Page 5 of A Goddess Unraveled (Olympus Rising)

It hadn’t been the waitstaff who’d dropped the champagne flute, but they were the ones cleaning it up as Lexi’s godfather blew across the room like an angry storm cloud.

“What’s going on here? Why does Lexi look flushed?”

“I’m fine, Uncle Z,” she said as she took a seat on the couch. “It’s been a long day and fatigue is setting in, that’s all. Can someone get me a glass of white wine?”

“I’d be happy to do that.” Luke trotted off, leaving Lexi to deal with her godfather. She knew her face was flushed. It felt flushed. But now it was him causing it as he hovered menacingly at her shoulder.

“What did we just talk about?” he growled.

“I was coming out of the bathroom and Luke was going in. It was serendipitous.” She offered him an impish smile, and he drew his lips in tighter. “It’s my graduation party, isn’t it? Let’s not sully it with petty things.”

Despite the room’s size—it could have held ten elephants comfortably—the mood turned chilly, like frozen-tundra, ice-on-the-walls chilly. She almost expected to see the guests’ breath turn to vapor as they neglected their conversations to focus on the situation unfolding at the couch.

Dion had assumed a crossed-arm stance nearby, which Lexi had grown accustomed to, but it was the last straw for her. All these displays of machismo were pissing her off, and she was preparing her defense just as Luke appeared in her peripheral view with a glass of wine.

“I hope this helps.” Although his gesture was polite, he didn’t linger. In fact, he walked to the center of the room and motioned for attention.

“Greetings, groeten , saudac?es , and abhivaadan ,” he said. “I’m honored to be among the guests here today, and I want to extend my thanks to the Maxwells for their kind hospitality. I expect everyone who made the trip to this luxurious estate with its endless amenities and breathtaking views is here for the same thing. To celebrate Alexandra and to wish her well as she embarks on the road of life.”

Luke swept his arm toward Lexi, and she offered a small wave from the couch, hoping she didn’t look too thunderstruck. She was still tingling like a lightning rod.

“It’s a privilege to share this moment with you, Lexi,” he continued. “Focus and determination can take us many places and provide us with a sense of self-worth. I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I wish you the best in your pursuit of whatever you deem worthy.”

Lexi was rarely stunned into silence. She prided herself on this fact. But she knew her face was blooming twelve shades of red, and she was grateful for the burst of applause led by Nora. She stood from the couch, embracing the moment and shrugging sheepishly at her guests. When her eyes landed on Luke, she could only smile and shake her head. If she’d read him right, and hopefully she had, he’d delivered his impromptu speech to diffuse a tense situation.

As for her uncle Z, his face had gone purple, a color that meant a storm was imminent. And she knew from experience that it was better to pretend he wasn’t throwing a tantrum and get on with life. Luke retreated to a lone chair in the corner. Obviously, he knew her godfather well enough to give him time to cool off.

What was their connection? If they worked together, why hadn’t her godfather mentioned Luke’s name before? He loved to tell stories about how important he was. Maybe Luke had bested him at something.

“You fancy that man in the gray suit, don’t you?” Nora slipped onto the couch, wearing a sly grin, and Lexi sat down beside her.

“Who wouldn’t? I mean, look at him.”

Nora giggled, which made Lexi feel better. Although it had always been that way with Nora. “I’ve never known you to mince words. And I agree with you, Luke has been blessed.”

“How well do you know him?”

“Well . . .”

Nora let the moment stretch out, building anticipation, which she liked to do before delivering some flowery prose. Lexi didn’t mind. She was eager to get an opinion from anyone other than her parents or her uncle Z. She’d never understood what Nora saw in her godfather. Nora was a free spirit. She reminded Lexi of a cherub, with her perfectly round face, wide blue eyes, and mess of reddish-brown curls always coiffed behind a headband. Nora sang the loudest and quoted obscure ballads that usually made somebody cry.

Uncle Z, on the other hand, was a papa bear in a flannel shirt—cuddly one minute and grumpy the next. What was the attraction between them? Lexi’s mom claimed it was the sex, which was how she explained away a lot of things.

“We’ve been acquainted for some time,” Nora offered finally. “I’m sure you’ve discovered how engaging he can be. Not many women are able to resist his charms.”

Lexi thought about asking how many women, but she wasn’t ready to go there yet. Or maybe she didn’t really care.

