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Chapter 20
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2022-04-19 14:02:46Related chapters
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
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Counterbalance 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
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Counterbalance Chapter 23
From first stepping foot inside the Gaines' Napa Valley home two years before, Peyton had loved the place, and her opinion hadn't wavered since then. Four-thousand square feet of rustic chic in rural Italian style. Scents of lavender from the field blended with lemon from the grove, and wafted in through the open window to put her in sensory heaven. Little touches added charm, like the terra cotta tiled roof or the way they'd used an old barn door to design the dining room table.They finished dinner and sipped wine around the table as Xavier's parents talked about their recent trip to Hawaii. With one hand cradling his glass, Xavier idly ran his fingers through the ends of Peyton's hair from the seat beside her, his attention focused on the discussion. He'd always been more comfortable in his parents' presence, but she'd never seen him this happy. No barriers. No hesitation. Just the real him, minus the strain.She suppressed a shiver of delight at the ministration and his relaxed,
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Counterbalance Chapter 24
He grunted as he strode down the upstairs hall toward the guestroom. A sharp, quick slap smacked her butt, and he rested his hand over the spot as if to soothe the heat."Kinky."His laugh rumbled through her, and the rough, low sound had her panties damp. He smelled so yummy with his light cologne blending with the scent of outdoors. She wanted to breathe him in and never resurface. His hard muscles shifted against her and she was reminded all over again how mind-blowing it was to be in direct contact with him.He set her down inside the doorway and crowded her against the frame. The lowlight from the dark hallway and dim lamp inside the guestroom cast shadows across the harsh planes of his face. "I wish you'd sleep in my room with me." Leaning closer, he kissed his way across her cheek to her neck, his five o'clock shadow causing a delicious rasp.A tremble tore through her and her breath caught. Any time intimacy was involved, it was like he flipped a switch and Alpha X took o
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Counterbalance Chapter 25
After his run, Xavier climbed the stairs and pulled out his earbuds, pausing outside Peyton's bedroom door. He was surprised she was still asleep and hesitated in waking her. She'd seemed exhausted lately and worn around the edges. But his mom was saddling the geldings and waiting for her. Plus, he really wanted to kiss her good morning without an audience.He knocked, but she didn't respond, so he opened the door and stepped inside the guestroom. The drapes were parted over the balcony doors and early morning sunlight fed in through the glass. Her blonde hair poked out from under a heap of blankets and a purple, grape-printed comforter.He walked closer and perched on the edge of the mattress by her hip, smiling. Curled on her side, she slept with one hand under her head and the other tucked to her chest. Her features relaxed, she looked like a sleeping angel with her round cheeks, long pale lashes, and hair light as a halo across the pillow. He fingered the quilt lower to expose mo
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Counterbalance Chapter 26
"I suppose not, but" He closed his mouth over hers and shoved his hands in her hair. He didn't appreciate her trying to fix something he didn't want fixed. If any of his previous lovers had given him cause to be half the man he was around Peyton, they wouldn't be here right now. Together. On paper, their schematics might be all kinds of wrong, but he'd meant what he'd told her yesterday. They were the right counterbalance to one another. If things crashed and burned between them, life as he knew it would be over. Yet, for the first time since he'd raised his hands in surrender, he discovered he held the future in his grasp. Literally. All he had to do was avoid screwing it up.She made a stunned noise in her throat and molded her lithe body against him. One hand pressed over his pounding heart, the other dipped under his shirt and skimmed up his back, sending a violent wave of need coursing through his hard drive. Then, the hand on his chest drifted south, past his abs, to wrap ar
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Counterbalance Chapter 27
Peyton bit her lip and, from bed, stared at the ceiling in the Gaines' guestroom. What a day. Horseback riding, shopping. They'd punched out most of the benefit weekend details and Elaine had even managed to get Peyton onboard for Xavier's surprise birthday party. He wouldn't be overly joyful, but he'd calm down once he realized it was a small affair.And, holy wow. Xavier had given her an orgasm up against a tree. Then, they'd headed back inside to eat dinner with his parents and drank wine like he hadn't...given her an orgasm up against a tree. With his hands. After they'd danced. Under the stars.God, that man.She rubbed her forehead and clenched her thighs, aching. She may have had her mind blown, but he hadn't gotten release. If she was still needy and wanting more, she could only imagine what state he was in.Glancing at the door, she mulled over her options. Thus far, he'd been the aggressive one when it came to intimacy. Though she was seeing less and less of his social an
