This wasn’t about seeing her. No, most certainly not. There wasn’t much he could do in his office. Hugo could cover all the necessary tasks. He’d go and take Brad up on the offer of a free drink.
Matteo strolled to his office. “Hugo, I’m gonna get a drink at the Bliss. Do you need anything?”
Hugo’s round face appeared at the doorway. Sweat pearls glistened on his skin, and his prominent belly peeked out of his striped shirt. “Yes, get me an O-juice, please. Double on ice! It’s freaking hot in here.”
“You’ve got it.”
It was a seven minute walk to the giant beach bar. He had to circle around a dark rocky arch, which separated the calm beach stretching in front of the Bliss and his territory, the Blue Lagoon.
His flip-flops squished in the sand, and his footprints were covered immediately by salty water. He resisted the urge to take off his shoes. This part of the coast was covered with broken shells.
As his eyes scanned the ground, his mind wandered to Eleni. Was her wound healing well? Most certainly. It had been a few days since she’d hurt herself. And since he had carried her in his arms. His neck muscle quivered and he lifted one hand to massage it.
She had stood out in the moonlight with her long, white dress like a sea goddess that night. Matteo’s chest constricted as Eleni’s eyes, moist with hidden tears, flashed through his mind. A sea goddess with sad secrets.
Matteo shifted his palm away from his neck and tapped his temple. Where was all this nonsense coming from? He wasn’t the type for romantic fantasies. If he needed some womanly attention, he could get it fairly simply. Rosalie had made it clear she was interested.
Matteo smiled. Yes, he might not have the money yet, but he could still have most of the girls on this island, if he wanted. But he didn’t.
Well, at least not until Eleni had come along. What was it about this girl that had made such an impression on him that he couldn’t chase her out of his thoughts?
He shook his head. Enough was enough. It was time to stop thinking about Eleni. Yes, today was the day he was going to put an end to this. He was going to have a drink with Brad and not pay attention to what Eleni was doing.
He got to the beach and hustled his way among the empty lounge chairs and umbrellas toward the terrace. Where were all the people? The sounds of Chinese flutes and swishing bamboos hit his ears. Nathan must have decided to go for a natural flare during the day instead of the usual disco beats.
Matteo moved toward the bar, keeping his eyes fixed ahead. Don’t look for her. Don’t turn. Just don’t. He threw himself onto a chair in front of Brad.
His friend swished his forearm in front of him. “Matt, mate. Glad you came along. See how empty it is today? All the folks are over at the pool. I guess the east wind scared many of them away. I, for sure, find it refreshing. I’d have more days like this, if it were up to me.”
Matteo tilted his head, his fingers moving rhythmically on the counter. “I don’t know. It puts me out of work. I can’t dive with these weather conditions.”
Bradley’s eyebrows shot up. “So what? Enjoy it. I would love to have a day when the Bliss had to be closed, and I’d just get to hang out.”
Matteo shrugged. No, doing nothing didn’t suit him. He missed the sea even after only a day of absence. Plus, too much time meant too much thinking. And that was even worse for his mental state. “I prefer keeping busy.”
“Well, you’re a curious bug indeed. Never mind. What can I get you? A margarita?”
“Just a tonic for now. And I’ll take an extra-iced O-juice for Hugo before I leave.”
Bradley turned to the fridge. “Coming right up.”
Matteo couldn’t resist giving a sweeping look to the terrace. Nothing. If Eleni was working there today, he didn’t see her.
An ear-piercing cry cut through the air.
Bradley dropped a crystal glass. It landed with a loud clank on the floor. “Dang! What was that? Who screamed?”
Matteo jumped up and looked around. It sounded like someone from the beach. He raised his palm to shade his eyes. “I’m not sure. I’d better go and check.”
He bolted toward the shore.
Another scream. Even longer this time.
Matteo’s throat thickened. It did come from the beach. Better to hurry. He began to gallop.
A few people stood by the water, all staring into the waves. There was a woman, waving her hands in wide movements and jumping up and down. As Matteo approached, her desperate shouting began to make sense.
“Angelica! Please, somebody do something! Save her!”
