Counterbalance

Chapter 10

Footsteps sounded behind him, and he turned.

Joseph studied the photo over Xavier's shoulder. "You don't smile like that very often."

He grunted and replaced the picture. "That's why I hired her. She finds the human factor the world can't see."

Moving to the sofa, Joseph sat and stretched his legs. "She asked me today if, after working so closely with you, I ever found myself attracted to you."

Xavier laughed and took a seat on the other end of the couch. "And you told her no. I'm not exactly anyone's type." Take rich and good-looking out of the equation, he wouldn't have a leg to stand on. None of his relationships worked out for that reason. It had taken him a year to let Joseph scratch under the surface to see the real him as a friend. Women were more complicated.

"No, I said you weren't my type." Joseph's brows arched. "I'm more interested in why she asked. Perhaps she's been battling some attraction herself?"

Dipping his chin, he narrowed his eyes. "Derail that thought train right now." Not only was the suggestion ludicrous, but... "Nothing can or will happen between us."

"Whatever you say." Joseph shrugged. "She danced with that guy Justin tonight and yet she kept looking at you."

Xavier doubted that. Very much.

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He really didn't need a reminder of the shitty sensation he'd gotten in his gut watching her dance. With someone else. She may resemble a mythical angel, but she moved like an x-rated wet dream. And the waiter had been all over her.

Flirting and seduction of that sort were completely out of Xavier's realm. Naked and one-on-one? He had complete control and knew what he was doing. No orgasm unconquered or scream of pleasure unbidden. Out of the bedroom? Not so much.

Joseph shifted on the couch. "I've been with you going on five years, and she's the first person besides me you drop your guard around. Or who makes you grin like an idiot."

What she'd said in the bathroom about her birthday wish slapped him in the facefor you to find a woman you could be yourself with...who doesn't play games or have an agenda.

Mercy, he couldn't do this. Even entertaining the notion could blow his whole world out of the water. He shook his head and rose. "Did she get to bed all right?"

"Why don't you go find out?"

It took every ounce of restraint in his exhausted body not to glance in the direction of the hallway. Because, yeah, he wanted to do just what his bodyguard suggested.

"Relax." Joseph stood and made his way to the door, holding it open for Xavier. "She's fine. Nothing eight solid hours and a bottle of ibuprofen won't cure."

"Ibuprofen upsets her stomach," he mumbled, his usual filter unable to click into place.

"I'll make a note of that."

Xavier left before he'd need a full lobotomy to forget the night.

She didn't call the rest of the weekend, which wasn't unusual, and he left her alone. By the time Monday rolled around, he was jumping out of his skin to see how she behaved in his presence. That moment in her bathroom was on constant repeat in his mind, but he wondered if she'd even remember what had happened, considering her intoxication.