Sin Eater

SHE HAD TO ADMIT, under any other circumstances, she was better at composing herself. But not tonight. Not when it came to her friends. A scream from the skank girl, shock in the eyes of what should’ve been Nadia’s loyal boyfriend, and two bouncers—really, two for one petite girl—pulling her from the dance floor led to a night Roselin would never forget.

“Ouch, let go of me, you knuckleheads. I’m leaving, alright,” Roselin said, trying to pull her arms from the muscled men. The bouncers released her, but not before one final push out onto the dark street, making her stumble and almost lose her balance. She snapped her head towards them. “Seriously. I was already out.” God, the manners of men these days.

She brushed her hand through her light blonde hair while she told herself to count to ten. Closing her eyes, she took a trembling breath. As she reached eight, a laugh behind her made her spin around in her high heels.

“Quite an exit, darling,” a man said in a British accent. Nonchalant, he leaned against the wall of the club. The edge of a tattoo peeked out from under the collar of his three-piece suit. His dark hair was a little damp from the late evening fog.

Roselin straightened the skirt of her tight black dress. “I’m glad I could entertain.” She made a little courtesy bow, his high cheekbones and Japanese features drawing her in. The man took another breath of his cigarette, and she couldn’t help but comment. “Have you not heard? Smoking kills.”

The guy cocked an eyebrow, his dark brown eyes meeting hers. “Does it? I thought those posters were merely decorative.”

“I’m pretty sure we, the citizens of New Arcadia, would not lower ourselves to decadence.” Roselin imitated the female’s tranquil voice of the New City advertisements, and the guy smirked, throwing his cigarette on the ground. She gasped. “And now littering. I might as well call the cops,” she said, not able to hide her own playful smile.

He stepped closer to her, his warm breath fanning her face, and Roselin tilted her head to meet his eyes. She’d be lying if her heart didn’t skip a beat at the close proximity or from the spicy scent of his cologne.

“And here I thought we were comrades in crime,” the man said in a low and almost threatening tone. Yet a hint of playfulness seeped through. He nodded to the club, hinting at her unusual departure.

“To be fair, it wasn’t quite like me, but some may call what I did a heroic action.”

“Being a hero isn’t quite like you?” There was that damned smirk of his again, making her knees weak.

“No, I’m a true saviour. Most heroic person you’ll ever meet, but I usually do it more gracefully,” Roselin said, and he gestured for her to continue. On any other day, she would’ve rolled her eyes and found her way home, but something in the stranger’s gaze held her captive enough to keep going with the story. “I was enjoying my long-awaited fun when my eye caught a familiar face. In general, I would happily greet him as the kind woman I am, but his mouth wasn't attached to his girlfriend who happens to also be my best friend.”

“Hmm, no loyalty.”

“I know, right? But I have. So, in a haze, I ordered one of the most colourful drinks, and I may have, allegedly, poured it over the bastard’s—I mean, troubled young man’s white cashmere sweater. Honestly, it was an accident, and throwing me out was unnecessary.”

“I can’t believe someone in our beloved city would treat a keeper of our ethics with such ill manners. Let me show you how a woman like you should be treated for such mannerism.” The corners of his lips twitched up, and he held out his arm.

The warnings from her mum about strangers flashed through her slightly tipsy mind. “I’m not sure a woman like me should accept an offer from a strange man lurking in the dark.”

“Lurking?” He laughed, and of course, it sounded mesmerising. Damn the handsome men in the city and her clouded thoughts.

“For all I know, you could be a criminal.” Roselin’s words granted her an even louder laugh.

“How rude of me. My name is Ryu, and how should I address the keeper of our city’s ethics?” Ryu took her hand and kissed the back.

A blush heated her cheeks. “Rose—Roselin, but my friends call me Rose.” She stumbled over her name.

“Well, Rose, let me buy you a drink.”

A handsome stranger who stood in the darkness outside a club wearing an out-of-place three-piece suit… she should say no, but her body screamed yes. She was already on borrowed time, so why not take one more risk? “How can I decline such chivalry?”

He held his hand up towards the street, and with a slight wave, a black, sleek car stopped before them. Ryu opened the door for her. The brown leather smelled new, and a tinted window separated the front from the backseat.

Ryu slipped in beside her, their knees touching. His arm rested on the backrest, his face was close enough for Roselin to take in all the little imperfections of his skin and his sharp jawline. He gave an order to the driver in a language she didn’t understand or recognise. As Ryu met her gaze, Roselin could feel the pull to avert her own, but the mesmerising spots of light brown in his dark eyes kept her hooked.

She knew joining him might be a bad idea, but there was something indescribably magnetic about Ryu that she was unable to deny. This could become pure addiction if she wasn’t careful.

