Queen of Quarantine (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #4) - Caroline Peckham Page 0,201

and Blake as they struggled to get the tent back up without direction.

“Can you help them with that while I start a fire?” I asked Nash as we jogged away from Saint.

“Sure thing, princess.” He knocked his arm against mine and we shared a mischievous grin before he headed over to the guys to help.

I built a fire in record time, falling into the familiar rhythm of it as I thought of my dad and tried not to let the memories get coloured by grief. I wanted to smile when I remembered him, not cry. I needed the good to burn brighter than the bad, because the final night of his life wasn’t going to ruin every happy thing I had to hold onto about him. With a bit of effort, I managed to keep the dark thoughts at bay and by the time the fire was lit and the flames thawed out my cold hands, I felt like I’d taken another small step toward processing his death.

This was the kind of thing I’d always enjoyed doing with him and I wanted to be able to keep doing it in the future, taking trips out into the wilderness and letting my memories of him and Jess warm my heart rather than allowing them to fade.

I got the gas cooker going next, heating the five bean chilli I’d made last night before threading some slices of bread onto a stick and holding it over the fire to toast them.

I plated up the food just as Kyan, Blake and Nash appeared carrying a huge log out of the woods to place in front of the fire. Saint took my hand, drawing me away from the food and sitting me down at the heart of the log before wrapping a blanket around my shoulders. The rest of the guys scooped up the plates of food and handed them out, sitting down either side of me so we were snuggled together as we ate. Well, me, Blake, Kyan and Nash ate anyway. When I looked over Kyan’s lap I saw Saint sitting with his plastic plate of chilli and toast laying untouched on his knees, his hands balled at his sides. I passed my blanket to Blake and tossed my empty plate onto the ground, getting up and moving to sit beside Saint at the end of the log, determined to get him through this.

“It’s alright,” he gritted out, but it clearly wasn’t so I scooped up a forkful of chilli and held it to his mouth.

His throat bobbed then he opened his mouth and I placed it between his lips. He chewed it slowly then swallowed.

“How’s that?” I asked, a smile dancing around my mouth.

“Surprisingly good,” he said.

“The fire makes the bread smoky, right?” I said and he nodded, opening his mouth for more and I snorted as I continued to feed him.

“Nash and Tatum, you can report for your punishment now,” Saint decided when he finished the last mouthful of food.

“You’re not gonna get me to do shit, Memphis,” Nash said as he got up and stretched his arms above his head.

“If you refuse, I will have Kyan and Blake keep you outside the tent tonight while you listen to us fuck Tatum without you,” Saint said simply and my lips popped open.

Blake and Kyan laughed like they weren’t gonna fight Saint on that and I punched Saint in the arm.

“What if I don’t consent?” I said and Saint grinned at me.

“Are you really going to say no, siren? I’ll make sure all the attention is on you. No work. Nothing. We will make you come so many times that you are blinded for a full day afterward.”

I burst out laughing but heat rose in my cheeks too because I knew he damn well meant it. “Well okay, I’ll play along. But I want the same punishment as Nash.” I stood up, figuring Monroe might get off lighter if he only had to do what Saint wanted me to. Unless Saint wanted me to suck his cock, in which case, Nash was fucked.

“Are you sure, Tatum?” Saint purred darkly, his eyes glittering with amusement.

“Yep,” I said, moving to stand at Monroe’s side in unity.

“This is gonna be good,” Kyan said with a savage grin.

“I think we’ll have a little competition then,” Saint mused, getting to his feet. “Move to the other side of the fire and turn around.”

I glanced at Nash and we did as he said, standing with our backs to