The Troubleshooter: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance (Norcross) Read online

  His gut churned and he looked at Gia. She had a strange look on her face.

  “You are so vulgar and vile, Saxon Buchanan. I have no idea how I created you—”

  “Stop right there.” Gia strode forward. “You do not get to talk to him like that.”

  “Who is this?” his mother cried.

  Saxon blinked. He recognized when Gia was losing her temper.

  “Saxon is a good man,” Gia said. “He served his country, and now he helps people.”

  His mother spluttered. “Well, really—”

  “You sound like a selfish bitch. Do you even know your son? Do you?”

  Saxon’s mother tried to talk, but Gia cut her off.

  “He’s protecting me, keeping me safe. I won’t listen to your filth anymore. Saxon is—” her brown eyes met his “—well, he can be bossy, and a bit of a snob, but he’s a good, honorable man. You don’t deserve him.”

  Fire ignited in Saxon’s gut. No one had ever jumped to his defense like that.

  In Ghost Ops, Vander and his fellow soldiers had always had his back. But against his family, no one had defended him before. No one.

  “How dare you—”

  “No. That’s enough.” Gia stabbed at Saxon’s phone and ended the call.

  She snatched a glass of wine off the island and gulped some down. “Saxon, your mom is a bitch.”

  He smiled. “I know.”

  Gia sucked in a big breath. “I don’t like her.”

  “I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual.”

  She smiled at him over her glass.

  He smiled back. “Thanks, Contessa.”

  Chapter Seven

  Gia ate the delicious meal, savoring each bite. Saxon Buchanan could cook. Who knew?

  He sat on the other side of the table, sprawled in his chair.

  Licks of heat filled her belly. His shirt was open at the neck, and his sleeves were rolled up. Light glinted off the gold in his hair.

  How was she supposed to keep him at arm’s length when she wanted to leap the table and straddle him?

  Down, hussy Gia. She grabbed her wine and took a sip.

  “Well, at least Dennett’s goon should leave me alone now,” she said.

  Saxon grunted. “He was released on bail.”

  “What? Already?”

  “Hunt texted me. Apparently, he had no priors.”

  “How is that possible? He’s a henchman for a bad guy.”

  Saxon leaned back. “He’s good at what he does, so he doesn’t leave a trail. And it’s clear that he likes to keep his reputation intact.”

  She stilled. “You think he’ll come after me again?”

  “No idea, but I’ll be prepared if he does.”

  Great. Gia would keep her Ruger in her handbag from now on. “Dinner was great.”

  “Thanks. I like the way you say that with a thread of disbelief in your voice.”

  She grinned at him.

  But in her head, her thoughts turned back to his mother. God. What a cow. Gia shifted in her seat. All these years she’d thought that Saxon had a golden, spoiled upbringing.

  She realized now just how often he’d been at the Norcross home, eating her mama’s cooking. How many times he’d slept over, crashing in Vander’s room.

  She eyed his handsome face.

  “And now I feel like a lab experiment under the microscope,” he said.

  She shook her head and sipped her wine. “Your mom…”

  He shrugged a shoulder. “I’m used to my parents. My father’s the same. They’re both snobs, lazy, and selfish. I don’t know why they bothered to have a child. I was raised by nannies and housekeepers.”

  His tone was so…bland. Empty.

  Gia reached across the table and grabbed his hand. She didn’t know what to say to make him feel better, and usually she always had plenty of words.

  He shot her a slow smile. “You going to comfort the poor little rich boy, Gia?”

  She rolled her eyes at him.

  His smile widened, his gaze tracing her face.

  The air changed, charging with heat. Her belly did a crazy little dance, and he slid a long leg against hers beneath the table.

  “Saxon.” She tried to tug her hand away, but he held on tight.

  “No more avoiding or dancing around this. You know what’s between us. It’s been there a long time.”

  She swallowed and shook her head.

  “You aren’t a coward, Gia Gabriella.”

  “Saxon, no. You’re my brother’s best friend, and I’m focused on my company. I don’t have time for a man, especially one who, while insanely attractive, makes me want to strangle him most of the time.”

  Saxon’s grin made her panties catch fire.

