Chapter 9

Kimberly's P.O.V. Jane leaned in, her eyes wide with curiosity. "You're married to one of the most powerful, richest, and, let's be real, sexiest men in the city, and you're telling me this like it's nothing? Kimberly, spill everything. Right now." "It's not what you think," I said-the exhaled breath of my resigned voice churning the wine in my glass, "It's just a contract marriage. One year and that's it.” An eyebrow quirked its way up on Jane's face. "One year? That's it? You really expect me to believe that you'll just walk away from him without falling head over heels?" She raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Kim, have you seen the man?” And there it was again, that picture that had plagued me all day long in a vain attempt at exorcism: Xavier, standing before me last night, his muscles taut, the outline of his. In an instant, I felt the rise of heat to my cheeks. "Kimberly!" Jane waved her hand in front of my face. "Hello? Earth to Kim! Did you hear me?” I shook my head furiously to clear such improper thoughts away. "I won't fall for him," I said, though my tone was not quite even. Jane snorted, falling back in her chair with a knowing glint. "Sure, sure. You keep telling yourself that. But a man like him, how can you resist?” I let out a deep sigh and leaned farther forward. "Because I know he has options. Women that far more qualified than me, for instance. He chose me for two reasons: one, he hates my family and wants to spite them, and two, I'm new to his world. I probably felt fresh and excited." "Or," Jane said, one brow rising, "he saw something in you that's more than your ridiculous self-doubt.” "Self Doubt?" I snorted. "It is the reality. I know on what level I stand. The last thing that would want to happen with me, though, is to fall for him and he just becomes bored and throws me away.” She stared back, her expression unreadable, before yanking me into a tight hug. "You're so stupidly blind to your worth, Kim. But don't you worry, I'm here to snap you out of it. And if Xavier ever does anything to hurt you, I'll personally burn his empire to the ground." I laughed, and the loyalty in her words warmed me. "Thanks, Jane, but I don't want his money or his pity. That's just why I was getting myself together-putting some heft into me and my career. At the end of this year, I won't be an easy mark for anyone." Jane leaned back, an impish smile dancing on her lips. "Speaking about strength and confidence, there is only one thing you need to work on right now, and that's dancing. Let's hit the club. Come on." ************* The club was loud, the music vibrated in my chest as Jane pulled me onto the dance floor. I had resisted at first, but after a glass of wine, or three, I gave in. “This is it!" Jane yelled over the music, spinning me around. "Let loose, Kim! Forget the world!" I laughed and let my guard down for the first time in weeks, finally letting go of everything that troubled me. That was short-lived. The touch to my waist was so close it didn't seem decent. A man, his leer-like grin sent a chill through my very pores as he turned. “Hey, beautiful," he slurred, stooping. "Want to dance?" "No, thank you," I concluded, averting my gaze. "Ah, come on, don't play coy," he said, his hand reaching out for my arm. Without having to do anything, Jane insinuated herself between us and glared at him. "Leave her alone, perv, she said no." He flung his hands up in a mock surrender but never lost the smirk. "Alright, alright. No need to get feisty.” It was one step backward before another sleazeball emerged from the back of the bunch, gutsier than the others, it seemed, jammed his way against me in attempting to pass by. "Leave her alone!" at once shouted Jane with a shove. "Oh, calm down, baby," he sneered, "we're just having some fun here." Before I'd even opened my mouth, an inordinately strong, familiar hand yanked my arm out from the mess. XAVIER’S POV My assistant droned on about profit margins and quarterly forecasts, but I wasn't listening. It was 9:15 p.m. Kimberly was supposed to be back early, and I hadn't heard from her. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and feigned interest. "Sir, is something wrong with the report?" my assistant ventured, nervous. "No," I said shortly, rose and grabbed my coat. "We'll conclude this later." "Later?" he echoed in a tone of remonstrance. "But— Then his eyes went wide in surprise. "Leaving? Now?" "Yes." I stared deadpan. "I have to see my wife." His face was a picture, had the circumstances been less serious. Scenes of Kimberly just would not leave my head as I walked out. I dialed her number the minute I was inside the car. Automatically, the image leaped in my brain from last night-how she parted her lips, soft skin going hard in an instant. I shook the thoughts away. She didn't answer. Frowning, I dialed again. Still nothing. "Where the hell is she?" I growled as my temper flared up. "Find out where Kimberly is," I growled into the phone with my assistant. Minutes later, I had my answer: she was at a bar. The more I thought of her being surrounded by some drunk guys, her beauty just begging to be noticed, my anger boiled. It was worse than I thought: dark lights, pounding music; then those two men bothered her. I pushed my way forward, my eyes glued on Kimberly. One even had the audacity to touch her-to lay his hand on her waist and not take it off right away. That did it. I reached out and grabbed her arm, hauling her close. Firm yet gentle. "Kimberly," I growled. "We leave. Now." She stared up at me, apparently taken aback. "Xavier? What's wrong-" “Not here,” I snarled, cutting her off. We were outside the club, and I never turned in their direction again. They weren't worth my time-thought wordlessly I promised myself that I'd get to them later. Outside I whirled on Kimberly, anger not quite contained. "What the hell were you thinking?" I asked her.