Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

Patrick moves slowly toward me with his hands outstretched like he’s trying to calm a wild animal. “Madison, you remember me, right? I’m not going to hurt you.”

My hands shake, and I can’t seem to get any air into my lungs. I reach up to pry the hands away from my neck, but my fingers only find my own skin.

“Shit.” Hands grab my shoulders. “Breathe. You need to breathe or you’re going to pass out.”

Kayla

“Seriously stop. You can’t just take her. She’s here with someone.” I follow Sara and Dante doggedly. Honestly, it’s not a hardship. No offense to Coop and Madison, but holy heck what a sandwich Sara and Dante would be.

“Sara, control your friend.” Dante doesn’t slow down but keeps dragging her down another hallway until we’re a distance away from the party.

When I look back, Madison isn’t behind me. She must have gone back to the table. A pang goes through me. I promised Blake I’d watch over her, but she’s safe as long as she’s with everyone. No one’s made a move toward her all night.

“Let me go, Dante.” Sara pulls free and stops.

He rounds on her. And woof, there he is. Tall, wavy blond hair falling to his shoulders, icy blue eyes. The tux had to be custom made for him because it clings to him the way I want to.

“And what, Sara? Let you go so you can try to rile him up?” Even his voice makes me want to follow him, but he’s also pissing me off because this is my new friend.

“Rile who up?” I take Sara’s arm and step a little in front of her, putting myself between them.

Sara’s cheeks are bright red, and Dante’s perfect lips are pressed into a thin line. Apparently neither of them is going to tell me anything.

“It’s better if you leave now. Your brother hasn’t seen you yet.” Dante holds his hand out to Sara.

She looks at it for a moment as if weighing her options. “You know what, no. I’m here with a date. My mom set me up with Noah and I’m not leaving him because you’re afraid of what? That Tom will see me here?”

Sara puts her hands on her hips and stands in front of me. I’m a little more in love with my new friend. She’s standing up to all this hotness.

“You guys don’t get to decide where I can and can’t go. I’m a fucking grown-up.”

I want to say yeah and back her up, but Dante steps forward, and when he looks down at Sara, even I get shivers. That’s not a normal I’m just getting you out of the way look. His eyes are burning with heat and I’m feeling the secondary burns.

“Pipsqueak, you shouldn’t be here.”

“I have every right.”

“You do.” He puts his hand on her shoulder and she trembles beneath his touch. “Let me take you home. I’m sure your friend will tell your date where you went. Come with me.”

He slides his hand down to take hers. Chills. Fucking chills.

Ummm, I’m not even here to either of them right now, but I fucking volunteer as tribute. Yes, please. I don’t know what he intends to do to her, but it’s gotta be better than whatever is happening at this dance.

“You should go,” I whisper and give her a little push toward the hot Viking. She could climb him like a tree.

Sara glances back over her shoulder at where the benefit is still going on and then returns her gaze to Dante’s. Resignation swims in her eyes. “Fine.”

He nods and waits for her as she turns to me. I thought tonight was going to be boring. Fuck, I’ve never been more happy to be wrong.

She swallows and meets my eyes. “Can you tell Noah I’ll text him? And tell Madison I really enjoyed meeting her and everyone else.”

“You text me.” I glance up at the Viking and give him a smile. “If you find yourself needing a plus one or two, let me know.”

He arches an eyebrow like he doesn’t know. But he does. I give him a wink.

She chuckles and hugs me. “I really enjoyed meeting you. I’ll text you later.”

I hug her back. Tonight was a good night. Good drama and new friends. But that’s definitely enough drama for the night.