The Harlot's Cup | Part II
To all who are following along, here are the next few pages of The Harlot's Cup. If you missed the prologue you can read that here. I'll be releasing more of the book throughout the summer so check back often.
CHAPTER ONE
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, MARCH 2017
Salt burned into her cuts like hot needles as sweat stung every scrape from the first two rounds. Amanda Clark swiped anxiously at the perspiration stinging her blue eyes and double-checked the rubber band holding back her long auburn ponytail. She had the body of a gymnast with the perky bounce of a cheerleader, and when she moved, the boys’ necks grew longer and their bellies flatter. A quick glance back at the crowd pleased her.
Sam stood out as always. He had a handsome eager face, a square jaw and big sinful smile that invited a come-on to every girl in Tallahassee. He was mature, way beyond college confident like a man among boys on campus and that’s why she was crazy about him Amanda grinned, nervous but confident. Sam brushed back his wavy black hair, sent Amanda a thumbs-up and shouted something she couldn't hear over the raucous fans. A judge with a bull-horn bellowed from a nearby platform.
"And now the final climb of the Two-Thousand-Fourteen National Championship Rock Climbing Competition! Ready! On your marks!"
Amanda faced the gray wall before her, gripping the edge of a protruding stone with her fingertips and wondering if she should have put out the money for new gloves. She glanced left at the big blonde from the University of Florida then studied the wall above her. She had mapped out the first five moves but knew after that it was all instinct and grit.
The starter gun shot a surge of adrenaline like an electric shock through her tight young body, and the first five steps were history. It was an insane physical scramble that took every ounce of her mental strength. She loved the wall. The struggle gave her a few moments of hope and peace in a world seemingly bent on destruction. The pounding roar of blood in her ears drowned out the cheering crowd below. Gripping, straining, she felt it. She was a step ahead. Amanda's foot slipped, gashing her knee and costing her a precious second. She knew that Sam was frowning. He loved her shapely legs and hated it when she banged them up. She willed herself on, faster and harder until she gained back the lost step by clawing maniacally as if the climb had become life or death.
Suddenly, a blur on her left was followed by a chorus of “oohs, aahs,” and cheers from the fans, and she knew. She finished the climb to the cheers of the ‘Nole fans, then rappelled down by the safety ropes. A group of enthusiastic students surrounded her with congratulatory slaps on the back. She thanked them as she searched out her UF competitor. They shook hands and Amanda turned into Sam's lips before she could remove her helmet or catch her breath. The guy could kiss like no one else. He pulled back before she was ready, squatted down to check the cut on her knee and stood up beaming like a winning coach.
"I knew you could do it, Amanda! Those are the finest glutes in Florida!"
She shoved him away, "Yeah, I felt your eyes." Her sexy smile evaporated into an expression close to panic.
"What's wrong?"
"The race started late. What time is it?"
Sam looked at his watch and gave a silent whistle, "We're late."