Finding Paradise (The Gods of Oakleigh Book 1) Read online

  Ajax doubted it. If he had, then why did he feel so goddamn worthless? “Zeus, how will I find her?” he called out to Zeus’ retreating back.

  Zeus waved his hand in the air, but didn’t look around. “Don’t worry, she’ll find you.”

  ***

  Paradise Beach, Mykonos

  “It’s not that there’s anything wrong with men, Penny,” Arian Kendrick told her best friend as they sipped cocktails under an umbrella on the stretch of white sand. “I want more from a relationship than football and meat pies on a Saturday. I want to be loved, respected and treated as an equal partner, not a door prize.”

  “The football world adored you.” Her friend sighed.

  Arian laughed, the sound dry in her throat. “No, they didn’t. They adored the person they saw at red carpet presentations in designer gowns and torturous heels, reporters aiming their cameras at necklines waiting for boobs to fall out of stick-on bras and make the evening news.”

  And when exactly that had happened, hadn’t she suffered the humiliation for months? Belittled by fashionistas, ridiculed by the WAGs and stalked by the press, they’d whittled away at her confidence and destroyed her pride. Suddenly she had the most famous nipples worldwide for all the wrong reasons, and the disgrace was all her own.

  Penny snorted. “Not your fault. You know it was Merlene and her band of merry bitches that instigated your wardrobe fail. Payback because she wanted Craig and he only had eyes for you.”

  “Well, she got him. It worked. Hope she’s happy.”

  The coach’s daughter always got what she wanted, and she could have Craig McMahon. Arian was done being latched onto the arm of a man who’d rather be kicking a ball around and sleeping his way to success than take a relationship seriously.

  She’d never been part of Merlene’s snooty purple circle, nor did she aspire to be. Thankfully not all the WAGS had been that vicious and she had made friends — like Penny.

  “Someday, Penny, I’m going to meet a man who appreciates me for who I am. A man who is proud of my career, respects me as a businesswoman and doesn’t need a trophy wife but a life partner.”

  Her pride still throbbed from the digs the press had made. That surely she wasn’t smart enough to be a geographical surveyor, and she really should settle down into a housewife-gym routine if she was serious about Craig McMahon and supporting his career.

  Arian sat back and took a long slug of her Fluffy Duck cocktail while Penny pondered on her words.

  For two years, she’d played down her passion for her own career to take on the glittery role of the footballer’s girlfriend because she’d truly believed she loved him, that he could fill that empty space in her heart and be The One for her.

  Yet throughout the duration of their relationship, the feeling of not belonging had dogged her. Deep in her heart she’d known she was too grounded to walk the red carpet and grace the football stadium’s VIP boxes forever.

  Annoyed and frustrated by the hollowness of their relationship, and realising the only one he would ever truly love was himself, she’d left the great Craig McMahon, Melbourne’s favourite football son.

  But it wasn’t just Craig’s world where she didn’t feel comfortable any longer. Ever since Gran died, she’d felt she didn’t belong anywhere, like a soul lost in the universe waiting to be given direction.

  “Mmm, good men like that are harder to uncover than vestal virgins,” mused Penny. “You’ll need to kiss a lot of frogs first.”

  Arian smiled. “I think I’ve kissed my last footballer, that’s for sure. I don’t have the patience for all the politics and bitchiness behind the scenes in the football world.”

  “Yep, ‘all that glitters is not gold’ and all that crap,” Penny agreed. “So you don’t want another football star and you’re not looking for a run-of-the-mill Aussie bloke either ... you do know they rate third in the world in penis size, right?”

  Arian choked on a mouthful of liquid. “Jesus, Penny, where do you find these jewels of information?”

  Penny shrugged. “It’s amazing what you can find out online. Just because my Simon and your Craig turned out to be dickheads, doesn’t mean all guys are like that.”

  Arian tipped her sunglasses up to study the rapidly disappearing, thick yellow liquid in her glass. “He didn’t start out as one. There was a time when he was a nice guy. Pity his ego grew too big in the end.”

