Page 18 of Branson's Promise

“Shower first. There’s plenty of time to talk about everything. I promise. Come on.” Noel patted my thigh, and I climbed off of him. “Let’s shower together.” He stood and grabbed my hand.

“Um babe? My shower is tiny, it would barely fit you on your own. No chance it will fit us both.”

His nose scrunched up and lines appeared on his forehead as he considered my words. “Oh, okay.” Then his face lit up and a cartoon lightbulb appeared above his head. “I’ll have to buy -”

“If you say you will buy me a new one, I will smack you. You will not replace my shower.”

“Fine.” And then the giant blonde baby pouted. “And the sofa?”

“We can discuss the sofa. Now you sit, I’m going to clean up. Try not to spend any money while I'm gone.” I smirked at him, and he swatted my ass as I grabbed a towel and headed out the door.

The apartment was quiet when I climbed out the shower. Neither Noel nor Milo were anywhere to be seen. “Huh.” I threw myself down on the sofa, sitting crossed legged then reached for the remote just as the front door burst open.

“Coffee!” Noel beamed, carrying a tray from my favourite coffee shop,Beans and Toast. He briefly looked around the room before his eyes settled on me, lines creasing around his twinkling eyes as his lips curved up into a glorious smile. The sight of which had quickly become one of my new favourite things.

“I got you a caramel latte. Figured you'd like something sweet.” Noel handed me the drink, kissed me on the forehead and placed the other drinks on the table then sat in the empty spot to my right. The whole movement was comfortable and familiar like we'd been doing it for a lifetime already.

“You bought one for Milo?” I asked, seeing the third and final cup on the table.

Noel sipped on his coffee. “I did. He may dislike me but I'm not a dick.”

“He’s not here. I think he must have left the apartment straight after, you know.” My stomach pinched at the thought. MaybeMilo was disgusted by me? Maybe I'd crossed a line and that's why he'd run?

“What's with the frown?” Noel asked, tracing his finger along the lines on my forehead.

“Do you think I did something wrong? Maybe I shouldn't have asked him to stay. We should have just stopped and shut the door. He looked like he enjoyed himself but maybe not. What if I fucked up somehow? He's very sensitive, I've noticed. I think we made him uncomfortable. I'm such a -”

A warm hand covered my mouth, blocking my words.

“Bran, you're rambling. Take a breath. I promise, we didn't make him uncomfortable. If anything, I'd say he was a little surprised by himself.”

I looked at Noel, so confident and imposing next to me. His blonde hair was ruffled, the curls falling in every direction, his black shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing a chest sprinkled with light hair and his sleeves were rolled up, strong, toned forearms on display. He looked so calm and collected, unlike me. My stomach churned with a feeling I couldn't name and I picked at my nails. I felt restless.

“You think?”

“I've seen him, kitten. Watching us, watching you. And not just today, last night too. I think it turns him on. I've seen the look in his eyes and the way his skin flushes when you're near him. I'm pretty sure he likes you, wants you. The same way I do.”

Nodding, I thought back to the conversation Milo and I had before the bedroom incident, the one where I had told him I wanted to give this thing between Noel and I a chance.

My mind snagged on his words - not only about Milo but about himself. “You like me? As in, you want to fuck me or -” Noel chuckled, then pulled me towards him, manhandling me so I was lying flat on my back, my legs stretched over his lap. I don't think I'd ever tire of the way he moved me at his will.

“Cards on the table, that's how it started. I had fun at the wedding, and I wanted to relive it again. I've never been the kind to, um...”

“To form attachments?” Noel nodded. “August told me, well he warned me.”

“That fucker. But yes, he's not wrong. The people I have been with in the past never wanted more from me, so I never put more on the table. Sex and a good time, maybe the odd date or invite to some high society gala was all they asked for and I was always happy with that. It’s not that I’m afraid of commitment or that I’ve never wanted a relationship, I’ve just never met someone I wanted that with. Until you.”

“Why me though?”

“Because you intrigue me and you thrill me and when I’m with you, I want to soak up everything you have to say and when I’m not with you, I can’t get you off my mind. I want to get to know you, Branson, not just in the bedroom. Trust me when I say, it's shocked the shit out of me but I've never been one to doubt myself and I'm not starting now.”

My heart tripped over itself, beating an unsteady rhythm in my chest as Noel absentmindedly ran his hands up and down my legs, massaging the muscles as he did. His blue eyes never broke contact with mine as he continued speaking.

“So, to answer your question, yes, I like you. Obviously, I want to fuck you but I’d like to um…” He paused, opening his mouth and then closing it again, seemingly trying to find the words. I cocked an eyebrow at him, loving the way he became momentarily flustered. Can’t say I’d ever seen this big, cocky businessman so out of sorts.

“You’d like to?” I prompted, wiggling my legs to get him to continue massaging them. If the man was going to pamper me, he’d best keep at it.

Noel let out a long breath, his words rushing out in one quick sentence. “I’d like to date you.” Butterflies fluttered around behind my ribs because yes,fuck yes, I wanted that.

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