Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

Page 88



Smirking, he pulls on a fresh pair of boxers. He strokes his hand over the front of his boxers and his obvious erection. “Not this time. I’d do more harm than good.”

Before I can say I don’t mind, Blake comes in with an armful of stuff. He sets it down on the counter, and I shift in the water to see better.

“I swear Seth only wants you in skimpy stuff, but I found a drawer way in the back on the bottom with some fuzzy socks and comfy pajamas. Kayla loves comfy stuff when she’s not feeling great.” Blake’s green eyes meet mine. My heart beats hard as it tries to fill my chest and burst out.

I smile at his thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”

He shrugs. “Kayla really likes you, by the way. She texted me about you and asked how you’re doing. When she’s in town in a few weeks, she’s going to steal you and Sara and take you both out.”

Blake’s love for his sister is written all over his face. “I’d like that. I haven’t really had friends before.”

“Didn’t you have friends in college?” Blake sits on the bench.

“Mmm, not really.” I drag my fingers through the bubbles on the water’s surface. “A few study buddies, but I always had to decline going out. I had too much to do for school, and work to make sure I could pay the bills.”

“Hope’s coming over today?” Coop draws my attention.

I grin. I can’t help it. I have friends. Real friends.

“Yeah. I really like her. It’s nice to have someone to talk to besides you guys. As much as I enjoy talking and spending time with all of you, it’s different with women.”

“I get that.” Blake releases a breath. “You definitely have a fan in Kayla. She mentioned how she wants to get secondhand info on how good Coop is in bed.”

I laugh. “You have a strange relationship with your sister.”

“Do you have any siblings?” Coop leans against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest.

“No. Only child. It would’ve been nice though.” I pop some bubbles with my fingertip. At least then I wouldn’t have had to be the perfect one. Something I could never live up to no matter how hard I tried. “My parents really weren’t that into having a child. They planned me, of course, but I wasn’t their priority. So having a brother or sister would have been nice for the company, but really, we would have been ignored together.”

The words pour out of me as I hunt bubble after bubble until the realization of what I just revealed hits me. I cringe. I just said my parents ignored me. That wasn’t fair to them. After all, they were busy with work and each other. I was fine.

I glance up and Coop’s watching me carefully.

“I’m an only child too.” He doesn’t grin or smirk. “It can be lonely.”

That spark between us lights up. I can tell he gets it. I want to ask if he was ignored too. If he was an afterthought to who his parents were. If they even think to call him when he’s away, or if it’s like he never existed at all.

“You’re going to become a prune.” Blake clears his throat and grabs a dry towel, heading my way.

I stand automatically, and he wraps the towel around me. He helps me step out of the tub. When I’m on solid ground, he tips my chin up. His green eyes search mine.

What does he see in them? Can I even hide any part of myself away from him? From any of them? Or am I an open book? Does he realize I love them all from just a glance?

His thumb traces my jaw before he leans down and claims my lips softly. When he lifts his head, that softness remains in his gaze. “Get dressed. I’ll make pancakes for breakfast.”

Chapter 104

New Business

Madison

Sara:

OMG! Kayla just texted me what happened Friday. Are you okay?

After eating way too much breakfast, Noah and I settled on the couch to snuggle and put on something to watch. I still haven’t decided on anything. We’ve been watching trailers for the past thirty minutes.

It takes me a second to realize what she’s talking about. Ah, the assault.


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