Page 73 of Brim Over Boot
He hums.
I don’t think about the fact that I must trust him to some degree, right? Otherwise there’s no way I’d let him do the things he has.
Unless I really am just that fucked up.
I’m not sure I want the answer either way.
Noah crosses his ankle over his knee. Leaned back as he is, arms folded over his chest, he looks utterly at ease. Like the cocky asshole I’ve always known him to be.
“You coming over tonight?” he asks, voice low.
I freeze. Absolutely turn to stone, not a single part of my body moving except for my lungs and heart.
Noah bounces his foot. “You’re coming over,” he says confidently.
“No. I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Where do you get off—” I start, only to lose my voice when I meet Noah’s gaze and find him smiling at me.Smiling. Like he’s genuinely happy to see me—what? Squirming at the end of his metaphorical leash?
Not that thereisone. No leash. No reins. Nothing whatsoever tethering me to Noah fucking King.
“I’m not,” I reiterate, putting as much bite into the words as I can manage and trying desperately to believe them. “I’ve got a life, you know. And the last thing I want or need is…”
“My mouth around your cock?”
Fuck. Justfuck.
“You can’t say shit like that,” I hiss, glancing toward the door. No one’s there.
“So you say,” he says nonchalantly. “I think I’ll make you beg for it next time, little Colt. I do so love to hear you beg.”
I’m up and out of my seat before I even realize I’m moving, my heart pounding and my traitorous dick responding to Noah’s words. He chuckles as I rush out the door, the rest of my lunch in hand.
I’m not going to do it. I’mnot.
I’ll stay home tonight. In my own bed, where life is safe and normal and rote.
No begging.
No Noah.
And certainly no more hickeys I have to hide from my family.
I don’t want a thing to do with Noah fucking King. Never have. Never will.
If only I trusted my own convictions.
Chapter 22
Noah
Theparknearthetown square is packed, folks having shown up in droves for Darling’s first-ever treasure hunt. It’s only eight in the morning, but vendors are already set up along the sidewalks, selling donuts, coffee, and other easy to-go breakfast foods. My uncle stayed home today, but there are plenty of people in the crowd I recognize.
Including the Darlings.
Colton is standing beside his parents, Hank and Marigold. Remington is nearby, although he’s looking at his phone, seemingly preoccupied. I don’t spot Lawson or his daughter. But Jackson and his blonde boyfriend Ashley are talking to one another, Jackson with a small smile on his face I’m not used to seeing on the man.
