Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

ZORA

O kay, so maybe I’m living a real-life rom-com. Or a porno. Or both.

It’s been a week since Jay Lafayette, the kraken-shifter Olympian and certified fine-ass alpha, decided I was his mate. And what a week it’s been.

Day 1: I wake up sore in places I didn’t know could be sore, with eight tentacle-shaped bruises all over my body and a grin I can’t wipe off my face. Jay orders room service for breakfast, and we end up christening every surface in his suite. I’m an hour late for my shift, and Tasha gives me the side-eye all day.

Day 2: Jay “coincidentally” shows up at the pool during my break. We end up making out in the supply closet like teenagers. I smell like chlorine and alpha musk for the rest of the day, and I swear Ms. Johnson is sniffing suspiciously every time she passes me.

Day 3: I try to keep my distance, I really do. But Jay corners me in the elevator, and let’s just say we’re lucky no one else needed a ride for those 15 floors. I spend the rest of the day squirming in my seat, feeling the phantom touch of his tentacles.

Day 4: Jay convinces me to take my lunch break on the private beach. We go skinny dipping, and I discover that underwater tentacle play is definitely a thing. I return to work with sand in places sand should never be, but feeling more relaxed than I have in years.

Day 5: I’m starting to worry about my job. The hickeys are getting harder to hide, and I’m pretty sure the entire staff knows something’s up. Jay, the bastard, finds it hilarious. He keeps sending me dirty texts during my shift, and I nearly mess up a large group’s reservation when one particularly explicit message comes through.

Day 6: Jay has to do some press interviews, so we actually spend most of the day apart. I’m surprised by how much I miss him. When he returns, he practically pounces on me in the hallway. We barely make it back to his room before clothes start flying.

Day 7: I wake up to Jay tracing patterns on my skin with a tentacle. “Come home with me,” he says. I laugh it off, but the idea sticks in my head all day. By evening, I’m seriously considering it. Which is insane, right? I’ve known the alpha for a week!

And now? Now I’m standing in front of Ms. Johnson’s office, sweating bullets and trying to come up with an explanation that doesn’t involve “Sorry, I’ve been too busy fucking the shifter staying in the luxury suite to do my job properly.”

I take a deep breath and knock.

“Come in,” Ms. Johnson calls out.

I step inside and instantly freeze. Because sitting there, looking like the cat that ate the canary (or should I say, the kraken that ate the pussy… nope, not going there), is Jay.

“Ah, Zora,” Ms. Johnson says, her voice cooler than ice. “Mr. Lafayette was just telling me about the… exceptional service you’ve been providing.”

Oh shit. Kill me now.

Jay grins at me, all sharp teeth and cockiness. “I was just telling your boss how you’ve been taking care of my every need. Day and night.”

I’m going to murder him. Slowly. With a spoon.

“Is that so?” Ms. Johnson raises an eyebrow.

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. What am I supposed to say? ‘Yeah, I’ve been servicing him alright, just not in the way you asked me to’?

Jay, the bastard, decides to save me. Or maybe make things worse. “Actually, Ms. Johnson, I have a proposition for you.”

Both my boss and I look at him, confused.

“I want to hire Zora,” he says, his tone turning cold and professional. “As my personal assistant. Full time.”

Wait, what?!

Ms. Johnson blinks. “Mr. Lafayette, while we’re flattered by your interest in our staff, Zora is a valued employee and-”

“I’ll pay all your recruitment expenses for Zora’s replacement. Double,” Jay interrupts. “Triple it, even. And I’ll make a generous donation to the hotel as a thank you for introducing us.”

I stare at him, mouth hanging open. Is he for real?!

Ms. Johnson looks like she’s swallowed a lemon, but I can see the wheels turning in her head. A donation from Jay Lafayette would be huge for the hotel. And let’s not forget paying for my replacement.

“Well,” she says slowly, “I suppose if that’s what Zora wants…”

They both turn to look at me.

Great. Now I have to make a life-changing decision on the spot. No pressure, right?

I look at Jay. His navy blue eyes are intense. Asking me to take a chance on him. On us.

“I…” I start, then clear my throat. “I’d like that. If you’re sure, Mr. Lafayette.”

His face breaks into a grin that could light up the whole damn city. “Never been more sure of anything in my life, baby.”

Ms. Johnson coughs, reminding us we’re not alone. “Well, I suppose that settles it. Zora, you’ll need to give two weeks’ notice, of course.”

