Watch Me (Private Listing #1)

His eyes darken, and his gaze drops to my lips before he clears his throat. “I get the pleasure of showing you the apartment.”

He hasn’t released my hand. Instead, he repositions his so we’re holding hands as he leads me to the elevator. I’m going to be wrecked if these men keep manhandling me. I shouldn’t like it, but my body isn’t listening to my feminist brain currently. No, my body is too focused on the feel of his skin against mine and wondering if he is as commanding in the bedroom.

After we step into the elevator, he swipes his card and releases my hand.

“Did you have any issues with the paperwork?” he asks, one hundred percent the professional while I’m over here panting because he touched my hand.

“No.”

The elevator ride is quick, only one floor down. He gestures for me to precede him out. I step out on similar marble floors. It’s a small hallway with the elevator and five doors, one in front and four down the hallway.

Cooper moves to the first door and slides his access card into it. “This apartment will be yours if these two weeks go well.”

I follow him in. Immediately, my attention is drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows along one wall. The ceiling is at least twelve feet tall. It feels like I can see the entire city from up here. Considering my current view from my apartment is brick walls, this is definitely an upgrade.

“All the apartments share this space.” Cooper’s hand goes to the small of my back as he leads me into the room.

“All?”

I tear my eyes from the leather sectional and the huge flat-screen TV next to the fireplace in the corner. At the other end is a large table with ten chairs surrounding it. The chandelier glitters and sparkles as it dangles over the center of the table.

“The four of us live on this floor as well. The bedrooms are all separate and have their own access code, but the living space is shared.” Cooper leads me into the kitchen area.

It’s huge, with marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. It’s so much bigger than my kitchen. I can’t resist running my hand over the smooth, cool marble. This is like a dream.

“Part of your duties will be to order groceries and be here for the deliveries once a week.”

I smile. Maybe they require a housewife, not an administrative assistant.

“Do you cook?” Cooper leans against the counter as I walk around the island.

“Probably not to the level you guys are used to, but I know how to follow a recipe.” There’s a huge farm-style sink. Everything is pristine and perfect.

“We aren’t all that particular.” Cooper closes in on me.

My breath catches in my throat as I peer up at him.

“We also won’t require you to cook for all of us unless that’s something you’d like to do.” He reaches out and tucks a stray hair behind my ear.

My insides turn to liquid as I try to stay focused on the work and the apartment and not this dangerous attraction.

His smile is a little predatory, but in the next instant, it softens and he steps away. “Still more to see.”

My heart is trying to take off at the rate it’s racing. I blow out a breath and follow him.

He opens double doors into what qualifies as a study or a library. Books line wooden bookshelves from floor to ceiling. A rolling ladder rests in the corner. Low leather chairs in small groups fill the space. A library table with five chairs sits close to the window.

I long to trail my fingertips along the spines of the books to see what these men consider worthy of their presence. This can’t be real life.

What bosses ask their assistant to basically live and work with them twenty-four seven? Especially these men. Maybe I can understand the convenience, but when they said an apartment was part of the package, I figured it would be just me in a small studio, which I would have been grateful for.

“We try not to keep working after business hours, but sometimes we’re forced to work on some projects into the night. Otherwise, this space is just a quiet area to read. Noah prefers it when we’re watching TV.” Cooper turns his gaze on me. “Do you read, Madison?”

Heat rushes my cheeks at his attention. “I usually just read on my phone when I have time. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to the library to get actual books.”

I don’t add that some of what I like to read gets pretty dirty.

“You are welcome to read whatever you find here.” Cooper’s smile turns sly. “You might even find some inspiring works of fiction.”