・❥・

You got to sit behind the counter and finish your book on the clock. It couldn't get any more fulfilling than that—losing yourself in another world—becoming entirely enthralled by the budding love story between Hella, a tempting demoness, and Otasia, the warrior destined to destroy her.

Forbidden lovers, fated to fall for each other, despite every odd being purposely positioned against them.

Rarely did you have time to read for pleasure in between classes, so you always seized the opportunity on Fridays. Your manager Dahlia had left early, something about her kid getting into a fight at school, and she'd asked you to close. There were three bodies in the store, two girls chatting near the fantasy section, and yourself. Well, four, if you counted your coworker Jean who was most definitely out back smoking by the dumpsters.

He'd invited you to join him, but you had been too offended by the absurd request to answer him with words. You'd assumed the sour way you wrinkled your nose spoke well enough, because he'd stumbled away awkwardly, his ego barely intact as he mumbled, “Damn, a nigga just tryna be nice.”

It took zero effort on your part to brush him off. You pushed your glasses back up, returning to the fantastical world in your book without a second thought. You'd made it to the part in the story where Otasia and her army were plotting to invade the Demon realm. She knew it was dangerous, because she knew Hella was dangerous—deadly. And her army wouldn't stand a chance against the demoness, or the other vengeful souls Hella had enslaved to do her bidding.

Otasia felt stuck, torn between protecting her people from her lover, and staying loyal to Hella. She knew, despite her unyielding power, this invasion would hurt Hella, and it would be the only wound she would be incapable of healing from.

And what would her army think of her, had they known of the internal conflict she was battling now? How could she ever face their families after knowingly leading them down into the depths of hell, only to watch them die?

“Oh em geee! We just finished that book, we can't wait for book three!”

You peeled your attention away from the pages, slightly annoyed as you lifted your head, eyes following the sound of the ongoing shrieking. It was the two girls who were previously browsing the shelves. They stood before you now, eyes wide and bulging with excitement as they continued yapping about the book you were clearly still reading.

“Do you think Otasia will really betray Hella?” The one with circular wired glasses asked, directing the question at you. “Like, I can't see her doing that. She knows everything that Hella has been through, and how hard it is for her to trust anyone.”

“Yeah, but what about Otasia's army? Their families? How could she betray them? How can she betray the princess of her kingdom?” The other girl chimed in. She had smooth onyx skin, and a golden septum ring dangling from her nose.

Glasses girl rolled her eyes, “Oh please, you're only saying that because you secretly ship Otasia and princess Kiylera.”

“Not so secretly.” Septum ring admitted, grin widening.

They'd completely excluded you from the discussion as they bickered amongst themselves about which love interest deserved Otasia's heart, not that you were ever a willing participant in the conversation to begin with though.

You were growing more annoyed by the second, and you figured you had to put a stop to their insufferable whining before they ended up spoiling the entire novel for you.

“Hey!” The word came out louder, and more charged than you meant for it to, but it startled them into silence. “How can I help you ladies today?”

Your voice morphed into something chipper, and you adjusted your glasses on the bridge of your nose.

Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted an all too... familiar silhouette, leaning against the self-help shelf. Their nose was tucked behind a trashy romance novel that you definitely rated 2 stars for plot (and 5 for spice, but no one besides you and the universe needed to know that), and you quirked a brow, biting back a smirk.

Your attention drifted back to the over eager, obviously freshman girls, and you chuckled a little, noticing their smiles had yet to fade. You cleared your throat, indicating they could speak now.

“Sorry,” Glasses girl started, “We really are so sorry. We just wanted to know if there were any tickets left for the author signing next weekend? We know Shawna Lee is going to be here, promoting book three,” She pointed to the book you were still holding, just as you shut it closed.

“Her website is sold out, but we emailed her publicist and we were told we could probably get tickets directly from the store…” Her voice trailed off, and her cheeks began to redden.

You eyed them up and down for a moment, your stare intimidating. You could tell they were a tad bit nervous, though it wasn't your intention to make them so. You were amused more than anything, and judging from the soft, quiet chuckles coming from behind them, so was your uninvited visitor.

“We don't start selling the tickets until Monday morning. First come first serve.” You deadpanned, offering nothing more.

It was then that you finally witnessed the gentle smiles slip off the girls lips, replaced by utter disappointment.

“Oh.” They both spoke in unison.

And you had to admit, the action was not as satisfying as you'd anticipated.

“But…” You continued, watching as hope climbed its way back up their fallen features. “I can set two tickets off to the side for you. If you can pay right now.”

