Page 23 of Branson's Promise

“For real?” She beamed and Noel nodded.

“Of course. Let’s wait for Thanksgiving or your winter break and I’ll fly us there. All of us.” He slowly moved his eyes around the room taking in Milo and I. “Make a list of all the places you want to see and I’ll make it happen.”

My attention was snagged away from the smiling girl in front of me when Milo stood abruptly and headed out onto the patio, closing the sliding door roughly behind him. We all turned to face the glass doors when the sound of tinny pop music sounded through the room and Mia darted to the table to pick up her phone.

“Oh, it’s Florence, she’s looking after my cat for me this weekend. I’m gonna take this in my room. I’ll see you both in the morning. Tell my brother I said goodnight.”

“Night, Mi.” I waved to her as she answered the call and headed to her room, which was on the top floor.

Noel edged even closer to me until I could smell his fresh scent - a hint of coffee and sandalwood - mixed with a lingering hint of the ocean. “Come here.” Pulling me on top of him, he laid a soft kiss on my lips. “Do you know what’s up with him?” He tipped his chin to the glass door where Milo stood leaning against the railing, watching the waves as the sky darkened, welcoming in the night.

I shook my head. “He’s been off all weekend, ever since he walked in here. You saw how he was today, even on the beach. It’s like he’s trying to keep us at a distance, like he wants to be alone, but I don’t buy that.” I nuzzled my cheek against Noel’s, loving the way his five o’clock shadow scratched my soft skin. One of his hands gripped my hip tightly while the other feathered up and down my spine. “Shall we go talk to him, daddy? See if we can make him feel better?” Noel’s breathhitched and his hold on me tightened. Pulling back, I took in his dilated pupils, the blues dark and stormy.

“Mmmm, good plan.” Noel gripped me under my ass and in a move that took me completely by surprise, he stood up.

“Woah, you’re strong for an old guy,” I joked and in return, was treated to a hard slap on my ass. Burying my face into the curve of his neck, I bit down on the subtle flesh, eliciting a sharp hiss from Noel.

“Don’t be a brat.”

“Oh please, don’t pretend you don’t love me bratty.”

Noel’s laughter was light and free, expelled from deep within his belly and it caused my own to flip flop in response.

Milo turned to face us as we stepped outside. His lips were set in a thin line, his brows knitted together and those daggers he liked to throw at Noel firing rapidly in his direction once again.

“Are you okay, Milo?” I asked and he ignored my question, anger flashing in his eyes.

“What the fuck were you thinking, Noel?” Noel’s movements halted and I slid down his torso, taking up a spot next to him.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Noel stepped towards him, his hands wide open.

“Of course not. Why would you? Jumping in with these huge promises, not caring about the impact it would have on others,” Milo spat out. To say I was dumbfounded by exactly what he was going on about would be an understatement. But whatever it was, it had him flustered. He paced left and right, not taking his eyes off of Noel.

“Milo, seriously. What have I done wrong?” Noel sounded as confused as I was.

“Promising Mia a trip to London? She’ll be gutted when you change your mind or when you forget. You’re so quick to make these huge, sweeping statements,” Milo waved his hand about his head to emphasise his point.

Noel’s voice was cool, collected and unwavering. “I’m not going to forget, Milo. I don’t make promises I don’t intend to keep. We’ll go to London. Soon.”

Milo shook his head. “I can’t afford that!” he yelled at Noel. “We’re not all made of money, rolling in it like it grows on fucking trees and treating it like it comes as easy as our next breath.” I don’t think he was aware of his movements as he stepped into Noel’s face, pressing his hand to Noel’s chest.

Noel didn’t bat an eyelid at Milo’s raised voice, but I could see his jaw clenching as he said, “I’ll pay for it. It's not a big deal. Why are you so worked up over this?”

Milo shoved him and I moved to step between them, but Noel halted me with an outstretched arm.

“Like hell, you will. Don’t throw your money at Mia and I, we’re not your charity cases, you rich prick. You’re not my daddy, Bennet. I don’t need you to take care of me.” Milo looked at me and my cheeks heated. Is that what he thought of me? That I was a sugar baby Noel was taking care of.

Milo pushed him one final time, ready to move around him, but Noel took a small step to the side to block his way. He grinned at Milo then, his features twisted into that wicked smile that always made me breathless. Only now it was tangled with a glint of annoyance.

Noel stepped into Milo’s face, causing him to take a step back. “No, little artist, I’m not and thank fuck for that, but I can still put you in your place. Do. Not. Push. Me.”

I gulped, watching Milo's fists turn white as he glared at Noel. "Fuck you," he spat, and Noel laughed, edging closer to him, until Milo was pressed against the railing.

"Mmmm tempting," Noel breathed out, licking his lips. Milo's nostrils flared as Noel moved his body impossibly closer.

"Get out of my face," Milo snapped. I didn't miss the fact he made no effort to push Noel away despite his words; instead, hemoved slightly closer to the older man and the hand on Noel’s chest formed a fist, gripping the fabric beneath it.

The little back and forth between them ignited into a tension so thick, it was palpable. And suddenly, my dick took notice, chubbing up behind my cotton shorts. I took them in, both breathing heavily, both clearly wanting to rip each other apart. Neither one of them daring to break eye contact first.

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