Page 1 of Awakened By the Guardian

CHAPTER 1

Gary Baldner’s alarm beeped but he didn’t need the reminder. He had five minutes until Margaret Taylor knocked on his apartment door. She’d be flush with excitement, ready to tell him her latest travel adventure, and he’d be ready to listen…and to seduce. Because tonight was the night to move out of the friend zone with her and into being lovers.

Four years ago, he’d had a plan: business school, a million dollars in assets, and then a personal life. A bad car accident threw a huge wrench into everything. It wasn’t easy for a paraplegic to get to class, but he’d done it. And, as of this morning, he’d achieved his million. So now was the time to focus on a woman. To be specific? Margaret Taylor, his amazing next door neighbor and best friend for the last two years.

He finished dressing then wheeled through his bedroom space, past the bank of monitors on his right and into the loft area proper. They lived next door to one another on the top floor of an apartment complex. Each loft started as a single, big room with a bathroom and an oven. He’d added his monitors, a bedroom surrounded by curtains, and simple furniture. It worked for a man in a wheelchair, and every inch of the place was perfect for tonight’s seduction.

He lit the pumpkin spice candles she loved and grabbed the box of her favorite chocolate-covered cashews. His phone beeped—email—and he scanned spreadsheets on a potential new company. Strong possibility there, but now wasn’t the time. Tonight was about Margaret, so he turned off his phone. Unplugged. That was a new experience, but she was worth it.

He grabbed his water bottle and drained it, wondering why he was so jittery. He was usually cool and collected, ice water in his veins when he risked hundreds of thousands of dollars in a venture capital investment. And yet he was fidgeting like he had ants crawling under his shirt.

Knock, knock.

“It’s Margaret,” she called through the door.

Right on time. Gary pressed the button that mechanically opened the loft door and then waited with growing excitement as she was slowly revealed: Margaret in form-fitting leggings and a printed tunic that looked like firecrackers going off on the sexiest babydoll dress he’d ever seen.

“Happy birthday!” he said as he extended the candy to her.

She gasped as he knew she would and cried, “For me?” Like she hadn’t known he would do this. Then she noticed the Easter lilies waiting for her near the door. “How pretty!”

“They’ll grow in the pot until you’re ready to plant them at your house.”

She arched a brow. “My house? It’ll be years before I can afford one of those.”

Maybe, maybe not. After all, he could afford to buy now, especially if they stayed in Detroit.

Margaret stepped into the loft, and he pressed the button to close and lock the door. He didn’t want any interruptions.

“The place looks amazing,” she said. “Do I smell pumpkin pie?”

“You do. It’s mostly from the candles, but I wouldn’t forget your favorite dessert.”

She flashed him a delighted smile. Her green eyes sparkled as she brushed her blond hair out of her eyes. “And don’t you look spiffy.” Her eyes narrowed. “Do I detect the Iron Man cufflinks I bought you?”

He extended his wrists to let the red metal show. “You do.”

Iron Man was a particular hero of his. He liked the idea of a wealthy genius creating a metal suit to make a normal man incredible. His personal dream was of metal pants that could super-power his useless lower half. He didn’t need to fly. Just walk, kick, and have sex like a normal man. Though flying would be cool, too.

All those thoughts slipped away as Margaret set the candy aside.

Kiss time. It was his most anticipated and despised moment of the day.

She stepped toward him and leaned down. It would be a simple greeting. A press of her lips to his cheek while he fought the urge to cup her face and turn her mouth to his. It wouldn’t take strength, just perfect timing. But he knew forcing her would be the epitome of stupid. Margaret needed to choose things for herself, and she didn’t like surprises. So he had to gently usher her into thinking of him romantically.

It took iron self-control, and before his accident patience hadn’t been a strong suit. But he’d grown in the last three years, so he inhaled her sunny scent and told himself it was almost time to make his move.

Everything happened in a split second, but in his mind it came and went in slow motion while her scent surrounded him. He felt the heat of her first, tantalizing on his cheek. Her mouth pressed to his dimple. Then it was over. She drew back, still holding the chocolates, and looked to the kitchen.

“Did you seriously cook my favorites?”

Cook was a stretch. Even with all the advances in kitchen appliances it was hard for him to create the kind of meal she wanted. Easy as pie to have it catered. Rather than admit to his culinary failing, he wheeled himself backward so she could cross to the kitchen.

“Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and…”

“Pumpkin pie for dessert.” She grinned and did a little spin. “I get Thanksgiving dinner for my birthday!”

He arched a brow. “It is your⁠—”