Matteo’s lips twitched like he was hiding a smile. “That’s it? One dance?”
Rosalie nodded. “A dance with someone you pick.” She turned to Nathan. “Nathie babe, could you get rid of this miserable music Tariq picked and choose something real slow?”
Nathan stared at Rosalie for a second then stood up. “Anything to see my buddy dance.”
He winked at Matteo and walked toward the music booth.
Cath leaned close to Eleni and whispered in her ear. “Do you see now what I mean?”
Eleni nodded. She did. Rosalie was now officially on her blacklist. She didn’t want to watch the dashing brunette use her sexy moves with Matteo on the dance floor. She just didn’t. She raised her arms and folded them over her chest.
In the back of her mind, Eleni knew she was behaving stupidly. She shouldn’t care who Matteo danced with. Except she did.
The realization made her blood course through her veins. She’d come here to escape the complications from her disastrous love choices. Why couldn’t her body leave her in peace? Why did it have to react with storms of tingling when Matteo’s skin accidentally brushed hers or make her chest hammer when his eyes met her gaze?
Matteo looked at Rosalie with one eyebrow raised. “So, what’s this big secret?”
Rosalie licked her lower lip with a slow motion. “You accept my deal?”
Matteo pressed his lips together as if he was thinking. “Yes, I’ll do one cheesy dance with the partner of my choice.” He winked at Rosalie.
What? Was Matteo flirting back? Eleni couldn’t believe her eyes. Then again, why wouldn’t he? Rosalie was gorgeous and clear about what or whom she wanted. She didn’t shy away from getting it. Just like Judith. Men always preferred that kind of woman, didn’t they? Maybe not all—but the ones Eleni found attractive sure did.
A smile spread across Rosalie’s lips. “Great. So here’s what I know…” She leaned in so close to Matteo that her body pressed against his arm. She snaked her arms around his neck and spoke so quietly Eleni couldn’t catch a word of it.
“What are they saying?” she asked Cath.
“No idea, but it must be good. Look at Matteo’s face.”
Matteo’s eyes widened and his mouth popped open. Whatever Rosalie had told him must be surprising news for him.
Eleni’s hands started to sweat and she pressed them to her thighs. It was probably something about this pearl. She didn’t need to know. She wasn’t involved in all this. But somehow her quick heartbeat told her that, for now, whatever involved Matteo involved her as well.
Rosalie leaned back, apparently satisfied with the effect her words had on Matteo. Her eyes shined. “Now, your end of the bargain.” She held out her hand to Matteo and cocked her head toward the dance floor. “Shall we?”
At that moment, the deep voice of Frank Sinatra filled the terrace. “Fly Me to the Moon.” Wow, Eleni wouldn’t have guessed Nathan had a thing for classics. Maybe he wasn’t such a bad choice for Cath after all.
She glanced at Rosalie and her chest quivered. It wasn’t fair that Matteo was going to dance with this woman to one of the world’s most romantic songs. Eleni clenched her teeth and lifted her chin. No, it would do her good to watch. She needed to get it through her thick head that she had nothing to do with Matteo. Nothing at all.
Matteo stood up. “I always deliver on what I promise.” He shot a dazzling smile at Rosalie, then he turned to Eleni.
“Eleni, would you care to dance with me, please?”
Chapter 6
As soon as the words left his mouth, Matteo doubted whether he’d made the right choice. Enduring and rejecting Rosalie’s advances would have been bothersome, but pulling Eleni’s fragile body to his might be dangerous. But he couldn’t back out now.
Eleni’s lips parted as she blinked at him. It seemed she was still processing the meaning of his words. Or was she hesitant to join him? Maybe she had no wish to dance. Or to dance with him.
Matteo’s heart sank. Why did he have to pick her? If he wanted to avoid Rosalie, Cath would have been the better choice. But then Nath would have complained. He didn’t need a rivalry with his buddy.
Cath poked Eleni in the ribs. “Come on, go have fun.”
She giggled and kept her gaze on Rosalie.
Rosalie sat there petrified, but the expression frozen on her face didn’t promise anything good. She would make him pay for this at some point.
