6. Jamie

6

JAMIE

I felt a sense of sadness as the mall came back to life. Mantis held onto me for a while longer, the two of us curled up in his nest. I didn't know how I was going to sneak out yet, but I would manage it.

After all the eggs, we'd cleaned up, and I'd shown him what snuggling meant. He discovered that was his favorite thing. I lost track of time when I was with him, it seemed.

I should have run and screamed, but how could I when he was so damn sweet? Monsters were real, monsters were hot, and monsters were better in bed than any human I'd ever met.

Now I just had to figure out how to sneak into the mall all the time…

He caressed the top of my head, his sweetness making me smile.

"I will be back," I promised him, letting out a sigh as I sat up. Every muscle in my body felt like jelly, as if I'd run a marathon. "I'll come back tonight and we can have another date."

"I will count every moment until then," he said. "I will prepare a new nest while you are away. I will do everything I can to please you. Your happiness means everything to me, little gamer."

I nodded, trying to fight the tears that suddenly sprang up. Why did he have to live here all alone? How hard would it be to bring him home? Could he even fit in my apartment?

"We'll find a way," I promised.

I reached for my clothes and got up, putting them on slowly. My thoughts were running like a freight train, trying to work out a solution.

I pulled my hair back and tied it up, and then turned to look at him. He stood up, pulling me close. I wrapped my arms around him as I accepted his monstrous kiss, one that had my pussy aching to be filled by him again.

"We will be together again soon," he promised.

"We will," I said.

I turned and went to the door, slowly opening it and poking my head out. I could hear a voice out in the arcade. One that belonged to the owner, Buddy Bardot…

Shit. How in the hell was I going to sneak past him?

I slipped into the storage room and then went to the doorway, listening.

"I can't keep running an arcade. I'm getting too old. And I want someone that loves this place that can handle its…creepiness. Where would I even find someone that would want to buy?"

Oh my god, they were selling the arcade.

I peeked around the corner, spotting Buddy. He was dressed like an old wizard from a movie about a hobbit, his Motorola DynaTAC 8000S held to his silver sideburns.

I had enough in savings and could get a loan…And my family would be happy to help me out….

Excitement burst through me.

That would mean I could see Mantis anytime I wanted. And that he wouldn't have to be trapped here.

I had to buy GalaxyGames.

Before I could stop myself, I rushed out into the open, not caring if he wondered where the hell I came from or that my hair was a frizzy mess.

"Buddy," I said, startling him. "I can buy the arcade. I want to buy the arcade."

"Jamie!" he yelped, staring at me like I was an alien. "Where did you come from?"

"No worries about that," I blurted. "I love GalaxyGames and have been coming here for years. I want to buy it from you."

Please, please, please let me buy it from you.

I loved my job but this would mean I was my own boss. I knew I could run an arcade.

"Hold on Phil, I might have the answer to all my problems," Buddy said, ending the call. He put the antenna down and frowned, sizing me up. He stroked his long beard with a deep hmm . "Jamie, you've been coming here for years. And I know you love that one game, but do you really love the whole place?"

"Yes," I blurted. "And I'm a smart businesswoman. This would give me the chance to flourish."

I'd never have to go back to the office again.

That thought made me feel giddy.

"Well…this place can be…different…"

"I know about the monster, Buddy," I breathed out.

His eyes damn near bugged out of his head. "Keep your voice down, Jamie," he said. "I mean. I don't know what you're talking about."

I raised a brow and smirked. "Sure. You don't think there's a…creature here?"

He hissed between his teeth. "No one can know."

"But I know and I'm cool with it, Buddy. I'm the perfect candidate."

He shook his head and crossed his arms. "Are you sure you want this place?"

"I am."

"Then it's yours. Including that…monster…"

I grinned. I didn't have the heart to tell him that the monster was already mine.

And that I was already his.