The Heartbreak Hotel (Sandy Springs #1)

Chapter Three

Riley

A soft sea breeze fluttered Riley’s hair around her face, obscuring her vision. She sighed, setting down her paintbrush to scrape her wild mane into a bun on top of her head before plucking up the brush again, dipping it into the blue paint, and swirling it across the canvas.

Her strokes were purposeful, aggressive, mind and hand blurring as one to blend the colours into something powerful. Heat pricked the back of her neck, sweat beading her forehead, but she couldn’t stop. The waves on the canvas stood taller and more destructive than the ones in front of her eyes, but they matched the tumultuous feeling deep in her chest.

Sensing her pulse racing, Riley closed her eyes to focus on her breathing. Sleep had eluded her last night; it always did around this time of year. Senhor Arenoso had encouraged her to take some days off, but the last thing she needed was time alone. They’d agreed for her at least to miss the morning introductions so she could prepare for the weeks ahead.

The crashing of the waves against the shore lulled her. Fresh salty air filled her lungs. In and out. She exhaled through her mouth. The cries of petrels and shearwaters cut through the sloshing sound of the ocean as they ferried back and forth from their nests in the cliffs. She flew with them in her mind, dipping and diving over the sea until all she felt was the wind on her face and the sun on her skin.

She smiled. She often sat out here on the beach cliffs or on her hammock in her garden, watching the birds. How elegant and nimble they were as they flew, returning year after year after migrating north. Riley found them fascinating. How they could navigate using the earth’s magnetic fields, using the sun and stars to guide them. Like humans used to before the world got too complicated.

Her breathing settled into a calm, steady rhythm, and she tilted her head skywards, letting the orange sun paint her eyelids. She used to hope her spirit guide would be a bird. Her connection to them was so strong, she was sure that if she had wings, she’d be able to tune into the earth’s vibrations, too, zip and soar through the sky without any worries. But she trusted Senhor Arenoso’s judgement.

Opening her eyes, she squinted under the bright light, feeling much more grounded. That feeling was what so many people came here searching for, and she had the privilege of experiencing it all year round. She was wholeheartedly grateful to Senhor Arenoso for that. He’d no doubt saved Riley’s life four years ago.

She exhaled, rolling her neck and stretching side to side. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been out here, but judging from the sun’s arc in the sky, it’d been hours.

Her eyes combed the canvas. The rough marks of blues and whites collided with purples and reds, in a fashion Marco Marcos had deemed “deeply emotional”. She lifted her gaze beyond the painting to the line where the sea and horizon met. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The sun glinted off the surface of the water, until the waves broke through, spitting froth up onto the rocks. It was a shame the sea was so violent today. An afternoon surf would have been perfect.

A flash of something red in the water caught Riley’s eye.

What is that?

She looked closer, following the object as it swirled through the water. Oh shit. That’s a person. Adrenaline spiked up her spine, and she clambered down the rocks leading to the beach. Hot stones burned her feet, but she barely felt it, tearing off her vest and shorts to reveal her blue bikini underneath.

She sprinted across the sand. Keeping an eye on the bundle of red and white, she dived into the sea. She worked her arm muscles as fast as she could, cutting through the water. The waves pulled and pushed against her, but the fire flowing through her veins propelled her forward. As she got closer, she realised the person was a woman. Her lifeless body bobbing along the waves forced Riley’s burning muscles to work faster. Nearly there.

She reached for the woman and, remembering her lifeguard training, tilted her chin up and swam backwards to keep her airways out of the water.

The sea threatened to upheave them, but Riley shielded the woman with her body, breaking the waves away from her. Her heart raced, fighting with everything she had to pull her out of the water and onto the sandy shore.

She called for help, although she knew this area of the beach was unguarded. She called again anyway, her own lungs fighting for breath, before laying the woman on her back and brushing her tangled red hair from her face.

Riley inhaled. It was the woman from last night, Ella. What was she doing swimming in the sea with the warnings out?

