Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

“This jealous person won’t be a problem, right?” I raise my eyebrow. We already have a lot to look out for tonight. If I have to add worrying about a stranger wanting to deck me to the list, I might need to set some guidelines.

She laughs bitterly. “Probably not. I could probably screw someone right in front of him and he wouldn’t blink.”

Fuck. “Then why?”

She sighs and looks out the window. Her fingers toy with the diamond on her necklace. “Maybe seeing someone interested in me will make him see me and not the girl he knows.”

I’ve been the one no one noticed for most of my life. Living in the shadow of Coop, Seth, and Blake. They protected me, but next to them, I’ve always been younger and less desirable.

Until Madison. My chest warms. She desires me. Sure, she wants them too, but she seeks me out. We’re part of the same puzzle. We belong together.

“Sounds like we have a deal.” I reach out and take her hand, squeezing it lightly.

Her green eyes spark with life and she grins. “This is going to be epic.”

Seth

Doing things for the good of the business has been my strategy since before we began MTG. This is just another one of those things I have to get through. An evening with my ex Elizabeth Hartfield. The car parks outside her mother’s mansion.

I straighten my bow tie as I get out and head for her door. Nerves fly through me. My intentions are obvious, but what are hers? Does she expect us to get back together? Is this another run for Coop?

Fuck, why did I agree to this in the first place?

It seemed like a good option at the time. I don’t have any feelings for her, and it would be a good start to our business relationship.

I ring the doorbell and knock. When the door opens, Elizabeth stands there, and I’m reminded of when we first met. Even though it’s been nine years, she hasn’t changed. Sleek dark hair falls to her bare shoulders. Her dark eyes are captivating.

Her red dress highlights her pale complexion and dark features. She’s still gorgeous, but she doesn’t stir my desire like Madison does. She also wouldn’t be up for playing like Madison and I do.

“Good evening, Seth.” She steps back and gestures for me to come in.

I draw in a breath before walking into the foyer. Their house is large, the marble entryway is just the beginning. When I was younger, I was in awe of all this. But it’s another type of cage and just as hard to escape from.

“Are you ready to go?” I straighten my cuffs and glance at her, trying not to appear as impatient as I feel.

She smiles and walks to the study off to the side. “I thought we might have a quick drink before leaving. I know how much you always loved the study.”

“The car is waiting for us.” I gesture to the door, even as the clink of glasses sounds.

Fuck it. I follow her into the dark study. Old books combine with leather for a delicious scent. We fucked in here on multiple occasions. She liked it because she felt like she was sticking it to her mother. I liked the idea of getting caught.

“I got in some scotch that I think you’ll like.” She stands at the bar cart, pouring alcohol into two glasses. She sets the bottle down and picks them up. “I know we ended dreadfully before?—‍”

“You tried to fuck my best friend.” No inflection. No feeling. Just dead words.

Her smile falters as she turns, but she finds it again. “I was young and stupid. I’m just glad we can find common ground to start again.”

We won’t be starting anything but a business relationship between our companies. After the initial setup, I’ll be happy to never see her again.

She holds the glass out to me and meets my eyes. Her smile falters a little at whatever she sees, then recovers.

Taking the offered glass, I lift it to my nose, inhaling the complex flavors. “I agreed to take you to this benefit because I needed a date.”

Her smile softens as she holds her glass in both her hands. “It’s so hard to juggle running a business and dating. It surprised Mother you were still available.”

Sipping her drink, she looks through her lashes at me. She thinks I’m available, and that’s what we want the rest of society to think. I throw back the scotch, ready to be done with this whole mess. I brush past her and set the empty glass on the cart.

“We should go now.” I walk out to the foyer, cursing myself for thinking this might be a good idea. She used me. She tried to use Cooper. I thought I was past it, but the pit of my stomach still burns.