Chapter 19
If I took Elias’s massive mountainside mansion as an indication that he probably also owns a massive yacht, I stand corrected.
What I see floating at the end of the dock is just a speedboat.
It looks cute alongside all the huge yachts and sailboats bobbing around in the bay.
The back of his boat is flat, and a little metal ladder trails down under the surface of the water, making it easy to step in and out.
I have to admit that this boat is a much better match for the version of Elias that I like: a modest vessel instead of a luxury pimp yacht.
Dark blue letters on the white-coated aluminum spell out the name Usain Boat.
With an enormous grin on my face, I give Elias an inquisitive look as I nod at the words. His lips shape into a hint of a smile.
It’s faster than it looks, he explains with a shrug. He tosses the bag of snorkel gear onto the boat and sets one foot on the deck. When he reaches out his hand, there’s a playful look in his dark eyes. Coming?
I take a hesitant glance at the distance between the boat and the dock, then decide I’ll probably be fine.
Slipping my hand into his, I carefully step onto the boat and it wobbles a bit once I've put my full weight onto it. When Elias steps in after me, the wobbling increases, nearly throwing me off balance. A flash of nerves hits my stomach and I worry I might flip over the edge and into the water. Elias grabs me by the elbows to steady me. I worked through my sea-phobia twenty years ago, but the idea of tumbling into this mass of water, not being able to feel the ground under my feet, still makes me feel pretty unsettled. What would happen if the currents are too strong? Or if I cramp up and can’t keep swimming?
Everything okay? he asks, catching the expression of worry on my face. You’ve gone a little pale.
I take a deep breath and carefully let go of him. I feel slightly shaky when I flash him a smile and give him a little nod, fidgeting with the chain around my neck.
Elias observes the movement of my hand and pulls his eyebrows together while he scratches his chin.
Nothing’s going to happen. I know how to swim. Elias is with me. We have a boat.
All good, I answer in a steady voice as I squeeze his arm to set him at ease.
He still looks worried.
I just got a bit startled, I say.
As I sit down on a little bench that’s covered in cushions, Elias has a doubtful look in his eyes. Just a few feet away, he takes his place at the wheel. The engine starts with a roar, then purrs with ease once he shifts it into gear.
The boat glides smoothly through the water, splashing water drops up against the sides and, at times, splattering me too.
Elias’s upper body towers up over the windshield.
As we pick up speed, the wind begins to whip through our hair.
It’s not long before his mane is pointing in every direction at once and I can’t help but gaze at him.
He is fully in his element. He’s beaming as he steers the boat, splitting the water where it hits the bow.
He accelerates and looks back over his shoulder with a laugh while I cling to the edge of the boat.
Come on. He holds out a hand, still beaming at me. The best view is up here.
My eyes trail from his hand up his tattooed arm and finally land on his thrilled face. He looks like a kid who’s eager to show off a brand new race car he got for his tenth birthday.
I feel a tingle in my belly. I really like this boyish, excited version of Elias.
I like it like it. Sliding my hand into his, I feel electricity zip through my body.
Elias’s mouth curves into a smile and he carefully manoeuvers me in front of him.
His solid torso presses up against my back as he circles me with his arms and kisses me on the cheek.
I have to stop myself from spreading my arms into wings and screaming, I’m the king of the world at the top of my lungs.
This Elias-shaped life jacket is making me feel so safe.
And turned on.
My body is tingling all over and I’m extremely aware of every single spot where our bodies are touching.
As we sail out of the harbour, the white houses balanced on the rocky Ibiza coastline become smaller. The island’s beaches form ever thinner white strips outlining the wooded hills and sand-coloured rocks.
To fully soak in the feeling of warm wind rushing over my face, I close my eyes.
I can feel Elias’s gentle breath caressing my ear.
He’s still holding me. His arms are crossed over my stomach as his fingers press into my hips.
When I open my eyes again, I see the two massive rocks out ahead of us get closer and closer.
It’s gorgeous. The words tumble from my lips so quietly that I wonder whether Elias has even heard them. But then I feel his gaze glide across my face and he hums in agreement.
