Since Michael arranged the dive for all parties, he decided to take charge. “We’ll keep each other in our sites and surface when one of us has 500 psi left. We signal by tapping the air gauge and use hand signals for the amount.”
“Sounds good to me. Is there a wager as to who is the air sucking dog?”
Nicolas laughed at Ruby’s suggestion. “I like that idea. How about loser has to buy dinner?”
Michael chimed in. “Loser is calculated after both dives.”
In unison they said, “Agreed.” Before they started their descent, Ruby gave Michael a wink. She knew he’d be happy with the way she maneuvered them to spend more time with Nicolas. She did what he said. Like a good little agent. Soldier.
Swimming along in the crystal clear waters of Oahu, the visibility seemed everlasting. Nico and Michael led the way, pointed out tiny seahorses, baby eels, and other underwater critters for Ruby to view. They skimmed through the gorgeous waters, past open-ended lava tubes, saw rainbow colored corals, and bright hues of fish.
Nico stopped at the entrance of a lava tube indicating they should investigate it from the inside. Ruby wanted nothing to do with that little adventure and showed it by a shake of her head. Instead, she signaled with her hands they should go through and she’d meet them at the end of the tube. No sense them not enjoying their dive. Ruby was never one for the closed in spaces of “cave like” dives. She wanted to be able to go straight up and hit the surface.
Ruby hovered and swam the length of the tube watching for small, hidden life that could appear on the coral growth or under the white sand ocean floor. A school of yellow butterfly fish streaked past her. She stuck her hand in the middle of them trying to touch them, causing her to laugh and a gurgle of bubbles release from her mouthpiece. Then she did a slow roll to feel the water come at her from different angles.
Fifty minutes later the dive was finished when Michael indicated he had 500psi left. They made their ascent following the anchor line up to the boat. Ruby surfaced first, handed Joe her fins, then got herself up the swim ladder and stripped out of her gear in time to help Michael and Nico up.
As he stripped out of his BC, Nico spoke. “Ruby, what did you think of the dive?”
Watching saltwater drip from his hair, she gave him a huge grin. “It was marvelous and Mickey loses round one of the ASD contest.”
Michael asked, “ASD?”
“Yes. Air Sucking Dog.”
Michael roared with laughter, his face bright from the sun and the smile that met his eyes. “That’s a new one on me, but you’re right, I lose round one. So how much air did you come up with?”
“I had almost 1000 left. Nico?”
“I had 800. I guess round one goes to Ruby. But you know it’s not really fair. It’s a well known fact women suck less than men.”
At his words, her eyebrow lifted. “HA!” It must be his accent because she didn’t think he knew how that sounded. “You’re just saying that.” She stuck out her tongue at him. “I’m hungry. Anyone want a snack?”
“Let me guess. Fig Newtons?”
“Of course.” She patted Nico on his cheek. “Is there any other kind of dive snack?”
“Not where you’re concerned. Okay, I’ll partake.” He crossed the boat to where she stowed her gear and helped her get out her cooler.
“Mickey, any for you?”
“Sure. I’m hungry.” He took a handful.
The dive master interrupted their feast to tell them about the next dive, a deeper dive with a wreck. Both Nico and Michael looked at Ruby and saw her look of disappointment.
Michael spoke up. “Do you think we could do another reef dive instead? I believe we all prefer those.”
Nico and Ruby nodded in agreement.
“I think we can accommodate. Let me check with the captain.”
With wide grateful eyes, Ruby met Michael’s sapphire eyes of concern. “Thanks. I’m not a big fan of caves or wrecks.”
“I gathered that when you wouldn’t go through the lava tube with us. Why?”
Nico put his hand on Ruby’s arm providing comfort, and answered for her. “The last time we were on the island together there were a group of people we worked and dove with who decided to go on a cave dive. Unfortunately, they were with an instructor who had been an imbecile. One of the guys got lost in the cave. Everyone went back in to find him. By the time they did it was too late. Is that it?”
