Undertow

by Jen Greyson

  Either way, we didn’t have time for her pouting. With a grunt, I shoved and the edge of the rock levered upward. “Kat! Find something to wedge in the opening!”

  Working together for the first time, we strained against the heavy stone and slid it sideways into the overgrown shrubbery. A cavernous stairway plunged into darkness.

  Cold fingers pressed against the small of my back. I turned to Kat, reading my fear mirrored on hers. “Afraid of the dark?”

  Kat swallowed and shook her head, then dug into her knapsack again. Before I could mock her, she pulled out a flashlight. “Brilliant.” I took it and headed down the stairs before my wisp of courage snuffed out.

  Barely wider than my shoulders, the damp walls dusted my arms with red soil. Three steps in, the smell of moist dirt permeated each breath. Kat’s shallow breathing made prickles needle at my neck.

  I counted twenty steps, then we stopped on hard-packed dirt floor. The flashlight beam absorbed into the straight surfaces, then bounced back off a small metal box dangling from the ceiling. “I’ll hold the light, you grab it.”

  Kat hid her hesitation well and stepped around me. Nothing moved in the damp cavern and my fear melted away. Whatever this was, no monsters lived here. Kat reached the box, and tugged the string. Ceiling came with it, covering her in a fine layer of dust. She shook it off, crouched, and opened it. I closed the distance and held the light over her. Inside the box, lay another green scrap of paper.

  Kat lifted it and stood.

  “four armies of ten,

  each led by men.

  thirteen jewels shone,

  though worthless alone.

  a lover’s sign.

  a gardener’s tool.

  a mighty weapon and several fools.”

  I frowned and waved the flashlight over the box. “Anything else?”

  She tipped the box over and examined every side and the bottom. It looked empty. “Nothing I can see.”

  “Me either. Here hold this.” I gave her the flashlight dug out our list of clues.

  “Our numbers are few,

  only fifty-two.

  Our castle is merely a box.”

  Our gazes clashed for a moment before we shouted the answer. “A deck of cards!”

  CHAPTER

  A DOZEN FEET away, excited talk about the day’s events drowned out the crashing waves to the left and the chattering birds hidden in the trees to the right. At my back, the ship rocked gently in the storm-borne waves while thunder rumbled in the distance. Though the temperature had dropped a dozen degrees since we’d returned from the hunt, the humidity still hung thick in the air. Maybe the storm would bring a coveted breeze.

  I wiggled my toes, burying my free one deep in the sand and anchoring me into the spot where I’d hesitated. I hadn’t meant to pause, buoyed as I’d been on the adrenaline and camaraderie of the day. Yes, I’d spent it with Kat, but there’d been a hesitant kinship between us...

  And as the winning team, a competitive alliance formed as we’d edged out the others.

  Even with our win, I’d jerked me to a stop as everyone else had hurried to our debrief session. No secret that my threshold for giddiness sat much lower than everyone else’s—but that didn’t feel right either—something deeper was keeping me from joining in the fun.

  Waves of heat melted over my feet and I dug them deeper until I found another cool patch of fresh sand. A landslide of sand filled the toes of my brace.

  I sighed. By winning, we’d had assured ourselves a spot on the boat with Mateo. My throat tightened. That also meant tonight was our last time together as a group. From here on out, we’d be split on the boats and there’d be no more hiding behind the other girls’ antics.

  Granted, Kat would more than make up for the missing five, but still... smaller boat, less people, more exposure, both to the cameras and to Mateo’s scrutiny. I didn’t want to be interested in him, and I was still confused about what had happened after he’d carried Kat to the boat last night. I hadn’t seen him since and wondered if he’d been off conducting car business today, which I would have enjoyed so much more than the scavenger hunt.

  His business intrigued me. But how much of that interest was because of the cars, and how much was because of him?

  Stalling wasn’t going to help my plight. I shook off the sand and stepped back on the pathway. Straightening my shoulders, I strode past the tall hedges and into our enclosed dinner space as another growl of thunder unleashed overhead. No one took notice as I slipped into the open chair at the end of the table.

