Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“Oh, and if you drink and play, you gotta have a spotter or dungeon monitor nearby who knows what the plan is.”
They had one another’s backs out here in a way I’d never experienced before. Being so close-knit allowed them to take more risks, because they set up their own safety procedures to ensure someone would be catching them if they fell.
The primal brat in me really, really, really hoped Mclean House would work out for me.
I winced as I touched my shoulders.
I better not forget sunscreen tomorrow.
I slipped my tee over my head, forgoing a bra, and I was glad I’d packed the softest T-shirt I owned. Which wasn’t a coincidence. Lane had packed his own version. Mine read “On pussy patrol,” and his read “On dick duty.”
We were funny that way.
After stepping into a pair of cotton shorts, I tucked a twenty into the credit card pocket on the back of my phone, grabbed my room key, and walked out of my guest room, smelling like my lemon body wash and shea butter lotion. Not that it mattered. Within twenty minutes, everything was gonna smell of boy cologne.
Once downstairs, I let the music lead the way. The club area was fairly empty, most people ready to enjoy the sunset hour outside. But I did make a stop at the bar, where Shay and Lane were mixing drinks.
“What do you want me to put on Mistress Penelope’s tab, Nora?” Lane asked.
“Nothing, thank you.” I stepped between two barstools. “But I’ll have a Kopparberg pear cider, please.”
It was possible I’d been giddy to learn they carried that brand here, ’cause it was my absolute favorite.
“Swedes gonna Swede,” was Lane’s response.
Shay smirked and eyed my tee. “I’m guessing you and Lane ordered those together.”
“Fuck yeah, we did,” Lane said. “Ty wants me to change mine to include his name.” He was so happy about that too.
I had no such person to get possessive over me, so…
“Stop frowning and make a move on Penelope,” Lane told me.
I frowned even more. “I think she’s made her lack of interest very clear already, but for your information, I was gonna try to talk to her tomorrow.”
“When she’s a DM at the event?” Shay cocked a brow. “She’ll be obligated to talk to you.”
I huffed.
“I’ll start up a tab for you.” Lane finally gave me my cider, and I immediately chugged from the bottle.
Then we heard a voice booming from the doorway to the terrace. “Never mind, the primal shits are scheming at the bar!” It was Reese.
I scrunched my nose.
“We’re not scheming.” Shay furrowed his brow.
Reese walked toward us. “I’m sure. Gimme four beers and three whiskeys, baby. The guitars are comin’ out.”
“Fuck yes.” Shay was suddenly in a hurry, and so was Lane.
“Do you take requests, Sir?” I asked.
“Not at all,” Reese assured.
I chuckled.
He nodded at me. “You stayin’ the night, pet?”
“Yes, Sir,” I replied.
“Good. Cam’s taking everyone’s breakfast order outside, so make sure to add yours,” he said.
Oh, good to know.
When we headed outside a moment later, I noticed a shift in the atmosphere and a change in the attendance. Jack and Franklin had gone home, while Master Greer had shown up with Archie.
It must have something to do with the event planning tomorrow. I knew some of the Tops were getting together early to discuss the next Game, which would be my third. I’d participated in the Academy event and the Easter Egg Hunt as well.
The organizers said every event was designed so that participants could be single, but I wasn’t sure about this next one. It was one thing to run around the house and attend pretend-classes where pretend-professors set us up to fail—a whole other to go from station to station with a Top I didn’t have.
It was going to be a TPE-oriented event, to boot. What the hell did I know about high-protocol stuff? I wasn’t a consensual slave. Then again, Noa, Corey, Kit, and many others were joining, and they weren’t into high-protocol either. But they did have partners.
Feeling like a third wheel, I followed Lane to the seating area just off the deck, where several had gathered in low chairs and sofas. Three guitars were present. Colt was strumming on one, and Ty had another.
I noticed Greer and Penelope talking outside her cabin farther down the lawn.
“Pizza will be here in half an hour,” Tate announced.
“Where’s Kit?” Shay asked.
Colt answered. “He’s gettin’ a taste of Luke’s wrath after bratting off too much in the shower.”
Tate lifted his brows at Shay. “He literally grounded Kit. He’s not allowed to leave the cabin for the rest of the night.”
“Damn.” Shay was surprised.
I chewed on my lip and debated where to sit. Ash was still here, and he and Penelope were close. So if I sat near him, chances were I’d end up close to her as well…?