Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

“Are you implying something, Elizabeth? If so, come out and say it.” I pause. “I’m not the one who tried to cheat. I’m not the one who left our bed and went after your best friend.”

She flinches at the reminder. Like we’ll ever be able to put that behind us. She tore at something fundamental. She wanted him while she was sleeping with me. Fuck this catty bitch. I can’t wait to get rid of her. This is the last time I give her any piece of me.

I give her my full attention, giving her what she thinks she wants. “Why does your mother suddenly feel I’m worthy of your time now?”

Elizabeth smiles like I’m actually interested in her. “It’s not hard to see that you’ve changed, Seth. You’ve made a name for yourself. Built a business. You’re a known quantity. Unlike when we were in college.”

Her reasoning, while cold, is rational at least.

This is my fault for inviting this snake back into my life. For inviting her when I could have taken anyone else. Balancing Elizabeth’s ego and the need to keep Madison safe is nearly impossible. Fortunately, I’m not the only one watching out for Madison. I catch Blake’s eyes and nod toward where Coop and Madison disappeared. His eyes narrow and he gives me a subtle nod. We can’t go after them right now, but we’ll need to if they aren’t back soon.

Coop better know what he’s doing.

It’s definitely time for a change of subject and to bring this back to a work dinner, instead of whatever fantasy Elizabeth wants to live out. We’re done. Business is the only thing we’ll ever have between us.

There are few things Elizabeth likes better than talking about herself.

“Tell me about your role at Stiner.” Maybe listening to her drone on will make the time go faster. And Madison and Coop will return before I know it.

Coop

“Fuck.” Madison’s eyes widen as she fixes the strap on her dress.

Both of our gazes search the direction the door slam came from. Shit. I stand and reach down a hand to help Madison to her feet. She takes a moment to make sure she’s covered, while I can’t take my focus off the empty hallway.

Is someone coming or did they leave? How much did they see? No one has appeared, but the two of us are alone in a part of the museum that’s supposed to be closed off. The guys will kill me for putting Madison in danger.

If it was security, they would have shown themselves by now.

Madison’s hands are on my pants. I glance down. She’s doing up my belt and straightening my clothes. Quietly taking care that we’re put together. Her golden hair falls around her face.

Fuck. This woman cracks the wall around my heart. I have to be careful not to let her in. I’m not someone anyone stays for without wanting something in return. But when her worried blue eyes lift to mine, all I want to do is draw her into my arms and protect her from anything that might harm her.

The only people who haven’t left me are Seth, Noah, and Blake. They’re my family. My brothers. When I’ve given small parts of my heart to others, they’ve just thrown it back in my face.

I find out it’s not me they wanted. It’s what I could offer them. Wealth, status, security.

“Maybe they didn’t come this far?” Madison slides her hands through my hair, grooming me.

That feels too nice. I don’t think anyone has finger combed my hair in a long time. “We should head back to the benefit.”

She nods and steps back. “How do I look?”

Like a goddess who just got fucked probably isn’t what she wants to hear. I tuck her hair behind her ear and my chest fills with warmth. I smooth a thumb under her lips to clean up her lipstick until she can reapply.

Her lips part and her eyes darken. My cock twitches in response. Without thinking, I close the distance between us. Her fingers clutch my lapels as I hover over her lips. She lets out a little whimper of need.

Closing my eyes, I touch my forehead to hers and breathe in her floral scent. Just for a moment, to savor her. I release the tension in my shoulders and draw her hips against mine.

“We should go back now,” she whispers.

I open my eyes and press my lips quickly to hers before drawing away. Taking her hand, I lead her back the way we came, scanning the area for anyone lurking. The employee hallway is still empty as we walk through it to the door that leads to the benefit.

Nothing unusual stands out to me. No evidence of someone waiting to pounce on us. Everything seems normal. The door muffles the music and voices as we approach the final door.

“Should we tell the others?” Madison stops before we reach it.

“We don’t know that anyone saw us.” I draw in a breath and look down the hall. “It could have been a security guard walking through the area near the door.”