Bind Me - Page 88

“You know my feelings about it.” Coop leans back and toys with Madison’s hair, making a shiver work through her.

“Did you have to agree to take Elizabeth to the benefit?” I ask, watching Madison wince.

“You did what?” Coop leans forward to meet Seth’s eyes. “She tried to fuck us all up, and you want to reward that bitch?”

Madison’s eyes grow wide as she looks between Seth and Coop and their stare down.

“Financially speaking, this is a good business move. Winning Stiner will bring in some of the other big names in the industry.” Noah leans back as if all this means nothing. His focus during college was on his studies. The drama the women brought made him uncomfortable, but he stayed out of it.

“We need dates.” Seth shrugs, but his gaze moves to meet Madison’s. “Elizabeth is nothing more than a means to an end. It pleases Gloria for me to take her, but she means absolutely nothing to me.”

Madison’s cheeks flush with color. That leaves me to find a date for this stupid benefit. The benefit isn’t stupid. It’s for a great cause, but having to find a date makes me feel ill.

“She’s a fucking snake.” Coop’s fingers play with the silk scarf around Madison’s neck. “Business is one thing. Fine, taking on Stiner as a client is a good thing, but dating her fucking daughter again? That’s messed up, Seth.”

“I’m not dating her.” Seth raises an eyebrow. “It’s one benefit.”

“Where she’ll do everything in her power to dig her hooks into you.” Coop shakes his head. “You know this. She nearly destroyed you before. Nearly destroyed us.”

Madison’s face pales. Noah’s lips tighten. Before Seth can say anything, the door opens, and the ladies return. We all stand.

“Thank you for lunch.” Gloria walks to Seth with her hand extended. “It was a pleasure to see you again. I hope to see more of you in the future.”

We all shake hands with Gloria and Elizabeth. Elizabeth stops in front of Seth last.

“I still have your number. I can text you about Saturday.” She’s practically batting her lashes at him.

He doesn’t smile but nods his head in acknowledgment. “That sounds good. Since all of us are attending, it might be better if we meet there.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widen and she glances at her mother, who gives her a slight nod. “Or you could pick me up on the way? I’d hate to arrive alone. Mother can’t attend. She’s out of town on business.”

A snake wiggling into our lives. Fuck.

“Of course.” Seth almost reaches for Madison, but he stops himself.

Coop wraps his arm around Madison’s waist. “We can’t wait.”

Gloria sweeps her discerning gaze over Madison now that Coop has claimed her. “I’m sorry I’ll miss it.”

Chapter 27

Distraction

Madison

Lunch was uncomfortable not just because of the company, but also because I still have the toy inside me. I flinched every time Seth went for his pocket. Would he really turn it on for a client meeting with his ex and his ex’s mother?

Fortunately, it stayed still as I sat horrified while Elizabeth batted her lashes at Seth. My insides churned with brimstone and hellfire at this beautiful petite pixie of a woman with her doe-like eyes and sleek hair.

At one time, she had Seth. All to herself. He loved her. This was the type of woman he could love. Not someone like me. If he wanted perfection, he’d already had it. The woman was truly flawless.

It dug at something deep inside me, twisting me up into knots. When he hesitated to reach for me, it pierced my heart like a knife.

I know it’s all for show. I know I shouldn’t be jealous. He’s mine. And he’ll be all mine when I sleep in his bed tonight. I have him for as long as this arrangement lasts.

When we parted ways, she held his hand a little longer than necessary. His hand that made me come on the way here.

But it’s all behind closed doors. I can never claim all of them. I can never tell another woman to back off my men. Except with Coop.