Treasured Dreams (35 page)

‘What you doin', man?' Jimmy huffed. ‘We're going back down.'

Archer turned to Jimmy and put his hand on his shoulder. ‘No we're not, mate. We've done our quota of dives for today. You know we can't do anymore.'

‘But we know where to go.'

‘Exactly. And it will still be there tomorrow night.'

Jimmy was a caged animal, furling and unfurling his fists. ‘Tomorrow
night
! What the fuck? I ain't waitin' that long.'

‘Jimmy. Listen to me. We're not diving any more tonight and we can't dive during the day while there's ferries and all sorts of boats passing along this channel. We'll spend tomorrow chilling out so we can do two dives once the sun goes down. Got it?'

Rosalina loved that Archer was at least thinking straight.

Jimmy threw his hands in the air. ‘You sure know how to ruin a man's party.'

Archer slapped Jimmy's shoulder. ‘Oh, we're still going to party. Right ladies?'

‘Sure are.' Rosalina squeezed his hand.

‘Come on, let's check these babies out.'

At the dining table, Archer spilled the diamonds onto a white dinner plate. They tinkled from the corroded can onto the china, casting radiant colour and light as they reflected the lights of the saloon. The diamonds were all brilliant cut and of similar sizes. Fire blazed from each one, casting hundreds of stars onto the ceiling.

Alessandro counted thirty-one diamonds.

‘I bet there are hundreds more down there.' Jimmy sounded like a proud leader before his hundred-strong army. His fingers, thick as Cuban cigars, twirled the jewels around the plate.

‘I reckon you're right.' Archer clapped his mate on his shoulder, and Rosalina saw the emotion that passed between them. It was moments like these that almost made up for all the horror. Almost.

Archer shuffled the diamonds into a drastically inadequate Tupperware dish. ‘I'll put these in the safe, have a hot shower, and then meet everyone at the bar in ten minutes. Okay?'

‘Roger that.' Jimmy's eyes were trained on the Tupperware, as if reluctant to miss a single second of the spectacle.

‘We'll get the drinks ready.' Ginger and Alessandro scooted towards the stairs.

‘I'll try to call Filippo. Tell him the good news,' Rosalina said.

‘Okay, babe.' Archer draped his arm over her shoulders. ‘Tell him about the diamonds, but don't tell him we're looking for more.'

She frowned up at him. ‘Why?'

‘Because the less he knows, the better. You never know what information Nox is getting out of him.'

As she nodded, she pictured Nox kicking her brother.

‘And don't tell him that we're heading back yet. He doesn't need to know that we're flying there. We'll keep that little surprise up our sleeve.'

She blinked at him, trying to process what he'd said.

He cupped his hand to her chin. ‘It'll take too long to cruise back, so I'll hire a private plane to take us to Italy as soon as possible.'

Her heart skipped a beat. ‘Oh Archer, really?'

‘Sure.' He carried the diamonds like a hard-fought trophy as they walked towards his office. ‘It'll be easier to get the diamonds back with a private plane too.'

‘Thank you.' She managed a quick kiss on his cheek mid-stride. ‘Love you.'

‘Love you, too.' He opened the door and went to the safe. She watched him place the jewels on the top shelf and close the door again. ‘I'll see you upstairs soon.'

‘Okay.' Rosalina picked up the phone and dialled Filippo. The phone eventually rang out and she waited. Moments later, the phone rang from a number she didn't recognise and Nox's voice grounded out a hello. ‘Put Filippo on.'

‘Hello Rosalina.' The sound of his voice was a rasp up her back.

‘Put Filippo on,' she repeated. It was a process she went through with every call.

‘Hi Rosa.' Filippo's weary voice broke her heart open.

‘Hey. How are you going?'

‘I'm okay.'

She knew Filippo was putting on a brave front. Nox was a monster, capable of despicable things. She could vividly imagine what horrors Filippo was experiencing every day. ‘We've found the diamonds,' she said, eager to brighten his day.

His breath hitched. ‘Already. How many?'

‘Thirty-one.

‘Thirty-one! Where'd you find them?'

She told him all about their lucky meeting with the three kids who'd introduced them to Barney. The more she spoke, the more he seemed to rise from the gloom that had gripped him when he'd first answered the phone. She described in detail how they'd worked out Wade's notes and followed the clues to the Ranga Spirit.