“Ella! Ella, can you hear me?” Riley shook her, leaning over to check her breathing.

Oh shit. Oh shit .

She couldn’t tell if Ella was still breathing, but she needed to act quickly. She was going to have to give her mouth-to-mouth and then start chest compressions. With one hand, she tipped Ella’s chin backwards, using the other to pinch her nose, then closed her mouth over hers, blowing into her airway.

When Ella shot up, spluttering into Riley’s mouth, she fell backwards, hitting the sand hard. She scrambled up, supporting Ella’s shoulders.

“Ella, thank Jesus. Are you alright?” She rubbed her back as she bent over.

Ella coughed and spluttered, water dribbling down her chin—but she was breathing. Riley’s chest loosened, and she allowed herself to relax a little. Ella’s cheeks were flushed, her red hair slicked against her back, but her brown eyes were present.

Riley brushed her shoulder. “I should probably put you in the recovery position.”

“No,” Ella whispered between coughs. “I need to sit up.”

Riley debated doing it anyway, but she supposed Ella was conscious enough to know best for herself. Then again, she’d ended up in this mess in the first place, so maybe not. She took a seat beside her in the sand and worked on calming her own thundering heartbeat, while keeping a keen eye on the woman next to her. She rubbed her amethyst necklace between her fingers, channelling the calming energy into her own body.

Eventually, Ella’s coughing subsided, and she tilted her head back to the sky. “Fuck’s sake.”

Riley shook her head and let out a chuckle of disbelief. Ella nearly drowned, and that was her first response? She quickly swallowed her laughter; what Ella had done was really dangerous. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

Ella glanced at her, eyes red and squinting. “Like I’ve been inside a washing machine and then drunk a gallon of bleach.”

“I’m not surprised. What were you doing out here? The warnings are out. It’s not safe to swim.”

“You don’t say.”

“Ella, I’m serious. You could’ve died.”

Ella turned to her then, her eyes flicking over Riley’s face. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry.” She groaned, hanging her head forward. “This island is trying to kill me.”

Riley couldn’t deny the redhead had a habit of finding herself in peculiar situations. “Do you feel sick? Light-headed?”

“A little.”

“Come on. I’ll take you to medical.”

She flapped her hands. “No. No, please, don’t do that. I’m fine.”

“Ella, you need to be checked by a professional—”

“I’m fine. I’m fine. Look!” She got to her feet and started doing a weird jig back and forth, waving her arms.

What the…? Riley bit back a grin. “Yes, that’s some wonderful dancing, grand, but you might have swallowed a lot of water or have a concussion or something.”

“Hey. This is just how I dance.”

Riley laughed. “You know what I mean. Who knows how long you were under the water for? It’s dangerous.”

“It wasn’t long.” She stopped dancing, her mouth falling into a flat line. “Please, Riley, don’t make me go. I’ve had such a horrendous few days. The last thing I want is to spend the rest of the day cooped up with a stranger poking and prodding me.”

Riley sighed, unable to hold the woman’s soft brown gaze. She knew how much she hated anything to do with hospitals herself. How easily they brought back memories. But she should follow protocol. Though Ella seemed fine now, she might not be later. Even if Leonor from Medical was about as useful as a solar-powered flashlight. “I’m sorry. Come on, it’s not far.”

“I just want to get some fresh air outside, that’s all. I promise I won’t wander off. Please, Riley.”

Riley chewed her lip. “You shouldn’t be on your own in case somethin’ happens.”

“Stay with me, then.”

As Ella locked eyes with her, a flutter spread through Riley’s chest. She couldn’t help it; Ella was pretty—even after being tumbled around the North Atlantic with spit down her bikini top. “What?”

“You’re a first aider, right? I assume so, judging by your impressive life-saving skills. Thank you for that, by the way. Top job.” Ella’s mouth lifted at the edges, and Riley’s focus fell onto her plump lips before bouncing back to her eyes.

She cleared her throat and returned the smile. “You’re welcome.”

