Page 6 of Paper and Passion (Ghostlight Falls #2)

Tillie

I almost kissed a woman I just met. That is so unlike me. I’ve been cautious ever since Chad. Rushing into things isn’t my style. But something about Alex has me all twisted up in knots and horny as hell.

And now, she’s going to be working here.

“How can I help?” Alex tucks her phone away and looks around the store.

She’s not exactly dressed for cleaning. We’re roughly the same size, and I think I have a pair of sweatpants and an extra Sheet-y tee in the back—if I can find it.

My mind supplies an image of Alex changing in the back room, lowering the zipper of her fitted dress, letting it fall to the ground.

She’s got to be wearing a bra. Her boobs are too large to go without, and they’re perfectly rounded in a way most wouldn’t be without the shape of an under-wire.

What does it look like? Is it silky and smooth or maybe sheer lace or?—

“Hmm?” Her hum snaps me out of my thoughts.

“Maybe you could just straighten up behind the counter,” I suggest, needing to put some distance between us. “I’m just gonna get a broom.”

Before I can retreat, she grabs my wrist. “Do you have any policies against employee fraternization? Because if so, I won’t be able to accept this job.”

My mouth feels dry, and I lick my lips. “I’ve never had an employee before, so I haven’t really thought about it. Do you mean you want to…”

“Be with you?” She finishes for me. “Yes. Very much. Would you be interested in that, Tillie?”

“Um… yes?” No one’s ever been so direct about their intentions with me. It’s nice, but a little intimidating.

She’s intimidating.

Gorgeous. Confident. Perfectly put together. Her purse and nails match. Her makeup is flawless. I bet she folds her underwear instead of just cramming them in a drawer .

Meanwhile, here I am in the same jeans I’ve worn the last three days in a row. No makeup. Chipped nails. Hair thrown in a greasy ponytail. And my underwear drawer looks like a tornado hit and stuffed it full of comfortable cotton grannie panties.

Casting a beautiful smirk in my direction, she walks behind the counter and starts straightening the rack of impulse purchase items like gum and breathmints. That’s probably something else I need.

I sigh and turn away, returning to the storage room. The broom is normally in the back cupboard, but it’s not there. I probably left it somewhere around the shop, forgetting to put it away when I got distracted.

Okay, when was the last time I saw it? My gaze flicks around the back room. There’s not a lot of places it could be. It’s not in the front. At least, I don’t think so. Alright, bathroom. Probably. Yeah.

Just as I find it in the corner behind the door, I hear the bell on the main door ring. Grabbing the broom, I head back to the front to check on Alex.

She’s leaning over the counter, kissing the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. My first thought is, holy hell, that’s hot . My second is, how the fuck could I be so stupid ?

I don’t realize I’ve gasped until they both turn to look at me.

The man has tentacles instead of hair, just like Alex.

Pointed ears, just like Alex. A perfect physique, just like Alex.

Of course, she’d fall for him instantly.

They’re probably one of those types that have fated mates or whatever.

It’s so obvious that they’re meant to be together.

I bet he just walked in and knew. Then, a second later, they’re kissing like they’ve been together for years.

I guess that’s that.

It shouldn’t hurt as much as it does, but I suddenly feel like crying.

“Oh, Tillie, good.” Alex turns to me, as calm and collected as ever. “I’d like you to meet my husband, Adrian.”

Husband?!

Shit. She was flirting with me—more than flirting with me—while in a committed relationship! She licked my ear! She told me she was interested in me. This is so not okay. I won’t be that woman. How is she so calm about this?

My chest caves in, stomach heavy to the point of feeling nauseous. I think I might actually throw up. My hand goes to my mouth. It’s not like we did anything. But I can’t describe the waves of emotion crashing over me. Jealousy. Guilt. Shame. Grief. So much unexplainable grief.

“I’m sorry. I thought…” I can’t finish, instead turning and running to the back room.

“Tillie!” Alex calls out.

Why does the way she says my name have to sound so seductive? My name never sounds seductive. Especially when someone’s yelling it. Tillie is all cuteness and chaos. Not sexy.

But she makes me feel sexy.

“Let me,” the man’s voice is just as knee-weakening. It’s gravelly, but somehow lyrical at the same time.

Just before I slam the door shut, a masculine hand shoves between the wood and the doorframe. I step backwards as he opens it. I’m breathing hard, eyes stinging with tears I know I have no right to shed.

Despite his large size, there’s a gentleness to his expression that contrasts nicely with his sharp jawline. “Alex is going to watch the front while we talk.”

