Watch Me (Private Listing #1)

I nod, and he goes into the other room, then comes back with one.

“I put a few in your freezer. There are more in the main freezer if you’re in the living room.” He hands me the ice pack.

I never imagined these guys would take care of me like this. I smile and try to thank him with my eyes.

“You should get more rest.” His gaze goes over Noah and Blake, who are still sleeping next to me. He shakes his head. “We’ll talk later. Rest now.”

I lie back down, and Blake’s arm goes around my waist, pulling me into his warmth. I put the ice pack on my neck and fall asleep again.

The next time I wake up, I think I’m alone in the bed at first. The ice pack is gone.

“You up for some soup?” Cooper asks from behind me.

I roll over, and he’s sitting on the bed next to me, fully dressed, with his tablet. I rub my eyes and stretch. First things first, bathroom.

“Soup, sweetheart?”

Nodding, I shuffle out of bed to the bathroom. After using the toilet, I go to the sink and find a new toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, facial soap, and a hairbrush. I smile at their thoughtfulness. My parents need to know what’s going on. I’ll text them later though.

When I take a few moments to clean up, I notice the bruises forming on my neck and upper arms. I trace them with my fingertip. Tears swell in my throat. What would’ve happened if Blake hadn’t shown up?

Shivers course down my back. They wanted money, and to play their twisted game with me. Tears well in my eyes, threatening to spill. They choke the back of my throat until I can’t breathe.

Helpless. That’s how I felt.

Completely and utterly helpless. They could have done anything to me, and I wouldn’t have been able to fight back. I could have died.

A soft knock comes on the door. I try to reel the emotion back in.

“Madison?” Cooper opens the door slowly. His eyes capture mine in the mirror and his face softens. He steps close and wraps his arms around me. “You’re here and you’re safe. We won’t let anything happen to you.”

When a tear slips down my cheek, he catches it with his thumb. The night started amazing. Having all four of the guys with me, giving me pleasure and receiving it in return. And then it turned into a nightmare. They had to step up and protect me because I couldn’t protect myself.

“Hey.” Cooper turns me in his arms and lifts my chin so I look at him.

This wasn’t supposed to be this way. They shouldn’t need to protect me. He lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me softly, sweetly. Tingles work their way through me. I’m not up for more than this, but he’s comforting me, not trying to get into my pants. It’s confusing because that’s what this contract is about. Sex. Drawing back, he rests his forehead on mine as his hand softly cups my bruised cheek. “We’ve got you.”

I breathe in his breath and let it out before leaning my head against his chest and letting him hold me. This isn’t the way this is supposed to go. He shouldn’t have to comfort me. I’m supposed to be strong and independent.

But I can’t be and I should have known that. I’ve struggled all my life to fit in and be who everyone thought I should be. My parents. My teachers. The other kids in school. They all thought I should be perfect. But I always fail. I always let them down.

Now I’m messing this all up. My perfect opportunity. My perfect job with the perfect guys.

I’m the thing that’s not perfect, and at some point, they’ll realize that no matter how hard I try, I’ll always be less.

* * *

Noah

Madison is on our couch, watching some show on renovating old houses. She’s cuddled under a blanket. Bruises mar her perfect skin, and my chest squeezes tight every time I see them.

We shouldn’t have let her go.

It’s only been a week. I’m stupid and reckless for falling so quickly for someone who is still a maybe. Theoretically, we aren’t supposed to fall at all. The point of the whole let’s live with our assistant and fuck her thing is the convenience.

But Madison isn’t just convenient. The other women I could have taken or left, but Madison… Fuck, every moment I’m in her presence, she just fills me up. Makes me feel like I’ve found home. Of course, I can’t tell the guys that. Or Madison.

But she’s not someone you use and move on from. At least not for me.