BreakMeIn by Sara Brookes Page B

after the divorce. Though perhaps not. If he’d given up completely
he wouldn’t have opened Perfect Shot with Patrick.
    But he’d certainly given up on the rest of his life.
    He’d probably gone into business with his brother because he
felt as though he owed him something. After everything the Conners family had
been through she wouldn’t be surprised. Their father had ruled the house with
an iron fist, physically abusing both the boys and their mother for years.
Patrick had taken the brunt of the beatings, his baseball career ending before
it ever really began thanks to the damage of one of those fights.
    As the older brother Alex no doubt felt guilty as hell for
every bruise, black eye and fracture rib they had lived through and he’d done
nothing to stop the incidents. Her throat tightened in frustration. Her body
nearly moved across the room of its own accord, her fingers itching to smooth
the lines on his forehead that had formed even as he slept off his drinking
bender.
    She was worrying about him far more than she should have,
but she couldn’t help it. She wanted to curl up against him and hold him
tightly against her as though it would make all his problems vanish into the
ether. Alex stirred with a heavy groan and she folded her arms in front of her,
grateful she hadn’t given in to her impulse.
    “It is safe to come near?”
    “What?” He drew out the question, his voice heavy and thick
with sleep and excessive amounts of liquor. In a different situation she might
have even thought it sexy.
    She perched on the arm of the ancient couch Patrick had
stuffed in the office, balancing a fresh cup of coffee on her knee. “Well, in
the few blocks Dade and I carried you here, you propositioned me twice.”
    “Shit.”
    “And Dade once.” Alex groaned and covered his eyes. “It was
actually kind of cute. He would adjust his hold because you were still gyrating
around like you were some Broadway star then you’d try to grab his ass. When
you were just about to pass out, he had to shift his hold to pick you up. You
evidently saw an opportunity and kissed him. Tongue and everything. Never
really thought two guys going at it would be erotic. He said for me to tell you
he’s flattered and even though he swings that particular way, you aren’t really
his type.”
    His fingers separated so he glared at her through the
openings. “You’re making this up.”
    “Am I?”
    “I can’t remember a thing about last night. Crap.” He
continued to eye her warily as he accepted the coffee she offered. “Strong
stuff.”
    “I figured you could use something with a bit of punch to
get your system jump-started.”
    His eyes widened in panic. “I need to open the shop.”
    Leaning forward, she pressed a hand against his shoulder.
The bones shifted under his thin skin, causing her to automatically gentle her
touch. He felt as though he would break under her fingers. A fine-china doll
facing down a raging bull. “Relax. Michie is taking care of the last of the
afternoon rush.”
    “Afternoon? Just what the hell time is it?”
    She checked her watch. “Around one fifteen.”
    “Holy shit. How did you—”
    “I never gave the key back when your mom broke her ankle.”
Two years ago Sadie Conners had given them all a good scare by falling off her
porch trying to kiss a suitor. But the tenacious woman had powered through her
injury, running her bed-and-breakfast in Stauton with a firm hand from the
comfort of her couch.
    “I’d forgotten about that.” He sipped as he settled back
against the cushions, his eyebrows lifting in surprise as he swallowed. “Good
stuff. Really good.”
    “Should be. It’s your premium blend.” She stood, smoothing
her hands against the fabric covering her thighs. More to give her something to
do because she couldn’t seem to stop the compulsion to touch him.
    But she couldn’t afford the luxury.
    “I need to get back out there and help. Just relax. If you
rush you’ll just get