Chapter Four

Peyton unlocked her apartment door and went to step inside, but Joseph put an arm in front of her.

“Hold up. Wait here.” He strode into her tiny living room, set his large black duffel bag on the floor, and glanced around, then moved into the adjoining kitchen. Seemingly satisfied no one was lurking, he disappeared down the hall. “Clear. Come in. Lock the door.”

Biting back a sigh, she did as he asked and dropped her purse on the small entry table. Heading to the kitchen, she checked her cell for calls.

A solid set of arms wrapped around her from behind and a hand clasped over her mouth. The phone fell from her numb fingers. Heart pounding, she wiggled to get free, but he had her trapped. Panic clutched her throat.

“Breathe, Peyton. Get out of the situation.”

Right. Closing her eyes, she channeled what Joseph had taught her. With a feral cry, she jabbed her elbow into his ribs, stomped on his in-heel, and thrust her foot toward his ankle. Using the full weight of her body, she twisted and rammed into him, sending him to the hardwood floor by her coffee table with an oomph.

Flat on his back, arms sprawled, Joseph laughed through a groan. “Atta girl. You’re learning, young grasshopper.”

Chest heaving, she shook her head and picked up her phone. “You could’ve let me change clothes before sparring.”

“And miss the element of surprise?” With limber grace, he rolled to his feet. “An attacker’s not going to wait for you to slip out of your heels.” He stripped his black suit coat from his shoulders and set it on her cream-colored couch. “Go put on something more comfortable. We’ll get a few reps in before we head out to your party.”

Her shoulders sagged. “But it’s my birthday.”

One corner of his mouth curled. “It’s been a week since we had a lesson. Save the pout for someone who’ll fall for it. I’m not Xavier.”

“It doesn’t work on him, either. You’re here on your night off, aren’t you?”

His laugh was dry. “Oh, it works on him. One bat of those lashes and he’s putty. Except where your safety is concerned.”

“Putty, my ass. Perhaps you missed the part where you’ll be crashing on my couch.” She glanced at the furniture, then Joseph. She didn’t think he’d even fit. The guy was a wall of testosterone.

He dropped his hands on his hips. “He’s worried, with good reason.” His dark brown gaze swept over her, studied her face. “He cares about you a lot.”

“I know.” The feeling was mutual. One couldn’t work that closely with someone for two years and not get attached. The Harrisons still invited her to holidays at their mansion. Her connection to Xavier seemed different, though. Perhaps because they’d gone to school together.

A flash of their office exchange today pinned her immobile and heated her cheeks. First with slamming into each other while she’d been on the phone, then again with the hug. As protective and sometimes distant as he appeared, Xavier Gaines was one damn attractive man who had a heart of gold.

Joseph rubbed a hand over his bald head. “He’s a different guy since you joined the company.” His direct gaze made her dislike the conversation. Even with Xavier’s long time bodyguard and friend, Peyton didn’t care to discuss her boss. Habit, she supposed. “He’s less tense, smiles more. You’ve been good for him.”

“Thank you.” She adjusted her glasses. “I’m being a good sport, though I don’t think having you as a shadow is necessary. We’ve had whack emails before.”

“Let me put it this way. If something happened to you, Xavier isn’t the only one who’d never forgive himself.” He offered a stiff smile. “I care about you, too. You remind me of my kid sister.”

“She must be awesome, then.”

He barked a laugh. “True. You could avoid all this by moving into a more secure complex. It would lower his blood pressure and make him less defensive.”

“It’s not as if I’m living in a slum. This is a good neighborhood. There’s a security camera in the parking lot and everyone needs a key to enter the building. I’m on the fifth floor, so someone’s not going to climb in my window.” She sighed. “Besides, Kate’s right across the hall. I like it here.”

“Preaching to the choir, Peyton.” He nodded. “He does have a point, though. Now, go change. You’ve stalled long enough.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She turned and headed for her bedroom.

“Okay if I use your bathroom to change?”

“Mi casa es tu casa. Just don’t leave your boxers on the floor.”

