by Juanita Kees
Jax shook his head. “There are too many men inside indulging in the spoils of Greece, and the devil is playing bartender. Hades is here. I can smell him. Might explain what happened to Arian’s drink. There was more than ouzo in there. If she hadn’t choked ...” He would have failed his second test in this mission. Arian would be dead and his failure would be complete. It shouldn’t matter. He’d longed for the peace the death of his soul would bring, that’s what he wanted after all. Why, then, did it suddenly feel like taking the easy way out?
***
Arian and Penny elbowed their way through the crowd towards the bar. The festivities were well underway with dancers gyrating to the music, couples pairing off in dark corners and sleazebags hanging out as close as possible to the beer on tap at the bar. Arian slapped away yet another faceless, groping hand. Where was her Greek hero now when she really needed rescuing?
“Two colas, thanks,” she said to the bartender.
“No alcohol? You didn’t like the ouzo?” he asked, taking a moment to smooth back his jet-black, smoothed-back hair.
“Damn near killed me.” Her head still spun and she wondered how much of it her brain had absorbed through her nose. “Just plain cola, thanks.”
He nodded and made a show of spritzing the liquid onto ice, adding a twist of lime and dropping a straw into each glass. “Four euros, please.”
She handed over the cash and picked up a glass in each hand, then turned to find Penny. There she was on the dance floor, a flock of admirers watching her and clapping her on. Penny loved to dance. It was her way of ridding herself of her demons, she said. If only Arian could do the same without inhibition.
Wouldn’t it be great to shake the apprehension, the feeling something really bad was about to happen? Gran had always said she was fey but Arian didn’t believe in magic or psychic powers. She believed in science, facts and figures, and logical conclusions. Though that didn’t explain why, when she was alone, the weight of unhappiness eased back onto her shoulders and the sense of not belonging grew stronger.
With a sigh, Arian turned back to the bar to look for a seat away from the beer on tap and the queue of tipsy males it attracted. Walking as quickly as she could while dodging wandering hands, she found a spot around the corner at the end of the bar. She placed her drinks on the counter and hopped up onto the barstool, turning her back on the dance floor action.
It reminded her far too much of the parties back home. Guys flirting with girls, all looking for a quickie before they moved on somewhere else. Not a single splash of romance in sight despite the venue name — Paradise. Was that what modern relationships were all about — casual sex, one night stands, friends with benefits? Surely not. There had to be more to life than finding the perfect bed partner, no strings attached.
As far as bed partners went, Craig sucked. The sex had never been great or fulfilling. It had always been about Craig’s selfish satisfaction first. Then he’d found someone else. Someone who was happy to take what he gave, no strings attached. A coach’s daughter, happy to be a WAG. They made the perfect for-now couple.
Scowling, she sipped at her coke. Better take it slow. She had no desire to fight her way through the crowd to find a loo.
“Looking a little lonely here in the corner. I’m off duty in about five minutes, until midnight.” The bartender reached for her hand across the counter. “We could go someplace quiet.”
The hairs on the back of her neck raised in warning. She pulled her hand out from under his. “Piss off, I’m not available.”
He chuckled, a sound too forced to be humour. “That’s what you say now. I bet I could change that. I like a girl with a bit of spirit.” He leaned in to whisper against her cheek. “They’re good in bed.”
Arian’s stomach rolled as she sensed the presence of evil. Maybe coming to Mykonos wasn’t such a good idea after all. First the incident on the beach, now this … she couldn’t explain the eeriness or sense of danger she felt in the air. “Which part of fuck off don’t you understand?”
The bartender tightened slender fingers around her wrist, his grip like iron. “No need to be like that now, honey. My pad is warm and filled with wicked delights. You know you want a little … fun.”
She pulled out of his hold. “You’re messing with the wrong girl, buddy. I have to warn you —”
Chairs tumbled over like bowling pins, clanging to the floor as the man was yanked from behind the bar and over the counter. Arian swivelled on her seat to see Jax holding him in the air at arm’s length as the bartender aimed a punch, and missed.
