20. Maddy
20
MADDY
I felt something sharp poke me in the lower back.
“So, you two are together? For how long?”
I turned to see who wanted to interrogate me and discovered the long talon that had jabbed me belonged to Honey Thompson. She was an Instagram model who’d managed to snag a quarterback boyfriend, which gave her VIP access to events like our yacht party. Honey was lounging on a black striped sunbed in a white bikini with one arm thrown over her platinum blonde head, watching me with a judgy look.
“Excuse me?” I asked over the pulsing bassline from the DJ booth where MC Havoc was spinning the tunes and treating the event as though he were in one of James’ nightclubs. I couldn’t be rude to her since her boyfriend, Tyrell Dunn, was one of Noah’s newer clients, so I tried to pretend I believed she was making friendly conversation. The fact was she’d been a pain in the ass since she’d arrived. First Honey was upset that she had to kick off her jewel-encrusted stilettoes before boarding so she wouldn’t damage the beautiful flooring. Then she threw a fit because the champagne we were serving wasn’t her preferred brand.
She gave a lazy nod toward where Noah was sitting with a group of guys across the deck, laughing and drinking. “You and him. The big boss. How long?”
I bit the inside of my cheek. Noah and I were doing our own soft launch during the yacht party. We hadn’t come out as a couple at the office, but we figured the relaxed vibe out on the open sea was the perfect place to start making it known we were together. We hadn’t been blatant about it—no PDA yet—but if Honey had picked up on it our status was probably more obvious than we realized.
Still, I didn’t want to share any details with her. “A little while.”
“Makes sense.” She took a sip of champagne and wrinkled her nose, like it was medicine that we were forcing her to take. “He gets around.”
I didn’t know how to reply. I didn’t make a habit of hanging out with mean girls. I thought of how Nia would respond, or Cassie. I took a breath and gave it my best shot. “And how exactly would you know that? Do you get around, too?”
“ What ?” she sat up with an angry look on her face.
I gave her my best innocent smile. “I mean, do you run with the same crowd as Noah? Is that how you know so much about his personal life?”
It was enough to calm her down but we both knew I’d made my point. “Not exactly, but I know girls who know him. A lot of girls. I guess you’re the flavor of the month.”
It was a slap across the face, but I refused to let her see that it bothered me.
“He tends to date models,” Honey continued. “A few actresses, too. Absolutely beautiful girls. You’ve probably heard of most of them.” Honey looked me up and down, and I felt dissected in that brief glance. “You’re… different. I wouldn’t have thought you’d be his type.”
Worry scraped at my insides as I was reminded of the type of women Honey was describing. I’d seen the pics of Noah’s former conquests online, but I wasn’t about to agree with her.
I didn’t answer her as I glanced around the yacht. Basketball star Cody Templeton spotted me and hollered my name. I waved at him, grateful for the brief distraction.
“Don’t even think about him,” Honey laughed. “Cody is engaged to?—”
“Belle Grandview,” I finished for her. “I know, Belle is a sweetie. She’s here too. She’s so excited to be engaged to Cody. And he’s totally in love with her, can’t wait for the big day.”
Honey downed the rest of her champagne, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. There was no doubt she wanted the upgrade from girlfriend to wife, but Tyrell didn’t seem like the marrying type. Tyrell barely seemed like the boyfriend type.
She made a show of arranging the tiny triangles of fabric clinging to her breasts then looked around to see if anyone was watching. “It’s so cute that Noah is hanging out with you. I guess he needed a little break from all the models. You probably have fun together, right? You look like you’re not afraid to eat bread. You don’t have to worry about looking good in a bathing suit I guess.”
I forced myself not to react even though my entire body went tight with fury.
“You’re right, I don’t have to worry about it because Noah never stops complimenting me. It’s so sweet.”
“Aww, he’s building you up,” Honey cheered in the fakest voice ever. “Hold onto that feeling. You’re gonna need it when Noah moves on.” She held her empty glass out to me. “Would you be a sweetheart and get me another one?”
I managed to smile at her even though I was barely holding on after her assault. “The waiter is right over there. I’m sure he’d be thrilled to bring you your third glass of Cristal. Or is it your fourth?”
Honey didn’t answer me as she scooted off the sunbed with a huff.
I felt like I could breathe again after she disappeared into the crowd, but a nagging feeling had replaced my fake confidence.
The truth was, I knew next to nothing about Noah’s dating history other than the few paparazzi photos I’d seen online, which didn’t tell me much. I’d tried bringing it up, but he always shifted the topic in that smooth way he had, so I barely noticed we were talking about something else until it was too late. I didn’t want to come across like I was insecure, so I didn’t push for more information. But what was the real story? Was he a player?
And what was he even doing with me if he could have any woman he wanted?
The noise and crowd started to get overwhelming. Was it seasickness making me feel like I had to throw up? Nerves? The single glass of white wine I’d downed before everyone arrived? I pressed my hand to my temple and realized my face was a little clammy. I threaded my way through the crowd and inside to the stateroom I was sharing with Noah.
I just needed a few minutes to find my equilibrium before heading back out to play hostess again. I tried to convince myself that it was no big deal Noah wasn’t being completely open with me about his dating history. Admittedly, with our age difference, his would be more extensive than mine. Everything was still so new. We hadn’t made any promises to each other. When it came right down to it, I wasn’t sure if he was the kind of guy who wanted to make promises. Who wanted commitment. Or at least, who might want it with me. I had to be happy with what we had.
