A small alarm went off in Eleni’s head. What was Rosalie’s agenda? “So I should go to this dinner, and then what?”
“If you do it, then you’ll have your pick of jobs here. I’ve already spoken to James. You won’t have to wait on tables or sit around in that boring dive center. Though I reckon looking at Matteo the whole day isn’t such a bad experience after all.” She flashed a dreamy smile at Eleni.
Oh, crap. Eleni tried to keep her cool, but her heart sped up. Breathe, breathe and stay calm. She mustn’t let Rosalie see that she had feelings for the same man Rosalie desired.
Wait a second, did she just think that? A wave of warmth washed through Eleni’s body. She did have feelings for Matteo. It was undeniable. Otherwise, how could the unexpected mention of his name unleash such a reaction in her body.
Eleni shrugged and stood up. It was probably better to continue this conversation at eye level. “I don’t mind doing the dive center duty or even working as a waitress. I don’t want any favors of this kind.”
Rosalie gave her a calculating look. “I’ve checked your file. You aren’t a simple ballet dancer. You were actually a teacher at the Wellington Academy.”
Eleni lowered her glance. Why did Rosalie have to dig in her past? It was something she wanted to leave behind. “Yes, I was. But I decided I needed a clean start at something different. I didn’t enjoy dancing or teaching there anymore.”
Her voice trembled as she pronounced the lie.
Rosalie pursed her lips. “Perhaps. However, it means you’re talented and ambitious. I’m the same.”
She patted Eleni’s arm.
Eleni looked at her long pointy fingernails. She doubted very much that she and Rosalie were similar. But she didn’t want to offend her. After all, Rosalie was her superior here at the Deep Blue. She gave her a weak smile.
Rosalie must have taken it as a positive sign, because she added, “So, will you come tonight? It’s just a dinner. I’ll be there, of course. And so will Jenny, Clara, and Susanne. If you really want, you can even invite your friend, Cath.”
She spit out these last words as if they tasted bad on her tongue.
Eleni’s mind raced. Should she even consider this invitation? She’d told Cath she wouldn’t. But having a choice whether she had to stay in daily contact with Matteo was rather tempting. Who knew how long she could keep resisting her growing emotions for him? Wouldn’t it be safer to secure a backup plan?
Before she had a chance to answer, Rosalie’s eyes left Eleni, and moved onto something behind her.
Her whole attitude changed. She pulled her shoulders back and thrust her chest out. She licked her lips and flashed a seductive smile. “Hello, hello, stranger. What brings you over?”
Eleni didn’t have to turn to know who was behind her.
Chapter 21
Matteo didn’t know why he felt the urge to walk over to the Bliss. Or rather, he knew, but he didn’t want to admit it to himself.
Wasn’t he the one who’d given the free day to Eleni to avoid having to see her? Then why did he desire so badly to know what she was up to? It seemed Eleni had a talent of unleashing completely contradicting emotions in him.
As he approached, he immediately noticed Eleni’s slender figure. She was wearing her hair up again in her signature bun. Heat rushed up his spine. He couldn’t help but recall how soft the skin on her nape felt when he’d held her head on the boat.
She was speaking with Rosalie.
Matteo accelerated his pace. An uneasy feeling spread through his body as he watched Rosalie throw a speculative glance at Eleni.
These two women couldn’t be more different. Both attractive in their own way, however Eleni’s was a more natural way. One that made Matteo’s heart beat faster. He shook his head. Why was he even comparing them?
Rosalie put herself into a flattering pose, and her eyes drifted over to him. Ah, she must have noticed him.
“Hello, hello, stranger? What brings you here?” Rosalie sang.
Eleni pivoted around. A puzzled expression settled in her eyes. Was she wondering why he had come over?
Matteo rubbed his chin. He had to come up with a plausible excuse. “I wanted to check out Brad’s new mix set. He was bragging about it the other day, claiming that he was now a better barman than Tom Cruise in The Cocktail.” He pointed at the bar.
Rosalie giggled. “Yes, you should definitely try one. His new Bombay Crush is divine.”
Eleni didn’t react to his comment. She seemed absorbed in her thoughts.
