Page 36

NOAH

It’s my turn for once

I can still taste her on my lips.

I left the tent under the ruse of brushing my teeth, but the reality is, I’m about to blow my load. Think of anything else.

I know in my gut I didn’t do that to simply help Millie out or to prove a point. Both things are true, but the main reason was because I wanted to. We’ve dry-humped, grinded, fake-kissed, real-kissed. What’s a bit of casual oral sex thrown in for good measure?

Because that’s not what this is.

We have a contract. I’m paying her to play a part.

We didn’t even like each other that much a few weeks ago.

The thought of entering into anything other than a business agreement seemed preposterous.

Plus, we aren’t interested in a relationship right now, so pretending to date should’ve been the easiest thing in the world.

I run my hand through my hair as I march towards our makeshift bathroom area. It’s not a big deal . We’re two consenting adults. I offered to show her how good head can be. She agreed. The end.

Fishing out my toothbrush and paste, I aggressively brush my teeth, pushing into my gums way harder than necessary.

Maybe if I create sufficient pain in my mouth, I can distract my dick from bursting out of my pants.

I knew it would be hot. When is pleasuring an attractive woman not hot?

The thing is, I didn’t think I’d be swept up in the moment, or that I’d be craving her the minute it ended.

I was so close to taking her up on her generous offer.

I was seconds away from throwing her onto the mattress, and I know it’s not a smart idea.

I shake my head, spitting into the grass before taking a swig of water to continue brushing. I shouldn’t have offered it in the first place. It’s made our situation even more complicated. I don’t want her to get confused or hurt or feel like I’m using her because she’s close-by.

“Nothing like some good sex before bed, hey?” Callum approaches me with his own bag of toiletries, grinning like he’s in on a dirty secret. Mack and Dan trail behind him.

I spit into the grass again. “What?”

Callum slaps me on the shoulder. “Bro, the entire valley heard you guys.”

Shit. I forgot it wasn’t only me and Millie here for a few minutes.

“The outdoors is a great aphrodisiac,” I reply lamely.

Callum snorts and fishes out some toiletries as my gaze travels to our friends standing behind him. Mack simply shakes his head with a grin, but Dan looks like he’s about to unleash a torrent of wrath.

“The fuck are you playing at?” he growls.

“What?”

“You know what.” Dan has always been a man of few words, who can tell someone exactly what he’s thinking by the look on his face and the way he holds himself. Right now, he’s scowling at me, his shoulders bunched with tension.

“Dan,” I warn, my gaze darting to the back of Callum’s head.

Dan rolls his eyes. “I know Mack knows, and he’s about a day away from telling Callum. So, let’s skip the bullshit.”

Callum spins around, his brows scrunched. “What are you talking about?”

“I would not have told him,” Mack huffs, folding his arms.

“Yes, you would.” Dan steps forward to close us into a circle and looks at Callum. “Noah’s pretending to date Millie to help salvage his reputation and keep him in the WSA’s good books.”

Callum’s mouth drops open, and he whips to me. “You listened to Mack?”

Mack side-eyes him. “I resent that.”

“It’s obviously the worst idea in the world.” Dan waves his hand dismissively. “But she agreed, so whatever. But what we heard right now? That was not fake.”

“Nothing fake about what my boy does in the bedroom. Ain’t that right?” Mack holds his hand up for a fist-bump, but I ignore him.

“Why are you so concerned?” I ask Dan. “We’ve become friends. Friends sometimes progress to friends with benefits. That’s all it is.”

“Does she know that?” Dan’s stare pierces through me and guilt rears its ugly head.

I know what he’s getting at. Dan knows I’m not interested in anything more than a friends-with-benefits type situation with anyone.

That I need to focus on my career and get my shit together hasn’t changed, even if I do love spending time with Millie.

Getting into something with someone when I’m about to knuckle down for the pros is exactly what I was trying to avoid.

I can’t afford any distractions once the season picks up, including dating someone or having to let someone down.

“She knows this has an end-date,” I reply, trying to convince myself. “It’s temporary.”

“We know that’s not how this works.” Callum gives me a sympathetic look. “Once fun and sexy times start happening, it’s way harder to cut ties.”

“Look at him and Steph,” Mack offers. Callum slaps him up the back of the head and Mack howls. “You assholes have got to stop doing that!”

Callum ignores him. “A fake relationship means you both benefit and get out of this situation as winners. Once feelings are involved, shit gets messy. And I love you, but you don’t handle messy.”

“Nothing’s messy,” I assure the three of them. “We’re having a bit of fun while we’re together. It’s nothing more than that.”

“Millie’s a good chick,” Dan grunts. “Don’t screw her over.”

My head whips to him, my blood pulsing with annoyance. “You think I’d screw her over?”

“You’ve done it with plenty of women this year,” he bites.

“I never lied to any of them.” I take a step towards Dan. “They knew I wasn’t after anything serious. Millie knows that too.”

Dan takes a step forward. Thanks to his size, his reach is so great he nearly closes the distance between us. “Messing with her emotions and then saying, but I told you I don’t do girlfriends , doesn’t absolve you of being an asshole.”

What is his problem? My hand curls into a fist at my side. “You’re acting like a dickhead right now.”

“Maybe it’s my turn for once.” Dan’s gaze flickers down, then back to my face. “You going to punch me, King? Go ahead. It’ll be me cleaning up the mess as usual.”

Callum and Mack simultaneously step between us, pushing us so we separate slightly. “Let’s not do this, boys,” Callum instructs.

Dan and I remain silent as we glare at each other. I know him well enough to know he’s struggling with his own issues, and his anger is somewhat misdirected, but his words sting.

“Fuck this,” I spit. My three friends watch as I stuff my belongings back into my case. “I’m going to bed. Do me a favour and stay out of my shit.”

When I get back inside the tent, Millie is already under the covers, asleep on her side.

I flick the lamp off and slide into the other side, careful not to wake her.

I contemplate throwing an arm across her, but the exchange of words with Dan rings in my ears.

However I might feel about what went down, I don’t want Millie getting hurt.

I can’t keep doing boyfriend stuff, like snuggling and kissing and head, no matter how much I enjoy doing them.

Fuck . I really, really enjoy doing them.