Ruby nodded. She trembled at the memory.
Before she could dwell on the past, the young dive master came back out and told them Captain Bruce agreed to a reef dive. “We’re going to Three Tables. It’s just a short run from Shark’s Cove and the dive is a shallower, 20 to 45 feet. There’ll be more arches and lava tubes, turtles, rays, and octopus. We should be there in about 10 minutes.”
Excitement speared through Ruby. The possibility of seeing sea turtles had her charged. She changed tanks and checked her gauges. By the time they arrived at Three Tables, she stood suited up and ready to go. The boys still scrambled into their gear as she took the long stride off the boat. The moment they were at the surface together they gave the OK sign and started their easy descent.
Sea fans the color of lilacs waved in the current. Colorful fish startled by the divers’ intrusion darted away. Ruby lingered on the way down to enjoy the moment and try to coax a fish to inspect the newcomer. The water cooled on descent, but remained comfortable.
At the bottom, Ruby decided to take the lead. She wanted to glide along, not swim at a racer’s pace. She liked to float on her back, make sure she didn’t miss anything overhead. Most divers only ever looked down.
Ruby realized Nico and Michael weren’t crawling up her backside like they had been. She turned around to see what happened. They had found a baby octopus and were playing with it. Beautiful and small, the colors of midnight blue, purple, and gray melded together to create the creature. She’d never seen an octopus before.
Michael held it out for her to touch. With reservation, she stretched out her hand letting her fingers skim it, amazed by the underwater creature. Then Michael put it over his mask and all of them giggled, bubbles rising to the surface. Then he handed it to Ruby to hold.
Nico looked up, causing Michael’s gaze to follow his. A dark shadow overhead. A small blacktip reef shark loomed above them. Ruby was too entranced with the octopus to notice. When Michael got her attention, he pointed to the silhouettes above. Startled, she dropped the octopus. It streaked away. She moved behind Michael. Reaching back, he put a calming hand on her.
Michael saw Nico grasp Ruby’s reaction and her wide eyes of fright, and Nico pulled out a bang stick. Although shark attacks were rare unless provoked, it impressed Michael that Nicolas came prepared. He moved toward Ruby and Michael in a protective motion. If the guy wasn’t a criminal, he would respect him for that alone.
The shark moseyed on its way without even paying any attention to the three divers. After the shark left them in the dust, both he and Nico spun to face Ruby. With hand signals, they asked if she was okay. She gave them the okay signal and they continued the dive.
Fifteen minutes later, Ruby signaled time to head back to the boat.
Onboard, they stripped out of their dive gear and stowed it for the return trip to the dock. Until they were dry and everything put away, no one spoke.
Ruby had been deadly silent. It was unnerving for Michael to have to keep his distance from her. He’d wanted to touch her, console her, wrap her in his arms, and make her feel safe. Instead, Nico put a comforting hand on Ruby’s shoulder.
“Are you okay? I know the sharks shook you up a bit.”
She patted Nicolas’s hand in reassurance, but her eyes met Michael’s. Raw fear glittered in her amber eyes. “I’m fine, but thanks for asking. I’m just not fond of barracuda or sharks or caves when it comes to diving.”
“You know most people will dive for years without ever seeing a shark. You got to be a lucky soul to see one.”
Michael approached the bench where Ruby and Nico sat. “So, we have a tie on the ASD. What do we do now?” He wanted to change the subject, get her mind on something better, less scary.
“If it weren’t for that damn shark.” Ruby shuddered. “I’ll buy.”
“No. Since both of you were air sucking dogs it’ll be my treat. Winner gets to choose the place to eat. Besides, a lady should never buy, especially one as beautiful as you.” He took her hand and kissed it, causing Ruby to blush. “Don’t you agree, Mickey?”
Michael nodded. This guy is too smooth. He hated the smarmy bastard.
“What’s for dinner?” Ruby asked.
“La Mariana. The best lasagna and a terrific atmosphere. We can go as we are.”