Matteo squared his shoulders. Eleni’s refusal would be punishment enough for his stroke of genius.
Eleni stood up and took Matteo’s hand.
A sizzling warmth shot through his fingers as they touched Eleni’s skin. He pulled her toward the dance floor, but let go of her hand midway. It was best to limit exposure to a minimum. He’d been so stupid for picking her. So utterly bold. Now he was going to suck it up.
Eleni glanced up at him. Her eyes searched his as if asking him to take the lead. Right, it had been his idea.
He put his hand on Eleni’s hip. “May I?”
Why did his voice sound so tense and unnatural? What was this girl doing to him?
Eleni nodded. “Sure. Otherwise how will you make good on your promise to Rosalie.”
She smiled and took his waiting hand, then rested her other hand on his shoulder. They started to move slowly to the rhythm.
A thrill invaded Matteo’s spine and his breathing hastened. It felt good to have her so close. Not only good, but somehow right. Like she belonged there. Was it because she was a dancer and could adapt to any partner without effort?
Matteo wished deeply it was that and not some other reason. Something he didn’t want to contemplate.
Eleni lowered her head so it touched his chest. A fresh perfume of chamomile and figs hit his nose. She smelled divine. Something inside roared as if a sleeping lion was about to awaken. His hands squeezed Eleni, pushing her tighter against his body.
Eleni lifted her chin but didn’t protest. “So why didn’t you pick Rosalie to dance? She must have quite the moves.” Her face was serious but her voice betrayed her.
Matteo snorted. “Rosalie is used to getting everything she wants.”
Eleni bit her lower lip before answering. “Yes, it’s quite obvious even to me, a newcomer, that she wants you. So is it a game you play with her?” A rosy color tinted her cheeks and her eyes flicked to the table they’d left.
What did she think about him? That he was a playboy? His stomach hardened. Not that it mattered what she thought. Still, maybe it was better to set the record straight.
“I don’t play games. I mean, I do, but not with Rosalie.”
Eleni’s brows shot up. “Oh, really? Then with whom?”
What the hey? Why did he put his foot into his mouth like that?
He shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. I just meant that I’m not boring or anything. I just have a strict policy of never dating anyone from work.”
Eleni’s eyes widened. Did she disagree with him?
No involvement with co-workers was a rule that had earned him a weird reputation on this island. Most of the staff members disregarded Matteo’s code and started relationships either with each other or sometimes, though forbidden, with guests. And where did that lead them? Mostly to big trouble.
Eleni didn’t answer but kept staring at him.
Matteo drew in a breath. “You think I’m boring now, don’t you?”
Eleni shook her head. “Not at all. I actually agree with you. Relationships and work don’t mix well. If one ends, the other can suffer from the impact.” Her voice held a deeper edge than usual.
Was she referring to something personal? Some bad experience?
A cold feeling settled in Matteo’s stomach. Why was he disappointed that Eleni agreed with him? It was a sign that she’s a smart woman. It shouldn’t disturb him at all that she wasn’t ready to start any relationship on this island. Neither was he.
He smiled at her. “I’m glad we’re on the same pag
e.”
“Yeah.” A shadow passed across Eleni’s eyes. Was something bothering her?
Matteo reached out and tucked an escaped curl behind her ear.
She looked at him and their gazes locked. The air grew heavy around them. Only a few inches separated him from Eleni’s face.
She had extremely long eyelashes, now that he saw them from so close. They framed her eyes, making the honey color pop.
Eleni cleared her throat. “Your friend knows how to pick a nice song.”
“Get out, you like Sinatra?”
“I love Sinatra. The music of the fifties, in general, but Sinatra is my hero.”
“I need to introduce you to my sister. You’d get along. She’s a huge fan of Sinatra. My whole family is, actually.”
What was wrong with him? Why did he say that?
Eleni seemed just as surprised by Matteo’s outburst. Her jaw dropped, but then a smile spread across her face. “It figures, since you are half Italian. Sure, I’d love to meet your sister someday. Does she ever come and visit you?”
