Page 89 of Guarded from Danger

“Good.” He turns off the car and unfastens his seatbelt. “I intend on making sure you have a very special birthday.”

Anticipation fizzes in my chest. Not that I haven’t had plenty of nice birthdays before—my parents always threw me a party growing up, and I’ve had some fun celebrations with friends—but spending the day with Xavier is different.

“I can’t wait.” Just as he moves to get out of the car, I lean over to kiss him on the cheek. “I love you. So much.”

Yes, I know I’m in danger of becoming a parrot, telling Xavier I love him at least ten times a day, but I don’t care. It feels good to tell him. And I love seeing his smile every time I say it.

“I love you, sunshine.” He cups my cheek, his gaze intense as he looks at me. Closing the inches between us, he captures my lips with his, softly at first, then more passionately. As his tongueplunges inside, stroking and tasting, my womb clenches. Need throbs deep in my core.

Do I need to visit Kali? What if we just turned around and went home? And Xavier and I could spend the afternoon making love instead?

Sooner than I’d like, he breaks the kiss, grinning sheepishly as he says, “As much as I’d like to ravish you right here, we’re in a parking lot. And your friend is waiting for you.”

“But maybe later, after we get home, some ravishing?” I ask hopefully.

“Oh, yes.” His eyes flash with desire. “Definitelysome ravishing later.” After another quick kiss, he adds, “Now let’s get you to Kali’s place before she wonders if you got lost.”

It’s not until we’re standing at Kali’s door that my nerves hit me full-force.

I was fine getting ready back at the apartment, and all during the ride in the car. Even walking to her door was okay, because Xavier insisted on coming with me. He claimed it was just good manners, but we both knew the real reason—being apart is just as hard on him as it is on me. Maybe in another month it’ll get easier, once the bad memories have had more time to fade.

“You’ll be okay.” Xavier frames my face with his hands, holding my gaze with his. “It’s just spending time with your friend. And this place looks safe; I spotted at least half-a-dozen security cameras on the way in.”

“I know.” With a deep breath and exhale, I square my shoulders and lift my chin. “It’s fine.I’mfine.”

“If you need me,” he says, “just call. I’ll come back right away.”

Just for a second, I contemplate backing out of this whole thing and admitting I’m scared to be away from him.

But I’m stronger than that. So I force a smile I’m not feeling and press the intercom button as I reply, “I know you will. But I’ll be okay. It’ll be nice to catch up with Kali after so long.”

And what kind of coward would I be, chickening out from spending a couple very uneventful hours with my old friend?

That’s what I keep asking myself as I make the short trip from the entrance up to Kali’s second-floor apartment.Am I a coward who’ll spend her life cringing from strangers and being too afraid to go places on her own? Or will I be brave, like Xavier thinks I am?

I feel better once Kali opens her apartment door and flings her arms around me, chirping, “Lucy! Oh, my God! It’s been too long! I’m so glad to see you!”

A few seconds later, she lets go and steps back to look at me, her gaze sweeping from head to toe. “Oh, you look really good. I wasn’t sure what to expect after, well—” She stops to clap her hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I just thought, since you’ve been under so much stress…”

Smiling, I say, “It’s fine. I’m doing pretty good. You look amazing, as always.”

It’s not an exaggeration. With her thick black hair, lush curves, and blue eyes so dark they’re nearly black, Kali has never had trouble attracting attention. No matter where she is—home, work, at the bar—she always dresses to make the most of her appearance. Today, she’s wearing a burgundy wrap dress that shows off a hint of cleavage and clings to her generous hips.

“Oh, this dress?” Kali does a little spin. “It was on sale. Otherwise I wouldn’t have bought it. But I’m thinking I’ll wear it on my next date with Ethan. So you’re my test run, so to speak. You really like it?”

“Absolutely. Ethan is going to love it.” I glance down at my own T-shirt and denim shorts. Laughing, I add, “I feel underdressed next to you.”

“Oh, stop.” She grabs my hand and tows me over to the couch. “You look fine. And anyway, you’ve never cared about clothes and appearances like I do.” A pause, and then, “I mean, you have this whole natural look going for you. And if your Xavier likes it…”

Oof. I grit my teeth as I give her a tight smile. “He does.”

Even though I know she doesn’t mean anything by it, some of her comments aren’t always the most tactful or sensitive. But after almost twenty years, I’m used to it.

“So.” As I set my bag on the coffee table, Kali turns towards me. “I still can’t believe everything that happened to you. Not just kidnapped once, but twice? It’s terrifying.” She shudders. “Honestly, I’m scared to go places at night alone now.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re being careful.”

“Was it because of your parents?” Leaning forward, her eyes wide and bright with interest, she continues, “Like a ransom thing? Or was it—” Her voice dips. “Trafficking?”

---