“Do you know how old he is?”

“His age?” Wrinkles formed between Nora’s brows, as if she needed to crunch the numbers. “I couldn’t say, exactly. How old do you think he is?”

“Late twenties, early thirties.”

“That sounds like a fair guess.”

“Do you know what he does for a living?”

“I know he’s responsible for the lives of many people. I expect it’s many millions by now.”

“Wow. He must be motivated. He seems young to be that successful. He is successful, isn’t he?”

“Absolutely. He’s extremely good at what he does. Why don’t you ask Luke these questions, sweetheart? He’s very easy to talk to.”

“Easy for you, maybe. Three minutes in the hall and I wilted like overcooked spinach.”

It was those exotic eyes. They were like orbs of pure sunshine. She ventured a glance at the corner of the room where Luke sat with a lowball glass, probably filled with something strong, reclined in the chair, one leg bent casually over the other. He was the epitome of cool grace as he talked with the father of one of the boys, his head bobbing like the conversation was riveting.

Nora patted Lexi’s arm like a mother would. “I’ve never seen you shy away from a conversation. I think you two would have plenty to talk about.”

Lexi didn’t doubt that. But she was imagining the other things she could do with Luke besides talk. Nora had been her confidant in the past, and she knew her friend would respect her privacy if they discussed more personal topics. Topics that probably needed to be discussed in a less public space.

Then Nora leaned in and whispered at her ear. “You haven’t lost your maidenhood yet, have you?”

“My what?” Lexi’s attention snapped from Luke to Nora.

“You’re a virgin,” Nora clarified.

“Oh. Yes, I am.” Lexi’s face flushed with warmth, and she took a sip of wine, which was still chilled enough to be refreshing.

“I understand your apprehension. However, if I may be so bold and offer you some advice, woman to woman—you couldn’t choose a better gentleman than Luke to help you through that rite of passage. He has always struck me as someone who employs integrity and thoughtfulness in everything he does.”

Nora’s lips lifted into a Cheshire Cat smile, causing Lexi to blink at her. Did she know this from experience? Was Nora’s name written in Luke’s little black book? If so, they seemed to have parted on good terms. Or was it ongoing? Lexi didn’t want to know.

“It’s not that I haven’t tried.” The words tumbled out of Lexi’s mouth like they were tired of waiting their turn. “You’ve been hanging around my parents long enough to know that I’m rarely alone. And never with boys. It makes sex kind of impossible.”

Nora clicked her tongue. “That’s unfortunate. Youth can be an ideal time to experiment with new things, especially when it comes to sex. I don’t want to overstep, but I will say this: when there is mutual respect and both parties give themselves willingly, the first experience can be incredibly freeing. I hope you’ll overcome these obstacles soon.”

Lexi pressed her hand to her stomach, and her thoughts returned to the hallway, imagining herself with Luke, alone. Maybe in the bathroom, her back against the door, his hands on her hips . . . “What about love? Shouldn’t I be in love with the man who takes my virginity?”

“Love?” Nora tapped her cheek with a finger, like the question required serious thought. Was she really on the fence about it? Or was she deciding on a version that would sound good to Lexi’s parents if they found out she blabbed?

“Love is an emotion that often complicates matters in the bedroom. To my mind, sex is simply an act of trust and pleasure. Why put parameters on a sexual relationship by requiring that love be involved? Of course, I’m not condoning sex with random strangers. But I prefer to leave love out of it. The risk of having one’s feelings dashed against the rocks is too great otherwise.”

Nora finished her sermon about loveless sex with a shrug, but Lexi could read between the lines. Nora had lost a lover. Maybe more than one. Did it have something to do with her uncle Z? Or even worse, Luke? Did Luke feel the same as Nora about sex without love? Lexi took another swallow of wine.

“Do you know who invited Luke?”

“I expect he learned of the event through mutual friends. I’m not surprised he failed to inform anyone he was attending. He likes to antagonize your uncle Z.”

“Why? What is their relationship status? I heard they work together but not by choice.”

Nora made a motion of zipping her lip, and Lexi pursed hers.

“That isn’t fair. You started it.”

“And your uncle Z would make me sleep in the stable if he overheard us talking about him.”

“Can I ask one more question?”

“You may.”

“Do you know if Luke plans to stay all weekend?”

“If the gods will it.”

