I pretended to consider it, toying with the hem of my shirt. "I want an apology first."
He looked confused. "For what? Not calling you after we hooked up? I thought it was just an island thing--"
"Not for that," I hissed, looking around to see if a camera had captured that. Sure enough, there was a guy with a camera not three feet away, filming in our direction. Dammit. They'd heard everything. "I want you to apologize for the way you made me look last time."
He blinked. "Like a hot babe?"
"Like an idiot!" God, I was tempted to rip my shirt off and strangle him with it. "You totally played me."
"It was just a game. Damn. How was I supposed to know you were making all those lovesick confessions to the camera?"
My cheeks flushed red. He had a point. "You know what? Forget it." I shrugged and dropped my hands. "I don't think I want to play after all."
"Annabelle, please," Kip begged. He dropped to his knees dramatically in the sand and put his hands under his chin in a mimic of prayer. "Please. You know we can go really far if we work together."
That was the thing. I didn't want to work with him. I glanced around.
The girl with the short Miley-hair still had her arms crossed over her chest, looking furious. "Absolutely not, Brodie," she told her partner. "If I wouldn't do it on TV last time, I won't do it this time."
"It's just skin, baby," he told her, rubbing her shoulders. "It's no big deal."
"It's a big deal to me," she said, and looked on the verge of tears. "Except this is worse than last time, and you know it."
"Hey, hey," the guy named Brodie said gently. He went to the girl's front and cupped her face. "I don't want to play if you don't want to play either, Kandis, baby." He leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss on the mouth. "We have our money. We can just go home if that's what you want to do."
"I don't know what I want to do," she said miserably, watching as Kissy and Rusty - the older rednecks - limped across the finish line with their colorful boxes. Cellulite and flab was bouncing as they trotted, but I had to give them credit. They'd bared all and given it the old college try. Then, Kandis looked over at me, and the look in her eyes was sharp. "Are you not undressing either?"
"I'm still deciding," I said uneasily. "What happens if neither of us undresses?"
"Then you're both out," Chip said, "And we'll team your men together."
Kip brightened. "So I get to stay?"
Brodie looked hesitant. He looked over at partner. "I don't want to play without her."
Kandis shook her head, wiping her tears. "You might be better off without me."
So…wait.
If I refused to undress, Kip still got to play and I'd be sent packing? I’d be double screwed and Kip could still win the money? On what planet was this a good idea?
I watched the two men consider, and then I spurred into action, ripping my shirt off over my head.
Over at the finish line, someone cheered. "You can do it," a voice hollered in my direction. Surprised, I turned to gaze down the beach. It was Hunky McHunkerton that had sat next to me on the boat ride over. My cheeks flushed as others began to cat-call in an encouraging way. Hunk clapped encouragingly, not trying to make the process gross at all.
Just…encouraging.
That was rather nice.
I stared directly at the three people left and dropped my shorts, revealing bright green lacy panties that matched my bra. God, I wished I'd brought something a little more conservative. I'd wanted to feel empowered, though, so I'd gone all in when it came to my clothing, including sexy panties. At least they weren’t period panties, I told myself, and sucked in a breath as I reached for my bra.
“Hurry up,” Kip encouraged me.
But I froze. Everyone was staring at me. Before, they’d all undressed at once so it was no big deal. Now that they were all naked and I was the only one waiting to undress? All eyes were turned to me. I hesitated, staring around me. Was this a mistake?
“Come on, girl,” Emilio shouted. “Shake your money-makers!”
A laugh rose up from the other contestants, and they began to holler and cheer louder. For some reason, it broke the awkwardness of things and I unclasped my bra and raised it into the air, twirling it like a lasso. More cheers erupted, and even uptight Kandis gave a little laugh. I flung it to the ground and then reached for my panties. Sucking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes and wrenched them to the ground.
