Page 19 of Guarded from Danger

“It’s fine,” I assure her. “It does make me feel better.”

“See,” Rhiannon says triumphantly. “Lucy’s interested in stuff like that. I bet she’ll include it in one of her books one day.”

“Did Xav tell you what he did to his apartment?” Niall asks, twisting around in the passenger seat to look at me. “Jade, Sarah, and Rhi all helped, since Xav’s been at the hospital with you.”

Xavier scowls at Niall. “It was going to be a surprise.” Then his lips curve into a smile as he tells me, “I just wanted to makemy place more comfortable. So I asked for some help. And Rhi’s apartment looks like a professional decorated it, so…”

“My parents insisted on hiring interior designers for all our houses,” she replies with a wry smile. “I thought it was interesting. For a little while, I considered going into interior design, but then I decided to really make my family crazy by joining the Army.”

Anticipation fills me, chasing away some of my anxiety. I turn to Xavier. “What did you do?”

His cheeks go slightly pink. “Just some decorations. And some new furniture. It’s no big deal.” After a beat, he adds, “We can change anything you don’t like. If you want, we can order anything you want online once you’re feeling up to it. Or bring stuff over from your house…”

But itisa big deal.

As we step inside Xavier’s apartment, there’s a moment when I wonder if I’m hallucinating. If the stress of my experience has made me lose touch with reality.

Before, his apartment looked like the stereotypical bachelor pad. Barely any furniture except for a giant leather couch with a recliner at either end, a coffee table covered with assorted remotes for his massive TV and surround sound system, and a single bookcase in the corner stuffed with a collection of board games.

There was just a simple chandelier hanging over the empty space where a dining table should have been, and the open-concept kitchen was just an expanse of glossy white. The only decoration in the apartment was a plant I brought over for him several months ago, a Christmas cactus I told him would be impossible to kill.

Had I imagined how I’d decorate if we moved in together one day? Of course. Because as much as I love my little house in Seguin, I know Xavier needs to live at Blade and Arrow, wherehe can keep up his skills in the gym and custom shooting range, and stay in close contact with his team. And I’d be okay with that. The ranch is spacious and welcoming, with modern rustic finishes, and acres of property around it are great to walk around and explore.

Not that Xavier and I have talked about living together. We haven’t saidI love youyet. And given how brittle and unbalanced I’m feeling right now, it’s probably not the best time to be having deep conversations about our relationship.

But hisapartment.

It’s been transformed.

“Do you like it?” Xavier’s arm is still around me—he hasn’t broken contact since we left the hospital—and he braces me against him like he thinks I might fall over from shock. Which, given my weak muscles and occasional light-headedness, isn’t an unreasonable assumption.

“It’s…” Words fail me as I take everything in.

The leather couch has been replaced by a cream-colored sofa draped with slate blue throws that look so soft my fingers itch to touch them. Beside the TV, there are two large bookshelves filled with books from my house, with some of my little mementos scattered among them.

Fluffy shag carpets cover the floor, in the same blue as the throws on the sofa. Matching curtains lift in the breeze coming in through the windows, and I spot several of my plants on stands or hangers in front of them.

“I asked Niall and Jade to bring over all your plants,” Xavier explains. “The rest are in the bedrooms. So they can all get enough light.” He gives me a sheepish smile. “I’m not sure how well I’ll do keeping them healthy, though. I’ve had a hard enough time with the cactus.”

“It’s perfect.” My throat gets tight, and my nose prickles, but I force the threatening tears back. “I’ll water them. It’s okay.”

“No, Luce.” His handsome features soften as he looks at me. “You’re supposed to be resting. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll take care of it.”

My gaze sweeps around the open living space, searching for things I missed the first glance. And this time I notice the painted canvases of seascapes and mountain ranges, the candles on every available surface, and the gorgeous bouquet set on the kitchen island.

And—

“You got a table!” I exclaim, turning to Xavier with a smile. “It looks great!”

“Yes, well—” Twin spots of pink rise on his cheeks. “I thought it would be better. Since we’ll be eating here now.”

And as I walk closer to the dining room table, I spot fabric placemats and matching napkins set atop it, along with an arrangement of different sized candles in clear vases in the middle. “Xavier.” My voice is thick. “This is so… I love it.”

“Is it okay?” He looks adorably nervous. “I couldn’t do it myself, since I didn’t want to leave… but I told Rhiannon what I thought you’d like. And she sent me lots of pictures while she was shopping. But if there’s something you want to change?—”

“No. It’s incredible.” Fearing he’ll spot the stubborn tears welling up, I hug Xavier, burying my face in his neck. My lips move against his warm skin as I whisper, “I love it, Xavier. It feels like home.”

“Sunshine.” He strokes my hair, combing his fingers through my still tangled waves. “I just want you to feel comfortable here. So if there’s anything you need…” His lips press to the top of my head. “I replaced all the covers and sheets on the bed, too. So they’d match. And I got those extra-soft pillows you like.”

---