Shattered (Book Two of the Beautifully Broken Series)

by Angela Stephens

  “Fuck the Green Gala. I want to know what’s going on with Heather.”

  Stunned, Kathryn could only stare. Then, indignation set in.

  “What the hell? You eavesdropped on my conversation with Sandra?”

  “I only went to the cafe to grab a quick bite,” he said. “My father made it quite clear that he wants the Green Gala to be our priority, so I thought we could get started straight away.”

  Kathryn motioned toward her computer screen. “Which is, as you can see, what I’ve been doing.”

  “Stop trying to change the subject. Who the hell is Sam? What’s going on with Heather?”

  “She’s your fiancée, you know?”

  “I don’t see her for more than five minutes these days, but obviously you have.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “That’s what I’m asking you.”

  Kathryn rose from her chair but James grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. From the strength of his grip, she realized this was not the sexually charged domination James enjoyed, but an action borne of emotion. She settled into her chair and faced him.

  “I wasn’t eavesdropping,” James said, “I went to the cafe to grab a bite and realized I left my phone behind. I was expecting a call so I came back up to get it.”

  “So you just hung around outside my door?” Kathryn asked.

  “No. I heard you talking with Sandra so I just went into my office to get my phone. It was only because I heard you mention Heather that I listened.” He looked Kathryn in the eye. “Under the circumstances I think I had every right to do so.”

  Kathryn struggled to word a rebuke, but none came to her lips. What could she say? James had overheard a conversation about his personal life. Who could blame him for listening? And would she not have done the same had she heard James talking to Sandra about her less than warm and fuzzy relationship with her mother?

  She wanted desperately to tell him the truth, but without Sam’s evidence it was too soon to confront him about Heather. Knowing James’s temper, he might do something foolish, and the results would be catastrophic.

  “I wasn’t sure how to tell you so I was asking Sandra for advice,” she said.

  “About what?”

  Kathryn hesitated, knowing she had to be careful how she worded her reply.

  “Heather... well, I think she’s been taking some kind of new diet pill on the market. She... hasn’t been herself lately and... well, I was concerned so I asked Sandra if she knew what the pills were.”

  “What pills? She never mentioned that to me. She’s hardly overweight.”

  “Well, you know how it is with models,” Kathryn said. It’s anxiety about the wedding, I suppose. I haven’t really spent much time at all with her but it was just something I noticed her taking in the ladies room one day.”

  “Who’s Sam?”

  “I... saw something on TV recently about diet pills and the brand that Heather uses came up. I was concerned so I mentioned it to Sandra. Sam’s her doctor... she asked him about the pills and he said they can cause erratic behavior if not used as directed.”

  James searched her face as she spoke. It took every ounce of effort to keep her voice steady and her eyes on his, otherwise James would certainly guess she was lying.

  “What are these pills called?”

  Kathryn mentally kicked herself. Of course he would ask.

  “I think it was FatBurnz. I only glimpsed the bottle but when I mentioned it, Sandra said her doctor recognized the name.”

  She wondered if James could hear the pounding of her heart. Was there even such a product? It would take him ten seconds to Google it. Then what?

  “Look,” she said, hoping to decoy the conversation. “I know it’s none of my business but I was concerned, okay? And not just for Heather, but for you. There’s so much going on and you didn’t need to be sidelined by this, especially with the Green Gala barely two weeks away. I guess I wanted to get some more advice before approaching you about it.”

  James finally relaxed and sat back in his chair. Something about his expression betrayed lingering suspicion about her story, but thankfully he didn’t press further. Looking at him, she realized how deeply she had come to love him, and the thought of him in danger worried and frightened her. Despite her resolve to distance herself from him, she knew her feelings weren’t going to change.

  “You’ll let me know what you find out?” he asked.

  “Of course. If I didn’t care I could’ve just as easily ignored it.”

  James reached out for her hand and kissed it. The gesture was so gentle and loving that for a moment, Kathryn was overcome with emotion.

  “I do love you,” he said. “And whether you admit it or not, I know you love me as well.”

  Kathryn felt herself flush.

  James grinned. “See? The heart always tell the truth.”

  Kathryn wondered what he would say when he learned the truth about Heather. She fought the temptation to say anything else. The decision would be made soon enough when she heard from Sandra.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” James said, cupping her chin in a way that was now so familiar.

  “I was thinking we should focus on the Gala. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

  “Well, my father has every confidence that you’ll make it an occasion to remember. He’s still talking about how well the photo shoot went.”

