Rakshasa Girlfriend: Manette Part One (special preview)

I glance at her anxiously and wipe my mouth with my sleeve. “It doesn’t bother me.” I am trying to remain vague. 

“I have nothing against women. In fact I hold all women in extremely high regard. I’d be an asshole if I didn’t.” She takes up her mug and downs it in one gulp. “But I like to run a tight ship and remain professional. Try as hard as I might I always end up pudding when there is an attractive lady around.”

I gulp down the massive lump forming in my throat.

“So excuse me if I seemed callous back with Mythri. But as soon as I saw you I knew I was going to be in extreme trouble.” She sighs and turns back around to her book. “Mythri knew exactly what she was doing.”

I furrow my brow. “What was she doing?”

Manette chuckles. “You do know what they call her right?” She lifts her golden eyes to me as she grins. “She’s known as the Goddess of Love.”

I’m turning into a fresh cut beet again.

“She plays matchmaker, and I can’t help but think that the two of us are next unsuspecting victims.” Manette lifts her mug up in the air and a moment later the night chef replaces her empty mug with a full one.

“You’re just my type.” Manette drinks and then acts like she hasn’t just said the final nail in my coffin.

“Excuse me.” I jump up quickly, rushing away from the galley where I go out and stand on the deck. The cold ocean air hits my overheated face and I am certain steam rises from my skin. I smack my cheeks a few times, trying to calm down from my conversation with Manette.

I had been so sure that Manette and I wouldn’t get along, but she had to come in and knock me down with the truth. It’s hard to deny that Manette is a gorgeous woman and also someone who is very much my type. But I had ignored that in favor of my aggravation at her behavior earlier.

The next day, after breakfast, I’m making notes in the ledger about the progress of the journey. I’m sitting on deck, listening to two crewmembers argue over lyrics to an old song. They suddenly start rough housing and fighting. Punches are thrown and things are getting heated very rapidly.