Bind Me - Page 62

My heartbeat is erratic, waiting for her to say the words. Ask why I was in Coop’s arms. Why Seth got our food. Why they were all here.

Hope smiles wickedly. “Is something going on with you and Cooper? I mean, it’s none of my business if there is, but I can’t help but speculate.”

“Maybe,” I hedge with a small smile, trying to act shy about it. I really didn’t have a friend to talk to about the guys I saw during college. I had a few friends in high school, but no one I was close to. “But we aren’t spreading it around.”

“Oh, my god! I knew you couldn’t stand to be around all this man candy without indulging.” Hope’s cheeks flush and she leans forward. “Personally, I wouldn’t know how to even decide among them. They are all hot, and so different.”

I press my lips together to keep from blurting out that I know, and I’m glad I don’t really have to decide.

“But Cooper. Holy shit, he’s like the holy grail of men.” Hope rocks back. “I mean, I’ve accidentally passed him after he’s been out for a run in his shorts and a tank top. He’s ripped. I bet he has that V thing that men get when they work out a lot.”

I grin. “He’s also really sweet.”

Except when he wants to be dirty. My thighs clench thinking of what he wanted to do to me yesterday.

“I’m so happy for you. At least about Coop.” Her smile falls. “You really don’t have any idea who your stalker might be?”

My smile fades as I shake my head. “I’ve always kept to myself, mostly. I have a weird neighbor, but he also texted on my old phone to check up on me.”

“Sometimes it’s the person you least suspect.” Hope sighs. “We should really watch some of those series on stalkers. Maybe it will give us some ideas.”

“Or nightmares.” I shudder. I don’t need to know what other stalkers do. It’s bad enough I have one who can apparently get to me wherever I am.

Hope reaches over and squeezes my hand briefly. “I’m sorry. Yeah, probably not very entertaining for someone who has a stalker.”

“It’s okay. Let’s just finish watching The Witcher. I could use a nap this afternoon.”

Hope grins. “We definitely need to go out for a drink sometime, so I can loosen those lips and get all the details.”

There’s so much I could tell her, but not about my sex life. I have an NDA and a relationship with four guys. It’s not something I can go talking about with anyone but those four. “We’ll get that drink soon.”

I don’t know if Hope is the jealous kind of girl, but she doesn’t seem to be. I wish I knew how to read people better. Maybe I’ll learn as I go.

Chapter 18

Stick a Pin in It

Seth

Frustration pours through me. Whoever was in there with Madison knew where the camera’s blind spots are. We could clearly see Madison but not whoever tormented her. Watching that video over and over made me want to bundle her in my arms and never let her out of my sight again.

Which is completely unreasonable, but this need inside me keeps pulsing relentlessly.

We’re waiting for Noah in the conference room. Blake has his hands behind his head as he leans back in the chair. Coop looks like he wants to hit something.

“Should we call Madison down for this?” Blake asks.

“I’ll go get her.” I can’t sit here any longer. I need to see she’s safe.

“Shouldn’t her boyfriend go get her?” Coop gives me a sly grin.

“Fuck off.”

Coop’s laughter follows me to the elevator. Of everyone who could have been her ‘boyfriend,’ Coop is the worst choice. He’s a player—everyone knows that—and taking him out of the dating pool will break a lot of hearts on the lower floors.

Not that he would date while we have Madison, except for appearances. Maybe after we figure out this stalker deal, we can have them break up. Then it won’t be an issue.

It doesn’t bother me that much. She’s still ours, not just his. But Noah didn’t take it well.