Finding Paradise (The Gods of Oakleigh Book 1)

by Juanita Kees

  “Jax,” she whispered against his ear.

  “I swear I never came for more than to apologise ...” His hand traced a fiery trail down her spine, caressed the rounded curve of her hips and lifted her against him. “... but, so help me Zeus, I need you, Arian,” he murmured and nibbled at the soft skin beneath her ear. “I want to feel your skin beneath my touch, adore you with my lips and make you mine. Not to own, but to share our own special Paradise.”

  Arian stretched against him, luxuriating in the feel of his hard body against hers. “Yes.”

  She whimpered as his fingers brushed the firmness of her breasts, begging for his touch. Then his hands were under her bottom, lifting her up as he moved away from the railing and into the room. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her fingers already busy at the buttons of his shirt. He lowered her to the bed and shrugged it off.

  Arian admired him through a haze of desire. Warm bronzed skin stretched across the expanse of his chest, firm and oh so touchable. He closed the gap between them. Propped up on his elbows, he lay over her, stroking the hair away from her face. “Your hair is like spun gold mixed with a touch of sunset.” Jax lifted the strands and let them fall through his fingers. “Your skin is like silk.”

  Each word stroked across her skin as he left a trail of kisses down her neck. Strong fingers moved to the ties of her bikini top. While he worked the bow free, she explored the contours of his chest with her fingertips. She smiled, insanely aroused at the sharp intake of breath as her nail traced the line of hair that arrowed south, stopping at the waistband of his shorts.

  “Touch me, Arian. Make me yours.”

  Her top disappeared and his hands cupped her breasts lovingly. He pressed a kiss into the gentle valley between them. Nimble fingers tweaked and tortured her nipples until she surged against him.

  Arian’s fingers fumbled at the button of his shorts, weak with the need to do as he asked, as eager as he was to explore. The button snapped free and she drew the zipper down. Cupping her hand around him, she stroked from base to tip with a feather-light touch that had him pressing into her palm.

  With a sigh that whispered across her lips, he touched his mouth to hers. His fingers trailed to her waist, caressing each curve until her nerve endings came alive to the sheer magic of his touch.

  “There are things I cannot tell you yet,” he said, his voice soft and soothing. “But I can show you some of it. Will you come with me, Arian?”

  Arian’s head spun with the sensations his fingertips created on her skin. She pushed his shorts down, caressing the curves of his hips, stroking the firm muscles of his buttocks. “Yes.”

  He kissed her then, a long, lingering kiss that began with the rub of his lips against hers. His tongue teased the seam until he parted it, dipping inside to stroke and curl around hers, angling his head to deepen the touch, drawing every ounce of her soul up and out, leaving Arian floating on a cloud of sensation.

  Her hands stroked the corded muscles of his back, felt the rise and fall of his shoulders as his hands explored her body. She squirmed as his fingers found what they were looking for and whimpered as he dipped between the moist folds. Pleasure streaked through her at each light, teasing touch.

  He eased off her bikini bottom and Arian sighed as the final barrier between them disappeared. His mouth left hers to follow a trail over her chin, down her throat, between her breasts, stopping for a brief moment further down so his tongue could dip into her navel, before continuing on its way to the ultimate destination.

  Arian bit down on her lip to stem the scream that rose in her throat as his tongue stroked the wetness between her thighs and his teeth grazed her sensitised nub. She closed her eyes, captivated by the feel of his warm skin against her thighs and the brush of his lips against the folds of her womanhood.

  Blindly, she sought his head with her hands, entwining her fingers in his thick mane of hair, massaging his scalp in time with each stroke of his tongue. Lights flashed behind her eyelids as she felt the first vibrations of an orgasm shudder through her. “Jax,” she cried out.

  Jax lifted his head and made his way back up over her stomach, her skin alive with sensation. “Ahh, Arian,” he sighed, “you taste like temptation.”

  Arian was beyond words as she untangled her hands from his hair to stroke down the back of his neck. He moved up over her, lowering his body until his skin, glistening with his own passion, touched hers. The graze of his chest against her hardened nipples almost sent her spiralling again.

