Bind Me (Private Listing #2)

She draws comfort from me and I want to do the same. The two of us keep creeping closer to the other, but that’s not what’s supposed to happen with our arrangement. Strictly sex and work. A contract, not a relationship.

It keeps us focused and makes sure no female can tear us apart.

But I’m having trouble fighting this protective instinct and the need to bundle her away and keep her from everyone else.

Seth puts his phone down. “What’s happening?”

“Field trip.” I lean against the wall.

He arches his eyebrow at me, and then his gaze softens when it falls on Madison. I’m not the only one having difficulty keeping things separate. This damsel in distress means one thing to all of us. Trouble.

“To?” he asks.

“Her old apartment. Most people won’t be home from work, and she’s missing stuff.”

“And?” His expression is knowing. Seth could always read me.

I grunt to acknowledge his insight. “That camera might still be transmitting.”

Madison stiffens next to me, but she doesn’t pull away. A camera wifi signal I can trace.

“Fine. Don’t take any unnecessary risks.” His gaze goes to Madison. “Either of you.”

She nods. “Of course.”

We make our way down to the car. Traffic is light this time of day, and we make good time to her old apartment building. As we’re climbing the stairs, Madison stops.

“I don’t have my keys.” Her eyes meet mine with a hint of frustration.

I tug her forward. “We changed the locks when we fixed the door. I have a set.”

She falls in line with me, but with every step closer, she gets slower and stiffer.

I take her hand. “You’re safe. I’ve got you. I won’t let anything or anyone hurt you ever again.”

Her wide blue eyes look up into mine.

Ever again. Fuck. Can I even keep that promise? We aren’t going steady. We aren’t even technically dating. We fuck and sleep together. And I save her from asshole roommates.

“I trust you.” Her words scald me to the bone. I’m not sure I deserve that trust yet.

I guide her to the apartment door and unlock it. My gaze searches the hallway for anyone trying to watch us, but the doors are all closed and no shadows move below them.

When we cross the threshold into the apartment, I take a moment to check the doors in her hallway again before shutting and locking the front door.

Madison stands frozen in place, her hand on the front of her throat, staring at the chair still on the ground.

I forgot about her nightmares, being trapped in here all over again with Valerie and her dick boyfriend. And Hunter. Fuck.

“To your bedroom, now.” My voice demands to be obeyed. It breaks her out of whatever loop she’s in, and she hurries to submit to my order.

I follow her, shutting the door behind me. Except for the bare furniture, nothing remains in here. We had her packed up in an hour. I pull out my bug/camera detector and walk the entire room. Madison stands next to the door with her arms wrapped around her waist. She’s stiff as a board.

Fuck. She can’t seem to get out of her head.

When I’m sure her room is clean of listening or recording devices, I sit on the edge of her full-sized bed. She needs to be jolted out of it, but I’ll use my method of shaking things up.

“Madison.”