  Kathryn smiled. “I really like your father.”

  “And he really likes you,” James said. “I have to admit, since you started working here he’s changed. It’s like you’ve drawn him out of his shell. He’s more open now, not so reserved. I guess you know we’ve never really had a strong relationship, but it’s getting better between us. And that’s a good thing.”

  “You’ve changed as well,” Kathryn said, grateful for the change in discussion, “not only in your relationship with him, but in yourself as well. You’ve matured into a different man, and that’s an amazingly good thing.”

  “Guess we’re both in your debt,” James said, leaning over to kiss her.

  His tongue sought hers, and this time Kathryn did not resist as their mouths locked in kisses that consumed each other. Pulling her from the chair, James engulfed her body with his. Kathryn gasped, feeling the heat of his flesh as well as the hardness of his cock pressing against her like a baton. It had been too long since they had made love and their mutual hunger abandoned all caution and concern.

  They fumbled like teenagers eager to touch each other for the first time. Buttons nearly popped, zippers nearly broke as clothing fell to the floor in a careless heap. Naked, the fell into each other’s embrace, hands and mouths exploring and tasting every curve, every crevice. They rolled across the carpet until they pressed against the window’s cool glass and lay bathed in the filtered warmth of the sun.

  Uttering an urgent cry, James seized Kathryn’s hips and thrust her onto his cock. She cried out and clutched at the carpet from the roughness of his entry, her wet, engorged lips locking onto him. She raised her hips higher to meet his violent thrusting, her hands now clenched onto his back. With half-closed eyes he grabbed her wrists and pinned her arms over her head, his mouth alternately sucking and biting her rigid nipples and the tender, creamy flesh of her breasts.

  Kathryn gasped and struggled to free her arms but there was no release. Her thighs ached from clenching James, and she felt the sting of his balls furiously slapping against her inner thighs as they moved in feral rhythm. The carpet rubbed her sweaty, stinging flesh in time with his body and it was all she could do to keep her cries from becoming screams.

  Then she felt it. The rising pressure of her orgasm mounting to an agonizing crescendo that finally exploded in shuddering waves. James’ frantic bucking culminated in an animalistic cry that was more than his release, it was an expression of all the emotion that had built up within him. Their tense bodies collapsed into each other like broken marionettes, and they gasped for breath until
their racing heartbeats calmed.

  Kathryn listened to the rhythm of James’ heartbeat against her own. Gently, she traced a finger through his dampened locks then continued across the muscles of his shoulder. He raised his head and gazed at her, and for a moment they lost themselves in each other. Kathryn smiled, and he brushed his lips against hers.

  “I really do love you, Kathryn,” he said. “What you said earlier is true. I have changed. We all have, and there are quite a few things that are going change with it.”

  Kathryn thought about mentioning Heather, but caution prevailed. Until she knew what Sam had to say, she was keeping quiet. If the situation warranted a discussion, she would approach James. Regardless, there was no denying her feelings for him.

  “I love you, too,” she said. She had not spoken those words for quite some time and they sounded strange to her ears.

  James rested his head against her chest and clutched her hands in his. “You don’t think I know what’s in your mind? Did you really think filling up my calendar was going to keep me away? I know you’re thinking about Heather.”

  Tread carefully... Kathryn thought.

  “What do you expect me to think?” she said. “You’re engaged. Your wedding is just around the corner. What do you want from me?”

  “Your love,” James said, raising his head.

  Kathryn struggled to blink back tears. She hadn’t expected to see such raw emotion in his eyes, and the sight of it moved her more than she ever could have imagined.

  “You have it,” she said, “and maybe I have your love, but I don’t have you.”

  “Don’t be so sure of that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean there may not be a wedding.”

  Kathryn’s eyes widened. “But ...”

  James placed his finger against her lips. “But nothing. The whole thing’s a sham anyway. I don’t love Heather. I never have but I was too busy playing rebel without a cause to give a damn. Now that I’ve met you, now that we’ve worked together, I realize there’s no one else I want to be with. Heather is yesterday. You’re today and tomorrow. And I’m sure as hell not looking back any longer.”

  Mixed emotions flooded Kathryn. Joy battled with worry, doubt battled with hope. The situation was one she had fantasized about so many times, but she never believed it could actually happen. But now the fantasy had become a reality, and the only obstacle remaining was Heather.