What was she thinking about?
He took a step closer to them. “And you girls?”
“We’re just having some girlie talk. You know nail polish, dresses, and men.” Rosalie gave a playful wink to Eleni.
Eleni looked slightly confused, but then she also smiled. Her eyes didn’t crinkle.
The idea that Eleni and Rosalie were engaging in a friendly talk seemed somehow surreal. “Men, really? And what were you talking about?”
“Not you, of course,” Rosalie purred. “I’d never gossip about you.”
She kept her eyes locked with Matteo’s and moved closer to him. She put a hand on his shoulder and started to rub it gently as if she was trying to ease up his muscles.
Matteo flinched and wanted to step away. His eyes flew to Eleni’s face, and he changed his mind. He had to prove to himself that he wasn’t interested in her. He stood there enduring Rosalie’s touch, but without encouraging her.
Rosalie, however, didn’t need encouragement. She pressed her hips closer to Matteo’s leg, so that her breasts brushed against his arm.
Matteo’s neck muscles tensed. He was playing a dangerous game. The desire to kiss Eleni the night before came back to him, and he steeled himself. He gave a crooked smile to Rosalie.
Eleni stirred beside them.
Matteo’s eyes flicked to Eleni again. She eyed him without saying a word, an indecipherable expression on her face.
Rosalie’s hands kept working his shoulder.
Eleni’s eyes bore into him with the intensity of a sharp knife. Was there a glint of anger in them? Maybe he’d gone too far with this show.
He stepped back and pushed Rosalie gently to the side. “Thanks, Rosie, that’s quite enough. Anyways, if you weren’t talking about me, then what did you talk about?”
Rosalie looked at Eleni with a knowing glance. “I invited Eleni to a special party tonight. Dimitrij is throwing it in his private suite—the presidential one, I might add.” She smacked her lips. “It’s in honor of Nikolai. He’s becoming the new boss of the Kasijev’s business.”
Matteo jaw dropped. “Oh really?”
Why on Earth should Eleni spend a night in the company of a dozen drunken men? Who knew what could happen to her? No, Eleni couldn’t go there.
He turned his chest toward Eleni. “You can’t go there.”
Oh,no. His voice had come out too harsh, too possessive.
Eleni’s mouth popped open. “Why couldn’t I go?”
Darn, he should give some explanation. What was an acceptable one that would persuade her to stay away from those Russian jerks? Kasijev folks were dangerous. They didn’t respect women.
Eleni squared her shoulders. Her fragile neck became even longer than it was. “It’s my free day, isn’t it?”
Rosalie’s brows shot up. “Yes, why can’t Eleni go?” Then she turned her head to Eleni. “So will you come then?”
Matteo’s heart sank. So Eleni hadn’t agreed yet to go. Did his inappropriately bossy voice make her change her mind?
He held up his hand. “I mean, Eleni can go if she wants, but tomorrow we have lots of trips. She might be too tired to assist me if she pulls a late night.”
Eleni narrowed her eyes. “Ah, so that’s the reason you would prefer I don’t go? So I won’t be too tired to assist you?”
Rosalie waved her hand. “Oh, Mattie, you are always work, work, work.” She reached out and brushed his cheek. “You should lea
rn to relax sometime. I could definitely help you in that department.” She leaned in to his neck and lowered her voice to a husky whisper. “It’s my specialty.”
Matteo drew his chest back. Why was Rosalie insisting so much that Eleni attended the party?
He cleared his throat. “Jeez, thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. Now back to Eleni. Why is it so important for you that she goes, huh, Rosie?”
Rosalie blushed. “Oh you! You always see through me, don’t you?” She giggled, then she patted Eleni’s arm. “Your assistant here made quite an impression on Nikolai. It’s him who wants her to come. And you know James’ motto—the client is king. I’m just doing my duty of ensuring Nikolai gets what he wants.”
Nikolai’s covetous face popped into Matteo’s head. A cold squeezed his heart. “No way, you’re kidding. Really?”
Eleni snapped back at him, her forehead pulled into a frown. “Why is that so hard to fathom?”
