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Chapter 14
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Counterbalance Chapter 15
After that bone-melting kiss, Xavier walked her to the bookcase in his office, punched a code into the side panel, and a section of the wall opened inward to reveal his apartment. She stepped inside with him and the door closed behind them.She knew he didn't use the apartment often, just for late nights at the office, and she'd been inside maybe a handful of times. That she was aware, only a few people knew it existed. It had its own private elevator that went straight to the parking garage and a back staircase for emergencies.The space was an open floor plan, about fifteen hundred square feet, and clinically decorated. Bamboo hardwood, white walls, and gray leather furniture. Black tables accompanied the pieces. No art on the walls, but the living room had floor-to-ceiling windows that faced the Financial District.He walked into the kitchen, which was separated from the living room by an island. White cabinets and gray tile. He had an array of expensive machines she wondered if
Counterbalance Chapter 16
They ate and bickered over sleeping arrangements. He insisted on her taking the bed and he the couch, and she finally conceded just to shut him up. He was usually pretty easygoing, so on the rare occasions when he became argumentative, she just caved.He rose and rinsed their bowls in the sink. "You have your choice of a movie or cards. There's nothing else to do.""I can kick your butt at poker."Grinning, he shook his head and went to a living room shelf. She walked to the windows and watched the pink and orange sunset behind the buildings. Stars were beginning to poke through the fading daylight and lights shone randomly in windows. To her left, part of the Bay could be spotted, shrouded in fog.He came up next to her and crossed his arms, staring out quietly beside her. "I love this view. Second only to the balcony at my folks place in Napa.""My guestroom faced the other direction. I'll take your word for it."Rubbing his jaw, he sent her a side-glance. "You can have mine
Counterbalance Chapter 17
An hour before they were supposed to be at the breast cancer awareness fundraiser, Xavier glanced at the note taped to Peyton's apartment door and frowned. What the hell was she doing on the roof?Turning for the stairs, he checked his phone. Nothing. Shouldn't she be getting ready?They'd had a hellacious week, and even though his new receptionist was working out, orientating Jackie took time. And the press was still a nightmare. Plus, he and Peyton had been forced to fill out police reports and statements. He was still pissed she'd dropped the assault charge. She'd been convinced Fern would walk away and leave them alone. Xavier wasn't as confident. He kept a bodyguard on her when she went to and from work, but conceded to stopping overnights.Reaching the door to the roof, he shoved through and halted at the female grunt that raked his ears. Panicked, he walked around a ventilation unit and found Peyton pinned to the ground, Joseph on top of her with a Fuck him. A gun at her head
Counterbalance Chapter 18
Every atom in his body wanted to argue her point. But she was right. He'd stood in his apartment not five days ago and told her their attraction couldn't be acted upon. Yet, his damn protective beast couldn't be caged, not with her, and for months, he'd been rattling the chains of restraint, roaring to get free. He was this close to saying screw common sense.She chewed her lip. "Mrs. Atherton is coming our way. Widow, chairman of the garden society, and just had her first grandchild. A girl. I'm going to run to the restroom. Ask her to see pictures of the baby. It'll keep her occupied while I'm gone." She went to step around him. "And remember to smile, Mr. Gaines."Her barb at addressing him formally hit its mark. Napalm right to the chest. To avoid a nervous tick or fidget, he fisted the coin in his left pocket and rubbed his thumb over the engraving as a woman approached.Shit. What was her name? He couldn't recall, but he held out his hand. "You're looking beautiful this evenin
Counterbalance Chapter 19
Peyton shoved the dregs of unconsciousness aside and opened her eyes. Panic and confusion followed as her heartbeat tripped. Aside from Xavier kneeling in front of her, she didn't recognize a thing. Last she remembered, they were in the limo after the benefit."Where am I?"He rubbed his jaw as if suddenly nervous. "My house. I was going to let you sleep, but you have your contacts in and" He gestured toward her dress. Rising, he moved to a dresser.She glanced around. They weren't just at his house, but in his bedroom. Or a guestroom. Maroon and cream striped wallpaper. Four-poster king-size bed with an etched, inlaid design. Matching mahogany dressers. Thick beige carpet. Heavy burgundy drapes covered what looked to be a patio door. A stack of computer manuals and mysteries laid on the nightstand next to a lamp. The place was the size of her entire apartment."How did I get here?"His spine stiffened in the process of rooting through a drawer. "I carried you.""You" Of course,
Counterbalance Chapter 20
Her heart cracked right in two and her eyes filled. Just like that. "Yes."Concern wrinkled his brow. "Don't do that. Please." He brushed his thumb across her cheek as if to check for wetness, then her lower lip. "You are exhausted, aren't you?"She nodded, her chest aching. In all her years, no one but her brother Brian had ever been so unerringly protective, gentle, or charismatically honest with her. "I've never been carried to bed before." She grinned to free the lines of worry from his face. "That was pretty badass, X."He grunted, but a smile followed, melting everything but contentment from his face. "Never done it before, either." With an arm around her back, he slid her across the sheets and flush against him. "Listen to me this time, would you? Go to sleep."After a second, he tugged the blankets around them and resettled. Burying her face in his neck, she breathed him in and the last of her tension dissolved. He rubbed soothing circles over her back and rested his cheek
Counterbalance Chapter 21
By the time Friday rolled around, Xavier was jumping out of his skin. He and Peyton had discussed their...situation last Sunday, had sucked face like bandits to seal the deal, and then she'd gone home. He hadn't kissed her since.They'd agreed to keep the relationship from Gaines Industries and the public eye until they had a better grasp on what to do or in the event things became serious. Except, they were serious now because he hadn't kissed her since. Unsure of the boundaries or expectations, he didn't text or call her unless it was company related. The only time he'd seen her was at work. And damn if fantasy after fantasy about her and his desk didn't pummel him at the most inopportune times. Like the conference call he'd just finished. He shoved away from his computer and paced his office. They were set to head to Napa in two hours. His suitcase and hers were in his car in the parking garage because they'd be leaving right from work. And that was the other thing. Could the
Counterbalance Chapter 22
Dad frownedpart confusion, part irritationand the concern lines on his forehead deepened. Mom's expression seemed more like Xavier had clocked her upside the head with a blunt object. She stood stock still, completely motionless."Uh, as in, we're dating," he hedged.Not a sound. Not even a cricket.Peyton, head down, exuded the quietest ragged exhale in existence. "I told you," she whispered, setting her wounded gaze on him. Pressing a delicate hand to her midsection, she closed her eyes for a beat.His gut plummeted to his knees. "Peyton, honey""I'm going to take a walk." She offered fake smile number four in her arsenal, the one that said she was trying to be polite and not cry in the process, then turned for the door. "Discuss amongst yourselves. I'll be back in a few minutes." Unable to move, he watched her quietly walk out and stared at the wood like that would bring her back. After silence hung, he faced his parents again.Mom tilted her head. "I'm confused. Weren't you
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