BILLIONAIRE ANGEL (Point St. Claire, where true love finds a way) (16 page)

Two days before the 14th of February—Valentine’s Day—Xander was noticeably edgy. Preoccupied. As he focused on unloading that day’s consignment of flowers with a frown rather than a grin, Brooke wanted to admit out loud…she felt edgy, too.  Tension between them was on the rise, and on more than one front. Firstly there was the physical-stroke-sexual side of their relationship.

They spent the vast majority of time here in the shop. Although Brooke was good with the fact that adults responsible for small babies didn’t go out much, she often thought about the evening she and Xander had shared...a candlelit dinner, that relaxing walk, the amazing, intimate hours at his place.

One part of Brooke couldn’t wait to know every second of that again. Xander was an even better lover than he was a businessman, not that she was surprised. Whenever she closed her eyes, she imagined his skilled mouth trailing over her skin. She heard the words he had whispered at her ear. In that sense at least, she wanted to be his.

Another part, however, kept whispering,
Pull it back.

She appreciated everything he’d done for her business. But Brooke also valued her own opinions. She might not be a corporate genius, but she knew what she wanted for herself and for Chance. She was more than capable of making her own decisions, including any regarding Kurt Downing. In fact, as the baby’s legal guardian, it was her duty to do what
she
thought was in his best interests. Her personal feelings for Xander would not sway how she felt about that—even when her partner’s charm and inherent power was hard to resist.

“We should take a trip down to L.A. next week,” Xander said, moving to the playpen; Chance was busy chewing his rattle, making his favorite bubbling sounds. “Check out locations for that second shop.”

Brooke was arranging a pink and white carnation bouquet. “I can’t leave the shop.”

“The shop’s shut Mondays.”

“Which is the one day of the week I can give to Chance without needing to rush out whenever the doorbell sounds.”

Xander studied her for a moment before bending over to run a hand over the baby’s head. Then he had another idea.

“We need more staff.”

“Heather’s coming back next week.”

“Advertising’s kicking in. Radio slots...that contest on the web.” He straightened. “We’re going to need more than Heather soon. We’re heading for an avalanche later this week.”

Valentine’s Day.

She was acutely aware of Xander circling behind her. When his arms looped around her middle, his heat and scent soaked in. Warm lips grazed her ear and she quivered. 

“You smell good,” he murmured.

“It’s the flowers.” She didn’t wear perfume to work.

“No. It’s you,” he insisted as his palms slid down over her hips.  “Why don’t you and Chance come over to my place tonight? I’ll cook pancakes.”

She cut ribbons at the same time one hand slid up to tickle her ribs. 

Grinning, she wiggled away. “Shop’s not shut yet. We’re supposed to be working.”

“Union says it’s time for a break.”

She set down the carnations and caught his hands as he moved to bring her extra close. “Well, boss lady says it’s time to check the baby’s diaper.”

As she moved to collect Chance, Xander jumped up to sit on the counter, like Ella sometimes did. Gripping the edge of the laminate, he cocked his head and narrowed his eyes at her.  

“What do you say about finding you a bigger place?”

Carrying Chance, she headed for the back room. “That’s not in the budget.”

“I wasn’t talking about the shop,” he said, jumping down and following. “We could find you and Chance something nice nearby. It’d be good to separate the work home thing, don’t you think? ”      

Her tone was more than half teasing. “Anyone told you lately that you’re really pushy?”

“I prefer decisive.”

“Xander, I can take care of my own accommodation.”

“Sure. I’m just saying for Chance’s sake, I could help.”

Having laid the baby on his change table, Brooke pinned Xander with a look. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Use him to manipulate me.”

Xander blinked twice. “I’m not trying to manipulate you.”

“Now you’re patronising.”

Before she could slip off Chance’s pants for that change, Xander was there, turning her in the sturdy circle of his arms. He lifted her chin with a knuckle. She held her breath as his intense blue gaze probed hers.

“You know what’s happening here, don’t you?” he asked.

She wished her heart would quit thumping. “Go ahead and tell me.”

“We miss each other.”

“We see each other every day.”

He sent her his best slanted grin. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

He left a lingering kiss on her lips and another before she swam to the surface. “The baby,” she murmured.

“Chance would approve.  You’re not betraying him,” Xander said, “by having feelings for me.”

She returned her full attention to the baby.

“I would never betray Chance,” she said, finding a clean diaper and clenching her jaw. “And I don’t want to talk about moving.”

Changing the diaper, she held her breath until she heard Xander exhale and leave them alone.

Xander couldn’t focus to tally the day’s earnings. He was hooked up on Brooke’s tone out back a moment ago...how things had changed since they’d made love, and changed again after he’d given his opinion regarding Kurt Downing. When the doorbell tickled, he welcomed the distraction.

The man’s black jacket was overdue a dry clean. He strode in like he owned the world. When he saw Xander, the guy’s stubbled jaw dropped.

