Page 11 of Love is Trash in Hallow's Cove

Hayley

“You’rejoking.That’slikesomething out of an over the top romcom—the evil ex cheating on the best friend.” The demon beside me clutches their chest dramatically.

I shake my head and let out a wry laugh at Tryzx’s reaction. It still stings to think about, but getting my heart broken is at least amusing conversation fodder. “I know, I know. I swear it felt like I was being pranked, because the sight of them fucking in the dressing room when I was in the shop working felt so ridiculous.”

“What a pair of absolute assholes. I can put in a bad word with my great-uncle if you’d like.” Tryzx gives me a feral grin.

Over dinner—our first official date since they joked that our casual coffee hang out didn’t give them enough of a chance to impress me—they told me that their great-uncle is head of soul procurement in the demonrealm. I honestly couldn’t tell if it was a joke or not, but didn’t want to be an uncultured human and ask.

I snort and wave them off. “Nah, they’re not worth it. Besides…” I give the attractive demon a shy smile, look up at them through my lashes. “It’s led me to a much better place.”

“Mmm, true,” they purr, stepping in closer. Close enough that I can feel the supernatural heat of their body soaking into mine, and smell their spicy cologne. A matching heat pools in my low belly as I wonder what it would feel like for them to wrap all that heat around me.

“Would you like to come back to my place for dessert?” Tryzx asks, a flicker of desire in their dark gaze. “I’m still pretty hungry,” they add, the intensity vanishing as quickly as it came on.

I like them. They’re fun to talk to and it’s clear they find me attractive, which is a huge win considering my abysmal dating track record in Hallow’s Cove up to this point. If things keep going well, there could definitely be something between us. If I can stop feeling intimidated by their surges of intense energy that seem to come out of nowhere when we’re talking. I’m sure once we know each other better, the comfort will come.

We walk the handful of blocks back to their place, a cute duplex with a yard sign that says “Beware of Hell Hound”.

“Do you have a dog?” I ask as they unlock their front door, trying not to let my nerves show. Unless I’m even more clueless than I think I am, they’ve brought me back to their place to have sex. Or at least make out a bit.

Shit, I hope my breath smells okay. I knew I shouldn’t have had that garlic bread!

“You doing okay, beautiful?” they ask in a soft rasp, reaching out to take my hand and guide me inside.

“Oh, uh, yeah, totally! I was just thinking that I’m glad you’re not a vampire.” They cock their head in confusion. “Because of the garlic,” I add. Dammit, I really need to chill out and stop talking so much.

Tryzx chuckles and tugs me against their chest. Their head descends toward my throat and they inhale softly. “Mmm, I’m not a vampire, but I’m definitely ready to feast on you.”

My breath hitches, both at their nearness and sudden nerves. Do demons eat human flesh? Why didn’t I look into things more or ask them more questions?

“I probably don’t taste very good,” I say with a strained laugh, that turns into a gasp when their tongue drags up my neck.

“Oh, I disagree,” they rasp in my ear, one hand dropping to cup my ass and the other threading through my hair. “I can’t wait to taste your sweet pussy, beautiful. Are you wet for me?”

A weird half-laugh, half relieved exhale shudders out of me. They want to eat my pussy, not my flesh. Whew, okay.

Tryzx nips at my ear. “I want to hear you tell me you want this, Hayley.”

“I…”

I want to go for it and let this sexy demon eat me out, but little alarm bells are going off in my head at how fastthings are moving. There’s no shame in a hookup like this, but despite my bravado the other night at the bar, I’m not actually looking for meaningless sex.

Tryzx steps back when I don’t give them an enthusiastic yes. “Shit, did I misread this?” they ask, giving me an apologetic smile that seems more genuine than their flirtier ones. “Sometimes when I haven’t fed in a while I can’t tell what is my arousal and what’s someone else’s.”

Their comment about feeding is weird, but I don’t want to ruin my shot with them, so I brush past it. “N-no, I, uh, I think you’re really attractive and am enjoying spending time with you, but I don’t know if I’m ready yet.”

Their brow furrows. “Because of your ex?”

I shake my head. “No, not them. It’s just, I think if I’m going to have sex, I want there to be more, uh, emotion behind it.” I give them a hesitant smile. “A connection.”

Tryzx’s black eyes widen. “Oh! Damn, I’m sorry, Hayley. I thought you understood when I mentioned being hungry that I wanted to have sex so I could feed off your arousal.”

My stomach sinks. “R-right. Of course. That makes sense.” The laugh I let out sounds brittle.

Their face falls, the mask of their smooth, sexy persona slipping further. “You’re such a lovely woman, and if I were looking for a relationship, you’d be an excellent choice. Truly. But I’m a young lust demon, and I won’t be able to settle down for at least another century or so.”

A lust demon. That explains it. Dammit, I’m such an idiot. Their sincere tone is only making this situation worse, and to my horror, tears well in my eyes.

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