Page 51 of Grumpy Boss in Love

Elliot glanced around at the ever-rising water. “Well, we can’t just sit here either. I have to take a look under the hood. If it’s what I think it is, we might as well wade through the water back across the bridge and call Alfred for a lift.”

The puff of air I let out fluttered the tendrils of hair that had escaped my ponytail. “Okay.”

“Stay in here,” he ordered.

Out of habit, I rolled my eyes at the command. My anxiety rose with each swipe I made of the surroundings. Goodness, the water was rising fast. Thankfully, Elliot didn’t live up to the moniker I’d given him. Prince Westwood. He was actually quite hands-on and capable when it came to car trouble, and he hadn’t hesitated to go out in the pouring rain.

I wasn’t such a hardcore feminist that I wasn’t totally attracted to Elliot being an alpha male who knew how to handle business because I sure as hell wouldn’t know what to do if I were alone.

I peeped through the windshield, but it was impossible to see with the force of the downpour. A minute later, Elliot opened his door. He pointed to his phone on the center console. “I’m going to try again, but you might as well call Alfred. Tell him to stay away from the bridge. We’ll have to make it across on foot. I don’t want the old geezer putting himself in danger,” he grumbled as he turned the car in the ignition. “Phone’s unlocked,” he added before he ducked back outside.

I grinned. The Scowlmeister had developed such a soft spot for his old pal Alfred. So sweet. Thankfully, Eleanor answered the phone, and I explained our dilemma. Alfred was already on his way.

Opening the door, I got out. The water pitching from the sky along with the strong wind made me hunch my shoulders. I was immediately drenched. The entire time, I edged around the car toward Elliot, I eyed the river below warily. Pulled over on the road’s edge, I was just a couple of steps away from the dangerous-looking flow and there was no barrier between the road and the river.

Just as I was about to shout to Elliot that Alfred was on his way and we should make our way back toward the private road, my foot slipped. The ground had softened under the water. I flailed, trying to catch my balance, but the dirt broke away completely. With a shriek, I pitched over the road’s edge, rolled down the hill, and plummeted into the water.

19

ELLIOT

“The kiss meant nothing?” I grumbled. “Seriously?”

Slamming the bonnet shut, because there was nothing I could do to fix a flooded engine right now, I schooled my expression. I couldn’t have Ruby knowing how bothered I was that our kiss meant nothing to her.

I really thought we’d had a moment after sharing our vows, which were supposed to be meaningless. However, they had turned out not to be. At first, I’d started talking because we had to keep up our act of being a loving couple. Then I realized that I meant every word I said. I’d developed feelings for Ruby and it was time I stopped denying it.

I had no idea what to do with those emotionsbecause I’d never opened myself up to have them with anyone before. What a mess—developing deeper feelings for my fake wife. A tempestuous gust of wind carried away my worried sigh.

The rain beating down on me had soaked my clothes, and I was getting cold, so I hurried back to my side of the car and yanked the door open. “Hey, did you get Alfred…?” The car was empty. “Ruby?” The rain assaulted my face and water clouded my vision, so I had to squint to look around for her.

She’d really gotten out in this downpour? She made no apologies for being girly. In fact, in one of our amusing back and forths, I’d heard her grumble something about being “A soft, pink, girly girl to the core.”

So,girly girlthat she was, I thought she’d be worried about getting her hair and shoes wet… or whatever women worry about.

“Ruby!” She was nowhere to be seen.

“Elliot!” came a terrified scream from a distance.

My blood ran cold as I followed the sound from the other side of the car to the river. “Jesus,fuck.”

Ruby flailed in the water, going under only to come back up and scream again, “Elliot! I can’t sw—” She disappeared again.

The dread that seized me when she didn’t come back up spurred me into action. Without hesitation, I sprinted around the car and dove into water that was made murkier by the heavy rain. I’d forgotten how panic felt until I couldn’t find Ruby in the flowing water. The most horrific thought hit me when I resurfaced to continue wildly searching for her. She couldn’t swim, and if she was carried away…

“No, no, no…” I panted.

I had to find her. Then I spotted a flash of red in my periphery. It was the red hoodie she’d thrown on before we left the Wilsons. Thank God for her propensity to wear bright colors.

I swam to her as fast as I could, every stroke an agonizing push against the current. It was the first time that I felt an appreciation for being a strong swimmer. As I grabbed a hold of her and pulled her above the surface, my heart pounded, pushing fear through my veins. She wasn’t moving. I swam toward the riverbank with a desperation I'd never known. It felt like an eternity, but eventually, the water grew shallower, and my feet found purchase.

Exhausted from my fight against the current, I stumbled to the riverbank with Ruby in my arms. Still, I had to make my way to higher ground because the water level had risen significantly. Finally, when I felt it was safe enough, I laid her down. Her pale face almost sent me over the edge into panic, but I focused on doing chest compression.

“Come on, Ruby. You can’t do this to me.” As I pumped her chest, I mumbled, “Open your eyes, you beautiful, crazy woman.” That panic I felt earlier was clawing its way to the surface again. It almost robbed me of breath.

When Ruby sputtered and coughed, I felt like a heavy burden lifted off my chest and I could finally breathe easier. “Thank God.”

I finally allowed my raging emotions and weariness to flood me, and I collapsed beside her but maintained my hold on her shuddering frame.

---