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Chapter 48
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Counterbalance Chapter 1
"Your last appointment is here, Mr. Gaines."Xavier glanced from his computer monitor to where his secretary's tinny voice emitted from his desk phone and hit speaker. "Wait five minutes and send her in. Thank you.""Yes, sir."Five minutes, and he'd finally have the meeting he'd been waiting weeks for since securing. Longer, if he accounted the past year when he'd last seen her at a charity function. He'd had to hold out for a break in her schedule to even get her to come in, and it had taken a lot of coaxing from his staff to accomplish that much.Anxious, he shoved from his desk and stood to face the wall of windows in his top floor high rise office in San Francisco's Financial District. Gaines Industries was among many Fortune 500 companies that occupied the clean, angular skyscrapers in the triangular area east of Kearny Street. Dusk was descending, turning the Bay in the distance pink and purple through a haze of fog. Unlike many metropolises where the fiscal wards went quiet
Counterbalance Chapter 2
They wound up at a pizza joint, of all places, per her suggestion, and a quick survey of the brick walls and vinyl booths proved he was out of his element. The delicious scent of garlic and red sauce reminded him he'd skipped lunch. "I'm a little overdressed for this venue."While inside the doorway, her gaze skimmed over him. Before he knew what she was up to, she'd stripped his coat, unknotted his tie, and had rolled the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows.She nodded, handing him back the jacket. "There."They claimed a booth and he let her order, then he glanced at her necklace once again. Having a focal point helped settle him, and he wondered where she'd gotten the charm. Perhaps from her deceased fiancé. He'd found out through the grapevine about Mark's suicide last year. Xavier had never met the man, but Mark had served with Peyton's brother, Brian, in Iraq. Mark's death had come just a few months after Brian was killed while serving. She'd been raised by her brother after th
Counterbalance Chapter 3
Desperately needing a caffeine boost, Peyton stopped at a vendor to grab a coffee on her three-block walk to Xavier's office. Thinking about his job offer had kept her awake all night and she was dragging this afternoon.She breathed in salty, damp air from the Bay and smiled as she passed others strolling by. The Financial District was alive with business people and tourists alike, and she enjoyed the buzz. Restaurants, shops, and skyscrapers blended together in a mishmash of unique. Sunshine filtered through a thin cloud cover, and she got a little more pep in her step. It was a gorgeous day and, despite leaving work early to meet with Xavier, she was free tonight. She had a date with Thor and her couch via Netflix. Maybe she'd make it a threesome by adding Ghirardelli. Though she'd been shocked by Xavier's offer, it couldn't have come at a better time. With Harrison announcing his senate bid next week, it was now or never to get out. She'd loved working for him and his wife, plus
Counterbalance Chapter 4
"I'm going to be blunt." At his nod of encouragement, she skimmed through the list in her head. "First, you have a number of employee incentives and turnover is pretty low. However, there are a couple things I'd suggest to boost morale, such as a Christmas office party and a company-wide family picnic. Two events split through the year to show appreciation."His brows lifted as if he'd not thought of such a thing. "I can do that."Hm. Obviously, he was willing to put money into his staff, understanding happy workers meant productivity. Points for him. "Second, this is a corporation, but there's no trace of individuality in the building. The steady stream of visitors and business coming through the doors are met with nothing. I think adding subtle touches would make a world of differenceframing newspaper articles about Gaines Industries for the lobby, a splash of color here and there, prints of the city, photos of those you help. That kind of thing.""Consider it done." No pause. No
Counterbalance Chapter 5
Two Years Later...Finished with his late-morning meeting, Xavier strode across the hall and into Peyton's office, only to stop short. More than half the room was littered with balloons and flowers. Since her domain was a mirror to his and roughly five-hundred square feet, that was saying a lot. And, best he could tell, she wasn't here.Just as he was about to search through the rubble to see if she was buried underneath, she walked in. The clack-clack of her black heels hit the floor and he followed the path up her toned legs, past her fitted red dress to her hair. At the office, she always had it pinned up in a severe knot, which made him long for another charity event to see the champagne waves trail down her back. She glanced over the rim of her glasses at him. "Hey, favorite boss."He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to ignore the naughty librarian fantasy she evoked. "I'm your only boss and what the actual hell is all this?" It looked like Valentine's Day had throw
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
Counterbalance Chapter 7
Peyton unlocked her apartment door and went to step inside, but Joseph put an arm in front of her. "Hold up. Wait here." He strode into her tiny living room, set his large black duffel bag on the floor, and glanced around, then moved into the adjoining kitchen. Seemingly satisfied no one was lurking, he disappeared down the hall. "Clear. Come in. Lock the door."Biting back a sigh, she did as he asked and dropped her purse on the small entry table. Heading to the kitchen, she checked her cell for calls. A solid set of arms wrapped around her from behind and a hand clasped over her mouth. The phone fell from her numb fingers. Heart pounding, she wiggled to get free, but he had her trapped. Panic clutched her throat. "Breathe, Peyton. Get out of the situation."Right. Closing her eyes, she channeled what Joseph had taught her. With a feral cry, she jabbed her elbow into his ribs, stomped on his in-heel, and thrust her foot toward his ankle. Using the full weight of her body, she
Counterbalance Chapter 8
A half hour later, Xavier still hadn't arrived. Disappointment began to weigh heavy on her shoulders. She glanced at the door again which Joseph, of course, noticed."He'll be here, Peyton."She wasn't so sure. Xavier hated crowds and he'd already given her a gift. Knowing him, he was holed up in his mansion watching CNN. She had no idea why it bugged her. Yeah, they were friendly and did things outside of work sometimes, but it wasn't as if he was more than her boss. Lord knew, she made him socialize enough because of Gaines Industries. The rest of their group returned and ordered a round of drinks. She was too caught up in their discussion of the hottest bartender to notice Xavier stood beside her until she'd hopped off her stool and nearly plowed into him. He was casual in jeans and a fitted black t-shirt that emphasized his lean, muscular build. A dark five o'clock shadow covered his wide jaw, giving him a seductive edge, and a strand of chestnut hair fell over his forehead,
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