Jay stands up, all six-foot-something of him radiating power. “Actually, I was hoping Zora could start immediately. I’ll compensate the hotel for any inconvenience, of course.”

Before Ms. Johnson can reply, he’s got his arm around my waist, steering me to the door. “Thanks for everything, Ms. Johnson. You’ll be hearing from my agent.”

And just like that, we’re out in the hallway. I’m pretty sure my brain is still back in that office, trying to process what just happened.

“Jay,” I hiss, “what the hell was that?”

He grins down at me, looking way too pleased with himself. “That, my little omega, was me making sure we don’t have to sneak around anymore.”

I should be mad. I should tell him off for making decisions about my life without consulting me. I should…

Oh, screw it.

I grab his shirt and pull him down for a kiss that curls my toes and probably scandalizes anyone walking by. When we break apart, we’re both breathing hard.

“You’re insane,” I tell him, but I can’t keep the smile off my face.

“Insanely in love with you,” he counters.

I roll my eyes, but my heart’s doing backflips. “So, boss, what’s my first assignment?”

His eyes darken, and suddenly I’m very aware of how close we are. How his long, thick cock is hardening against my thigh. “Well, I think we need to have a… private meeting. To discuss your duties.”

Then my alpha leads me back to his suite, tentacles already sneaking under my clothes…

So, here I am, first day as Jay Lafayette’s “personal assistant.” And by “personal assistant,” I mean girlfriend? Mate? Future baby mama of little kraken-shifters? Who the fuck knows at this point?

Jay’s sprawled on the bed in his suite - sorry, our suite now - looking like a snack. His tentacles are out, lazily swirling in the air. All rippled muscles, bronze skin, and smoldering blue eyes.

“So, boss,” I say, trying to sound professional and failing miserably, “what’s on the agenda for today?”

He grins, all sharp teeth and mischief. “Well, first item of business is getting you out of those clothes.”

I roll my eyes, but I’m already unbuttoning my blouse. “Seriously, Jay. What are we doing? I can’t just be your full-time booty call.”

I sit next to him, and immediately his tentacles wrap around me, pulling me close. It feels like home.

“I’ve got some interviews lined up this afternoon,” he says, nuzzling my neck. “Thought you could come with.”

I raise an eyebrow. “And do what? Fetch you water?”

He chuckles before turning serious. “Just to be with me, love.”

My heart does a little flip. Damn him, such a romantic brute.

“Okay,” I agree. “But I might embarrass you.”

He grins. “Impossible. You’re goddamn perfect.”

Before I can argue, he’s kissing me, and well… let’s just say we’re a little late to those interviews.

—-

The reporters are giving me side-eye, and I don’t blame them. I’m sure I look like exactly what I am - a hotel employee turned overnight celebrity arm candy.

Jay, bless him, is handling it like a champ. He introduces me as his mate, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

“Mr. Lafayette,” one reporter asks, “is it true that you met Ms. Williams at Paradise Cove Resort?”

Jay nods. “It is. Best vacation of my life.”

Another one jumps in. “And how do you respond to accusations that this is just a publicity stunt?”

I feel Jay tense beside me. A low growl rumbles in his chest, and I see his tentacles start to emerge.

Without thinking, I place my hand on his arm. “It’s okay,” I murmur. “I got this.”

Turning to the reporter, I smile sweetly. “I can assure you, there’s nothing ‘stunt’ about our relationship. We are true mates,” I add solemnly.

The room goes silent. Jay’s looking at me with a mix of shock and awe. It’s the first time I recognize it out loud. And it had to be in a room full of journalists who will broadcast the news worldwide.

He bursts out laughing. “And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I love her.”

The rest of the interview goes smoothly after that. Turns out, reporters love a sassy newcomer. Who knew?

—-

Back in our suite, Jay can’t keep his hands or tentacles off me.

“You were amazing,” he says between kisses. “Did you see their faces when you said that?”

I grin, feeling pretty pleased with myself. “I did warn you I might embarrass you.”

He growls playfully, pinning me to the bed. “Oh, you didn’t embarrass me. You turned me on. Made me so fucking proud, little omega.”

Then his tentacles start exploring.

“Hey, Jay?” I say breathily as he kisses down my neck.

“Mm?”

“I think I’m gonna like being your personal assistant.”

He looks up at me, eyes glowing that electric blue. “Good. Cause I plan on keeping you very busy for a very long time.”

Then he proceeds to show me exactly what he means.