  “Oh well, at least he was good in bed, right? And he had a bloody nice arse — all tight and toned. Be honest, you knew the relationship wouldn’t last. Too many groupies following him around, wheedling their way into his hotel room. While we’re on the subject of lads and layabouts, who would you consider your ideal man?”

  “I don’t know … maybe someone who is kind, romantic and adventurous. Someone who will be there for me, pick me up when I’m down, celebrate my achievements with me. A man who doesn’t mind cuddling after sex instead of flipping over and turning the telly on. Someone who appreciates I have a brain in my head and not a pinch of silicone anywhere. And I lied about Craig being good in bed. He was a lousy, selfish lover who ran on adrenaline and very little else.”

  No matter how hard she’d tried, nothing could reignite the flame between them, not when Craig had already moved on. Now she had to do the same. Was it so wrong to want a relationship that wasn’t one-sided? Was it asking for miracles that she find a life partner who shared the same passion she did, that the chemistry between them would strengthen, develop, and evolve into something deeper and eternal?

  Arian waved a hand across her knees at the brilliant blue sea in front of their sun-loungers. “Greece is meant to be the land of the gods, right? Where are the men of honour, the warriors of the past? Those mythical beings that craved adventure and enjoyed a good fight, yet they knew how to love a woman.”

  “That’s why they’re myths, hon. They never existed. And don’t believe all that crap Craig and the media put into your head. You’re a lovely, kind-hearted, clever girl and a great friend. That arsehole wouldn’t know a good thing if it hit him in the back of the head.” Penny studied the horizon. “Speaking of Greek gods and myths, check it out ...”

  Arian dragged her gaze from her glass and dropped her sunglasses back down on her nose. Following the direction of Penny’s nod, she watched a man rise from the roll of waves slapping against the sand. Even from up the beach, she could tell he was tall. He dwarfed the swimmers around him, turned heads as he loped up the beach on long, strong, shapely legs. Hair dark and sleeked back with water, he was undeniably sexy with his rich bronze skin and ripped physique. She could easily imagine him as a Greek warrior, with and without his chitoniskos.

  A spark of attraction caught her off guard as it bounced off her heart and knotted in her stomach. There was something about him … something oddly familiar … as if she knew him or should know him. Impossible, he was very definitely Mediterranean heritage and this was her first trip anywhere near the islands. She shook off the deja vu.

  “Married,” she said, waving a hand at where he sprinted up the sand to swoop a giggling little girl onto his hip and slip an arm around an equally gorgeous woman in what barely passed as a bikini.

  “Maybe not. She could be his sister.” Penny scanned the horizon again. “Ah well, I’m sure the right one is out there somewhere. He’ll come along when the time is right.”

  “I guess.” Arian watched as the god from the sea sat down on the sand and began building a sandcastle, much to the delight of the little girl who promptly stamped a chubby foot on the north-side wall. He tickled her toes and chased after her as she ran away up the beach towards them.

  “Incoming,” warned Penny, and Arian barely had a moment to snatch her drink out of the way.

  The little girl skidded to a halt beside her and popped her thumb in her mouth. “Kalispera,” she said with a lisp.

  “Hi there,” responded Arian as she propped herself up on her elbows.

  “O theios mou ...” She looked lik
e a little doll with big blue eyes and blonde curls as she waved a plump little arm towards the man-god coming up the beach, his pace slower now.

  “Is that your daddy?” Arian asked.

  “I think theios means uncle. Either way, we’re about to find out,” Penny responded, watching the man head towards them. She blew out a breath on a whistle. “Holy hotness, Arian ...” Penny’s whisper tapered off as a shadow loomed over them.

  If Arian thought he was sexy rising from the sea, he was goddamn chilli-hot up close. Eyes as blue as the sea behind him, hair curling comfortably at his nape and a body that cried out for caressing, the title Man-god did not do him justice.