Ten minutes later, they were on her rooftop between her neighbor’s vegetable garden and a ventilation panel, and Peyton had an unloaded gun in her face.

“Take it away from me.” Joseph waggled the fingers on his free hand. “Like I taught you.”

She wiped the sweat from her brow with her forearm and squinted through the late-day sunlight. “God, you know I hate guns.”

Recalling her training, she grabbed the barrel with one hand, shoving it hard to the right while using her other hand to knock his wrist left. The maneuver successfully unarmed him.

“Good. Now show me how to turn the safety on and off.”

Barrel down, she pushed the switch. “Off.” Back again. “On.”

“Nice work.” He pointed the glock at her head. “Again.” As she went at him, he stepped back to make it more challenging for her. “What was he like in high school? Xavier, I mean.”

Figuring this was a distraction, she stepped forward. “Shy. Quiet.” She answered while disarming him. Grunt. “Brilliant.” Gun once again in her possession, she rolled her head to loosen her neck and passed him the weapon.

“So, he’s exactly the same.” He tossed her a towel and shoved the glock in the waistband of his gray nylon shorts. Sweat dampened the collar of his tee. Muscles bulged as he wiped his face with his own towel.

“No.” She patted the sweat from her neck and chest. “Well, he’s still brilliant and quiet, I suppose. But he has confidence that wasn’t present back then. He’s more sure of himself.” He’d always had those characteristics, but lacked the assurance to realize them. Instead, he’d hid behind a cold front as protection.

They chugged from bottles of water while walking inside and to the elevators. She thought about the other changes in Xavier, too. How he’d grown taller, built muscle along with an empire. Though sarcastic and dry, he had a great sense of humor. He was fiercely loyal to those that mattered to him. He still had a difficult time trusting people, but that was to be expected in his position.

She pressed the down arrow button on the panel. “Let me ask you something. Have you ever found yourself...attracted to him? You’ve been his bodyguard a long time. That’s a lot of one-on-one.” Joseph’s door swung both ways, and he’d confessed to her once it had been a big factor in why he’d retired from the military.

“Sure, maybe once or twice. He’s good-looking, but not really my type.” They stepped into the elevator and he pushed the button for her floor. “I’m more attracted to women than men, with a few exceptions. Why?” He grinned. “Do you have the hots for our boss?”

“No.” Perhaps a little. She was certainly aware of him sometimes. No doubt, it was a result of close working conditions and her lack of a love life since finally getting over Mark’s death. “What is your type?”

A ding, and the panels opened.

“Sassy as hell redheads. Gets me every time.” He guided her from the elevator and withdrew a key from his pocket.

She stopped and faced him. Interesting. “You don’t say. Kate’s coming out with us tonight.”

“I know.” He lifted his hand as if to block her response. “Don’t get any ideas. There’s an age gap there and I’m on the clock.”

“Uh-huh.” She tilted her head. “Seven years isn’t a biggie. It’s not like we’re teenagers anymore. She’s hot and single. You’re hot and single...”

He unlocked her door and dipped his face close to hers. Amusement lit his eyes while he held the door with his foot. “Stay out of it, blondie.”

“Fine.” She totally wouldn’t.

They walked inside, and Kate’s voice immediately floated from the direction of the hallway near Peyton’s bedroom. “There you are. Do you know there’s a limo waiting—”

In a flash, Peyton was pinned to the door, two-hundred pounds of muscle caging her, and Joseph had his gun aimed right at Kate as she emerged into view.

Her best friend froze with her hands up, eyes wide. “What the hell?”

Joseph muttered a curse as his shoulders sagged. He tossed the gun on his duffel bag. “I could’ve shot you. How did you get in here?”

Peyton stepped around him, trying to reset her pulse. “She has a key.” She looked at a confused Kate, dressed to the nines in a little black cocktail number, her red curls falling to her bare shoulders. “The gun wasn’t loaded.”

