79
I scowl at the neat little puncture wounds on the Australian’s neck, but say nothing as she goes on and on about how fucking the bachelor was like shooting to the moon on a rocket strapped between your thighs.
The imagery makes me shudder.
“Are you OK, Cat?” Thorun whispers where we sit on the couch awaiting the arrival of the bachelor for another cocktail party.
“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know, I guess you’ve been acting a little quiet since the baby challenge.”
I shrug and finger the jewels on the black velvet ribbon around my neck.
It had been sent to me earlier this evening in a matching velvet box.
When I’d opened it, I’d gasped. The entire ribbon was studded with tiny rubies.
The black velvet dress that arrived with it, also in a long, black box, matched it to perfection.
All the women in the house had received individual dresses for tonight, but no one else had received jewels. Part of me was delighted, but part of me also knew it was as a payment for my blood, and a way of covering what had occurred between us.
I’d normally be worried that singling me out puts a bigger target on my back. But only Sona and Thorun knew about the gift.
“I’m just keen to get the next challenge over and done with,” I sigh now. “It’s usually the most brutal, involves weapons, and will knock us down in numbers significantly in preparation for the final challenge.”
“Great,” Thorun whispers.
We look up as the bachelor enters the room and makes his way towards us.
With only nine women left it’s clear we’ll all get more time than usual with him tonight.
For myself, I’d rather not. Being around him makes me feel uncomfortable, especially knowing that while I’d worked hard to stay as close to the truth as possible answering his questions, he still doesn’t trust me.
He clears his throat and nods to me.
“Ladies, you all look ravishing tonight.”
I blush and look down at my hands, his words sending a remembered thrill through me at what it had been like being ravished, his lips upon my throat, his body pressed to mine. It wasn’t sex; it would never be that. But it was as close as I’ll ever come to that with anybody.
“Thorun, would you like to spend some time?”
I try to act nonchalant as he holds his hand out to her and she takes it.