Two Books in One - Ominous Love and Paradox - The Angels Are Here (3 page)

Chapter Four

Soft bells are ringing in the distance, waking me from sleep. As my eyes flutter open, I squint at the glare from the sun. Cupping my hand over my brow, I glance at my window. Did I leave the curtains open? Shoot! Where's my roof? I'm looking up at the clear blue sky and there's a rainbow emerging from the clouds and arching right down to the side of my …. huh?

Holy Moly! I'm not in my bed—I'm on a white fluffy cloud. I bolt upright. Have I died and gone to Heaven? Or am I dreaming again? My pulse is racing in my ears, so I can't be dead. I look to my left and my heart skips a beat. The mystery boy from my last dream is lying next to me, but just like before, there's a haze around his face. As I move closer, his sweet musky scent sends shivers down my spine. I want him to kiss me like he did before, but he's ignoring me. Shoot. If I wake up now, I'll never get to see who he is.

I poke him in the ribs, and though he doesn’t stir, a strange tingling sensation shoots up my arm and into my heart. I suddenly feel dreamy and light-headed like I'm floating on air. Why would I dream up a hot guy, make him invisible, then find he's not interested in me? I guess it's my dream, so I can do what I like.

Biting my lip, I run my hands across the hard muscles on his bare chest and up to his broad shoulders. Oh my. He’s so toned and he smells delicious. His eyes are closed, but his lips are warm beneath my touch. Far out, he’s feels so real there’s no way I can resist him. Leaning into the mist, I kiss his sweet mouth. Wow! His tongue meets mine and he kisses me back, melting my heart and making me tingle all over. I breathe through my nose, but instead of his scent, I inhale the salty smell of the sea. As I try to open my eyes to look into his, a cold rush of water washes over my toes. Oh, don't tell me I've dreamed up a waterbed that's just burst?

The roar of the ocean and the sound of noisy seagulls snap me back to reality. My eyes flutter open to a dark cloudy sky and waves lapping over my legs. Darn it! I'm awake and back on the beach. That sucks because I wanted to see if that mystery boy looked as hot as he kissed. Shivering, I glance over my shoulder to the incoming tide. What? Someone else's feet are underneath mine. I jerk up onto my elbows. Holy crap! I'm lying on top of the naked guy I was doing CPR on, and worse, he's aroused. I blush with shame. Was I kissing
him
in my dream? Mortified, I bite my lip, hoping he's still unconscious, but as I try to sneak away, I panic and accidently knock against his manhood. Whoa!

His eyes pop wide open.

Scrambling off him, I gasp and fall onto the sand as uncontrollable shivers shoot right through me. What is wrong with me? I'll surely die of humiliation. It must be my teenage hormones going wild, but my, is he hot. I can't take my eyes off him. He's the most beautiful boy I've ever seen. He has mesmerising blue eyes and a body to die for.

He bolts upright, looks down at his naked body, then covers himself with his hands. “What's going on? Where am I?”

My face burning, I toss my beach towel to him. “Here, use this.”

“Okay, I'm flattered,” he says, wrapping the towel around his waist and hiding his masculinity. “I've probably fantasized about being naked and kissing a pretty girl on a deserted beach, but this is ridiculous. Why were you on top of me and where are my clothes?”

I gulp. “Huh…”

He stands up, all six feet of him, his hands pressed against his lean muscular hips. “Well?” he says. “Who are you? And why were you kissing me?” The tiny glint in his eyes gives his stern voice a hint of amusement.

I look into his deep-blue eyes and melt. They're the colour of the ocean on a sunny day, and framed with thick dark lashes. Jeez, he's hot, and he doesn’t look much older than me, maybe a couple of years. Self-conscious, I blush. Then I hold my hands out and try to look innocent. “I … I wasn't kissing you. I was giving you mouth to mouth because you were unconscious. And I
didn't
take your clothes. You weren't wearing any. You probably lost your bathers in the ocean when you were drowning. Maybe a strong current ripped them from you.”

He cocks a brow. “I don't remember going for a swim.”

“What were you doing before you went unconscious, then?”

He shrugs. “I don't know. I can't remember.”

I blow out a breath. “Look, I don't know why you were out cold on the beach, but I thought you had drowned. I was trying to do CPR on you when we were both struck by lightning.”

His eyes go wide. “Lightning? What are you talking about?”

