Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

She slaps him. “Lose my number.”

“Gladly.” He rubs his cheek.

Leighton storms out of the room. One down, one to go.

Elizabeth clears her throat and looks at her half-full wineglass. “I don’t know what announcement you’re talking about. I need those pictures to remain private.”

“As long as nothing about me wanting Madison comes to light, your secret is safe with us.” Seth leans back. “However, I need you to admit you were using me again.”

Elizabeth blows out a very unladylike breath. She straightens and turns to Seth. “I didn’t want to use you in college. I actually liked you. But Mother has plans for me. Plans that include the Graham family. When you reached out as a business, Mother wanted me to go for Coop, but I wanted a touch of revenge, especially after the benefit and how obvious it was that you wanted Madison.”

She gives a bitter laugh. “I don’t want any of you. But Leighton was relentless after I went after Coop. She made my life hell. Especially after Coop dumped her. When the opportunity to take something that was hers presented itself…”

“I’m always available for revenge sex,” Drew says.

“You have my word, Seth. Not that it means anything to you. I won’t go to the press or anyone else.” Elizabeth stands and takes her clutch. “Thank you for an eye-opening dinner.”

“I’ll call you,” Drew says. Elizabeth doesn’t acknowledge him as she walks out.

“So, dessert?” Drew smirks at all of us.

Chapter 151

Escalation

Madison

Blake joins us after Elizabeth leaves. Coop holds my hand under the table while we all try to figure out why Drew is still here.

“Oh, good.” Drew waves Blake over and pushes out the chair next to him. “Since we’re all here now.”

Blake’s brow furrows as he looks around at all of us. Maybe he thinks we know what’s happening, but we’re just as clueless.

“Sit, Blake.” Drew throws his napkin on his plate and leans back like a well-fed king holding court. “As fun as this has been, I’ve got something else you guys should know.”

Blake sits. My hand goes for the simple necklace Coop draped around my neck earlier. My fingers caress the teardrop-shaped diamond. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as anxiety crawls up my spine. This doesn’t feel like it will be pleasant.

“I assume it isn’t anything to do with Leighton or Elizabeth,” Coop says. Both women are gone. Thankfully.

“No, it isn’t.” Drew meets my gaze. I hold perfectly still as he says, “I heard a rumor you were attacked at the benefit. Is that true?”

The benefit. My throat closes as I nod.

Drew sighs. “I overheard some guys talking when I was on my way to meet up with Elizabeth.”

“What did they say?” Blake leans in close to Drew. Always my protector.

“One guy was clearly drunk. He kept mentioning how grown-up Madison looked and that he lost his shot to get her when she was in school. How he should have fucked her on his desk. Sounded like a major creep.”

Ice floods my veins. But I knew Professor Alan was a creep. It’s why I stayed away from him while I was in college.

“The other guy told him maybe he hadn’t lost his shot. Kept egging him on. ‘She’s here. You’re here. Get her alone. Don’t take no for an answer. Get what you deserve. What you’re owed.’”

Blood rushes in my ears. My heart pounds heavy in my chest. Owed? I’m there in that hallway. Pressed against the wall. My head aching. I’m there in my apartment. Hands tightening on my neck, taking my life away second after second.

Trapped, hopeless, scared, alone.

My body is lifted and warmth surrounds me. The buzzing quiets as I focus on Coop murmuring little nothings to me. His voice draws me out and helps warm me. He cuddles me in his lap with my head tucked beneath his chin.