Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

Blake holds her in his lap while they all look at me. I disappointed them all tonight.

I run a hand through my hair and walk over to the couch to join them.

Blake’s eyes burn into me. Obviously, he knows what I did. The drinks definitely didn’t help my decision-making, and I regretted it the moment my lips touched Elizabeth’s.

“Even though it seemed like a good plan, obviously caving to Elizabeth’s demands was a disaster.” I slump against the back of the couch and loosen my tie. Drawing it out from my collar, I wrap it around my hand.

“You did it to protect the company and Madison.” Coop understands the necessary evils in this world better than most. His parents raised him to look for ways to make the public perceive him at his best. Not that he followed that advice or even put much stock in it.

“How did you get out of the date so early?” Noah asks.

“Food poisoning.” I give them a half smile. “Maybe alcohol poisoning. Either way, she didn’t want to be around me for the rest of the night after I fouled up her bathroom.”

“Nice.” Coop grins. It was definitely effective.

“How are we going to deal with her?” Blake’s hand rubs down Madison’s back.

Her eyes meet mine, and my heart beats a little harder. I might have been slightly drunk to make it through the evening, but I remember every word we said to each other in that bathroom.

Not exactly the best way to tell a woman you love them, but I couldn’t hold it in any longer. She needed to know the truth.

“Elizabeth has something she’s hiding. I just have to find it. Preferably before our next date.” I rub the back of my neck. “I can’t keep this up. She’s not happy just to have me there. She wants a full-blown relationship, not just a few dates. I refuse to give her any more of me.”

“I’ll see what our team has dug up.” Blake sighs. He kisses the top of Madison’s head. “My buddy called. They found Valerie’s body yesterday.”

I blow out a breath. Even if I wished her dead, I didn’t really want it to end that way. “Jeff?”

Blake shakes his head. “They have a lead though.”

“Good. Though that leaves some unanswered questions.” It would have been good to know if Valerie gave someone a key or access to the apartment. That information might have helped us track down Madison’s stalker or at least narrow down the suspect pool.

“I don’t want you to go out with Elizabeth again.” Madison straightens and meets my eyes. “You don’t have to protect me that way. If it’s for the reputation of the company, that can be your decision, but I don’t need you to take this on for me.”

I run a hand through my hair. Fuck it. “I don’t know where we go from here. But I know we have to figure out what this”—I gesture to all of us—“is and I can’t do that with a guillotine dangling above my neck. Elizabeth holds some cards for now. We’ll deal with her. I promise. I’ll find an excuse to put her off while we figure out what will stop her.”

Resting her head against Blake’s shoulder, Madison takes a deep breath. “I’m done. Can we swap nights? I’m not going to be much fun. I feel like I’ve been through the wringer.”

My chest aches to know I’m the reason for that.

“Can we just all sleep together, and then tomorrow night Blake and I can have our time?” Madison strokes her hand down Blake’s cheek and looks into his eyes. Even though I love her, there isn’t an ounce of jealousy over seeing her with my friends. She wants them as much as she wants me. And I know she loves them as much as I love them.

“I’m okay with that, tiger. Whatever makes you comfortable.”

Her gaze lifts to me.

“Even me?” I’ve been stupid and blind, juggling too much, and almost dropped the most important ball. I almost lost the one thing I could never get back.

Madison stands and straightens her dress. She holds out her hand to me. “Even you. I don’t believe in going to bed angry or putting someone in the doghouse. You’re all mine, and I need you to be with me tonight. To sleep near me so I know you’re still mine.”

I take her hand and pull her to stand between my knees. “I will always be yours.”

Resting my head against her stomach, I inhale that rich floral perfume laced with Madison’s unique scent. Her arms wrap around my shoulders.

“You don’t have to sacrifice yourself to save me, Seth.” She presses a kiss to my head. “You just need to be mine and let me be yours.”

“I think Blake should punish Seth the way he punished me,” Coop says.

I raise an eyebrow at Blake and look up at Madison. “Is that what you want?”