2. A Door Closes
Madison
We step out into the hallway. When Blake locks the door to my old apartment, I release the breath I didn’t even know I was holding. This part of my life is almost over.
“Madison!”
Ice creeps over my skin. I turn to see Robert rushing toward me, and my heart starts to beat again. I’ve been on edge, wondering if Valerie and Jeff would somehow appear. Blake steps in front of me, and Robert stumbles to a halt.
“Blake, right?” Robert grins and tries to peer around Blake to see me. “I’m good with names and faces. Aren’t I, Madison?”
“Yes, you are.” I move to the side a little so Robert can see me. I’m glad I put my scarf back on before we left the apartment. He would overreact to my injury and offer all sorts of things, like ice and food and a place to sleep.
It’s not like he doesn’t know I was injured. Blake told me Robert saw me when I was passed out that day. The picture of Blake carrying me flashes in my mind, and I take a half step away from Robert. What if he’s my stalker?
“I’m glad you’re okay. Did you want some chocolate cake? I have some cake. Just bought it from the grocery.” He gestures as he takes a step toward his apartment.
My chest loosens. I don’t think it’s Robert. Yes, he had the opportunity, but how would he have gotten that video in my apartment? He was only in my apartment one time and never left my sight.
Blake takes a step forward, as if to make Robert stop talking to us, but I rest my hand against the center of his back. Robert was nice to me, even when he gave me the creeps.
“Not today.” I smile wearily. “I’ve had a long day. I just need to go home.”
Blake tenses a little beneath my hand.
“Oh, okay.” Robert’s sad face turns into a smile. “If you need a place to stay, I have room. I’ve told you before, but it would be safe.”
His gaze darts to Blake. For the most part, he’s been acting like Blake isn’t even here, talking around him to me.
“I’m good where I am.” I give him another smile. Politeness was ingrained in me from a young age. I don’t see a reason to not continue to be polite to him. After all, he seems to care for me. “Thank you for your concern.”
“I watched your place while Blake took you to the hospital. Nothing happened until guys from Morrigan Technology showed up. They were good guys. Secured the scene and everything. Even fixed the door.”
“That’s good.” I scoot a little forward. Blake’s hand shoots out and holds my hip to keep me from going around him and getting any closer.
“Valerie came back the next day and cussed about the locks being changed. I told her she shouldn’t have hurt you.” Robert shook his head. “She wasn’t happy about that, but she left.”
“Next time you see her, don’t approach her, just call the police and tell them she’s here.” I glance up at Blake, but his eyes are narrowed on Robert. “The police are looking for her.”
“I can do that. Are you sure you don’t want cake? I can give you a slice like last time.” Gesturing for me to come along, he grins at me as he steps toward his door again.
“Not tonight, Robert, but thank you. We have to go now.”
Blake tucks me into his side as he maneuvers us around Robert to the stairs.
“You have my cell if you need anything or if you lost anything.”
I pause to ask about the lost thing. It’s an odd thing to add, but Blake keeps me moving. As he rushes us down the stairs, I pause to ask, “Where’s the fire, Blake?”
He grunts and lifts me up and over his shoulder. I cover my mouth to keep from shrieking. The last thing I need is Robert following us to the car. Blake holds me steady with a hand on my ass.
I give up and relax. He’ll tell me when we get to the car. I’m sure it’s about Robert, but it could be about Valerie. Blake doesn’t lower me until we’re at the car. The driver doesn’t even glance our way. I give Blake a look before climbing in.
When he joins me, I turn to him. “What was that about?”
“That guy isn’t all there.”
I wave him away. “He’s harmless. Just lonely.”
“He watches you. He knows your patterns. That’s what stalkers do, Madison.” Blake looks out the window as we head back to their building.
“Robert’s not a stalker.” He did occasionally give me the creeps, but he’s fine. I’d know if he was stalking me. Wouldn’t I? A shiver runs through me.
“You don’t know that. And we can’t know that. Not unless he’s done it before.” Blake takes my hand and pulls it onto his lap. His thumb brushes over the back of my hand, sending little sparks through me.