  Well, no one but Mateo. His gaze flickered off Kat as she regaled everyone with the tales of our win and he winked.

  My breath caught and my hand flew to the base of my throat before I could stop it. He smiled and let his attention drift back to Kat. How did he always manage to unbalance me with something stupid and small like a wink? A gesture that probably meant nothing to him. Was I just that naïve when it came to guys? My skin flushed beneath my fingers and I yanked my hand down.

  Yes, I was that naïve. My gaze dropped to my lap and I picked at the corner of my nail polish. I’d already allowed him to push a million of my boundaries and yet I was still letting him scoot them farther. But for what? So I could be stuck on a boat with him and the one girl who wouldn’t let anything stand between her and winning? Super fantastic that I’d found the one guy on the planet who didn’t creep me out. What was I supposed to do about it now? It wasn’t like we were going to be buddies after this was over. On top of our strange and precarious friendship, I now had to figure it out while we were on a tiny boat with Kat. God, what if I walked in on them making out or something

  I hated the surge of jealousy making me sick. I glanced up to find him watching me, concern tipping his mouth crooked. I gave him an easy smile and waited for him to turn his attention back to the girls, then glanced away to study the nearby trees.

  Maybe Stuart wouldn’t make me go with them, maybe he’d let Kat run her own game. If she had him alone, then she wouldn’t need to play the games and subterfuge the studio executives were so worried about. And then I wouldn’t have to work Stuart’s damage control.

  While Kat held his gaze, I let mine wander across his face—I’d never dismissed his looks, just their affect on me. But the longer I was around him, the harder it got to ignore them. Today he’d left the rakish stubble and it cast a dangerous shadow across his square jaw. His index finger traced the scar on his lower lip. Why? At the auctions he never touched it, but here he fingered it often. Did he know he was doing it? My own fingers tingled and the deep need to touch him there shocked me upright. My spine stiffened and his finger paused, then traced the line of his lips, tapping the center once.

  I wouldn’t mind touching him there either.

  The corner of his mouth curved and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear he knew exactly what I was thinking. He slipped his finger into the hollow above his lower lip and skimmed his teeth then the tip of his tongue followed the same path.

  Was anyone else watching this? Was it just for me?

  No way was he doing it on purpose. I couldn’t tear my gaze away to check—and I wasn’t sure I cared. I wanted this to be a personal moment between us—even if I’d made the whole thing up in my head.

  His fingers dropped to his chin and he pursed his lips once—like a kiss.

  I inhaled sharply, then his eyes met mine.

  Yes, he’d known exactly what I’d been thinking.

  For the first time in my life, I wanted him to know.

  And what terrified me more, was that I wanted him to do something about it.

  His nostrils flared and he held my gaze for one more second, almost as if he wanted me to know that he’d heard me loud and clear. Again, this imaginary conversation probably would have sounded nothing like I’d played it out in my head... Which was why I kept them safely inside, but it had been a fun daydream,

  Even if it was so far outside my comfort zone I hadn’t recogniz
ed a single bit of the landscape.

  A question from Stuart yanked me into the present. “How did you guys figure out the last clue?”

  Kat pointed at me. “That was Sangria. I’d gone off on a complete tangent about finding a castle or house, but she stayed true to her idea about it being connected to the number of cards. It took us longer than we wanted, but when we found out the restaurant named Table 52 offered deck seating... Well, it just fell into place.” She grinned and I smiled back, a little shocked that she could still be nice when she needed to.

  Stuart edged toward the exit.

  He was up to something again, otherwise he’d have had his usual table set off to the side. As covertly as possible, I glanced around the cove, noticing the absence of wait staff or dishes. The bartender stood at his lonely post in the corner, but apparently everyone had already paid him a visit before sitting down. Clearly we weren’t going to eat here tonight. My stomach grumbled while I studied Stuart’s excited demeanor. Today’s hunt kicked off something big—and he was about to reveal the next piece. I should have made him tell me before I left this morning, or at the least, when I got back.

