This story features mind control drugs, an apocalyptic scenario, public sex, and breeding kinks. If that isn't your thing, don't say I didn't warn you.
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Becky looked one way and then the other.
No cars.
She stepped off the sizzling sidewalk and power-walked across the asphalt.
Silently, a shadow passed over the street quickly, and then another, and then another. In the distance a low droning hummed, the faint sound of several planes high overhead, flying in formation over Manhattan.
Becky hopped onto the opposite curb and walked toward a doorway. She sighed with relief as she ducked into the corner bodega, a quick blast of air conditioning offering a reprieve from the oppressive summer heat outside.
The thick, humid air of the city was clinging to her like a second skin. She could feel beads of sweat pooling in the curve of her back under her ripped white crop top and running down her smooth, exposed, slim lower back. Errands had dragged on longer than she'd planned, and this was her last stop--a quick trip for snacks before heading home.
As she strolled by, the boy behind the checkout counter turned his head to follow her, wordlessly admiring the fit 23-year-old's shoulder length light brown hair that curled slightly at the ends, swept up into ponytail to keep cool in the heat of a New York City summer. Her bright, piercing light-blue eyes scanned the shelves as she walked down the aisle. A few freckles dotted her sun-kissed complexion around her nose and cheeks. She was about 5'6", with a toned but naturally curvy build, a slim belly but F-cup boobs straining under the crop top and a bubble butt that jiggled as she walked, pushing against black Lululemon stretchy shorts that hugged the curve of each round cheek.
The little store was busier than she expected, with lines snaking through the aisles. After grabbing a few snacks and tossing them into a basket she joined the shortest queue, behind a man tapping impatiently on his phone. The air was cooler inside but somehow dense, almost heavy, carrying an odd chemical scent. Faintly bitter. Her pouty pink lips curled into a cute little frown as she scrunched her eyebrows.
Ew. It smelled weird in here.
She didn't want to stay long, just a quick in and out. Away from this weird chemical smell.
As she waited, Becky noticed the customer ahead of her, an older woman, lean closer to the cashier, a young man with tousled hair and a slightly flushed face. The customer was smiling, speaking in a low tone, her body language oddly intimate for what should have been a mundane exchange. The cashier chuckled softly, his movements slower than usual as he bagged her items.
Becky frowned, feeling a sudden warmth rise to her cheeks. She wasn't sure why the interaction unsettled her. Maybe it was how close they stood to each other.
She shifted her basket to her other hand, glancing away toward the aisles. A couple near the produce section stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their hands brushing in a way that seemed more deliberate than accidental.
Weird. She could have sworn she'd seen them come in separately.
Her throat felt dry, and she coughed lightly. Others in line were coughing too, a faint reaction to the odd heaviness in the air. A woman two spots ahead fanned herself with a magazine, her cheeks pink despite the air conditioning.
Becky adjusted the spaghetti strap of her crop top, which suddenly felt too tight, straining against her flushed skin, and rubbed her arms. A strange, tingling warmth was spreading through her, just barely perceptible.
Fuck, she thought. She might be coming down with a fever. Ugh, this was the WORST time to get sick, right before Josh came to visit.
She pulled out her phone. 3:49 PM.
Shit. He was gonna be here in ten minutes. Why was this line moving so slow?
The man in front of her shifted, turning slightly, and their eyes met for a moment. His lips curved into a half-smile, and Becky's breath caught unexpectedly. She wasn't sure what it was--his smile wasn't particularly dazzling, and he was a little too chubby to be her type--but something about the way he looked at her made her stomach flutter.
He was... he was kinda cute, she thought. Hell, everyone in the store was sort of radiant. Beautiful people all around. She relaxed and smiled, and a shiver ran through her.
When it was her turn at the register, Becky stepped forward, breathing heavily as she caught the cashier's eyes lingering on hers. His smile was soft, inviting, and his voice dropped to a lower, more intimate tone as he greeted her.
"Afternoon," he said, scanning her items with unhurried ease.
"Hi," she replied, grinning a little too wide, her voice softer than she intended.
Wow. He was muscular. Hot. She felt her pulse quicken, a warmth radiating from her chest.
Everything just felt... beautiful. Bright. Right somehow.
She closed her eyes, took a deep, slow breath, and stretched her arms out behind her. A shiver of unexpectedly intense pleasure rippled through her, catching her off guard.
Whoa. She felt good. Really good. Her jaw vibrated as she exhaled.
As he packed her snacks in a bag, her eyes were glued to the cashier. His hair curled slightly at the edges, damp with sweat. He smiled up at her and a thrill shot through her. His fingers brushed against hers as he handed her the receipt.
"Hot day, huh?" he murmured, holding her gaze for a moment longer than necessary.
Becky swallowed hard, nodding. "Yeah, um, really hot." Her words felt clumsy, her face flushing for reasons that had nothing to do with the heat outside.