Kate, hands falling to her hips, tapped a foot. Now that her shock had faded, her expression was dialed to castrate. “First, what is Rambo doing here, waving a gun around? Second, you’re not going out dressed like that. And third, why is there a limo out front waiting for us?”

Joseph crossed his arms and ignored her to face Peyton. “How many other people have a key?”

“Just you, Kate, and Xavier.” Who else was there?

“Are you sure? No exes?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m sure.”

“Hello?” Kate waved her hand, her green eyes getting angrier by the second. “Remember me? You just tried to off me a second ago.”

“You’re a hard person to forget. And if I wanted you dead, you’d be dead.” Joseph grabbed his bag and looked at Peyton. “I’m going to take a quick shower while you deal with Red. The door stays locked, and you don’t leave.”

Kate watched him disappear down the hall, then eyed Peyton. “I can never tell if he’s hitting on me or insulting me.”

“My bet is the former.” She headed to the kitchen to toss out her empty water bottle. “Sorry for the scare. Joseph’s on babysitting detail this weekend. I got a somewhat threatening email, so Xavier’s playing it safe.” She washed her hands in the sink. “Did he really send a limo?”

“Yep. I suppose it beats finding a designated driver, but can the guy do anything without throwing his money around?” Kate leaned against the counter, tapping her nails on the formica. “I guess this means he’s coming tonight.”

Peyton turned and mimicked her friend’s pose. “He is and you promised to be nice.”

“Only because it’s your birthday.” She grinned, her pretty face transforming from irritated to the knock-‘em-dead heart-stopper that sucked in men. “Happy thirtieth, you hag.”

“Thanks.” Peyton laughed and shoved off the counter. “Come help me find something to wear while Joseph’s occupied.”

While riffling through Peyton’s closet, Kate tilted her head. “So, what did moneybags get you this year? A yacht? A third-world country?”

Flopping on her bed, Peyton sighed. She had no clue why her friend hated Xavier so hard, but she suspected it had something to do with the fact he appeared uncomfortable or dismissive in Kate’s presence. Which was only his anxiety rearing its head. Peyton couldn’t say that, though. Thus, she’d tolerated the jabs for the past couple years. They’d both put her between a rock and a hard place. She’d known Kate since college and Xavier since...well, technically, high school.

She fingered the key pendant, emotion tightening her chest as she recalled what he’d said as she’d opened the gift. “He got me a replacement necklace for the one I lost.”

Kate turned, a frown wrinkling her brow. She stepped closer to the bed and, when her gaze locked onto the charm, her features softened. “I’ll be damned. How...thoughtful.”

“He’s a nice guy, Kate. I wish you’d give him a chance.”

The three of them were rarely in the same room together, and it’s not as if Peyton were in a relationship with him, but it would be more than a little fabulous if Kate laid off. Then again, her defensive stance on Xavier was just her mama bear response.

They agreed on skinny jeans, knee-high black boots, and a sparkly silver shirt with an exposed back. After a quick shower, Peyton opted for contacts instead of her glasses, letting Kate blow out her hair and apply smoky shadow to her eyes.

Hallucinogen was busy, but not packed, when they arrived. It was still early yet for a Friday. The trendy club had blue neon lights on the recessed ceiling and under the bar. Chrome and black woodwork throughout added a classically clean look. Three square hightop tables were pushed together for them along the back wall in full view of the semi-crowded dance floor. A pop beat thrummed from the speakers.

Peyton climbed on a stool at the end of their reserved tables and glanced around. A couple of her and Kate’s friends—mostly Kate’s from the law firm where she worked—were waiting on the far side, and she waved while they chatted with Kate. Simone and Reina weren’t really here for Peyton, so she let them talk alone.

Joseph took a stool next to her and leaned closer. “Just do me a favor and give me a heads up if you plan to wander more than ten feet from the table.”

“Aye-aye, captain.”

While the other women took to the dance floor, she and Joseph sized up the fashionable patrons and heckled like Statler and Waldorf. Since there could be worse ways to spend her birthday than pretending to be the two old men in the Muppets, she grinned.