The corners of Ryu’s lips pulled up, and he took her chin in his hand, preventing her from looking away. His eyes pierced hers. “Beautiful,” he breathed.

Her cheeks turned pink under his stare, and a glint of amusement shone on his face. Ryu leaned in, his mouth only an inch away as his breath tickled her ear. His fingers traced warm patterns on her upper leg, but she wouldn’t have minded his touch elsewhere on her body. “Tell me, as one of such good virtue, is it wrong to crave a girl you don’t know?”

Her breath caught in her throat. Roselin clenched her hands around the fabric of her skirt. “Depends on the girl. Some realise a bit of sin is good for their heart.”

“What about you?” His fingers traced up and stopped at the hem of her dress. The fluttering inside of her followed the movement and dropped as his finger brushed back down.

“I’m just having a drink with a kind stranger.”

Ryu pulled away when the car halted, the tension leaving with his body heat. The stiff wind played with her hair, and a shiver ran down her spine, but she was unsure if it was because of the chilly weather or the anticipation.

“I thought you were buying me a drink?” Roselin gazed up at the tall hotel building.

They must have been somewhere in the new part of the city where the buildings were inspired by the British 16th-18th century. If she wasn’t tipsy, or with Ryu, she would’ve made a quick sketch of the detailed architecture.

“You think the drinks here are free?” Ryu said. She rolled her eyes, and he held her jaw in his grip. “Besides, I want to multitask.”

A flutter spread through her body, and Roselin hid her desire behind a scoff. “A hotel? Bit cliche, don’t you think?” she said, pulling away from his hand.

A warm laugh rolled off his lips. “I’m not taking a stranger to my house.”

Understandable. Roselin wouldn’t either. You never know if they’ll catch stalker-feelings or not.

Ryu led her into the grand foyer. The hotel—and Ryu—looked decent enough she wouldn't have to flee in fear of losing her organs. They both appeared more expensive than she could afford. Come on, for once, let someone take you away from your comfort zone, Rose.

He ushered her to the elevator, and a frown wrinkled her forehead. “Shouldn’t you book a room first?”

The elevator arrived, and they stepped inside. “You should learn to trust.” He laughed as the door closed.

“I’ve been disappointed too many times, so I’m going to wait with the trust thing till I get some proof of—”

His lips snatched away her words. Ryu’s tongue pushed past her lips and explored her mouth. His body pressed against hers, her back against the wall as warmth radiated from his hand onto her skin. The scent of Ryu’s cologne filled her nose, and his kiss clouded her mind. She clutched his jacket to find some sort of grip as she lost her hold over herself.

Fuck, please move your hands over my body until the tingles disappear—Instead, he pulled away, and a soft disappointed moan escaped her lips. “How is that for some reassurance?”

Aware of her pounding heartbeat, she wondered if Ryu could hear it too. Before she could drown out the sound of her beating heart with some snarky remark, the elevator came to a halt. Roselin kept her jaw from hitting the floor. Truth be told, she didn’t know what to expect. Maybe a suite with a queen-size bed and a mini-fridge, but not an actual bar in a living room and a huge canopy bed. She bet the bathroom had a tub to die for.

“Is this to your satisfaction, Miss Rose?” She heard the smirk in his voice.

Still in awe, it took her a moment to react. “Depends on the drink.”

Ryu stood behind the bar, taking one crystal glass and a matching fancy bottle, which she guessed contained some expensive liquor. “Take off your dress,” he ordered.

A good kind of shudder shot through her body, but she couldn’t let him win without a fight. “Excuse you. I thought I was getting a drink?”

“And I told you I was going to multitask.” He held her gaze with intense determination.

Roselin tilted her head, her hands reaching towards the side of her dress. As she pulled down the zipper inch by inch, he poured the drink, his eyes not leaving her body for a second. Her clothes fell to the ground. Her nipples tightened at the sudden chill of the room, and she saw the dirty thoughts shimmering in Ryu’s eyes. He pursed his lips, his gaze trailing over her body as if taking a mental note of every curve, every mark, and every detail.

Ryu took a gulp of his drink, stepping from behind the bar and closer to her. She reached for her panties, but his hand stopped her. “Let me do the honours,” he said, his voice heavy with need. The scent of the strong liquor on his breath brushed her face in a warm invitation.

Roselin pulled away. After all, she was promised a drink. “I’m thirsty.”

With his finger on her chin, he pushed her lips apart. The alcohol tingled in her mouth as he poured the drink in. Cold liquid spilt past her lips, and a drop ran down her chest. But Ryu didn’t let any get to waste. His tongue chased it, creating a trail of wet heat as he nipped at the side of her breast. With a quick pull, he ripped her panties off, leaving them in tatters.

“Those were expensive,” she said.