  “Insanely attractive?”

  She raised a brow. “You missed the strangle bit.”

  He leaned forward, tangling their fingers together. “We have heat. You’re smart, gorgeous, and sassy. Sometimes I want to strangle you, too, but that just adds some spice.”

  “No.” Dammit, even she could hear the waver in her voice.

  “Yes.” He slid his finger between two of hers, into the sensitive webbing.

  A jolt of sensation rocked her and desire coiled in her belly. Oh, God. She felt her resolve wavering.

  “You want me, Gia,” he said in a low, sexy voice.

  “Wanting isn’t the problem.” It was the fact that she’d tumble head over heels in love with him. She knew it, deep in her heart. And when he didn’t love her back…

  No.

  She shook her head.

  “You’re mine, Contessa. I’m not giving up.”

  There was a knock at the door, and she yanked her hand out of his and leaped to her feet.

  Saved by the proverbial bell.

  Saxon rose, his expression turning serious. “Sit, I’ll get it.”

  She watched him check the peephole, then relax. He opened the door, and Haven and Rhys walked in.

  “Gia.” Her friend rushed to her.

  Gia hugged her fiercely.

  “You’re all right?” There was concern on Haven’s pretty face. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she’d clearly changed after work—she wore jeans and a knit top.

  Gia nodded. “I’m okay.”

  Haven looked around. “Oh, your place.”

  Gia swallowed. “It’s just things.”

  Haven pulled her close.

  “My turn.” Next, Rhys pulled Gia in for a hug. He smelled of his usual cologne. His dark, shaggy hair was messier than usual. No doubt Haven’s fault. Gia’s friend had confessed to loving running her hands through it…usually when Rhys was kissing her senseless.

  Ew. Too much information.

  Haven glanced at the table and the dinner resting on it. She raised an eyebrow and when Gia looked at it, she guessed it did look a little romantic. Haven eyed Gia, then Saxon speculatively.

  Gia cleared her throat. “Saxon cooked. He’s not bad at it.”

  “Rhys can make toast and scramble an egg. And apparently grill…although I’ve yet to see that.”

  Rhys slid an arm across Haven’s shoulders. “You’ll be amazed, babe.”

  Haven nestled into him with a smile.

  “So,” Rhys said. “I tracked down Dennett’s man. His name is Conrad Lex.”

  Saxon frowned. “Yeah, Hunt texted me earlier. He got out on bail. Name doesn’t ring any bells.”

  “He lays low. He’s got a rep for blending in and getting the job done.” Rhys glanced at Gia. “Word is Dennett is displeased that he has no gems and no Willow. And Lex is displeased that Gia’s made a fool out of him twice.”

  Gia huffed out a breath. “Oh, so I’m to blame.”

  “Lex gets a dent in his reputation by letting a woman make him look like an idiot, it means less work for him. He’ll likely retaliate.”

  Great. Gia shook her head. “Men are assholes. Cazzo!”

  “Hey, not all of us.” Rhys tugged on one o
f Gia’s curls.

  Saxon grabbed her hand. “Don’t worry. Lex won’t touch you. I promise.”

  She met his green gaze and nodded. She knew he’d protect her.

  “Um, we’ll be in Gia’s bedroom.” Haven took Gia’s hand and towed her across the living room. “Girl talk.”

  In the bedroom, Haven closed the door. “You’re sleeping with Saxon!”

  “No! I’ve never slept with him. And I never will.” Wow, that lacked conviction.

  “Girlfriend.” Haven cocked a hip. “He was out there eyeing you like he’s a starving lion and you’re a thick, juicy steak.”

  “Wow, and you told me my analogies were gross.”

  “Gia!”

  “We kissed…”

  “And?”

  “Um, he gave me a stunning orgasm in my kitchen this morning.”

  Haven’s eyes popped wide. “Oh.”

  “And he says I’m his and he’s claiming me.”

  “That’s a bit hot. I’m a little turned on.”

  “It’s not happening, Haven. This is Saxon Buchanan. My arch nemesis. He’s…the Alien to my Ripley. Kanye to my Taylor.”

  Haven snorted. “Romeo to your Juliet?”

