Sugarbaby by CRYSTAL GREEN Page B

way,” I said.
    I slid a glance to Simmons, who merely pulled close to the tent and then cut the engine. He got out of the car and came around to my side, opening the door for me.
    I got out. “Thank you.”
    He made a sound that could’ve meant “you’re welcome” or “whatever,” then walked away. That left me to turn toward Noah, who had strolled up the shore with a smile that was definitely more devil than angel.
    Had he deliberately dressed like he was ready for the Hamptons? His broad shoulders pulled at his white cable-knit sweater, and his pants and tennis shoes were also white and crisp. His light hair, cuffed by the breeze, even gave the impression of a golden boy who’d gotten a little tarnished somewhere along the line. The scar on his neck only added to that impression.
    â€œJadyn,” he said in his velvet voice. And it didn’t help when he leisurely traveled a look over me.
    I’d put on a flowery and filmy dress that went to just above my knees, topping it with an oversized sweater that buttoned up the front. Very proper, I’d thought, but now, with his heated interest, I felt like I was showing too much skin.
    Or not enough at all.
    He visually combed up and over my legs, and it almost seemed as if he was lifting my skirt, coasting below it to see everything. My skin was brushed with sensation, as if he was painting over my thighs, higher, dipping into places he had no business being.
    I pressed my palms over my skirt, intercepting his long gaze. His smile grew, flashing that lone dimple, and I crossed my arms over my chest. His eyes held mine for a moment more, and before I could pop with the tiny explosion that was threatening in my belly, I glanced away, toward the tent.
    It looked like there was another bucket of champagne on the table, flowers, candles, plus strawberries, pastries, chocolate.
    He spoke. “You didn’t get to sample the offerings last night, so I brought a new batch to you today.”
    â€œWhy?” Why, why,
why
?
    From behind us, Simmons cleared his throat. I glanced back to find him sitting on a large rock, absently thumbing over the screen of his phone.
    Noah got my attention again. “I didn’t want to be That Guy. You know, the one you said I was last night.”
    At first I didn’t recall what I’d said—I’d tossed around a lot of barbed wire—but then I got it.
    â€œWhen I asked if you’d used Simmons to lure me so you could have your way with me?”
    â€œYeah,” he said. “That.” Then the smile returned, confident, a little arrogant. No, a lot arrogant. “I don’t need Simmons to reel in anyone.”
    I wasn’t about to let him know he was right. It could very well be that Noah wasn’t used to having to pursue the ladies, and I kind of liked being the only girl who’d ever made him go through the maze of chasing me.
    But hadn’t I also thought I’d been the only one who could change Rex’s wandering eye? I’d spent so much time worrying that he was still keeping that eye on Shelby that I’d done my part in ruining
that
relationship.
    Noah stood aside, and I supposed that meant I should start walking toward the tent. But before I did, I snapped a picture for Carley and, as I sent it to her, I wrote:
    Jadyn:
    ???
    Simmons’ voice carried to us. “No pictures.”
    Noah took up stride beside me. “Simmons, always looking after me.”
    â€œHe doesn’t want any pictures of you to go viral, right?”
    â€œIt’s a necessary evil to worry about. As you know, I’ve been avoiding the press.”
    â€œBut I wouldn’t—”
    â€œI believe you wouldn’t sell any photos of me to blogs or the paparazzi.” We came to the tent. “But can you make me a promise for the next couple of hours? No more camera?”
    There was an undertow to his request, a ripple of pain beneath the