Chapter 1MaggieThe couch was white. Not cream, not off-white. No, it was stark white, like the teeth of an overachiever or a bridal showroom. It was the kind of couch you only bought if you never planned to eat on it. I perched on the edge of it, afraid I might stain it if I let myself sink all the way in. The cold of the leather seeped through my jeans, as if it resented me for sitting on it.Eric was wearing matching loungewear. Beige joggers. A beige hoodie. He looked like a man-shaped oat milk latte.He stood in front of the fireplace that wasn’t even a real fireplace, just a recessed rectangle with a flickering screen that simulated flames. The wall around it was exposed brick, which I’d once found charming but now thought it just looked like a Pinterest board with commitment issues.“I think,” Eric began, calm and measured like he was reading guided meditation instructions, “we’ve outgrown our emotional ecosystem.”I stared at him, my lips pressed firmly together. I couldn’t b

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

If Eric needed softer energy, I’d give him empty space.The apartment looked different now that I was packing it into boxes. Less curated. Less aspirational. Half of it didn’t even feel like mine. I stared into the fridge. All the kombucha was his. All the frozen fruit? His. Even the damn eggs were organic and came with a motivational quote on the carton.I muttered under my breath as I hauled a box of books down the hallway. I’d given up space on the shelves, in the fridge, in the bed… and I still hadn’t made the cut. The tears stayed tucked somewhere behind my eyes, not ready to come out yet. Maybe they were scared of staining his goddamn white couch.Eric watched me from the doorway. “You’re being kind of quiet.”“Just giving you that softer energy you wanted.”He winced. “You know, I’m not sure I ever really knew you.”I stacked another box on top of the first one. “That makes two of us. But hey, I’m sure you know your yoga instructor pretty well.”His lips parted in protest, but

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

“Good.” He nodded slowly. “That’s good.”I wasn’t sure why, but it felt like I’d passed a test.“Okay,” I said, glancing around. “So… the rent?”“Fifteen hundred. Includes everything. First month due upfront.”“How soon could I move in?”“Tomorrow, if you sign the rental agreement now.”He reached into a drawer and handed me a crisp document with a small binder clip and a sticky note that read “sign here” in very neat block letters. I scanned the first page. The usual jargon. Quiet hours. No pets. No shifters. Rent due on time.Then I flipped to a separate sheet attached to the contract.“That’s the roommate agreement. Something I added to the building’s standard contract, to make sure we’re on the same page about… err… everything.” Roman scratched his neck uncomfortably.I hesitated with the pen in hand. My gut whispered this was too good to be true. I didn’t trust myself anymore. Not after Eric. Not after bending and breaking and contorting myself into a woman I didn’t even recogniz

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

Roman hovered near the doorway to my room until I nodded, then stepped in and gave the place a once-over, arms crossed.“We could move the bed?” he said eventually. “Maybe closer to the window. More light. Better vibes.”I didn’t know what that meant, but I didn’t have the energy to disagree. “Sure. Knock yourself out.”We ended up on either side of the frame. The wood scraped a little too loudly across the floor. Roman winced. I pretended not to notice.Next was the desk. He pointed at it, eyebrows raised like he needed my permission to touch the furniture. “If we angle it toward the wall, it won’t block the closet.”“Yeah, okay,” I said. “Smart.”We worked in silence for a while, adjusting, stepping back, shifting things an inch just to say we tried. When we finally stopped, the room looked... not bad. The light from the window fell across the bed like it belonged there. The desk didn’t wobble anymore. My shoulders weren’t locked up near my ears.Roman stayed by the door, hands on h

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

3F: Physical comfort post-shift is encouraged. Cuddling is mandatory. Failure to participate in post-shift emotional support may result in immediate termination of the lease agreement.“You’re joking.”“Nope.”“I have to cuddle you?”“Technically, yes. Or you’re in breach of contract.”I groaned and flopped backward on the bed, contract on my chest, water glass abandoned on the nightstand. “I need a lawyer.”Roman didn’t deny it, but he did smirk awkwardly. I sat back up and flipped through the rest.Nudity Contingency Protocol:Accidental nudity is inevitable. Eye contact must be established before commentary is allowed. Compliments are strongly encouraged.Doris Cranberry Emergency Clause:If Doris Cranberry initiates a surprise pop-in, the human roommate must:Pretend the apartment smells like lavender, not werewolf.Refer to all fur as “craft materials.”Body block all doors containing wolf paraphernalia or said wolf.“Who the hell is Doris Cranberry? Sounds like an off-brand soda

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

All Chapters of The Cuddle Clause: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

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