  “Half the time I want to hit him, and the rest of the time I want to…”

  “Screw his brains out?”

  Gia moaned and dropped to her bed. “Yes. But I can’t go there, Haven. Saxon is…he’s a risk I can’t take.”

  “I understand.” Haven sat beside her. “I felt the same about Rhys.” She took Gia’s hand. “But now I’m in love and the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life. Love is a risk, Gia.”

  Gia shook her head. “Saxon and I, it’s just lust.” Out of this world, panty-melting lust. “It’ll burn out.”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  “I hate when you make that sound.”

  Haven pressed her tongue to her teeth.

  Gia sighed. “He could really hurt me, Haven. I’m scared, and I hate being scared.”

  Her friend hugged her. “How about Rhys and I stay with you tonight?”

  “Yes!” That meant Saxon would have to go. She could get some distance, clear her head. “I love you.”

  Haven rolled her eyes. “I love you, too.”

  Together, they headed back into the living room. The men were talking in low serious tones.

  “Haven and Rhys are staying with me tonight,” Gia announced.

  Saxon’s head snapped up and he scowled at her.

  Gia grabbed Haven’s hand. “I need my girlfriend with me.”

  Frowning, Rhys nodded. “Sure thing.”

  Several emotions crossed Saxon’s face at lightning speed—annoyance, anger, resignation, amusement. He couldn’t make a fuss about this, or Rhys would get suspicious.

  “Okay, Contessa,” Saxon said. “But I’ll pick you up for work in the morning.” His gaze bored into hers. You can’t get rid of me that easily.

  She tossed her head back. I can try.

  Saxon smiled, slow and sexy. You can run, but I’ll catch you.

  Gia swallowed. Crap.

  The next morning, Saxon waited at the curb outside Gia’s building, his Bentley idling.

  She’d skillfully avoided him last night. He smiled, admiring her skills. Sneaky minx.

  His house had seemed strangely empty without her there. It was weird, because she’d only spent one night.

  But she’d spend more. And not in his guest room.

  He saw her exit her building and his gut went tight.

  Damn, she was gorgeous. She wore a fitted, black skirt with an emerald-green shirt. She also wore heels that were high and sexy. Today, she’d left her hair down, and there were curls everywhere.

  Shit, he was getting hard.

  She opened the door and slid in. “Morning.” She flashed plenty of leg, totally deliberately. “Sleep well?”

  “Yeah, after I jacked off imagining you sucking my cock.”

  She sucked in a breath.

  “You?” he asked.

  “Yes, after I spent some time with my vibrator imagining Henry as the Witcher.”

  Saxon grinned. “Liar.”

  She sniffed and looked forward through the windshield.

  They headed toward her office. She did look well rested, and her face was healed now.

  “Another busy day?” he asked.

  She nodded, and just then, her cell phone rang. She fished it out of her giant handbag. “It’s Easton.”

  “Put it on speaker.”

  “Hi, Easton,” she said.

  “G, you doing all right?”

  “Fine, big brother. Are you busy wheeling and dealing? Making a few extra millions?”

  “Always.” Amusement laced her brother’s voice. “Rhys said he and Haven stayed with you last night.”

  “Yes, and Saxon’s my babysitter again today.”

  “Hey, Sax,” Easton said.

  “Hey.”

  There was a pause. “You guys haven’t shed any blood yet?”

  Gia snorted. “When I finally take Saxon out, you won’t find any blood, or the body.”

  Easton laughed, and Saxon just shook his head.

  “Look, a business colleague of mine got in touch,” Easton said. “He passed on some information that might be relevant to Dennett, and whatever was in that bag. But I don’t want to talk about it over the phone.”

  Saxon’s hands flexed on the wheel. “We can come to you.”

  “Great. I’ll have my assistant clear my schedule.”

  “Gia?” Saxon said.

  “I’ll message Ashley and have her cancel my early calls.”

  Not long afterward, they pulled up in front of the tall tower downtown that housed the offices of Norcross Inc. Easton had the top two floors. They passed through security and headed up in the elevator.

  Saxon followed Gia toward Easton’s office. While Gia’s offices were feminine, bright, and funky, Easton’s were modern, slick, and expensive.