A half hour later, Xavier still hadn’t arrived. Disappointment began to weigh heavy on her shoulders. She glanced at the door again which Joseph, of course, noticed.

“He’ll be here, Peyton.”

She wasn’t so sure. Xavier hated crowds and he’d already given her a gift. Knowing him, he was holed up in his mansion watching CNN. She had no idea why it bugged her. Yeah, they were friendly and did things outside of work sometimes, but it wasn’t as if he was more than her boss. Lord knew, she made him socialize enough because of Gaines Industries.

The rest of their group returned and ordered a round of drinks. She was too caught up in their discussion of the hottest bartender to notice Xavier stood beside her until she’d hopped off her stool and nearly plowed into him.

He was casual in jeans and a fitted black t-shirt that emphasized his lean, muscular build. A dark five o’clock shadow covered his wide jaw, giving him a seductive edge, and a strand of chestnut hair fell over his forehead, making her want to brush it aside.

A spark of...something—recognition, perhaps—flared in her belly. She shook her head.

“You came.” She grinned and mentally bitch-slapped the giddy bubble his presence created. “You dress down real nice.” Xavier Gaines in a suit was drool-worthy. Him in jeans was panty-melting.

Dang. What was up with her tonight?

“Thank you, I think.” He held up a small pink dessert box. “Sorry I’m late. Had to stop somewhere on the way. This is for you.”

Her breath stalled as she stared at the box. Sweetums was printed on the top and...shoot, her eyes watered at the thoughtful gesture. He’d remembered.

Slapping a hand to her chest, she quickly glanced at Kate, who closely watched their exchange. Besides Xavier, Kate was the only one who knew Brian’s birthday tradition of getting her a cupcake from that particular bakery. Tenderness softened Kate’s expression, and she winked.

When Peyton didn’t move, Xavier set the box on the table, opened it, and removed a giant chocolate cupcake with pink frosting, placing it beside the box. Then, he dug in his pocket and stuck a candle in the top.

Her chest hitched, fighting a sob.

“Well done, moneybags.” Kate smiled at him, and he offered her a baleful glance until he must’ve realized she was being genuine, then nodded.

God, he was just so thoughtful. Peyton had been missing her brother terribly this week. Xavier doing this was kind of like having Brian back, if only in spirit.

Joseph lit the candle and the group sang Happy Birthday. She pressed her lips into a thin line to prevent waterworks.

“Make a wish.” Xavier, still pressed close to her side, raised his brows in expectation.

She got sucked into his golden eyes and long lashes for a moment before shaking her head. A wish? Thinking a beat, she smiled when the perfect one came to mind. She wished Xavier would find a woman to love who he could be comfortable around and who didn’t have ulterior motives. He was such a great guy and he deserved happiness.

Nodding, she blew out the candle, and everyone cheered.

She wrapped her arms around Xavier’s waist and smiled up at him. “I know you don’t like public displays of affection, but deal with this one for a second. Thank you.” She hugged him.

One solid arm came around her and his hand skimmed her spine. The warm touch against her bare skin caused an involuntary shiver. He inhaled sharply, apparently surprised her shirt was an open design in back. He quickly shifted his hand to her waist and cleared his throat.

“You’re welcome.”

Gah, his hoarse tone was delicious. Rigid, he didn’t move, and the longer they stayed close, the more increased his respirations became. His fingers clenched her waist and his warm breath teased the hair at her temple.

“What did you wish for, Smoke?”

Jerking upright, she stepped away from Xavier’s embrace and turned to Kate’s friend, Simone. Wow. Hello, dizziness. “I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.”

Kate snorted and pointed to Peyton with her glass. “Doesn’t matter. She never wishes for anything for herself.”

Joseph sent Peyton a confused eyebrow quirk. “Say what?”

Reclaiming her seat, she sighed. “It’s something my mom used to say. A wish for someone else sends good karma out into the world.” She shrugged. The group stared at her a long beat, Xavier’s gaze feeling heaviest of all, so she reached for her glass. “What?”