“Thank you for taking care of me.” I shift closer to him on the seat, drawn to his warmth and strength.
He smirks at me. “Part of the job description.”
I shake my head as I grin. “Yours or mine?”
“Both.” He kisses me, and it feels like the first time. Soft. His lips linger on mine as his tongue explores the curves of my lips before I open beneath him. By the time we pull into the garage, I’m close to straddling him again in the car.
He chuckles as he lifts his head. “I have you all night, tiger.”
A little thrill goes through me as we climb out and head upstairs. I can’t wait for bed.
* * *
Dinner is, of course, wonderful, and I didn’t have to cook, which makes it even better. While I’m still a little off-balance from the texts this morning, I’m doing my best to put them out of my mind and focus on the conversation around me about work.
“Tomorrow is Friday.” Seth sits back and steeples his fingers against his lips while watching me.
Arousal flows through me at the thought of all of them taking me again. Blake’s and Coop’s words replay in full-scale color in my head. I cross my legs against the ache and longing.
“Everyone needs to make a list of what they want out of this arrangement. As detailed as possible.” Seth nods at me. “Including you, princess.”
“I gave you all my hard limits.”
Seth sets his hands on the table. “And we need to know soft limits and what you want. Things you want to try. We want to fulfill your desires.”
I’m all for that. I want to strip naked right now and beg them to take me, but maybe we should clear the dishes first.
“This is still something you want to do. Right, kitten?” Noah is sitting beside me and reaches beneath the table to trail his hand under my skirt, curling his fingers against the inside of my thigh, sending tingles straight to my center.
I meet his dark eyes. “Of course.”
“Good.” He squeezes my thigh and stands to collect our dishes. I miss the warmth of his touch.
“What exactly goes into this contract?” I turn to Seth and place my hands together on the table.
The others move around us, clearing the dishes. When I begin to rise to help, Coop presses his hand on my shoulder and gives me a smile, shaking his head. I settle into my chair and focus on Seth. His eyes have always held mine and now isn’t an exception.
“Anything we feel we need to spell out. When we will do renegotiations. What will be allowed as an out clause. If you need a day without sex?—?”
“That’s not going in the contract, sweetheart.” Coop leans down, kissing my ear and sending tiny shivers racing through me. I agree with him. I don’t think I can get enough of them.
Seth gives him an admonishing look, but Coop just shrugs it off.
“It’s about what will make this arrangement comfortable for all of us.” Seth leans back. “Such as knowing that none of us will have sex with someone else without talking with you first.”
My insides clench at the idea of them having sex with someone other than me. I understand that I’m only one woman, but I’m willing to try to keep up with their needs. I don’t even know how that conversation will go. Can I say no, you can’t screw anyone else?
An unpleasant thought races through my mind. “What about dating?”
Seth contemplates me. Is he wondering if I want to date or worried I’m going to be a jealous woman? I shouldn’t be jealous if this is just an arrangement and not a proper relationship. My gaze darts to the other guys who gaze at me, just as curious.
I clear my throat and pick at the napkin in my lap. “Obviously, I have no intentions of dating anyone, but I don’t know what you guys have planned.”
My voice is tiny by the end of my statement. This is so embarrassing, but that’s what the arrangement is supposed to clarify, right? I mean, they aren’t asking me to be their girlfriend.
“Madison.”
My chin tips up, and I meet Seth’s captivating blue eyes.
“For what it’s worth, we rarely date. It’s not just a time thing, but that plays into it.” He takes a breath and blows it out. “This isn’t a typical arrangement. We would never ask something of you that we wouldn’t be willing to do ourselves. If we ask you not to date, then we would expect to do the same.”
The death grip on my chest loosens.
“However, there are events which we need to attend with a date, and there is only one of you...”
He trails off, but I can finish that statement. They will have women who are arm candy and might not take me to these functions. It would probably be odd if I show up with four men or a different one to each event. Or show up with my boss to anything, probably. Am I going to be their dirty little secret?
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I shake off the weird feeling swirling in the pit of my stomach and smile at him. “Of course. That’s understandable.”
“I assure you nothing will happen between us and those women without discussing it with you first.” Seth’s assurance doesn’t make me feel better.