  “Hold on for me, my love,” Jax whispered, as he bent his head to draw a pale pink bud into his mouth.

  She heard the unmistakable rustle of a foil packet that kept his hands away from her body. Releasing her nipple, he straightened away from her. Arian opened her eyes to watch as Jax rose on his knees, looking every bit like a descendant of the gods with his desire-darkened eyes, moist lips and proud manhood. She admired the skill and ease with which he sheathed himself, her heart skipping a beat at the size of him.

  He caught her watching and smiled. “Are you ready, my Faerie Queen?”

  Arian had no words left. Instead she nodded and chewed her lip. He leaned forward and ran his thumb across her mouth. Eyes on his, she nibbled at the pad and thrilled in the sharp intake of breath and darkening of his eyes. Excitement raced through her at the intensity she saw there. The time for foreplay was over. She reached out to stroke the skin of his muscular thighs, up over the firm hips to his waist.

  He shuddered and lowered himself over her. “Look at me, agape mou. I want to see your face, your eyes.” He pressed against her, his caress warm and tender. “Let me love you the way you should be loved.” With a gentle nudge, he entered her.

  Arian squeezed her eyes shut at the rush of pleasure, the fullness of him inside her, and gave a brief thought to how right it felt before she gripped his thighs and urged him on. She opened her eyes. Still he held on, the effort it cost him evident in the sweat beading on his forehead. She raised a hand to stroke his face and squeezed her muscles around the length of him.

  His breath hitched and she swore she heard his heart pounding out a tattoo. He retreated against the gentle pull of her muscles and when she released them, he slipped back in, only to repeat the process until Arian’s nails dug into the cheeks of his buttocks and he couldn’t hold the pace any longer. Arian had no complaints. He’d teased her for long enough. She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him with all the ferocity of a lioness on the hunt.

  Together they rode the waves, the rise and fall of the climax, until Arian thought she’d die from the pleasure. As each fought and lost the desire for control, Arian cupped his cheek in her palm, stared deeply into his eyes and, with one final thrust, he gave her the promised glimpse of Paradise, a world so beautiful and filled with such wondrous sensations, she cried out at the wonder of it.

  Arian sighed as she floated feather-light to Earth. Jax had left her briefly to use the bathroom, but he’d returned to take her in his arms and hold her against his side, stroking the skin on her arm where it lay across his firm stomach. Occasionally, she felt the loving reverence of his lips against her hair. He seemed simply content to hold her. No reaching for the television remote or leaving the bed for a beer. Arian pressed a kiss into his collarbone and settled more comfortably against him, her leg across his. She stroked her foot against his calf.

  “What are you thinking?”

  His chest rose and sank with a sigh under her ear. “About you, agape mou, and how lucky I am to have found you at last.”

  Arian smiled. “Oh, I think I’m the lucky one.” She stretched against him with luxurious satisfaction.

  He chuckled, the sound vibrating through her and stirring her body into desire again. That chuckle should be X-rated, she thought. Damned if Jax shouldn’t come with a health warning because she thought she’d died in his arms. She’d never considered sex an adventure … until now.

  “Want to hear the end of that story we started in th
e cove today? Then we should rescue Penny from Odys.”

  What she really wanted was to feel his hands on her again, loving her, taking her back to the Utopia she’d seen at the height of their passion, when she’d felt him pulsing inside her and wished there was nothing to stop his lifeblood from fusing with hers. In one tender moment, he’d fulfilled all of Arian’s dreams and left her wanting more. But she’d settle for a story for now, if only to hear his voice and feel the rumble of it beneath her ear.

  “I have a feeling she might not want to be rescued. Does the story have a happy ending?”

  “I hope so, my love.” He wriggled down until they were face to face. Lying with their heads close on the pillow and their hands clasped between them, Jax began his tale.

  “After his death, Zeus exiled Ajax’s soul to an island where he lived in Purgatory, the price he paid for dishonour. Taking his own life was cowardice in Zeus’ mind. For centuries, Ajax wandered in search of a way to redeem his honour and prove to Zeus he was worthy of a second chance.” He tucked stray wisps of Arian’s hair behind her ear and pressed a kiss on her nose. “But it wasn’t that simple. Zeus was adamant Ajax learn his lesson.”