“Is that a yes?”

Riley shouldn’t really spend time with clients outside of the course. After the António triplet scandal a few years ago, Senhor Arenoso had drilled the importance of separation into the staff. When it came out that the handsome guidance counsellor had impregnated three sisters, they’d almost had to close the course completely. The locals were furious, tabloids ruined business, and fighting off the lawsuits had exhausted Senhor Arenoso. It took years to rebuild the trust. The course couldn’t afford any more bad press. This wasn’t Portuguese Love Island .

But Ella shouldn’t be left on her own. Riley wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if something happened. She had had a rough few days… and it wasn’t as if Riley had anything else to do today. She could keep an eye on her until she was sure she was safe. She knew the signs to look out for.

“Okay,” she agreed. “We should get you a drink, though.”

Ella’s eyes lit up.

“Not that kind of drink.”

Ella huffed. “Party pooper.”

Riley nodded to Ella’s bag sitting on the sand. “Do you have some water in there?”

“No.” When Riley raised her eyebrows, Ella said, “ What?”

“It’s thirty-two degrees, and you haven’t got any liquids with you?”

Ella brushed her wet hair back over her shoulders with a slopping sound and shrugged. “I really wanted to go for a swim.”

“With the warnings out and the waves like this? You’d have been safer taking a dip in the volcano over there,” Riley teased before pressing her lips together; she needed to be more professional. She blamed it on the adrenaline.

But a loud laugh erupted from Ella’s throat, and Riley felt her own smile take over her face.

“You’re right,” Ella said. “I’m a disaster. I guess that’s why I’m here, though, right?” She opened her arms and spun in a lazy circle, before her gaze snared Riley’s, twinkling with mischief. “Help. I need to find my spirit guide sharpish before something else tries to kill me.”

She’s teasing me. Riley had met many naysayers before; it was all part of the job. People had different beliefs, different levels of openness and spirituality. That was to be expected with a race as varied and diverse as humans. It didn’t matter to her what people said; she’d found stability and peace in her life—at least, the closest thing to it. There were still days when she couldn’t get out of bed. Nights where she woke up in a hot sweat from the nightmares. But life couldn’t be perfect; she’d accepted that. She was doing fine, all things considered.

Ella shrieked suddenly, arms out mid-spin, looking at her red bikini, which had a generous helping of sloppy white bird excrement dripping down it.

Riley chuckled, peering up at the escaping perpetrator as it soared over the ocean waves. “Balearic shearwater.”

Ella turned to her with wide eyes. “A what now?”

“It’s a type of bird.”

She scraped off as much poop as she could and washed her hands in the shallow of the sea.

“It’s lucky, you know,” Riley commented, as Ella bent down to splash water across her chest. She couldn’t help but admire her curves as they jiggled with the movement. It was hard to tear her eyes from Ella’s shapely white thighs, soft stomach, and full breasts.

Remember António and the triplets.

She forced her gaze back over the sea and the cries of the birds calling to her. Perhaps Ella’s spirit guide could be a bird. It might explain this. “It could be another indication from your spirit guide. Another sign,” she said.

“A sign I should pack up and go home, maybe.” Ella stood up, fresh water droplets dripping down her cleavage, and Riley redirected her eyes to hers. “How’s that look?” Ella asked.

“Perfect.” When surprise flashed across Ella’s features, Riley stammered. “Er—you know, perfectly fine.”

Be professional, Riley. Jesus. It’s like you’ve never been around a pretty woman before.

“I’ve got some water in my bag,” she went on, her mouth running to try to distract from her earlier comment. She started leading the way, then turned back to Ella, almost colliding into her. “Do you feel okay to walk? My things are at the top of those rocks.”

“Ah, I’m not sure.” Ella bit her lip. “You might have to carry me.”

Carry her? Riley was strong, but even she would struggle to lift someone up the unsteady cliff face.

“Joking.” Ella burst into a grin, and she poked Riley in the side. “You were actually considering it, though. That’s cute.”

