The ceiling in Cam’s room was thatched differently than hers. Perhaps it was the play of light and shadow. Sarah wasn’t sure. She lay on her back, staring up at the roof. She didn’t even bother trying to sleep. Sometimes she could. Sometimes she couldn’t. It didn’t bother her either way. Lying in Cam’s bed, listing to his deep, even breaths was oddly comforting. That very fact unsettled her.

She glanced to the side, at Cam’s sleeping face. His features lost their hard look when he was at rest. He was almost… serene. Who would have thought that the black hearted Cam Spade was little more than a puppy, as eager for scraps of affection and love as any normal person?

She had him right where she wanted him. He was sweet, almost docile. He was even fun. The days she spent on the island evaporated into a haze of passion, laughter and… joy. She was shocked to find that the light, bubbly feeling in her chest was happiness. She was happy. Nearly three weeks on a deserted island with Cameron Spade had turned her into the same, soft puppy that he was.

Her plan to seduce Cam to get what she wanted was paying off. The only problem with a wicked plan was that it could only work if she was wicked. Her heart, which was supposed to be hard and cold, was anything but.

Sarah shifted and slid silently out of bed. She moved to the window where she stared at the moon. Its reflected silver glow danced on the ocean waters beyond the swaying trees. She breathed in, filling her lungs with the warm, fragrant air.

This was probably as close to heaven as she was ever going to get. It turned out she was no harder or colder than Cam himself truly was. She was just a flesh and blood woman. A woman who melted into his arms, who longed for him and desired him. A woman who cared for him.

Sarah blinked hard against the sting of tears. She didn’t love Cam. It was far too soon to bandy about that ridiculous word, but there was something between them. Whatever it was it was sweet, delicious, dangerous and utterly heartbreaking. Caring for Cam ultimately meant she had to betray her brother. If she cared for Cam she couldn’t deceive him or hurt him yet if she didn’t, her brother’s life was ultimately at risk.

She turned away from the window, utterly lost. Her clothing, one of Cam’s t-shirts and a pair of his shorts that she’d altered with a few stitches here and there so at least they stayed on, lay in a pile on the floor where she’d shed them in her eagerness to join Cam in bed. Her cheeks flushed hotly as she pulled them on.

She needed to get out of this room, out of this house, in order to think. The warm night breeze and the ocean’s gentle waves called to her.

She stole out of the house, quiet, so she wouldn’t wake Cam. It only took her a few minutes to reach the beach. She walked down the strip of white sand, studying the moon and stars.

When she reached the edge of the sand, she sat. Her eyes traversed the horizon. It seemed endless. If only life was really that way. If only people didn’t die before their time. If only mothers didn’t leave their children. If only the brother she loved so much wasn’t sick.

She closed her eyes and imagined herself and Cam in another time, another world. Who knew what was possible? Maybe they had shared a past life and the connection she felt wasn’t as irrational as she thought. She smiled at the thought of her desire stemming from a passionate love affair in another century.

Sarah’s eyes lit on the sailboat that was moored to the small dock off to the left. It extended out far into the water, where the bottom gave way and the boat’s bottom didn’t touch the sand. She knew nothing about boats and even less about swimming. Growing up in Chicago she hadn’t exactly had a need to learn.

Cam had taken her out sailing one afternoon. He’d shown her how the boat worked. He made it look so easy and effortless. He’d explained everything and laughed at her face when he told her one day even she could do it.

The breeze intensified, whipping past her face and tangling her hair. No matter how strong the wind was on the island it was always warm. Not like back home. The wind was bitter more often than not. It howled and tore right through a person.

The sailboat rocked gently against the dock. The white sails sagged where they were tied down. She imagined freeing them and soaring over the ocean, completely free, the wind in her hair, on her face, fresh in her lungs.

The idea came to her so quickly she almost discounted it. Sarah shook her head to rid herself of the wild plan.  The thought couldn’t even be called a plan. It was just a wild notion that was as bad as any she’d ever dreamed up. The longer she sat on the beach, the stronger the wind became. She leaned into its unseen hands. She felt the invitation and the draw of the ocean; the draw of freedom.

She had to leave. If she could get away from Cam then her brother still had a fighting chance. She didn’t want to hurt anyone and she knew the secret she harboured would do just that. Can would lose all faith in her and it would be over. Not that she thought he would ever want to see her after this anyway. She knew whatever it was that had sprung up between them came from the island’s romantic setting. She and Cam were two lonely souls who found solace in each other. It could never be more than that.

Sarah slowly rose to her feet. She stared at the boat. Cam had said it was so easy even she could do it. All she had to do was unfurl those sails and the wind would do the rest. He’d shown her how to steer and navigate. Her mind recalled what he’d told her when she’d first arrived at the island. That the nearest island was miles away. Miles, not centuries. Surely, she could make it. She had to. It was her shot at ensuring that Trace had at getting the life he deserved so badly. She would do anything for him. He was the only family she had left.