Watch Me (Private Listing #1)

“Honestly, I had a whole plan to get through.” I glance at the stack of papers and then return my gaze to her soft blue eyes. “That got away from me.”

She laughs and leans her head on my shoulder. “Me too.”

I have a feeling things will always get away from me when it comes to her. I’m looking forward to it.

Chapter 8

Business Lunch

Madison

I’m not going to lie, but I feel a little awkward as Noah and I make sure we look proper before walking into the lobby to meet the others. I’m pretty sure they’ll all be able to tell we haven’t exactly been behaving in a business-appropriate manner.

Fortunately, Noah’s attached bathroom had a spare toothbrush, which I gladly used. I wiped off the rest of my lipstick and figured I’d reapply after lunch.

“We didn’t get much work done.” I smile shyly up at Noah as he fixes my hair behind my ear. His hands curl around my neck. I don’t regret a single second we spent together, but I know this can’t become a habit. Work has to come first.

“Call it a stress reliever. First day jitters.” He captures my lips in another searing kiss that has me throbbing between my legs again. I don’t think the two of us can be left alone, because I already want to pick up where we left off.

I just shake my head and straighten his collar. “What’s your excuse then?”

“First day jitters.” His hand goes to my lower back, and he leads me to the door.

I breathe in and release it. This is what I signed up for. What I agreed to. Even though we haven’t finalized everything, Noah seemed so unsure of himself. I couldn’t let him feel like I didn’t want him when I do. He definitely didn’t hesitate or worry during. One thing led to another, and it all felt really, really fantastic.

The rumble of male voices comes through the door when Noah opens it. Silence falls as we step into the center where my desk is. When he focuses on my now bare lips, Cooper’s eyebrows almost meet his hairline.

I fight to keep from blushing, but then I turn to Blake. His lips press together as his eyes dip to my lips, then down at my shirt. Afraid that I missed a button, I glance down and reach up to fix whatever he saw, but everything is in order.

Shit, if I didn’t look guilty before, I probably do now. Sandalwood teases my nose as I look up into Seth’s blue eyes. There’s a hint of a twinkle in them as he offers me his arm. I don’t hesitate before I wrap my hand around his elbow.

“Oh, wait.” I turn, but Cooper is already holding my purse out to me. I give him a grateful smile and say, “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” Cooper winks at me as I take it.

He turns and claps Noah on the shoulder. Noah shakes his head at Cooper, but he can’t seem to stop the small smile on his face.

Something settles in my chest. I put that smile there.

“You ready?” Seth asks.

“Yes, thank you.” I glance at him as he leads the others to the elevator.

As the doors shut, the men surround me as their gazes watch the numbers go down. My pulse rockets and I squeeze Seth’s arm nervously. I don’t know what their intentions are once we pass the two-week mark. But I’m definitely not averse to them all around me.

The heat of them penetrates me. They make me feel small and sheltered within their ranks. My heart races at their imposing energy flowing over me.

“We’re meeting a new client.” Seth tilts his head my way as he speaks. “Normally, you’ll have all the information before one of these lunches and be expected to take detailed notes. But as it’s your first day, we thought you might just observe.”

I nod my head. I can do that. This afternoon, I’ll keep my focus on work and not on the front of Seth’s pants. I seriously have a problem if I can’t keep my mind from circling to other things. Maybe once we get into the arrangement, I’ll be able to focus better on actual work.

Until then, I need to keep my head in the game.

When we reach the basement level, we step out into the parking garage, and two black cars with tinted windows wait idling for us. Noah and Cooper go to one while Blake and Seth lead me to the other.

Blake gets into the front passenger seat. Seth holds open the back door for me and walks around to slide in on the other side. Two men dressed in suits walk out to take the drivers’ seats.

“How has your morning been?” Seth asks quietly.