(Welcome to the third book of the Reverse series. This is a stand-alone mxm book but has characters from the first book, and possibly the second. Happy reading and many doggos to you all. I'll probably mess with the cover a bit more later.) 

Dropping down into one of the large wing-back chairs that littered the overly warm entry room, Hollem let out an exhausted sigh as he leaned his head back on the fabric and closed his dark grey eyes. He was nearly asleep within minutes, if only one of their newest girls would just let him be. 

Lauriette, a slightly pleasant woman of twenty-three, had stopped beside him. The strong scent of her honey blossom perfume was stifling in its over-abundance. When he didn't hear her move away, Hollem forced his eyes open at the same time he put a fake smile across his lips. 

"Hello, Lauriette, how may I help you?" He asked, adding his gentlemanly voice to his facade, even though he wanted nothing more than to get up and walk away from her. Unfortunately, it was his job to make sure that all of the girls were taken care of and everything was finished for the day before they closed. 

The woman leaned over, showing him cleavage that he wanted nothing to do with. He was attracted to women, sure, but was quite picky. And in all honesty, he preferred some of the lads he took to bed over the women. They were always pliant and a little nervous, even if he'd bedded them previously. They always wanted to make sure that he was pleased, too. The women he took? They always wanted to use him until he was completely spent, in every way. 

They had booked me for far too many appointments today. He thought as a headache began behind his eyes and he fought himself not to run his fingers through his shoulder-length black hair with impatience. 

"You look very tired, but I was wondering if, perhaps, you would be interested in a warm bed the day?" She asked, making him bite back a frown. 

Very forward. No wonder madam Maria hired her right away. 

Sitting straight, he bowed his head slightly in respect, then offered her a small smile. "I do apologize, but I am quite worn out from my day. I believe I'll be asleep as soon as my head touches the pillows." 

She backed up a step when he moved to stand, a faint blush painting her cheeks. "Of course, master Hollem. Do have a good rest, you were indeed quite busy today." 

I'm sure you were paying attention. 

It was unkind of him to think that she had been just waiting her turn to use him, but he'd become quite unkind after working in such a place for so many years. He didn't spite the customers or workers, but he did treasure his time alone, where no one wished for his false attentions or looked upon him for guidance. 

With another slight nod of his head, Hollem dismissed himself as the front door was pulled shut and locked by one of the maids. He turned and went about checking the back door, then headed down the hall to be sure that everyone was content for the day. 

By the time he finally made his way up to his own large room on the second floor, he was ready to just fall into his bed, clothes and all. 

"Hollem!" 

Your timing is as perfect as always, madam Maria. 

Not bothering with a fake smile, Hollem turned around, releasing the door handle to his room. 

"I know you are tired, so I won't hold you up." The busty red-haired woman said, making him want to turn right back around and disappear. Only, his thoughts were halted when a young lad with messy brown hair, similar to his own, though a few shades lighter, stepped out from behind the woman. 

He couldn't be older than twenty... 

The two were nearly the same height, which was slightly humorous, because madam Maria was actually quite tall for a woman at five foot seven inches or so. Hollem tilted his head slightly, lowering it just a little as he tried to meet the boy's eyes, yet he had no luck. The young man kept his gaze on the floor, not even lifting it as madam Maria pressed a hand against the small of his back to guide him forward. 

Hollem raised his eyebrows at the woman, drawing a small smile from her. "He comes highly recommended, and we have not had a lad willing to bottom for some time. Unfortunately, we have no spare rooms right now after my having just hired Lauriette. Would it be too much to ask you to share for a short time, until I can arrange something?" 

Absolutely, it would be. 

They didn't technically use their own rooms for their customers, but still. He needed his personal time to stay sane. She knew that he couldn't decline her request, though. The woman had practically picked him up off of the streets where he'd been doing far less favorable things to put food in his belly. Letting slip a slight sigh, Hollem nodded and reached forward, setting his hand on the young man's shoulder. He felt him flinch beneath his palm, but madam Maria seemed to have missed the reaction. 

He doesn't like being touched? 

He couldn't understand how a lad who hated being handled could come highly recommended, but he bit his tongue on his thoughts. There would be time for questions another time, when he wasn't falling asleep on his feet. 

"His name is Amia." She said before gesturing to him. "Amia, this is Hollem. He helps me run the business. If you ever have any trouble, whether it be with a customer or anyone else who lives here, and I am not readily available, please find him." 

The young man nodded stiffly. Seemingly considering her job done, madam Maria dismissed herself, disappearing down the hall to leave them in an awkward silence. When the guy just stood there, Hollem released his shoulder and turned, gesturing him to follow as he finally ducked into his room. 

He already had his shirt off by the time the guy hesitantly stepped just inside. Hollem turned just in time to catch a glimpse of Amia's eyes before he averted them to the wall to his right. 

Light brown. They almost looked  maroon for a moment. 

"There is a tub of water in the small room right there," he said, pointing to where he was heading. "If you would like to wash after I rinse off quickly. If you are hungry or thirsty, there is a water pitcher on the nightstand, and a piece of bread from lunch. There will be nothing else available until this evening, unfortunately. The cook dislikes anyone sneaking about her kitchen while she's asleep." He said before walking over to the small washroom. 

He moved past Amia, feeling the young man's eyes on him for a moment before he disappeared into the little room. The water was cold, but it honestly felt amazing. His job required him to get quite heated, several times a day, so any chance to cool himself off was a relief that he greatly welcomed. Heck, he hardly used the covers on his bed because he usually felt far too hot beneath them. 

After a quick bath, Hollem got himself out of the tub and dried off, then set his towel on the bar fastened to the wall to dry. He walked out of the room completely naked, not worried in the least about his new roommate. They were both men and both used to sex, so he didn't think that it would matter. 

So, when he glanced sideways to tell Amia that he was free to use the water, he was surprised to see that he had turned around, giving Hollem his back as he stared at the door. The odd reaction made him stop halfway to his dresser and stare at the guy. 

"What's wrong?" He asked. Clearly, something was bothering the man. 

"I can't help you if you don't talk to me." He tried again, just earning a shrug in return. 

Frustrated and tired, Hollem walked over to his dresser and pulled on a pair of comfortable slacks, then turned around and sat down on the edge of his bed. 

"Have you been forced into this profession?" He asked. 

Hollem knew that if madam Maria knew that Amia had been given no choice, she would immediately send him on his way. She was not running a charity for scared girls or boys. She wanted people who were eager to work and knew what they were doing. She also highly disliked when people took advantage of others, and if Amia had been forced into the trade, she would definitely revoke his contract. 

When the young man shook his head, yet still didn't look at him, Hollem sighed and fell over onto his bed. He nearly passed out right then and there, his eyes growing too heavy to keep open. 

"Well, I am glad about that fact, at least. Get some rest, you will likely need it for tomorrow, even if you have no customers yet." He mumbled, not expecting an answer. And he didn't get one. 

Hollem was drifting between being awake and asleep a few minutes later when he felt the bottom of his large bed depress. His mind didn't process it enough to come to any kind of conclusion as to what had happened, and when there was no more signs of movement, he allowed himself to finally drift off into a much needed sleep.