Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

I wonder if fucking her on the table in front of everyone would be too caveman-like. Would she get off on it? Having everyone watch her get fucked?

“If you don’t stop staring at her, people are going to talk.” Elizabeth’s voice cuts into my thoughts. She sets her fork on her plate.

“Would you rather I stare at you?” I narrow my eyes at her, feeling belligerent. It’s my own damn fault we’re in this situation. I never should have taken Gloria’s bait. I lift my scotch glass and see it’s almost empty. It’s probably time to switch to water. Fuck.

“I would. After all, we’re out on a date.” She straightens and leans forward. “We could put all that pent-up sexual tension to work. You could hate fuck me. I don’t mind being used.”

I chuckle and push the drink away. Definitely time to switch to water. “I believe in this situation I would be the one being used.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way, Seth.” She runs her hands over her skirt. “We used to be good together.”

“Until you tried to fuck my friend.” My words might have been a little louder than I intended. A couple next to us turns and stares at me. Fuck.

“Are you trying to ruin both of us? That’s ancient history,” Elizabeth hisses. She leans in closer and smiles. “If you don’t want me to run my mouth off to the press, you’ll kiss me right now.”

This isn’t worth it. But then I think of Madison’s future plans. Every time she makes a move, this whole thing will be brought up, dug up. Not just about me wanting her, but how it seems suspicious that she lived with all of us. Then, the older story about Andrea will rise from the dead.

It could crush her future. It could crush her.

I picture her blue eyes over Elizabeth’s brown ones. This is beyond fucked-up, but this is damage control. It means nothing. Just a quick peck.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper and lean in and kiss her.

Chapter 122

Broken Interface

Madison

I laugh at something Coop says, feeling much better about the situation. Our food has arrived, and we’ve kept the conversation light. I’ve kept my gaze from straying to Seth. But each time it slides his way, he looks bored out of his mind and my heart settles a little more.

Coop sucks in his breath. I glance at him and then follow his line of sight. Seth is kissing Elizabeth.

Fuck. He’s kissing her. My breath freezes in my chest. For a moment, everything moves in slow motion. His hand is on her face and his lips are pressed to hers. A fist closes around my heart, squeezing it so hard.

I gasp and stand, needing to get away. I don’t think, I just go. Bursting into the bathroom, I push the door closed behind me as if to ward off the evil that’s trying to sink into me. To stop my eyes from seeing what they saw. To keep my heart from shattering into a million pieces.

How is that for me?

A tear slips down my cheek. I fall back against the wall and slide down to the floor, needing to protect myself. I can’t get the image out of my head. Why would he kiss her? What purpose would that serve? He has to have a reason, right?

Someone knocks on the door. I shake my head but don’t say anything. I can’t. What even could I say? I don’t want Sara to come in here, because how do I explain this? My boss kissed the woman he’s out on a date with and it’s breaking my heart.

I want to curl up and forget this night even happened. Wash my eyes of the image of him smiling at her and kissing her. Her! The woman he used to love. Maybe he still has feelings. Maybe he didn’t realize it. Maybe spending time with her?—

The door opens and Seth steps into the bathroom. His eyes are frantic as he looks around. Then those devastating blue eyes find me. My torn-apart insides ache. He pushes the door closed and engages the lock.

My hands shake as I swipe at the tear on my cheek and wait.

For him to say something.

Anything.

I don’t know what will make this okay. He kissed her. Hot pools of jealousy swirl in my stomach, threatening to pull me under and drown me.

He pushes his hand into his blond hair and stares at the ceiling for a second. “Madison?—‍”

“You kissed her.” The accusation rips out of my soul. I want to be the woman who is sophisticated, but the man I love just kissed another woman in front of me. My heart is bleeding all over this floor. It hurts so bad.