“The lady said no, arsehole.” He let go, pushed hard and the man staggered back.
“Let him go,” Odys bellowed above the music. He pulled Jax back and the man stumbled away. “You can deal with him later. We know what he’s up to.”
Jax nodded and flexed his shoulders. He turned to Arian. “You okay?”
Speechless, she nodded. Her eyes followed the hard lines of his body. Where had all that strength come from? Jax had held off the bartender with one hand, and hadn’t even broken a sweat. He was all power and muscle but the bartender was no weakling either with his lean control. Arian placed a hand on his arm, feeling firm muscles flex beneath her fingers.
“Thank you. I’m okay.” She withdrew her hand and rubbed at her wrist, not that it ached from the bartender’s touch, but her palm sure as hell tingled from touching Jax. From the distant look in his eyes, he was far from impressed at having to rescue her twice in the space of a few minutes. She wondered what he’d be like if he smiled more, relaxed a little.
“May we?” Jax righted the tumbled chairs and placed them on either side of her.
Even as stand-offish as he was, he’d still be far better company than whiskey-breathing bartenders and beer-on-tap sleazebags. She shrugged. “Sure. That’s twice in one night you’ve saved me, thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Only it didn’t sound like it was, she thought.
He raised a hand to attract the replacement bartender’s attention. “Can I buy you a fresh drink?” Arian shook her head. “Two Greek Tigers, please,” he said to the bartender.
“So,” said Odys from her left, “where’s your friend tonight?”
“She’s somewhere on the dance floor.” Arian stiffened her shoulders against the intensity rolling off Jax. Clearly he thought he was doing her a favour by sticking around. She hadn’t asked for — and certainly didn’t need — a reluctant bodyguard. “Maybe I should go and find her. I’m sure she’ll be thirsty now.” Arian made to move off the stool.
“Is that her drink?” Odys waved a hand to the still full glass where the ice had started to melt and raise the level of fluid. “You stay here. I’ll find her and let her know where you are.”
“Umm … okay, thanks.” Arian smiled, thankful she didn’t have to fight her way around the dance floor looking for Penny.
Protection for the night after her run in with the bartender from hell seemed like a good idea. Should she report his behaviour to management? No, why ruin a good holiday? No point making waves. Nothing had happened and she was safe now … if a little awkward in the presence of the man who’d come to her rescue yet again. She turned to Jax and stuck to friendly pub talk. “So, where are you from? You have a slight accent.”
He frowned down at her. “Born in Greece and living in Oakleigh. I am Greek. You?”
His reluctance to talk confused her. Why bother sticking around if he didn’t want to be there? “Fairfield. On holiday with your family? Your little girl is very cute.”
Jax perched on the seat next to her. His arm brushed against hers, sending pleasant tingles along her nerve endings. She folded her arms on the bar counter.
“Ermioni is Helen’s daughter. Odys, Helen and I go a long way back.”
“Ah, childhood friends?”
Jax chuckled thoughtfully and the pleasant tingles spiked to race through her blood. “Something like that. What about you and your friend
?” He rolled his shoulders and settled more comfortably on the chair.
Arian shrugged. Maybe she’d imagined his reluctance. “Penny and I were friends before we could walk. We’re taking a break from reality.”
If only he’d try to make it sound like he cared instead of coming across as making conversation while he waited for his friend to come back. Why did it feel like a stab to the heart? Arian sighed. What did it matter anyway? With the resort island so full of holidaymakers, it was unlikely they’d see each other again after tonight. Just as well, she didn’t need this weird kind of attraction she felt for him because she was not in the market … for sex or anything else.
Penny bounced up to them with Odys in tow. “Wowser, it’s bloody hot on that floor. Hey, Jax, nice to see you again. Odys here told me you got stalked by the guy who tried to kill you with the ouzo, Arian. That sucks. You okay?” She chugged a couple of mouthfuls of her coke and crunched on an ice cube.