Matteo swallowed hard. It wasn’t hard to fathom at all. His pounding chest was the very proof that Eleni’s charm was almost irresistible. But he didn’t want Nikolai to feel the same way about her as he did.
He scratched his head. How was he supposed to convince her she shouldn’t go? “I didn’t mean it that way. I just think that you are…mhmm not really the type to mingle with rich Russians.”
Eleni clenched her jaw. “Oh? Then what type am I?”
“You know…not the mingling type.” Matteo looked at Rosalie, hoping to receive some back-up from her.
Rosalie got his message, but her words only made the situation worse. “Matteo means that you aren’t as much an extrovert as I am. That’s probably why he offered to transfer you to the dive center in the first place. Mattie has such a good heart.” She gleamed at Matteo. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of your assistant.”
“I don’t think Eleni wants to go,” Matteo replied, his eyes searching Eleni’s.
If Eleni was the person he thought she was, she certainly wouldn’t.
Eleni crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. Her eyes were filled with fire, but she didn’t speak.
Was she deciding what to do? Would she see reason?
Rosalie reached out with one hand and smoothed a strand of hair on Matteo’s head.
She blinked at Eleni. “So, what will it be? Will you come to the party and prove this dazzling man wrong?”
Eleni followed Rosalie’s gesture with her eyes and a determination appeared on her face. “Yes, I think I will. After all, it might be useful to brush up on my social skills. They are apparently lacking.”
Chapter 22
Eleni caught a glimpse of herself in the large mirror as she exited the elevator. She stopped and smoothed the delicate blue fabric of her dress with her palms. It had been a good choice. It hugged her body softly and reached just to her knees without being trashy.
Connor had excellent taste. It had been his gift to her. And now she was wearing it to a party thrown by a Russian millionaire. How quickly her life had changed. And her heart.
She recalled Connor’s latest text.
“Lenie-Love, if you keep ignoring my texts I’ll need to find another way to get you to listen.”
What did he mean? And how come her pulse didn’t even accelerate when she read his message? He used to be the center of her universe. She used to think the pain of his betrayal would never disappear.
And now? Nothing. Was it because of Matteo? Eleni gawked at her own reflection then shook her head. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
Her hands were sweaty, and her throat dry. Had she made a good choice coming to this party? She raised her chin and drew in a breath. Yes, she had. She had to get her mind away from Matteo.
He wasn’t interested in her. He only wanted her as a reliable assistant. He said so himself. If she managed to survive tonight, then maybe she could have a say about that.
She turned away from the mirror and hurried to the presidential penthouse. A vague smell of vanilla and cigar smoke hit her nostrils. There were three lodgings up on this floor, and all were rented by the Kasiljev family. Dimitrij was probably making his own house rules.
Upbeat music reached her ears. She expected to find a bodyguard of some sort in front of the entrance, but the corridor was empty.
She knocked.
Her stomach was twisted in knots. Why did she even accept the invitation to the party? The image of Rosalie kneading Matteo’s shoulders made her stomach clench. Eleni knew how those shoulders felt, how strong and protective their embrace was.
She tapped her left palm on her temple. Oh, who was she kidding? Matteo had only been consoling her. Nothing more. The way he’d reacted to Nikolai’s invitation was living proof.
The door opened.
Rosalie beamed at Eleni. “Finally, you’re here. Nikolai was asking when you would arrive.”
She ushered Eleni inside, guiding her toward the large glass table around which the other guests were already sitting.
One chair had been left empty to Nikolai’s right.
A sinking feeling swamped Eleni’s stomach. Of course, she should have expected this. Where else would she have to sit?
She plastered on a smile and walked to the vacant spot. “May I?”
Nikolai peeked up at her, a wide grin stretching on his face. “Sure, babe. I kept it warm just for you.”
He patted the chair with his right hand.
Babe? Seriously? Eleni swallowed a snort and sat down. “Thank you.”
“Could you turn down the music, Stanislav. I can’t hear my own voice.” Dimitrij frowned at one of his men, who immediately adjusted the volume on the large stereo.