They both cheered. “Yes! Oh my god, yes! I'll literally sell you all my internal organs right now!” Septum ring shouted.

“Calm down. I don't need your organs. Just–”

“Right. Right. Shit, my bad. Of course, right.”

Glasses girl nudged septum ring in the stomach. “Be chill, Zia.”

“Forty dollars. Each.” You finished.

Glasses girl blinked, “But the website said–”

“And I'm saying forty.”

After some shuffling, they agreed to the price, once they realized you weren't planning on budging. They coughed up the cash happily, and trotted out the store hand in hand.

“Wow, you drive a hard bargain, don't you, gorgeous?”

You bit your lip, trying, and failing in your attempt not to grin back at her, “Riri. I didn’t hear you come in.” You cleared your throat.

Her hands played at her sides as she inched closer to the register, slowly placing the romance novel she’d been holding on to the counter. She maintained eye contact with you all the while, on purpose of course, her sole goal being to cause your face to flame.

You had to regrettably admit it was working.

“Yeah, I bet you didn't. You was too busy extorting them freshman girls.”

Your eyes rolled playfully, “Wouldn't call it extortion.”

Riri placed her elbows on the glass countertop, eyes dancing as she held your gaze. “What would you call it then?”

“I’ll Tell You When the Lights Go Down.” You whispered, eyes misted with suggestion.

Riri choked a little on the air, the action causing you to giggle. “You’ll what?” She questioned, curiosity coloring her face.

“Your book.” You let your eyes pan down to the novel she had previously placed before you, reading the title out loud. “I’ll Tell You When the Lights Go Down.”

When you lifted your gaze back up to her, her eyes had melted down to a cool brown, her smile indicating she had been caught, though she harbored no shame about it.

“Right, I uh,” She cleared her throat, “I was gonna buy it…”

You nodded, playing along with her ruse, “Uhuh.”

“Yeah, cause I remember you reading it, and telling me it was like good, n’shit so. I was gon see if you was right.”

You narrowed your eyes, lips pursed as you concealed the smirk threatening to make itself known. “You remember me saying that?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Well, I guess I’ll just ring you up then.”

Riri nodded, “Go ahead. Been dying to read this one.”

You couldn't help but shake your head at her. You grabbed the book, sliding it across the scanner until it beeped. “Thirty twenty five.”

She gasped, “For one book? You're fucking with me, right?”

“Fraid not.” You spun the screen around to show her with a shrug. “It’s a special edition. You didn't see the sticker on the cover when you picked it up? Or the price on the back?”

You lifted the book, pointing out the shiny metallic sticker that read “SPECIAL COLLECTORS EDITION” in bold letters stuck to the front. Then you flipped it over, showing her the price before tax.

Riri Williams was stubbornness personified. She could just admit she had zero intention of buying the book in the first place, that she had no clue the book existed before today, and that she grabbed it because it was the first thing she laid eyes on upon entering the store, but you already knew she wouldn't do that. It went against her very nature—the act would fundamentally damage her psyche.

“Of course I did.” She snapped back, causing you to raise a brow. “I mean, I wouldn’t have brought it up here had I not known the price.”

“I’m sure you wouldn't have.” You smirked.

Riri fished her phone out of her back pocket, tapping the device against the card reader until it chimed, signifying the transaction was completed. You moved to bag her book, handing it to her a little too giddily, and she noted your smugness.

“What you doing later?” She asked, leaning her hip against the counter. She’d slipped effortlessly back into her armor of nonchalance, eyeing you intently.

“Why?”

The shorter girl shrugged, chewing on her lip slightly. “Lemme take you out.”

Your scoff was immediate, her statement coaxing a huff of dry laughter from your throat. “Take me out? Seriously?”

“Why not?” She didn't seem to understand at all why you would meet her foolish suggestion with hostility. You’d be annoyed if she didn't look so fucking sexy right now.

Her skin glowed like honey. She looked soft—smelled sweet. Her mouth taunted you with its fullness, and her curly fro was almost hypnotic the way it swayed ever so slightly each time she turned her head.

Your gaze dropped down to her neck, and the gold jewelry tied around it. You almost cursed under your breath when you noticed the pendant—a shiny letter ‘R.’

She still wore it—the necklace you bought for her birthday. That day felt like forever ago, but your ever-present feelings reminded you that it had not been. Months, more like. Two to be exact.

“You know why, Riri.” You managed to grit out, stepping from behind the counter. You trotted over to the boxes of new releases Jean was supposed to shelf once he returned from his fifteen minute break, which was supposed to be over thirty minutes ago.