  “Sygnomi, kyria.” His voice swept down her spine and enveloped her like a dark velvet shroud, making her toes curl and her body tingle with pleasure.

  “Hi,” Arian breathed, ignoring Penny’s snort.

  Blue eyes burned into hers, turning the tingle into a delicious shiver. Arian tipped her sunglasses up on her head and dismissed his gaze. No way would she fall for a pair of sexy eyes again. The last pair she’d fallen in love with had hidden a mean, selfish personality.

  Entranced despite her determination to ignore him, she watched his large, long-fingered hand stroke the soft brown beard across his jawline. Yes, no matter how sexy he was — even with a beard — she so was not interested. At least, not until he proved he was capable of holding a conversation without inviting her to warm his bed like Craig had. Craig had believed he could achieve world peace just by having sex.

  Since Man-god was here in all his glory though, she might as well enjoy the view. He dropped his hand to his side, and she allowed her gaze to follow it to where she was forced to appreciate the snug fit of the bathers clinging to his hips. Dear Lord. Her eyes snapped back to his. Damned if Penny’s theory about long fingers and big hands wasn’t true … if she cared, which she didn’t, so it didn’t matter.

  His raised eyebrow and cold look challenged her. Heat that had nothing to do with the sun flushed her face. She swallowed her embarrassment. So she’d looked … so what? If he didn’t want to be ogled he should have worn board shorts that would have concealed his attributes instead of showing them off.

  Eyes still fixed on hers, he held out a hand to the little girl. “Ela, Ermioni.” With a mock salute, he turned and walked away.

  For a moment, the girls admired the rear view as he swung the little girl into his arms and walked back towards the water. Penny licked her thumb, pressed it against her shoulder and made a hissing sound.

  “Phwoar, that man is H.O.T.” She tipped her glass in a toast to the threesome who now sat on the sand with the little girl playing at their feet.

  “Well … hell,” said Arian, a little miffed at the look of scorn he’d given her before he’d walked away.

  He’d made her feel like a tart and she was damn sure he’d felt like a piece of meat, the way she’d eyed him off. Sure, that had been her intention at first, but then she’d seen that flicker of hurt and betrayal in his eyes. It intrigued and confused her. Most men — especially those with honed bodies like his — preened as they paraded the beach when admired by women. Man-god had looked disgusted, even a little uncomfortable.

  Looking down the beach from her sun lounger, Arian studied the tableau the family set. The couple sat close together, their heads almost touching as they shared a secret, so engrossed in each other they didn’t see the little girl get up and wander towards the water. Arian watched as she paddled happily in the shallows with the waves lapping at her little ankles.

  She envied the family their bond, their happiness and their beautiful child. Craig had never wanted kids, another reason she’d known in the end he wasn’t the man for her. If she ever found the man of her dreams, he would adore his children, be a good father and a loving, attentive husband, just like the man on the beach. All the things she hadn’t had with Craig.

  The little girl bent down to cup water in her palms then threw her arms wide, giggling as the water splashed through her fingers. Arian’s smile turned to horror as a freak wave curled fast and furiously across the sea towards the shore, gathering speed until it swept the little girl up onto the crest and swallowed her as it tumbled and broke.

  Arian didn’t think twice as she screamed, “Hey, look out.”

  She ran past the stunned couple who’d rushed to their feet, and didn’t stop until she was waist high in the water. She searched around her and saw nothing. Taking a deep breath, she plunged below the surface, saltwater stinging her eyes as she peered into the depths. The water, so clear and blue from the beach, was dark and murky here, making it difficult to see.

  Her heart pounded in her chest and an ache formed in her throat. Where was the little girl? What if she was too late? Like she’d been too late for … no, she would not think of that now. This was another time, another life at risk and she’d be damned if she’d let the sea take another victim.

  She rose to the surface to take a gasp of air. Man-god was in the water now too. What the hell was the matter with him? He just stood there, frozen as the sea ebbed and flowed around him. Why wasn’t he diving, looking for his little girl? She wanted to shout at him to help her, but the words caught in her throat. Every minute wasted meant a step closer to death for the little girl. Fear and urgency mingled in her chest. Never again did she want to see the bloated, blue-lipped appearance of a drowning victim, especially not another child.

