Page 68 of The King Contract
I grin. “No stonefish.”
“There’d better not be.”
We put our stuff down on the edge of the shoreline and I quickly shirk my shirt, kicking off my thongs. The sun beats down on this area and I’m already sweating. The water is a mix of greens, with splashes of twinkling sunlight, little ripples from fish popping up sporadically around the flat surface.
“You, ready?” I ask, turning to Millie.
I still as I watch her remove her sundress, revealing a red and white polka-dot one-piece that shows off her figure. Her locks fall around her face, and she blushes when she catches me staring. “What?”
I clear my throat. “I love that colour on you.” I hold out my hand and she tentatively takes it, letting me lead her to the edge of the pool. As soon as our toes hit, I groan with how perfect the temperature is. Cold enough to cool us down, but warm enough that it’s pleasant to swim in.
Once we’re in up to our waists, I release Millie’s hand so I can duck under the water. When I re-emerge, she’s floating on her back several feet away, staring up at the canopy, streams of sunlight filtering in.
“It’s peaceful, right?” I ask.
Millie lifts her head. “I can’t believe I’ve never been here before. It’s beautiful.”
I nod my agreement. “I’m going to make more of an effort to make the camping trips every year.”
“That’s a great idea,” Millie replies. “I really like your friends.”
“They really like you, too.”
Millie’s smile fades. “Are you going to tell them the truth? You know . . . once this is over?”
I flinch as a body-sized sting attacks my joints. The thought of no longer hanging out with Millie downright sucks. “I hadn’t thought about it.”
Millie nods, her chin ducking beneath the water’s surface.
“Maybe we could keep hanging out afterwards?” I suggest, lightly. “It might shock you to learn this, but I enjoy winding you up about your irrational fears and lying next to you as you snore.”
“I do not snore!” Millie protests. “Although I did have beers last night, so maybe I could have.”
I chuckle. “You make me laugh too. Can’t hurt to have you around long-term.”
“I’d like that.” Millie smiles again. “Have you heard anything from the powers that be about your place on the tour?”
I shake my head. “Doesn’t mean they’re not watching. All it’s going to take is one foot out of line and they’ll cut me. Give my spot to someone who’s younger and easier to manipulate. To be fair, I wonder if I even deserve my spot.”
Millie’s face scrunches up. “You’veearnedyour place, Noah. You had the skills to get enough points to finish in the top ten. That means automatic entry into the Championship Tour, right? Where’s this rule that says you have to behave like a good boy?”
My heart floats at how she’s sticking up for me and all I can think is how she must’ve researched this in her own time. Damn if it doesn’t make me a little gooey inside.
“It’s not explicitly written, but the people who have the power to take away my spot have spoken,” I reply begrudgingly. “Them’s the rules.”
Millie swims on the spot, moving her arms to stay afloat. “Well, the rules are stupid. How’s the search for a sponsor going?”
“Good. Mack is confident we can land Salt Skin. Which would be great, because I love their gear and to have them cover hotels and transfer and equipment and everything would be huge. But we’ll see.”
“My fingers and toes are crossed.” Millie continues to paddle, her chin barely staying above the surface.
“You could probably stand up, you know.” Her gaze darts to mine and I smirk. “You’re worried about stonefish, aren’t you?”
“I know it’s irrational, but I can’t help it.”
I laugh, swimming closer to her. I can easily reach the bottom and stand in front of her, my shoulders protruding above the water’s surface. “Here, grab onto me.”
Millie hesitates, so I reach out to grab her waist, dragging her to me through the water. I scoop my hands instinctively underneath her thighs, and she hooks her legs around my waist.
