A Dance Of Crowns & Thrones | Book I

Chapter 38 | Shelter From The Storm | Think Lovely Thoughts

The ten individuals engaged in chatter while the man at the front counter brought the table a round of coffee, handing each soldier a cup. This allowed Tom to spread the cards, which he had obtained from a younger cadet who had quickly retrieved the deck.

"Alright then," Spear initiated, addressing the table. "Are the players ready?"

Matthew winked at Eko, conveying his intentions. She now understood what he was up to, and how intriguing this turn of events could become.

"What rules are we going to use?" Tom was giddy to get things going.

"Let's go with international trade," CJ suggested, gathering the cards that Tom had laid out. "Wanna go first?"

Petro observed the initial game from the sidelines, leaning over his eighteen -year-old companion who had the advantage. The game concluded swiftly, in less than five minutes, with him emerging as the victorious player.

As the players collected their cards, they all had to bite their tongues in response to Tom's laughter. They reluctantly complied, removing an item of clothing each as instructed.

"Well?" Abigail prompted annoyed. "Go on," removing her cardigan, "deal the deck."

She wanted to punch the cocky, perving teenager in the face.

Spear, still swearing under his breath, abruptly stood up, tore off his coat, and nonchalantly tossed it onto a nearby seat.

Eko and Abigail, along with the rest of the table, couldn't help but notice the well-defined muscles in Spear's arms, exposed by the vest he wore underneath, as they flexed while he clenched his hands.

With a frustrated huff, he settled back into his seat.

Abigail couldn't help but snicker quietly, while Eko locked eyes with Matthew, who only removed his jacket, wearing a cocky grin. Eko herself was glad she had opted for the academy's black training shirt that morning, considering the weather.

"You're dead if you keep laughing like a hyena," Spear warned his brother, who responded with uncontrollable laughter.

Tom couldn't help it, and his heart beat faster. There were going to be naked girls at this table in no time. The next game was played with great intensity, and Spear found himself victorious.

"Ha!" he nearly shouted, causing a commotion in the cafeteria. "In your face, ladies!"

Then, turning to the rest of the table, Spear pounded his chest like a buffoon, in Eko's opinion, and demanded, "Take it off!"

Abigail rolled her eyes first, yet it was Eko staring at Matthew, who bit her lip, almost contemplating what part of her clothing would have him submit to her first.

With the challenge set, Eko discovered that Matthew had already decided on his approach. He maintained his cocky, self-assured smirk as he effortlessly pulled his top over his head, revealing his broad, incredibly impressive, chiselled chest.

Eko felt her stomach tighten. Fuckity, fuck, fuck. She shifted in her seat to control her raging hormones.

Of course, he was in exquisite shape; She had caught glimpses of it during their training sessions, but now, with all the soldiers around her shedding layers of clothing, the sight was undeniably stimulating.

"Delicious," Abigail murmured beside her, referring to the half-naked men. This trip had undoubtedly been the best decision she had made.

When Eko managed to rip her eyes from his flat abs, broad wide shoulders, and drool-worthy frame, she found him watching her with an arched eyebrow.