Page 7 of A Goddess Unraveled (Olympus Rising)

The kitchen bell chimed as Lexi shimmied into her jeans. She knew Chef Lorraine had prepared something amazing for breakfast, and she didn’t want to insult her by holding up the meal. But Lexi was preoccupied with the memory of Luke’s windblown hair and his sultry voice when he had talked about Mediterranean architecture and his love of horses.

Mostly she thought about his naked body. Sure, it had been dark. Sure, he’d been on the beach and she’d been on her balcony. But when she got up close, when she saw the moonlight glinting off his skin . . . She wanted to punch Dion for interrupting them. Lexi had been hoping to hear some of Luke’s poetry. Maybe even steal a kiss. If her brother didn’t watch himself, he would end up on her enemies list.

Breakfast was served on the outdoor patio, a partially covered space draped in wisteria that was currently bursting with periwinkle-colored blooms and filling the air with sweet perfume. The raised deck of white marble overlooking the swimming pool and the sparkling sea beyond provided a view rivaling any Lexi had seen on her travels. If only the memories tied to it were as good as her journal entries.

She stood at the railing, sandwiched between two potted cypresses, out of sight of the gel heads, and counted twenty-six place settings split between two tables. Her mother had chosen to forgo the name cards, which left seating arrangements wide open, and Lexi was determined to sit with Luke. He had more interesting things to say than anyone else she’d met. And when she talked, he listened. She wondered what he’d wear today. She’d seen him at his most refined and at his most casual. Like naked.

“Good morning, Lexi.” Luke’s voice met her ear in a baritone whisper, as if it was delivered on a cloud, and a flutter tickled her ribs as she turned to him, tucking away an image of his naked abs.

His hair was ruffled on one side, like he hadn’t been able to get a stubborn cowlick to stay down, and she had to fight the urge to reach out and fix it. He also carried that musky, worldly scent with him, mocking her like something forbidden, and she took in a deep breath, hoping he hadn’t noticed but not caring if he had. All at once, the world felt right.

“Good morning to you. How did you sleep? Mom said she gave you the downstairs suite with the view. I love that room. Sometimes I open all the windows and listen to the waves.”

Luke’s smile arrived like a slow burn. If he was faking, he had her totally fooled. “I feel privileged. And I slept very well. What about you? According to Dion, we have a busy day ahead of us.”

“I slept fine. I’ve never needed more than six hours. My mind just refuses to take longer breaks.” Lexi realized that guests were claiming chairs, and she snatched Luke’s hand, tugging him away from the trees. “Let’s hurry and find seats before the tables fill up.”

His chuckle reminded her that he wasn’t Mara, and they weren’t trying to snag a good table in the food court. But the deed was done, and Luke didn’t seem to mind as she continued her trajectory toward a pair of empty chairs.

She felt her godfather’s gaze from all the way across the patio, where he posed like a garden statue. Strangely, she felt no guilt. Just defiance. But if she wanted to avoid a war between him and Luke, she’d have to play it cool. When the family from Argentina swooped into the seats across from her and Luke, she smiled politely.

She’d talked to the boy briefly the night before. His name was something forgettable, like William. He seemed reasonably intelligent and had a nice accent. He’d worn his uni sweater today, despite the gorgeous sunshine, and she tried not to hold it against him. It was probably still cold in Argentina.

“So, William, where in Argentina were you born?” she asked.

“You may call me Will. I was born in Salta, where I live now. Our manor is like yours but much older. Have you been to Argentina? I heard your family has traveled to many places.”

“I haven’t been to Argentina, but western Patagonia has been on my bucket list for a while.”

His thick eyebrows rose, as if she’d sparked his interest. How curious. “Oh, Patagonia is hermosa . . . beautiful.”

She couldn’t be sure if he was being forgetful or condescending. They had already conversed in Spanish. “Do you have any siblings?”

“Two. A younger sister and an older brother. Thankfully, he will be taking over our manor so I can pursue other things.”

Will’s mother gave his arm a covert pinch, and he blinked in pain. “Of course, I would never abandon my duties to the family.”

It seemed Will had been experiencing the same sort of parental controls as Lexi, and she couldn’t help feeling sorry for the guy.