“Sounds splendid. I’m game and I love Italian food,” Michael said.
“Great, you guys work out the driving details. I was picked up by the dive company and I’m going to go soak up a little more sun until we hit the dock.” She turned and walked toward the front of the boat, a towel around her shoulders, her hands rubbing up and down her arms. She needed warmth for comfort.
Back at the docks, they thanked the captain and his master diver and hauled their dive bags and other equipment off the boat. After Michael and Nico put their equipment in their respective cars, they turned to Ruby who stood, hands on hips, a sly grin on her face, waiting for them to acknowledge the third wheel who was starving.
Nico asked, “Where are you staying?”
“At the Outrigger Waikiki.”
Michael chimed in. “I’m at the Outrigger Reef, just around the corner from you. Why don’t I drive you back to the hotel after dinner? That way you can store your gear in my trunk.”
She smiled. “Sounds good.” Carrying her bag and cooler to Michael’s car, she let him heft it into the trunk.
“It’ll be easier if the two of you ride with me to the restaurant.”
EIGHTEEN
La Mariana was located in an almost impossible to find location. Entering the restaurant, Ruby gaped, as she took in the décor.
It was a tacky mishmash. Fishnets, glass floats, and shell chandeliers adorned the sprawling room. A huge, live tree grew in the middle of it all. Seated at a round table, the only thing that separated them from the ocean was a reed fence.
La Mariana herself was a woman in her eighties, who enjoyed table hopping and playing the piano for her guests’ entertainment. The place was out of this world. Ruby loved it.
“Nico, you were right. This place does have atmosphere. Now let’s see about that lasagna.”
Nico took the liberty of ordering three lasagna dinners and a carafe of Chianti for the table. Over salads they talked about the dives. After the salads, Ruby excused herself.
She was back at the table in a matter of minutes. “Much better. Sorry about that. I just can’t wear a swimsuit all day and all night.”
“Either way you are a vision.”
“I have to agree with Nico,” Michael chimed in.
Ruby eyed Michael, then turned to smile at Nico. “Y’all are such sweet talkers.”
“I love that. I’ve never heard another person with that kind of jumbled accent.”
“You should hear the way she says words like boat and donut. So cute,” Nico added.
Ruby rolled her eyes. “Please, enough of embarrassing me. Thank goodness, here comes the food.”
The waiter served the lasagna along with fresh garlic bread and another carafe of Chianti.
“Nico, I have to say this is undeniably the best restaurant lasagna I’ve ever had. I would never have found this place if it hadn’t been for you.”
“Thanks, Mickey. I can be a very resourceful man. In particular when it’s something I want.” While his eyes were on Ruby, he spoke his comment to Michael.
“You want to talk business? I rather hoped to find out more about Ruby.”
“No, no. No talking business. I agree, I would much rather find out more about Ruby and her trip to Hawaii.” They stared at her like anxious children.
She took a long drink of her Chianti. This was the opportunity she was supposed to take. This was her moment to get Nicolas to take the bait, to take her into his fold, his confidence, his business.
“I decided on the spur of the moment that I deserved a vacation. I ended up here.”
“Ruby, it’s been a few years, but I know you. You never take vacations on a spur of the moment. Come on sweetheart, out with the details.”
“Well, I...uh, got laid off from my job and called off my engagement.” She shrugged, acting nonchalant. “I needed some time away to regroup and have some fun. Besides, I couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate my birthday. So here I am.”
“If you’re looking to get back to work right away we can work something out for you on my new project, right Nico?” Michael wasn’t wasting any time. He said he wanted her in and out as quickly as possible. He meant it.
“If Ruby’s interested and you accept my proposal we can manage a contract job. But of course Ruby is always welcome to work with me. She was my favorite protégé.” Nicolas grinned, his lavender eyes sparkled with mischief. Such a flirt.
“Nico. Mickey. I wasn’t trying to put either of you on the spot for a job offer.”