And then it was done. Amid whoops and cheers, I stepped out of my sandals and my panties and was naked on the beach. I took the shoes Kip shoved into my hands, stuck them on my feet, grabbed my box, and hauled my way to the finish line, Kip a few leaps ahead of me. My face burned with humiliation, and I tried to walk as smoothly as possible so my boobs (and any other jiggly parts) wouldn’t bounce too much. Despite all the nudity around me, I kept my gaze firmly locked on the ground.
When I crossed the finish line, I dropped my box and exhaled heavily. I’d done it. For better or for worse, I was going to be in the naked edition of Endurance Island.
Kip immediately grabbed me into a bear hug. “You are awesome, Annabelle—“
I gave a squeal of dismay and wriggled out of his arms. “Don’t touch me! I’m naked, for Pete’s sake!”
He gave me a wounded look as I pushed him away, as if I’d hurt his feelings.
Irritated, I crossed my arms over my breasts protectively (there was nothing to be done for my poor bare lady parts below, but at least they’d been waxed — another Endurance Island grooming must).
Kandis and Brodie, still clothed, stood on the far end of the beach. Kandis had a pretty upset look on her face, but Brodie put a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her against him into a hug. “It’s okay, baby,” he told her. “I’m not upset at all.”
“I know you wanted to play,” she told him, and I could hear the tears in her voice.
“Naw. I wanted to play with you. Now we’ll just go home and play with our million we already have.” He winked at us.
Chip approached them, shaking his head. “Two of our strongest returning players…going out on day one. Kandis? What is it about this challenge that made you plant your feet?”
She pulled out of Brodie’s arms and gave Chip a tiny, helpless shrug. “I don’t know. There’s something about getting naked on national television…I don’t like the vulnerability of it. And I wouldn’t do it on House Guests for a million dollars, so I’d kind of be a jackass if I did it now for a one-in-sixteen chance for a million.”
Brodie squeezed her shoulder. “You can only do what feels right to you, babe.”
“And would you have stripped down, Brodie?” Chip asked, turning his attention to her male partner.
Brodie gave him a winning smile. “Hell yeah. Did it once. I’d do it again.” He winked at Kandis. “Sides, everyone knows I’m a shower, not a grower.”
Kandis rolled her eyes but hugged him anyhow, her arms going around his waist.
Chip looked at each one of them. “Well, Kandis and Brodie, you two are our first eliminations in the game.”
They nodded, Kandis still looking a bit teary and disappointed, Brodie stoic.
The host turned away from them and back to us. “Everyone else, look on the lids of your box. You’ll see a map to take you to your camp. The game has started. Good luck to you all.”
People paired up and began to separate, studying their boxes and chatting in low voices. I squatted carefully, keeping my legs together (because modesty) and scooped up the yellow box lid. There was a faint map stamped on the inside, along with a laundry list of instructions of how many steps to take and which direction to head.
An arm went around my shoulders. “Looks like it’s just you and me for the next few weeks, Annabelle.” Kip looked over my body. “Can’t say I’m hating this new twist.”
Ugh. I shoved his arm off. “Let’s just get going, all right?”
Chapter Five
“So…I didn’t see that comi
ng.” — Jendan Abercrombie, Day 1, Endurance Island: Power Players
The ‘walk’ to our camp wasn’t exactly all walking. Our instructions had us go to the far end of one beach and hop on a motorboat, which took us to a different island. I knew that when the show aired, they would make it look as if we were all just on one big jungle-covered island, but the reality was never quite the same. If it was anything like last time, we’d have a small strip of beach to call our own, and production would just shuttle us back and forth to challenge sites via boat.
Once the boat dropped us at the beach, we followed the rest of the instructions to a small cove with a tiny, waving yellow flag that read KIP and ANNABELLE. Another long, flat box sat at the base of the flag.
I marched up to our ‘camp’ and eyed the beach grumpily. My mood sucked. I was pretty sure my girly bits were sunburned and I had sand in inappropriate areas. I was sweaty, windblown, tired, and pissy because I was naked and with Kip. It was like a double whammy…and yet I was still so competitive that instead of bailing out of the game and saving my dignity, I’d stripped down.
