Broken In Pieces: Billionaire Stepbrother Romance (Wounded Hearts Book 1) by Sierra Rayne Page A

I’m actually glad to be back. I unpack and get things ready for work in the morning. Then I’m lying in bed trying to put the weekend out of my mind. The motorcycle ride through the mountains was like therapy. I think about the kiss, how I didn’t want it. I didn’t want him to touch me. I would love to be normal, to be able to accept that kind of affection. I fall asleep hearing those words, ‘you’re safe’ running over and over in my head.
    The next morning, Blade’s his usual office self. Business like, demanding and controlling. He’s somewhat gentler where I am concerned but not like he was over the weekend. He bewilders me. It’s like he’s two different people and you never know who you’re going to encounter. Wondering what makes him tick makes my head swim.
    On Tuesday, Caroline has stopped by my desk to chat. The elevator opens and out steps a gorgeous blonde woman. She could be a model. She struts toward us and heads for Blade’s office. “Ma’am, can I help you?” I say as I walk toward her but she doesn’t stop. “Ma’am, may I ask your name?” I become more forceful. She still doesn’t answer. She opens the door and bounds right into Blades office with me on her heels. “I’m sorry, sir,” I apologize, “I tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen.”
    Blade gives me a slight smile, “It’s okay, Sheridan. I’ll take care of it.” I excuse myself and leave the room.
    I get back to my desk and Caroline giggles, “You’ll get used to it.”
    I question her, “Is that his girlfriend?”
    Her giggle goes to a chuckle, “Not quite. Mr. Hawthorne doesn’t have girlfriends, just different flavors of the week. Bridgette is just one of the flavors of the week from time to time.” Bridgette . Hmm, I feel a sudden pang of jealousy. Why? I really don’t understand this . “I don’t think Mr. Hawthorne will ever be tamed by one woman,” she adds before heading back to her office.
    I muddle through the week, trying to keep the weekend and my strange feelings toward Blade and Bridgette off my mind. On Friday, Caroline says everyone is going out again and invites me along. I’m thrilled. I could really use a night out. Having this to look forward to makes my day more bearable. But it does leave my mind reeling with thoughts of the last time we went out. I decide tonight there will be no dance or intimate little exchanges with him. He’ll be just another guy in the bar. I can’t handle anything more.
    That night, I arrive at the Sip & Fly and most of the gang is already there. Blade’s not, but that’s probably for the best. I can enjoy my night without all the tension. I join the others and Caroline orders me a Long Island ice tea. We’re all submerged in conversation when he sits down at the table. Shit, he showed after all . He immediately starts trying to lock eyes with mine but I don’t allow it. No more games. I’m not playing.
    I wait a few minutes so that it’s not so obvious then excuse myself from the table and head for the bar. I order another drink and prop myself on a stool. The guy on the stool beside me strikes up a polite conversation. “Your new around here,” he says.
    “How’d you know?”
    “Well, I’m here a lot and I’ve never seen you. But mostly it because of that accent. Not many New Yorkers have a southern drawl,” he laughs and it makes me laugh too. “I’m Styx,” he says as he reaches out to shake my hand.
    “I’m Sheridan. I’ve only been here a few months. Are you from here?”
    “Yep, been here all my life. I have a band and we’ve played this club more times than I can count,” he explains.
    I catch Blade staring at us with fire in his eyes but I just ignore him. All of the sudden, Styx is bombarded by two men and a woman telling him something about being screwed. I listen to the rest of the conversation and realize why. From time to time the Sip & Fly have a local band come in and play for an hour set. They’re supposed to play