Chapter 2- Skyler
I LOVE WORKING at the Maritime Monsters Institute. We’re the place to be for anyone who loves sea creatures as well as the shifter community. But right now, I’m not exactly thrilled to be here.
Yawning, I spritz cleaner onto the exhibit window and then wipe it with a rag. No animals occupy the tiny terrarium at the moment, and I’ve been tasked with keeping this, the first corridor of the museum, clean. “This is what I’m doing with my marine biology degree, huh?” I mutter to no one.
With my task nearly done, I gaze at my reflection in the glass.
My glasses are round, and my blond hair grows darker every day now that I’m nearly thirty-one.
I’ve fortunately kept my thin waist; slow twink death?
Not for me, not yet. And no matter what my exes say, I’m perfectly content with the way I look.
Of course, my ratty shirt does me no favors.
But why would I wear anything nice when I’m on cleaning duty?
The janitorial staff is spread thin, so I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the Institute afloat.
We’re part research facility, part café, and part aquarium, with offices two floors up.
Despite this literal dirty work I’ve been tasked with, I enjoy my job.
I work with my friends, and I get to help sea creatures. What’s not to like?
Walking toward the entrance, I pause when I sense that familiar tingle on my nose. “Achoo!” I sneeze and my glasses go flying off. Wonderful; thanks, chemical cleaning supply smells. After wiping my nose on my ratty t-shirt sleeve, I peer down to try to find my glasses.
“I believe these are yours.” The deep voice comes from the hand holding my specs. I look up, and even with my crummy eyesight, I know this new stranger is sexy.
I grin, and the blur hands me my glasses. When I put them on, my vision comes into focus and…
Monster god damn.
The Asian man standing before me is dressed in a black three-piece suit that accentuates his lithe body in all the right ways. He has dark hair, looks a few years older than me, and has the most handsome face I’ve ever seen.
And I’ve been smiling and staring at him for like five seconds. Blinking, I glance down at my gross shirt and cleaning supplies. Oh.
“Are you okay?” the sexy stud asks.
“I am now,” I murmur. After clearing my throat, I stand up straight. “I mean, I’m great. Thank you for…saving my glasses.”
“It was no problem. Good thing they don’t seem to be broken.” He smiles and puts his hands in his pockets. Meanwhile, my cheeks burn up. I know it’s been a while since I got laid, but the man in my presence has my hormones on fire.
“Lucky me. I mean, is this your first time here?”
“It is. And I was hoping maybe you could help me?”
Does he want a blowjob in the bathroom? That could help! “Mhm?”
“I’m here to inquire about the monster liaison program for my family.”
“Ah. You’ll want to speak to my boss, Emma.” I could direct him where to go, but then I wouldn’t get a chance to ogle that ass. “Follow me.”
“Thank you.” He gives a small bow, and we walk towards the lobby elevator. Once inside, the close proximity has me heating up, but the man seems perfectly at ease. My gaydar isn’t pinging, but I’m not ready to give up yet.
“So, you’re here to learn about the Institute’s offerings?” I ask.
“Yes. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of time to meet with her. I need to get back to work across town.”
“What do you do for work?”
“I’m a hospital administrator.”
“Ooh, sounds fancy,” I say with a grin.
He shrugs in an adorable way. “It’s a living.”
Once the door opens, we walk down the corridor. I only glance at the way his tailored suit fits his ass once, maybe twice, tops. Meanwhile, my shabby outfit resembles Cinderella at the beginning of the book.
“Thank you,” he says, turning around. “For being so helpful.”
Is that a blush I spy on his face? Maybe I’m imagining things, but my gaydar just pinged.
“N-n-n-no problem,” I stammer.
All too soon, we make it to Emma’s office. I knock on the door and try not to gawk at the sexy man next to me. Moments later, my boss appears.
“Ah, are you Reed Sung?” she asks with a smile.
“Yes.” He shakes Emma’s hand, and she beckons him in. “Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”
“Of course. I’ll take it from here, Skyler,” she says.
“Alright,” I say, trying to quell my disappointment. I don’t get to stare at this hunk anymore? Boo.
“Thanks, Skyler,” Reed says as he closes the door.
He knows my name! Swoon.
Ten minutes later, I’m finished primping myself in the bathroom.
There’s only so much I can do without a full outfit change, but I refuse to let Reed see me looking so disheveled.
My hair is patted down, and I hope scrubbing myself at the sink got rid of any weird odors.
My ratty shirt is tucked in to reveal my snatched waist. Now I’m strategically cleaning a window near the front entrance, trying desperately to look nonchalant.
“Hey, Sky.” My best friend, Ardsley, approaches me, and I refrain from shooing him away. “So, it turns out Tyson and I can come this weekend.”
“That’s great,” I say without looking at him. My attention is fixed on the elevator.
“Anything in particular you want for your birthday?”
“Mhm, sure.”
“Sky?” Ardsley waves his hand in front of me, and I’m forced to look at him. He’s an adorable, tall dude. Despite me being human and him being an eel shifter, we have a lot in common; he’s a true bestie to me. But he has a hot boyfriend, and I’m trying to get some play. “Are you listening?”
“What? Yeah, sure. I don’t need anything.”
Ardsley scrutinizes me, and I can’t say I blame him. Before he can accuse me of anything, the elevator opens, and we both turn in that direction.
Emma is walking and talking while Reed nods in interest. “And so email me, we’ll get you a full tour.”
“Certainly,” he replies.
“We really hope you consider enrolling your nephew in the liaison program. When you have time, one of our fabulous researchers can really go in depth with you about our offerings,” Emma says. She points at me, and I grin.
I’ll go in depth. I can show him all sorts of things. I’ll help him any way he wants. Preferably on my knees.
Reed approaches us, and I step out of the way. “Take care, Mr. Sung,” I say.
“Please, it’s Reed.” He adjusts his tie, gives a slight bow, and walks out. Emma waves and disappears. Meanwhile, I stare at his trim, tall figure walking down the steps into the California sunshine.
I sigh. Reed is so fine. If he joins, he’s about to be the best work-related perk of all time. I don’t know if he’s gay or would even be into me, but logic can’t stop a gay dude from dreaming.
“Skyler, are you okay?”
Ardsley’s voice brings me to the present. “Um, I’m fine.” I don’t need my friends to make fun of me for such a premature, fruitless crush.
“Are you even supposed to be cleaning this section?”
“I don’t know, maybe!” I say with a hefty dose of defensiveness. I squeeze my rag and power-walk away. I love my buddy, but right now, I need to be alone.
The next time I see Reed, I swear I’ll impress him with my looks and knowledge.
Ardsley has a boyfriend, and our other best friend, Karlo, has a shark dude lusting after him.
Maybe this super handsome businessman daddy-type can be someone for me.
Perhaps after a string of shitty exes, this can be my time.