Page 16 of Watch Me

I quickly grab my notebook and pen before following him. He guides me by my hand through his door and then shuts it. The click of the lock startles me, and I glance over my shoulder at him.

“I only get you alone for an hour.” He raises his dark eyebrow. “Please have a seat.”

His hand indicates one of the chairs in front of his desk. His desk echoes mine. Wood and glass, almost delicate in form. I drop into the chair and set my notebook on my lap.

Once on the other side of the desk, he sits and rests his elbows on it with his long fingers intertwined. For a moment, he just studies me.

“New clothes?” He leans back in his chair. Everything about him is elegant and smooth as he moves with the thoughtless grace of a cat.

“Yes.” Warmth floods to my cheeks. The money I used means I’m open to a relationship with all of them. That I gave my consent to sexual advances from these men.

“How has your day been so far?” He strokes a finger across his lip.

My breath catches as I wonder how soft his full lips will be against mine. Is kissing even part of it? I clear my throat. “It’s been good. A lot of walking. The building is amazing.”

“Good.” Cooper stands and walks around his desk before leaning on it before me. “I want to play a game if you’re open to it.”

“A game?” I rest against the back of my chair to meet his mischievous eyes.

“I need to give you a lot of information about our company, but I also want to learn more about you. So for each piece of information I give you, I’ll ask you a question in return. Fair?” His lips quirk into a half smile.

“Okay.” I lift my pen.

He rubs his hands together and then takes the seat next to me. Without any hesitation, he explains what the CTO does and tells me about the engineering team that works under him as they develop new technology for their clients. This is the core of what they do for cybersecurity. He’s also in charge of the in-house network and team of IT guys.

Listening, I take a minute to write the key information I’ll need. When I lift my gaze to him, he’s watching my hand write.

When I stop writing, his gaze lifts to mine before he asks, “This arrangement is unusual, to say the least. Did you agree to it just for the money?”

I blink twice and am pretty sure my mouth is opening and closing like a dying fish. I clear my throat and shut my mouth. Taking a breath, I set my pen and notebook on his desk and turn to face him.

“No, it’s not about the money. Yes, the money is nice, but if things don’t go well, I don’t know if I would feel comfortable keeping it.”

He opens his mouth, but I rush ahead. “I know it’s for signing the forms, but it still feels odd. Like I just signed for the bonus, which isn’t my intention.”

Cooper nods and shifts right back into work mode. “Things I’ll need you to do: Handle my schedule and calendar. Book all my travel. Some filing and a few projects as they come up. You’ll also come with me to meetings, when I’ll need detailed notes.”

When he finishes talking, I stop scribbling in my notebook and look up at him, expectantly. I know he’s waiting for me to meet his eyes before he asks a personal question.

“You’re attracted to all of us. Do you understand how demanding four men in the prime of their lives can be?” Cooper’s eyebrow lifts.

I tighten my crossed legs at the throb between them. God, I hope so probably isn’t the answer he wants. I raise my eyebrow back at him. “Are you worried I won’t be able to handle it?”

“I have no idea what you are capable of, Madison.” His lips twitch into an almost smile. “Yet.”

“Let me assure you, I’m willing to devote myself to you four as much as I did my studies. I worked tirelessly to get internships every year while taking summer classes. I maintained a 4.0 GPA and worked on-campus jobs throughout my time at Fletcher. In those four years, I not only earned my bachelor’s but also my master’s.”

Cooper leans back in his chair. “Impressive.”

That information is all on my resume, so he already knew that. I take a deep breath before I reveal this part of my life to a man who, while I’m attracted to him, is still a stranger to me. But if I expect to have a relationship with each of these men, I’ll need to give something of myself. More than just a willing body.

“I barely lived during school, but I was determined to finish and find the perfect job. I really believe Morrigan Technology Group can satisfy my need to be productive and train me to be the type of worker and executive I want to be someday. As to the contract we have yet to work out…” I pause because I’m not sure how he’ll take the next part. “I missed out on being experimental during college. I had a few brief flings to scratch the itch but nothing spectacular.”

I didn’t have a regular fuck buddy situation because there wasn’t a guy I wanted in my life like that. One-night stands seemed to be the less messy way to go forward, but only when I needed it. Otherwise, I took care of myself.

“That’s a shame.” Cooper gives me an almost feral smile.

“It is.” I tuck my hair behind my ear as I meet his eyes. “When I met all of you, I knew I’d be in trouble because I felt an instant attraction. To all of you. I worried that I’d have to fight against it every day, but then you all offered me the keys to the kingdom.”

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