Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

What the fuck is going on? This woman thinks the guys are holding me hostage? Or is this a plan to get me away from their safety, so the stalker can get to me easier?

Who is this woman, and what’s her game?

“Was she as tall as me or shorter?” I need to get specific here.

“As tall, but she had on heels.” He blows out a breath and holds his hand out to me. “Just come back to your apartment where you’ll be safe. I can keep you safe.”

It could be Courtney or some other woman we haven’t even considered.

“I’m safe here, Robert.” I back up against the wall again. “My apartment wasn’t safe. It never was.”

I didn’t know it at the time. My roommate had taken money to spy on me, to let some creep into the intimate moments of my life.

“Is it because of that guy Blake?” Robert straightens. His voice is a little rougher. “I heard you two in your apartment on Saturday. It sounded like he hit you. I heard you crying. You don’t have to stay with someone like that.”

My face heats. Not something I wanted anyone to hear. But that seems to be my life right now. “Someone is stalking me. They may be working with someone here, but they can get to me easily in the apartment building. They already did.”

“Then stay with me. I have a couch, and you can take the bed. I don’t want you to be in danger.” Robert steps closer again. “I can keep you safe.”

I wrap my arms around my waist, but I don’t reach for the door. Something’s not right. I can’t figure it out yet, but something is definitely off.

Why? Why did this woman approach Robert? What did that gain her?

“Why did the woman tell you about the back door?” I ask, thinking out loud, not really expecting an answer.

“She said I’d never get in any other way. The guys would stop me from getting to you.” He glances toward the door. “If they’re hurting you, I can help you get away. I’m not afraid of them.”

“They aren’t hurting me.” I breathe in and drop my arms. “My bosses are protecting me. I don’t know what that woman wants, but it’s probably not in my best interest. For all I know, she’s working with the stalker, and they want me out so he can get to me easier.”

“She swore they were hurting you. That I should do anything to get to you. Even pick the lock and take you, whether or not you wanted to go. But I know you’re reasonable, and if I could just talk to you, I could make you come with me.”

Take me?

I gasp. “She wanted you to get in trouble.” My mind whirls around the possibilities. “What if she wanted us to think you were the stalker? What if she tried to set up Jimi as the stalker, too, but that didn’t work? So she moved on to you. The guy who’s been a little too forward sometimes but who actually cares about me.”

His cheeks get a little red. “I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

“And I appreciate that, but my bosses will take care of me, so you don’t have to worry about me anymore.” I step forward as I say this, trying to reassure him.

“You’ll call me if you need me?” His dark eyes search mine.

I nod, knowing I won’t, but if times get dark, it doesn’t hurt to have a friend.

“Good.” He steps back from the table. “I didn’t scare you, did I?”

The door opens before I can figure out a reply. Blake comes in and the tension releases out of my body.

“We need to talk about the woman you talked to.” Blake doesn’t look my way.

My brow furrows. I thought they couldn’t hear what we were saying. Why would they tell me they couldn’t hear me? It would have made me less fearful knowing they were listening to every word. So why not reassure me?

The guy was trying to get into our apartment and take me.

Unless they don’t trust me? Did they think I set this up? My hand goes over my mouth to hide my hurt.

But the ache is deep in my heart. Seth and Blake didn’t trust that I’d tell them what Robert said. Did they think I was involved with him too? My stomach churns. Robert’s brown eyes flick to me.

“I’d recognize the woman if I saw her. I’m good with faces.”