Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

As soon as the door closes, Seth sits in the chair next to my bed and pulls his computer out of his laptop bag. While it turns on, he lifts his gaze to me.

“How’s today?” His blue eyes take me in. He’s been at my side the most and usually working while he’s here. I appreciate it.

“It would be better if Madison were here.” I take a bite. Fuck, I miss good food. “How is she doing?”

He releases a breath. “Missing you. Going crazy not being able to come and see you.”

It’s Saturday. But the week has been weird. Real fucking weird, the fire alarm on Monday, staying at the hotel, then Tuesday and all the fuckery that came with that, getting shot. The last time I got to see Madison in person was Wednesday before she went home.

After eating while Seth worked, I finally ask, “Have we lost clients yet?”

Seth blows out a breath. “No. Andrea probably did us a favor because only people willing to work with us even after someone shit talked us stayed.”

“Maybe our relationship getting out isn’t a bad thing. The contract getting out there sucks.” I say it because I’ve been for going public with our relationship for some time. Our company’s reputation is secure. “We don’t have to pretend anymore. We can just own it. We can just be fools in love with a gorgeous woman.”

Seth closes his laptop. Since we missed a few days of work, he uses the time here to make up for it. He leans back and meets my eyes.

“I don’t think we have much choice. The genie is already out of the bottle.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Even if we contained it, Madison will always carry this reputation with her.”

“So what?” I sit up and wince at the pain in my side. I use the bed controls to raise my back more. “None of us are going anywhere. She’s ours and we’re hers. I love her. I’d marry her tomorrow if I thought she’d be down with that. We’re not some temporary fuckfest. We’re in love.”

“We just need to focus on getting you back on your feet. We can deal with this as it comes at us.” Seth rubs his eyes. Probably thinking of all the stuff we did to keep this from tarnishing Madison’s reputation.

“Fuck that. Let’s get ahead of it. Take her out to dinner. Ignore the media. With everything happening, most of us haven’t been on a date with the woman we love. So we take her out. Individually. All together.” I give Seth a look. “I know it’s a fucking zoo out there, but if we show them there’s nothing sensational about it, it should die down.”

Seth’s look turns contemplative.

“And bring her here. Find a way, because I need her.”

“I’m here,” Madison says from the doorway. My dad stands behind her and moves her inside as he closes the door.

My heart thumps hard in my chest. It feels like forever since I saw her last. She moves gracefully to my bedside. I reach out my hand and she takes it. Her eyes shine with unshed tears and she wears the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.

“I figured you could use some time to talk.” My dad slides his hands into his pockets and looks at Seth. “Want to walk with me?”

Seth rises and kisses the top of Madison’s head. “See you soon, princess.”

She doesn’t shift her gaze from me. When the door closes behind them, I push my food tray out of the way. She helps me. When I tug her toward me, she carefully sits on the edge of the bed.

“Sweetheart, I got shot trying to save you. I need you a hell of a lot closer.” I reach up and tuck her blond hair behind her ear.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” She looks at my bandaged side and a tear slips free.

“I need you next to me. I want to hold you and kiss you and reassure myself that you’re whole and safe. Fucking is not possible yet, so climb up and snuggle with me.”

She bites her lip and slips her shoes off. I lower the head of the bed some. It takes some coordinated effort, but finally, she’s curled up against me on the bed. Her warmth presses into my good side.

With her head resting on my shoulder, I toy with her fingers on my chest. “How are you doing?”

She sighs. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too. What about the other stuff?”

She shrugs.

“No comment?” I chuckle but stop because it hurts to laugh.

“Are you okay?” She lifts up and looks down at me. Her blue eyes search mine.