Page 1 of Savored Sins
one
ZEKE
“Yo! Zeke! Over here, man.”
I can hardly hear my name over the clatter of the bar and the thump of the bass in the speakers. I flash a grin at the bartender as I edge my way around the bar toward the dude with the hands cupped around his mouth, barely missing someone’s prissy little cocktail with my elbow. The bartender smirks, and I raise my eyebrows. Her top’s cut in a low V and her tits are off the damn charts. I can tell by the look on her face that she’s wondering what my hands would feel like snaking beneath that flimsy shirt of hers, but I don’t even have my drink yet—and Jaxon Slade’s still hollering at me from across the pub.
I punch him in the arm when I finally get to him, and he shoulder checks me back. I’ve only met Jax a couple of times at previous meet-ups, but the guy’s a fixture in the New England ghost hunting scene. He’s a fraud, of course—wouldn’t know a ghost if it fucked him in the ass—but he makes up for it with fancy-schmance gear and a production budget I’d absolutely kill for.
Anyway, no need to go into all that. I’ll play nice with this crowd if they play nice with me. After all, we can’tallbe paranormally gifted. Hair toss.
“Hey, hey. What’s up?”
One of the other guys nods to the bar, swirling his beer bottle. He grins. “We’re on round two. Better get yourself a drink and catch up.”
“Or… do you mind?” I lock eyes with the guy and pluck the bottle out of his hand, bringing it to my lips as I take a swig. I hand it back with an exaggerated swallow. His stare is a mix of awe and revulsion, and it makes me bust out laughing. Next to him, Jax is trying not to laugh. “Thanks, man. I’m gonna have what you’re having.”
I slink back off to the bar, leaving the group of pretend ghost hunters to titter and shake their heads. I don’t really know them very well, and that’s the way I like it. It’s how I roll. You let people in, they get too good a glimpse at you, and then bam—they’re gone. My dad pulled that shit practically the minute I popped out of the womb. He took one look at me, thought, “Damn, I don’t want this kid,” and peaced the heck out.
Nah, you gotta keep things surface level, keep things moving. Otherwise, stuff gets sticky—and not in the good way.
I slide an elbow onto the bar as the bartender comes over to me. “Give me a Sam Adams, babe.”
The bartender nods. She’s biting her bottom lip in a way that makes me want to hop over the bar and bite it for her, but that’s all she’s giving me. She’s even pulled her top up so there’s only a glimpse of creamy cleavage. She knows exactly what she’s doing, and I’m here for it. I love this game.
Suddenly, there’s a voice in my ear and Jax comes sidling up behind me, flinging his own elbow onto the bar.
“Goose Island,” Jax says. “Shane’s drinking a Goose Island.”
Really, dude? Read the fucking room.
I flash him a tight smile. “Yeah. I got that. But it actually tasted like shit.”
Taking my attention off the bartender, I scan the pub. The Driftwood is the only bar in Hawthorne Bay, and it’s absolutely packed tonight, which is a good sign. There’s a lot of interest in the paranormal these days—in ghosts, in particular—and even though a lot of these people are hella annoying, the in-person meet-ups are good for my brand. Pose for a picture, and they’ll tag you on Instagram. Lick your lips in a video, and the girls’ll post it on TikTok. It’s like the followers recruit themselves.
I know. I’m pretty. Sorry, not sorry.
“Get me one of those, too,” Jax says. I whip my head around to see him leaning across the bar to the bartender, jerking a primate thumb in my direction. He winks at the chick, and she presses her lips together, her eyes flicking to mine. I quirk one eyebrow in return and cross my arms over my chest, curious to see how this is going to play out.
Ha. I’m kidding.
I already know how this goes down. Honestly, I almost feel sorry for Jaxon Slade. He never stood a chance. I’m the master at this game, and Ineverlose.
The girl sets two glasses of beer on the bar and asks if we want to open a tab. We both say yes. Jax wraps his monkey fingers around the frosty glass and tips the rim toward the girl with another wink that makes me cringe in pity. I slide my glass toward me and take a sip, licking the foam from my upper lip. I’m careful to avoid the bartender’s gaze. You can’t make ittooeasy, after all.
“That chick’s hot as fuck,” Jax mutters once the bartender turns her back. He flashes me a sly grin, like we’re somehow in cahoots.
“She is, no cap.”
“That ass is going to be in my bed tonight.”
I feign surprise. “Oh, wow. You go, man.”
He gives me another wicked grin. “Watch this.”
Jax turns. He whistles to the bartender as I watch, amused. The girl turns, a little irritated at the sound of the whistle, and looks at Jax expectantly. He slides both elbows across the bar and gives her the cringiest smile I’ve ever seen, waggling his eyebrows in a way that almost has me cracking up. I’ve been with a guy or two. I know a man with game when I see one—and Jaxon Slade, as cute as he is, just doesn’t have it. Poor Jax.
“What time’s your shift end, hon? If you give me your number, we can meet up after.”
