By the time Eleni returned, the group cohesion had dissolved.
There were couples whispering in the various corners of the living room. Rosalie chatted with Dimitrij, while Jenny sat on the lap of the fat man who’d groped at her.
Eleni’s palms became moist. Nikolai was alone on the sofa, fidgeting with his phone.
He looked up and gave her a long once-over. His eyes remained fixated on her breasts. His pupils dilated.
Eleni folded her arms across her chest. She had to just come out with it. They couldn’t keep her here if she wanted to leave.
She cleared her throat. “I wanted to thank you for your kind invitation, Nikolai. I need to get going. It’s getting very late, and I have to work tomorrow.”
Nikolai furrowed his brows and straightened up. “What nonsense. Stay, please. We were just going to put on some groovy music.”
He walked over to her and grabbed her elbow. He began to pull her toward the sofa.
Eleni wiggled herself out of his grip. “Oh, no thanks. I’m really very tired.”
Dang, her voice came out a little too high-pitched.
Rosalie glanced up and came over to them. “What’s the matter here?”
She raised an eyebrow and studied Eleni.
Eleni bit her lip. Why did she feel so embarrassed about leaving? “I’m going home. I’m wasted. You heard Matteo. I need to be fresh tomorrow for the dives.”
Nikolai pressed his lips together. “This wasn’t the plan, Rosie. You promised us a late night party.”
Rosalie put her hand on Nikolai’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. Eleni has to work tomorrow. I did hear her boss say that she needs to be well-rested.”
Eleni stifled a wheeze. Rosalie was taking her side? She didn’t expect that.
Nikolai snapped his head to Rosalie, but before he could say a word, she continued, “However, you could walk Eleni back to her bungalow. You know, to make sure she gets there safely.”
Nikolai’s face lit up, and an eager smile spread across his lips. “What a great idea. Such a pretty girl shouldn’t walk in the dark alone, indeed.”
Eleni couldn’t believe her ears. What was Rosalie playing at? Eleni didn’t need any company, especially not a tipsy and insistent Russian.
Eleni held up her hands. “No, don’t you worry. I know the road by heart. Stay and enjoy your party.”
Nikolai shook his head. “No. I’ll walk you. Or you can stay. Choose.”
He looked like he wouldn’t accept excuses.
A wave of tiredness washed over Eleni. She couldn’t start an open discussion in the middle of the celebration. That would mean the end of her job on the island. Rosalie would make sure of that.
Eleni’s shoulders tensed. It was her own fault. She shouldn’t have come to this stupid party. Her glance bounced between Rosalie’s fake smile and Nikolai’s somber expression.
Which option was worse? Spending another four to five hours with this awful group of rich criminals or spending ten minutes with one of them alone?
Eleni’s eyes darted to Clara who was kissing Stanislav then travelled to Jenny who was being caressed by her conversation partner on all socially unacceptable places.
Eleni swallowed hard. Nikolai might try to flirt with her on the way, but he couldn’t push himself on her on the hotel’s property, could he?
She nodded. “Fine, Nikolai, please walk me home, if you’d be so kind.”
Rosalie gave Eleni an approving look.
Eleni ignored her.
Nikolai opened the door and put his hand on the small of her back. “After you, babe.”
* * *
Matteo sat in the cool sand and watched the night sky above the ocean. How lucky Hugo had taken Fluff tonight, as well. It would have been hard to be affectionate even with his own dog, while his heart was so heavy.
He drew in a lungful of air, and listened to the waves. Their rhythmic melody used to calm his mind. Not tonight.
He sighed and picked up a shell. He threw it full force toward the water. As it broke the surface, it created circular ripples.
Just like the sight of Eleni in his heart.
What was Eleni doing now? Probably laughing and flirting with the dumbass Nikolai? Maybe even letting him kiss her?
Matteo shook his head. No, Eleni wasn’t like that. She was different than Rosalie and company. Eleni was sweet and honest. She would never throw herself at a guy, just because he had money.
