Tease Me

Madison
While I’ve been setting up the conference room for the meeting, I’ve also been texting back and forth with Sara and Hope. Meeting Deidre Byrne, Dee, is fresh in my mind and I want to share with my friends. I need time with my friends. I love my guys, but I need to develop friendships because this is new to me too.
The girls and I decided tomorrow night would be better to hang out. Not just in my room, but out. At a bar. Now I just have to convince the guys to give me a little freedom.
I don’t need to go alone, I just want to go. This is what I wanted from life after college. Friends.
I head into the break room to get the water pitcher. As I fill it with filtered water, I let my mind wander. These past few weeks have felt like a dream. Even though some parts have been nightmares, it’s been the best time of my life, living with the guys.
The meeting with Dee has me considering all the possibilities again. That I could be someone like her. Own my own business. Head my own empire. It’s a reminder that this is an essential stepping stone, but a stepping stone all the same.
“Deep thoughts, tiger?” Blake’s voice startles me. Turning, I smile, holding the pitcher of water in front of me. He makes his way over to the dishwasher with his coffee mug.
“Just thinking about where I came from and how I got here.” My heart squeezes when I meet his green eyes. If I tell him I love him, will he say it back? How bad would it hurt if he didn’t? Seth, Noah, and Coop have admitted they love me, even in front of Blake.
How greedy am I to want all of their love? To want his?
“You’ve been through a lot.” Blake closes the dishwasher and gestures for me to precede him.
It has been a lot. My mind skims over the assault by Val and Jeff. The sexual harassment from Hunter. Being attacked by Jimi.
The stalker.
A shiver creeps down my spine. The stalker looms like a shadow over my life that I can’t get out from under. But since Jimi’s arrest, we haven’t heard anything from the stalker.
Maybe they’ve given up on me. Maybe I’m not worth their time anymore. A girl could hope.
“Do you need any help setting up?” Blake asks.
Glancing over my shoulder at him, I hold up the water pitcher. “No. This is the last thing. But thanks for offering.”
Blake nods as he turns toward his office. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. I need to make a phone call.” 
In the conference room, I set the water down and stare out the window. The whole city lies spread out before me. All those possibilities out there just waiting to be discovered.
Where do I want to be in five years? Dee’s words keep coming back to haunt me. I don’t want to just be the guys’ assistant and they all know that. But what we have right now works.
What happens when I have to go to my job and can’t see them as often? When I have to work late nights? When they get tied up at the office?
When all we have are stolen moments in bed at night? When there are no more weekly meetings that end with me naked on the conference table? My fingers drift over the wooden surface.
As hands wrap around my waist and draw me back into a hard chest, I jerk. The scent of a fresh breeze, trees, and sunshine wraps around me, soothing me.
“Shh, kitten.” Noah kisses my nape and I relax into his arms. “Tense?”
I rest my hands over his and lean against him. “Not particularly. Just on edge, I guess.”
“You’re safe with us.” He kisses up my neck to my jaw. Sparks linger behind his kisses, lighting the fire within. “We’ve got you.”
A soft breath falls from my lips. His arms are safe. This tower feels safe. It feels like home. I don’t have to worry about my future right now. I’m building it. Gaining invaluable experience and enjoying the perks of the company.
Noah’s hand massages my hip, adding fuel to the raging fire. I hold up the ring sparkling on my finger. The symbol of my fake future. I rest my head back on his shoulder.
“Are we going to talk about the future, Noah?” I ask softly, like it might break the spell if spoken too loudly. I’m not sure I could ask the others yet, but Noah and I, we have something unbreakable. It might bend a little, but it could never break.
He rubs a circle over my hip. His deep voice rumbles through me. “Do you want a future with us, kitten?”
The curiosity in his voice makes me turn to face him. His blond hair falls over his dark eyes as he studies my face. If I could stay in his arms forever, I would.
“I can’t imagine a version of my life without you guys in it anymore.” Pushing my hand through his hair, I press in close against him. “I love you.”
He dips his head down, hovering over my lips, making me catch my breath in anticipation of his kiss. My body flows against his like water. We fit together perfectly. His hard lines and my soft curves.
“I don’t want to let you go, Madison.”