Page 14 of The Explorer
Banni smiled and stretched his legs. “Just wait until tomorrow. We’ll be going into the caves, and that means carrying heavy equipment and rafting down a challenging river.”
“I love rafting.” Aubri sounded like a kid who had just been told we were going to a festival with fun rides.
“Have you done it before?” Banni asked us.
“Of course. Indiana and I have rafted every summer since we were small kids. It’s one of our favorite things to do.”
“Good. Normally, we would never bring new Explorers with us on this part of the expedition. It’s too dangerous, but after today, we can all see that you’re not our usual recruits.”
Banni’s praise made Aubri beam. “You’re damn right, we’re different. We’re born to be Explorers.”
Val said something inaudible to Alex and Banni that made them laugh.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
“Nothing.” Banni picked up a bottle and offered me some more beer.
“I thought you said there could be no secrets within the squad,” I pointed out because I didn’t like the feeling that they were laughing at us.
“Val just pointed out that there are many ways of exploring and that you’re not exactly explorers in all areas of life.”
“What do you mean?” I drank from my glass while keeping a close eye on the men.
“Aubri told us that you aren’t allowed to explore your sexuality.”
My gaze flew to Aubri, who sucked in her lips and refused to meet my eyes.
“Yeah, well, maybe that’s true, but it’s a little difficult when there’s nine or ten men for every woman. Who would we experiment with?”
“Don’t you have orgies where a woman can be with several men at once?”
I almost choked on my beer and hammered my chest while coughing. “What the hell are you talking about? How would that ever work? We would fucking kill each other before the orgy was over.”
“Nooo, you wouldn’t.” Alex threw a dismissive hand gesture. “You would all know that it’s just for physical pleasure.”
I squinted my eyes. “Are you saying you have women here who will be with several men at once?”
“Of course. And men who will be with many women at the same time.” With a mischievous grin, Banni gently shoved at my arm. “Hundreds would line up if you were interested. You’re different and everyone is curious about the Men of the North.”
“Hundreds?” The cool night air suddenly felt warm and it made me move back from the bonfire.
“Ah, oui!It would be the same for you, Aubri. You could have as many sex partners as you would like to.”
His last words brought me back from the fantasies flowing through my mind of what it would feel like to be surrounded by a hundred naked, willing women.
“I don’t want to be in an orgy,” Aubri said and calmed my nerves. “One partner would be enough for me, or maybe two.”
“That can be arranged.” Banni pointed to himself and the two other men. “As I mentioned, we’ll all be more than happy to offer our assistance if you want to explore your sexuality. You’ll never have to worry that we’ll get clingy.”
I emptied my cup of beer and dried my mouth. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”
“Why wouldn’t you take advantage of your time here? No one will know what you did in France, unless you two tell on each other.”
Aubri had a look of mischief in her blue eyes when her gaze met mine. “You know I can keep a secret.”
“Aubri, no! You’re not sleeping with a bunch of men just to try it out.”
“Actually, I’m more curious about women.”