Arian smiled. Penny’s energy always left her out of breath. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“Awesome, come on out and dance then. You guys coming?” She looked from Jax to Odys.
For a moment they hesitated, then shrugged. Jax held out his hand to help Arian off her seat. As she placed her hand in his, energy zapped between their palms. She looked up at him to find his blue gaze fixed on her face. He smiled reluctantly — a without-even-trying, heart-stopping, sizzling hot smile that dimpled his cheeks and shaped his very kissable lips. The crackle she’d felt between their palms travelled up to restart her heart before diving down to the place she swore she’d never allow another man near again — at least not for a long time anyway. She crossed her legs.
“Maybe I’ll sit here for a while, hey? You guys go. I’ll be fine.”
“Then I will stay with you,” said Jax, all traces of the beautiful smile gone and replaced by a scowl. “After the incident with the bartender earlier, I would not like you to be alone. There are others like him waiting for their chance to approach you.” To prove his point, he looked towards a group of guys lounging against the wall, eyeing her and Penny off. “As drunk as they are, it could start a fight or you could find yourself in a compromising position no-one should be in. Please, kyria, allow us to be your guides tonight. We might not know each other well, but we have at least done each other a favour today.”
Between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Better the devil you know. Jax raised an eyebrow at her.
She narrowed her eyes. He’d done it again. Read her mind. Now, he cocked his head to the side and held out his hand again. Arrogant perhaps, but he was right. She didn’t like the look in their eyes, nor did she need any more trouble after today, so she placed her palm on his and let him help her down. He kept a hold on her hand until they reached the outer edges of the dance floor, where he turned and held her lightly at the waist.
She barely reached Jax’s shoulder with her high heels on. He towered above her, all broad shoulders and firm chest. Unsure where to put her hands, she stiffened and fixed a stare at the unbuttoned vee of his shirt, her senses on high alert at the smell of his very sexy cologne so close to her nose.
With a sigh, he raised one of her hands to his shoulder and held the other firmly between their bodies. “At least try to look as if you’re enjoying it?”
“I will if you will,” she snapped. “I don’t get why you’re doing this if you don’t want to?”
He stepped onto the floor and she followed. “Who says I don’t want to?”
She treated him to her most scornful look, one that usually made men take a step back or, at the very least, stumble. Jax didn’t even flinch. “Your body language is shouting so loudly the people across the room know you don’t really want to dance with me.”
His arm settled in the small of her back, securing her firmly against him. “Are you usually this easy to get along with?”
The sarcasm in his voice shouldn’t have hurt so much coming from a stranger but it did. Was he right? Was that why everyone she loved had left her — her mother, her brother and finally her father? Even her grandmother had gone. All she had left was Penny. Was that why she’d tried so damn hard to fit into Craig’s world and failed?
She blinked against the sting of tears and concentrated on following his dance steps instead. The man could dance, no doubt about it, and she wouldn’t expect less from a Greek. They were born with natural grace and rhythm. She shouldn’t feel so comfortable in his arms either now that she’d allowed herself to relax a little, especially not when reluctance warred with attraction.
And there was still that niggling doubt in her mind as to why he’d stood by, watching his friend’s little girl drown and not do anything. What man did that? What fear had held him frozen as the waves crashed around him? There’d been no hesitation in his rushing to her rescue tonight.
The crowded dance floor seemed to get smaller as he moved with her in his arms. Heat pooled in places it shouldn’t have. He was so damned sexy it was hard not to be drawn into his warmth, into the welcoming cradle of his hips … Not the best move, Arian thought, as their bodies brushed lightly against each other with each turn.
Two songs later, something between them shifted. What or how, she had no desire to question. She raised her eyes and met his burning gaze. Her doubt and restlessness faded in its wake. His eyes had darkened to the stormy blue you’d find far out to sea, and she felt the razor-sharpness sear her skin. With a little pressure on her back, he drew her closer and held her tighter as the music slowed. He folded her hand against his chest, letting her feel the rapid beat of his heart.
