Page 59 of The King Contract
Having space was a good thing. It helped clear my head and remind me of what we’re meant to be doing. I don’t have feelings for Noah. I got caught up playing my role. My cheeks still scorch when I remember how Cammie set off something animal within me. Noah must’ve wanted space too, as he hasn’t pushed me at all this week.
We make our way across to the group, greeted by everyone with cheers. Dan and Mack are already holding cans of beers in their hands, and it looks like Steph and her friend Erin, have picked the prime camping chairs in the sun. They welcome us with hugs and backslaps and Mack takes my backpack, leading Noah and me towards a large tent at the southern end of the camping area.
“This is your tent,” Mack announces, pointing at it with his beer.
I duck my head to peek inside. There’s one double-sized blow-up mattress yet to be made up with sheets and blankets.
One. Fucking. Bed.
The last time Noah and I were lying on the same bit of furniture, I brought myself to orgasm against his leg. My hands curl into fists and I dig my nails into my skin to distract myself from that memory.
Noah shifts beside me. Whether he can sense my panic and mortification, I can’t tell. I’m too freaked out to even look at him.
“Looks great.” Noah slings his bag inside the entrance and takes my bag from Mack. “We can MacGyver something out of the sheets we brought.”
“Sounds good.” My cheeks warm at every inappropriate thought trying to invade my mind.
Mack backs away, oblivious to my turmoil. “Sweet. I’ll start unloading.”
Noah waits for Mack to be out of earshot before turning to me. “Sorry about this. We always pack singles. It didn’t even cross my mind someone would bring a double and give it tous.”
“It’s all good.” I turn to the sweeping view in front of us so he can’t see the lie on my face. “We can handle a double for a couple of nights.”
“Are you sure?” he asks. “I’m happy to take the floor.”
I spin to face him. “The floor is a rocky ground with a tarp over it. Unless . . . you’d feel better not sharing?”
His expression falters. “No way. I’m more than happy to share. I-I mean, I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
Seeing Noah mildly frazzled makes my heart clench and I smile, determined to spend the next few days repairing the damage I’ve caused. “It’s two nights. We can handle it.”
Liar fucking liar.
NOAH
We’re sharing a bed. A tiny one at that. I can barely fit on those things on my own. I encourage Millie to chat with our friends while I grab the stuff out of the truck and march after Mack, ready to kick him in the shins.
He’s dancing to some party music coming from the speaker, reaching for bags out the back of my tray when I get to him. I check to make sure we’re out of view from everyone before I grab him by the shoulder and spin him. Before he can give me one of his cocky grins, I press my forearm across his chest to hold him against the truck. “A double mattress, really?”
Mack grins anyway. “You’re welcome.”
“You’re a dick.” I dig my arm into his pecs. “Did you ever stop to think maybe a woman, who ispretendingto be my girlfriend, might not want to share a bed with me?”
Mack winces. “I thought you had a whole flirtation thing going? Like, you’re into each other?”
I told Mack everything. Well, not about the grinding so much, but about the attraction on my side, and that I could’ve sworn was on Millie’s side until last week. Ever since we kissed at the surf club, our dynamic has shifted, and I’m certain she regrets it. It bothers me more than it should.
“Mate, I don’t know where Millie’s head is at,” I spit. “Forcing her to lie close to me when she might not want to isn’t exactly a cool way to approach things.”
Realisation flickers across Mack’s face and I roll my eyes, releasing him. “Dude, I didn’t think.”
“Yeah, no shit.”
Mack blinks a few times, and I step back from him. “Is she upset?”
“She said it’s not a problem, but I can tell she’s weirded out.”
Mack frowns. “How can you tell?”