By the time she'd finished with Filippo, she was floating on air as she made her way to the galley. Everything would be back to normal very soon.

As laughter drifted down from the sundeck, she transferred the dessert ingredients onto a tray ready to carry up there. The men had already started their little party. Jimmy was in his customary position behind the bar as he and Archer told blow-by-blow descriptions of their dive on the Ranga Spirit.

Rosalina nestled the crepes she'd cooked earlier into a foil wrap and placed them on the corner of the barbeque plate to retain warmth while she prepared the citrus sauce. She added the orange zest and juice to the butter and sugar mix in the pan and set it to simmer. ‘Honey, can I have the Cointreau and brandy please?'

Archer slipped off his bar stool, and when he turned to walk towards her, the lightness in his step was unmistakable. He was still riding the high that was treasure hunting. It was in his bones. He lived for these exact moments of unearthing a slice of history from its hiding place. She herself had felt the thrill of holding something that hadn't felt a human touch in centuries. It occurred to her that having a baby may offer the same elation. The thought tumbled from nowhere, and she quickly cast it aside before it consumed her.

‘So what're we doing tomorrow?' Ginger flicked her ponytail around her hand.

‘I'm going to organise a private charter plane,' Archer said. ‘But other than that, nothing.'

‘We could talk to that crazy Japanese guy.' Ginger shrugged. ‘See if he knows anything.'

‘Because,' Alessandro said, ‘in addition to the diamonds, there were other precious items on the
Awa Maru
yet to be found.'

‘Remember, I speak Japanese,' Ginger chimed in. The two of them bounced the idea between them like a practised debate.

Archer turned to Rosalina and cocked his head, seeking her thoughts. His cheeky grin told her he was already keen on the idea.

Rosalina flicked her hand. ‘Sure, why not?'

It was past ten o'clock when Rosalina leant into Archer's ear. ‘Want to meet me in the bedroom in ten minutes?'

‘Sure.' He squeezed her knee and tried but failed to wipe the smile from his face.

Rosalina stood. ‘Good night, everyone.'

It had been a long time since she'd felt this relaxed. All the tension of the last four weeks had evaporated as soon as she'd told Filippo she was coming home. The relief had been instant. She tugged her hair into a knot on her head and showered quickly. Stepping from the shower, she towel-dried, applied her favourite moisturiser and brushed her teeth. Glancing at the door, she hoped Archer didn't ruin her surprise by entering early.

She opened her bottom drawer, removed a flat box she'd placed in there months ago, tugged on the silver ribbon and cast it aside to lift the lid. The full-length white satin negligee was decorated with sheer lace and studded with dozens of diamantes, a perfect choice after today's success.

She slipped it over her head, relishing the feel of the silky fabric against her skin. Underwear wasn't necessary; she imagined it would be off in a flash anyway. As she adjusted the spaghetti straps on her shoulder, she slipped into silver six-inch heels. Juggling the shoes on the plush carpet, she raced to her dresser and fished out the diamond necklace Archer had bought her for her twenty-seventh birthday. The exquisite piece should be kept in the safe, but she couldn't bear to keep such lovely jewellery locked up. She raised the lid on the red velvet box and sighed at its beauty.

Lifting the necklace from the box, she took a brief moment to admire the unique pear-shaped diamond. She clipped it around her neck and then positioned herself at the end of the bed, ready for Archer's entrance. Rosalina leant back, placing her hand on the duvet cover, crossed her legs and twirled her engagement ring around her finger. As she kicked her stiletto casually back and forward, a wave of pleasure rippled through her.

Everything was perfect.

When Archer opened the door, perfect became a dizzy cloud that consumed her mind and body. His cheeks dimpled as he released a slow whistle and peeled off his clothes as he strode towards her. Desire turned his eyes to fire. She rolled her tongue over her lips as a wave of heat caressed her body, warming everything from her heart to her loins. His fingers were a feather-light touch as he cupped under her chin and raised her face to him. He bent down, and as their lips met, he glided his hand around the back of her neck, teasing her skin to life.

