Page 63 of The King Contract
@bellarose32:Is that Noah King?? Is this his photographer? @miapeters
@miapeters:Omg reckon it’s Millie?? @bellarose32
25
NOAH
An impenetrable force
First night fevertakes over every one of us. It happens every time we go somewhere together. We promise we won’t get carried away, so we have energy the next day to go kayaking or swimming or whatever activities we’ve planned, but we always get too excited and drink way too much.
The entire group sits in a circle around the unlit campfire. There are strict no-fire laws in place at the moment—the risk of a fire starting is massive thanks to the heat and dry conditions. Millie’s sitting next to Steph directly across from me, her cheeks rosy from the beers. She’s giggling at something Steph and Erin are sharing with her. She catches me staring at her a few times, but she doesn’t seem bothered by it. If anything, I swear she becomes bolder, her eyes turning into seductive slits.
“Let’s play a game!” Mack announces. “Never have I ever.”
Dan groans next to me. “You’re a fucking child.”
“How does it go again?” Steph asks. “You take a sip when youhavedone the thing?”
“And you can’t ask any follow-up questions,” Erin adds. “No fishing for info, you busy bodies.”
Mack sits up, a gleam in his eyes. “Correct. I’ll go first. Never have I ever had sex in public.”
“Boring,” Callum calls, sipping his beer.
I take a sip of my drink. I’ve had sex in public several times. Sometimes it’s hot, like sneaking into a cloakroom and having to bang quickly before you get caught. Other times, I’m not so proud to admit, have been drunken stupors on the beach or in a park. Not exactly glamourous.
I glance at Millie, who clasps both her hands around her drink, watching those who sip with interest. I’m grateful I’ve already divulged some of my worst stories to her, otherwise she’d go running in the other direction.
“Let’s hear your suggestion then,” Mack drawls at Callum.
“Never have I ever had sex with three or more people at the same time,” Callum says with a grin, taking another drink of his beer.
Dan and I glance at each other before we both sip our beers. The boys have few secrets between us, our sexcapades not one of them. It’s no surprise the four of us take a drink. Steph and Erin also sip. Millie remains still, her eyebrows quirking after I’ve taken my mouthful.
“These are so vanilla,” Erin scoffs. “Never have I ever gone to a sex club?—”
“Oh, please,” Mack cuts in, lifting his drink.
“And participated,” she adds, staring him down. “Not watched others, but participated in a sex act and had people watchyou.No lying, Mack Daddy.”
His eyebrow perks at the way she says his name, but he doesn’t take a sip. Erin smirks before sipping hers. To my surprise, Dan lifts his beer to his lips.
“Bro. When?” I ask, a chuckle slipping out.
“No questions allowed,” he grumbles.
“I am so boring,” Millie announces. “I commend each of you on your adventurous spirits, but I have nothing to bring to the table.”
Steph laughs kindly. “There’s no judgment here, girl. This game is designed for people like Mack to brag about their sex lives. Although, I think Erin is going to beat him with every question.”
Erin straightens her shoulders proudly. “The point is to share parts of yourself without having to give details. We don’t have to talk only about sex. What’s something that might be more common, but also telling?”
“Never have I ever been in love.” Dan’s gruff voice carries around the group and a silence stills over us. He takes a big swig of his beer. I know Dan. He might be stern and silent most of the time, but at the rate he’s drinking beers, he’s minutes away from declaring his deepest and most profound thoughts before falling asleep in his chair.
The group moves past the silence, and everybody takes a sip of their beers. Everyone except Millie.
“You’ve never been in love?” I ask, my curiosity piquing.