If anything, it makes me shrivel up inside a little more. What if I can’t be everything these guys need? What if one night a week with each of them and everyone on the weekend isn’t enough? Should I be constantly servicing them to keep them satisfied and content with only me?
I’m not sure when I’d fit in actual work.
Noah sits beside me. “It doesn’t happen.”
I meet his eyes, having lost track of what he’s saying. “What?”
“The type of woman we take to those events isn’t who we’re interested in.” He takes my hand and squeezes it. The heat in his eyes keeps me locked in. This connection between the two of us grows each time we interact. I should shy away from it, but I can’t help myself.
“This is why we need to draw up a contract, so we can all be aware of the behaviors that may cause friction among us.” Seth’s voice draws me back to him.
I nod, aware that they’re all watching me. “I understand.”
Seth cups my cheek. “We’ll talk more about it on Friday when you’ve had time to think about what’s important to you.”
“I’m in the mood for dessert.” Coop strolls over and leans with his hands pressed flat on the table across from me. His sky blue eyes rake over me, heating me up. “Anyone else?”
My heartbeat ratchets up as four hungry gazes fall on me.
“Are you willing to play, sweetheart?” Coop tilts his head, giving me an out if I need it.
But what I really need is these men.
“What did you have in mind?” My husky voice is the only sound in the room.
Coop lifts an eyebrow, and then his gaze falls on Seth, the ringleader.
“Princess, you can use your safe word any time to stop things completely, but tonight I want you to use green for go, yellow for slow down, and red for stop or pause.” His blue eyes sparkle with mischief, making my insides tighten in anticipation. “Sound good?”
“Yes, sir.”
His eyes darken. “Stand, princess.”
Noah pulls my chair away from the table and I stand. Every inch of me trembles, waiting for their touch.
“Coop, give me your tie.”
I turn to watch Coop’s wicked smile as he removes his black silk tie and walks over to put it in Seth’s hands. My panties dampen more, and I try not to press my thighs together.
“Noah.” Seth holds out the tie to Noah, who takes it and steps behind me.
“You know the words, kitten. Right?”
“Green.” For fuck’s sake, go. I want it so badly I’m going to be leaking down my thighs. I love when they all play with me.
Noah chuckles as he draws my hair over my shoulders. Tingles scatter through me. I release my pent-up breath. He holds the tie in front of my eyes before covering them and securing the silk behind my head.
“You are ours tonight, princess. We’ll do with you what we want.”
“Yes, sir.” My fingers tap against my thighs as I stand before them, barefoot. I removed my shoes and my scarf as soon as I walked into the apartment. Today I almost couldn’t bear it around my neck, but I had to prove to them I could still work.
Someone steps behind me. I breathe in Blake’s spicy cologne. I feel a slight tug on my skirt before the zipper inches down. My skirt billows to the ground around my feet.
The guys are being quiet, so all I can focus on is their quickened breaths. The scrape of a chair leg. A loud footstep. The warmth of a hand ghosting over my panties. I shiver.
“Cold, kitten?” Noah’s voice is at my side.
I shake my head. “Not at all.”
Someone closes in from the front, and my shirt lifts as each button is undone. I try to keep my breath even as Blake slides my shirt off slowly from the back. The silk trails along my skin like a caress. The back of a hand brushes over my stomach, and I inhale a mix of their scents.
“Beautiful.” Coop stands in front of me. He takes my hands. “I’m going to lead you. I’ll keep you safe.”
“Okay.” I step over my skirt. In my bra and panties, I let Coop lead me through the apartment. A door opens and we step into a room. It’s warm in here, warmer than the open space of the living room. It doesn’t smell like one of the guys, so I’m pretty sure it isn’t someone’s bedroom or even mine.
Fingers tickle my back as someone unhooks my bra and someone else draws it away from my body. A door shuts behind me. The rustling of clothing surrounds me. Anticipation wells within me as I stand completely still, unable to see where we are or who is where.
Every part of me waits for their touch. I’m so wet that if I weren’t wearing panties, it would trickle down my thighs. My breath catches as the anticipation gets to be too much.