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Counterbalance Chapter 28
Closing his eyes, he dropped his forehead to hers, his large hands smoothing her hair. Then, he kissed her, not with passion or heat or need, but with tenderness. Feather-light, he brushed his lips across hers before he opened and, as if having all the time in existence, stroked her tongue. A caress. An unhurried narrative of patience and acceptance and some kind of deeper meaning she couldn't quite grasp.Unsure whether to weep or sigh, she cupped his cheeks and held him pressed against her in a way that seemed much more intimate than the act they'd just finished. He could be such a contradiction that he left her reeling. Never harsh, forever observant, sometimes shy, often commanding, rarely indifferent, and alwaysalwaysconsiderate. Alpha and beta. Dominant and submissive.He pulled away, holding her face, staring into her eyes. His mouth opened as if to say something, but he dragged his thumb across her lower lip like he wanted to pull words from her instead. "What's wrong?" A
Last Updated : 2022-04-19
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He smiled. "You wanted me to think about some things, and I have.""X, you don't" "Yes, I do. If only to assuage any doubts you have left." He pulled a deep breath and faced her. "Standing right over there is your family. Blood doesn't always play a part. They love you as much as you love them, and not out of obligation. You have never been an obligation to me, either." His throat worked a swallow. "I want to extend our family someday with our own kids. Yes, part of that is to give back what was taken from you, but the majority of the reason is because you deserve to get everything you want and someone like you, who has so much to offer, should be surrounded by as much family as possible. There is no better way for me to show you how much I love you than to have children."Oh God, this man. More tears pooled in her eyes, and she was going to dehydrate if he continued at this rate. Shaking, all she could do was stare at him and hope he understood her lack of response was due to th
Counterbalance Chapter 47
Peyton had a ten-and-a-half hour flight to France, five lonely nights in the city of love, and another ten-plus hour flight back to the States to think about nothing but Xavier Gaines.She'd broken her own rule and had read the magazine article while drinking an espresso at a café table. Daniel had quoted both of them about various topics from their discussion. But his own take and summary was what had thrown her for a loop.I fully expected to walk into my interview with this corporate giant and be met with crisp, concise answers and clipped disregard. Instead, I got a glimpse of a man who doesn't solely see opportunities to make money, but ways to enhance the compassion inside us all and force others to take a stand for what's right. It's apparent in the way his staff look and speak to him that there is respect and, perhaps, a little fear motivating them. One can't run an enterprise such as his without those elements. But under the spit and polish, I found something completely lack
Counterbalance Chapter 46
"Yes. I'm giving you a raise and promoting you to personal assistant for myself and Miss Smoke. I'll have HR hire for a secretarial position." They could use the extra hands and he'd been on Peyton to get an assistant. Some of her work could be delegated and, when she got back from wherever the hell she was, he planned to spend as much time with her as possible. He trusted Jackie. Plus, she was smart and efficient. She was too talented to waste answering phones. Problem solved.Her jaw dropped. "Um, thank you, sir."He nodded, and she went back to her desk up front. He glanced at Joseph and did a double-take at his smirk. "What?""You're all grown up now. My, they get big so fast." Joseph mock-sniffed and pretended to wipe a tear from his cheek.Xavier narrowed his eyes. "I'm not amused.""Okay, seriously." Joseph leaned forward. "Blondie asked you to evaluate. The way I see it? You're more than capable of handling yourself without her, which is all I think she wantedfor you to
Counterbalance Chapter 45
By the end of the workday on Monday, Xavier had given Peyton all the space he was going to allow. She hadn't been joking when she'd said she was taking off this week. At his arrival in the office this morning, her schedule had been cleared. In preparation for tomorrow's magazine article release, she'd left instructions for the front desk not to patch through any press calls to his secretary.That was that. Nothing else. And he'd had to hear that little amount from Jackie.He pounded on Peyton's apartment door and waited with his clenched fists on his hips. Two days, and he was losing his mind. She hadn't answered one text or voicemail. He hadn't slept more than a handful of scattered hours, never mind having an appetite. When he received no response, he pounded again and yelled her name. He knew she was home. Her car was in the designated parking space. He'd checked. Yesterday and today."She's not here."He whirled to find Kate standing in the doorway to her apartment across the