Nora recited her favorite quote before rising and drifting away. She had given Lexi more than Lexi had bargained for, which usually happened with Nora. It was good, actually. This was Lexi’s last hurrah before she told everyone to shove it, and she pictured Luke lying in one of the guest beds with his eyes lighting up the room. Did he wear boxers or briefs? Maybe he slept in the nude. What would she do to him if he was naked in her bed? What would he do to her?

Dinner was served, followed by more drinks, and somehow Lexi was never able to speak to Luke again. It was frustrating and a little humorous the lengths her family went to to keep them apart. But when she learned he was staying the night, she held out hope.

Lexi had no intention of tiptoeing around her godfather’s moods all weekend. In fact, as she prepared for bed, she came up with a few ideas for getting Luke alone. A visit to the stable would make for a great conversation starter. There was also the trail to the gorge. This felt like the beginning of an epic battle, and she needed to be ready for whatever her family threw at her.

Swinging open the doors to her balcony, Lexi walked outside to bid good night to the sea, inhaling the salty air as it blew across the polished marble. It was one of the redeeming qualities of their castle in the sand. As she leaned over the railing, she noticed someone walking down the east-facing path—a guest enjoying a nighttime walk on the beach.

On closer inspection, she realized it was Luke, and he was naked! Completely naked! This fact became more obvious when he stepped away from the row of cypress trees and onto the sand. She couldn’t see details, the Olympic-sized swimming pool and a wall of seagrass stood between them, but there was no mistaking him. And Lexi couldn’t move. Rather, she was unwilling to.

He spread out a blanket and sat down, his bare legs stretched in front of him. Had he noticed her there, an accidental voyeur dressed in pink baby-doll pajamas? What would he do if he had? Would he point it out to her tomorrow? Make her relive the embarrassment? Was she hyperventilating?

He had barely been there a minute before he stood back up and walked into the surf. Even from fifty yards away she could make out the curves of his body—a physique rivaling that of Michelangelo’s David . It was clichéd, but there was no room in her head to think any deeper, and she imagined how he might look close up, how he might feel. Then he turned and waved at her before jumping into the sea.

Shit!

Lexi scrambled inside her room and stood behind the French doors as her cheeks burned. He knew she’d been spying on him. This was worse than any awkward encounter she’d ever had. How could she explain herself tomorrow? She pounded the tiles with her bare feet, counting each breath, reining in her nerves as Luke swam amid the ocean waves, his skin slick and glowing under the moonlight.

When a fresh blush burned her cheeks, she realized something and stopped midstride. She had no reason to feel ashamed. She hadn’t done anything wrong. He was the one out there flashing the fish. Luke Carrington was no different from any other man.

Had she been merciful with her debate opponents regardless of their pronouns? No. During swim meets did she give a flying flip about those tiny swimsuits the boys wore? Not once. They were usually behind her anyway.

Then Mr. Smolder had to waltz in and ruin her perfect record. How pitiful was that? Maybe she just needed to take Nora’s advice and keep her emotions out of it. She could enjoy a nice romp in the hay with a handsome man who was, at that very moment, skinny-dipping in her backyard.

Lexi detoured to the balcony door and stared through the glass. Luke had finished his swim and was reaching for a towel. If the seagrass hadn’t been blocking her view, she could have seen his body all wet and glistening. She wanted to touch him. To feel the burn. Was he putting on a pair of swim trunks?

Damn .

She yanked open the balcony door with confidence, which she blamed on adrenaline, and the wind swept into her room like a mini tempest. She caught the door before it slammed, and wrestled her hair behind her ears. When she glanced out at the beach, she found Luke waving at her again. But this one said come join me .

He wanted her to join him on the beach, at night . . . alone?

She couldn’t pretend she hadn’t seen him. Waving back was the polite thing to do. She waved back. He responded with another come-hither wave, and Lexi swallowed. Did he want her to come down so he could tease her about spying on him? He didn’t seem like that type of guy, although she had limited evidence to support this theory.

A late-night rendezvous on the beach with a handsome man could either be the best or the worst thing to ever happen to her. No. Losing that lacrosse match to the thundering turds from Madison was the worst thing to ever happen to her. So this would be the second worst.

Or it could be the best.

Wasn’t this what she wanted? To talk to a guy without a bunch of prying eyes? If she blew it, she blew it. Life would go on. She held up a finger, a signal that she hoped he would understand.

The story just got real.