Watch Me (Private Listing #1)

Heat rushes to my cheeks, thinking about Noah. I shake that off. “I saw most of the building. Cooper showed me the reports system and some of the daily reports I need to run.”

While I sat on his lap.

“And Noah?”

I can hear a hint of teasing in Seth’s tone and turn to catch his slight smile. “Noah…”

I pause and swallow. My gaze drops to my hands in my lap. They all are supposed to want me, so it shouldn’t be a surprise, but today I should be focused on learning my job responsibilities.

Seth captures my chin and lifts my face so I meet his eyes. “We’ll use the time we have with you as effectively as possible. I don’t blame Noah for wanting a taste.”

His gaze drops to my lips, and I press my legs together from the ache his darkened eyes cause. I want his lips on mine. To allow me a taste of him.

“We will try to focus on work.” His thumb ghosts over my lower lip before he draws his hand away. “But don’t feel guilty about what you do with any of us. Or feel you’re wasting company time. With the hours we keep, the work will get done.”

I press my lips tight, trying to piece together what I want to say. I understand what he’s telling me, but I also need him to know my thoughts.

“I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of the situation. I’m here because I think this will be an amazing career for me. The other part of the arrangement is a bonus.” I shrug. “But I don’t want it to take over.”

“We’ll find a balance,” Seth assures me with a faint smile.

I relax into the seat as he lifts his phone to work. When I glance up, my gaze meets Blake’s green eyes. His visor is down and the mirror reflects his intensity. I offer him a smile, and he closes the mirror. The rejection stings.

Thankfully, the drive is short. When Blake steps out, he opens my door and offers me his hand. I keep my smile on my lips, but he remains stoic. I follow him into the restaurant and past the hostess back to a private room.

Noah and Cooper are already here. Blake pulls out a chair for me, and I drop into it. He sits to one side while Seth sits on the other.

“The other reason we felt you wouldn’t need to be briefed on this new client is you worked for them.” Seth stands as the door to the room opens.

Curiosity fills me. I had a lot of internships, so it could be any number of previous employers. I stand with the rest of them and watch Hunter Adams and his father, William Adams, walk in. My heart skips and my hands go clammy. I force myself to remain smiling as they haven’t noticed me yet. Seth’s large body blocks me from their view.

The men all exchange introductions.

Hunter is undeniably handsome with windswept blond hair and sky blue eyes. His chiseled face makes him popular with most women, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting everyone to fall at his feet. Including me.

William notices me first. He reaches out and takes my hand between both of his. “Madison! What a pleasant surprise. So glad you found a good place to land. Though it’s definitely a loss for Taylor’s.”

Hunter got his looks from his father, though his father is more mature, and his blond hair is more white than blond. William is kinder too. There’s no predatory glint in his eyes. If Hunter didn’t exist, I would have seriously considered working with William.

William releases my hand. I brace myself as Hunter steps too close and takes my hand. My instinct is to jerk away, but this is business. My heart flutters wildly as the need to flee this predator fills every inch of me.

“Madison. It’s disappointing that you didn’t come and work for us. We made so many plans on how best to use your skills.” Hunter’s blue eyes capture mine like I’m a bird he’s caught in his hands and would rather kill than free.

“I’m sure taking the position at Taylor’s would have been a good fit, but I couldn’t resist working at Morrigan after the interview.” I draw my hand back.

Hunter’s smile is anything but happy. “Wish you would have told us they made an offer. We would have countered.”

Blake touches the small of my back, and I retreat gratefully to my chair. I don’t dare return my gaze to Hunter’s. I don’t want to see what he thinks of the guys touching me. He’s a possessive asshole.

Everyone settles around the table as Seth talks with William about what Morrigan can do for Taylor’s. I’m just happy to focus on my salad while I listen and take mental notes.

The whole time, the weight of Hunter’s stare on me is stifling. He tried so many times to corner me after the copy room incident, but I avoided him until my internship ended. It would have sucked to tuck my tail and return there after graduation. And I know he wouldn’t have let me escape from him again.

Focusing on William and Seth helps me get through the salad course. Our meals must have been preordered because the main course comes out promptly. There’s a small portion of steak and fish on the plate along with some sautéed vegetables and rice pilaf.

My gaze strays accidentally to Hunter’s. He watches my mouth as I eat. The primal look on his face makes me a little sick. I glance around to see if anyone else notices.

While almost everyone participates in the conversation between Seth and William, Blake’s gaze falls on Hunter. His brows are knotted. I’m tempted to slip my hand over his under the table to let him know I don’t want Hunter’s attention. I never have and never will.