She took a few steps and her sandals filled up with sand. The grains tickled her toes. She bent down and slipped out of her shoes. She left them and continued barefoot, raising her long skirt to her knees.
When she reached the ocean, she let her feet bathe in the lukewarm waves. Her feet sank into the soft, wet soil. Her eyes took in the dark water.
How long since she last swam? The image of her mom helping Eleni into her tiny pink fins flashed through her mind. Yes, the passion had definitely died with her. Eleni grabbed at her throat as the familiar lump started to form there. Would this feeling ever go away?
A barking noise cut through the silence of the evening.
Eleni whipped around. A tiny dog sprinted toward her, his fur glistening silver in the moonlight. As it got closer, Eleni realized that it was a full-grown fox terrier.
“Fluff! Fluu-uuff. Where are you?”
A man’s baritone voice echoed from the nearby rocks.
A wave of heat came over Eleni. She knew this voice.
A second later, Matteo’s bright shoulders appeared from behind a dune.
Oh, no. Did the dog belong to him? What were the chances of them bumping into each other this late? Eleni raised a hand to her hair and adjusted her bun. Dang, the wind had dismantled it slightly.
The dog reached Eleni’s legs and jumped up on her.
She kneeled down to caress his head. “Come here, little one. Fluff? That’s your name?”
Fluff threw himself onto his back and wiggled his tail in pleasure.
Eleni blinked at Matteo’s approaching silhouette. Somehow she didn’t picture him as an animal lover. Though he must like fish and sea animals, otherwise how could he visit the deep waters each day?
Matteo reached them. “I see you and Fluff have become friends already.”
Eleni scratched the dog’s soft belly. “Yes, he’s adorable. Is he yours?”
“Yes, Fluff and I have been together for over three years now. I adopted him back in California from a shelter. It was actually Bianca who picked him.”
Eleni furrowed her brows. Bianca? Did Matteo have a wife he’d forgotten to mention? Or a girlfriend. She chewed on her inner lip. She was crazy for even caring about who’d chosen Matteo’s dog. It wasn’t her business at all.
Matteo eyed her with a bemused smile. “Aren’t you going to ask? You look like you might explode from the curiosity.” He pointed to his own eyebrows then continued, “Bianca is my little sister. Well, probably your age, actually.”
Ah, his sister. Eleni’s lungs expanded to let more air in. Now she remembered. Matteo had said he had a sister. Only Eleni didn’t know her name before.
Matteo bent down, lifted a piece of wood, and threw it far away. “Go, Fluff. Fetch it!”
Fluff spurted after it, leaving Matteo and Eleni alone.
Matteo tugged at his left earlobe. “How was your day?”
Eleni sighed. “It was bearable, I guess.”
Matteo shifted his weight. “I hope my comment about becoming the Kasijev’s darling didn’t offend you. I don’t know what came over me when I said that. I…it wasn’t my place to joke. Sorry.”
Eleni blinked at him. “Apology accepted.”
Matteo shrugged. “I just didn’t like the way Nikolai spoke to you. That guy thinks he’s entitled to everything and everyone because he is rich as hell.” He pressed his lips together as if he regretted saying the last part.
Eleni’s eyes widened. What did Matteo mean? Was he jealous that a guest had paid attention to her? No, definitely not. It was just her heart’s craziness. Matteo disliked the millionaires who thought they could get everything for their money. That’s all. Nothing to do with Eleni.
She nodded. “No problem, and don’t worry. I can take care of myself. Also, I’m sure I’m not the only one he sweet-talks to. But even if he does, he’s a client and I’m a waitress. I’ll make sure he sees there’s a line he shouldn’t cross.”
Matteo drew in a loud breath and opened his mouth then closed it again. He shook his head slightly. “Yes, sure. I guess you’re capable of resolving anything. But in case you need help, you can always ask Brad or Nath—or me, of course.” He pointed at his chest and smiled.
That special smile of his. Eleni’s heart hammered. “Thanks for the offer.”
