Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

Hope bites her lip and looks at her brother. He makes a shooing motion.

As we make our way to the doors, Hope and Sara lead the way. Blake wraps his arm around my waist and holds me tight against him as we maneuver through the thick crowd. We move slowly to stay together.

The doors open and we walk out into the cool night air. Blake keeps us moving until we get to the car. He holds the door open as we climb in before he gets in the passenger seat.

“Was that all they sent?” Sara asks. Her hand shakes as she brushes her hair behind her ear.

“No. They sent a picture while Hope was in the bathroom. And one of me and Blake arriving.” I glance at my phone but there aren’t any new notifications. “There’s also an audio file I haven’t listened to.”

“Let me see your phone.” Blake puts his hand out and I pass it to him.

I tip my head back on the car seat and close my eyes as we head back to the tower. It’s been over a week since we heard anything from the stalker. While it’s terrifying how close he was and how unaware I was, it’s almost a relief to get something finally.

“Are you going to be okay?” Hope asks.

I open my eyes and her blue eyes watch me. Blowing out my breath, I straighten.

“It feels like we’re getting close to who it is, but then something like this happens.” I shake my head. “For years apparently, this person watched and took pictures, but now they want me to know I’m being watched. But they haven’t done anything to me, even when they had the chance. It doesn’t make sense.”

Blake meets my gaze in the rearview mirror. He’s trying to give me his strength, but I didn’t want to see who it was at the bar. I don’t want to face this nightmare. I just want it to disappear. But I’m going to have to face it.

“Do you want to come up and have a glass of wine with me?” I ask Sara and Hope. I want to pretend a little longer that I’m just me and that the only men interested in me are the four who hold my heart.

Even if I don’t deserve them, they love me.

“Yeah, I could use a drink.” Sara shakes her head. “We can watch an episode of The Great British Bake Off.”

“Oh, yes, that always helps calm me down.” Hope smiles and holds my arm. “You’re going to love it.”

“That sounds good.” Anything to take my mind off this person. He doesn’t deserve to occupy my thoughts.

Blake

It’s almost midnight before we call the driver to take Sara and Hope home. Madison is a little tipsy as she walks them to the door. I sit at the island with her phone, waiting.

“We have to do this again.” She hugs Hope and then turns to hug Sara. “I need this.”

Hope laughs. “I agree.”

“Hopefully, we took your mind off things for a while,” Sara says and squeezes Madison’s hand. “Oh, next week, Kayla comes in. We all need to get together. You too, Hope.”

“You’re going to love Kayla.” Madison points at me. “She’s Blake’s sister.”

She’s smiling, but I know that underneath that brave face, she’s crumbling. Noah comes out of the library.

“I’ll take them downstairs,” he offers. As he passes Madison, he draws her in for a hug. Sara makes this aw face.

“See? He’s such a good guy.” Hope sighs. “See you Monday.”

Once everyone says their goodbyes, the door closes, leaving Madison on this side of it.

“Can I pretend there isn’t more?” she says to the ceiling. Her hands cover her forehead.

Coop comes out of his room at that moment. He doesn’t hesitate to go to her and wrap his arms around her from behind. She turns and clings to him. Her eyes open and meet mine.

“We’ll wait for the boss and Noah.” I tap her phone on the island. “We all need to hear this.”

Coop puts his arm around Madison and leads her to me. She sits beside me at the island and rests her head on my shoulder.