Riley’s cheeks flushed, and she turned to hide them. She hadn’t been called cute in a long time, not since she’d stopped entertaining the idea of a relationship on the mainland. It was too much effort, and honestly, she just wasn’t up to it. But it wasn’t like she came to Sandy Springs for the gay scene. Good job, too, as the population was in its hundreds, and calling it slim pickings would be overreaching.

She didn’t even know if Ella was queer—not that it made a difference.

They strolled back along the sand towards the cliff, the sun bathing them in warm light. Riley bent to collect her discarded clothing on the way, feeling a flash of adrenaline as the moment saving Ella replayed in her mind. It had all happened so quickly; it felt like a dream still clinging to her eyelids. She watched Ella in her peripheral vision, amazed by how unfazed she seemed about the ordeal .

“Do you need any assistance?” she asked, when they reached the boulders that led up to the top of the cliff. The climb wasn’t difficult, but Ella had almost drowned earlier, and anyway, she didn’t want to make assumptions about someone’s physical capabilities.

“I think I can manage.”

“I should go behind you.”

Ella raised an eyebrow, and a teasing smile played on her lips.

“In case you fall,” she added.

“Right.”

They ascended slowly, Riley guiding Ella up and telling her the best footholds to use. She tried her best not to stare at the woman’s round bum, but it was difficult when it was shaking in her face—and when her red bikini fit her body shape so well. She focused on the climb instead, and soon, they were at the top.

The wind picked up, a welcoming coolness against Riley’s hot skin. She hurried to her canvas, which was standing on a large stone, and covered it with a sheet before Ella could see it. Some tubes of paint had rolled away across the rocks, so she plucked them up and dropped them into her bag. As much as she loved the birds, they were thieving little shites.

“You paint?” Ella asked, circling the covered easel, intrigued.

“Sometimes.” She dug around until she found a bottle of water in her bag and handed it to her.

“Thank you.” Ella took long gulps, and Riley followed the movement down her delicate throat, watching the muscles in her neck shift. Her skin prickled, and she looked away, tidying up the rest of her equipment.

“What do you paint?” Ella asked.

“Erm, mostly landscapes, occasionally some abstract stuff.”

“Cool. Can I see?”

She scratched at her neck. “I–uh–don’t really… No, I…erm.”

Ella sensed her unease and stepped away from the painting, dropping her hand from the sheet. Riley let out a breath. She’d only shown Marco Marcos because he’d suggested there might be underlying messages that could hold the key to curing her nightmares.

So far, unsuccessful.

“You should sit down for a bit,” she suggested. “Here.” She handed Ella her round meditation cushion.

Ella ran her fingers over the blue and white patterns zigzagging over the handwoven fabric. “This is beautiful. And it’s so soft.”

“Thanks. Gloriana made it herself. You’ll see her at the markets in the week.”

Ella placed it carefully on the rock, glancing at Riley as she hovered over it.

“It won’t bite, I swear.”

“I just don’t wanna ruin it with a giant imprint of my arse.”

Riley’s mouth quirked, and she bit back a laugh. Ella sat down with a happy sigh, and she took a seat beside her on the hard rock surface, feeling the heat transfer through her skin. She closed her eyes, letting her energies settle.

“I feel bad,” Ella murmured, causing Riley to peek at her. “You’re on the ground.”

“I honestly don’t mind.”

A comfortable silence settled between them. Riley let her eyes shut again, tuning into the different sensations. Among the calls of the birds and the heat on her face, she sensed something new and strong pulsing around her. She opened her eyes to find Ella staring. Her pulse skipped a little faster, wondering what she was thinking.

Luckily, Ella blurted it out a second later. “I like your dolphin tattoo.”

“Ah, thank you,” she said, caught a little off-guard. She traced over the black marking that rested between her shoulder blades. Had Ella been checking her out too? The thought of that excited her much more than it should have, and she looked away.

“What does it mean?”

“It’s my spirit guide.”