But then why did she go to that darned party? Was it Matteo’s words that pushed her?
He remembered the moment during their dinner when she’d offered to help with his search. Why did he have to chicken out and push her away? It was his own fault Eleni was now at the party. He’d given her the day off. He had inadvertently challenged her into going there.
The night breeze swept over the beach, caressing Matteo’s face.
Mhmm, it felt good.
His head was too full with obsessive thoughts. They had kept him busy during his afternoon dive. He’d had trouble descending more than twenty meters because his breath wasn’t calm and steady. He wanted to focus on seeking the passage of the Pearl but he couldn’t. He kept imagining things.
Eleni smiling at Nikolai.
Eleni laughing at Nikolai’s jokes.
Eleni, Eleni, Eleni.
He even hallucinated about hearing her voice. He had to admit the bitter truth to himself. He wasn’t able to control his feelings for this girl anymore. He’d tried, but he’d failed.
What was he going to do now?
“Help!”
Oh, no. Not again. He shook his head briskly.
“Somebody help!”
Wait a minute, that wasn’t a hallucination. An icy sensation settled in Matteo’s chest and his muscles tensed. It really was Eleni’s voice. She was calling for help, and it was coming from close by.
He jumped up and started to race in the direction of her voice.
Chapter 23
“Could we stop for a minute, babe? Something went into my shoe.” Nikolai gave Eleni a crooked smile.
Eleni’s eyes darted around. They were standing in the middle of the sandy road that connected the hotel and the staff members’ bungalows.
Nobody was around. There was absolute silence. Only Nikolai’s heavy panting broke the quietude.
He leaned closer to her. “Would you mind giving me a hand?”
He smelled of vodka, expensive cigars, and some extravagant cologne meant to make him more attractive. It only made Eleni feel like gagging.
Nikolai held out his hand to her.
She peeked at his outstretched palm. Was he playing a game with her? Wasn’t it strange that Nikolai picked exactly this deserted location to rearrange his shoes?
No, she was probably just paranoid. Her own sandals had sand in them. He only wanted her hand to keep his balance.
She slid her palm into his.
As soon as their skin touched, Nikolai grabbed Eleni’s elbow with his other hand. He yanked her close to him. “Hmm, you smell delicious. What do you say we take a little break here? It’s a nice quiet spot.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. His face was inches from her neck, and his humid breath tickled her.
A chill rushed from Eleni’s spine to her neck. This wasn’t good. She had to get away from him. Fast.
She tried to free herself from Nikolai’s grip, but he held on to her.
His lips moved into a salacious smile. “Come on, be a little nice to me. It’s clear you’re interested. Don’t deny it.”
Eleni arched her back to get as far as possible from his dragon breath.
It was hard to keep calm. She didn’t want to reason with this animal. She wanted to tell him she would rather sleep in a bed full of cockroaches than let him touch her.
But Nikolai didn’t seem like a man who would take it well if she hurt his pride. Maybe reminding him of hotel regulations would make him see reason?
“Nikolai, please let me go. It’s not appropri
ate what you’re doing. I work for the hotel, and you’re a guest. It’ll get you in trouble.”
Nikolai’s head jerked back, and he broke into a laugh. “You’re sweet, Eleni. Thanks for your concern, but the hotel has always followed the rules of the Kasiljev family. Not the other way around.”
He raised one hand, and ran it from her neckline to her cleavage. “So, don’t be afraid.”
Eleni’s hands moved into fists, and she twisted away. “Stop it. Don’t touch me.”
So much for keeping her cool.
Nikolai’s hand engulfed her arm even tighter. “Where do you think you are going? We’re just getting started here. Don’t you wanna be a good girl and show me some fun? Didn’t Rosalie explain what I could do for you?”
Did Rosalie know about this? Did she throw Eleni into Nikolai’s arms like that? Was this the price to pay for her rising career and freedom of choice in the hotel? If so, she was ready to quit now.
Perhaps if she was firm enough, he would get it.