Dimitrij nodded. “Oh, that’s better. Where was I? Oh, yes.” He turned back to Nikolai. “You’ll need to keep all in line as I did, brother. No rebellion can be tolerated.”
As his lips opened, a golden tooth peeked out.
“Don’t you worry, Dimi. I’ll be watching all, as you have done.” Nikolai hit his chest with his fist. “I am, after all, Nikolai Kasiljev.”
Everybody lifted their glasses and cheered.
Eleni mimicked the others and grabbed the glass in front of her. Thank goodness, it had water in it. She was parched.
She took an eager sip. Her throat began to burn, and she burst into a violent coughing fit.
Nikolai put his hand on the small of her back. “It’s vodka, you silly.” He laughed and patted Eleni’s cheek. “Take it slow.”
Though Eleni was still recovering from choking, she shivered under the man’s touch. His hand felt cold and slimy. So different from Matteo’s skin. She scolded herself silently for this thought. She wasn’t here to remember such things.
“May I get a bit of water?” Eleni asked, her voice still rough from coughing.
Nikolai immediately clapped his hands. “You, Jessica, bring Eleni some water.”
Jenny, who was sitting between two sturdy looking men, jumped up and went to fetch some water.
Jessica? This man didn’t even know Jenny’s real name, but commanded her like a slave. Eleni’s blood rushed to her cheeks. Should she be grateful that he hadn’t called her Elisabeth or something?
Eleni smiled at the girl when she came back with a large glass of water. “Thanks, Jenny.”
Jenny winked at her. She didn’t seem to mind that she had been downgraded to a Jessica.
She went back to her place. As she sat down, the guy to her left slid his hands along her thighs.
A bitter taste invaded Eleni’s mouth. The man, with such a prominent belly that his naked skin flashed through between the buttons of his shirt, looked sleazy. How could Jenny accept his touch like that?
Eleni hoped she wasn’t expected to behave like that. Just the fleeting contact with Nikolai had made her stomach churn.
Dimitrij held up his fork and knife. “Now that we are all here, let’s eat.”
Eleni helped herself to a portion of salad and some bread.
The conversation durin
g dinner was dominated by the men. Only Rosalie chipped in here and there, inserting a provocative question or a seductive little giggle.
Eleni was relieved to see that the other three girls were as quiet as she was.
She glanced at her watch underneath the table. Had she only been here an hour? When was the appropriate time for her to say good-bye?
After dessert, the group moved over to the couches. There were three of them, placed in a way that they created an almost-closed circle.
The men pulled out cigars.
“You’ll keep on visiting our hotel, won’t you? Once you are the big boss, I mean,” Rosalie asked Nikolai. “I know Dimitrij will come back. Won’t you?”
She brushed her hand across Dimitrij’s knuckles, and he blew a kiss toward her.
Eleni’s jaw clenched. How could Rosalie be so flirty with that old man? Then she threw a side-glance at Nikolai. His legs were pressed against her on the couch. A lump formed in her throat, and she drew her legs a little further away.
Perhaps she shouldn’t be so judgmental. Did she or did she not come to this dinner after all? What made her better than Rosalie or the other eager waitresses?
Nikolai lifted his arm and snaked it around Eleni’s shoulder. He pulled her toward him. “I’ll come back if I have enough reason to.”
He gave Rosalie an exaggerated wink.
Dimitrij laughed and clapped his hands. “My blood. This is my true blood, hehehe.”
Eleni’s body stiffened.
She had to get away from this couch, otherwise she was going to throw up. “Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.”
She jumped up and bolted to the toilet. She splashed some cold water onto her cheeks.
Was this what Matteo had meant when he said she wasn’t the mingling type? Maybe he was right, after all.
She stared at herself in the mirror and shook her head. She had shot herself in the foot, hadn’t she? It was obvious that her personal vendetta wasn’t working. Matteo wasn’t jealous of her being here with the Russians, and she was feeling miserable.
She had to go home as quickly as possible. If being a social butterfly implied coquetting with Nikolai the whole night, then it wasn’t something she was ready to do. If she left now, she could still catch Cath awake and they could watch an episode of Entangled Love together.
Loving The Boss (Gems 0f Love Book 1) Page 12
