Page 30 of Boss Me

“Sorry, we needed a minute.” Coop grins down at her when they finally join us.

Madison turns a deeper shade of pink, but at least she has more color than before. I also notice the red spot on her shoulder. I meet Coop’s gaze, and he shrugs and gives me a smirk. Fucker.

“I love your dress.” Sara draws Madison’s attention. “I wish I had your height to carry it off.”

“You look lovely. Heels help.” Madison’s smile seems a little more relaxed and natural.

Sara tightens her hand on my arm. “I’d need Noah to help me walk in heels like those.”

Madison’s smile freezes as she glances at me. It’s a brief flick of her eyes. Not enough time for me to reassure her I’m all hers. That Sara doesn’t really want me that way. I’m hoping to tell her at some point tonight.

“They take some practice,” Madison acknowledges.

“I’m afraid gold would wash me out.” Elizabeth takes a sip of her champagne. “It looks lovely on you though, dear.”

“Thank you. I love your dress.” Madison meets Elizabeth’s gaze but avoids Seth’s.

His lips tighten. He won’t let that slide, but Madison’s nervous. And she should be, this evening is only beginning.

The bell chimes, telling us it’s time to move into the dining room.

“I hope the food is good. I’m starving,” Kayla says as we walk together to our table.

“I’m sure they thought of you when creating the menu.” Blake chuckles.

As we walk in, I step beside Madison and brush the backs of my fingers against hers. She inhales, but otherwise doesn’t make any other outward sign of our touch. It settles something inside me, and I hope it does the same for her.

We have a long night ahead of us, but when we get home, she’ll be mine.

Chapter 86

Food Chain

Blake

As we find our table, I feel someone watching us. I turn my head and catch Hunter glaring at Madison. He’s two tables away, next to his father. A woman sits next to him with a smile plastered on her face.

When I shift to put myself between him and Madison, he meets my eyes. His rage is palpable. Bet he hoped Daddy would never learn of his penchant for antagonizing the female staff. He better not have any plans of revenge against our girl because I won’t stand for it.

His eyes narrow, but then he turns to talk to the woman like nothing happened.

Fuck that asshole.

A hand brushes my back, and I know it’s Madison’s. Taking a breath, I turn to gaze down at her.

Thank you, she mouths.

I nod slightly. I may not be able to claim her, but I will do everything in my power to protect her. No matter the consequences.

Sara sits next to Madison, while Elizabeth is across from her next to Kayla. I move to take my seat. This evening was always going to be fucked-up. But Seth bringing Elizabeth just feeds a whole history of resentment.

“We didn’t really have time to catch up during our lunch meeting.” Elizabeth smiles like she isn’t the devil incarnate. It might have worked in college, but we all know better now.

“You knew the guys in college?” Madison drapes her napkin over her lap as the waiter sets a salad in front of her. Her blue eyes focus on Elizabeth. Madison knows that already, but she’s making conversation.

“Yes.” Elizabeth smiles and tries to put her hand over Seth’s on the table. When he moves it before she can take it, she reaches for her glass instead like that was always her intention. Her smile doesn’t falter. “Seth and I dated. Of course, you know how tight-knit the guys are, so I got to know all of them.”

The way she says tight-knit makes my stomach clench. Has Elizabeth heard the rumors? After Andrea left, things were tense for a while. A rumor spread that we didn’t just work together, but that we fucked together too. Not everyone paid attention to it, but we lost some clients who felt it was morally repugnant.

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