I just wished he could give me more.
I sat on the edge of the bed and tried to psych myself up to go back out again. Honey was the only person I’d come across who was a problem; the rest of the guests were amazing. Everyone was having a great time. I could focus on that, the success of the event, instead of the confusing feelings I was having about Noah.
I jumped when the door slid open.
“Hey, there you are,” Noah said, a worried expression on his face.
I buried my feelings and smiled at him. “Hi! Just taking a few minutes to breathe. Lots of personalities out there, you know?”
He laughed. “Yeah, athletes can be… a lot. Especially when you add in alcohol, music and bikinis.”
“You’re not kidding.” I stood up. “But I’m ready to go back out now.”
Noah blocked the door and took my hand. “Hold on. Are you sure you’re okay?”
I couldn’t be honest with him about my fears. Not right here and now, anyway. It was a big conversation, and not one we could have while we were both on the clock, with guests waiting for us.
“I feel a little awkward, I guess? I’m good one-on-one but it’s tougher for me with so many of them at once!” It was half true. I’d been turning down invitations to do shots all afternoon.
“You’re doing amazing. Everyone loves you,” he said, leaning down to kiss my forehead.
I thought of Honey’s taunts. “If you say so.”
“I do. And you look absolutely stunning.” His hands skimmed over my sides as he pulled me into his arms. “But I wish you’d take off this thing and show off a little.”
I was wearing a sheer turquoise coverup over my bikini. Before my conversation with Honey, I’d been ready to jump in the hot tub, but I wasn’t about to strip down now.
“For your eyes only,” I joked.
“Promises, promises,” Noah growled at me. “I’m going to take you up on that later.”
We headed out into the sunshine with Noah holding my hand. So much for the soft launch; we were now in full couple mode.
And that had to count for something, despite all of the mysteries around Noah’s history.
“I’ll go over and chat with the wives and girlfriends,” I said, pointing to the cluster of women laughing together.
Noah gripped my hand tighter. “Why don’t you come meet Tyler Alvarado? I think you know all of our clients but him.”
I frowned. I knew Noah wanted to do some planning with the Phillies slugger. “Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent. No more awkward feelings, you got that? I want everyone to know that you’re an important part of my team.”
I should’ve been happier to hear it, but my heart yearned to skip the ‘team’ stuff and focus on our couple-hood. “Thanks,” I managed.
He made good on the promise for the rest of the afternoon, never leaving my side as we worked our way through the crowd. When Theo had pulled Noah aside to strategize some group photos, they’d both looked to me to come up with the best pairings. Noah had even danced with me when Malcolm Giddens and his girlfriend Amaya pulled us into the center of the circle.
My uncertainty about Noah started to fade as the sun dipped low in the sky. Anyone watching us would think we were on solid ground, a perfect couple in the boardroom and the bedroom. That had to count for something. The fact that he didn’t feel the need to hide his feelings for me in front of some of his most important clients mattered.
The combination of too much sun and a dose of stress had my eyes drooping as dinner finished up. We were on yacht-time, finally pushing back from the table after eleven. I was more than ready to call it a night, personally—but I was ready to keep going if that’s what Noah wanted to do.
“Anyone want to play quarters?”
A cheer went up at Colin Gentry’s suggestion as the servers cleared away our dishes.
“Folks, we’re going to leave you to it,” Noah said, saluting the group. “Have fun, be safe.”
He took my hand and pulled me along. I’d never been happier to leave the fun behind. The minute we were behind closed doors, Noah pinned me to the wall with a deep kiss.
“You were incredible today,” he whispered as he kissed me hungrily. “But all I wanted to do was drag you in here and have my way with you.”
It was so easy for him to short-circuit me. A touch, a kiss, and I was a puddle of desire. Nothing mattered but pressing my body to his.
“Same,” I said, sighing against his mouth. I slid my hand down and felt his hardness, making him groan.
“I want to hear you scream,” he said as he backed me toward the bed. “I don’t care if the whole boat knows that I’m making you come.”
“ Noah !” I scolded as he reached under my coverup and pulled at the strings on the side of my bikini bottom.
He wrenched them off, pushed me onto the bed and dropped down to bury his face between my thighs. I spread my legs a little wider as his tongue touched me, teasing me. I grabbed onto his hair and couldn’t resist drawing him even closer, so his tongue could reach deeper inside of me.
I let out a groan that I thought was soft, but it echoed around the room. I stuffed my fist in my mouth as the tension in my lower belly mounted. I was so close. I managed to collect myself enough to grab a pillow, making him chuckle.
“Challenge accepted,” he said before sliding a finger inside me as he worked my nub, and the fluttery feelings overpowered every sensation but what he was doing between my legs. I screamed into the pillow as I came, hoping that it was enough to muffle the sounds of my pleasure.
When I finally opened my eyes, Noah was already undressed and positioned above me, quickly unrolling the condom. “Spread your legs wider,” he commanded.
I did as I was told and Noah grabbed my thighs, lifting my hips off the bed so I was suspended inches away from his hardness.
“You’re so fucking gorgeous,” he said, then plunged inside of me, bringing me close to the edge before I’d had a chance to fully come down from the first climax.