The beach was pretty at least. The sand was white and clean, blue waves lapping and curling on the shore. There was a nice strip of beach, and a short walk from the water, palm trees and bushes grew in thick abandon. I looked up and squinted. Not a cloud in the sky.
Not a shelter in sight, either.
I glanced around and saw a cameraman following us up the beach, his clothing neutral, and his manner silent. It was a little unnerving to see that camera so close nearby, but I knew from experience that in a day or two, I wouldn’t even notice they were around. It was funny how quickly you forgot you were being filmed, despite the ever-present lens in your face.
Kip’s box was tossed to the sand and a hand went to my waist. Jeez, again with this? “Home sweet home.”
I sidled out of his arms, my annoyance going sky high. “Are you going to keep doing that?”
He looked confused. “Doing what?”
“Grabbing me. Touching me. Acting like you own me.”
“I’m just being friendly.” He looked shocked that I was being so bitchy. “We’re going to be on this beach together, alone. Might as well try and enjoy ourselves.”
And his gaze dropped to my tits.
I could guess what his idea of ‘enjoying ourselves’ was, and it infuriated me. “Oh, is that so?” I looked down and sure enough, Kip had a boner. Seriously? On day one on the island, he was expecting to get it on with me? “You’re kidding, right?”
Now he started to look annoyed, his handsome features contorting into a petulant expression. “What’s your problem, Annabelle?”
“My problem is that I didn’t want to be here with you specifically,” I snapped at him. “I asked for it to be in my contract that I be on another team. I’d rather be here with anyone but you, and now it turns out that I have to spend the next six weeks having you leer at my tits. Gee, I can’t imagine why I’m upset.”
He looked shocked. “Why the hell are you so against me?”
“Are you freaking kidding me, Kip?” I stared at him, amazed that he was that dense. “Remember last time?”
“I thought we had a good time last time.”
I rolled my eyes. He would think that, wouldn’t he? “You played me like I was an idiot.”
He shrugged. “It was all part of the game. I thought you knew that.”
“And afterwards? When you had the gall to sleep with me after mocking me for the entire game behind my back?”
The look in his eyes grew defensive. “You seemed like you had a good time.”
“That’s because I didn’t know how much of a dick you were,” I hissed. “And now that I do, you’re the last man here I’d want to fuck.”
His expression grew sulky again, and I watched his boner visibly deflate. “You’d be lucky to get me. You’re no prize.”
I knew I wasn’t. I had nice eyes in an average face, a flat butt, and thighs that probably would look best after day thirty on the island. Really, the only thing I had going for me was my boobs, which I was rather proud of. But for him to point out that I wasn’t the hottest girl on the island? “That is not the attitude that is going to get you laid, Kip.”
“Doesn’t sound like I’m getting laid anyhow,” he said in a snide voice. “You were a shitty fuck anyway.”
“So shitty you clearly wanted to hit it again?” I asked sarcastically. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you. Also, grow up.”
“Fuck you,” he said, waving me away. “I’m going to go swim for a bit and try to enjoy my time on the island.”
I gaped. “You’re going to go swim? Right now?”
“Yup,” he called back at me, heading down to the water, his butt flexing as he strode.
“We don’t even have anything set up in camp! No water, no food, no shelter!”
“I’ll find my own,” he told me, still heading to the water. “Now leave me alone.”
Unreal. I watched him wade into the waves, astonished. Didn’t he care about surviving? We had no clothing, and if it got cold tonight - and it would - we’d be freezing our butts off. I’d just have to make my own bed…
And I knew what would happen if I did. He’d steal it for himself . I scowled at his form. So I was screwed. I could make no shelter and freeze, or I could make shelter knowing it was going to end up being for both of us. Lovely. I suspected Kip knew that, too. After all, if I made a fire, I couldn’t chase him away from it, could I?