He lowered her left strap and began to trail soft kisses down her neck and over her shoulder. She slipped into another glorious world. The weight of the diamantes had the satin fall off her shoulder to reveal her breast. He lifted the satin negligee up over her head and tossed it onto the pillow, and with his hand behind her neck, Archer eased her back onto the bed and suckled her nipple. The delicate strokes of his tongue were delicious torture.

His hand glided up her thigh, igniting blazes of desire, and she threaded her hands over his back, kneading every defined muscle beneath his skin. He spread her legs open and she relaxed even more, welcoming his touch. She met Archer's eyes and adored the love she saw in them. He slipped his fingers into her, and her vision shifted from his eyes to the stars as she crested one heavenly wave after another.

One second her body quivered to sensory overload, then it imploded in a release of sensitive firecrackers that melted every part of her being. The pleasure was so acute. So hot. So wonderful.

She arched her back so he could taste her. As she clawed at the satin sheets, he made her body sing over and over. She heard a moan and couldn't decide if it was Archer or herself. He lifted her hips and glided into her. She clutched him there and scraped his back as he took her body the brink of the world. The lovely motion of him sliding inside her had another climax shimmering through her like glittering diamonds.

***

Rosalina woke to the sun on her face. Neither of them had thought to close the window shade before they'd drifted off to sleep in each other's arms. Archer was facing her, but his slow and steady breathing confirmed he was still fast asleep. Certain she'd wake him, she chose not to move. Instead, she studied the man she loved.

They'd showered after their love-making last night and the faint smell of his soap lingered. The deep, smoky, earthy aroma was from the handmade soap he'd purchased called Shipwreck Soap. His motivation for buying it was no doubt because of the name rather than the scent. She nearly giggled at the predictability of him. Archer knew what he liked and would often go out of his way to make a purchase.

A sudden wave of heat rose up through her. It was as quick as it was horrible, and in an instant she was on the verge of throwing up. She stumbled from the bed, raced to the bathroom and lifted the lid on the toilet. As she rode a wave of nausea, Archer appeared at her side.

‘Are you okay, babe?'

His warm hands on her shoulder were of little comfort. Her stomach bucked and twisted as she shook her head. She heaved and couldn't rid the contents of her stomach quick enough. Archer stayed with her the whole time. When she had nothing left, she eased back and wanted to curl into a ball. Archer handed her a glass of water, and after a few tentative sips he gathered her into his arms and carried her back to bed. They were both still naked and when he slipped in beside her. The warmth of his skin against hers was the tonic she needed.

Archer glided her hair back from her face, and the worry in his eyes crushed her heart.

She swallowed. Hard. ‘Arch?'

‘Yes, babe? What's wrong?'

‘I'm sorry. But I … I think I'm pregnant.' She blurted it out without any consideration to the timing of it.

He blinked. Several times. His jaw dropped. He failed to deliver words.

Rosalina's breath trapped in her throat. Her heart thundered in her ears, and her already churning stomach summersaulted as she scanned his features, waiting for the moment he spoke.

The jolt that had marred his features turned. Ever so gradually, his face transformed from shock to uncertainty. ‘Are you sure?'

‘No. I'm not sure?' It took all her restraint not to slap him at the idiocy of his question. ‘We're in the middle of the friggin' ocean and the nearest pharmacy is a million miles away. So no, I'm not sure.'

‘Okay, calm down.'

‘Don't tell me to calm down.' She clenched her jaw until her teeth ached.

She read the panic in his eyes. He was a trapped man, and she'd done it to him.

Her chin trembled; tears threatened to burst. She sucked in a huge breath and blurted out, ‘I'm so sorry. It's all my fault.'

Great wracking sobs overwhelmed her and as Archer pulled her to his chest, dread twisted like a knife in her stomach. Her head rolled to the crook of his shoulder and he held her there, smoothing down her hair. ‘Rosa, honey, this is so wonderful.'

She gasped for breath, unsure if she'd heard correctly. Swallowing hard, she forced her brain to clear. ‘What?'

‘You've made me the happiest man in the world.'

She pulled back, wiping her nose and seeking truth in his eyes. What she saw had her heart aching and reminded her why she loved him so much. Archer was capable of showing love. Real, unadulterated love. ‘I … thought you'd be upset.'