“It’s going to be hard to leave Axis Management, for both of us, Kitten.”
“I know,” Harper whispered.
“I need to go do a workout to discharge some of the angst I feel after the knock on the door. Can I get you anything?”
Harper bit her lip. “No. I might go into the living room and watch a movie.”
Logan stood up, grinned at her, and moved the two wall canvases of the mountains off the wall, revealing a massive TV.
“That works, yes,” Harper said, snuggling into the blankets.
“Okay. I’ll be back soon, Kitten.” Logan kissed her pouty lips, wishing he could crawl into bed with her.
He hated Edwin but working full time for SolCan would give him the stability he’d never had before. It wouldn’t make Harper worry if he was going to come home or not, and that one part of the equation helped ease his angst more than any cardio workout ever could.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN - XANDER
Xanderhungupthephone, displeased. Another talent agency wanted to hire Axis Management for their bodyguard services. He rolled back his chair, stood, and paced in front of his large window.
From the Mulberry Stevens’, they’d had a ton of entertainment industry people interested in them. For years, Axis Management had been in the background, no matter the job. He preferred it that way, it was why he’d started the company, to have a group of highly skilled professionals who had the abilities required to get this high octane, often dangerous work done.
Xander smiled thinking, thinking how ironic it was because his friend Ian owned a talent management firm and he was discussing gaining Axis Management’s services, the night Harper crashed into his life.
He didn’t want to be only a bodyguard firm, and it concerned him that if kept taking on celebrity clients and became more visible, the other branches of Axis Management would fall.
From a shelf, he picked up a tray that held pieces of glass and wiring that were spread out in a specific pattern. Taking a pair of tweezers, he tinkered with it for a few moments, trying to clear his thoughts.
Ever since he had ordered Harper out of his room, his head had been a jumbled mess. He couldn’t get that night out of his mind, no matter how hard he tried. Her strong body under his hands, responding on cue to his commands as if she had been doing it for years as if she was a submissive he had trained. More than once, he had replayed that night over in his head in the shower, while jerking off to the memory. But Harper didn’t need him as a lover. He was too old, his expectations too uncompromising. He would break her.
For the last two weeks, he had been incredibly lonely without the camaraderie he shared with Harper. He missed her. Ares thought he should apologize to Harper and see if she would consider dating him.
Xander scoffed. The idea was absurd.
Checking his watch, Xander strode out of his office, on his way to visit the Tech Team nearly crashing into Gardenia, her hands filled with files.
“Sorry, Mr. Montague.”
“No, I was distracted and didn’t see you. Are you all right?”
“Yes, I came up to give Harper a few more profiles on potential assistants. She’s lying down with a migraine.” Gardenia blushed.
“You are nothing but capable,” Xander soothed, putting his hand on Gardenia. “I appreciate your attention to detail.”
Gardenia nodded and scurried out of the office.
Xander scrolled through his calendar on his phone, frowning. Reaching into the top drawer of Harper’s desk, he sorted through the jumbled pile of stuff until he found her bottle of medication.
“Angel?” He opened the door, stepping into her space.
The lights were off and Harper had kicked off her shoes, lying with her feet up on her chaise, an arm on her forehead.
The sight of her in pain twisted his heart. Xander laid a hand on her shoulder, and she startled.
“Sorry. My head is pounding. I needed to lay down for a few minutes.”
“I brought you this.” Xander passed her a bottle of water from the table and shook out two pills into his hand.
“Thanks.” Harper winced as she sat up. “Couldn’t find them in time, needed to cut the lights. I didn’t sleep much last night. I think that’s what brought it on.”