  An attractive blonde rose from the desk in front of two glossy, wooden, double doors. She wore a crisp, white shirt tucked into a tight, gray skirt, and was tall and curvy.

  “Hello. You must be Gia, Mr. Norcross’ sister. You have my condolences.”

  Gia blinked and Saxon raised a brow.

  “Ah, where’s Mrs. Skilton?” Gia asked.

  Saxon had met Easton’s fierce assistant once. From memory, she was in her sixties, with gray-streaked black hair, and possessed an iron personality. She ran Easton’s calendar with military precision, and no one got past her.

  This gorgeous woman was not Mrs. Skilton.

  “I’m Harlow Carlson. Mrs. Skilton took leave. She has a new grandchild. She picked me to deal with Mr. Arrogant, Bossy, and Self-Important.”

  Gia broke into laughter, and Saxon grinned.

  Easton’s new assistant continued. “Mrs. Skilton said he needed someone competent. Who wouldn’t cower before him, or strip naked on his desk.”

  Gia’s laughter increased.

  Easton strode out of his office and shot a hot glare at his assistant. “What did you do now?”

  The woman smiled sweetly. “Just meeting your lovely sister.”

  Gia touched the woman’s arm. “Get my number from Easton. Let’s have coffee sometime. Or cosmos.”

  Harlow smiled. “A pleasure to meet you. And your man.”

  Easton scowled. “Saxon isn’t her man, he’s her bodyguard.”

  Harlow turned her back to Easton and raised her brows at Gia.

  “Coffee,” Gia said again.

  Saxon nudged Gia into Easton’s plush office. He really needed to talk to Vander, Rhys, and Easton about what was going on between him and Gia.

  “You are not having coffee with my sister.” Easton called out as he followed them in.

  “I can have coffee with whomever I want, Mr. Bossy,” came the reply.

  Easton slammed the door closed.

  “I like her,” Gia said.

  “
She’s a menace.” Easton circled his desk and sat. Behind him, the floor-to-ceiling windows framed a perfect view of the city, with the Transamerica Pyramid in the center, and the bay in the background.

  “A gorgeous menace,” Saxon added.

  Gia swiveled and frowned at him. “You have always had a thing for leggy blondes.”

  “Do not hit on my assistant,” Easton growled.

  Saxon raised his hands. “I find myself partial to brunettes lately.”

  Gia looked like she was fighting a smile.

  Easton waved at the guest chairs in front of his desk. “Despite her personality failings, Ms. Carlson is an excellent executive assistant. Most of the admins from the shared pool are terrified of me.”

  “No idea why,” Gia drawled dryly. “And I guess the rest of them are trying to become Mrs. Easton Norcross.”

  Her brother growled. “I don’t like working with fools, or people who can’t keep up with me.”

  “Did one really strip naked on your desk?” Saxon asked.

  “Ew,” Gia exclaimed, eyeing the desk.

  “No comment,” Easton said. “Now, Dennett.”

  Saxon leaned back in his chair.

  “I heard on the grapevine that Dennett stole an incredibly rare, valuable diamond,” Easton said.

  “What?” Gia breathed.

  “Well, he didn’t steal it, exactly. He won it in a very high-stakes poker game. The previous owner is well beyond pissed. I had a business colleague who was at the game.”

  “So, Dennett wants the diamond back,” Saxon said. “And its previous owner does as well.”

  “I took a look at the stones,” Gia said. “I didn’t see a diamond.” Her nose wrinkled. “I was busy imagining some ruby and emerald jewelry at the time.”

  Of course, she was. Saxon paused. She’d look beautiful in rubies or emeralds. Vibrant colors against her bronze skin and dark hair.

  He might need to get her some. He’d never felt the desire to buy a woman jewelry before, but with Gia, he liked the idea of seeing something of his against her skin.

  “My contact said rare,” Easton said. “The diamond’s probably colored. And it has some sort of history behind it.”

  “Wait!” Gia cried. “There was a large, pale-pink stone.”

  “A pink diamond.” Saxon nodded. “Pinks are worth up to twenty times more than white diamonds. And if it’s old, that would make it invaluable.”