His heart skipped a beat. Oh, no. Somebody must have ignored the red flag. How dumb did you have to be to do that? And where was Rob, the lifeguard?
A waitress ran over to the bystanders and pushed her way through to the waves. She plunged into the ocean and began to swim. She had a blond bun.
Matteo’s stomach became hard as stone. He broke into a run as if his life depended on it.
Chapter 12
The cry had been atrocious. Only someone in great danger would make such a bestial sound. It had definitely come from the ocean.
Eleni snapped her head toward the water.
Oh, dear heaven. The body of a woman bobbed on the top of the waves. Eleni grabbed at her chest. Somebody was pulled in by the tide? Where was Rob?
Her eyes darted around, but she couldn’t find the lifeguard. With the red flag posted, maybe he thought he could take a break.
Eleni dropped her tray into the sand. She tore off her apron and ditched her sandals. She sprinted to the waves, elbowing her way through the small crowd forming on the shore. Why was everybody just gaping and not doing something?
There was no time to lose. This woman wasn’t going to survive. She didn’t seem conscious and she was drifting away too quickly. In a fraction of a second, Eleni made her decision. She plunged into the ocean.
When her naked legs hit the water, a cold shiver ran through her body. Brrrr, it was much colder than expected. But she didn’t have time to dwell on how it felt. She had to keep going if she was to reach the woman. Her body was floating toward a big rock.
Eleni swam with strong laps, but the wind wasn’t on her side. The waves travelled exactly toward her face. She kicked her legs with force to keep her head in the air. The stupidly fluffy waitress skirt was slowing her down. She quickly slid out of it and let it wash away with the current.
Splash! A big mouthful of salty water hit her face. She swallowed some and started to cough. Her heart pounded in her throat. Could she be quick enough? No, it was impossible above water. The waves were too high and powerful. She couldn’t even see the body anymore. It wasn’t going to work this way. She was going to drown herself.
There was no other choice. She needed to dive under and come up only to breathe. Her throat tightened, but she didn’t care. She submerged her face and opened her eyes underwater. Ouch. The salt burned her eyes, but she gritted her teeth and continued to move forward.
Underneath the waves, the whole atmosphere seemed peaceful. The water was crystal clear, despite the strong current. How could such a marvelous universe be so deadly? Because deadly it was. Eleni knew it better than anyone else.
Her lungs started to burn, so she swam up for a short breath. Was that the woman over there? Yes, it must be her. That or a very large fish. Let’s hope not the latter.
She doubled her rhythm, feeling the pain in her legs. Thank heavens for the countless hours spent in the dancing hall. Her muscles were used to being over-solicited and didn’t give up too fast.
It was definitely the woman. She must have lost consciousness, because her head dangled in the water, her arms and legs dancing with the movement of the waves. Only three meters and Eleni would reach her.
As Eleni stretched forward with her hands, the image of her mother’s inert body flashed into her mind. Her father’s scream echoed in her ears. Her ribcage contracted, and she opened her mouth slightly. The taste of the salt
y water woke her from her frenzy.
She kicked herself to the surface and coughed till her throat didn’t burn anymore. Oh, God, how stupid. How could she forget where she was? Was she going to save this woman or create a mass grave in the Pacific Ocean?
She scanned the water. The woman’s body was only an arm’s length from her. The waves were less pronounced, thanks to the large rock shielding them from the open water. Eleni approached her swiftly, staying on top of the water.
Eleni turned the woman, and slid her arm underneath the woman’s armpit. Eleni started to swim on her back toward the shore. Why couldn’t the bloody wind just stay put a couple more minutes? It was already blowing from another angle at them.
A big wave rose in front of them. Eleni filled her lungs and dipped under the water, while keeping the woman’s body away from her own pushing it toward the surface as far out as she could. Good, this tactic seemed to work. Another wave, then another. Eleni managed to avoid three waves like that, but the fourth hit them both. Her hands slipped. The woman almost got loose, but Eleni grabbed her shoulders in time.
Eleni’s heart dropped. They were too slow. This woman needed medical attention, like now. Eleni’s legs were becoming more tired with each second.
