Chapter 19

Peyton shoved the dregs of unconsciousness aside and opened her eyes. Panic and confusion followed as her heartbeat tripped. Aside from Xavier kneeling in front of her, she didn't recognize a thing. Last she remembered, they were in the limo after the benefit.

"Where am I?"

He rubbed his jaw as if suddenly nervous. "My house. I was going to let you sleep, but you have your contacts in and" He gestured toward her dress. Rising, he moved to a dresser.

She glanced around. They weren't just at his house, but in his bedroom. Or a guestroom. Maroon and cream striped wallpaper. Four-poster king-size bed with an etched, inlaid design. Matching mahogany dressers. Thick beige carpet. Heavy burgundy drapes covered what looked to be a patio door. A stack of computer manuals and mysteries laid on the nightstand next to a lamp. The place was the size of her entire apartment.

"How did I get here?"

His spine stiffened in the process of rooting through a drawer. "I carried you."

"You" Of course,