Page 41 of Crossing the Line
“Brother, from where I’m sitting it’s fucking hilarious,” Micah said, gasping for breath. “First, I’m expecting you to tell me that you got sick of the Hollywood princess act and held a pillow over her face, and I’m wondering how I’m gonna get you out of the country before the cops show up. Then you tell me you kissed her, and I’m waiting for you to say it was in the middle of some god damn red carpet spectacle, and you proceeded to do the funky monkey in front of TV cameras.” He wiped another tear away on a gasp.
“The funky monkey? Christ, Micah, how do you even have kids?”
“I’m sorry,” Micah made a sound like air escaping an inflatable kiddie pool. “Okay. I’m sorry. I’ve just never seen you rattled before. Never thought it would be over a girl. I’m prepared to take your problem seriously now.” He wiped his palms on his pant legs. “Let’s start over. What’s at issue here?”
His friend’s shoulders were still shaking from silent laughter, but Xavier had to get it out. “I crossed a line. Rule number one: Don’t get personal.”
“Uh-huh.” Micah nodded his dark head. “And why does that rule exist?”
“So bodyguards don’t go sticking their dicks in every client.” Xavier’s frustration was mounting.Micah was supposed to be as appalled as he was,he told himself.
“Exactly. We don’t want the lesser ethically minded security officers taking advantage of their position of power and responsibility. Now, given the fact that you’ve got your head shoved so far up your ass with guilt, I’m gonna save you some time and tell you that that’s not you.”
When Xavier started to argue, Micah held up a hand. “Shut it. You started this confessional, now you get to find absolution.” He got up and snagged Xavier’s untouched coffee and took a sip. He leaned against the credenza. “The second reason for the rule is because real feelings can get all tangled up in an agent’s instincts. If you’re too worried about Princess Buffy saying she’s chilly or you’re off in the corner having a quickie, you might miss the armed assassins busting through the windows.”
Xavier stared at Micah for a long moment. “What is it like to live inside your head?”
“Hey, we’re making fun of you now. Not me.”
“My apologies,” Xavier said dryly and programmed another cup of coffee.
“Here’s the thing. You’re not the kind to take advantage of a woman. Ever. I know it, and deep down you know it. If things got out of control last night, I have no doubt that Angel helped shove you along down your path of sin. And if anyone can have tangled up feelings about someone and still maintain the level of awareness needed to do this job, it’s you.”
“Micah, I messed up. You should be sidelining me until I can get my head on straight.”
“Is that what you want?”
“Hell no. I don’t want anyone else guarding her.”
“Then the solution is simple, man. Don’t let it happen again.”
“That’s it?” Xavier asked.
“You’re not a power-hungry, pussy-hungry asshole, Saint. Just tap into that insane control of yours and don’t let it happen again.”
Xavier slid down in the visitor chair Micah had vacated. “I’ve never fucked up like this before.”
“Maybe it wasn’t a fuck up. Maybe it was fate.”
“For the love of God—”
“Relax, kid. I’m messing with you. Nobody died, and from your latest report it sounds like she could use some up close and personal support.”
“I can roll your body up in this carpet and have Roz drag you down to the dumpster,” Xavier threatened. But he felt lighter. The weight was off his chest with Micah’s absolution. Maybe it wasn’t the end of the world.
And if it never happened again, he could just forget about it and move on.
Micah must have considered the case closed because he moved on to more entertaining subjects. “So, she snuck out on you last night, huh?”
“Dressed up like her damn assistant and left in her SUV.” Xavier let his head tip back against the seat back. “She freaking waved to me on her way down the driveway.”
Micah cackled and took another sip of the forbidden coffee. “How do you know she’s staying put today while you’re here?”
“She wouldn’t dare pull a stunt like that again.” But to be on the safe side, he pulled out his phone and rattled off a text to Waverly.
Proof of location?
He hit send and her response was immediate.
