"What's in it for them?" I whispered, leaning over toward Logan.
"Shits and giggles," he replied simply. "They could kill us, or have us killed, but they throw us down here instead. Someone lives, they get to have a laugh."
"That's sadistic," I remarked.
"You seemed surprised." Bruno looked over at me.
"Not so much surprised," I said slowly. "Knowing this happens every year and seeing it are different." I shook my head. "I don't know, I guess I was naive."
Logan grunted a laugh. "You think? No offence, baby, but you have naive written all over you." He gestured toward me, his fingers spread.
"Except those boots," Bruno said. "Those boots don't say innocent. They say, 'I want to wrap my legs around your waist and let you fuck me.'"
I glanced down at my boots. That was the point of them. I put them on this morning to get attention. It worked, for all the good it would do in the long run.
"Natasha and Nolan," Hunter called. "You're up."
"Good luck, baby," Logan said. He seemed unconvinced I'd walk away from my first match alive.
Bruno, on the other hand, said, "You've got this. Do you want a kiss for luck?"
I almost declined, but then realised it might be the last kiss I ever got. I might as well enjoy it while I could, right? I leaned over and pressed my lips to his.
They tasted sweet and salty at the same time.
When I thought he was going to pull away, he deepened the kiss, his tongue tracing all the way around my lips before pushing inside my mouth. He placed his hand on my hip and pulled me closer until our chests bumped. On and on we went, devouring each other's mouths like there was no tomorrow.
Both of us aware that might be accurate.
"If you take any longer, you're going to forfeit your match," Hunter called out.
That made me pull away, face flushed. I believed it. He'd kill me for delaying.
I gave Bruno a small smile before pushing myself to my feet and hurrying over to take my place at the table. By hurrying, I meant walking as fast I could, while trying to look like I was born wearing heels. I probably moved like a chicken ready to lay an egg, mincing and uncomfortable.
I scooped up the paddle, feeling the weight of it in my hand. I half expected it to be slick with sweat, but somehow it wasn't. Not yet. When I was finished with it, it might be.
Hunter and Parker spoke to each other quickly before Parker nodded at me.
"Ladies first."
I swallowed hard and nodded back. Picked up the ball and got ready to serve. Stood with my feet too close together as if I had no idea what I was doing. Aimed the ball a little low.
I had to make Nolan feel comfortable. This was the only chance I got to pretend I was clueless before everyone else saw otherwise.
I hoped.
I also might be about to fall on my face. Possibly literally. That would suck.
If I fell to the left, I'd fall in a pool of other people's blood. Maybe a bit of brains mixed in. No thanks.
If I fell to the right, I'd look like an idiot in front of everyone. The twins were getting enough laughs out of this, without me adding to them.
Better footwear next time,I told myself. Not that I wanted there to be a next time.
"Oops," I said when the ball didn't make it over the net.
It rebounded and bounced back to me. I pretended to almost miss when I picked it up again and got ready to serve. The ball barely made it over the net this time, bouncing low.