Sinking onto the closest box, I drop my head into my hands. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so upset. It’s just…”

“My wife made quite the impression.”

“Nothing happened!” My head shoots up. Which is a mistake because I catch the heated way his gaze drops over me. My breath hitches.

“I wouldn’t care if it did,” he says in a deep rumble. “In fact, I love that she caused this kind of reaction in you.” He pauses for a moment. His head tilts to the side, gaze softening from heat to something almost tender. “It gives me hope.”

“Oh? Oh!” I realize what this is with a stark slap of clarity. “You’re trying to save your marriage.”

“No, we’re trying to save our species.”

I wrinkle my nose in confusion. “Look, I’m not interested in being a third. I don’t want to get stuck in the middle of some misplaced attempt to save a relationship that’s already doomed.”

“That’s not what this is.” He seems more amused by my accusations than upset.

“Okay, well, yeah, maybe she’s poly—I know she’s into me, and there’s no way she could kiss you like that unless she’s into you, too, but are you? I mean, are you really into… I mean, apart from one heated perusal,” I blush, “I… you… how do I know this is really what you want?”

“You don’t.” He steps closer. “You can’t ever know for sure what someone else wants.

” He pauses, tilting his head like he’s deep in thought.

“Honestly, I don’t know if this is what I want.

If you’re what I want. I haven’t really met you yet.

But I am poly—in fact, it’s essential for our kind.

And…” He slowly grazes a finger over my cheek. “You are very appealing.”

“I have a hard time believing that.” I choke on something like a laugh mixed with a sob.

“Why?” he asks, seeming genuinely curious.

“Have you looked in a mirror? You’re… well… and I’m…” I sigh.

The store starts to vibrate.

“What the?—?”

I lose my footing and once again find myself caught in the arms of someone I barely know. A very attractive creature I know nothing about. My body hums with as much energy as the store. Everything heating, tingling, tensing.

“Shh, I’ve got you.” He lifts me off my feet, sets me on top of the open copy machine, then steps between my legs. He wraps his arms around my back like he’s trying to shield me.

Sheet-y isn’t walking this time, but it feels like the place is vibrating more intensely than ever. The tremors have Adrian shaking against me, and with how he’s positioned himself between my legs, his abs quiver right against my core. I think I could come just like this.

He dips his head. “Give us a chance to get to know you.” His teeth scrap the base of my throat as his hand on my back pushes me right to the edge of the copier so the bulge in his pants hits my needy pussy.

The massive bulge. Monster bulge.

I gasp, then moan, unable to help myself. The vibrations still haven’t stopped. It normally doesn’t take Sheet-y so long to move, but I’m not at all upset about it.

Adrian tilts my hips, rocking against me in a way that rubs his hard length along my clit with the perfect amount of pressure. I’m practically dry humping him minutes after we’ve met. And he’s letting me. Who am I?

“Is everyone alright?” Alex asks from somewhere behind Adrian. “Ah, I see, very alright.” She leans her hip against the corner of the copy machine, but stays just out of reach. “Is he hard for you, sweet girl?”

Adrian groans, rocking a little more firmly against me.

“Y-yes.”

He stops suddenly, holding my hips still.

The place isn’t vibrating anymore. When did that happen? I should check where we are, make sure it’s not somewhere that’ll get us in trouble. At the very least, lock the door. But I don’t want to move. It’s like we’re all holding our breath.

Adrian slowly slides his fingers just under the hem of my shirt, watching me carefully for any reaction.

I suck in a breath at the contact of skin against skin, but don’t stop him.

He drags his hand up and spreads his fingers, palm resting over my belly, fingertips stretching from the top of my jeans to the underside of my bra.

I glance at Alex. She’s smiling as she looks between her husband and me.

“May I make you come, Tillie?” Adrian asks.

“So polite,” Alex teases. She moves closer, tentacles trailing my arm as she leans in, lips close to my ear. “I’m not so nice.”

Her breath lifts the hair on my neck and sends goosebumps down to my pebbled nipples. “I-Isn’t this fast? Shouldn’t we?—”

Alex puts her finger over my lips and uses her tentacles to turn my head so I’m looking at her.

“Stop thinking about what we should or shouldn’t do, what people will think or say.

The only thing that’s important right now is what you want.

” She kisses my jaw, then the corner of my mouth. “What do you want, pretty girl? ”

“You,” I breathe out without thinking. “Um… I want… both of you.”