Chapter 40: Chapter 40

"For your information, I was flirting my way through getting the photographer to delete the shots he'd taken of you and said ex." She raised her brows. "You're welcome."

He stared at herhardbut his shoulders sank. After a moment, he glanced away and swallowed. "I'm sorry. I don't know where that came from."

"You're the only man I'm interested in, X." His gaze jerked back to hers, and she smiled. "If we weren't surrounded by people, I'd show you."

His chest quickly rose and fell, nostrils flaring. "I really want to kiss you right now."

"Plenty of time later." She grinned. "Come on. They're getting dinner ready."

The meal consisted of a veal or duck option, chosen by Elaine, and Peyton spent the entire hour imaging all the naughty things she'd be doing later while trying to hold a conversation with their tablemates. By the time Xavier had gotten through the speech she'd written for him and taken her hand for a dance, she was aching.