Oh, awful huskiness. Even her voice betrayed her. She put one hand on her chest to calm her erratic beats.
Fluff returned with the stick, and Matteo launched it again.
When the dog raced away, he pointed at the sand. “Do you wanna sit with me? It’s rare that I get some company on my night walks.”
Sit with him? It was probably a terrible idea. But before Eleni’s mind could formulate the appropriate words of protest, Matteo took her arm and pulled her toward a dry patch. Tingles inundated her skin at his touch.
She wiggled her arm from his grasp, pretending she needed both hands to lift her skirt, but she followed Matteo. “Okay, but just for a little while. I’m quite tired.”
She could handle a few minutes, no problem. If her heart would behave.
She sat down beside Matteo, ignoring how his heat emanated to her even though their bodies weren’t touching.
Matteo threw her a side-glance. “So, Truebridge fan, huh? You surprised me quite a lot today. I didn’t think you knew what free diving even was. Most don’t.”
Eleni smiled. “There are a lot of things that you could still find out about me that would surprise you.”
Matteo raised his eyebrows, but his lips moved into a sly grin. “Well, it just means I have to keep digging, don’t I?”
Heat rose into Eleni’s neck. What was she doing, inviting him like that? She was flirting with him. Worse, Matteo was responding to it. This had to stop.
She cleared her throat. “Well, yes. My family used to like water sports. Free diving was one of my mom’s hobbies, actually.”
What? Did she just say that? One mistake after another. It was definitely his masculine scent’s fault. It wafted around her and messed with her head. She didn’t know anymore what was appropriate to tell him.
Matteo didn’t pass up her comment. “Your mother dived?”
Eleni’s heart squeezed. She should have never started this discussion, but now there was no way to get out of it without some explanation. She sighed. “Yes, our whole family did. But that was before.” Her voice cracked.
Matteo turned to her, his mouth open. “But you said you only swam in the swimming pool?” His eyes met Eleni’s and he stopped. “Eleni, are you okay?”
She inhaled slowly. Fight back those tears. Don’t let them come out just now. “Yes.”
But it definitely sounded like a no.
Luckily, Fluff came back barking and distracted Matteo for a second. While he threw the stick again, Eleni wiped her eyes with her sleeves.
Matteo’s glance was back on her face. He reached out and put his arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Eleni. I’m not sure what happened to your mother to make you not want to swim in the ocean ever again. You don’t have to tell me. But… I’m truly sorry.”
His strong arm held her body in a protective frame. Would it be wiser to move away? Probably. But it felt so safe being in his embrace.
The tension she had managed to keep at bay came down on her. A hollow sensation that she had thrown away her future invaded her chest. Her job was a disaster. If it was going to be like this, Eleni wasn’t sure whether she could handle the whole season.
She pressed her head to Matteo’s shoulder, and he caressed her hair with gentle strokes. His soothing gesture eased the tension inside her, and her muscles relaxed.
After a few minutes of silence, Eleni straightened up. “Thank you, Matteo. I’m just a nervous wreck today. Working as waitress isn’t what I’d hoped for.”
Matteo’s lips pressed into a hard line. “Did Rosalie give you a hard time?”
Eleni shook her head. “No, she didn’t. Or at least no worse than she did the others. She
isn’t the best boss by far, but I have to put up with her. As long as there are no kids in the resort, at least.”
Matteo turned his head to the ocean. He looked like he was pondering something. “Yes, well, we’ll see about that. For now, maybe you should call it a night? Sleep acts restoratively on mental resilience.”
Of course, he was right. But somehow it felt so nice speaking to him. Eleni didn’t want to stand up and walk back to her room. Could she even sleep at all?
Matteo didn’t give her a choice. He called out to Fluff. “Back. We’re heading home.”
Eleni straightened up and stepped sideways to let Fluff pass. As she did, something stung her foot.
“Ouch!” She cried out and stumbled to the ground.
What was that? She palpated the tender spot with her hand. Oh, no. A lukewarm moisture stuck to her fingers. Pain flooded her entire foot, sending a throbbing pulsation to her ankle.