“Nonsense. Good people are hard to find. You’re better than good. I’d hire you tomorrow if you told me that’s what you wanted. No worries, mon petit chat.” In her periphery, Ruby saw Michael’s brow rise.
To say Michael was not thrilled to hear Nico call Ruby his little cat put it mildly. His hand fisted underneath the purple table cloth and his blood pressure rose, but he remained outwardly calm. That was his nickname for the woman with the captivating cat eyes. This was business, not personal, he reminded himself. Michael had a sad suspicion those words would be his mantra until this mission was over.
“Nico, if the proposal is as good as I believe it is then one of the stipulations I want in the agreement is for Ruby to be on the team. Since I’ve had an opportunity to meet her, I feel it’s the right decision.”
“Gentlemen, you’re making my head swim. You don’t even have a contract yet.”
Michael replied with a wave of his hands. “Details and formality. I’ll get back to Nico by tomorrow. Is that good for you?”
“Magnifique. You’re my good luck charm.” Nicolas told Ruby, kissing her hand. “I need to repay my good fortune. Why don’t you stay at my home instead of an impersonal hotel?”
His eyes pinned her. Looking his way, she quickly averted his hard stare. Ruby knew better than to think that was a decent proposal or that Michael would think that a brilliant move. “It’s a sweet offer, but the hotel is fine. It’s near the ocean and they have room service and maid service. What more could a girl ask for?” Michael let out a slow breath, his shoulders dropped to their relaxed position.
“I have a maid and a cook. My home sits on ocean front property, is very comfortable, and the guest suite is gorgeous. All-in-all, it’s more superb than any hotel room. And mon petit chat, I won’t even charge you rent. You can’t say no.”
Shit! He held his breath. She was going to accept, he knew it. She wouldn’t even look at him. She knew what he was thinking. He wanted to tie her up by her very pretty sarong and kick her ass while it hung bare.
* * * *
What was she supposed to do? He rebuked every one of her objections. She dipped her head, tried to think of any excuse. Nothing came to mind. Oh, well. Without making eye contact, Ruby knew what Michael was thinking. But she had no choice. She’d been handed a golden opportunity and she had to do it. When she brought her head back up, she peered into Nicolas’s waiti
ng, anxious expression. “I’d be crazy not to accept your gracious offer.”
She wasn’t wrong. Having accepted the invite, Ruby dared a glance at Michael. He seethed. Were her eyes playing tricks on her or was there smoke coming from his ears? He didn’t like this little turn of events. In some ways, no most ways, he was more controlling than she was, or ever wanted to be. But she couldn’t prevent the monkey wrench thrown into his well laid plan. He’d just have to deal. It was either that or kill her and get a replacement he could dominate. He might.
“Business is over. Let’s have some fun. Would you care to dance?”
“What? Oh, dance. I’d love to.”
“Excuse us, Nico.” Michael offered his hand to Ruby and escorted her to the small area for dancing.
“Have you lost your mind?” He grumbled in her ear. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I, I...uh, tried to get in with him as you suggested and it seemed the only logical response to his persuasive argument.”
“I said to get in to work with his company, not his bed.”
Shocked, she stared at him in total disbelief. She couldn’t believe he’d said that. Had he lost his mind? Was he plowed? Or was he just stupid? Ruby figured stupid. Her gaze narrowed into thin line slits, her vision blurring as she contemplated what to do or say next. If they weren’t in public and they weren’t supposed to know each other, she’d deck him. And it wouldn’t be some sissy slap either. It would be a closed fist smash to his stubborn jaw.
“I’m not going to sleep with him. I’m going to sleep in his house. Come on, Mickey, you would’ve done the same thing if the opportunity were reversed.”
She was right, but that wasn’t the point. He had experience. She was just a rookie, not even. He pulled her even closer in his arms. Soft yet hard, a tomboy yet wildly feminine, Michael held Ruby tight. She felt so good he was afraid to let her go. Every time he turned around the woman got deeper in his business.
It Happens in Threes Page 19