the lush green grass in front of them. As Isabella’s gaze followed the direction of his arm, a couple of kangaroos hopped across the middle of the grassed area. “See that sign?” he said, pointing to a sign at the edge of the huge expanse of grass.

  She wandered over curiously and then laughed as she read the words: No diving or jumping from this jetty. Shallow water. She turned around as he chuckled.

  “This is the lake?” she said. “Where’s the water?”

  “Yep.” He nodded with a sheepish look. “I guess there hasn’t been enough rain up this way.”

  “Could make an interesting photo for your contract, maybe.”

  “Nah, not a lot happening out there apart from the odd kangaroo or two.” He shook his head ruefully. “Go and have a shower, and we’ll head to town for coffee and then up the mountain.”

  Isabella smiled as she headed to the amenities block. Very different to Lake Como where she’d worked before she’d gone back to Florence. She wondered how long Sebastian would last out here in this strange and different Outback landscape.

  …

  Sebastian sat on the now dry camp chair, camera in hand as he watched Isabella walk back from the amenities building. He’d rolled the swag up and secured it with the other gear in the back of the ute. They’d camp somewhere different tonight.

  The gentle wind lifted her curls as she walked along the grass, and a wrench of need twisted through him. Last night when he’d lain at the other end of the swag from her, after she’d kissed him, it had taken every ounce of his self-control to stay there. Then he’d woken at first light and felt guilty as he’d watched her sleep. For a few moments, he’d given in and let his gaze linger on Isabella’s face. Her hair was a cloud of black curls around her head. One hand was tucked between her rosy cheek and the small padded mat, and her lips were parted in a half smile as she sle
pt. It was as though he was stepping over a privacy boundary so he’d slipped out quietly and gone for a walk with his camera.

  He was satisfied with some of the wildlife shots that he’d taken, but it wasn’t the sort of thing that would fulfill this contract. His heart wasn’t in it today. His heart, and a great bucket of need, were back in the swag with Isabella.

  He’d known her for a little more than a month, and he was starting to realise how much he was going to miss her when she left. Maybe bringing her along on this trip had been a mistake.

  Maybe he was getting too serious, too quick.

  Then again, maybe they should get together, get it out of their system. A spring fling, and then both could move on with their real lives.

  Maybe he should enjoy the time they had together before she went away.

  No commitment, no serious intent.

  Just a good time with a beautiful woman.

  He nodded to himself as he stood to meet her as she reached the campsite.

  “All ready to go?”

  “Where are we off to, oh fearless camp leader?” Her smile was wide, and it was all Sebastian could do not to take her into his arms and run his lips over that luscious mouth.

  “We’re going up a mountain.” He lifted the chair and put it in the back of the ute. “First we’re going to find breakfast, and then we’re going up Mt Kapatar.”

  “Sounds like fun. Is there climbing involved?”

  “No. The brochure said we can drive to the very top.”

  She laughed and a ripple of warmth lodged in his chest. He clenched his hands around the car keys. “The same brochure that said this was a lake?”

  He laughed. “Apparently it is, some of the time.”

  “Okay, take me to this mountain.”

  Three hours later, after a hearty breakfast—just in case there is climbing involved, Isabella had said as they placed their order—and a drive through beautiful green paddocks past interesting rock formations, they pulled up at the carpark at the lookout on top of Mt. Kapatar.

  “No climbing.” Sebastian pointed to the sign. “The lookout is one hundred metres away, so you’re going to have to get your exercise elsewhere.”

  Isabella shivered as she climbed out of the ute. “It’s freezing up here.” She reached back inside, and Sebastian passed her jacket over before he climbed out.

  “I’m going to get you working now, so you’ll warm up quickly.”

  “Okay, tell me what I have to do.”

  He opened the back door and sorted through his equipment on the back seat until he was satisfied that he had selected the lens he needed. He lifted the tripod with the extendable legs, and his fingers brushed against Isabella’s as he passed it over to her. “Can you carry this for me?”

  She nodded and took it off him. “Sure can. Anything else?”

  “No. I’ll bring the rest. I’ll need you to hold the lens and the caps once I start changing them up there. I think the light’s going to be good.”

  She set off ahead of him to the wooden stairs that led from the carpark up to the lookout. By the time they both reached the top, she was laughing. “Did the brochure say the hundred metres was all steps?”

  Sebastian caught his breath. Isabella had run up the stairs like a mountain goat and was barely puffing. “No. I’ll put you in charge of picking the location the next trip we take.”

  “I’d love to. That’ll give me something to do for the next couple of weeks.” He turned as she drew a breath and sighed. “Oh my goodness. Just look at that view!”

  Isabella put her arms out and spun in a circle. It was hard for him to take his eyes from her as she pointed to the landscape that surrounded them in a 360-degree arc. Her jacket was open, and her T-shirt moulded her soft curves. Her expression was full of life, her eyes wide, and her mouth tipped in a huge smile.

  “It’s absolutely stunning,” she said.

  Sebastian cleared his throat. “The brochure said you can see ten percent of New South Wales from this lookout.”

  She was absolutely stunning. He’d barely looked at the view. He lifted his camera and checked the light to take her out of his sight.