Frustrated, I turned back to the flag and the box that had been left for us. Why, oh why had I stripped on the beach? It must have been temporary insanity. Or the need to impress that hot guy that had sat next to me on the boat ride. I tried to remember his name. Jordan? Jason?
Not that it mattered. I wasn’t here to hook up. Still, his encouragement on the beach had warmed me. If nothing else, he might end up as a friend or an ally.
I could sure use one right about now.
With a sigh, I pulled open the box to see what we’d have to live with for the next six weeks. Probably a stack of tampons and a “LOL GOOD LUCK” sign with the way my day had been going. The lid of the box was heavy, solid wood, and I put it aside carefully. The box was about three feet long and not very deep, but three feet of solid wood meant a decent place to sleep or even lay. Sand would be softer, but I didn’t want sand in my unmentionable places when I woke up, and given that we didn’t have blankets or underwear or anything, that seemed like a likely scenario.
Inside the box, a small packet of grease pencils was laid atop everything else. A tiny card rested on them that read “Have your partner write your name on your back. Please make sure you are labeled at all times.” I glanced around, but Kip was nowhere to be found, so I tossed the pencils aside for now. Below the small package of pencils was a single machete, a cast-iron pot, and two canteens. I knew what that meant - giving us a pot meant we’d have to boil our water. Well, at least they weren’t going to make us drink out of coconut shells. I supposed it could have been worse. I picked up a canteen and noticed that the beige band around the middle of the metal body was a note tied to it.
I glanced around for Kip. He was still in the water, floating on his back. Surreptitiously, I tugged the note off the canteen and glanced at it.
The note was written in a clear hand. Want a hint for Pandora’s Box? Head for water and look for a forked tree. One foot down, there, Pandora’s Box will be.
Oh shit.
I read the note again, trying to memorize it. Water. Forked tree. One foot down. I rolled the note up hastily when I heard Kip begin to splash around, and looked for a place to hide the note. Shit. There was nowhere but sand - too easily discovered - and I had no pockets. After a frantic moment, I shoved the note into the opening of my canteen. There was an identical note wrapped around the other canteen, and I grabbed it just as I heard another splash and Kip came trotting up on the shore.
He caught me red-handed, holding the other note. “
What’s that?”
“Oh. Um.” I stared down at it in my hand, then back at him. I didn’t even know what to say. I was a terrible liar in the best scenarios.
Kip, luckily, was so full of his own self-importance that he didn’t even notice my lame attempt to find an excuse. He tossed back his flowing black hair and pulled the note from my hand. Mute, I let him take it and inwardly cringed as he studied it. After a moment, he said, “Looks like a map to the water well.”
It was?
Frowning, I leaned over his shoulder to see, and ignored the fact that he adjusted his arm so it’d brush against my breast. Sure enough, there was a tiny map on his note with an X that had a water symbol next to it. “Oh,” I said.
He snorted. “What did you think it’d be?”
I said nothing, not trusting my voice.
Kip eyed the canteen in my hand. “Were you going to go get water?”
“I…can, I suppose.”
He handed his canteen to me. “Great. Could you get me some?”
I took it without a word of protest. “See if you can start a fire while I’m gone, okay?”
“Sure,” he said, and turned back to the water, heading for the ocean again.
Yeah. I had a feeling I’d get back to camp and there’d be no fire. Whatever. I kept my steps calm as I took the tiny map in hand and began to follow the marked path labeled on it. Inwardly, my heart was hammering. Near water, it had said. Near water. That wasn’t much of a clue, considering we were on an island surrounded by water…but the fact that it was tied to the canteen made me wonder if it was talking about the well instead. I’d start my search there. A forked tree shouldn’t be that hard to find.
Excitement surged through me. Pandora’s box! They sure were making it easy to find. A clue on day one, and an obvious one. It was evident that they wanted it to be found. Did that mean that there was something bad inside it?
Did I care? Not really. Things couldn’t get much worse in my opinion.