“Wait. Please tell me you aren’t going to spit roast me over an open flame.”
Tanner pretended to be offended. “Of course not! What kind of freak do you think I am?”
“The kind who wants to spit roast me with another dude!”
He laughed. “Guilty as charged. But luckily for you, I’m not a monster. If you really don’t want to do it, then I’ll pay the fine. Hell, I’ll even find a way to let you stay in the Society.”
“What’s the catch?”
“The only catch is that you take a few minutes to make your final decision. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to experience something that most people can only fantasize about. Sex isn’t something gross and evil that should only be done behind locked doors. It’s beautiful, and it should be celebrated.” He pulled the cart to a stop outside a tent near the feast area. The tent blocked my view, but I could still hear the ruckus of all the campers standing around the raging campfire. He hopped off the cart and put his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be back in five minutes. Think about it.” He trailed his finger down my arm as he got out of the cart, just barely brushing my skin.
A shiver went down my back. I wanted him. I’d wanted him since the first day I’d set eyes on him. But not like this.Right?
Frankie popped her head out of the tent. “Hey girl,” she said in her always-bubbly voice.
“Hey,” I said absently. My mind was elsewhere.
She skipped over and grabbed my hand. “Come on. Let me touch up your hair and makeup. I want to make sure you look perfect before your big entrance.”
Oh God. Big entrance? This can’t be happening.
Frankie pulled me into the tent. It was primarily set up as a kitchen, with servers rushing in and out, but there was also a little vanity with those super bright lights. I sat down and Frankie started re-braiding my hair.
“I don’t know if I should do it,” I said.
“What?” asked Frankie. “You have to do it! You’re going to have so much fun.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. Just forget about all the people watching and enjoy yourself.” She grabbed a medieval-looking goblet off a server’s tray and shoved it in my hands. “Here, this will help.”
I downed it in one gulp.
“Actually, I think you should definitely run away.”
“What? Why?”
“Because as your handmaid, I’m second in line.” Frankie looked so excited.
No! You don’t get to have sex with Tanner. He’s mine!And in that moment, I knew what I had to do. I wanted him. Despite the awkward circumstances. And I wasn’t going to share him with someone else. Even if he was willing to share me.God, I’d lost my mind.“I’m going to need another drink.”
This Is War - Chapter 29 - The Whore-Princess
Saturday – September 23, 2023
Tanner was waiting for me outside the tent, just casually leaning against a tree. As if nothing wild was about to happen.
How can he be so calm at a time like this?!
He kicked off the tree and walked over, the hint of a smile playing on his face. He stopped a few inches away from me.
“So what’s the verdict?” he asked. He reached out and ran his fingers through my hair.
“I’ll do it,” I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. Maybe if he didn’t hear me, I wouldn’t have to go through with it.
“What was that?” He cupped his hand to his ear and leaned in. “I couldn’t hear you.”
This is actually happening.I wouldn’t share him with Frankie. I couldn’t. “I said I’ll do it.” Sweat was pouring out of me by the gallon. This was shaping up to be more of a slip n’ slide than a spit roast.