“I visited your stable this morning,” he went on. “You keep some fine horses. Did you know that Argentina is known for their superior horse breeds?”

“I did. Do you ride?”

“Only with my friends. I am too busy with important obligations to be competitive in riding. But I have been told I could jockey if I was not so muscular.”

And there it was. Arrogance wrapped up in a cashmere sweater. Will’s attention was drawn to the croissants being placed on the table by the waitstaff, and he flexed his arm as he reached for the basket. Too bad. She’d been rooting for him.

“I consider myself a decent rider,” she said. “Would you be up for a one-on-one race on the beach after we eat?”

Will’s eyes doubled in size. Clearly he hadn’t expected to be challenged at breakfast. Or was it the fact that a girl had challenged him?

“To you, I will say yes . I cannot pass up a chance to race. I will warn you, though, I am not used to losing.”

Lexi held him under the influence of her bring-it-on smile, which usually struck fear into the hearts of her opponents. “Then this will be a great opportunity to see how you handle it.”

Once she’d issued the riding challenge, Will threw everything he had at her between courses, asking questions designed to stump or humiliate her. But he only humiliated himself as Lexi bantered right back while enjoying her eggs Benedict. Luke’s smile never left him, even when it was time to head down to the stable.

By then Lexi was ready to be rid of the yammering pest from Salta, and she managed to pawn Will off onto Dion so she could give Luke her undivided attention. They lagged at the back of the group and made up for lost time.

“I don’t really care if he wins the race,” she said. “I already won the battle at the table. That preppy clod crossed the line when he started quizzing me on the origins of my own hometown. Qué tonto .”

Luke laughed and she laughed with him, attracting her parents’ attention. At least they weren’t hovering over her. She had put a stop to that when she’d turned eighteen. But her uncle Z thought manners didn’t apply to him, and he snorted like a temperamental horse all the way to the stable.

Lexi guided Luke to the stall where her best friend lived—a sleek, chestnut-haired horse who eagerly greeted them, smudging Lexi’s cheek with her wet upper lip.

“This is Jackie O. We’ve been riding together since I was twelve. Mares can be tricky in the equestrian arena, but we have an agreement. As long as I let her think she can do whatever she wants, she does whatever I ask.”

“She’s a beautiful specimen. What will she think of your challenge to the preppy clod? Can you talk her into a race?”

Lexi patted her horse’s jaw. “Jackie O is an incredibly proud animal. She won’t let another horse beat her. But she wasn’t so brave when she first arrived. Don’t laugh, but I told her stories about the Hippoi Athanatoi, the immortal horses of the Greek gods. I think it helped her become the fierce mare she is today.”

“Clever. Not many people are familiar with those stories. It’s a good thing your family has such a strong interest in the Greek myths.”

Hmm . He’d remembered something about her. Luke’s hit points were growing by the minute, and she smiled at him probably longer than was reasonable.

“You seem to have a close connection with your horse,” he said. “Are you that way with all animals?”

“I’m not sure. I do love animals, but we’ve only kept horses. Dad’s allergic to dander.” She unlatched the gate and led Jackie O out, pointing at Dion and Will as they greeted a horse two stalls down. “Looks like Dion’s getting Razor ready for my opponent. Razor’s a good sprinter, so this should be fun.”

Lexi pulled on her riding boots and saddled up her horse while Luke observed silently, as if he didn’t want to interrupt her process. She did give off a leave me alone vibe during her prep routine. When her dad walked over, she knew the speech was coming.

“I’m sure I don’t have to remind you to be careful,” he said as he inspected Jackie O’s reins.

“I’m good, Dad.”

He glanced at Luke before adding, “Just remember to keep your head in the game and not on the sidelines.”

She smiled to suppress the huff that wanted to blow past her lips, then hurried to walk Jackie O out of the stable. Her mom and uncle Z stood amid the curious spectators. They didn’t look happy, and Lexi was fine with that. She ignored them as she climbed into the saddle and walked her horse onto the beach.

Will the clod talked to Razor like they were old pals. He patted the horse on the neck and offered encouragement in his ear. Lexi didn’t doubt the boy could ride. He appeared at ease in the saddle, but he was foolish to think he could race a strange horse and come out on top. They were on Lexi’s turf, and she and Jackie O had already beaten the very horse Will was riding many times over.