Can’t argue with that, he replies.
Once we’re close to the rocks, Elias tosses a four-pointed anchor into the sea. The boat continues on a little bit longer until it gently jolts to a stop.
The huge, grey, jagged rock is covered in little green plants. From a distance, it looks like moss, but when we get closer, I notice it’s all different kinds of plants. The greenery is interrupted here and there by little pops of colour coming from stray flowers.
I pull my dress off over my head and find myself standing on the boat in a bikini.
I keep my necklace on. Elias is shamelessly studying me and his gaze catches on my chest for a few seconds.
It seems safe to conclude that Elias is a boob guy.
He blinks a few times before running his tanned hand through his dark locks.
Nice bikini, he finally compliments me before turning around, zipping open the bag of snorkelling gear, then handing me some diving goggles and a tube that’s supposed to make sure I can breathe. Have you been snorkelling before? He gives me a curious look and I bite my lip.
Um, yeah. A long time ago. Twenty-one years ago, to be exact.
Elias tilts his head to the side. Still remember how to do it?
Um... yes? Make sure your snorkel stays above the water, right?
He gives me an amused look. Hmm, not necessarily. You can actually dive deeper with a snorkel, but let’s save that for next time. It’s important to stay close to the rock, though. This is a pretty big tourist attraction, so there’s always boats sailing by.
After wiggling the snorkel into the little ring at the side of the goggles, I put the whole thing on my face. The sheet of clear plastic in front of my eyes makes Elias look even bigger. I study his face, torso, and swimming trunks. Hmm. Interesting.
A little smile teases his lips. It’s impressive how beautiful you still look with that thing on your head.
I blink a few times and when he plants a swift kiss on my lips before putting on his own mask, the ground beneath my feet suddenly feels even less stable than it did just a few seconds ago.
Elias climbs down the ladder and splashes into the sea, sloshing water over the deck before he swirls around to face me.
What are you waiting for? The water feels incredible.
With those words of encouragement, I follow his example and clamber down the steps.
The water’s a bit cooler than it feels over by the beach, but it’s still perfectly comfortable.
I hold onto the cold metal of the ladder for a few extra seconds before I fully build up the courage to let go.
When my toes reach out to touch the sandy ground below, I realize there’s nothing to touch but water.
The feeling takes a little getting used to.
Last time I ventured into seawater this deep, things ended with a few paramedics bashing my chest until I coughed up wave after wave of water—and then my lunch.
Though I can’t quite make out Elias’s facial expression behind his goggles, it’s clear the corners of his mouth are turned down.
You okay?
I carefully let go of the boat and nod. All good, I assure him, quickly popping the snorkel into my mouth. I’m a goddamn grown woman and I spend plenty of time floating around in the sea. The boat is right here. Elias is right here. What do I possibly think could go wrong?
Once I dip my face below the surface of the water, my eyes go wide taking in all the beautifully coloured fish swishing by me in this endless blue world, all vibrant and clear.
There are schools of silver saddled sea bream, all with little rings of black around their tail fins.
I’ve seen them in the shallower water by the beach before.
I spot some smaller fish whose scales have a rainbow-like sheen caused by the bright summer sun breaking through the water.
There are sea anemones clinging to the rocks, their wispy tendrils swaying in the currant.
My eyes even pick out the odd sea urchin.
I watch from a distance as a few jellyfish pulse graciously through the water, their tentacles trailing behind them like pink lace ribbon floating through the sea.
It’s a stark contrast to the ones that wash up on shore.
Those tend to look more like pudding you bought on sale, then put in the back of the fridge and forgot about for three months.
I swirl around to look at Elias. His dark hair is floating around his head like seaweed, his chest moving calmly up and down as his feet keep him bobbing in place with slow kicks.
He inquisitively holds up a thumb and I nod at him. If my lips weren’t forced into a permanent duckface by this mouthpiece, I would have given him a huge smile, grateful that he invited me along.
He gestures over his shoulder at an enormous school of yellow and silver striped fish peacefully drifting through the water. He spins around and his strong legs move smoothly back and forth as he swims his way toward the fish.