Outback Affair: An Affair Novel (Entangled Indulgence) Read Online Free

gaze focused on her face. Piercing blue eyes surrounded by deep lines looked steadily into hers. The smile lines around his mouth and eyes were white against the deep tan of his weathered face. Suddenly flustered, she reached for her glass and sipped. “So tell me about this wet that you’re talking about. What does that mean?”
    “We have a wet season up here in the Top End from about November to March.” The drawl in his Australian accent fascinated her. She’d barely spoken to any Aussies since she’d stepped off the plane this morning—although after the long drive down here, she felt like she’d been here for days.
    “The Top End?” It sounded like he knew the area pretty well and might be able to tell her the best way to get to the resort tomorrow, especially if he was heading that way.
    “The top end of the territory. Top as in north. From Darwin and the islands to about where we are now, down here at Daly River. I must have heard wrong. I thought Janet said you were going to Cockatoo Springs?”
    His frown deepened, and he looked at her while he waited for her to reply. It was hard to pick his age—the crinkly lines around his mouth and eyes maybe had more to do with the sun than with age. The jet-black hair pulled back into a short ponytail at his nape seemed to be more for convenience than a fashion statement. He wore a faded pair of jeans and a plain black T-shirt, although they were cleaner than the set he had worn this afternoon. Even though he’d shaved and looked groomed tonight, he still had a rugged, mountain man thing going on.
    She tipped her head to the side, trying to decide how much to tell him. Sure, she wanted to get information from him if he knew the area, but she didn’t want to tell him too much. The roads around here seemed pretty isolated, and she didn’t know him or who he was. Mon had read her the riot act at JFK before her flight. But she’d never see this guy again, so there was no need to tell him the real reason for her sudden visit to the outback.
    She leaned forward and lowered her voice despite them being the only customers in the restaurant. Janet was banging pans out in the kitchen.
    “Can you keep a secret?”
    He nodded slowly and held her gaze with those piercing blue eyes, and a small frisson of guilt ran up her spine.
    “I’m an actress and I’ve come over here for a rest. I heard Cockatoo Springs was a private resort where you can get back to nature, and I want some time away from the…ah…artifice of Hollywood.”
    “Interesting.” He seemed decidedly unimpressed. “Been in any movies I would have seen? You don’t look familiar.”
    “Probably not. My…er…agent…is building my portfolio, and we’re very selective about what I take on.”
    “But you’re already needing a total rest?” He put his head to one side and smiled, the smooth lines of his face softening.
    “Yes, but I prefer not talk about it. So what do you do?”
    His eyes narrowed, and for a moment she had the distinct feeling they were both playing at the same game.
    “I work out of Cockatoo Springs,” he said. “I catch the fish and the crabs for the restaurant.”
    “Oh, how good is that?” she said enthusiastically. “You can tell me the best way to get there.”
    “The best way?” He leaned forward and propped his chin in his hand, and stared at her. “Didn’t the booking agent make a travel plan for you when you booked in?”
    “I haven’t booked in yet. I decided to drive there myself. I’m used to driving. I…er…often drive from New York to LA for my work.”
    “So you’re on Broadway, too?” He looked at her and a huge smile crossed his face. He really was a looker; his white teeth contrasted with his tanned skin and blue eyes.
    “What would be so funny about that?” She could feel the scowl crossing her face.
    “Nothing,” he said. “I’m just impressed. I haven’t met any actresses before.” He sat back and sipped his beer. “I’ll have to