Ominous Love (5 page)

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.”

He gives me a cold stare, but 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 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, glowering at
Tom.

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

My heart skips. I love the way he says my
name. “You're welcome, but I'm glad you're here. 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 mesmerising 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?

Chapter 6

My pulse is pounding with hope as he parts
his lips and leans over me. I tilt my head towards his sweet mouth, but instead
of kissing me, he gently pushes me away. Then he walks into the bathroom and
locks the door. Crap!
My heart
tumbles. What a tease. I'm thwarted, annoyed. I blow out a big breath. He
obviously didn't feel what I did. Pouting, I trudge to my parents' bedroom to
get him some clothes. I should give him the scruffiest ones I can find for
that.

As I pass the mirror, I stare at myself and scowl.
My hair is unruly and full of sand. I look like a dust mop. I should have known
a hot guy like that wouldn't be interested in me. Ah, he’s probably into stick
thin models, not curvy brunettes. I smooth Mum's best face cream onto my cheeks
and comb my hair into a high ponytail. There's no point expecting someone like
you if there's no chemistry. Maybe karma is getting me for not having chemistry
with Tom.

Opening Dad's wardrobe, I peer in. Seal is
about six-feet tall, the same height as my dad, though Seal is a lot more
muscular. I grab a pair of blue jeans and hold them up.
Wonderful.
Dad hates tight clothes and wears them baggy, so these should fit Seal
perfectly. I take a pair of boxer shorts, a singlet, and a blue V-neck jumper
from the drawers,
then
on my way out, I pick up a pair
of pyjamas and a robe from a pile of clean garments on the bed. Perfect.

The shower is still running, so I place the
clothes in a neat pile outside the bathroom and tap on the door. “Hey, Seal,
I'll leave you some clothes out here on the floor.”

“Okay, thank you,” he hollers.

Leaning against the wall, I picture what he
looks like right now. Then I quiver as I remember how beautiful he looked when
he woke up naked on the beach this morning. Far out! What is wrong with me? I
really am turning into a teenage perv. Shaking myself, I trudge to the kitchen
to make lunch.

After turning on the radio, I prepare the coffee
and toasted ham and cheese sandwiches. I can't believe that the first time I'm
home alone, I have a gorgeous hunk as a guest. I titter. Mum would chuck a pink
fit if she knew, and Dad would have a heart attack—but then if they knew what
Seal was going through, I'm sure they'd let him stay.

I gaze out the window and sigh. How can I
have feelings for a boy I just met? And from the moment I first laid eyes on
him. It's too weird. Sure, I've had crushes, but I've never felt like this
before, but wanting someone who doesn't feel the same is the pits. I bet he
doesn't even like me and he’s just being nice because I'm letting him stay. I
shake my head. There's no point fantasising about him. He's drop dead gorgeous and
could have any girl he wants, even if he can't remember who he is. Besides, he's
probably already got a girlfriend and I bet she's stunning. With a strange ache
in my heart, I carry the food to the table, singing along to
Carly Rae Jepsen’s
song:
Call Me Maybe.

“Something smells good,” says Seal, walking
into the kitchen.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I glance
up at him. Gosh he's dreamy. Dad's clothes fit him perfectly. The singlet is
stretched tight across his chest, displaying his perfect physique, and though I
try not to gape, my eyes roam down his stomach to his slim hips and the
low-slung waistband of the blue denim jeans. I suck in a breath. He looks like
a movie star.

His face turning red, he pulls on Dad's blue
jumper, then lifts the tray from my hands. “Here, I'll carry that. You've
already done too much. Going out of your way for a stranger like me is just
amazing.”

I shrug. “Well, what else did you expect? You
wouldn't let me call a doctor for you. What kind of a person would I be if I
didn't help you to get your strength back?”

He sets the tray on the table and smiles. “Your
compassion and kindness is a rare find, Eloise.”

“But how would you know? You can’t remember
anything.”

He shrugs. “I don’t know who I am, but I seem
to know other things. It’s all very strange.”

I give him a half smile. He may be unattainable,
but I can't help the longing in my heart whenever he says my name. As I take
the plates and cups from the tray, butterflies flutter in my stomach and I try
not to look at him.

“I hope you're hungry,” I say, pouring the
coffee into the mugs. “Do you take milk and sugar?”

There's a moment's silence before he answers.
“Um … now that something I don’t know.”

“Okay, try it black first.” I pass him a mug.
“You can add sugar or milk later.”

