.

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ glimpse of his tanned muscular abdomen. Unbidden memories of trailing her hands across the hard muscle of his chest came rushing back. She felt her ears go pink at the tips. He looked at her and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

      ‘Work out, do you?’ he said, his eyes appraising her.

      ‘I like to keep fit,’ she said. ‘We can hardly tell our patients to take more exercise and then slob out ourselves, can we?’

      However, as they climbed higher Meagan wondered if she would have to eat her words. In order to keep the children in sight Cameron lengthened his stride and it was all Meagan could do to keep up. She was glad he didn’t seem in the mood to chat, as she would have found it impossible to talk and walk at the same time.

      She was very glad, therefore, when they reached the top of the hill. Meagan had to admit the climb had been worth it. As Cameron had said, the hill wasn’t particularly high but they could see for miles under the cloudless sky. Cameron pointed out the neighbouring islands of Skye and Harris.

      ‘If you like hillwalking, you’ll enjoy Skye,’ he told her. ‘If you prefer beaches, then Uist is just a short ferry ride away. You should visit both on your weekends off.’

      ‘I might just do that,’ Meagan said. ‘Actually, if you think Colin wouldn’t mind, I would love to sail his boat across to Uist.’

      Cameron frowned. ‘Please, Meagan, don’t underestimate the conditions around here. Although it’s a beautiful day today, the weather can change in a moment. We are always having to rescue unwary tourists from the mountains and the sea. I don’t want to have to rescue you. We need you…’ He looked into her eyes. Meagan felt her heart thud. What did he mean? Was he implying…?

      ‘The practice needs you,’ he finished abruptly. ‘Hey, children,’ he called out, ‘are you ready for something to eat?’

      Meagan could have kicked herself. Why was she always reading more into Cameron’s behaviour than she should? Hadn’t he made it clear enough that their relationship was purely that of two professionals? And the only reason he had invited her on this trip was for the sake of the children.

      Shortly after they had finished their picnic, Cameron stood up. He scanned the sky with practised eyes.

      ‘There are clouds rolling in from the north. Could be there’s a storm on the way. We’d better get back. Besides, we can’t let the tide get too far out or we’ll be stuck here until it comes back in.’

      Looking at the sky, Meagan could see no evidence of a storm, although the wind had picked up a bit. Perhaps he’d had enough of her company?

      ‘Fine by me,’ she said, gathering their belongings together. The children seemed happy enough to be returning to the boat.

      As Cameron had predicted, the tide was on the way out, dragging the boat with it away from the shore. Now there was an expanse of sand to be crossed before they could get to the vessel. She’d have to roll up her jeans and wade out. Cameron had obviously come to the same conclusion. He had already rolled up his jeans, revealing muscular calves, and had removed his shoes.

      ‘It’s too deep for you to wade. You’ll get soaked. I’ll carry you and the children out.’

      ‘No.’ Meagan said hastily. It was just too embarrassing. ‘I don’t mind getting a little wet. I’ll soon get dry.’

      ‘Don’t be silly,’ Cameron said, striding towards her purposefully. Before she had a chance to protest, he had scooped her in his arms and was carrying her out towards the boat. ‘Stay there Ian, Effie,’ he called over his shoulder. ‘Don’t move an inch until I come back for you.’

      ‘Put me down,’ Meagan snarled at Cameron, struggling in his arms.

      ‘The devil take me,’ he said, grinning down at her. ‘Why can’t you just do as you’re told? Anyway, if I let you wade out, the children will want to do the same. Far better all crew get treated the same.’

      By this time they were halfway out to the boat and the sea was already above Cameron’s knees. Despite her indignation, Meagan was once more acutely aware of his muscular chest and powerful arms as they held her. Her face was inches away from his and she could smell the faint scent of his aftershave. She closed her eyes. She couldn’t help it. She fancied him like mad. The thought brought her to her senses. She wriggled in his arms.

      ‘I said let me down.’ The next second she had her wish. Without a word he dropped her. She slid into the water and, catching her foot on some seaweed, slipped under. She gasped as she was submerged in the icy water. Well, it was one way to cool her libido which after a couple of years without sex seemed to have traitorously gone into overdrive.

      The next second she felt her T-shirt being grabbed and she was pulled unceremoniously upwards. She came out of the water, choking and gasping, and looked straight into glinting brown eyes. Without a word Cameron hauled her the last two remaining feet towards the boat and, gripping her under the arms, lifted her onto the side of the boat where she hung like a landed fish, gasping and spluttering. Then she felt him grab her hips as he tossed her all the way over the side onto the deck.

      She raised herself to her knees, aware that her hair was plastered to her head. And wasn’t that a bit of seaweed she could feel curling around her ear? Any feelings of lust had vanished.

      ‘Do you mind?’ she snarled. ‘I’m not a salmon or some other fish to be landed. I told you I was perfectly able to get myself on board. And you…’ She almost spat out the words, aware that she had worked herself into a fury, but by now unable to stop herself. ‘What century do you think we are living in?’

      But it was too late. Cameron was already making his way to shore and was out of earshot. As Meagan continued cursing under her breath, he placed Ian onto his back and Effie under his arm and started making his way back.

      Although Meagan had managed to regain some of her composure, she wasn’t finished with him yet. As he deposited his charges and leapt on board, she muttered at him, ‘Just you wait, Cameron Stuart. I’ll get my revenge. Just you wait and see.’

      ‘You told me to let you go,’ he said easily as he turned the boat in the direction of home. ‘I was only doing what I was told. Isn’t that what you women want?’

      He could hardly admit the truth, he told himself ruefully. That the feel of her in his arms had almost made him lose control. The only way he’d been able to resist the temptation of bringing his lips down on hers had been to dump her unceremoniously into the sea. Hardly a gallant gesture, he acknowledged wryly.

      ‘I’m soaked,’ she said through gritted teeth, removing another piece of seaweed from her hair and looking at it with distaste before throwing it back in the sea.

      ‘Here,’ he said rummaging around in the rucksack. ‘Get below and change into this. At least you’ll be warmer.’

      Effie and Ian were trying unsuccessfully to smother their giggles behind their hands. Meagan thought for a moment how she must look and then burst out laughing. Relieved, the children joined her, Ian rolling around the deck hugging his sides. Soon they were all laughing.

      Meagan picked up the sweater. ‘I’ll go get changed, then, shall I? But, Dr Stuart, I meant every word I said. You’ll pay for this.’

      ‘There a small gas stove down below,’ he СКАЧАТЬ