“While I was giving you mouth to mouth, there was this huge electrical storm and we were struck. I don't know what happened. Everything went black. Not sure how long I passed out for, but I only just woke up and I was still on top of you. See, I wasn't kissing you. I was trying to save your life.”

“You passed out?”

I nod. “I'm pretty sure.”

He gasps. “Are you okay? Did you get burned?”

“That's the odd thing. Neither of us seem to have any burns, and I don't have any burn marks on my clothes. You probably think I'm crazy.”

He frowns. “I don't think you're crazy, but I can't understand why I'd be in the ocean in the first place, and why I'd be drowning. I'm sure I can swim.”

“Look, something bad must have happened to you. Maybe you had a seizure or something. Or you could have fallen from a boat. I did try to phone for an ambulance before the storm, but my cell phone was dead. I was out cold after the lightning strike, but I think I should call for help. You need to be checked by a doctor. You could have a head injury.”

He runs his fingers through his dark hair. “No! Please don't call the police or an ambulance. I'm fine. Trust me. I don't want them involved.”

I sigh. “But your heart stopped! You need help.”

He takes my hand in his. “Please don't involve them. I beg
of you.”

My pulse quickens as electricity run up my arm. I'm speechless, in awe, and I can't stop staring at him.

“Please?” he begs again, squeezing my fingers.

I go weak at the knees. Gosh. I'll do anything for him. He's divine, but what if he's a criminal? Surely a felon couldn't make me feel this good. As I study his innocent face, he stares at the ground.
I doubt he's even aware how gorgeous he is. Blowing out a big breath, I try to act normal. “What's your name? I should call your family—or are you in some kind of trouble?”

His shoulders slump and he lets go of my hand. “I don't know. I can't even remember who I am.” He looks up at me through long lashes. “If you call an ambulance, it could put me in a bind, who knows.”

I glance up at the clouds. How do I find the bad guys? First Tom, and now a boy who could be running from the law. I shake my head. He looks harmless enough, and he's so darn cute. I smile. “Okay, no cops or ambulance. But I'm going to have to watch you. I'm pretty sure you have a concussion. I mean if you have so much as a temperature, I'll have to get you to the hospital.”

He raises his brows. “Yeah, but how're you going to watch me? I have no idea where I live.”

“Don't worry. You can stay at my house until we figure out what else to do. I just live up the road and my parents are away for a while.”

Shivering, he rubs his bare arms. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

Crap. What have I just said? I know I shouldn't take a strange guy home, but to tell him I'll be home alone was plain stupid. What was I thinking? I blow out a big breath and pray he's not a criminal pretending to have amnesia. I glance at him and my heart melts. He looks so vulnerable and he's shaking with cold. Smiling, I link my arm with his. “Let's go.”

As we tramp along the soft sand, a group of giggling girls stroll past and stare at him. No way am I letting a sweet boy like him get away from me. Pulling him along, I walk faster. “Come on,
you need to get warm. You're attracting too much attention being on the beach with no top on.”

“I guess I look pretty strange, wearing nothing but a towel on a cold windy day.”

I roll my eyes. “It's nothing to do with the weather, silly.” He's so humble. Surely he must know how magnificent he looks.

His brows knit together as if he's confused. “Huh?”

As we head onto the boardwalk, I sigh. He's so endearing.

“Guess I'm lucky you were walking along the beach today,” he says. “If someone else had found me, who knows what would become of me.”

I peek sideways at his perfect features; straight nose, dark brows, and kissable full lips. But as my gaze wonders down to his narrow waist and hips, he stops in his tracks and looks at me. Embarrassed at being caught perving, I stare at the ground.

“Hey,” he says. “I may not know my own name, but I'd love to know yours.”

I smile up at him. “I'm Eloise O'Connor.”

“Eloise,” he repeats, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “What a sweet name.”

“Thanks.” I suck in a sharp breath. I love his deep husky voice, and the way he just said my name sent shivers down my spine. As we hurry along the main road, he goes suddenly quiet and walks with his head down. He looks so lost and forlorn and my heart breaks for him. “Don't worry, your memory will probably come back soon, but in the meantime, you'll have to think of a name.”

He strokes his chin. “Nothing comes to mind.”

“How about Seal?”

He smirks. “You want to name me after a sea animal?”

I grin. “Why not? You were washed up on the beach like one. Anyway, there's a famous singer called Seal, though he's older than you.”

He blows out a big breath. “That's good considering I don't even know my age.”

