CHAPTER 3: NOT PART OF THE DEAL

CALIX'S POV

“Five a.m., Sinclair. Get up.”

I blinked, my vision clearing to find Noah standing over me.

He turned and walked toward the connecting door. “Five minutes. If you’re not in the rink, I’m calling the demolition crew for Northcott. You wouldn't want to fail your people again.”

I jumped out of bed. I didn't even have time to be mad.

Noah was already on the ice of his private ice rink when I got there. “Grab a stick,” He barked without looking at me.

I skated out, but I felt sluggish in the expensive Kensington gear he had forced me to wear.

“What’s the drill?” I asked, sliding into a defensive stance.

“There is no drill,” Noah said, turning to face me.

His eyes were wide with a look that made the hair on my arms stand up. “I want you to take the puck from me by using everything you’ve got.”

We didn't talk after that. For two hours, it was war between us. Every time I got close, Noah would use his size to pin me against the wall.

“Is that it?” Noah mocked me, breathing hard. “You’re playing like a coward. Are you afraid to hit me because I’m paying your bills?”

I didn't wait for him to say anything else, I moved fast, tripped him with my stick, stole the puck, and shot it straight into the net.

Right then, the sound of high heels echoed through the rink, I turned to see a girl walking right to us.

“Noah, really?” She called out, “Your father said you were in here. We have the tasting for the engagement party in two hours. You can't show up smelling like sweat.”

I froze. Engagement party?

I stared at them like they were speaking a foreign language. Noah was only twenty, and just a year older than me. Who gets engaged at twenty? In my world, guys that age were worried about passing exams and finding enough money for rent.

Noah’s face went stone-cold instantly. “I'm busy, Ariana.”

“With him?” She asked, staring down at me like I was covered in trash. “Anyways, your dad wants everyone at the dining table for breakfast.” She said, then walked away.

The dining table was long enough to fit a hundred people. I sat at the far end, feeling like a speck of dust in a museum.

While Ariana was sitting right next to Noah, her chair pulled so close their shoulders were literally touching.

And across from them sat George and Noah’s mother, Gwen, who looked like she hadn't smiled since the nineties.

“We’ve narrowed the guest list to one hundred,” Ariana said, poking at a piece of fruit.

Noah was just staring at his plate, not saying a word.

George suddenly clapped loudly. “The Kensington and Sterling merger will be the talk of the decade. It has to happen as quickly as possible.”

Suddenly, Noah pushed his chair back and jerked up to his feet. “I’m done,” He had a tight frown on his face.

“Noah, sit down!” George barked.

Ignoring him, Noah turned and walked away.

I sat there for a few more seconds, feeling the awkward silence of the room.

That night, I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Noah’s frustrated face at the breakfast table.

I was lying on my side when I heard the connecting door creak open.

I kept my eyes closed, but my heart was already doubling in speed. I figured Noah was just going to the gym or checking to see if I was still here.

But then my breath stopped when the bed moved like someone was climbing into it.

I let out a sharp gasp when an arm suddenly wrapped around my waist just as soon as I felt a broad chest press firm against my back, the heat of another body seeping through my thin t-shirt.

It was Noah.

My skin crawled with both confusion and panic. “What the hell are you doing?” I tried to climb out of the bed as fast as I could but Noah was faster, and he didn't let me go.

He pulled me back against him, his other strong arm coming around to lock me in place. “Stay still,” He whispered.

“Let go of me, Kensington!” I hissed, struggling against his hold. “This wasn't part of the deal. I’m not your damn teddy bear.”

“I said stay still, Sinclair,” He growled, burying his face into the space between my back.

When I felt him trembling, I stopped fighting for a second, my head spinning with questions.

“You’re getting engaged, Kensington” I muttered “Go sleep with your fiancée.”

“I don't want her,” Noah mumbled, and I could feel the movement of his mouth on my back. He shifted, his grip loosening just enough for him to roll me over.

I was on my back now, and he was hovering over me, his blonde hair falling over his forehead, his blue eyes staring down at me.

My brows pulled together. “Then don’t marry her. You can just say no.”

“It’s not that simple,” He said, his thumb suddenly brushing against my lower lip.

“Stop that!” I hissed, quickly moving my head away from his hand, but then he leaned down until his face was just inches away from mine.

“Can I kiss you?”