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taking his time before revealing why he had come. Resigned to a drawn-out conversation, she lifted her arms, then let them fall to her side. “Have a seat.”
    So far he’d done nothing more than berate her bad judgment. Now that she thought about it, though, her open-door policy with her neighbor wasn’t smart. Safety was a state she’d worked hard to achieve, one she couldn’t afford to risk by being careless. A security guard sat at the only entrance to the building and, given the small number of apartments on each floor, each guard knew every tenant by name. Chelsie felt secure here, which was why she’d chosen the building. Obviously, she hadn’t shut the door completely. In the future, she’d try to be more careful.
    When she’d awakened to the sight of a man standing over her, she’d almost passed out. Such an overwhelming reaction hadn’t happened to her in years. Griffin Stuart had an uncanny knack of bringing up the worst memories of her life, but she couldn’t fault him for coincidence, only for his abominable behavior. Which made her wonder again what he wanted.
    “Drink?” she asked, recognizing he wouldn’t be rushed.
    He shook his head. She curled into the corner of an oversized chair and motioned toward the couch.
    “Thanks.” He sat across from her, leaning forward on his elbows. “You’re more gracious than I’ve been.”
    “That’s an understatement. What can I do for you?”
    He rubbed a hand wearily over his face. For the first time, she really looked at him. Dark circles shadowed his eyes and razor stubble covered his face. He looked depleted, exhausted, and yet incredibly sexy. Heat curled in the pit of her stomach, followed by a rush of surprise.
    She hadn’t reacted to a man in years. She’d thought sexual desire had died along with her marriage and unborn child. Apparently, Griff brought out more than just memories of her past. He made her feel desire and need. Those were sensations she’d buried long ago and didn’t dare resurrect. She wished he would get to the point of his visit.
    “I need a favor,” he finally said. “And after your role in the custody hearing, I figure you owe me one.”
    Both curiosity and need vanished, replaced by anger at his high-handed tone.
“I owe you?”
She shook her head, unable to believe his nerve. “Try asking me without laying on the guilt. I’ve already apologized not once but twice. I’ve been insulted. I’ve been told in no uncertain terms to stay away from you and my niece. And, if you’ll recall, I’ve been practically thrown out of your home. So if you think I haven’t paid for taking the damned case, think again.”
    She paused for a steadying breath. Since losing custody, her own parents hadn’t been forgiving either, having retreated to sunny Florida to “heal.” She’d never been particularly close with either parent, which was why she’d tried so hard after her sister’s death to bring her family together. Thanks to her conscience, she’d been paying for that misguided attempt ever since.
    Griff’s continuing hostility bothered her more than her own flesh and blood’s, and more than she cared to admit. She met his gaze. “Under the circumstances, I’ve treated you a hell of a lot better than you’ve treated me. Now. I’ll ask you again. What can I do for you?”
    He gulped hard, causing his Adam’s apple to bob up and down. Chelsie wondered if he’d swallowed his pride.
    His light eyes reflected some inner torment and drew her in deeper than was prudent.
    “I need you,” he grudgingly admitted. “I mean, I need your help with Alix.” Griff steeled himself, waiting for Chelsie’s I-told-you-so reaction.
    He hadn’t exactly handled this evening with finesse, so he figured she’d take advantage of having the upper hand. After all the grief he’d given her, he fully expected her to grab the opportunity.
    “What’s wrong? Is Alix okay?”
    He narrowed his gaze. “That’s it? No, ‘I told you