Page 11 of The Heartbreak Hotel

“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.”