Page 10 of Taking the Heat

I glanced across at the guys, finding a similar theme. They were all tall, fit and lean. Hair was all cut in more or less the same style, a shaggy do that looked unkempt but sexy as hell. And I would be willing to bet that each and every one of them was sporting a six-pack under their suits.

I knew for a fact Chris had abs like a fitness model. Unable to resist checking him out, I let my eyes stray down to the end of the row, where the coffee-maker stood, dark and brooding, like a tall mug of espresso. His stare was locked on me and I shivered, despite myself.Get a grip, woman!

A waving hand next to Chris tore my gaze away. Henry fluttered his fingers at me and I smiled. From the corner of my eye, I could see Chris scowling, but I ignored him.

‘Contestants! Thank you!’ Miles took his place upon the small stage, his bald head shining in the light of the moon, the flaming torches and the camera bulbs. ‘Now, I know things were just about to get very interesting for some of you inside the bungalow, and I’m sorry to interrupt. But this is Erotic Island, and there are some very specific rules to follow during your time here.’ He grinned wickedly. ‘That is, of course, if you’d like to keep your prize money.’

Waving his fingers, he went on. ‘We all know that Erotic Island involves sex. Buthow, I hear you asking? Let’s find out.’

Except for the hissing of the waves against the sand, the beach was perfectly silent and still. Each of us stood, desperate to hear the keys to keeping our fortunes. I balled my fists and squeezed my nails into my palms, nervous energy streaking through me.This is actually happening.

‘The first rule may surprise you,’ said Miles. ‘There is no kissing, touching or physical contact of any kind allowed between the opposite sexes, except during Erotic Island challenges.’

‘What?’

‘You’re kidding?’

‘WTF?’

A chorus of cries ran along the lines, as we tried to process.This is a show about hooking up, right?

Me personally, I breathed a little ragged sigh.Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as I thought.

‘Now, now,’ said Miles, waving down the sounds of dismay. ‘Let me go on. Rule number two: anyone caught violating rule number one will be given a warning. Breach the rule a second time for a second warning. The third, you’ll be thrown off the island, without your prize money. So, as an example, a kiss, a hug and a squeeze could cost you a million dollars.’

I swear, you could literally feel the libidos going flaccid. Stifling the urge to giggle, I waited for Miles to go on.

‘Rule number three: the only exception to rule one is inside your designated fantasy cabin.’

Hairs prickled along my neck as the hot bodies around me rallied at the use of the word ‘fantasy’.

‘Each of you has been assigned a special cabin. Not the one you’ve been given for general use, but a second suite, fitted out especially for all your sexual escapades. And before you get any ideas about inviting anyone you want back to your cabin, think again: each cabin has two assigned competitors. They, and only they, may enter the cabin via their separate entrances, and in choosing to do so, must engage only with each other.’

Miles paused dramatically. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, your sexual partner for your stay on Erotic Island has already been chosen for you.’

Excitement rippled along our ranks. The eyes on the men across from me came alive with renewed interest, as each of them began to size up the ladies. The girls did the same, everybody wondering who they’d been assigned.

I folded my arms across my chest, uncomfortable under the stares. Surely we were almost done?

Miles went on. ‘Of course, nothing comes easily on Erotic Island. In order to claim your individually numbered key for your fantasy cabin entrance, you must win first or place second in one of the challenges, issued daily. Once you’ve earned a key, you may enter your cabin any evening you choose, between 7pm and 7am.

‘The other interesting fact about your time within the fantasy cabins: it will be blind.’

No one knew what that meant. We stood and waited for more information.

‘The cabins are completely dark. There are no windows, and there are two sets of doors between you and the outside world to ensure no light finds its way in. There are no light switches, lamps, clock radios—the interior of the cabins is designed to be a pitch-dark space. Perfect for getting to know a stranger intimately, don’t you think?’

As turned on as I was terrified, I let my imagination paint a picture of what it would be like to lay hands on a hot stranger in total darkness. As the recent memory of the blindfold had showed me, losing your vision made every other sense heightened. Every touch, every stroke, every kiss, everything would be amplified a thousand times. From the stunned silence of the people around me, I knew I wasn’t the only one picturing what the fantasy suite blindness might feel like.

‘Rule number four,’ Miles said, loudly enough to make several people lost in their own lewd thoughts jump. ‘While inside your fantasy cabin, you must keep your identity secret—no talking, no names. Nothing to give you away.

‘On the last day on the Island, each of you will be asked to guess the identity of your fantasy cabin lover. Guess correctly, and you will be awarded half the cash of the other person. If both of you guess correctly, you’ll both lose half your winnings completely. It’s in your best interests to give as little away as possible in the fantasy cabins.’

Hundreds of scenarios sprang into my mind.What if you both told each other who you were? Could you agree to guess wrong? But then what if one of you reneged and gave you up for another 500k? Could you work out who was coupled up with who by keeping track of who won challenges?The game might have been devious, but it was sure to make for an interesting study in human relations.

‘And the fifth, and final rule of Erotic Island,’ said Miles, working his way up to a big finish, ‘is this: you must win a key and enter your designated fantasy cabin, then engage sexually with the person inside, at least once, or you forfeit your entire prize.’

I was torn between horror and delight.One quick screw for a million bucks! But with someone I couldn’t see?My head told me I should feel more indignation, but somewhere along the line I seemed to have lost my morals, and the thought of an indecent encounter with a stranger in a dark room seemed less repellent than it should.

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