“I’ll buy you new ones.”

Needing his lips, his touch, she stroked his chest. Ryu’s lips met hers in a demanding kiss. His lips travelled over her body as if they reunited again after a long parting. He lifted her off her feet, his fingers clenched around her ass. A shudder ran through her as her hips pressed against him.

Ryu dropped her on the bed, and one quick glance showed her how much he wanted her too, his cock straining against his pants. His fingers left warm traces, marking her body with an unforgettable touch. His thumb moved to her clit. Roselin pushed herself against him, needing more. Fiery moans filled the air, her mind not her own anymore, and encouraging Ryu only further. Her wetness dripped on the white sheets.

He turned her around, squeezing her ass and nibbling her shoulder. The zipper of trousers had never sounded so good. His fingers were hot on her thighs, spreading her legs, but immediately finding her clit again to keep her addicted.

Still, her brain pushed her to be responsible. “Condom,” she moaned into the pillow.

“You’re not on birth control?”

“I am, but I don’t know where your dick has been, and I don’t want whatever you could be carrying.”

A growl rumbled in his chest as he moved away from her. He threw open the drawer. The nightstand wobbled, and the lamp crashed to the floor. Roselin suppressed a laugh, biting her thumb, but the smile changed into a curse as Ryu worked one hand between her legs as his other found her breast. He rolled her nipple between his fingers while the other drew circles on her clit, sending electric shots of pleasure through her body. When she thought she’d shatter around his fingers, he pulled away. She turned to curse at him. Before she could, he pushed up her hips until her ass was on full display and he entered her in one quick stroke.

Roselin choked on air as she came, too worked up to last any longer. He only gave her a few seconds to catch her breath before he started moving. Ryu found every pleasure zone on her body, playing her like an instrument. She moaned as he groaned, his mind-clouding kiss snatching her breath away once more.

“Fuck—”

“I am, darling.” He breathed in her ear.

“Fine, just don’t stop.” She’d let him do whatever, as long as she could reach her high once more.

All the curse words she knew flashed through her mind as he pulled away. Ryu turned her around and entered her again, transforming her complaint into another moan.

Panting and sweating, Roselin closed her eyes.

“No.” Ryu grabbed her face and made her look at him. “I want to see your pretty green eyes when you come.”

With all her willpower, she tried to hold his gaze. White dots covered her vision, and she couldn’t control the sounds pushing past her lips. Ryu held her breast as he reached his peak. He leaned on one arm above her, keeping himself inches away from her as he panted against her skin. Damn, she should throw drinks on people more often if it resulted in this.

She lay in his embrace, catching her breath, until Ryu got up. Like a gentleman, he took excellent care of her; cleaned her, kissed her under the shower, ordered her some snacks from room service, and wrapped her in a blanket when he had to leave for a moment.

Roselin scrolled through her apps, waiting for Ryu as he asked her to. Her phone vibrated, and a notification popped up.

Nadia: Where are you? Gale thought you told me something? He acted all weird. What happened tonight?

Roselin cursed again for a completely different reason. She was a terrible friend. Why didn’t Roselin rush to Nadia to tell her about her cheating bastard boyfriend? She switched Ryu’s shirt for her dress. Great, no underwear! She grabbed her purse and took the elevator down. Sneaking out wasn’t her style, but it was an emergency.

The elevator doors opened, and she stared down both ends of the hallway. Which direction to go? Whatever, she’ll end up somewhere. Roselin pushed the door with the sign exit and stepped into a garden. Not what she expected, but at least it led outside. Following the sand path with hedges on the sides, voices drew her in. Someone should know the way out, right?

She stopped in her tracks, standing half behind the rose bush archway. In front of the fountain, Ryu towered over a man crouching on the ground. Two bulky men stood with him, their backs towards her. Something was wrong. Roselin felt it in every fibre of her body.

The small garden lights played shadows on Ryu’s face, and her mind screamed for her to leave, to look the other way, but she couldn’t. She stood frozen in her place. Ryu cut off the man’s begging, and Roselin’s own world seemed to stop. Black shadows danced like smoke around his hand, forming a long dagger. One swift movement and the guy fell limp to the ground.

Roselin slapped her hand on her mouth, suppressing the gasp. For a moment, she didn’t know how to move, her mind drawing a blank, not grasping what she had witnessed—what did she witness? Ryu met her gaze, and her heart sank. Swiftly, Roselin hid behind the bushes. Despite her mind’s desperate attempt to tell her, she didn’t want to listen. Her body took over as she pretended nothing happened and scurried out of the garden, into the hotel, and back onto the streets.

Her hands trembled beside her as her feet led her to the closest tram. What happened? No, don’t think about it. Nothing happened! She saw nothing… Oh, no—Ryu was going to kill her too.