Page 56 of The King Contract
To my surprise, Noah chuckles and curls his other arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. “Millie’s in a league of her own. She’s better than she realises.” He grins at me, and my heart skips a beat. “I amsoproud of you.”
His hand squeezes my hip, his green eyes hazy as he watches me. My inner alter-ego surges forward and I reach up to Noah’s chest, gripping the fabric of his t-shirt. On my tiptoes, I pull his head towards me and watch as his expression shifts from pride to fascination. There’s a slight beat, where I’m sure he’s trying to check I’m okay with what I’m about to do, but I don’t let it slow me down.
I press my mouth to his and a smile involuntarily plays on my lips as I hear the tiny gasp that escapes his. Fireworks shoot from my mouth to behind my ears and down my spine. Tingles ripple through my arms as Noah parts his mouth, our lips moving against each other’s slowly. Noah pulls me to him and spins me, so his back is to the table, and I’m blocked from the view of our friends. His hand reaches up to the side of my neck and he pulls me closer, steering me backwards a few steps. Maybe he does that to give us a bit of privacy or because he’s also forgotten where we are.
His lips are salty and rough from the ocean and sun. When he slips his tongue inside my mouth, my stomach bottoms out. I moan softly and his hand encloses around the back of my neck in a vice-like grip, pulling at the roots as he continues to pry my mouth open. Our tongues meet stroke for stroke, white-hot flames coursing through my veins.
Noah’s mouth is gentle and demanding, pleasing and teasing. My hands slide up his neck and I hear someone say, “Whoa,” but I don’t care. I don’t care who’s watching us or what they think.
Noah clutches my body to his like he can’t get enough of me, and he groans as I bite his bottom lip. His tongue sweeps into my mouth again and it sends a bolt of need between my thighs. I’ve never been so turned on by a kiss. I want more. Ineedmore.
A piercing wolf whistle shatters the haze, and I pull back from Noah’s mouth. “This is a family establishment!” I hear Mack shout. A few people laugh, but I can’t tear my eyes away from Noah’s gaze.
Noah’s hooded green eyes reflect how I feel, intoxicated and lust-filled, and I fight the urge to bite his finger as he lazily traces one over my bottom lip. I can’t remember why I kissed him in the first place, but Noah’s response to my bold move makes me wish everyone else would disappear.
As my senses return to me, my breathing slows, and I remember where I am. The buzz of voices on the deck come back to a normal volume, the waves crash on the shoreline below, and uncertainty rears its head. I said kissing was out of the question, and I broke that rule. I told him I didn’t have time for a relationship, and yet, I mauled him like a possessive girlfriend. If Noah knew I had butterflies battering against my ribcage, he’d think I was like every other woman who falls for his charms. I’ve lost my head.
I step back from his embrace, schooling my expression to casual as best I can. “Do you think they bought that?”
Noah blinks several times, as if caught in a fog. “What?”
I glance away to catch Cammie’s sour expression and want to smile with victory, but I can’t. My body is battling between the euphoria of the kiss and the fact I’m jealous of Cammie to begin with.
I meet Noah’s gaze again and force myself to smile. “I think I’m getting better at this pretending stuff, don’t you?”
I step back, even though it feels like my legs are pushing through treacle.
“Millie.” Noah’s voice is deep and rough.Demanding.
“Lunch is up!” Mack yells and I take another step, shattering the illusion.
“Thank god, I’m starving.”
I don’t look at Noah as I head to the table, sitting back in my seat. Steph is watching me with a smirk on her face.
I can’t hold her gaze. “What?”
“I’m living through you,” she sighs wistfully. “The beginning of a new relationship is one of the most intoxicating things you’ll ever experience.” Her eyes follow Noah who presumably walks behind me to his seat at the other end of the table. “He’s got it bad.”
I replay the kiss in my head, questions firing through my mind.Why did I do that?Was it purely to annoy Cammie or because Noah was staring at me with pride and lust, or because maybe I have feelings for Noah I swore were impossible?
The server places my fish and chips in front of me.
I’ve lost my appetite.
SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS EVERYWHERE
@hushnewsuploaded a new photo: It’s heating up with the surf king and his new queen, the PDA out in full force at lunch with friends. Do we think this is the real deal?
@sarahhughes:Ugh look at his hand on her neck. So hot.
@bluebelllaughs:Why do people insist on macking on in public?
@finnkennedy:Poor people can’t go anywhere without someone filming them.
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