Chapter 6

We returned to the villa that evening, exhausted but buzzing with energy. The rock pool had been everything I needed and more. My body ached in the best way, and Sipho and I collapsed onto the cushions, tangled in each other, drifting in and out of sleep as the ocean roared beyond our window.

When we finally woke the next morning, the sun was already high. I stretched, feeling the pleasant soreness between my legs, and smiled at the memory of everything we'd done so far.

Sipho was already up, standing at the window with a cup of coffee. "Morning, sleepyhead."

"Morning," I mumbled, pulling the sheet up. "What time is it?"

"Almost ten. We slept hard." He turned from the window with a grin. "Guess what was on the doorstep?"

He held up a black envelope.

I sat up immediately. "Already?"

"Yep. Found it when I went out for coffee. Same silver edging, same embossed lettering."

"Well, are you going to read it to me, or just stand there waving it around?"

He laughed and cracked the seal, pulling out the card.

"EXPERIENCE TWO: THE TASTE. Pleasure is an art, and the tongue is the brush. Today, you will be judged on your skill, your stamina, and your ability to bring a stranger to the edge. Your guide awaits in the Cavern. Dress Code: None."

I raised an eyebrow. "Judged?"

"Sounds like a competition," Sipho said, reading the card again. "Bring a stranger to the edge. So we're going down on someone we don't know?"

"That's what it says," I replied, feeling a flutter of nerves and excitement. "And they're judging us on it."

Sipho set the card down and looked at me. "You okay with this?"