Page 3 of Unwrapping Chase
I moved toward the lollikrake couple and swallowed, rubbing my damp palms on my jeans. I wished I had a candy cane or a sucker or something. I did better with my mouth full. I’d always found the lollikrake species attractive as a whole. They were humanoid on the top half, but instead of legs, their hips turned into numerous tentacles. One of the lollikrakes was much taller than me, with dark gray skin, pure white hair, and purple eyes. Their thin lips had a hard tilt, and their nose slits were flared, as were their pointed ears.
Maybe they were as interested in me as I was in them?
No. I couldn’t sleep with a random guest who’d come, though my co-workers did all the time, and there were no rules against it as long as it happened on your off time. It was a well-known secret for Dome vacations. A guest could ask and pay employees for sex, but employees were allowed to say no withoutrepercussions. It was closely watched by management, and employee safety was taken seriously, as was harassment from guests. It was a nice way to make extra money.
But I’d made a promise to myself.
I didn’t need a Daddy, anyway. All they did was cause me trouble. Romance was synonymous with pain. And feelings were stupid. Best to give up all three. That was clearly the smartest thing. I was dumb, though. I’d trusted an asshole. How could I have been so stupid and naive?
No. I shook my head. I wouldn’t indulge in these self-hating thoughts. That was one benefit of working so many hours and to the point of exhaustion. I didn’t have time to berate myself for my past mistakes.
Besides, from the way the shorter, thinner, paler, and pink-haired lollikrake was clinging to them, the tall one was taken. The shorter one was just as lovely as their taller paramour, but in a cute, squishy way that immediately made me want to spoil them or feed them the best food or buy them gifts.
My eyes drifted to the tentacles in place of legs they both had, and I swallowed again. I wanted to count them, but there were so many that it would take a long time. They were all different sizes and lengths, too. I bit my lip. I’d heard about how amazing it felt to be fucked by their tentacles. Having one or more filling you. The slightly rough texture of their skin dragging across your cock. There were no suckers to worry about either, which, in my opinion, was a bonus.
No, Chase, I scolded myself. I was fine, and I certainly didn’t need to be crushing on this lollikrake couple—that would be breaking the promise that I’d made.
Shaking my head, I focused on greeting and making them feel welcome, rather than the long walk ahead or my burning desire to have both of these hot lollikrakes fuck me until I couldn’t stand straight.
“Welcome to the Pine Bed & Breakfast, where it’s always Christmas. I’m Chase. My pronouns are he/him, and I’ll be one of your attendants while you’re here,” I said, trying to force the required holiday cheer into my voice, but it was hard.
The taller of the lollikrakes stepped forward. Their voice was impossibly deep and gravelly as they said, “I am Nyx, he/him, and this is my coupling, Tam, they/them.”
I smiled and gave them a friendly wave.
Tam raced toward me, grinning so broadly it was a miracle that their face didn’t crack. They only came to my shoulder at most. “Hello, I’m soso SOhappy to meet you.”
“As am I.” Well, someone was happy to be here.
They beamed, pushing their floppy pink hair back, jangling the bells on the festive antlers they wore, and exposing their adorable pointed ears. “You’re taking us to our cabin?”
“Yes,” I replied, looking at their massive pile of luggage. Just how long were they staying? The reservation only stated three days. Maybe this was just one stop in a couple-month-long vacation they were taking, traveling through the different domes on Valojor. I’d heard of guests doing that—bouncing from dome to dome for a few months before heading home.
“That’s absolutely perfect,” Tam said, one of their many tentacles stroking the back of my calf in an entirely unprofessional manner.
My eyes widened as I gaped at Tam’s retreating form, their tentacles sliding over the snow slowly, almost sensually. That didn’t mean anything, right? I hadn’t been hit on bythatmany guests, nor propositioned by any. It happened, to other people, obviously, but I was kind of shocked about this lollikrake perhaps wanting me.
Tam didn’t act any differently as they bounced toward Nyx, throwing their arms around his muscular waist while he, in turn, held them, then nuzzled their forehead.
I shook it off. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to sleep with a random guest, let alone one who was married—mated to another guest. Hello, drama. No one needed that, especially me. I had enough going on in my life without adding unnecessary complications that came with a bored mated person wanting to fuck the resort staff on the sly.
I moved toward the towering pile of luggage and started to load it onto the sled, arms shaking and back protesting. The entire time I was moving their luggage, Tam edged closer and closer until they were nearly pressed against my backside. Despite the cold temperature, I was sweating from moving the heavy luggage, not to mention my earlier tree hauling. Unfortunately, I was a tad riper than I would like, but a shower would have to wait.
Tam groaned and pressed against me for a moment. “You smell lovely, Chase.”
Standing up straight, I glanced over my shoulder. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Tam bounced, arms behind their back and tentacles coiling and wrapping around each other in what might have been a nervous gesture. “I can’t wait to smell you better and taste you. I bet you taste marvelous.”
I blinked. Okay, they were definitely interested in fucking; there was no other way to interpret that. People did not go around commenting on tasting people. I glanced at Nyx to see how he was taking his partner flirting with me. He simply stared at Tam with a warm expression, posture loose and relaxed. Something in my gut curled at that look. I wanted, for some odd reason, to see that expression directed at me while Nyx was rocking me and calling me his good boy.
Nope. Not gonna happen. I forced Tam’s comment and Nyx’s expression to the back of my mind and said, “Let’s go.”
They both followed me as I dragged the heavy sled. Jared should’ve forced them to let me use the horse-drawn one. Seriously, how long were they staying? My arms were burning, and sweat was drenching my plaid shirt. I could smell myself.
Tam slid right up beside me, bouncing along, and their eyes never deviated from me. “Do you like working here? It must be a dream.”
Hardly. It was a nightmare covered in snow and fake smiles and never-ending ancient carols that dug into my brain like claws. I’d love to be rid of it all and never hear one of these upbeat songs ever again. But that wasn’t a good or expected response.