She was on your heels, trailing behind you as you maneuvered between the bookshelves. “What? Cause of that nigga? You still with him?”

“You still with Gabrielle?” You shot back, sounding a little more defensive than you should've.

Fuck, you were playing right into her hands, just like she had undoubtedly planned.

“I fucked her once, you know that.”

She flinched when you narrowed your eyes, “Okay, twice.”

Again, you cut your eyes at her, unconvinced.

“Fine! Three times, but that's it, I swear!” She confessed. “I was never with Gabbie. She was just there when you weren't.”

You wheeled the cart of books down another aisle, not even bothering to acknowledge her ramblings.

“Fucking someone is not the same as getting into a whole relationship with someone else.” She whisper-shouted, “With a nigga at that. We ain't even been broken up for more than two minutes.”

You spun to face her, irritation shocking your pupils, “It's been two fucking months, Riri!”

“Same thing.”

“And how long after we broke up did you wait to get your dick wet–”

Jean appeared in the shelves then, stopping you mid question, “Okay, I’m finna head out.” He looked between you and Riri, then back to you, “Unless you need me to stay? Help you close?”

You sighed, “No Jean, you can go. I'm good.”

“You sure? Cause I can–”

“Aye, you ain't heard her when she said she was good?” Riri’s irritation was bursting at the seams.

You looked at him, silently apologizing with your eyes, “I am, good. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

He only nodded, not bothering to say goodbye as he turned to leave. You heard the bell on the door ding, and then a loud thud of the door slamming, rattling the thin walls and rickety book cases in the small store.

You were alone with her now, in the last place you wanted to be.

“Why you always gotta be a fucking asshole to every damn body, Ri? This why I broke up with yo ass in the first fucking place. And you got the nerve to come to my job asking to take me out and shit? Fuck no.”

Your words paralyzed her, frosted her feet to the floor. Her eyes were shifting, darting back and forth at rapid speed like they were having trouble computing. Her pupils were blown wide—far more expressive than you’d ever seen them. It wasn't difficult to identify her hurt. Riri was skilled in many areas, but concealing her emotions would forever be her downfall.

And as much as you cared, as much as you wanted to take her pain away, tell her you didn't mean it, you couldn't. Because pieces of you did mean it. The pieces that were harmed far too many times by her careless actions.

The cart squeaked as you wheeled it away, turning the corner to stock a new row of psychological thrillers, a genre you’d recently gotten familiar with. Ironically, you'd only started reading them after the breakup, needing something far removed from your usual love for fantasy-romance.

You heard the pitter-patter of small feet rounding the corner to meet you where you stood, but you hadn't turned to look at her.

“I– I’m sorry…”

She posed it as a question. Like she wasn't sure if she truly was… sorry. You could tell, from the dampness in her tone, that she wanted to be. Though, you weren't sure her desire to be outweighed her ability.

“I hate that I hurt you. I'm sorry I lied to you.”

You let out an exasperated sigh, “Whatever you say, Riri.”

“Can you just… look at me, please?” Her voice cracked a little at the end of her sentence, and you thought maybe, your heart did too.

But you soon remembered, that your shattered heart had not yet mended itself, and that crack you thought you felt had just been the never ending throb you could never outrun when it came to her. It was a warning, from your bruised organ, alerting you to steer clear, resist, do not engage, withstand temptation—all of the above—all at once.

You did not heed. Because her voice cracked a little at the end of her sentence, and so did your defenses.

When you inevitably turned to face Riri, she wore the deepest of frowns, and your immediate thought was to kiss it away, because it did not belong there. You didn't though, and it took everything you had.

You met her gaze, taking in the darkness invading her eyes, the regret occupying the space.

Riri moved closer to you, making you flinch a little when she reached for your hand. You could tell she was biting back a smirk, pleased with your reaction.

“I’m sorry. I really am.” Her fingers wove into yours, and she lifted your entangled arms, slowly guiding you backwards until your shoulders were pressed up against a row of Freida McFadden books. “I need to know how I can make you believe it, baby.”

Air caught in your throat, rendering you breathless as you stared down at her. You groaned a little when she stepped closer, pressing her chest tightly to yours. “I don't think there's any way you can, Ri. Not this time.” You should look away, avert her gaze. You should push her away, kick her out of the store entirely.

But you both knew you wouldn't.

She had you right where she planned to—and you were exactly where you wanted to be.

