Page 116 of Bargain With the Boss
I was about to step away from the railing when a man came through the main doors.
I frowned. We didn’t have any appointments today…
No.
It couldn’t be him.
Xavier.
He went right to the desk all smiles. I gripped the railing, shock and confusion hitting me like a slap.
What was he doing here?
I was five floors up and couldn’t hear what was being said, but his shoulders straightened and the change from charming to all business was like a switch.
“I’m not leaving without speaking to her.” His voice lifted and my heart pounded in reaction.
He turned around as if to assess how he’d get in and our gazes locked.
“Duchess!”
I should have spun away and left the guard to handle it.
What could he want?
He’d made it very clear that he wanted nothing to do with me at the hotel in Lake George. And the disastrous cornerstone
“Miss Keller?” I turned to see Matt, the head of security, staring up at me.
Xavier didn’t wait for permission. He took the stairs two at a time. Matt hustled around the desk following him, but he was no match for Xavier’s athleticism.
I was supposed to be in my mother’s office right now, but I found myself meeting him at the top of the stairs.
“What are you doing here?”
“Coming for you.”
“For what?”
He laughed and reached for me.
I took a step back before he could touch me. “I don’t need you here.”
He faltered for a moment, but then his face got that intense look that made my body stir. I was already wired on caffeine and nausea about seeing my mother, I couldn’t handle him too.
Matt was huffing as he made it to the top and rushed over to us.
Xavier turned and pointed at him. “Wait right there. I just need to talk to her for a second first.”
“Miss Keller?”
Embarrassment added to the mix. I’d never had a public display in the middle of the office—ever.
Xavier held his hand up in a stopping motion at Matt and crowded into me. “You do. You need me just as much as I need you.”
“Xavier, now’s not the time to do this.”
“I don’t care. I don’t want you to deal with this alone.”
