Page 33 of A Sip of Sin

Munro was staring at him, his gaze narrowed.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to dent the tray. I was doing so good, too.” Hollen gently set it into the suds. They were still warm, but not hot, the dishes piling high within. The person who had been working on the dishes earlier in the evening had disappeared about an hour before, and they were starting to stockpile.

“I think my first full day is going okay.” Hollen forced a smile onto his face.

Sean nodded. “From what I’ve seen, we’re happy to have you.”

He cracked a yawn, swaying where he stood. With all the excitement and whatever was going on with Munro, he hadn’tslept much. Most nights he barely did, anyway. George had a way of keeping him awake with ramblings about the past.

The tray tilted in the suds as he stumbled, blinking hazily as he tried to get his focus back. “I used to be able to stay up for two days in a row.” He yawned again, his jaw creaking from the angle. Lately, he’d barely made it through the day without the need to pass out somewhere.

Munro shifted, a frown tugging at his lips. “You’re tired. If you aren’t able to continue—”

“Give the kid a break, boss,” said Sean, cutting Munro off. “It’s his first full shift, and it’s midnight. His bedtime is probably nine o’clock.” Lining up the bread pans, he finished the last of them, covering the whole array with a massive towel.

“Sorry.” Hollen rubbed the back of his head, suppressing the next yawn. “I’m not used to being up so late. Give me a couple days, and it won’t be a problem. I promise.”

Sean nodded. “I had a hard time, too. I’m usually here mid-afternoon to start prepping, and sometimes I’m still here mid-morning. It takes some getting used to.” He jerked his chin at Munro. “Not like these guys, who only need a couple hours sleep. They’d work us all to the bone if we didn’t remind them we’re mortal.”

“I was going to offer that you could have a rest in my chambers.” Munro crossed his arms, his gaze steady. “I can help the others finish tonight, and I’ll come wake you when everyone is gone. It’s not out of my way to walk you home again.”

The kitchen was so silent that Hollen could almost hear the yeast rising in the bread pans. He could feel Sean staring at him, his gaze almost heavier than Munro’s. A flush rose to Hollen’s cheeks as Sean raised one brow.

“That sounds really nice, actually.” Hollen flushed hotter, unable to ignore the low whistle Sean let out. “Let me just take out this last tray, then I’m ready.”

He was in and out of the dining room in seconds, doing his best not to look at Sean before following Munro down the hall with the flickering lights. The humidity of the kitchen gave way to pure heat as Hollen shuffled after Munro, sweat breaking out over his skin.

He couldn’t imagine working as hard as Sean in this heat, already overwhelmed when he’d just been walking around with trays all night.

He glanced at Munro. He seemed completely unaffected by the temperature, his movements smooth and even as they made their way down the hall. There was no dread this time as he passed the flickering lights, only a twisting in his gut of pure anticipation as they went into the darkness.

Is he going to kiss me again?It was almost all he’d been able to think about since Munro had escorted him home like a pure gentleman, wishing him goodnight with no pressure for a repeat kiss, even with as much as Hollen had longed for it.

“Don’t interrupt this time,” said Hollen, whispering softly so hopefully George would know the words were just for him.

The demon in his head grumbled. “Someday you’ll listen to me. Remind me to tell you I told you so when that happens.” The heavy sigh echoed in his thoughts. “Just don’t do anything stupid.”

With that, George faded to the very depths inside that Hollen could barely sense. Hollen rubbed at his chest where George seemed to nestle right next to his heart, the pounding beat of him reduced to a tremor. “Better.”

He wasn’t sure how a demon with such a presence could shrivel up to almost nothing at will.

Walking through the throne room again was surreal. That freezing cold table was still right in the center of it all, black stone seeming to suck the heat from the room with a strange pull that tugged directly at his chest. George grumbled, shifting lowerand settling into Hollen’s gut, where he was so much easier to ignore.

With the dining room filled to the maximum upstairs, the room below was left empty, the only sounds their footsteps and the heating vents that seemed to blast down here more than anywhere else in the building. Hollen wiped his forehead as sweat beaded there.How does everyone stand it?

George’s soft whisper answered his thoughts. “They’re almost cold-blooded. If they get too cold, they’ll slow down until they eventually stop, frozen in position for eternity.”

Hollen bit his lip, pressing a soft “shut up” into his palm.

Munro looked over his shoulder, raising one brow at Hollen. “Is something bothering you?” He paused, a few steps shy of the door that led to his bedroom. It was beyond the chair that seemed lethal, lined with antlers with tips sharpened and dipped in silver. “Or have I made you uncomfortable?”

“No…I—”

“Perhaps I could escort you home instead.” Munro nodded. “Forgive me, I shouldn’t have presumed.”

“Stop.” Hollen reached for him, grasping Munro’s wrist. Instead of the cool skin he expected, Munro was warm, only the tips of his fingers slightly cooler. “Please. I want to stay.”

Munro curled his lips into a smile, the light of it reaching his eyes. When he wasn’t scowling or frowning, his eyes almost seemed to glow, the ice giving way to exotic beauty. He reached for the door, turning the knob and pushing it to reveal his bedroom.

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