  “Look at the colours.” Isabella shivered as she came over to stand beside him; he couldn’t help putting his arm around her shoulder.

  “Warm enough?” he asked as she led him over to the edge of the cliff where a low fence divided the open area from a huge drop.

  “I am now.”

  “Beautiful,” he murmured softly. Far below were green plains dotted with the occasional farmhouse, stands of bush, and the never-ending rows of wheat fields. In the distance, a small town edged the plain, and it was so clear you could see the red roofs of the houses. Isabella’s hair brushed his chin, and the lemon fragrance surrounded him. He closed his eyes, inhaling her scent as she pointed out different features.

  “Is that Narrabri over there? Do you think we can see Spring Downs from here?”

  He opened his eyes as she turned beneath his arm and intercepted a curious look.

  “Are you okay?” Her brow wrinkled in a frown.

  Sebastian brought his mind back to the job in hand. This wasn’t the right time to broach his idea of a spring fling.

  Maybe later.

  “Yeah, I’m just planning the composition of the photos.” He knew his voice was clipped, but he needed to focus on something other than Isabella. They were all alone and hadn’t passed a single car on the way up.

  “Okay, let’s get to work then.” She left him, picked up the tripod, and extended the legs.

  You can do this. Get to work. Take your mind out of your pants.

  Lemons. He’d never go near them again.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Once Sebastian started to work he was totally focused on what he was doing, but he still found the time to explain the use of the different lenses to Isabella as she passed them to him. She was learning a lot, but once the equipment was set up, he didn’t need her so she sat at the table, watching him compose the shots.

  She was watching Sebastian the man. He was tall, broad shouldered, and well-muscled. His fingers were long and precise as he held the equipment. In the sunlight, muted by the lacy leaves of the branches, he was shadowed. The angled planes of his face were softened by the filtered light. As he looked at the landscape, he occasionally lifted his arm and ran his hand through his hair. He’d shed his leather jacket when the sun grew warmer, and Isabella sighed as his muscles flexed as he moved.

  Her mouth dried when he ran the tip of his tongue around his lips, totally unaware of her watching him. His lips were full and she’d enjoyed the feel of them against hers last night. It was all she could do now not to go over, grab his face with her hands, and taste his lips again.

  Dio, what is wrong with me? Was she so bored here in the Outback that she was fantasising about a man who was her friend?

  But she began to walk towards him. Damn the consequences.

  She was saved from making a foolish move as laughter came from the carpark, and a family appeared at the top of the steps. Isabella drew a deep breath and focused on bringing her raging hormones under control as the two adults and three children smiled at her. She sat back down at the table and watched the family as they exclaimed over the view.

  The clouds began to move in from the south as Sebastian worked, and by late afternoon, Isabella had her jacket pulled tightly around her and shivered every time the wind gusted. When the first raindrop hit the camera, Sebastian looked up with a frown.

  “I didn’t see that weather coming.” He shoved his camera in the carry bag.

  “It came over quickly,” she agreed.

  The wind was icy, but he didn’t seem to notice how cold it was until he looked over at her. She was shivering and fighting to keep her teeth from chattering. “Oh, Bella. I’m sorry. You should have said something. You look like you’re freezing.”

  She nodded. “I am.”

  He quickly packed up the rest of the gear
and then picked up his coat and passed it to her. “Here, put this on.”

  She didn’t argue as he put it around her shoulders and then slung the camera bags over his. By the time they reached the car, the wind was howling and the rain falling steadily.

  She climbed into the ute as he stowed his camera gear on the back seat. “So much for the heat of the Outback,” she said with a grin.

  “Not much of a night for camping, either,” he said, starting the car.

  “Maybe the weather will be better off the mountain,” she said hopefully. She’d be disappointed if he suggested going home early.

  “Fingers crossed.” He flashed a smile, and she grinned back.

  Sebastian took it slowly down the mountain. Visibility was low, and the wind was buffeting the ute. Isabella bit her lip as the wheels slid at one point and the vehicle went precariously close to the edge of the cliff. She glanced over at Sebastian; his hands gripped the steering wheel, and he was totally focused on the road ahead. But as they turned the last corner at the base of the mountain, they were bathed in brilliant sunshine.

  “Looks like we’ll be able to camp after all. That bad weather was only up high.”

  She shrugged, not wanting to show how pleased she was to hear that. “It won’t matter if it rains anyway. We were snug and cosy last night.”

  “We were.” His face lit up in a grin as he looked across at her. “What sort of camping do you fancy tonight, apart from being dry?”

  “What do I fancy tonight?” She tapped a finger on her lips and looked at him from under her lashes. “What does the brochure suggest?”

  “Forget the brochure. Let’s go for a bit of local knowledge.” He changed up a gear and the speed of the ute picked up as they hit the bitumen road. “We can camp close to the telescopes or there’s a camping spot near the river to the east where we could have a fire.”

  “Let’s go for the river. You might get some good night shots, and then we can go to the telescopes tomorrow. How does that sound?”

  …

  Sebastian was pleased that Isabella chose the river option. Even more so when he turned off the main road and the camping ground was deserted.