  Shrugging off the feeling of impending doom, Arian dived again, deeper this time. Seaweed floated in the current like dark eerie hands reaching out, touching and capturing creatures of the sea. Agitation clawed at her stomach as she swam towards the rocks resting on the seabed. She had no idea where she was or how far from shore she’d swum. All she knew was a desperate need to find the little girl before it was too late.

  Something black loomed before her, baring its teeth. Evil vibrated off the pitch-black shadow. Her lungs screamed for oxygen as she struggled not to open her mouth and cry out. Clutched in the monster’s grip was the little girl, her body limp. Ghoulish red eyes peered at her through the murky water, but Arian focused on the precious bundle in its hold. Her vision darkened and eerie voices echoed in her head. Hatred pulled at her heart, but she refused to let it in. She pushed away the thoughts and feelings, and silently chanted the version of St Patrick’s Prayer her grandmother had taught her when she’d been younger and afraid of the dark.

  I bind unto myself today

  The virtues of the starlit heavens,

  The glorious sun's life-giving ray,

  The whiteness of the moon at even,

  The flashing of the lightning free,

  The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

  The stable earth, the deep salt sea,

  Around the old eternal rocks,

  So may it be.

  With a roar of pain, the looming black shadow retreated, hands clutching its head, and the little girl floated free. Arian reached for her, clasped her to her chest and kicked up towards the surface.

  Strong hands reached for her as she broke through, gasping for air. Ignoring the grasp of support and kicking to stay afloat, she turned the little girl on her back and rested the curly head against her. Desperately, she breathed long breaths into the mouth that not so long ago had smiled and laughed on the shore.

  Arian felt herself dragged back against the man’s chest, his arms supported her and she thanked the gods he was strong enough to drag them both ashore. In the shallows, she found her footing and despite the burning in her lungs, continued to breathe life into the little girl.

  Reaching the sand, she sank to her knees and lay the girl down to begin CPR.

  “Kyria, let me help with Ermioni,” he said, as Arian alternated between palpitating the tiny heart with two fingers and breathing past the blue lips into Ermioni’s mouth.

  Ermioni, what a beautiful name, she thought, and let him take over the breathing. Her heart ached, her head pounded and her muscles screamed, but she co
uldn’t give up. She murmured the same blessing over and over in her mind until, with a sharp cough, the girl vomited water.

  “Thank you, thank you,” she whispered, tears stinging her eyes as she rolled the little girl into recovery position and stroked her curly head.

  As soon as Ermioni stopped retching and breathed freely again, her mother swept her up in her arms, crying her name over and over. Man-god placed a hand on Arian’s shoulder. She shook it off. She wanted to shout at him, scream for an answer as to why he’d just stood there while his little girl was drowning, just as her father had when Timmy … The little girl was crying now, she was alive. That’s all that mattered. There could be a million reasons for his actions and none of them were her business. She shook off her anger at him as he spoke.

  “Sas efcharisto, kyria. Without you, my niece would be gone. I am in your debt.”

  Arian shook her head then regretted the movement as pain pounded her skull. “She’s safe. She’s okay.”

  That the little girl had lived was thanks enough, but what the hell was that down there? What had she seen? Those red eyes filled with evil haunted her mind. Who would believe her if she told them?

  ***

  Ajax ruffled little Ermioni’s fair curls, then turned back to the woman who’d rescued her. “Are you alright?”

  One didn’t spend some two thousand years avoiding the likes of Hades and not get to know his smell, his presence. He’d felt that evil in the swell and hadn’t even tried to fight against it. The force with which Hades had held him back had left him weak and dizzy. How had this woman survived? Hades was merciless and she a mere human, yet he’d let her and Ermioni live. At least for now, he reminded himself. What was the damn devil trying to prove?