Page 7 of A Sip of Sin

“There’s too much at stake.” Munro glanced toward the couch at the sound of a gasp. Rhys has thrown back his head as he came, his body going tight. It was always the same. His throat would bob once before he let out a low moan, curling his naked toes as his pace stuttered.

“Fuck you.”

Munro looked to the blank surface of the wall as the line clicked and went dead, the phone call effectively over.Such filthy language.There had been a time when they would end an argument by outsmarting the other, twisting words in a battle of wits. But it seemed now they were destined to throw callus insults.

“That’s rich,” said Rhys, laughing as he wiped his hand on his belly. He’d gone soft, going limp on the uncomfortable couch. “You tell him to get rid of hispetwhile you invite your own new one to work here.”

It’s different.Something curled in Munro’s gut at the memory of those eyes and the taste of somethingotheron the air. He usually dismissed mortals within a few sips and a touch of convincing hypnotism. His teeth ached just thinking about it.

“I’m looking forward to having a new snack,” said Munro, taking a moment to glance at his watch. Hours had passed, and he’d dwelt on the same sweet scent and stretch of flesh. A bite would look after this new obsession, maybe a deep one that would have the bright spark of life draining from a willing victim.

Rhys laughed. “You have no mercy, Covi. I love it.”

Chapter Four

Hollen

His best friend Adair was sitting on the couch when he got home, the television streaming in the background and a bowl of Smarties in his lap. He must’ve poured two or three packages into the bowl to have so many in there, all the colors jumbled together in a disorganized mess.

“Hey, baby,” said Hollen, leaning over the back of the couch and hugging Adair from behind. The sweet scent of laundry detergent and candy met him, along with that familiar warmth that always left him brimming. “Bad day? I have good news.”

He couldn’t hold it back, even if Adair seemed miserable with his hood pulled up and his body tense.

Adair huffed, setting the bowl next to him before leaning back and looping his arms around Holland’s neck. “Did you discover the cure for infidelity?”

His hug was strong, tugging Hollen closer until his back protested the angle of being half-bent over the couch.Not again.

“Oh no. Scott? Really?” Hollen broke free and scrambled over the cushions to hug his friend properly, knocking the Smarties to the ground in the rush. The chocolate treats scattered on impact, shooting across the floor in every direction. Hollen let them fall, throwing a hug around Adair’s shoulders. His eyes were bloodshot, his nose red, and a bundle of tissues beside him that Hollen hadn’t noticed.

Their cat Ghost emerged from the shadows, chasing one of the fallen treats into the kitchen while batting at it with his paw. A small tuft of fur floated to the ground behind him, catching in the fibers of the carpet. No matter how often they brushed him, he still managed to change the color of the carpet daily with all the fur he left behind.

“Yep,” said Adair, hugging Hollen close. He wrinkled his nose as he touched Hollen’s wet shirt before drawing back in surprise. Wiping his cheeks, he took a deep breath, the sound wavering.

“The guy didn’t even try to hide it.” Adair shook his head. “Apparently even his side piece knew I was just an accessory.” His lower lip trembled, and he squeezed his eyes shut, probably trying to ward off the next round of tears.

“I’m sorry, baby.” Hollen squeezed harder, until Adair let out a huff and pushed him away. “You know I’m here for whatever—especially if it’s revenge sex. We could break the guy’s legsandfuck in his bed. A messy fuck, like that time we had to wash the sheets three times just to get the sex-smell out.” He let out a sigh of relief as a small chuckle escaped Adair’s lips.

Adair pressed his hands to his eyes, rubbing until they were twice as red as before. That small smile was still there, though, lighting up his delicate face. “Enough about my fabulous day. I know you like it wet, but what the hell? It stopped raining an hour ago, and you’re dripping all over the couch.”

It was almost taboo. With what little cash they had, they’d spent way too much money on the couch in order to get the perfect color and cushions. There was just enough space for the two of them, so they were always in reach if Adair happened to put a horror movie on.

“Yeah, but I went out job searching.” Hollen bounced a little as he said it, the reality of it sneaking up on him.It’s going to be okay.“The best job searches happen in the rain. There are no customers around, and the bosses are all bored and looking forexciting ways to increase business. That’s when I come in and save their day.”

Adair perked up, reaching for a few pieces of chocolate that were still on the couch.. “I still don’t get why the last place fired you. You really liked it there.”

“Yeah, about that.” Hollen rubbed the back of his head. He told his best friend about exactly everything in the world except for the little voice in his head. When George had first shown up, Hollen had thought the persistent pressure in his head and chest was a cold coming on. It wasn’t until he heard the voice that he realized what exactly had happened. “I was kind of talking to myself a lot, so they let me go.”

“What?” Adair looked more upset about that than he did about his cheating boyfriend. Fresh tears gathered in his eyes, the red flush deepening. “You talk to yourself all the time—it’s just ayouthing. It’s not even annoying unless I’m watching my show.”

Shrugging, Hollen pulled his hoodie over his head, tossing it toward the entrance to his bedroom. The apartment was tiny, with only a small living room, kitchen and two bedrooms that were just big enough for double beds and a small dresser. It meant everything was in easy reach, and there was very little to dust each week.

Hollen shivered in the cool air of the apartment. “I guess I wasreallychatty.”

As much as Hollen had loved the last job, George hadhatedit. There was rarely silence in his head between his own thoughts and the constant complaints washing over him, his skin prickling every time he touched a tomato or the dough. Everybody loved pizza—except possessive demons, apparently.

“So, what’s this new place?” asked Adair. He flicked the television off, bending down to grab another handful of chocolate. Hollen dropped to the floor, scooping as many ofthe treats as he could back into the bowl before Ghost took off with any more. He could hear the cat chewing on something somewhere, but hopefully one or two chocolates wouldn’t hurt him.

“I think I met mister tall, dark, and handsome, only he’s an asshole, too.” Hollen grinned, grabbing a few Smarties for himself before laying them out to separate them by color. “It’s some tea place with the little sandwiches. What do you call that again? High tea, I think. It’s just off main drag.”