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Chapter 26
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Counterbalance 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
Counterbalance 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
Counterbalance Chapter 29
Late afternoon on Tuesday, Xavier leaned back in his chair as Peyton strode into his office wearing a navy blue dress that made her eyes brighter and hugged every subtle curve of her body. He scanned her long legs before letting his gaze hover on her mouth. And sighed. Those red lips had been wrapped around a certain part of him a few days prior, and he couldn't shake the reminder whenever she was within a hundred feet of him."You ready?" She smiled, setting her hands on her hips.Hell, yes. He was more than ready. For their date on Saturday and to take things to the next level. Damn, just to take her period. But that's not what she meant. The reporter and photographer from the magazine were here for his exclusive interview. He'd rather chew nails.He rose and smoothed his tie. "Sure.""Okay, just like we discussed, we're going to take photos with the heads of the various departments in the company, then sit down for the interview." She stepped in front of him and adjusted the l
Counterbalance Chapter 30
Two years ago, it had been her idea to get more actively involved in a charity for his image. What she probably hadn't known was he'd already been playing with the idea, and it was her history, his connection to her, that had launched the entire thing. He hadn't been able to help those she'd loved before it was too late, but he could do something for others in similar situations. She'd been, and still was, the heart behind the project."That's amazing." Daniel made a few notes. "Miss Smoke, you do quite a bit for the charity as well, correct?""From a marketing standpoint." She smoothed her skirt. "It's a cause close to my heart, regardless."Which was bull. She could name every single veteran on their list, along with their spouses and children, and not because of her excellent memory. Peyton gave a shit, even though she'd had all but no one to do the same for her in return. Once again, she was minimizing her role and importance.Daniel nodded. "You started at Gaines Industries al
Counterbalance Chapter 31
"Where's Moneybags taking you to dinner? Paris? Vienna? I'll bet a private plane is involved." Kate flopped sideways on Peyton's bed."He doesn't have a private plane." Not that he couldn't afford one. Using the vanity mirror, Peyton slid in hoop earrings. "And he wouldn't tell me where. Just said to wear a dress." Ergo, the little black cocktail number she'd put on. It seemed like the safe bet."He's being mysterious, huh?" Kate sat up, her red curls a flurry around her oval face. She traced a finger over the floral pattern on the comforter. "He seems to really like you."Peyton turned and leaned a hip against the vanity edge. "Liking me was never a problem for us. We always got along great."With a slow nod, Kate glanced at the window. "I mean, he likes you, likes you." Her gaze slid to Peyton's. "He's this self-righteous, privileged jackass most of the time, but lately...I don't know.""X is..." Peyton rubbed her forehead, trying to think of a way to explain without breeching X
Counterbalance Chapter 32
She chewed her lip and figured if anyone would understand, it would be Xavier. He'd spent his adolescent years awkwardly getting by and most of his adulthood questioning who he could truly trust. Or, rather, who liked him as a person versus just for his money.After a sip of wine for courage, she opened a door she'd closed long ago. "Brian and Mark met in boot camp and came up the ranks together. My brother brought him home on leave, and we just kind of...came together. There wasn't a moment or anything, he was simply there. I think I was convenient at first. At least, in his mind. A few weeks later, they reported for their first tour, and I got to know him better through emails than we did face-to-face." She smiled, gaze lost on her plate. "I fell in love with him through the computer. Is that stupid?""Not at all." He frowned, jaw ticking. "Go on."Since he seemed more concerned than tense, she rubbed her forehead. "We continued the relationship for a couple years. We'd see each o
Counterbalance Chapter 33
With one hand on the wheel, Xavier rested his elbow on the window well and rubbed his lips in thought while he drove his Jag through the rain-soaked streets. A yellow glow from the lampposts hit the drops on his hood and windshield. Somehow, it escaped his notice it had stormed while they'd been in the restaurant. He supposed he'd had his own storm brewing.Peyton had forever and always maintained the ability to clobber him with the equivalent of an emotional battering ram. Yet, the stuff she'd told him tonight about her former fiancé sat like battery acid in his gut. Not only had her whole family been wiped out and she'd lost a man she loved, but Xavier was starting to get a full HD view of the extent of her loneliness. And it had begun long before Mark shot himself.Xavier was no expert, but he'd been raised by two parents who loved each other to the ends of the earth. He'd been surrounded by affection. How Peyton described her relationship with Mark didn't sound like love. It lean
Counterbalance Chapter 34
Her grin widened. "Then why are you standing by the bed?"He had no clue. To savor? Download this exact moment to his memory in case he was dreaming?Stripping out of his pants and briefs, he crawled across the mattress and straddled her. Her satisfied smirk punched the breath from his lungs. "You're really beautiful, you know that?" Weight on his arms, he leaned down and kissed her throat, her chin."I do now," she panted, tilting her head to give him better access.He saved that comment to ask her about later and kissed his way to her breasts. He could spend a decade on her chest alone. He took one beaded tip in his mouth and sucked hard. She wrapped her arms around his head as if to hold him there. Like he had any plans to move. Testing her, he bit her nipple, wondering if she wanted fast and hard or long and slow their first time. She'd responded to both his reckless, desperate side and his more gentle, controlled one, but that hadn't been during sex. Normally, he'd take hi
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Counterbalance Chapter 48
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