“A dolphin?” Ella lifted her eyebrows, but they weren’t taunting. They were encouraging. She wanted to know more.

“Dolphins represent harmony and balance,” Riley continued. “They’re considered intelligent, a symbol of protection and resurrection in many cultures, but they keep their playful nature. They’re a good mix of strengths, I suppose.” She exhaled. In truth, she’d struggled to accept her spirit guide wholeheartedly. She wasn’t sure what strength and harmony Senhor Arenoso saw in her. She wanted to be like the dolphins but didn’t quite believe it; the idea of balance made her laugh. Plus, why did she long to be so like the birds?

“That makes sense. I can see that about you.”

Riley swallowed, taking in the softness on Ella’s face. Her brown eyes shone in the sunlight, radiating warmth that heated Riley’s cheeks and neck. It felt like all the air around them had squeezed and swirled, pulling them closer together.

Riley believed in energies. And right now, Ella’s were vibrant and pulsing out from all around her. Either that, or there was an earthquake about to happen.

“Do you?” she managed. “I’m not always so sure I see it.”

“I do. Plus, you literally just saved my life. That’s pretty dolphin protector-esque.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Riley smiled, the heat slipping lower down her sternum and into her belly. She forced herself back on the rocks to look up into the blue sky, needing distraction. They needed distance.

Riley wasn’t doing anything wrong. She was making sure Ella was alright after her earlier incident, and then she was going to escort her home. That was it. She focused on the swirls of white now floating across the vast blue sky. Would it feel freer to be a cloud or a bird?

“That one looks like an ocean wave,” Ella said as she sat on the hard surface next to Riley, following her gaze. “ Fuck. That’s hot.” She jumped back up, brushing her hands over her bum, then dug a pretty kimono out of her bag, laying it down before rejoining her.

They both looked up at the sky, laying side by side, close enough that if Riley reached out her arm, she could brush against Ella’s. But Riley wasn’t thinking about that.

“That one looks a bit like Kylie Minogue.”

Riley laughed, low in her throat. “How?”

Ella leaned closer, directing Riley’s sight with the point of her finger. Her sweet scent mingled with something fruity, making her inhale sharply. “There are her eyes, and that’s her mouth. See?”

Riley had no idea how the wispy clouds could possibly resemble Kylie Minogue, but she nodded anyway. “Cirrus clouds are my favourite.”

“Of course you have a favourite type of cloud.”

Riley turned her head to look at her. “You don’t?”

“Can’t say that I’ve ever given it much thought.” Her eyes crinkled at the edges, her gaze moving over Riley’s face.

Riley’s heart quickened, thumping away in her chest. Surely, if Ella was straight, she wouldn’t look at her like that? She needed to put a stop to it—whatever it was—for the sake of her job.

She cleared her throat, casting her eyes away. “So, are you feeling any better?”

“Yeah. You know, I actually feel good. Got the sun on my skin and nothing to do. I just wish I had a margarita in my hand. ”

Riley turned her head, allowing her gaze to fall over the woman next to her. Neat, arched eyebrows framed her eyes, with a straight nose that had an adorable little point at the tip. Her eyes were closed, and she beamed, oozing an infectious stream of happiness for the first time since Riley had met her.

Thank the guides I missed the morning introductions to come and paint . She didn’t want to even consider the other outcome if she hadn’t seen Ella tumbling around in the sea. She allowed herself to look for just a few seconds more, the warmth emanating from Ella coating her own skin, before forcing her gaze elsewhere.

Then, realising she hadn’t replied to Ella’s comment, she cleared her throat. “Well, Senhor Arenoso does say that contentment is having everything you need but not everything you want.”

Ella hummed, running a hand over her stained bikini top, discoloured from the bird. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. I have a feeling…like my luck might be about to change.”

A caw from up above caught Riley’s attention, and she turned just in time to watch the white poop fall from the sky like an atomic bomb, for the second time today, landing straight in Ella’s hair with a slop.

Maybe her luck isn’t changing just quite yet.