“Well, I'm sixteen and you don't look much older than me, maybe a year or two. Anyway, it'll all come back to you in time.”

He shrugs. “I suppose I'll need a name until then, so you can call me Seal.”

“I love it. It suits you,” I say, and without thinking, I squeeze his bicep. Whoa! I suck in a sharp breath as electricity shoots through my fingers and into my chest. Seal stops walking and stares at me, a blush rising from his neck to his face. Crikey, did he feel it, too? Or did I embarrass him when I squeezed his arm? Far out! Why did I do that?

With red faces, we start walking again, and as we round the bend to my street, I point at the rickety old house where I live. “That's my home, so you'll be warm in no time.”

“Thanks, Eloise, I really appreciate you taking me in, especially considering you don't even know me. I don't know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t come along to help me.”

My pulse is racing. I can't believe I'm taking this beautiful boy home and I don't have to explain him to my parents, well for now anyway. Smiling, I escort Seal through my front gate, but as we walk up the driveway, my heart sinks. Tom is sitting on my porch with his feet up on the railing.

Chapter Five

My blood boiling, I stare at Tom. Why did he have to turn up now? After calling him a blobfish last night, I thought he'd never come back. Chewing my lip, I wonder how I'm going to explain Seal to him, but before I get a chance, he leaps over the railing and blocks our path.

“Who's the half-naked dude?” he says, eyeing Seal up and down. “Matthew McConaughey?”

I gulp. No way can I tell Tom the truth—he'll call a doctor just to get rid of him. I squeeze Seal's hand, signalling him to go along with my lie. Then I say the first thing that pops into my head. “Don't be rude, Tom. This is my cousin. We've just been down to the beach and he went for a swim.”

Tom raises a brow. “What, in this weather?”

Seal smiles. “I happen to like swimming in cold water.”

“Oh, I
see
.” Tom stares at Seal's toes. “It's a wonder you don't have webbed feet, too.”

“What exactly is your problem?” asks Seal, folding his arms across his bare chest.

I look at Tom, and then at Seal.
Shoot. They don't even know each other, yet they're glaring at each other with pure hatred as if they've been enemies for eons. Unbelievable. My brain is spinning like a top. I have to think quickly and get Tom out of here before there's trouble. I shake my head. I don't want Seal taking off—he's not well enough, plus he's too hot to lose. But I don't want to antagonise Tom right now either. Smiling, I touch his arm, “Listen, Tom, Seal has just arrived and we have a lot to….”

He shakes my hand away. “You never told me you had a cousin, or that he was visiting. And where's the family resemblance? I don't see any.”

I glance at Seal. “We're second cousins. Anyway, not all relatives look alike.”

Tom's top lip curls into a snarl. “Cousins my arse.” Then he smirks at Seal. “Cute outfit, mate. What are you, a stripper?”

My pulse pumping in my ears, I point at the gate. “Tom, you'd better leave. I'm not having you insulting my relatives.”

His jaw drops. Then he grins, and before I know what's happening, he’s holding me in an embrace and kissing me hard on the lips. I try to pull away. “Stop it, Tom! What's the matter with you lately? You’ve gone feral.”

He holds me tighter. “Come on, Elle,” he whispers. “You’re embarrassing me. Now, give me a proper kiss.”

Flushing with anger, I prize his hands away. “Get off me!”

“Oh, you're playing hard to get again. You know I love that.” With his hands in my hair, he squashes his mouth onto mine and I struggle to breathe.

Seal grabs him by the arms, hauls him off me and holds him in a headlock. “No one treats my cousin like that,” he yells. “You should have respect for girls. Now, say you're sorry to her, and then leave.”

My stomach twists into knots. I can't believe what's happening. Crap. Seal has his arm around Tom's head and is holding it firmly under his armpit. And Tom is digging his nails into Seal's hands, trying to free himself.

“Stop it,” I yell, but they're both too stubborn to listen. Tom refuses to apologise to me, and Seal won't let him go. This is just crazy. Biting my nails, I glance next-door. I hope the folks who live on that farm aren’t watching us. Jeez. If they phone my parents, I'll be booked on the next flight to Perth. I look back at the boys, but they're still struggling with each other.

Tom suddenly growls like a bear and jabs Seal hard in the kidneys. “Let go of me, you coward,” he snarls.

Seal grips him harder. “Apologise.”

