Elemental Fear Read Online Free PDF Page A

profanities at him, changing to pleading when I knew he wasn’t stopping. He didn’t. Instead, he walked straight into the sea and dropped me. I landed unladylike with a big splash in the water.
    He stood , laughing at me, bending over and gripping his ribs. I couldn’t help but laugh back, but as I did, I jumped to my feet and grabbed him by the neck, pulling him down with me. We splashed down into the water laughing. He was flat against me, laid on top of me. I remember staring at each other for a long time as our laughs melted away. He brushed my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear –
    “Eve ?” Dominic’s voice broke into my daydream. My cheeks instantly reddened and he smiled.
    “Sorry ,” I replied.
    “Come on, I ’m ravenous. I need food,” he said. And gripped his stomach in mock pain.
    “I’m fine, you go. I’m not hungry ,” I lied.
    He let out a long and loud sigh and walked towards me. “Seriously , Eve, I am not putting up with this crap from you today.” Although he sounded harsh there was humour in his expression, and I couldn’t help but steal a little smile. I remained seated.
    “Right, I’ll bloody carry you , then.” He stepped towards me, and I immediately jumped to my feet. “Okay, okay. I’m coming.” Panic ripped through my voice, but I laughed at his victorious smile.
    Dominic stopped in his tracks and tried suppressing a smile, but it developed into a throaty laugh.
    He looked so free when he laughed, and not to mention extremely handsome. I looked to the floor trying to hide my shy smile.
     
    *****
    We sat down in a small patisserie across the street from the office building, chatting about his mother, with a familiarity between faithful friends. He ordered a coffee and I had a hot chocolate. He claimed that since he hadn’t seen me over the weekend it was his treat. The smells and aromas of the food being prepared made my stomach audibly call out its hunger and longing for food. Then the moment came when his ritual started. He cupped his mug in his large masculine hands, brought it to just below his nose...
    His mobile rang , breaking through the perfect moment like a jagged knife. He pulled it out of his pocket, looked at the screen and let out a loud, exhausted sigh. “Excuse me,” he said in a huff.
    “Hi , Van...” He paused, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose; he’d clearly been interrupted on the other end. “I haven’t been ignoring your calls, I have been busy.” He looked down at me. “I’m in a meeting right now, if you must know, with someone very important who does not like to be kept waiting.”
    I looked up at him shocked. I didn’t like the lie , and my expression said so, because clearly he caught the look and turned away from me.
    “My secretary is out to lunch and...yes , Eve’s in today. Okay, maybe she didn’t answer because she is also busy.” He sighed again.
    I winced at my name being mentioned ? Why was my name being mentioned?
    “Oh , for goodness sake, Vanessa, I am not being an arse. I. Am. Working!” His voice became more agitated. “No, I have not mentioned it to her yet....no...yes, we do, but...no....yes...” He growled.
    Literally growled .
    I tried to remain still and unaffected by the phone call , but the noise he made and his clear agitation somehow amused me. Dominic always seemed so controlled and unaffected by any situation, it was amusing to see this woman clearly break down his defenses. I snorted a laugh. I tried to hide it by looking at the floor and putting the scalding chocolate to my mouth, but my lips would not co-operate in hiding the smile.
    Dominic turned to look at me . His eyes pierced me with a glacial stare. Then he shook his head, and the dimple in his cheek creased slightly, and I knew he was suppressing a smile.
    “No...uh-huh...no....I haven’t.. .” He was beginning to sound like a scratched CD. “Vanessa, I am not talking about this on the phone, you are making me