With a sigh, she let her head fall into the curve of his shoulder and closed her eyes. Safe. He felt solid and safe — like coming home — as if she belonged in his arms.
***
Damn it, what was he doing? Jax cursed himself for letting her get so close. He’d felt complete the moment he’d taken her in his arms and felt the sway of her body against his. The glass around his heart had shattered with the warmth of her hand pressed against it and she’d crept past the guard he would wear like armour around his soul if he had one.
She fit so well against him. His arms ached not to gather her too much closer, to keep some distance between them.
For a micro-second, Jax cupped her head in his hand and allowed his lips to whisper against her hair. The sweet-as-honey scent of her shampoo permeated his senses. Then his hand was at her waist again, guiding her gently around the dance floor until he felt the evening breeze at his back.
The cool night air did nothing to calm the feelings that churned inside him. He danced her out the door onto the terrace, his feet moving even though he wanted them to stop, until they reached the low wall overlooking the sea. Powerless except for emotions raging inside him he refused to give name to, he stood with his back against the concrete and held her against his chest.
One night, just one night of dancing … nothing else … and then he would watch her from afar and protect her only as ordered. He’d promised himself never to fall prey to a woman’s wiles again, yet here he stood, unable to resist one more powerful than Athena and so far out of his league, he should not be anywhere except on his knees at her feet.
“We’ve stopped dancing,” she murmured, snuggling closer against the cool breeze off the sea.
“Yes,” he whispered, laying his head against hers.
It no longer mattered how long they stood that way, holding each other. It felt so right … as if he’d been there before. What magic was this? Had the potion Hades slipped in her drink made him feel this euphoria? He had drained all the poison from her system into his and neutralised it with his magic. Could it be some had stayed in his bloodstream to cause this infatuation?
But no, his head had been clear when he’d met with her at the bar, and what he felt now was nothing like the effects of a drug. The power to mess with his head was all Arian’s.
At the back of his conscience, reason tried to weasel its way in. He sho
uld warn her against picking up men in nightclubs. The incident with Hades posing as a bartender was the perfect example of what happened when men hung out in clubs preying on women. He pushed the thought back. What could possibly be wrong with enjoying a little of the romance Paradise Beach offered just for one night?
He felt her shift against him and tuned in to her thoughts. They tumbled around in her mind, a mirror of his, except with a touch of insecurity and betrayal. Out here, with magic in the stars and the sound of the sea soothing his senses, he wanted to erase the turmoil that raged inside her.
***
“You think too much, little one. You carry so much pain inside you.” At the feather-light touch of his forefinger on her chin, she opened her eyes and watched his lips descend on hers. All reasonable thought and doubt fled as he teased her mouth with a kiss, his tongue tracing the seam of her lips until they parted on a sigh. But instead of plundering and taking, Jax took his time testing and tasting until frustration danced with desire.
She crunched his shirt in her fists and pulled him closer. Jax adjusted his stance to fit her snugly between his legs and kissed her like she demanded to be kissed. Hot and hard, the way his body felt against hers. He pressed her against him, core to core and Arian reined in the overpowering need to brush against the hard length of him.
With one last taste of her lips, Jax raised his head a little and smiled. “Ah, Arian,” he whispered. “You are like the nectar of the gods. The special brew Zeus keeps only for himself.”
With a smile, Arian snuggled into him, enjoying the warmth of his body against hers. She snaked her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, giving up trying to analyse the connection she felt to Jax. Somewhere between songs, he’d relaxed. Perhaps it was the music, or the dancing, perhaps it was the full moon or the enchantment of Paradise Beach. Whatever it was, she may as well make the best of it … who knew if or when she’d feel magic like this again?
He made no move to carry on where he’d left off. Instead, he seemed content to hold her, his hands gently stroking out a pattern on her back. What did he want from her? Was he just another sleazebag who pretended not to be interested, then took if it was offered anyway?