“Is there something I can help you with?” Xander asked, wary.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Xander exhaled.
Okay
. “You’re not here to buy a bouquet, are you?”

“I need to see, Brooke.”

“She’s not available. If you want to leave a message, I’ll—”

“I don’t
want
to leave a message,” the guy snapped, and then Xander realized. His visitor had obviously thrown down a few before rocking up here. If he weren’t mistaken, this was the ex-boyfriend. The one who hadn’t wanted Chance around. What a prince.

The ex ran a hand over his buzz cut and threw a glance around. “Where’s Brooke?”

“Like I said, she’s unavailable.” Xander was rounding the counter. “If there’s nothing more I can do for you, I think you ought to leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I talk to Brooke.”

Xander groaned. He’d dealt with his share of troublemakers. A cool head made for an uncomplicated resolution.

“Is she out back with the baby?” the man asked, heading that way.

“You don’t want to do that.”

When Xander headed him off, the man tried to push around him. Serious now, Xander got in his face.

“You’re not giving me much choice here,” Xander told him. “Now, turn around, cool down and I’ll tell Brooke you dropped by.”

The man shook himself free and continued on to that door.

Three strikes.

Xander grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, dragged him to the door and dumped his ass on the pavement outside.  As he turned, the man began to laugh, a heckling, hoarse sound that set Xander’s teeth on edge.

“I got it now,” the guy said. “You’re
screwing
her. I left her barely two months ago and she’s back into it.” He grunted. “My mother always said she was a slut.”

Xander’s vision filled with blood-red rage. He turned again and landed a solid right punch flush to his jaw, knocking the slimy son of a bitch to the ground. When Xander stepped close enough for the toes of his shoes to touch the guy’s arm, Jake scrambled to his feet and staggered away.

Xander shuddered. What in the name of God had Brooke seen in jerk like that?

This time when he turned back toward the door, Brooke was standing there, holding Chance and looking mortified.

“What the hell was that?” she asked.

He slapped imaginary grit from his hands. “It’s called taking care of business. That
someone
was your ex, right?” Xander wouldn’t pass on the “slut” comment. That guy was lucky he’d only got belted once in the mouth. 

“Doesn’t matter who he is,” she said. “You can’t go around knocking people to the ground. I’d like to break his nose, too, but that’s assault.”

“I doubt he’ll lay charges.” Xander mumbled to himself, “He’s a cowardly prick.”

She shot a look up and down the street. Yeah, more than a few people were watching. Anyone who had heard the entire episode would be silently applauding.

Brooke lowered her voice to a whisper. “Do you feel good about behaving that way and cursing in front of the baby?” 

Xander shrugged back his shoulders. “There are some things a man needs to do.”

Her mouth tightened. “Was that your father’s excuse when he abused your mother in front of you?”

A fire lit in Xander’s chest. “I would never hurt Chance, mentally, physically.
Any
way. You know that.”

Chance gave a little mewl. Xander guessed he hadn’t heard anyone raise their voice before. Now his little lower lip sucked in and his eyes glistened with doubt.

Brooke cuddled the baby closer. “You were saying?”

He came forward. “Let’s put it behind us and move on.”

“Right now…” She stepped back. “Chance needs me. And you need to go.”

Chance’s eyes were brimming. He looked almost frightened of him. The very last thing Xander wanted. How had it come to this?

“Look, I’m sorry,” he said. “This got out of hand.”

“At least we agree on something.”

Before he could say more, Brooke closed the door in his face.

Xander sounded reluctant when she got her thoughts together and phoned later.

“It’s not a good idea to talk to Kurt Downing,” he told her. “If you want my advice—”

“I don’t.” Brooke pulled the nail from her mouth and shored herself up. She’d made up her mind. No one was changing it. “I need to speak with him. I need to know that we have the right man.”
Damn it.
“I need to understand.”

“My P.I. friend isn’t wrong. Downing is the man.”

“Xander, I won’t rest until I do this.”

She heard him exhale before passing on the address.

“I’ll go with you,” he added.

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

“That man has a temper.”

“So do you.”

His voice lowered. “What are you telling me Brooke? You don’t want my opinion on anything?”

Brooke cringed. “I need some time,” she told him. “I think we both do. Maybe…maybe we should catch up next week.”

He hesitated. “If that’s what you want. Sure. I have plenty I can work on.”

The feeling withering through her center made her weak. Obviously his priorities had changed.

“I know the day after tomorrow will be a big one,” she added. “I’ll ask Hannah and Ella if they can help.”

“I’m sure they’d like that.” He paused. “Gotta go. I need to take this other call.  And Brooke…please be careful.”

Half an hour after dropping Chance at Hannah and Dan’s, Brooke stood on Kurt Downing’s porch, rapping on the door. She was so nervous, her palms were sweating.

Loud voices and scuffling echoed out from inside the house. Finally, a man opened the door. When he saw her, an uncertain smile edged across his face.

“What can I do for you?” he asked.

“It’s a personal matter. Could I have a moment of your time…in private?”