“Thanks.” He takes a sip,
then
curls his nose.

I chuckle. “Here.” I plop some sugar and milk
in, then stir it. “Now, try it.”

He tastes it. “Mmm, that's better.”

Poking at my food with a knife, I peek up at
him. I've never felt longing like this before, ever. If this is love at first
sight, it sucks. It's no fun when it's unrequited. I rest my head on my hand
and sigh. Gosh, he’s dreamy.

As he chews his sandwich, he closes his eyes
and inhales like he hasn't eaten for years. He must be really hungry. Maybe he
didn't eat yesterday either. The phone rings, startling me from my thoughts. As
I jump up to answer it. I look at Seal and hold my finger to my lips in case
it's my mother. I hope he understands because there's no way I can explain him
to her at the moment.

“Hi, Mum,” I say into the handset.

“Hello, sweetie, is everything okay?”

“Yes, Mum, everything is fine. How's Nanna
and Pop?”

“Your nanna is okay, but Pop has to have an
operation next week, so I don't know when we'll be back. Now, if you need
anything, you can always go next door. And if you want to join us, you only
have to ask and we'll get you a plane ticket.”

I roll my eyes. Why does she keep trying to
convince me to go over there? “I'll be fine, Mum. I told you, I want to start
this job on Monday. I hope Grandpa will be okay. Give him and Nanna a kiss from
me.”

“Okay, love, be good. Oh, and if you need any
more money, let me know.”

“Yes, Mum, bye.” I blow out a big breath and
hang up.
Phew.

When I sit back in my chair, Seal raises his
brows. “So, you didn't tell her about me?”

I frown.
“Of course not.
She'd have a pink fit if she knew I brought a strange boy here to stay with
me.”

He raises a brow. “Oh, I'm strange, am I?”

“Well, no, but you're … um … well anyway, if
I told Mum about you, Dad would come straight back home.” Hmm, I'm not telling him
how much I'd hate that, or that I'm suddenly lovesick and my heart is yearning
for him.

His eyes crinkle at the corners and glisten
with humour. “I knew that. I was just teasing you.”

I melt. His smile is to die for. Then I blow
out a frustrated breath. So he knows he's a tease.

“When are your folks due back?”

“In about two weeks, but it could be longer.”

Scowling, he finishes the last of his coffee.
“It's a long time to leave you here on your own.”

“I know, but I begged them—so I could start
my job in the pet shop.”

“Did you finish school?”

I push my uneaten food away. “No, but I'm
going to start night school, to learn animal care.”

Raising his brows, he looks at me. “Oh, you're
an animal lover.”

I glance at Matilda, who is eating from her
bowl. “Yes, I adore animals and hate to see them suffer.” I look up at him. “Have
you noticed their eyes? They have the same trusting look as a human baby with
its mother. They're so innocent and vulnerable, yet some folks choose to be
cruel to them. I'll never understand that.”

Seal shrugs. “Maybe animals were made that
way to test us—to test our souls. But like man, some animals are vicious,
especially when hurt. Maybe that's to show the consequences of sin, to let
humans experience remorse, then they have the choice to repent, or not.”

I frown. “Yes, but humans eat animals, so is
that a sin?”

He wipes his mouth with a napkin. “I don't
think so, but if humans kill animals for food, or other reasons, they should do
it in the kindest way possible, not torture them or cause unnecessary pain.”

Picking up the dirty dishes, I sigh. “I agree,
but I don't know how I'll go with the animal courses. I'm so squeamish and I faint
at the sight of blood, but I'll try.”

Seal gets to his feet. “You'll do just fine,
Eloise. Now, I'll wash the dishes, and then I'd like to fix that lock on the
front door. Does your father have a tool box?”

I head to the sink. “
It's
okay, Seal. You need to rest. I'll do the dishes. It's no biggie. And the
lock's fine.”

He shakes his head. “No, it isn't, Eloise,
and I wouldn't forgive myself if someone broke in and harmed you. Please, let
me fix it.”

Darn it. There he goes with my name again. “Okay.”
I point out the window. “There's a toolbox in the shed. It's locked, but there's
a key on the hook on the back door.”

He raised a brow. “That's not a very safe place
to keep a key. Somebody could steal it when you're not looking, someone like
Tom.” He stares at me for a long moment, then walks to the back door and
unhooks the key. On his way outside, he glances over his shoulder. “Don't let
Tom in here again, especially when you're alone.”