She peeked at the shore. Why hadn’t they sent a rescue boat yet? As her eyes searched for the red shirt of the lifeguard, she noticed something different. A tall, dark figure hopped into the water with a bright-orange lifejacket.
She blinked twice, while her heart began to beat faster. There could be no mistake. It was Matteo. He was coming to save them.
A warm sensation shot across her spine, filling her with hope. Maybe the woman was going to make it after all?
Matteo did a few powerful laps in their direction then disappeared under the surface. Eleni stopped advancing and used her remaining strength to keep herself and the woman afloat.
She scanned the water for Matteo’s head. Nothing. How long could he stay under with one breath? It was now almost a minute and half.
A giant wave approached. Eleni braced herself for the impact. Her fingers closed tighter around the woman’s body. Don’t let her go.
The impressive column of water rose above them, but as soon as it covered their heads, two strong arms grabbed Eleni’s waist and pushed her and the woman upwards.
Eleni gasped for air, opening her eyes.
Matteo’s blue irises met her gaze. “Are you okay?”
She couldn’t muster sound yet, so she just nodded.
Matteo inflated the orange jacket quickly and handed it to Eleni, while he pulled the woman from her arms. “Here, help me get this on the victim.”
He held up the woman, so Eleni only had to slide the jacket around her neck and latch it at the back.
Matteo’s forehead creased. “Can you manage to get out alone? I’ll bring the woman.”
“Yes.” Did she sound convincing? She squeezed her jaw so her teeth wouldn’t chatter so loudly.
Matteo eyed her for a second, his lips pressed together. Then he nodded. “Okay, follow me.”
He started to swim toward the shore, dragging the woman without any obvious effort. He was so fast he soon disappeared from Eleni’s view.
As soon as Eleni remained alone in the water, her determination wavered. She’d only run into the water because she wasn’t thinking. Did she at least save that woman? Or had it all been in vain?
No, these were very bad thoughts for right now. She needed to concentrate on swimming and escaping the waves. She ducked into the water, and pain pierced her cheeks. Ouch, she must have hit a cold current. She clenched her jaw and continued moving forward. Five laps, one breath, five laps, one breath. If she managed to keep up this rhythm she would arrive at some point.
A group of silver fish began to follow her. Eleni kept her eyes on their pointy noses and shiny bodies. Barracudas?
A large body brushed against her left side. Eleni’s heart jumped to her throat. Please don’t let it be a shark. She snapped her head to the side, and her eyes met Matteo’s.
Her chest filled with warmth. He’d come back for her.
Matteo snatched her wrists and pulled her to the surface. “Hold onto my shoulders and use your legs. I’ll pull you.”
Eleni nodded and gripped his shoulders.
“One, two, three.”
At three, Matteo dove in, pulling Eleni with him. Eleni kept moving with her legs.
Wow, it was much easier to slide through the water with Matteo’s help. He pulled them along with the force of his arms. And what arms! Eleni watched, mesmerized, the interplay of his contracting and releasing muscles. A throbbing from Matteo’s neck irradiated into her fingers. The man was strong, much stronger than he looked.
When Eleni needed to breathe, she squeezed Matteo’s shoulders slightly, and he brought them up for air. In less than two minutes they were on the shore.
Matteo helped her stand and struggle out of the water without getting sucked back into the powerful waves.
“Thanks for saving us,” she said.
Matteo’s nostrils flared for a second, but then he nodded. “I wasn’t the brave one this time. But don’t get used to it.”
Eleni’s eyes drifted to the woman lying on the ground. A doctor attended to her, and she seemed to be conscious.
A wide grin spread across Eleni’s face. The woman lived. She grabbed onto Matteo’s arm. “Look, she seems to be fine.”
Matteo reached out and smoothed a wet strand of hair from Eleni’s face. “Yes she does. Thanks to you.”
His fingers caused an intense vibration on her skin. Eleni’s pulse quickened and she let go of his arm.
At that moment, the victim’s friend jumped at Eleni and enveloped her in an affectionate hug. “Thank you, thank you so much.” She had a thick Eastern European accent. “You saved my sister, Angelica. How can we ever repay you?”