Joseph shared a look she couldn’t decipher with Xavier, then shook his head. “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any more awesome, you shock the shit out of me.” He clinked his glass with hers. “Rock on, blondie.”

She swallowed the last of her martini, letting the liquid cool her raw throat, and stared at the empty glass while conversation started anew.

The table vibrated and glasses clinked. “Get over here, hot stuff.”

She lifted her gaze to their waiter, setting down a tray full of cocktails, and squealed. “Justin. I didn’t know you were working tonight.”

Having met him a few years ago while still on Harrison’s campaign, they’d been chummy ever since. The blond god looked like Adonis on a bad day and oozed seduction from his pores. They often exchanged harmless flirtation when they ran into each other. Since she was sandwiched between Joseph, Xavier, and the wall, she climbed under the table and emerged on the other side.

She gave Justin a one-armed embrace. “Xavier, Joseph, this is Justin.” She blinked up him. “Joseph is the muscle tonight, so don’t make him mad.”

Justin laughed. “Got it. A little birdie told me it was your birthday. This round’s on me. Bridgetown Breezes for one and all.”

Xavier accepted his glass and stared at the pink liquid as if trying to gauge its contents.

Her heart leapt into her throat. “No!” She took it out of his hand and set it aside. “Don’t drink that. It has Malibu in it.” She faced Justin. “Can you get him a scotch on the rocks? Macallan if you have it. And a seltzer water with lime for Joseph. Make sure all this goes on my tab.”

“Sure thing.”

Kate cocked a hip and glared at Xavier. “You got something against rum?”

“He’s...” Allergic to coconut, but Peyton didn’t want to advertize the info. “Um, Malibu doesn’t agree with him.”

Xavier stared at the glass she’d confiscated, his jaw ticking and face pale. After a second, he lifted his gaze to hers, nodding a thank you. He looked at Kate. “I have an allergy to coconut.”

“Oh.” Kate pursed her lips. “Good catch, Peyton.”

Absently, she nodded, shocked immobile that Xavier had shared something private with Kate. He was unerringly secretive about his life, and Peyton had always respected that. It was part of her job, in fact. But it seemed he was trying to offer her friend an olive branch, perhaps explain himself, so Kate would maybe change her view of him. Knowing Xavier, he could care less what she thought. Which meant he’d done it for Peyton.

Their gazes locked, and she let out an uneven breath at finding his wide open. Patience, gratitude, and fondness stared back at her.

Justin tapped her shoulder. “I’m on break in twenty minutes. Save me a dance?” When she agreed, he lifted the tray. “I’ll be back in a sec with your order.”

Xavier rose to let her return to her seat and then reclaimed his. She smiled at the conversation going on at the other end of the table, not following along in the slightest because she kept flicking quick glances at Xavier. He seemed more tense than usual all of a sudden.

When the ladies took off for the dance floor again, she leaned closer to him. “You okay?”

“Yes.” His gaze slid to hers, roamed her face. “I’m always surprised by how different you look with your hair down and without your glasses. You’re very lovely tonight.”

“Thank you.” Always with the compliments, her boss. Charity functions, press conferences, mandatory appearances—he never forgot to slip her a nice word. Her face heated, and she blamed it on the one cocktail she’d downed.

Justin returned thirty minutes later and took her hand. “You’re all mine for the next set.”

Xavier rose stiffly to let her out.

As Justin tugged Peyton from her seat, Kate eyed Joseph. “Want to dance?”

“Peyton, hold up.” She paused. Joseph glanced at Xavier. “Is there a bodyguard on you outside?”

“No. I’m going from here to home. I’ll be fine.” He jerked his chin at Peyton. “Stay on her.”

Rising, jaw set, Joseph’s gaze searched the room while they waited. Eventually, he nodded. “Just stay at the table, then.” He set his hand on Kate’s back. “Come on, Red.”

Peyton went with Justin, staying close to Joseph. Halfway to the dance floor, she glanced over her shoulder.

Xavier sat by himself, eyes cast on the table, and finger circling the rim of his scotch snifter.