Counterbalance

Chapter 6

Xavier kept his mouth firmly shut on that one.

"You're being unreasonable." She straightened, her pretty eyes pleading. "I'll be with you and Kate, plus other friends besides Joseph."

"And your apartment complex doesn't have security." He shoved his hand in his pocket and vigorously rubbed his thumb over the engraving on the coin she'd given him. Two years had felt more like two decades, they'd grown that close. It would kill him if she were hurt because of his quasi-celeb status. "You're in danger outside of this building."

"X"

"No. I'm pulling the boss card. We talked about this on day one. I don't screw around with safety." Christ, especially hers. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Working this closely with me puts you at risk. I'm shocked it's taken this long for something to happen." He moved to her desk and picked up her phone, then waited for Fern to answer. "Get Joseph up here now."

"Yes, sir."

Hanging up, he leaned against her desk in front of her and crossed his arms, their legs just inches apart. Her dejected, sullen expression didn't help the crappy sensation swirling in his chest. "I'm sorry."

She rested the back of her head against the chair. "I know you are. It's not your fault. And you're right, but I don't have to like it."

Peyton had no one, damn it. Besides Kate, he was it. She may be his employee, but he also considered her a sort of friend. Not that she wasn't capable, but who would look after her if he didn't? Plus, she'd have this risk no matter where she wound up. While she'd worked for Harrison all those years ago, she'd had her own security at events. This wasn't new territory for her.

"Would you stop looking at me with your wounded puppy eyes if I give you your present now instead of later?"

And...yes. A smile. "Maybe."

A knock sounded at her door, and he glanced over his shoulder at Joseph.

"You asked for me, Mr. Gaines?"

Xavier rubbed his jaw. "We're alone. You can be informal."

Peyton tilted her head to look around Xavier. "I showed Captain Paranoia the email."

Joseph ducked his chin in a nod, the fluorescent lights reflecting off his bald head. "I have an overnight bag packed and in the car. Roomie."

Xavier narrowed his eyes at the two of them. "You told him before me?"

"You were in a meeting, and what was the first thing you did, anyway?" She waved her hand. "You called for him. I saved time. One of the many reasons why you hired me." She looked pointedly at Joseph. "I draw the line at you watching me shower, though. Hard limit."

Joseph laughed. "Okay, Peyton. I'll meet you downstairs after work. Don't leave the building without me."

She offered him a sarcastic salute and shifted her eyes to Xavier when the bodyguard left. "Feel better?"

"Yes." He cleared his throat and reached into the breast pocket of his suit coat, removing her gift. He passed her the small box wrapped in silver paper and a gold bow. "Happy birthday."

Blinking rapidly, she studied the present. "It's not a car, is it?"

"I'm pretty sure that wouldn't fit inside."

Brows pinged, she pursed her lips. "You gave me a car last year. With the key in a box. I think this is the same wrapping paper."

"It's not, and I didn't buy you another car."

"There was nothing wrong with my old one. You spend too much money on me."

He ran his tongue over his teeth. "That thing was a deathtrap, and it's my money. I'll spend it how I see fit. I bought Joseph an SUV for Christmas, if you remember."

Her nose wrinkled. "It was a Ford, not a deathtrap. It was three years old and had forty-thousand miles."

"With no side impact airbags. Stop being argumentative. I have to show my appreciation somehow. Please understand, I couldn't do all this without you."

A swallow worked her throat and the smile fleeted. "My salary is more than enough, X. Flowers would've been adequate."

He glanced around the room. "Yes, because that's original."

She breathed a laugh. "Well, no one can accuse you of being unoriginal." With a smile, she fingered the bow. "Thank you."

"You haven't opened it yet. Thank me afterward if you like it."

"I know I'll like it." Regardless, she peeled away the paper and set it aside. She lifted the lid, gasped, and clasped her hand over her mouth.

"I remember how much it upset you when you lost the original." He jerked his chin at the key pendant necklace and matching bracelet. Her brother had given her the piece, and she'd misplaced it somewhere. She'd cried for three days. "Consider the necklace from Brian and the bracelet from me."

"Oh God, X." Tears welled in her eyes, and she removed her glasses, fisting them in her delicate hand.

"Don't cry. You know how it upsets my equilibrium and the world's natural balance."

She laughed as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Sorry."

He sighed and squatted beside her chair. Taking the necklace from the box, he clasped the thin gold chain around her slender neck, then attached the bracelet to her wrist, all while trying to ignore the softness of her skin and the heavenly scent of her.

Straightening, he rose, but she flew forward and wrapped her arms around him, thrusting his ass firmly against the edge of the desk with the momentum. He braced one hand behind him for balance and slid the other around her waist.

And closed his eyes. Because holding her was a rare thing. Her subtle curves fit way too well against the hard, angular lines of his body. It wasn't the first instance he'd thought such a thing and it wouldn't be the last. Not that they hugged often, but it gave him an arrhythmia every damn time. Like rattling hell's gate and falling from heaven's clouds.

"Thank you." She pressed a kiss to his cheekhe didn't need basic oxygen exchange, anywayand rested her forehead to his temple. "That is the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me."

Damn, he hoped not. He kept his eyes shut another beat in order to clear a reaction from his expression as she eased away. "You're welcome."