Eleni smiled. “It’s fine. I’m just glad she’s all right.”
The woman released her and hurried back to her sister.
Eleni stepped back, smoothing down her wet T-shirt. As her fingers reached her hip bones, she froze. Oh, no. She wasn’t wearing her skirt anymore. She peered down and a heat invaded her cheeks. Could her black panties be interpreted as a bathing suit? Not very likely.
Matteo handed her a towel. “Do you want to dry yourself?”
His eyes wandered to Eleni’s naked legs. Eleni tore the towel from his hands and wrapped it around her legs as a skirt.
Matteo watched her, a smile playing on his lower lip. Something in the way he was looking at her made her stomach clench together. Or maybe it was only the effect of the salty water she’d swallowed. That, and the fact that Matteo had just saved her, again.
James and Tariq arrived at the shore.
James tiptoed his way over the sand in his expensive leather shoes.
Matteo snorted. “What a prick.”
Eleni poked him in his ribs with her elbow. “Shh. He’ll hear you.”
Tariq waved at the small gathering. “Everyone, free cocktails for all in the Bliss to wash away the emotions. Let’s go.” The people around them cheered and started to walk to the bar.
Angelica was carried to the infirmary.
James walked up to Eleni and Matteo. “So, you two. Quite a show, huh?” He scratched his clean-shaven chin. “But, Eleni, it wasn’t your place to intervene.”
The blood in Eleni’s neck started to throb. “I did it because I didn’t see Rob anywhere. Believe me, I dislike deep waters, and wouldn’t have done it for my own pleasure.”
How could James be so ungrateful?
Matteo stepped closer. “Hey, James, a bit more sympathy wouldn’t kill you. Eleni just saved that guest’s life. And, yes, where was Rob? Drinking coffee in your office?”
Eleni blinked at Matteo. His eyes had fire in them. Eleni’s knees grew weak. He looked so fine.
James’ left cheek twitched. “It’s none of your business. But, rest assured, he’ll pay for
this.”
Poor Rob. He was probably going to get fired. Then again, his lack of discipline almost killed a woman.
Matteo’s lips moved into a mocking frown. “Well, James, you always know what’s best, don’t you?”
James inhaled loudly. His gaze moved to Eleni’s face, and it was as if a sudden idea had just occurred to him. He narrowed his eyes, and his attention moved back to Matteo. “You know what, Mattie? I think I do. For example, I know you handed in a request for a transfer the other day.“
Matteo’s face froze. “Oh, no you wouldn’t.”
James wiggled his eyebrows at him. “Wouldn’t I? Well, I also happen to know you withdrew your own request yesterday afternoon. But…” He slowly turned to Eleni.
But what? What were these two men talking about? Why did she have the feeling that, whatever it was, it involved her? And that it wasn’t good.
Matteo pressed his lips into a line. “There is no but. I’ve cancelled my request. I don’t think it’s a good idea anymore.”
James put up a hand. “Good, since, as we have already established, you aren’t the one calling the shots here. I happen to think it’s a fabulous idea. Especially after what I’ve witnessed from her today.” He pointed his finger at Eleni.
Eleni couldn’t wait any longer. If these two were going to stay any more secretive, she was going to explode. “Excuse me, would you mind filling me in? As the discussion seems to concern me, too.”
Matteo’s cheeks became red and he tugged at his wet T-shirt. It stuck to his muscular body like a second skin. Eleni forced her eyes to move away from his six-pack.
James chuckled. “Eleni, as per Matteo’s wish, you’re transferred from the Bliss with immediate effect.”
Eleni grabbed at her chest. “I’m what? Why?”
James’ grin widened. “Matteo needs someone in the dive center. After your little water performance today, I think we can safely say you’re qualified to help him, don’t you agree?” His tone didn’t leave space for any opposition.
Matteo shifted his weight. “James, there was a reason I—”
James held up his hand. “Last I checked, I was the manager here. I say Eleni goes to work at the dive center. As of now.”
Loving The Boss (Gems 0f Love Book 1) Page 7