Page 127 of The King Contract
I lean back to look up at him. “I missed you too.”
His green gaze drifts to my mouth. “I want to kiss you, but I don’t want to ruin your makeup.”
“Sofia did good, huh?”
Noah grins. “She did. You look incredible.”
I sigh quietly to myself, drinking in his defined cheekbones, his tired, yet sparkling eyes. I can’t believe how the day panned out, or that I’m even back in his arms. “I’m sorry. I wish I could go back and handle last week better.”
Noah shakes his head. “You have nothing to apologise for.”
“Yes, I do,” I insist. “I cut and run at the first sign of trouble.”
Noah tucks an invisible lock of hair behind my ear. “I don’t blame you. The whole thing was a mess.”
“I should have believed you,” I tell him. “I just thought it’d be too hard to . . . to do this.”
Noah studies me carefully. “What about now?”
I hold his piercing gaze, my heart thumping between my ribs. “I can’t exactly ask Sofia to lend me her jet any time I want to see you.”
Noah’s lip twitches. “Itoldyou I’d fly you back and forth. Whenever you need.” He reaches for my hand and laces his fingers through mine. “But only if you want to. I understand if it’s not something you want to take on. It’s a lot.”
Noah’s face is hard, his eyes hopeful as he waits for my response. He’s asking for clarification on my feelings. Even though I flew over here and jumped into his arms on television, he’s not taking that as a guarantee.
“Itisa lot,” I agree. “You’rea lot. You’re cocky and arrogant and make headlines everywhere you go. You’re terrible with time management and don’t get me started on charging your phone?—”
“Mack bought me a power bank to slap onto the back of it,” Noah cuts in.
I smile. “You’re also earnest and kind and always make me laugh. You’re a good person and even though I’m not big on the spotlight stuff, I want to try this . . . if you do.”
Noah exhales deeply. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“You were?”
Noah nods, his hand sliding to cup the side of my neck. “I love you, Millie.”
I balk, my eyes widening as I check Noah for signs of joking. There’s no smirk to his mouth, no twinkle in his eye. Just a vulnerable truth, waiting for my response.
My chest swells. Electricity skitters down my arms and into my toes. Butterflies beat violently against my ribcage as a smile I can’t contain stretches across my face.
“It’s been a hell of a day. Are you sure that’s not the dopamine talking?” My voice is barely a whisper.
Noah’s green eyes swirl with earnest. “I’ve felt this way for a while. I’m positive.”
I swallow, reaching my hands up to his cheeks. My hands smooth over his cheekbones and I smile. “I love you, too.”
55
MILLIE
Good girl
Several hours later,after the speeches and toasts, the entire room is a buzz with chatter, a band busting out songs as people carve up the dance floor.
Noah keeps me by his side as he makes his way around the room. He strokes my lower back, leans in to kiss my neck, and holds my hand. No matter who stops to talk to him, he’s always touching me. I could faint from how good it feels.
I meet Toby and Sam from Salt Skin, who are not only ecstatic Noah won the first competition, but that he captured hearts everywhere with our very public reunion on the shoreline. They keep hugging both of us, screaming that their customised ‘King’ hats, which are only available for pre-order, have already sold out.
