Once A Myth (Goddess Isles 1)

I couldn’t remember what her real name was, but I did remember how much she’d earned me and what sort of bonus I’d pay her when her time here was done.

The moment the kiss was delivered, she pulled away, patting my chest lightly. “Pleasure to see you on this stunning day.”

Eleanor never took her eyes off Jealousy. She seemed shocked that she’d willingly touched me, amazed that I’d permitted it, and totally flummoxed as to the obvious friendship between us.

I couldn’t stop watching Jinx, searching for a sign that she was pissed another woman had touched me. Wondering if she suffered the same envy I did whenever I thought of another man touching her.

But only disbelief glowed in her grey eyes. Only disturbed distress painted her face. She acted as if she wanted to yank Jealousy away from me, so I didn’t infect her with a disease.

With my eyes locked with Eleanor’s, I murmured, “Jealousy, meet Jinx. Jinx…this is Jealousy. I highly recommend you befriend her…she’ll probably be the only confidant you’ll have here.”

Jealousy quirked an eyebrow. “She won’t fit in with the others?”

I shook my head, breaking eye contact with one goddess to stare at another. “No.”

“Why ever not?”

I bared my teeth in a condemning smile. “Because she has something the others don’t.”

Her forehead furrowed for a second as she flicked a glance at Eleanor who stood prim and proper with her arms around her waist, her kimono tugged tight and propriety doing its best to make her untouchable, but then her confusion vanished with a flash of understanding. “She has your attention.”

I nodded once. “Unfortunately for her.”

“Yes, indeed.” Jealousy grinned, leaving my side to go to Eleanor. She held out her hand, polite and willing to shake. “Hello, Jinx. I must say, it will be nice if you aren’t accepted by the main pack. We can stick together.”

Eleanor left her hanging, refusing to accept her welcome. She backed away as if finally meeting a girl who was kind and refreshingly transparent was the final straw.

“Be nice, Jinx,” I growled when the pause became awkward. “Believe me…it will be better for you in the long run if you have someone to talk to.” I chuckled coldly. “After all…who else will you complain about me to?”

Her gaze whipped to mine. “I’ll just complain directly to your face.”

Jealousy gasped, her blonde hair bouncing over her shoulders as she turned to look at me. She waited for me to reprimand her. I was known for generosity but also swift strictness. I didn’t permit rudeness or insolence without severe punishment.

But my cock had drained me of my reserves.

Keeping my temper on a leash had made me snappish.

My lust made me far too primed for a fight.

If Jealousy hadn’t arrived, I’d probably be cock deep in Eleanor in the middle of the pathway. But she had arrived…and it was for the best.

It was a sign.

A sign that I was doing the right thing keeping my body as far away from Jinx’s as humanly possible.

Time to get some work done.

Time to forget about my latest employee.

“That will be the last time you speak out of line to me.” Smiling tightly at Jealousy, I added, “Show her the ropes. You can finish the orientation on my behalf.” Turning to face Eleanor, I mockingly bowed at the feet of the long-haired girl who didn’t know the close call she’d escaped. I treated her like royalty because that was what she made me.

She made me a king because only a king could have such consorts at his beck and call.

But I was also a king who didn’t allow dangerous vixens into his bed.

Taking one last look at the girl I wanted to destroy, I left.

Chapter Twenty-Five

“SOOOO…THAT WAS STRANGE.” Jealousy smiled, moving closer so her voice didn’t chase Sully as he disappeared. “I’m doing my best not to ask, but I’ve not seen him act like that around a goddess before. Who are you, Goddess Jinx?”

I side-stepped away. I wasn’t opposed to friends, and definitely wanted a network of people I could talk to and plot a way out of here, but I didn’t trust she wasn’t like the other girls. Brainwashed and infatuated with their liege and master.

With a name like Jealousy, I doubted her sweet smile and welcoming appearance was real. She was probably a master manipulator.

“You know he’s never let anyone get away with being rude to him, right?” she added, when I showed no sign of joining in her conversation. “But then again…I’m guessing you’re not just anyone…are you?”

I shivered, still staring down the empty path where Sully had gone.

What the hell was happening here? To me? To him? To my stable, simple world?

“My real name is Jess.” Jealousy waved almost shyly even though she stood right next to me. “I won’t bite…honest.”

Sighing, I turned to face her, ready to explore another odd relationship if it meant it could rescue me from the mess I’d found myself in. “I’m Eleanor.”