  He rubbed his hands together. “Well, congratulations. Your efforts earned both of you a place on Mateo’s ship at the next port. Anchors away in two hours.”

  Though everyone knew that, they still clapped, and it held a genuineness that I wouldn’t have expected from the day’s losers. They might not mind me hanging out and looking like a contestant, but not a single one wanted Kat to earn more time with Mateo.

  “Cassidy actually solved the riddle first, but her team took a wrong turn. They showed up after you and Kat had already opened the stairway, so she earns a concessionary spot.”

  By the gasps and quickly recovered applause, I didn’t think anyone had anticipated that little twist.

  Including me.

  “Everyone else will be on the other ship.”

  Rinnae and Kemmerie were one step ahead of him. “Where are we going?”

  Stuart grinned his trademark wolfish sneer. “Ah. Telling you would be too easy. Today’s exercise got you in the spirit of treasure hunting, but from here on out, they’re going to be tougher.”

  No one held their distaste for Stuart’s childish games. As the groans subsided, he clasped his hands behind his back and grinned. “Your next clue is in your cabin. Be sure you’re on the boat when it leaves.”

  After quick glances at each other, the girls leapt up and laughingly shoved past each other to be the first on board.

  I settled deeper into my chair and tried to avoid Mateo’s eye contact.

  Stuart smiled. “Well done today.”

  I shrugged. “Wasn’t that your plan along?”

  “Maybe.” He turned and left me alone with Mateo.

  I bit my lip and glanced over my shoulder toward the bartender. He lifted his chin in question and I nodded, then stood, wobbling for a moment while I got my crutches stabilized. The makeshift carpet helped, but they were still unwieldy and sank into the sand beneath the thick cover.

  Mateo cupped a hand around my elbow, steadying me. “Make it a double.”

  Heat tingled where his fingers rested against my skin.

  “How was your day?” His voice caressed the tender skin on my neck.

  I cleared my throat, glad we’d covered the ten feet to the bar. I thanked the bartender and wrapped my shaking fingers around the glass. Finally gathering my courage, I lifted my gaze to Mateo’s, intent on answering.

  The words died on my lips and I fought to keep my knees from giving out.

  Dark and intense, his chocolate eyes mirrored my uncertainty and a whole lot of raw lust.

  Without looking away, I took a drink. His gaze flicked to my lips—quick like a kiss—then back. His fingers tightened on my elbow and I gravitated closer. My pulse thundered in my ears, wiping out every other sound.

  He took my glass and set it on the bar. Then I think he waved the bartender away, but I couldn’t... I didn’t...

  My tongue darted out and wet my lips.

  He inhaled and a muscle ticked in his jaw. I couldn’t figure out what was happening, my body had short-circuited the entire engine of my head.

  I wanted more of his body touching mine.

  Thunder rumbled, sounding like a bass note to my heartbeat. A stunted breeze kicked up, tugging a strand of my hair from my bun. Mateo’s hand lifted, paused, then tucked it behind my ear, sending a jolt of pleasure down my neck and the entire length of my spine. I managed not to moan, but my eyelids fluttered.

  His fingers slid around my nape with a wonderful strength. His lips eased closer and I could almost taste the pucker of his scar as it paused a mere breath away, waiting for me to be the one to close the distance. The heat and strength of his hand fused courage through my entire body. Fear didn’t exist. Not here, surrounded by thick foliage and low clouds. Nothing could get me here. If it tried, he’d protect me.

  Jolted by the thought, my crutches fell away and crashed against the bar, shattering the moment. Mateo hesitated, then pulled his hand away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...”

  I bent over and grappled in the sand for my crutches. What the hell was wrong with me? I pressed my fingers against my forehead. I should have eaten lunch... Clearly the lack of food impeded my ability to think. And protected? Of all the things to feel here, now.