Riri looked down through the very thin space between you, marveling at your heaving chest, then her eyes climbed back up to your face, and she smirked deviously. “I’m sure I can think of something.” She whispered seductively.

“What are you–”

Before you could respond though, Riri’s mouth was on yours, hot and heavy, kissing you with everything she had. And you reciprocated her fervor without pause, lapping at her tongue and moaning into her every exhale.

“Ri…” You breathed, but she shushed you with her mouth again.

Her fingers traveled down your abdomen, stopping, and hovering over the button on your jeans. She made sure to ask for permission before proceeding, and you nodded enthusiastically, needing to feel her for the first time in forever.

Once your button was undid, and your zipper was pushed down, Riri slipped a warm hand into your pants, cupping your damp heat over your panties. She stroked your clit in the laziest way, intent on making the wet spot on the fabric spread faster.

Her lips enveloped your throat as you squirmed for her. “Mhmm, that's it baby. That feel good, don't it?”

You bobbed your head vigorously, and she chuckled into the crook of your neck. You felt her fingers dip under the waistband of your panties, she tugged it back, and the stretchy fabric snapped against your skin when she let it go, causing you to screech.

“Ouch! Riri, what the fu–”

Two slender digits were buried deep inside you before you could finish. She pumped them steadily, stroking your walls in the way only she knew you liked.

“Sorry baby.” She breathed against your chest with a low giggle, “Let me make it up to you. Let me make you come, please?”

You didn't have words to give, only whines, and whimpers, and she gladly accepted those as she stretched your wet pussy out. “Fuck… I missed this. Missed how wet you get for me.”

Her thumb smoothed over your throbbing clit as she fucked you deep against the creaking shelves. Neither of you cared—you were both chasing one thing—your release.

“I’m sorry I suck so much.” She whispered, sliding her tongue up the column of your throat, making you shudder. “I'm sorry I took you, and this pretty pussy for granted.” Her fingers knocked against your g-spot, and your eyes rolled.

“You're the best thing to ever happen to me, and I hate myself for letting you slip away.”

You moved to slide your pants down below your knees so she could dig further into you, making her grin from ear to ear. “That's my good girl.” She praised.

The once quiet store was now packed to the brim with not only books, but the lewd sounds of Riri fucking you senseless as she begged tirelessly for your forgiveness. Usually, she was the one who made you beg, but this was a shift you could get used to.

Her fingers exited your dripping hole, prompting you to gasp involuntarily. She had fallen to her knees in front of you, sucking sinfully on the sticky mess you left behind on her fingers as she held your stare. “I’m so fucking sorry, gorgeous.”

She ran a thumb through your folds one last time before attaching her lips to your swollen clit.

“Mmm, f-fuck, Ri.”

She swallowed your pussy, licking and lapping everything you gave her, moaning into your flesh each time you twitched. Your fingers found her curls, tugging, as you felt your legs on the precipice of giving out—it was a means to steady yourself—too—because your orgasm was right around the corner.

Riri’s tongue was fucking your hole, and you were crying her name over and over. At some point, you’d managed to prop your quaking leg up on the cart of books, giving her lips better access to your juices as she drank you in.

“God Ri, I’m gonna–”

With one last slurp, she replaced her tongue with her skilled digits once more, peering up at you through half-hooded eyes. “I need you to look at me while you come, baby. Keep those pretty eyes on me.” Her entire face was fucking drenched, and the sight only aided in pushing you closer to the edge.

“Give it to me, gorgeous. Fucking give it to me.” Riri growled, pumping your pussy even faster than before.

“Shitshitshitshitshit!” You were panting, writhing as you continued to climb. “Fuck, Ri, I’m coming!”

Your walls clenched around her fingers, and you screamed her name louder than before, feeling currents of pleasure barrel into you. She fucked your body through the aftershocks as you rode out your high, singing you praises until you floated back down to earth.

You huffed a breath, “Shit.”

With your mouth parted, she seized the opportunity to stuff her used fingers in your mouth for you to suck, and you swirled your tongue around them, nice and slow like you knew she liked.

When she pulled them free, the digits were licked clean. But, she pushed them between her own lips despite that. “Just in case you missed a spot.” She'd said, making you bite your lip as you stared back at her.

“Does that mean you forgive me now?” Riri asked, aiding you in pulling up your panties and jeans.

You tapped your chin, “That depends.”

Once you’d fixed your hair and wiped your mouth, you started back toward the register, with Riri hot on your trail.

“On what?” She raised a brow, visibly impressed by the easy way you shifted back into work mode.

“Whether you actually read that book or not.” You grinned.