She raised her glance and stared into Nikolai’s eyes. “I don’t want your favors. I don’t want anything from you. I’m sorry if someone has led you to believe otherwise.”
His eyes darkened, and he licked his lips with the tip of his tongue. “I don’t care what you want. I care what I want.”
He pressed his hips to her thighs. Eleni felt his bulge through the delicate fabric of her dress.
Her mind went blank and a wave of disgust spread over her body. Before realizing what she was doing, she lifted her left leg and gave a strong kick between his legs.
“I’d rather die than please you, Nikolai. You’re disgusting.”
Her kick wasn’t entirely spot-on, but it was enough to distract the man for a second.
His grip loosened, and Eleni managed to tear herself away.
She sprinted toward the ocean.
If she just reached the water, she could swim in deep enough that Nikolai wouldn’t follow her. She’d seen the Russian in the pool before. He never went deeper than where his legs could reach the bottom.
Nikolai seized himself quickly and spurted after Eleni.
Eleni’s sandals had small heels which slowed her in the sand. Stopping to unlatch them though wasn’t an option. She continued her struggle onward.
His heavy breathing sounded almost on her neck.
Oh, no! He was closing on her.
The bushes separating the beach from the road came into sight.
She was almost there. Her legs burned, and her throat ached. Maybe she could make it. Just a few more meters.
Two hands grabbed the straps of her dress from behind. Nikolai hauled on them, and Eleni lost her equilibrium. She stumbled to the ground.
Nikolai threw himself at her in a half-kneeling position. He smashed her wrists against the sand, pinning them down with all his weight.
He grinned like a demon. “So, you like the chase, huh? Like it rough? That’s what turns you on? We can do it your way.”
Eleni screamed as loud as she could. “Hee-ee-eelp! Somebody help!”
Nikolai laughed. “Scream if you want. We’re too far for anyone to hear.”
* * *
Matteo’s legs propelled him over the soft sand. His stomach was hard as a rock, his fists clenched.
Eleni’s voice sounded like it was in real distress. It was coming from behind the oleander bushes.
He reached the lush greenery and took a sharp turn around it. His eyes darted to the ground, and he gasped.
Eleni’s fragile body was pressed to the sand by a man. He was holding her arms locked above her head with one hand, while the other fidgeted with her dress. Eleni’s eyes were wide with fear and she was trying to wriggle herself from the man’s grip.
Matteo’s pulse slammed in his neck, and his nostrils flared. He launched himself forward. “Stop it, you scumbag!”
Her attacker jerked his head to the side. Before he had time to even realize what was happening, Matteo was already raising his fist.
Matteo gave the man a sharp blow on his occipital bone.
The man collapsed on top of Eleni.
She gave out a desperate shriek. “Get him off me, please!”
Matteo lifted the inert body and rolled it to the ground.
His eyes fell on the attacker’s face, and his throat constricted. Oh, crap. He had just knocked out Nikolai Kasiljev.
Eleni sat up. “Is he alive?”
Her breathing was heavy.
Matteo nodded. “Yes, I’ve only knocked him unconscious.”
The years spent in his father’s training had been effective. Even if Matteo’s blood was boiling, his hands had acted on autopilot, delivering just the right amount of strength. Not more and not less.
He looked back at Nikolai, and a bitter taste spread in his mouth.
This jerk deserved far worse.
Eleni put her hand on Matteo’s shoulder, but drew it back instantly. “Thank you.”
Matteo pivoted to her, but she kept her glance on the ground.
She brushed her hands down her dress, now torn in several places. Her bun was messed up, with sand grains glistening in her hair under the moonlight.
Matteo reached out to her face.
Eleni twitched when he touched her chin, but she didn’t move away. She just stopped fidgeting with her dress and sat there motionless.
Matteo gently pulled her chin toward him, forcing Eleni to look at him.
When their eyes met, her expression was unreadable.
“Are you all right?” He kept his voice low and steady.
Eleni nodded but didn’t speak. Her lips twitched slightly.
