New Beginnings Read Online Free PDF Page A

forever. The way your lips part so a sexy little sigh can escape just drives me crazy.” He ran his finger along my bottom lip as he stared intently at my mouth.
    “And do you do this often?” I asked softly.
    “Every morning, baby,” he whispered, before moving in for a kiss that he broke away from all too soon. “Relax a bit. I’ll go fix us some breakfast.” He playfully smacked me on my behind as he jumped out of bed.
    I fell back against the pillow and just stared at the ceiling. Damn, that wasn’t exactly the wake-up call I had in mind.
    By the time I made it out to the kitchen, Xavier was spooning egg onto plates on the breakfast bar. The smell of bacon and freshly brewed coffee filled the room making my stomach growl. I hadn’t realized just how hungry I had been until I smelled it.
    “That smells fantastic,” I said. Climbing up onto one of the bar stools, I immediately started digging in. “Mmmm. These eggs taste even better than they smell,” I managed to say around a mouth full.
    “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this hungry,” Xavier smiled at me.
    “So, what do you have planned for today?” I asked.
    “We need to head back to Seattle,” he said without hesitation.
    “Oh. Okay. I thought maybe …”
    “No,” he said brusquely. “We won’t be able to stay. You’ll need to get ready to go as soon as you’re done eating.”
    “Okay,” I said. I didn’t have to ask. I knew this had everything to do with the mysterious footprints I found outside the house yesterday.
     

     
    By one in the afternoon, Stewart was sitting in the driveway in the black BMW SUV waiting for Xavier and me. Marissa was already on her way back to Seattle in my silver SUV.
    While I was waiting for Xavier and Stewart to finish loading the car, it dawned on me that Renatta was going to be gone all week. I’m going to be working with Devlin. Shit. Remembering Xavier’s jealous reaction to my working with him last time, told me I better bring it up on the long drive home.
    “That was really very sweet what you did for Tom and Renatta for a honeymoon. I meant to say thank you, but we were a bit distracted when we got to the house,” I said apologetically.
    “I felt it was the least I could do for them. Renatta has been a very good friend to you,” he said.
    “She has,” I said in agreement. “So, you’re going to be okay with me working with Devlin all week?” I asked apprehensively. I peeked at Xavier, carefully watching his reaction.
    He let out a rather big sigh. “Of course I am.” He turned and smiled at me. “Why don’t you stop by my office tomorrow and we’ll have lunch. I’ll text you with a time.”
    “That sounds great. Thank you.” I reached over and took his hand in mine. “I love you.”
    He squeezed my hand in return. “I love you back.”
     

     
    The following morning went by rather quickly. Xavier sent a text asking me to be at his office at one o’clock for lunch. Devlin and I didn’t have a lot of stops, and the places we did have to photograph were fairly close together. We aimed to be done with work before lunch.
    By 12:45 p.m. Marissa was pulling up to Xavier’s office. I quickly made my way into the lobby, and was pleased that I was able to catch an elevator up to the forty-second floor without much of a wait. As soon as I stepped off the elevator, Carmen waved and quickly buzzed me into the office. As I walked down the hall, I noticed Xavier’s door was closed and Patrick wasn’t at his desk. As I got closer to Xavier’s office, I could hear raised voices. I froze just outside the door until I realized one of the raised voices belonged to Carline.
    “Carline, I’m done discussing this with you. Ella will be here any moment for lunch. I need you gone before she arrives,” Xavier said angrily.
    “Like I give a shit. I hope I run into her. I would love to tell her …”
    “Tell me what?” I asked, striding into his office. Carline gasped and whirled around to