Eleni wasn’t going to meet anyone in his family. Let alone his sister. No way. Bianca would adore Eleni. That would make his plan to avoid her on the island more difficult. Bianca would torment him every day on the phone about her.
“She flew out here once already. She might come back in a couple of weeks.”
“Do you only have a sister?” Eleni asked.
“Yes, but I have three cousins who grew up with us in the same house. We’re like five siblings, actually.” Okay, this needed to stop. He hadn’t told as much information to Brad and Nath in six months as he had to this girl during one Sinatra song. But it was easy to talk to Eleni.
Disturbingly so.
Eleni furrowed her brows. It made her tiny nose pointier. And more adorable. No, that wasn’t something he should think about.
“You’re lucky with so many siblings. I’m an only child. I always wanted a big family.”
“I’m sure you’ll get it. There won’t be a lack of candidates, given the way you look.”
That was the stupidest thing he could say. Eleni was officially making him act up. When was this song going to be over?
Eleni’s cheeks got even rosier. She blinked twice before answering. “Jeez, thanks, I guess.”
The song ended, and a round of applause sounded behind them.
Eleni jerked her head around, drawing away from his embrace. The places where her warm skin had pressed against his chest felt cool in the evening breeze.
Cath bounced over to them. She winked at Eleni and gave them both a thumbs-up. “You guys were great. Rosalie looked like she was ready to explode. She went to Tariq’s office halfway into the song, claiming she had some urgent business to discuss with him.”
Eleni frowned. “Oh, I hope she won’t make my life more difficult now. You heard that she was going to be my immediate boss.”
Cath patted her shoulder. “I don’t think so. Even Rosalie wouldn’t go so low.”
Matteo’s throat became dry. No, that was exactly Rosalie’s style. She was more likely to let out steam on Eleni than on Matteo. He should’ve picked Cath for the dance. She wouldn’t have been a direct target for Rosalie’s hurt pride.
Eleni glanced at him for confirmation.
He plastered on a smile. “Cath is right. Rosalie understands it’s a joke. If not, I’ll smooth it over with her.”
Eleni opened her mouth as if to say something but closed it. “Okay, if you guys think so.”
Cath yawned. “Anybody else ready to call it a night?”
Eleni nodded. “I’m tired, too. I can’t believe you only picked me up from the airport this morning.” She smiled at Matteo.
Yes, it clearly seemed surreal that Eleni had arrived just this morning. Her presence seemed engraved in his mind much longer than that.
He drew in a breath and took a step back. “Yeah, funny. Anyways, I need to get going too. I’m doing some dives tomorrow, so I want to be rested.”
At the mention of the dives, Eleni shivered. What was it with this girl and the water? Even before, she said she didn’t like to swim in the ocean. Who doesn’t like swimming in the ocean? Except Hugo, of course.
Cath grabbed Eleni’s hand and started to pull her toward the bungalows. “Have a good night, Matt. See you around.”
Eleni looked at him, eyebrows raised. “Aren’t you going in the same direction?”
Did she want him to stick around longer? His chest warmed at the thought.
“No. One of the perks of being the dive manager is I have my apartment right at the dive center. It’s quieter than the staff bungalows, and I don’t have roommates.”
Cath’s eyes darted to his, a daring smile on her lips. “Are you implying something about roommates?”
He shook his head. “Nope, Cath. But you know, I’m kind of a loner, so I enjoy it this way.”
“Okay, then. Have a good night and see you around.” Eleni turned and walked away with Cath.
Matteo watched the two figures disappear on the beach.
This night had been different than expected. It was all because of Eleni. He sighed and rubbed his neck.
Don’t poop where you eat. Don’t poop where you eat.
Reciting his Dad’s mantra didn’t help chase Eleni’s face from his mind. He needed to be careful from now on. He couldn’t leave himself that much space with Eleni.
Her presence acted as a catalyst on him—only he didn’t know what kind of process she was enabling in him—and he wasn’t willing to find out.
He simply needed to keep some physical distance between himself and Eleni and the memory would surely fade.
