Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

I open my eyes and meet Seth’s. Interest flares in his.

“She asked if Patrick was with us and if Coop and I were still engaged.” I shrug. “Most of the time I’m not sure what’s going to come out of her mouth. For a minute, I thought she might be out on a date because she seemed so tense that Patrick was with us, but I saw her with two women when we left.”

“How well do you know the Becks?” Seth’s quiet intensity is intimidating.

“I watched their kids for a year. They had to give me rides to and from campus. Both of them were gone when I was with the children. The kids were adorable and I loved every minute of my time with them.” I inhale and blow it out. “Honestly, I was a little shocked Anna approached me at the benefit. We weren’t real friends. I was the hired help. She’d complain to me occasionally on the way back to my dorm. About work, the kids, Patrick, but overall, she seemed pretty happy with her life.”

“What about when Patrick took you home?”

“He rarely did because he worked so late. But when he did, sometimes he’d give me a cookie or brownie or something that someone gave him at the office and he didn’t want. I was a broke college student, so I took every sweet he gave me.”

“Did he ever make a pass at you?”

I laugh before I look at Seth’s completely straight face. “Oh, you’re serious? No. The guy barely knew my name. Anna’s the one that hired me. She paid me. She made sure I knew what they expected of me. Patrick was just along for the ride. She told me once he worked so hard to make partner early.”

Seth rubs at his temples.

“Are you worried about Patrick?” I reach out and take one of his hands.

“Something just feels off.” Seth’s fingers tighten around mine.

“He’s been there since the beginning.” Blake draws my attention. “It lines up a little too neatly. Jeff said the guy told Val he wouldn’t need her because he had a new way to access you when you started working for us. Patrick happens to be headed for a tryst in the museum when he stumbles on you and Jimi Alan. He was there the day you received the dress.”

A chill races down my spine. “But he barely says anything to me. He dismisses me like I don’t matter.”

It doesn’t make sense. No matter which way I turn it over in my head. He’s not interested in me like that. He can’t be. He’s married with two kids. My stalker is this creepy guy who hides in the shadows and makes deals with my druggie roommate to take pictures of me.

He stalked me in the file room and sent me a video of me masturbating.

“No.” I shake my head. “It doesn’t make sense. Why? Why would he harass me like that?”

“I don’t know, princess.” Seth wraps his arm around me. “Maybe it’s not him. He is receiving threats about you since he helped you and started working at our office. But there’s still something off about him.”

I think back to the interactions I’ve had with him, and everything in me says he’s not the stalker. But in my mind, the stalker is this omniscient being that looms over every aspect of my life, not a real person.

“We need to remain vigilant,” Blake says. “It’s always possible that the person we least suspect is your stalker.”

A shiver runs through me again as I lean into Seth’s warmth. I reach out my hand and Blake takes it, threading his fingers through mine. I need all of my guys. We need to be together on this.

Chapter 147

An Amenable Deal

Madison

I set the table while Blake finishes dinner. He keeps drawing my gaze. Do I honestly think there is one thing Blake can do that will make me believe he trusts me? Or is this just something that will resolve itself over time?

I’m so torn about what to do with him, but I know we need to be a unit to deal with this stalker.

Seth’s theory in the car has me out of sorts. I just can’t imagine Patrick being the stalker. There’s too much disconnect between the guy I’ve met and the terror the stalker makes me feel. Patrick doesn’t act like he wants me or is even remotely interested in me.

But then again, I can’t really put a face to the stalker. No one I’ve met gives me the same feeling he creates. It kept my mind spinning all afternoon.

It was hard to focus on work. My thoughts kept straying to Blake and how he can sharpen my focus and bring me into the present. But it wouldn’t be fair to him because I’m not ready to forgive him fully. I’m not ready to put all my trust in his hands.

Blake lifts his head and catches me looking at him. He gives me a half smile that makes my heart beat a little faster. I can’t give him all of my trust, but maybe I can give him some of it.

“We have a lot to discuss tonight.” Seth comes from his room, freshly showered after working out with Coop.