Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 96712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
In true Noah fashion, I don’t let it faze me. “Sorry. We’re still in the honeymoon phase. All I have to do is get near Matt.” Totally not lying. I reach down and try to adjust myself. Unsuccessfully.
“No problem,” Lars says. “I’ll, uh, take photos from the torso up.”
“Good idea. I’m guessing you’re not allowed to give us privacy for a few minutes.” I’m an evil bastard because I love that I’m making the photographer uncomfortable.
His face turns redder than a tomato, and he glances around to make sure no one can hear when he says, “I could get everyone else to leave …”
The image of me and Matt getting off in front of the hot nerdy guy is way too much overstimulation for my little brain, but then I picture Lars watching Matt, and I’m not liking that idea just as fast. I go to open my mouth to shut him down, but Damon knows me too well and thinks I’m about to encourage the photographer’s behavior.
“Noah, behave,” Damon orders.
“Wasn’t going to say anything other than no one gets to see Matt naked except me.” The sincerity in my words is involuntary, but it entertains Damon all the same. I swear he’s two seconds away from making teasing kissy faces like a twelve-year-old girl.
Matt sighs behind me, and I’m starting to think he might be getting used to my antics.
“Where’s your better half?” I ask Damon.
“He’s gone to check out the island with Stacy and Jared.”
“What did I miss?” Callie asks, rejoining us.
“Nothing,” Lars says quickly, his face still red. And yep, still love that I rattled him. It’s an ego boost. Although, arguably, others would say my ego doesn’t need to get any bigger, but it feels good after being rejected by Matt these last few days. I don’t know whether to be insulted or flattered. He claims he doesn’t hate me—that he’s stressed—but he refuses to fool around even though I turn him on. I don’t think I’ve met anyone harder to figure out.
When Callie gets back into interview mode, Matt’s cock deflates pretty fast when she asks about his family.
“That’s not on the approved list of discussion points,” Damon says. “Try again.”
Callie huffs. “Okay, who would you say is your biggest supporter?” She’s working for her paycheck, that’s for sure.
“That would be me. Duh,” I say.
“And what about your family, Noah? Are they happy to see you in love with the bad boy of football?”
Hell no. “Honestly, Matt and I are still pretty new, and there hasn’t been a gap in my father’s schedule for them to meet yet, but it will happen eventually. They’ll love Matt because I love Matt. My parents have always maintained they only want me to be happy.” You know, so long as it’s on their terms.
Damon gives an approving nod, happy with my answer, but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. As always, I’ve acted before I’ve thought my actions through. Matt is dealing with enough without having to put up with my father’s shit too. I’m supposedly here doing Matt a favor, and even if he doesn’t realize it, tying his life to mine in any capacity is a good way to get screwed. It’s why I haven’t had a proper relationship since freshman year of college. Learning my boyfriend was paid off by my parents to break up with me because he wasn’t the right image for my dad is the one lesson I will carry with me always. Everyone has a price, and everyone wants something from me.
My dad wants me to be the golden child with the impeccable political career ahead of me.
Hookups have wanted either my money or my connections.
Aron wanted my love—something I don’t give to anyone. Granted, I’m the asshole in that situation, but it’s still more people asking things of me I can’t give.
If I give pieces of me to people who come and go into my life, I’ll be left bare and exposed with nothing left of me except bitterness and money I didn’t earn.
“Noah?” Matt asks, and I snap out of my trance.
“Huh?”
“You can sit up now. Side by side,” Lars says.
“Oh.” I sit up and run a hand over my closely shaved head.
Callie fires more questions off at Matt, and he answers them like a pro. I’m too busy wondering if this whole thing is a mistake. My mind goes to the paparazzi waiting for us outside and the ones back on the docks at home. Not to mention the ones at Matt’s hotel.
“Damon, can I have a word?” I ask.
He stares between Matt and Callie and hesitates.
“I’m about done with the questions anyway,” Callie says. “Lars will want some shots of Matt alone, so they can get started on that.”
I go to stand, but Matt pulls me back down. “What’s up?” he asks. His eyes hold fear and suspicion.