Watch Me (Private Listing #1)

Noah taps on a piece of paper in front of him, drawing my attention. “Our compensation package includes a corporate apartment, a phone, access to the corporate fleet of drivers, and a generous salary with benefits.”

My eyes must be wide as he slides the paper across to me. The mentioned benefits already exceed what I expected. I take it and glance over the numbers. There are way more zeros than I figured. It’s more than I could imagine needing. I take a deep breath and release it. This is the job I want, and it’s the job I need. It would set me up nicely for my future.

“I would be working for all four of you?” My eyes catch on Noah’s smile.

“Yes,” he says. “Some of the work will be specific to each of us, but there will also be some general work that needs to be done. We’ve had trouble keeping someone in this position. Especially with privacy concerns.”

Privacy concerns at a cybersecurity company?

“We tend to be very private people.” Seth taps his long index finger against the polished wood table. “We require a lot from our executive assistant, but you can see that you will be fairly compensated for those requirements. We generally run a trial period of a couple of weeks with new hires before we move them into the apartment. Of course, we’ll also require a signed NDA.”

My heart beats really hard. My breath catches in my throat.

Does this mean I have the position? This doesn’t even feel like a formal interview. They haven’t asked me a single question. I have to play this cool because I want this job. Almost as much as I want the guys sitting across from me. Of course, as I get to know them, I doubt that initial attraction will last. I’ve found that most men don’t live up to my expectations.

“Would I be working alone with you?” As soon as the question leaves my mouth, I worry about the implications. I shift in my seat. There have been men I absolutely didn’t want to be alone with in my internships, but I’m not getting that feeling from these men. “I mean, will there be other staff working with us?”

“For the most part,” Cooper says, “it will just be the five of us up here. The apartment is on the floor below, accessible only by the card in the elevator, so it’s perfectly safe.”

“Have we scared you off yet?” Noah asks with a crooked grin.

I meet each of their steady gazes. “No, I think this is the perfect opportunity for me. It allows me to work with each of the officers and gives me experience in different areas. I like a changing schedule, for each day to differ from the one before. A lot of office positions can become monotonous. I love a challenge. That’s part of why I didn’t take the job with my internship.”

And I’m babbling. I press my lips together before I tell them again that I like variety.

Seth draws my attention by leaning back. “One other question, Ms. Harris.”

“You can call me Madison,” I say automatically.

He gives me a tight smile. “We’ve had some issues with jealous boyfriends with previous assistants. The hours. The demands on your time. Would we need to worry about that with you?”

It’s as if they all inch forward slightly and suck the air out of the room. That’s definitely not a typical question. My cheeks burst with heat as I think of all the things that have skittered through my mind since meeting them. All of them inappropriate, but would be worse if I actually had a boyfriend. “Um, no. It’s not currently an issue you’d have to worry about.”

In fact, it’s been a while since I last dated anyone, choosing to focus on school and then my career rather than men. Which may explain why I’m practically drooling over my future bosses. My last year of college was brutal, with little time for any socialization.

I’m so close to my goal that I don’t want to have a guy who needs my attention constantly. I want something larger than even this job. To be the boss myself one day.

“Excellent.” When Cooper rises, they all stand with him, ending the interview. I collect my things.

Lord, they’re tall. I feel like I’m standing in a den of lions. Hungry lions who’ve caught the scent of something good as each of them takes my hand again before following me out to the elevator. My hand buzzes from the sparks each of them lit within me. Finally, I shake Cooper’s hand.

“We’ll be in touch soon, Madison.”

Chapter 2

A New Start

Madison

As I climb the stairs to my third-floor apartment, I can’t help but wonder if that really happened. They told me about the position and the compensation package. Dare I hope that means I have the job? They didn’t ask any actual interview questions, but that makes some sense since Blake spent almost an hour interviewing me on the phone.

The only thing they did was meet me. Could that really be all? Or were they disappointed and they’ve already written me off? Fuck, I hope that’s not the case.

How soon is soon? Because I need work now.

Of course, after meeting my bosses, I’m going to need to be on my best behavior and try to keep my fantasy life off work-related men. I’m pretty sure my dreams won’t receive the memo, though.

“Hey, Madison!”