Counterbalance Chapter 44
That was the crux of both their issues, in her opinion. His fear of losing his anchor and her fear of being alone. She'd been just seventeen when her parents died. Ever since then, she'd played it safe. So safe, she'd been ready to marry a guy she didn't love with her whole heart. And years later, she was about to go all-in with a man who owned her soul, but who may not love her for the right reasons. It wasn't fair to him for her to stay with him if he was another safe bet. "Peyton?" He stepped forward and stopped, concern and tension wrinkling his brow.It came to her, suddenly and like a blow, what they should do. He was going to flip out, but it was the right thing. She rubbed her forehead and focused on his chest. "I know its last minute, but I'm going to take off work next week. Use a few of my vacation days.""Okay," he hedged and crossed his arms. "Why? Do you need to pack up the apartment so soon?""No." God, her heart thumped so hard the room spun. "We need some distan
Counterbalance Chapter 43
Peyton pulled her car up to Xavier's garage and cut the engine, then turned in the passenger seat to face him. Yep, still brooding. Sexy as sin in jeans, a gray sweater, and a little scruff, but brooding just the same. Poor, X. "It's just a surprise party.""I hate parties. And why did this have to be at my house?"She patted his arm. "Because my apartment's too small.""Smartass." Almost a smile. "Now I know why I never let you drive. You taking me all over Kingdom Come today had my life flashing before my eyes."All over Kingdom Come meant a quick trip to buy him a few ties and lunch afterward to allow his parents time to set up and welcome guests. To avoid laughing, she rolled her lips over her teeth. He was too damn cute when he sulked. Had she said broody? She meant pouty. "Good thing you got rid of my old deathtrap and bought me a car with extra airbags."He ran his tongue over his teeth. "Speaking of, there are no cars here, either." He turned and glanced at the circular
Counterbalance Chapter 42
"Peyton?""Open your eyes."He hadn't realized he'd closed them, but he did what she said.Her hand settled on his jaw, and her warm, delicate fingers stroked his cheek. The other caressed his back in a soothing, circular motion. "I love you."There. Yes, right there. Like she'd always done, she climbed inside his mind and ceased the chaos. Filled the dark, empty spaces.Keeping one hand on the headboard, he slid his other arm between her and the mattress and sunk his fingers in her hair. Gaze pinned to hers, he pulled out and gradually thrust back in. The pace was so measured there wasn't an inch of him that didn't suffer the torment. In awe, he repeated the motion, and knew this was what he'd been missing. This was the difference between mere physical release and having his whole system engaged. The result being sheer, unadulterated bliss.She closed her eyes and turned her face toward his arm. Her hot breath fanned his bicep as her chest rose and fell in a steady pant. He drop
Counterbalance Chapter 41
After they'd dropped off Joseph at Kate's apartment, Xavier glanced at Peyton in the backseat as his driver wove them through the dark city streets. She hadn't said much thus far, and her contemplative, lost expression was poking holes in his chest.He took his mask off and tossed it aside, glad to be rid of the thing. "Come over here."She turned her head and blinked as if she didn't understand.Concerned, he leaned over and wrapped an arm around her waist, depositing her sideways on his lap. He untied her mask and dropped it on the seat, then cupped her cheek. "Are you tired?""A little." She smiled as if to null her acknowledgement. "I had fun dancing with you.""Same here." He watched shadow and light play across her pretty face and got trapped by the dark navy of her eyes. "You and my father seemed to have quite the discussion.""Ah, yes." Her breathy laugh washed over him. "It would appear your mother is already planning our wedding."Not sure how to react, he studied her.
Counterbalance Chapter 40
"For your information, I was flirting my way through getting the photographer to delete the shots he'd taken of you and said ex." She raised her brows. "You're welcome."He stared at herhardbut his shoulders sank. After a moment, he glanced away and swallowed. "I'm sorry. I don't know where that came from.""You're the only man I'm interested in, X." His gaze jerked back to hers, and she smiled. "If we weren't surrounded by people, I'd show you."His chest quickly rose and fell, nostrils flaring. "I really want to kiss you right now." "Plenty of time later." She grinned. "Come on. They're getting dinner ready."The meal consisted of a veal or duck option, chosen by Elaine, and Peyton spent the entire hour imaging all the naughty things she'd be doing later while trying to hold a conversation with their tablemates. By the time Xavier had gotten through the speech she'd written for him and taken her hand for a dance, she was aching.Xavier tugged her to his chest, one arm around h