Matteo kneeled down next to her. “What happened?”
“I’m not sure. I think something cut me. It’s bleeding.”
Matteo’s eyes flicked to Eleni’s feet. His eyebrows shot up, like he’d just noticed that she wasn’t wearing her sandals.
“What were you thinking? Taking off your shoes on the shore at night? There are several night-active water snakes.”
Snakes? Eleni’s grew dizzy. Had she been bitten by a venomous snake? The travel guide Lydia had bought for her when Eleni first talked about her plans came to mind. She should have read those wildlife info parts more carefully.
Matteo took her foot into his warm hands. “Let me see.”
Eleni twitched, but it wasn’t because of the pain. Thank heavens she had shaved her legs properly this morning.
Matteo frowned and bent closer. He ran his thumb along the side of her foot to check the extent of the wound. “It looks more like a simple cut. Probably a broken shell. Does it hurt?”
“It burns.” Eleni tried not to sound too whiny, but she bit her lower lip as he pulled on her skin.
“I need to get the sand out of it with some water. If it’s not a cut, but a bite from one of the shore fishes, the cauterization might be slower.”
Eleni nodded. “Okay, but please be gentle.”
Chapter 10
Matteo stood up and looked around. What could he use to rinse out Eleni’s wound? He cursed himself for his carelessness. He should have realized sooner that Eleni wasn’t wearing her sandals.
He’d been too distracted by the knots in his own stomach. And by the feeling of holding Eleni in his arm. Oh, no, let’s not even go there. Water, yes, that’s what he needed now.
He checked the surroundings once more, but there were no appropriate supplies.
“Eleni, wait here. I’ll go get a clean towel and a bandage.”
Her eyes widened. Her lower lip started to tremble. “Don’t leave me alone here, please.”
She looked so vulnerable. Matteo couldn’t resist her big pleading eyes.
“Fine.” He turned to Fluff who was sitting at his feet wiggling his tail. “Fluff, go home. Wait there.”
Fluff barked and sprinted toward the dunes.
Eleni scratched her head. “Did you just send your dog home alone?”
Matteo chuckled. “Sure. Fluff knows the way. He’ll wait for me at the front door, probably snoring. We need to focus on your injury now.”
How was he going to do that without any supplies? He sighed and grabbed at his own shirt. It was soft enough and might just serve the purpose. He pulled on the white fabric, and it gave way with a ripping sound. He tore off a large piece and split it into two thinner ones.
Eleni frowned. “What on Earth are you doing?”
“Since you don’t want me to leave you, I’m going to bandage your foot right here, using my shirt.”
He handed the longer bandage to Eleni, and went to the water to moisten the other one. He walked back to her and kneeled again. He cleaned her foot with the wet fabric the best he could. It wasn’t a real rinse-off but it was good enough. The salty water would at least disinfect it.
When he was done, he put both of his hands on her ankle. “This might hurt a little, but I need to make it bleed a bit, so I can ensure it’s clean.”
His eyes dipped to her lips. Their contours looked incredibly soft in the moonlight. How would they taste? Focus, he needed to focus. This evening was getting out of his control. He wasn’t being himself. It was best to get this whole savior act over fast.
Eleni nodded. “Go ahead.”
He squeezed her skin with his fingers. Eleni hissed.
Matteo shook his head. “Don’t look. Just stare into my eyes. Did you know, one time I was bitten on my calf by a Muraena when I went free diving near Sicily with my family.”
Eleni blinked rapidly. “A Muraena? Really? They have, like, razor sharp needles, not teeth.”
Matteo laughed. “Yeah. I almost lost my way up due to the pain.”
The story was actually true. But he wasn’t telling it because he wanted to impress her. Just to distract her from the pain. It worked.
Matteo took the second piece of fabric from Eleni and wrapped it around her foot. “It’s as good as we can get here. When you get to your room, you should properly disinfect the wound and put a large Band-Aid on it for tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” Eleni tried to stand.