Tom finally stops thrashing about. “Okay, dude,” he croaks. “Let me go, and I'll be off.”

“Not until you say you're sorry to Eloise.”

“I will if you let go of my bloody head.”

“Listen,
mate
, I'm not letting go until you apologise.”

“I aint your mate,” says Tom, punching Seal hard in the gut.

Seal jerks backwards, then his towel comes loose and falls to the ground, but he still won't let go of Tom's head.

Holy shit! Seal’s manhood is visible for the whole street to see. Clasping my cheeks, I gaze in awe at his beautiful body and long muscular legs. Boy is he sexy.

“Come on,” he pleads, holding Tom’s head firmly against his hip. “This is ridiculous. Just apologise.”

Tom’s eyes bulge with anger as he stares down at Seal’s masculinity, only inches from his face. And though he can’t get free from Seal’s strong grip, he glares up at me, his cheeks crimson. I've never seen Tom this mad before, not ever. Self-consciously I turn away, knowing he's not only humiliated for the position he's in, but because he accidently knocked Seal's towel off. Tom's way too jealous natured to do that on purpose; and he saw me drooling. Gosh. I’m beginning to think I’m as bad as Tom.

Seal looks at Tom. “Well?”

Tom squints at me. “Okay, okay, Elle, I'm sorry, and all that.”

“Good.” Seal releases him. Then he snatches the towel from the lawn and quickly wraps it around his hips. “Now, leave like you were told.”

Tom rubs the back of his neck, his eyes flashing with rage. “So, do you always swim in the nude, you pervert?”

“Don't be an idiot,” I yell. “He lost his swimmers when he got dumped by a huge wave.”

Turning to face me, Tom gives me a cold stare, but
he doesn't accuse me of anything. I guess he doesn't want Seal to know I was admiring him.

Shaking, I wring my hands together. I have to think of a way to get them apart before they start again. I grab Seal's elbow. “Come on, let's go indoors.”

He pulls away and folds his arms. “Not until he's gone.”

Darn it, he's not giving in either. “Please, Seal,” I beg, but it's no use. He just stands there in his towel, glaring at Tom.

Balling his hands into fists, Tom leans towards Seal. “You'll keep,
mate
,” he hisses through clenched teeth.

Seal grins at him. “I hope so. It's better than going rotten like you.”

My heart is thundering against my ribs. “Tom, please go home.”

Glowering at Seal, he puffs his chest out, then stomps down the path and out the gate. As he turns onto the street, he narrows his eyes at me.

“Who
is
that guy?” asks Seal.

Letting out a sigh, I walk up the steps to the porch. “He
was
my boyfriend, but not anymore. Come inside and get warm.”

Seal follows me. “Don't go anywhere near him again. He's dangerous.”

After unlocking the door, I scratch my head. What does he mean? I know Tom is only ever after one thing, but I never thought of him as dangerous. He's just a jerk, and now he's jealous of Seal. I know he shouldn't have forced me to kiss him, but Seal made the first aggressive move—I think. Now, I'm confused. I don't even know who Seal is, and yet I'm inviting him into my home. Crikey. What if
he's
the dangerous one?

As we go indoors, I look over my shoulder to make sure no one's watching me take a half-naked boy into my house. I can't see anyone, so I hurry inside and shut the door.

Seal arches a brow. “Aren't you going to lock it?”

“Of course.”  I turn the deadlock and smile. “Would you like a hot shower to warm you up?”

“Sounds great, I'm freezing,” he says, fiddling with the door knob. “The screws need tightening on this lock. I'll fix it for you later.”

“Thanks.” I point down the hall. “The bathroom's over there. I'll get you some of my father's clothes. He's about the same size as you.”

He smiles. “Thank you, Eloise. You're sweet. I really appreciate you helping me, and I’m so grateful that you saved my life.”

My heart skips. I love the way he says my name. “You're welcome, Seal, and I'm so happy you're alive. Besides, I hate being in this old house on my own. It's creepy, especially when there's a storm like last night.”

He rubs his chin and his brows knit together like he's trying to remember where he was last night. Poor thing, I hope he gets his memory back soon. As I walk down the hall behind him, he suddenly turns around and we smack right into each other. My hands are on his bare chest and as I look into his bottomless blue eyes, a shock of static tickles my fingers and shoots up my arms. He brushes a stray curl from my forehead, then his gaze moves down to my mouth. I gulp. Is he going to kiss me?