Jerking a thumb over his shoulder, Downing chuckled. “You hear that noise? Six kids and a big, ugly dog. We don’t know how to spell private here.”

“Maybe if we stand further along the porch and you close the door.”

Kurt Downing’s dark eyes narrowed. From the width of his shoulders and neck, Brooke guessed he worked out. Had he and Tiffany met at the gym? A year ago, she’d been excited about a new membership.

Looking intrigued, Downing stepped out and closed the door behind him. “What’s this about?”

“Did you know a Tiffany Bird?”

He blinked several times. “Why?”

“Tiffany was a friend of mine.”

“Was?”

“She passed away three months ago.”

His face fell. It took a moment for his mouth to work. “How?”

“Complications after giving birth.”

Downing’s eyes grew as wide as saucers before he darted a look over his shoulder into a nearby closed window. Two girls, maybe eight and nine, were busy coloring on a table. He ushered Brooke further down the wrap-around porch.

His voice was a rasp. “And the baby?”

“He’s fine. Healthy.” Her heart squeezed with love.
“Beautiful.”

Downing’s eyes glistened. Then his head dropped to his hands for a long moment before he slowly straightened.

“Tiffany told me she was pregnant,” he said, “when she was only a few weeks along. I told her I’d help if she needed money to…” He moved to the porch railing. “When she said she was going to keep it, I was honest. It’s not a party, but I love my family. I don’t want it to fall apart. I told Tiff that I wouldn’t be able to be there for them. She had no idea I was married before we…you know…got together. She said she understood. That she and the baby would be fine. She mentioned a good friend. Someone she trusted…trusted with her life.” He looked over his shoulder at her. “I guess that was you.”

Brooke swallowed back emotion. She’d told herself she wouldn’t cry. “Tiffany left me as the baby’s legal guardian.”

“I’m sure that’s best for the baby.” His gaze grew distant as if he were trying to catch a glimpse of the future. Nodding, he gave a soft smile. “I know he’ll have a happy life.”

Later, sitting in her sister’s pristine living room, Brooke couldn’t stop looking at her beautiful baby boy; Chance sat on Hannah’s lap, batting his auntie’s beads. He was a clean canvas that only deserved the best life had to offer. How could a father turn his back on his own child? How could anyone not want to know and love this little boy? 

Brooke had relayed the evening’s events to Hannah, who had been disappointed but also philosophical.

“You’re not responsible for that man’s decisions,” she said.

Brooke cupped the baby’s cheek. “How will Chance feel when he’s older and asks?”

“You’ll find the words and, as much as the truth might hurt, Chance will know that he’s loved. Blood doesn’t make a parent. Commitment, patience and unconditional love do.”

Brooke twinged with guilt. “Xander was right about that man.”

“That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have checked the situation out yourself.”

Brooke chewed her lip. She needed to tell someone about that other thing.  She needed advice.

“Xander and I… Well, we slept together.”

Hannah froze before blowing out a breath. “Okay.”

“Sometimes I feel like I know everything I need to about him, then other times…” 

“But you’re attracted to him.”

“Understatement.”

Brooke turned to face her sister square on. Hannah had a brilliant relationship with her husband, Dan. They’d always seemed perfectly suited. They’d married three months after meeting on a cruise.

“Tell me,” Brooke asked, “how fast can a girl fall in love?”

“How long is a piece of string?” Hannah’s smile faded. “You care that much about him?”

“I didn’t want to.” Brooke shook her head. “It’s not smart.”

“Why not?”

“Basically, I don’t want to get my heart torn up.”

“And you think he’ll break your heart because…?”

“I’ll give you Xander’s platinum quality resume, private as well as professional, and let you decide.”

As Hannah bounced Chance on her lap, the beads rattled. “You’re selling yourself short.”

“I’m being realistic. And even if I was willing to put my head on the block and see how it all panned out…he’s used to holding all the reins. I don’t think he knows how to let someone else make a decision.”

“Does he bully you? Try to make you feel small?”

“No, not that. I know he genuinely cares.”

“In that case, I wouldn’t throw him under the bus just yet.”

“I get the feeling he’d like to make all the decisions surrounding Chance, too.” Brooke held her head. “Maybe I’m being an idiot.”

“You’re being
protective
, like a mom should. But, if you ask me, I can’t see a man like Xander Drake giving so much of himself if he didn’t feel something pretty substantial. And what father doesn’t want to join in the decision making process?”

Xander? Chance’s father?

But why was Brooke surprised? Xander would make a great dad. Except for that temper… Anyway, the point was mute.

“After I shut the door in his face, I’m sure he won’t be so keen to enjoy more of my company.”

“Or he might see you as a woman with a mind of her own and who isn’t afraid to voice her opinion.” Hannah gave her a single-arm hug. “Xander Drake sounds like my Dan. They might want to run the show, save the day, but at the end of it all, they appreciate integrity. They value quiet strength.” She winked. “They’re putty in the hands of women like us.”