Lib Novel Page 7
“We won’t stay until the end. After, we’ll all come home.” Seth takes a drink. For a second, my brain stalls on them bringing their dates home, but that’s not what he means. He means they’ll come home to me and our bed.
I don’t know which would be worse—staying at home waiting for them, or watching my men with women who want them.
“No kissing or inappropriate touching?” I ask hesitantly. Again, who am I besides their employee and fuck buddy?
Seth’s eyes meet mine. “Nothing besides them holding our arms and dancing.”
Coop barks out a laugh. “Because Elizabeth won’t try anything to get back into your bed? And who knows what type of conniving woman Noah is bringing? After all, his mother set him up.”
I swallow the food in my mouth and it falls like a lump into my stomach. My guys are attractive and each quite the catch. I wouldn’t blame these women for trying for more. But right now, they’re mine, and I won’t give that up without a fight.
“Seriously, Coop?” Noah shakes his head. “She’s a fucking date. Not my choice for marriage or even to date seriously. I did this because Blake’s bringing his sister, and as much as I love seeing Kayla, she won’t draw heat off Madison dating you.”
“We do have to appear to be on dates.” Seth pushes back in his chair. His gaze holds mine. “But we’ll all be coming home to you, princess. Don’t think for a minute either of those women could get under our skin.”
I nod. This is a fucked-up situation.
“Don’t leave Coop’s side.” Blake picks up his plate and takes it to the kitchen sink. “We don’t know who will be there. It’s possible Valerie or Jeff could get in. While we put Hunter in the doghouse with his father, he’ll still probably be there. And whoever your stalker is…”
“Whoever my stalker is will probably be there. He seems to be everywhere in my life. Even before I knew I had a stalker.” I pick up my barely touched plate and take it to the sink, standing next to Blake. “I won’t go anywhere alone except the ladies’ room.”
“No.” Blake shakes his head.
“I’m not taking Coop to the bathroom with me.” Yeah, that would go over well. We’d probably never make it back out. My cheeks flush with the heat rising in my body.
“When you go, Kayla will go with you.” Blake acts like this is a done deal.
“Who’s going to attack me in the bathroom?” I throw my hands up. I don’t expect absolute privacy, but I don’t need a babysitter either.
“Valerie.” Seth’s voice draws my attention to the others beside the island.
“Your stalker could be a woman, kitten.” Noah’s voice is quiet and practical.
“Whoever my stalker is has taken pictures and videos and intruded in my life enough.” I straighten and meet each of their eyes. “Valerie and Jeff already took away most of my freedom. I just want things to go back to being normal and easy.”
Blake draws me into his arms. “Things were probably never normal or easy.”
I blow a strand of hair out of my face. He’s right. Things have never been easy. This isn’t easy, except being with them. That’s easy.
Letting them into my heart. That’s easy.
Watching them on their dates with other women? I don’t know how I’m going to handle that. But I know it won’t be easy.
Chapter 79
Hanging by a Thread
Madison
“What’s on your mind, tiger?” Blake puts his tablet beside the lamp.
After cleaning up the kitchen, Blake insisted on coming to bed. I said good night to the others and got long lingering kisses from all of them. I changed into PJs that were in a drawer in Blake’s closet and settled in bed next to him with my tablet to finish reading some reports.
The words are blurring when Blake asks me that question. I set the tablet on the nightstand and rub my eyes. “Work. I’m behind. It feels like I’m always behind.”
Before I started, the temp had done the bare minimum. Bringing everything up to my standards takes time. And then after the attack, I didn’t work a full week. Shit like this keeps happening.
His arm wraps around my shoulder, drawing me into his side. I snuggle in against him, appreciating his spicy scent and warmth. See? Easy.