Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

Addictive. That’s what these guys are.

“I can’t wait to show you off at the benefit.” His words curl around me like warm smoke that could dissipate quickly. A flutter of nervous butterflies releases in my stomach.

“I hope I don’t embarrass you. I’ve never been to anything like this before. How will I even know how to act?” It’s not like there were a lot of formals growing up, and even fewer that I attended. In college, I kept to myself. I didn’t join a sorority or go to any parties.

“You’ll be fantastic, sweetheart.” He kisses me behind the ear, then smacks my ass as he pulls away. “Make my dinner, woman.”

As he backs away with that flirty smirk on his lips, I give him a genuine smile because, for a moment, he got me out of my head. Away from the trauma of opening that box and seeing all those pictures and the dress and the note. I turn back to the cutting board and pick up the knife.

“Hey.” Seth steps in front of me and takes my face in his hands, squatting so our faces are on the same level. “Where’d you go, princess?”

I blink at him and focus on those beautiful dark blue eyes. “Nowhere.”

He searches my eyes for a few heartbeats before his thumb sweeps over my lower lip. “Do you want me to finish making dinner?”

My hand hurts and my gaze falls to where it’s clenched tightly around the knife handle over the cutting board. I release my grip and set it down. “I…”

I what? I’m losing it? I need to stay busy to keep my mind distracted, but that’s not even helping. For years, someone has followed me and taken my picture, and I never noticed. How could I not notice the same person time after time?

I bought that dress a year before I moved in with Valerie. So that leaves someone in college or maybe someone who followed me here from my small town. Or maybe somewhere I interned early on or an old side job. It’s not like I haven’t met a ton of people in my short time here in New York.

Any of them could have decided I was theirs, but I didn’t know it. How could I not know it?

I blink and I’m at the table. Fuck, what the hell is going on?

I focus on Coop.

“There she is. You worried us, sweetheart.”

“You need to sleep, kitten.”

“Eat first.” Seth puts the stir-fry on the table in front of me. My stomach rumbles, reminding me I barely touched my lunch.

“Are you okay?” Blake takes my hand into his warm one and I nod automatically. “It’s okay to zone out a little. You’ve been through a lot recently.”

I take a deep breath before I meet his eyes. He’s always searching. Does he ever find me?

“I’m good. Just a little tired from last night.” I thread my fingers into his and draw on his warmth.

“Then we’ll make it an early night.” Blake takes my hand and doesn’t release it as he dishes up some food for him and me.

I look around the table and smile at the guys to reassure them I’m fine. We had a late night, followed by an active morning and busy lunch, and then the box…

I don’t let my mind sit on that again as I eat with the guys. They talk about work around me, and I try to focus and make note of what I’ll need to work on tomorrow. I really should finish working tonight, too, but Blake is right. I need sleep.

“We won’t have a meeting at the end of the day tomorrow.” Seth’s voice draws my attention. “We’ll need time to get ready for the benefit. We’ll take separate cars.”

Ah yes, something else to dwell on. Two of my guys will be on actual dates and Blake will have his sister with him.

“When does your sister get in?” This is the easiest thing to focus on. Not on the burning pit of jealousy stirring inside.

“Kayla gets in tomorrow morning and will work until I pick her up.” Blake squeezes my hand before he releases it to eat. “She’s excited to meet you.”

“Does she know about us?” I mean all of us.

“She’ll think you’re dating Coop. That will be easiest for now.” Blake takes a sip of his drink.

I sigh. To the world, I’ll be Coop’s girlfriend, or his latest piece of ass. To these guys, I’ll be the woman they come home to but can’t tell the world about. Am I good with that? Being their secret? Falling in love with men who can never claim me fully?