  Mateo grabbed my other crutch and crouched before me. His warm hands covered mine and he squeezed. “Sangria. Look at me.”

  Tears stung the back of my eyes, but I blinked them back and swallowed hard. Frustration and anger at my own foolishness closed my throat, but I fisted my hands around the cool metal of my crutch and met his gaze.

  “I was out of line.”

  I shook my head. “No, it’s not you. I’m not feeling quite myself today.”

  He smiled and stood, holding my hands as he helped me to my feet. Together, we settled my crutches and he handed me my drink.

  I shook my head. “I think I’ve had too much already.” My gaze darted to the exit. “I should go.”

  “Let me at least walk you.”

  There was nothing I could say to that, and I couldn’t exactly outrun him. I didn’t try for bits of conversation and he didn’t either. We’d made a giant mess of whatever this thing was that we had and I didn’t know how to untangle it.

  CHAPTER

  WE WERE BARELY past the table when the clouds overturned their buckets of rain. Within seconds, we were drenched. I hurried as fast as I could on the crutches, but the rain made them slippery. My hand slid off my crutch, sending me crashing against him. He pulled me closer, bent, and scooped me against his chest, then hurried toward the boat.

  I pushed away. “I’m fine.” Streams of rain flash-flooded down my face and straight into my bra.

  He ducked his face away from the soaking drops, but it poured off his chin and pooled in my lap. Heat from his body radiated through his wet shirt and into me, making me feel things I wasn’t allowed to feel.

  “Quit squirming.”

  “Please put me down.”

  He jerked to a stop and studied me, his fingers tightening against my legs and ribs. “Are you okay?”

  No. No I was definitely not okay. I’d barely recovered from behaving like a complete moron for wanting—needing—him to kiss me and now the deep concern on his face was making me unravel again. We stood there in the rain and I was acutely aware that my heart longed for something that couldn’t be. And it hurt.

  “Jesus.” He exhaled like my thoughts had just fractured across my face, then quickly stepped off the path and headed deeper into the trees. Rain poured down, skipping from one outreach of branches to another, creating massive waterfalls and tiny gaps of reprieve. He pulled us through three of the waterfalls before stopping beside a wide trunk. Misting rain still coated our wet bodies, but we could wait it out here until it stopped then head back.

  I fidgeted. “Please put me down.”

  He turned a
nd slid me down the length of his body, pinning me between him and the tree. I tried to edge around him, but our clothes clung together and my shirt rose up my stomach, freezing me in place. I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t.

  Our bodies fused together in a tangle of limbs and soft parts. I knew where every inch of our hot, wet skin collided and we might as well have been naked for the barrier our soaked clothes afforded. My tiny running shorts clung to my hips and my tight nipples poked through the thin T-shirt, nearly begging for attention. I was a neon sign of arousal and I wanted to hide my face and run as fast as my twisted ankle would go before I embarrassed myself any further.

  His fingers dipped beneath my chin and tipped my face up. I blinked through the raindrops cascading down from above. “Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”

  I tried to shake it and look away but he held me softly and sternly in place. “I don’t know,” I whispered.

  Thank goodness it was raining and I could blame that for the water collecting in my eyes. I blinked enough moisture away that I could see him clearly, from the water racing across his brows, to the drops collecting on his lashes. I’d thought that he couldn’t get any more striking, but framed by the gray sheets of water with his dark hair plastered across his forehead and against his cheeks, with glittering droplets clinging to his skin, I’d never been more wrong. I was overcome by the need to kiss each drop as it hung suspended. What struck me the most was the emotion in his eyes, though I had no name for it.

  Mostly because I couldn’t recognize it in myself.

  His fingertips traced the line of my jaw, then caressed my cheek, sending a tumble of rain down my neck. Steam rose from his shoulders and I wanted to run my fingers through the tendrils. With each passing heartbeat this was becoming more surreal, like somehow we’d left behind the truth and hung suspended like the water droplets before they crashed to the wet sand beneath us.

  “What about in your head?” I tested my tongue and the words melted across my lips.