Page 66 of The King Contract
After a few quiet moments, I ask, “Have you really never been in love?”
She sighs. “Really, really.”
“I bet people have been in love with you.”
She laughs softly. “You’re sweet, Noah.”
“I’m serious,” I insist. “Poor bastards might still be pining.”
“I don’t think so,” she replies. “I don’t think I open myself up enough for people to get that close.”
My eyes are slowly adjusting to the darkness, and I can see the outline of her nose and the glisten of her eyes. “Why not?”
“I’m not sure. My mind’s always racing. I spent so long studying and getting involved in volunteering and projects . . . relationships seemed like a hassle. My ex never took me on dates or made many romantic gestures, and I don’t think I noticed at the time because I wasn’t invested in our relationship in the first place.”
It’s akin to my stance on relationships. Surfing has always taken priority, with many of my romantic relationships suffering because of it. I often hold back or get caught up in other stuff to notice what’s happening right in front of me. But Ihavebeen in love and experienced the highs and lows of what that’s like. Millie hasn’t.
“Thank you for sharing that,” I whisper.
Her teeth gleam in the semi-darkness, a small smile on her lips. I pause for a beat, before taking a sharp intake of breath. “I want to open a surf camp for kids.”
I see Millie’s head lift, the mattress moving with her body. “Really?”
“I haven’t figured it out yet,” I say hurriedly. “But I want it to be for families who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do it. Those who are at-risk or experiencing poverty. I want kids to get away for a week and experience the best things I got to as a kid.”
I roll onto my back, lifting my arm behind my head. “That’s what I want big sponsors for. I want to build partnerships with people who will get behind something like that.”
I’m not sure how long we lie in comfortable silence for, but when Millie’s hand finds mine in the darkness, I clench it tightly.
“Thank you for sharing that,” she whispers into the darkness.
26
MILLIE
Dangerously good
The next morning,a rustling stirs me from my sleep. I peek an eye open and see the tent wall, the morning sun lighting up the mini room. From the brightness and the sound of birds chirping, it’s still early. My head has a mild thrum to it, and I shut my eyes, willing to go back to sleep to ease my hangover.
“Shit.”
Noah’s raspy grunt sounds next to me and I remember I’m not alone. His sudden movement jolts me on the mattress. I look over my shoulder at him as he flings the clothes from our haphazard barricade out of the way and slides his rock-hard body behind me.
“Sorry.” His voice is hoarse as it rumbles in my ear. He curls his right arm under the sheets and around my waist. “Need to keep up appearances. I think someone is trying to wake us up.”
I realise the rustling is someone hovering outside, trying to open the zip to the tent. “It’s okay,” I whisper.
Noah pulls me flush to him and I feel it straight away, his hardness pressing into my backside. “Shit, I’m sorry,” he mutters again, pulling back. “Morning and all that.”
I grab his hand and pull him to me, pressing my ass into his bulge. A groan rumbles in his throat and the sound ignites a strike of blazing heat between my legs.
Noah lowers his head, his breath tickling the back of my neck as he rolls his body into me. His lips press into my neck, and I let out a shaky breath, unable to remember the last time I was this turned on byanyone.
“Wakey, wakey, lovebirds!” Mack sings as sunlight bursts into my eyes when he opens the tent door. Noah presses his lips into my neck one last time before rolling away and I yearn for the closeness instantly. “We’re cooking bacon and eggs for breakfast. Some of us are going to go for a hike after. You guys keen?”
“With my coordination and athletic ability, I’ll pass,” I say, sitting up. “But hell yes, to bacon and eggs. I’ll come out and help.”
Mack nods. “King?”
