Free Hidden Fire by Alexis Fleming

compartment and rolled out a sleeping bag.
    â€œGuess we’d better get some sleep. With a bit of luck, the creek will be down by morning.”
    â€œAh, where am I sleeping?” Gili wouldn’t look at him. Her hunger for this man was riding too high and she had no doubt he’d see it on her face.
    â€œRight here.” He pointed to the sleeping bag.
    â€œAnd where are you sleeping then?” She held her breath and waited for his reply.
    â€œRight here with you. I’ve spent enough time rolling around in the mud today. I have no desire to sleep in it, too. Don’t worry, I’m sure I can control myself.” He raised his eyebrows and gave her a cocky grin.
    Heat shot through Gili. The blood pounded in her head as she thought of trying to sleep with Morgan beside her, his body brushing against hers. Forget his control, or lack thereof. She wasn’t certain if she could control herself. She’d lived on dreams too long.
    She groaned. I am in so much trouble.

    Morgan eased across the grid that marked the entrance to the home paddock. Drawing the vehicle up close to the veranda that ran around the perimeter of the low-set homestead, he cut the engine.
    A loud sigh gusted from his mouth before he could call it back. It was good to be home. For a few minutes, he sat there, soaking up the silence of the pre-dawn start to another day in the outback. A shuffling along the veranda roused him and he slid from the truck, taking care to ease the door closed with a quiet snick.
    â€œDidn’t expect you yet, son. Thought you’d at least wait until daybreak once I knew the creek was up.”
    Morgan didn’t need to ask who was there. Charlie—his lifelong friend, head stockman and general overseer of the station. The ‘son’ was an honorary title. Charlie was old enough to be his grandfather. He was also an Elder of the tribe Morgan’s long-departed ancestor had belonged to before she’d married a white man.
    Charlie’s dark skin blended with the night shadows, but his smile flashed white. A quick glance into the back of the truck showed Gili still curled up fast asleep. He’d prefer she stayed that way for a bit. At least until he decided what to do about her.
    He moved across to the steps leading up to the veranda. “I wanted to get home. No point in wasting time once the creek went down.”
    Charlie dropped down onto the steps and Morgan took a seat beside him. “Dangerous, crossing before dawn,” he said.
    Morgan shrugged. “I used the spotlights on the front of the truck. Flow’s down to a trickle now the headwaters have passed. Anyway, I couldn’t sleep so I decided I may as well make a start.”
    He’d told Gili they’d sleep together in the back of the truck. He’d lied. No way in hell would he have been able to climb in beside her. He couldn’t guarantee he’d keep his hands to himself, and no matter what his body was telling him, his mind said it was a bad move to get tangled up with Gillian Adams again.
    â€œShe still asleep?” Charlie pointed at the vehicle, the white of his grin flashing.
    â€œHow the hell did you know she was with me, old man?”
    Charlie tapped his forehead. “Not much I don’t know.” He paused, a frown creasing his forehead. “Except how she ended up in northern Queensland with you. Last I heard she was in Brisbane. Would have thought this would be the last place you’d bring her.”
    â€œI didn’t have much choice. She was in Longreach waiting for me when I arrived. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I saw her.”
    â€œAnd you agreed to bring her along with you?” Charlie gave a soft snigger and jabbed Morgan in the ribs with his elbow. “Not like you, boy.”
    Morgan shook his head. “No, it wasn’t like that at all. I figured if I just took off and left her in Longreach, she’d hop a plane