  “What was the lesson he needed to learn?” Arian whispered into the space between them.

  His eyes held hers and again she saw the sadness in them. “That life and love are far more important than wealth and possessions. The Shield of Achilles was more than mere magical protection in war, it represented strength of character and could only be won by the god strong enough to love unconditionally.”

  Arian shifted, closing the gap between them. “What happened then?”

  “Zeus decided it was time for Ajax to return to life to find the answers. He would have to fight a battle for something far more precious than the shield.”

  Arian propped herself up on one elbow and watched his face, waiting for him to continue. This was more than a mythical tale to him, she realised. This was a passion that ran deep in his heart, more than taking pride in his Greek heritage. “Now I’m really intrigued. What could possibly be more valuable than the Shield of Achilles?”

  He pulled her down on top of him, aligning her body with his, tucked her head under his chin and wrapped his arms around her tightly. “Ajax had to find The One who completed him as a man, the woman who would restore his belief in mankind, someone who believed in him enough to stop him from giving up on true happiness. You see, Zeus could give Ajax life, but only The One could give him back his heart and soul.”

  Arian pressed a kiss into his neck and sat up, straddling him. “That’s beautiful, Jax. Did he find her … The One?”

  His body stirred to life beneath her and she had no strength left to resist the urge to encourage his passion. She looked at his beautiful, sculptured face before she raised his hands to press her breasts into his palms. Each stroke of his thumbs across the flesh sent sparks of desire through her. Dampness grew between her thighs and she moved against the growing length beneath her.

  His hands travelled down her skin, leaving a trail of excitement in their wake, until they settled at her hips. Eyes on his and a smile on her face, Arian reached between their bodies to guide him inside her. She paused for a moment, clenched her muscles around him and enjoyed the look of satisfaction on his face. With slow movements, she began to ride him with a rhythm he matched stroke for stroke. Arian gloried in the feel of him, the width and the length that completed her in a way that convinced her they were more than bed mates.

  For a while there were no more words except for the murmured whispers of lovers and the united cry of fulfilment. Sated, Arian fell on Jax’s chest, her breath coming in satisfied gasps. She felt the press of his lips to her temple as he whispered, “Yes, agape mou, only she found him and now he has to fight the battle to keep her.”

  ***

  Words were stupid things. Jax threw his arm up across his eyes and tried to block out the voice in his head that called him a liar. When he’d knocked at Arian’s door, sex was the last thing on his mind. He’d planned to apologise … again … and weasel his way back into an easy friendship where he could do Zeus’ bidding, serve and protect as instructed by Helen.

  Then she’d opened the door looking so damned beautiful, fragile and hurt that it knocked him flat on his arse, and all he’d wanted to do was hold her and tell her the whole goddamn story of his miserable existence so she’d understand. But love didn’t exist. Lust, yes, but not the happy-ever-after stuff. Zeus himself was a prime example that a man could no more stay faithful than a woman could. Hadn’t Athena proved that one to be true, claiming to be madly in love with Odysseus yet flirting with Ajax at the same time?

  He listened to Arian’s breathing and felt the soft rise and fall of her breasts against him. Damned if it didn’t feel like she belonged there, at his side, in his arms. What magic had she weaved around him? Was this another one of Athena’s tricks? Another hallucination to drive him insane? He’d likely wake up on the beach somewhere with an armful of seaweed or some other cruel trick Athena would come up with.

  No, this was worse than being baited by the toxic goddess. This reeked of one of Zeus’ tests. One he’d failed by sleeping with the very woman he was meant to watch over. And didn’t that make him a right bastard. This couldn’t happen again, even though the fulfilment — the wholeness — was nothing like he’d ever experienced before. It was a big mistake and the only person to blame for this was himself, a mistake that could not only cost him his soul, but his heart and trust too. No, he needed to forget this magical coming together and concentrate on the true task, because he could not fail again.