Matteo grabbed her elbow on one side and took her other hand to help pull her up. Though it was meant as a gallant gesture, his skin began to prickle from her touch.
“Where are your sandals?”
Eleni pointed at the road. “I left them over there. Don’t worry, I can get them.”
Just to prove her point, she started to hop on one foot toward her shoes.
Matteo rubbed his forehead. He couldn’t let her do that. “Wait.”
He hurried after her, and without thinking, he lifted her from the ground into his arms.
Eleni let out a small cry. “Are you crazy? You can’t carry me. I’m too heavy.”
Too heavy? She weighed as much as a feather. At least compared to the heavy boats and diving gear Matteo was used to handling.
“Don’t worry. I’ll just take you to your sandals. The bandage isn’t that secure. You shouldn’t get sand into the fresh wound.”
Her perfume invaded his lungs. The scent acted as a toxic spell on his body, sending all his cells into a state of arousal. Man, had he been stupid. Again. He should have just asked her to wait and gotten her sandals for her.
Now he was about to be eaten up by his own stupidity. He battled against the growing desire to squeeze Eleni tighter to him. When they arrived at the road, relief flooded over him. He had made it.
He lowered Eleni to the ground. His heart drummed from the intense bodily sensation she had unleashed in him. He blurted out the first thing he could think of. “Nice sandals you’ve got.”
Eleni blinked at him, with one brow high. “They were a farewell gift from my stepmother, Lydia.”
Matteo rubbed his neck. “Ah, great.”
He should say good-bye now. Before he said anything dumber. Maybe a compliment on the color of her sweater?
Eleni licked her lower lip and cleared her throat. “Would you mind helping me put them on?”
Matteo bent down and slid the sandals onto Eleni’s feet.
She smiled at him. “Thanks. For everything. I’m going to sleep now. See you…around?”
Matteo nodded.“Yes. But don’t you want me to walk you to your bungalow? You could lean on me.”
The idea of having Eleni’s body pressed to his any longer was almost unbearable, but he couldn’t put his own feelings first. She was the one with an injury.
Eleni glimpsed at her own arm. “Mhmm, no. I think I can manage on my own. You’ve already done enough. Good night.”
She turned and started toward her bungalow.
Matteo watched her struggle to put weight on her left foot. Her wound was going to heal fast. The cut didn’t seem deep. But
for now it had to be difficult to walk on it.
He worked his jaw muscles. Should he go after her? No, Eleni said she preferred to go alone. He was not going to force her to take his offer. Not when his body was still recovering from the aftermath of holding her in his arms. He pivoted around and began ambling home. The sand squeaked underneath his shoes.
Was the idea of rescuing Eleni from Rosalie’s tyranny too far-fetched? If he did it, was it going to bite him in the ass like his genius idea of carrying her? Perhaps. But he couldn’t just do nothing.
Eleni was clearly unhappy about her job. She didn’t like serving drinks to rich drunks all day. And she was right.
He arrived at the dive center. Fluff was asleep on the stairs, his tail tucked underneath his small body.
Matteo caressed the top of his dog’s head. “Hi, buddy. You know, you’re the most reliable one here.”
He went to the door and pushed it open. Maybe a good night’s sleep would help him figure out what to do for Eleni.
Chapter 11
Matteo stood in front of the ocean, his forehead creased by deep wrinkles. Oh boy, this wasn’t good. The water had been unstable for more than a day now.
He watched the waves smash against the dark rocks with a loud noise. How was he going to swim out there if the wind kept blowing at this angle? Only two days before his call with Luke. With nothing to show. Again.
His jaw tightened, and he glanced at the sky. At least the sun was shining brightly so all the guests whose trips he’d had to cancel could enjoy some relaxation under the umbrellas.
His eyes drifted toward the beach area of the Bliss and his pulse accelerated. Maybe he should walk over and get a drink. No. He wasn’t going to go there. He scratched his head and took a deep breath. In the end, why not?
Loving The Boss (Gems 0f Love Book 1) Page 6
