Page 73 of The King Contract
“Noah . . .”
“What’s the point of having a fake boyfriend if you don’t get some of the perks?”
Fake boyfriends don’t offer to do this.
“I would never intentionally do anything to make you uncomfortable, Millie,” he continues sincerely. “But this? This is like an insult to women out there who are getting the good stuff. You can’t go through your life thinking head isnice.And what about us men doing itright?I’ve got to stand up for the blokes, too.”
A giggle escapes my mouth. “Isn’t this like, solicitation?”
“The thought has crossed my mind, but I figure it doesn’t count because one, I’m paying you, you’re not paying me and two, I’m offering out of goodwill. Iwantto do it.”
Am I really considering this? Noah offers to give me oral sex and I think,hmmm, you know what? You’re right. I should let you try to prove me wrong.
My mouth dries. “I don’t know. Won’t it complicate things? Look how weird it got after a kiss.”
Noah shakes his head. “We pinky promised, remember? Besides, this is a friend helping another friend and we’re contractually obliged not to see anyone else. Why not cash in on this?”
Noah’s face fills with hope and for several beats he waits patiently for my response.
Can Noah really show me better thannice? I explicitly said when we started this arrangement that sex was off the table. I’m not a casual hookup type of person and never have been. My stance on not wanting a boyfriend hasn’t changed. I’m still working through grief and figuring out what to do next. Complications that come with sex and feelings are still not something I have time for.
“You’re spiralling,” Noah murmurs, circling his thumb on my wrist.
“We said no sex.”
“Technically, this isn’t sex.” Noah gives me a gentle squeeze. “And that was one ofyourstipulations. I’m offering to make you feel good.”
The line of what’s fake and what isn’t has passed the point of blurred, but if I’m honest with myself, I’m not that bothered. Especially if he’s the one offering to cross the line again.
Before I know it, I’m whispering the word so quietly I’m not sure I even say it aloud. “Okay.”
Noah’s body locks up, his eyes turning molten. “I need you to be clear. Is that a yes?”
I nod and meet his gaze. “Yes.”
Our breaths are deafening as we study each other. Now I’ve said yes, I wonder if Noah regrets the offer, but his gaze, filled with want and need, doesn’t falter as he shuffles off the end of the mattress. “Lie down.”
Those two words almost paralyse me. I focus on moving my body, trying my best not to freeze and get inside my own head. It’s a consensual act between two friends.Don’t overthink it.
I lie on my back and watch as Noah helps guide my legs so my feet are flat on the bed and my knees are bent. I lick my lips at the sight of his muscles rippling in the dim light, his gaze fixated with something like awe.
“If you want to stop, we stop.” His voice is a low, hollow sound and my stomach cartwheels at the sound of it. I nod my agreement, holding my breath in anticipation.
He reaches up and slowly slides my shorts down, casting them aside as he stares back at me. He licks his lips, and I do my best to not shy away from his intense stare.
“Whoa,” he huffs out.
I slap my hands to my face and giggle. “Noah, don’t?—”
“I’m not blowing smoke up your ass.” His hands touch mine and I let him peel them away from my face. “You’re a smoke show.”
I inhale a sharp breath at the look of admiration on his face. Even though he’s seen me in a swimsuit, this is the most exposed I’ve felt in front of him. The way his gaze travels down and back up my legs sends a bolt of heat straight to my core.
His gaze pierces mine. “You’re sure you’re okay with this?”
“Yes. Are you?”
He grins. “Fuck yeah.”