Chapter 7
“Eleni, you need to hurry up. Today is the first proper staff meeting of the season.” Cath drummed her fingers on the door.
Eleni pulled her hair into a long ponytail. “You just want to get there in time, so you can chat with Nathan before his shift starts. Admit it.”
Cath’s face turned crimson. “I do not.”
Eleni smiled at her roommate. “Yes, you do. But you’re right. I don’t want to be late either. Tariq told me the McKenzie twins will be landing this afternoon.”
Her stomach gave a small twitch. Finally! She’d feared Matteo’s premonition was going to be reality. But now, she was going to teach dance again. Okay, maybe not teach teach, as the kids were only eight, but still.
Cath put on her sandals. “I’m glad you get to start your real job now, even if playing with kids all day wouldn’t be my thing.”
Eleni poked Cath’s shoulder. “I thought you had two little brothers.”
Cath snorted. “Exactly.”
She opened the door and sunshine streamed into the room raising the temperature almost immediately. “Let’s go then.”
The staff meeting was taking place in the backyard of the main building.
Eleni’s heartbeat quickened as they approached. Why was she so nervous? She was excited about the new challenges so that wasn’t the reason.
She hurried behind Cath who led the way with springy steps. A pair of deep blue eyes flashed into her mind. She shoved them away. No, she wasn’t going to go there.
Tariq waved to them. “C’mon now. Everybody else is here.”
Eleni and Cath hurried over to the group.
Why were there so few of them? This couldn’t be the entire staff of Deep Blue. Eleni scanned the faces. Her chest grew heavy. He wasn’t there. Maybe the meeting was only for the animators?
Tariq slid his hands over his hair. Not a single strand moved. Wow, the guy really loved gel.
“We have only a few changes in the agenda we established a couple days ago. One concerns you, Eleni.” He pointed at her with his index finger.
What changes? Eleni’s throat constricted. The way Tariq looked at her made her suspect the worst. “What exactly are you referring to?”
Rosalie stepped over beside Tariq and put a hand on his shoulder. A sly grin played on her
lips. “Tariq, do you mind if I enlighten Eleni?”
Tariq slanted a glance at Rosalie. His Adam’s apple twitched. “No, go ahead, Rosie.”
Rosie? So Tariq and Rosalie were on ‘friends’ terms.
Eleni glimpsed at Rosalie. What did Cath say? Rosalie wouldn’t go so low? Let’s hope Cath was right and Rosalie wasn’t planning a vindictive gesture against her.
Rosalie put a hand on her hip and shifted her weight. “Your twins got mumps. Their parents cancelled their trip this morning.”
Eleni’s stomach dropped. That couldn’t be true. Were they playing a joke on her? “Are you serious? But… they were the only ones signed up for the kids club for the whole month.”
Rosalie pursed her lips. “Yep, sorry. So now you need to be reassigned.”
Eleni angled her body toward Tariq who was tugging at his shirt collar. “When you hired me, you said the kids club was an important new direction for the resort.”
Tariq cleared his throat. “Yes, it still is. But for the time being, we need to find you a new activity.”
Eleni slumped her shoulders. Fine, they were right. They couldn’t keep her unoccupied. Infectious childhood diseases weren’t something any of them could influence.
Cath leaned close to her. “You’ll just help me out for a couple of weeks. We’ll have fun.”
Eleni sighed. Cath was right. She could work in the fitness center then. That had been her second choice when she had applied.
Rosalie let out a laugh, but it sounded more like the growl of a hyena. “I don’t think so. I have assigned Eleni to do waitressing in the Bliss.” She brushed her neck with a hand as if to emphasize her cleavage. “Did you forget, I’m the new animator team leader?”
Cath gasped.
Eleni’s jaw dropped. How could Rosalie do that? She was disregarding Eleni’s preference in the name of what? The Bliss didn’t need another waitress. She was sure of that. Most animator girls were tripping over each other to be on the day shift. It was easy work and mostly consisted of drinking and chatting with guests. Very rich, often arrogant or ignorant men.
Loving The Boss (Gems 0f Love Book 1) Page 4