“Okay, Will. Listen up,” Lexi said as she brought Jackie O alongside Razor. “We’re racing to that first outcropping of rocks. It’s just shy of a mile.” She pointed to the spot she and Dion used as their finish line. “There’s plenty of beach for two horses to pass easily when the tide is ebbing, which is now. So give us some space.”

She found her brother with the gathering crowd and shouted at him. “Hey, Dion. Will you do the honors?”

“My pleasure.”

Dion slipped off his shirt, twisting the stiff white fabric between his hands as Lexi and her opponent lined up. A zing of excitement sent her heart into a gallop. She always got off on the adrenaline rush of competition. Making a quick search through the spectators, she found Luke appraising her with a subtle smirk. She offered a grin that wasn’t at all subtle before putting on her game face.

“On your mark, get set, go!”

Dion’s white flag came down, and Lexi urged Jackie O forward with a whoop . Razor was quicker off the mark, which Lexi had expected, but Jackie O’s desire not to be left behind had the mare snorting as she caught up with her opponent. The two horses raced neck and neck for the next five hundred yards, and Lexi couldn’t help chuckling at Will’s strained expression. His brows crowded together like a hedgerow as he hunched behind Razor’s head.

With the finish line looming, Lexi’s lungs expanded and contracted powerfully, her body making very little contact with the saddle. She would have thought they were flying if it hadn’t been for the sound of Jackie O’s hoofbeats. She knew Will would make his move soon, and when they reached the last four hundred yards, he didn’t disappoint.

As he spurred his horse faster, Lexi’s endorphins skyrocketed as she called to her horse.

“Giddyap, Jackie O! Beat that gelding!”

Encouraged by Lexi’s enthusiasm, Jackie O sprinted like lightning, and Lexi’s muscles clenched as she held on like her life depended on it. Which it did. If she lost her grip now she’d get thrown at twenty-five miles an hour and smash her head on the rocks. Not a pretty ending to a harmless challenge.

As the finish line approached, a gust of wind seemed to carry Jackie O the last few yards, blasting them ahead of Razor and beating his arrogant rider by half a length. Jackie O’s coat was glowing a vivid yellow, just like yesterday when they had raced Dion on the beach, and Lexi felt as though a current of electricity was running through her. She had to force her attention back to reality when she saw Razor weaving into them, and she quickly wiped the satisfied grin off her face as Jackie O tried to change directions and stop at the same time.

“Whoa, girl!” Lexi’s balance shifted quickly, and her heart stuttered when she realized she was going down. She hurried to free her boots from the stirrups, but the shooting pain in her calf told her she wasn’t fast enough as she toppled sideways off her horse.

The unforgiving wet sand came at her like a brick wall, jarring her body with a painful crunch, and she headed toward the surf in a tuck and roll maneuver. She finally came to a stop in the surf, spitting sand and saltwater from her mouth, and the shadow of a horse appeared in her peripheral view, followed by the thump of boots.

“Lexi, are you okay? Razor didn’t want to—”

“What the hell?!” Lexi sat up and winced at the pain shooting through her shoulder. “Don’t you know anything about racing etiquette? Reins are for steering, dumbass!”

“I’m sorry, it felt like the wind pushed us off course. I swear.”

He stuttered through his lame apology, appearing more interested in something over his shoulder than in helping Lexi to her feet. If she hadn’t felt like throwing up, she would have pummeled the clod into next week.

Voices carried up the beach, and she knew what was distracting Will. She watched the color drain from his face, no doubt anticipating the sting of someone’s fist, as her family sprinted toward them for all they were worth. Luke and Uncle Z appeared to be engaged in their own competition, but Lexi was more concerned about her parents. They would probably forbid her from ever racing again. It was a good thing she was cutting the apron strings this weekend.

Jackie O nudged Will aside to stand next to Lexi. At least she knew how to be helpful, and Lexi slung her arm—the one that didn’t feel like it was broken—over the horse’s neck. Luke and Uncle Z reached her at the same time, and without even thinking of the consequences, she stepped into Luke’s outstretched arms, ignoring her godfather completely. She already knew what a scowl looked like.