Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

“Hold that thought.” I answer my phone with my hand around her back, keeping her against me. “This is Cooper.”

“We’ve got the number and I’ve got a trace locked on the phone.” Theo’s voice is filled with pride. “We recorded the call and I’m forwarding it to you now. It’ll take a little work to get access to the phone records and location.”

“Great work, Theo.” I brush my thumb over Madison’s back. “Let me know if you find out anything concrete.”

“Yes, sir.” Theo ends the call.

I set my phone on the chair and glance down at Madison’s full lips. “Now, where were we?”

Madison

I laugh as Coop leans in, but we both stop at a rap on the door. Our heads swivel to the door.

“Cooper Jamison Graham, open this door now.” A slightly muffled, authoritative feminine voice sounds in his office.

He stiffens beneath me and whispers, “Fuck.”

Before I can ask him anything, he lifts me off his lap and rises to his feet. He reaches his hand down and helps me stand.

Pressing his lips to my forehead, he whispers, “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

My heart stalls in my chest as he walks to the door and unlocks it. When he opens it, a petite older woman stands there giving him an impatient look. Her gray hair is pulled back into a severe bun and her clothes scream wealth. Her light blue eyes match Coop’s perfectly.

“Mother,” Coop says without inflection.

My heart thumps heavy in my chest. This is Coop’s mother. The one he wanted to love him. She hasn’t spotted me though.

“I had lunch with Leighton and she had a lot to say about your fiancée.” She takes two steps into Coop’s office and spots me. Her eyes widen as she takes me in from head to toe.

Swallowing hard, I resist the urge to check every inch of my body for imperfections.

Coop steps forward and takes his mother’s elbow.

“Why don’t we have a seat and talk?” He guides her to a set of comfortable chairs he has off to the side. “Madison?”

His resigned eyes meet mine. He didn’t want me to meet his mother. Even after he told everyone we were engaged. Are we going to continue this farce? It’s not like we’re actually getting married, but every time someone brings up ending the charade, Coop shoots it down. Especially with the stalker still on the loose.

He holds his hand out to me as his mother lowers into the chair.

My heart beats like a hummingbird’s wings as I take his hand and let him help me into a chair beside him.

“Mother, this is Madison Harris. Madison, this is my mother, Victoria Graham.”

I fold my hands in my lap. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Victoria’s perfectly painted lips press into a fine line as she looks me over again. Her gaze lingers on the ring on my finger. I try not to fidget under her scrutiny.

Coop slides his hand under mine and entangles our fingers. “To what do I owe this honor? You usually don’t mix with the common folk.”

Victoria’s sharp blue eyes go to Coop, letting me breathe for a moment.

“How else am I supposed to find out what my only child is up to?” Victoria sits properly in the chair. I almost expect her to clap her hands for the staff to bring her tea. I’m afraid I might be “the staff” in her mind.

“My phone still works.” Coop’s hand tightens on mine.

I glance over and see the strain around his lips. I want to draw his head to mine and give him my strength. Instead, I squeeze his hand to let him know I’m here for whatever he needs.

“Yes, and you know exactly how to avoid me on it. No, Cooper, you will explain yourself this minute. If you’d like your”—her eyes sweep over me briefly—“companion to excuse us, that would probably be for the best.”