Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

And I mean it. I feel free in a way I never did before. I didn’t wait for someone to rescue me. I saved myself. But my attacker gained access to me when I should have been safe. I keep racking my brain to figure out who my stalker could be and why he’s so hell-bent on getting to me.

“What’s on your mind, kitten?”

I inhale and exhale. “Who is he? What did I do to make him think I would want any of this? What could I have done differently? Was I too flirty? Did I dress provocatively? Did I reject him in some way without even knowing it?”

Noah’s hand slides into mine. “This isn’t on you. This is on the guy who thought you owed him something. Not you.”

“I know that here.” I touch my temple. “But it all feels wrong. I must have done something to get his attention. I just don’t understand.”

Noah’s other hand cups my cheek and I fall into his brown eyes, wishing we could stay in this moment forever and not have to worry about stalkers and spies. It’s not realistic or even possible, but I could be happy right here with one of the men I love.

He rests his forehead against mine. “I want to keep you safe.”

I close my eyes. “I’m safest in your arms.”

The door to the suite opens and we both turn to watch Seth and Blake stride in. Coop comes out from the bedroom. Blake’s gaze lands on me and he doesn’t pause as he crosses the room. As I stand, he sweeps me into his arms and holds me so fucking tight.

I breathe in his spicy cologne and rest my cheek against his steady heartbeat. I love how he protects me.

“What happened?” Coop asks.

“The police retrieved the data from the phone.” Seth’s voice doesn’t sound hopeful. A shard of ice goes through me.

I lift my head to look into Blake’s green eyes, hoping against all hope that the answer is on that phone. Hoping he’ll tell me this is over. That we know who is doing this to me.

Blake sighs. “It’s a message to you.”

“His fucked-up version of a love note.” Seth shakes his head. His concerned eyes track me.

My heart pounds almost as hard as it did coming down those stairs, but I have to know. “Can I watch it?”

Seth looks to Blake. I return my focus to the strain around Blake’s lips and eyes. Whatever it is, it isn’t good. My blood runs cold imagining the things that could be on that phone. What all did Valerie take pictures or videos of? What kind of message could the stalker send me this time?

“She has a right to know,” Seth says quietly.

Blake searches my eyes before he releases a breath. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

“Can I get dressed first?” I look at the bag Seth carries. I don’t mind being undressed around my guys, but I need all the armor I can get to deal with my stalker.

“Come on, princess.” Seth holds out his hand to me. Taking it, I follow him into the bedroom. He places the bag on the bed and pulls out sleep shorts and a camisole. He sets them to the side. A pair of panties and a long robe join them.

“Madison.” Seth turns to me and I face him. “May I?”

When I nod, he unties my belt and pushes the robe off my shoulders to pool on the floor. A little shiver works through me. I’m not sure if it’s the change in temperature or the heated look in his eyes.

He holds my panties out for me to step into and draws them over my hips. His warm fingers linger on my skin. Awareness of this man flows through me. His hands draw me close to him as his head falls to my bare shoulder.

I rest my hands on the back of his neck and whisper, “I’m okay, boss.”

“We need you, princess. We can’t lose you.” He tips his head and kisses the side of my neck. “I love you.”

“I’m yours, boss. I love you so much, Seth.”

He pulls me into a hug, pressing me against him. For a second, we stay like that. Him fully dressed, me in just panties, pressed tight together like if we let go, we’ll be lost. After a few deep breaths, he steps back and finishes dressing me.

Every touch promises something more. More than sex. We have love and this bond that even the stalker can’t shatter. Seth will stand by me no matter what and I love him for it.

He wraps the silky robe around me and pulls me in by the ties. His mouth captures mine. It stirs up my need and is all too brief. But we’re just delaying the inevitable.