Bind Me (Private Listing #2)

I don’t get far when she mutters, “It’s not like you’re the first person I’ve found screaming in this place.”

What the fuck does that mean? Turning back, I catch sight of her dark hair as she’s walking away. I’m tempted to follow her and ask her what she means, but I also want to get to the safety of upstairs and my guys.

The elevator ride helps me calm down. I’m sure it was just my overactive imagination. Maybe I should talk to a therapist about the assault.

When I walk on to the executive floor, the guys are deep in it and spread out in the conference room. I walk in while Seth and Coop are quietly talking in one corner. Blake gestures for me to come over to him.

When I reach him, he takes the files from me. “Thank you.”

He sets them on a stack and goes back to reading the file in front of him. I could tell him about it, but what really happened? I panicked because the lights went out. Maybe they go off after hours or are motion sensing. No one but employees can get into the building.

I’m safe here.

“Is there anything else I can do?” I ask quietly. I don’t really want to interrupt their flow, but if there is something I can do, I want to help.

Blake shakes his head. “You can go back to reading, tiger.”

Not really wanting to be alone right now, but not wanting to disturb them, makes me hesitate. Blake glances up, and his green eyes narrow on mine.

“You okay?” Blake’s fingers capture my fingertips. Coop and Seth glance over at us for a moment. I can’t tell them I freaked out like a child because the lights shut off. I’m fine now. I need to let them work when they need to work. They’ve already taken a lot of time to comfort me.

Making my smile bigger, I nod. “I’m good. I’ll just go upstairs.”

“Noah’s up there if you need anything.” He releases my hand and gives me a half smile. “If you need company, you can come down and read in here, but this is the quietest it’s been.”

The guys are still talking, and while I’m sure I’d be able to focus, I might distract them. “I’ll go see what Noah is doing.”

* * *

Noah

The apartment is blissfully empty as I read in the library. The main door opens and closes quietly, and I wait to see who’s come up. Madison walks through the living room in a floral sundress, looking a little lost.

I clear my throat.

She spins, and her smile is beautiful as she finds me. My heart beats a little harder as she makes her way toward me.

“You don’t have to work today?” She drops into the seat next to mine.

“Not today. Are you finished?” The problem isn’t a financial one, so I took the day off after working last Saturday.

“I found all the files they needed.” She shrugs and plays with the skirt of her dress. “I thought about reading…”

I hold up my book, but I close it and set it to the side. “We could do something together.”

She brightens at my suggestion. I wish I could take her out of the apartment, but it’s still too risky. Especially if she really did see Valerie the other day. But there haven’t been any new texts from Valerie or the stalker.

“We could watch a movie or show.” I gesture to the TV room.

Her smile falls a little. She’s not big into watching things. During college, she didn’t have the time. It’s not really my thing either.

“We could play,” I suggest. I always want to play with Madison.

Her eyebrow arches with interest. “Did you have something in mind?”

“We could explore the play room.” When I stand, I offer her my hand.

She takes it, and I help her to her feet before walking to the door. I shove it open and gesture for her to precede me. As she walks in, I flick on the lights.