Did she want to say something?
Matteo waited patiently.
Eleni lifted her hand and closed it around his fingers. A violent zap spread over his arms, reaching up to his torso.
“I’m so sorry.” Eleni mumbled.
Matteo’s brows shot up. “About what? It wasn’t your fault.”
Eleni blinked then drew in a long breath. “I didn’t listen to you, but you were right.”
Matteo didn’t want to be right. Not at this price. “I’m sorry, too. I should’ve explained better why I didn’t want you to go to this party.”
He had been a fool. He should have prevented this. He knew how greedy and bestial those Russians could get. And he knew Nikolai had eyes on Eleni.
Eleni slanted a look at Nikolai’s body. “What should we do with him? Are you sure he’ll be okay?”
Matteo’s gritted his teeth. “Better than he deserves.”
He fought back the urge to stand up and kick Nikolai in the guts.
Eleni wrinkled her brows. “I don’t think he saw you before you hit him. You’d certainly get into trouble if it came out that you knocked out the new head of the Kasiljev family.”
Was she worried about him? Matteo’s heart gave a jump. Sweet Eleni.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m not sorry at all for what I did. He had it coming.”
He leaned closer to the body. The stench of alcohol hit his nostrils. “Did he have a lot to drink?”
Eleni smoothed two curls from her loose bun. “I would say enough. Though he wasn’t drunk entirely. He might remember what happened.”
Matteo looked around. Of course, Nikolai hadn’t been drunk. The Russian had been lucid enough to pick a perfect spot for his advances. Only he hadn’t counted on Matteo.
Matteo’s heart skipped a beat. What if he hadn’t come out tonight?
His eyes darted to Eleni’s face. No, he mustn’t even think about that. He’d gotten here in time. Eleni was safe now.
Matteo kneeled down next to the Russian and checked his pulse. “He’s going to wake up with a headache.” He stood up. “I’ll carry him to the hotel’s back entrance and put him on one of the hammocks there. If we’re lucky, he won’t recall everything about tonight.”
He reached down and lifted Nikolai onto his shoulders. Wow, he was heavy.
“Are you sure
you don’t want me to help?” she asked.
Matteo shook his head. “Just stay here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
After Matteo had arranged Nikolai’s body, he hurried back to Eleni.
She was still sitting in the sand, exactly where he’d left her. She hadn’t moved an inch.
He held out his hands to her. “C’mon. Let’s get you home.”
She took it, and he pulled her up.
“Do you want me to walk you back to your bungalow?”
Eleni looked down at her dress. “If I go back like this, Cath will freak out. I’d rather not speak about tonight with anybody else.”
Matteo’s jaw fell open. Was it shame in her eyes? She didn’t need to be ashamed. It wasn’t her fault.
“Eleni, you did nothing wrong.”
She bit her lower lip. “Yes, I did. I let my pride get the better of me. I wanted to prove I could be a social butterfly. Like Rosalie.”
Why would she want to be like Rosalie? Couldn’t Eleni see she had so much more worth?
Matteo moved closer to her. “I think you’re perfect the way you are.”
Her cheeks acquired a rosy color. “Thanks. Nobody has ever said that to me. My ex-fiancé, Connor, always made me feel I needed to be something more, something better.”
She pressed her lips together as if the last part had slipped out without her wanting it.
Eleni had been engaged? Was that the reason she had left her hometown? A man?
Matteo’s throat clenched. What was his problem? He mustn’t react this way. It was normal that Eleni had been in a relationship. She was smart, kind, and beautiful. Who wouldn’t fall in love with such an amazing woman?
His pulse accelerated. Yes, indeed. Who wouldn’t?
“Your ex knew nothing. I bet he’s eating his hands now that he lost you.” His words blurted out too loudly. He immediately adjusted his voice and added, “As your boss, I can tell you it’s an amusing experience working with you.”
As your boss? Amusing experience? Could he say something even more dorky to her?
Loving The Boss (Gems 0f Love Book 1) Page 13