Page 36 of Crossing the Line
“No, but I’m sure they’d make an exception in your case.”
“Funny.” He shoved his tie in the saddlebag.
“You can lose the jacket, too,” Waverly suggested.
He opened his jacket to reveal his shoulder holster.
“Right. I forgot,” she said. She picked up her backpack and tossed it to him. “Here, pretend you’re a mere mortal for a few minutes.”
Warily he scanned the parking lot. There was one other vehicle, a hatchback with stickers proclaiming the driver’s love for rescue dogs and Valley Sun Preschool. He sighed.How many other rules would he break tonight?he wondered as he slipped out of his jacket, draping it over the bike and releasing his holster.
He checked the chamber and safety before slipping the gun and holster into the backpack’s molded compartment. When he moved to unbutton his shirt, he didn’t miss the way Waverly’s eyes flickered over him. Maybe he wasn’t the only one struggling with the idea of “out of the system.”
He stripped down to his undershirt and stepped out of his oxfords. He slung the backpack over one shoulder. “Happy?” he asked her.
“Ecstatic.”
They trudged over the dunes, his free arm draped loosely over her shoulder. They could have passed for a typical couple enjoying a romantic evening picnic. The only other beach occupants were a family of three and their two dogs, some kind of retriever mix and a bulldog that seemed more content on the blanket than chasing the surf with his friend.
“They don’t look overly threatening,” Waverly teased.
“Neither does Les Ganim,” he reminded her.
They chose a spot in the sand above the tide where Waverly could watch the waves roll in while the sun sank lower in the sky. Xavier angled himself so he could keep the family and Waverly in his line of site. The backpack stayed open and within arm’s reach.
Waverly unloaded the food and bottles of water into a haphazard pile. She tossed him one of the tacos and unwrapped one herself. “What’s your take on him? On a scale of one to ‘I’m Going to Murder Waverly,’ where does this guy fall?”
She took a healthy bite of taco as if they were discussing the weather or baseball.
“I think he’s a concern. One you should think about before you try sneaking out again,” he said as sternly as he could while eating a taco.
“I gotta ask,” she said through a mouthful of chicken and cheese. “How did you know it was me? My own mother has seen me leave as Kate before and had no clue.”
Xavier felt his eye twitch. “Christ, Waverly, how often do you do shit like this?”
“Uh-uh. My question first.”
He thought back. “Your jaw lines are a little different and I noticed yours was still, which meant you weren’t chewing gum. Then there’s the wrist tattoo,” he said, wrapping his fingers around her right wrist and flipping it palm up. “Kate has a sun tattooed here.” He ran his fingers over her where her pulse flickered just a little faster.
He released her hand, took another bite.
“Damn,” Waverly sighed. “I underestimated you.”
“Yeah. Right back at you. I didn’t expect someone who just had an encounter with their stalker to decide it would be a great night to ditch her security and run amok.”
She pretended not to hear him. “I’m going to have to wear a cuff bracelet and shove a fistful of Big League in there next time.”
On the words “next time,” Xavier flopped back into the sand and stared up at the sky. “Please, for the love of all that’s holy, be joking right now.”
Her beautiful face hovered over his. She was smiling and the sky was going to gold behind her. “Relax, X. Maybe you can come with me next time instead of scaring the hell out of me.”
“Angel, I still don’t think we should be working together.” He sat up and wiped his palms on his pant legs.
She arched an eyebrow. “Why not?”
He shot her a hard look.
“Ohhhh,” she drew it out sarcastically. “Because we kissed. You’re afraid you won’t be able to control yourself around my hotness.”