  Chapter Five

  “It’s about time the two of you showed up,” Odys said later when Jax and Arian found them in the bar. “Penny’s chewed my ear off and emptied my wallet on cocktails.” He winced as Penny punched his shoulder.

  “Someone had to free the moths, since you don’t open it very often,” she retorted. “You okay, Arian?”

  “All good, Penny,” she said, smiling up at Jax when he squeezed her hand.

  Jax wished he could say the same. He felt … a complete lying, double-dealing jackass. When Zeus had said he’d find the Faerie Queen on Paradise Beach, he’d doubted the great god’s sanity. A part of him wished she looked more like one of the hard-faced shrews Hades kept around his palace. That way he could remain immune to skin like silky peaches, hair spun with the golden glow of a sunset and eyes the colour of the grass on Mount Olympus.

  The challenge was set. He would damn well keep her close until Zeus got his shit together. Then he’d leave and forget she ever existed with his heart and mind intact. He helped her up onto a bar stool and stood close as she chatted to Penny.

  The exotic floral scent of her body wash tantalised his senses, bringing back the memory of her in the shower, the skin of her back cool against his chest as he’d lathered the liquid soap over every dip and curve, teased the peaks of her nipples and delighted in the clenching of her abdomen as he followed the trail that led to the place he wanted to enjoy most.

  “Jax, for gods’ sakes man, leave the women to their chatter and come over here.” Odys glared at him from next to the jukebox.

  Jax glared back. Back off, Odys.

  You back off, Ajax, before you set the goddam bar alight.

  Startled, Jax looked down at the hand he’d rested on the bar counter next to his beer. The wood beneath his palm glowed red. Quickly, he curled his fingers into his palm and shoved his hands in his pockets. He moved across the room to stand next to Odys. “Thanks for the heads up.”

  “Horny bastard,” Odys said. “I sat here on tenterhooks waiting for the hotel fire alarms to go off while you two were up in the room. I’m pleased you were able to control your passion.”

  “I’ve learnt a few tricks since being in exile, Odysseus. A few thousand years is time enough to master the art of controlling the sparks.”

  “You weren’t doing so well a moment ago. I’d stick close to wa
ter next time — perhaps keep to the shower, huh?” Odys grinned.

  “Stay out of my thoughts, you dirty sonofabitch, and you won’t get jealous.”

  This time Odys’ laugh shook the walls. “Jealous? Not a chance. I had the lovely Penny to entertain me, although I might have to find an effective way to silence those sweet lips. She asked way too many questions thanks to her internet studies. It was pretty damn difficult to answer them without letting on we really were at the Battle of Troy.”

  “Yes, the more they become part of our lives, the harder it will become to hide the truth. How will we know when the time is right?”

  Odys shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe we can talk to Helen. She’s the one with direct access to the big man.”

  “Tomorrow we’ll ask her. Is she joining us for dinner tonight?”

  “Nah, she said she needs her beauty sleep. She seems to think she’s going to need her full store of strength and patience in the near future.”

  Jax grinned. “We do test her patience, don’t we?”

  “That we do. Here come the girls now, let’s have a bite to eat. Entertaining Penny is bloody hard work and I’m hungry.”

  “You always said you were looking for a woman who challenged you, Odys. I think you may have found her.” Jax slapped his shoulder and they moved to meet the girls halfway. “Who’s up for a picnic on the beach?”

  “Ugh, haven’t we had enough sand in our diet?” Penny grumbled.

  “Oh come on, Penny, where’s your sense of adventure? The moon is bright, the sea is calm and it’s a lovely evening. We’re only here for another few days before we have to go back to reality. Let’s live a little. Besides, surely pure Greek sand is better than ingesting the exhaust fumes over Melbourne?” Arian slipped her arm through Penny’s.

  Jax’s heart stopped beating. Oh bloody hell, that meant they’d be back on a darn plane again. Hades had the habit of ditching planes in the sea. If he knew who Arian was and that she’d be on the plane to Melbourne, he’d be suited up and flashing his pilot’s license before they could saddle the harpies.