  “What’s in that head of yours?” James asked. “Please tell me it’s not Heather. I can handle her. I don’t even think she’d care that much. I barely see her anymore and I doubt my father would have an issue with it at this point. Even if he did, it wouldn’t make any difference because I’ve made up my mind.”

  Things were moving too fast. Kathryn needed at least a little more time.

  “Should we wait until after the Gala?” she asked. “With that a success, I don’t see how your father would have any issues if you want to break it off with Heather.”

  James smiled. “I may clue him in beforehand, but that’s an excellent idea. He’s aware that we’re a killer team. To take it to the next level is only natural.”

  “The next level?”

  “Why, you and me, Mrs. future Manticorp.”

  Kathryn’s heart skipped a beat. “What did you just say?”

  “You heard me,” James said, suddenly serious. “The only engagement I want to think about is ours. And neither my father, Heather, nor anyone else is going to stop us.”

  Though they had lain together basking by the window, after a while Kathryn became anxious that Heather or someone else might come in. Reluctantly she disengaged herself from James’s embrace and rose to dress. By now she had a complete stock of clothing, cosmetics and toiletries on hand so she took a moment to fix her hair and makeup.

  “Was it something I said?” James playfully asked while lounging like a reclining statue of a Greek god.

  Kathryn giggled and paused to admire his lithe, toned body. There were men, and then there as James, and even now she could feel a lustful stirring in her groin.

  “No,” she finally said, “it’s something I think you’re about to do... again.”

  James grinned down at his burgeoning hard-on. “I hope you’re not going to let that go to waste.”

  “I’ll just have to find a way to restrain myself,” she said.

  Sighing extravagantly, James rose and casually sauntered toward his carelessly strewn clothing. Smiling to herself, Kathryn wondered what Rolf would have to say about his creations cast to the floor.

  “Seriously, James,” she said. “This isn’t a good idea. Can you imagine if your father happened to walk in on us?”

  James cocked an eyebrow. “My father would always knock first.”

  “Maybe he would,” Kathryn said, “but I can’t imagine Heather being very amused.”

  She regretted her words the moment they emerged from her mouth. James’s expression darkened, and she knew the mood was spoiled.

  “Can I give you a ride home?” he asked.

  “I’d rather walk,” Kathryn replied a little too quickly. “It’s a beautiful evening and I spend far too much time indoors these days. I really could do with some fresh air.”

  “To clear your head?”

  Kathryn looked at him. “Yes, I guess you could say that. So much has happened between our work and now this. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and I just need a little quiet time.”

  James studied her. “You know you’ll eventually make me dinner.”

  Kathryn couldn’t help but smile. Having James over for an evening had been a long-standing dream since her early days on the job, but it was true that work kept her so occupied lately that she barely had time to sleep and shower before returning to the office. She had even considered requisitioning a comfortable futon and showering in the luxurious ladies’ room to save time, but reason had prevailed.

  “That sounds like a plan,” she said.

  “No, that sounds like a date,” James said. “So if you don’t mind, I’ll take care of that particular calendar entry so I won’t be looking at a date a year from now.”

  “I wouldn’t want to wait that long,” Kathryn said.

  “Then don’t,” he said, fishing his car keys from his pocket. “Can I at least walk you down or am I banished to the stairs?”

  Kathryn retrieved her purse and opened the office door. “After you,” she said.

  Kathryn started feeling anxious even as she and James stepped from the elevator and walked across the lobby. She glanced around at passing faces, ever alert for Heather’s.

  Away from the seclusion of her office, the reality of what the evening had yet to reveal gnawed at her. James may have been determined to break it off with Heather, but somehow Kathryn knew that the woman she had seen at the club that day wouldn’t be brushed off as easily as he seemed to think. If Heather was that severely addicted, money was a constant issue and James was a cash cow no junkie could resist.

  A glorious sunset melted through the entrance. Kathryn paused by the doors.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said.

  James looked at her like an endearing puppy begging for a treat. “Are you sure I can’t drop you off? It can even be on the nearest corner if you like.”

  Kathryn shook her head. “Honestly, it has nothing to do with keeping you away, James. I really just want to unwind and walk home. It’s a gorgeous evening. I want to enjoy it.”

  “You can’t blame a guy for trying. Okay, I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow. The Green Gala awaits our magic touch.”

  Magic touch, indeed... Kathryn thought with a lustful shudder.

  “Goodnight, James,” she said.

  “Goodnight, Kat,” he responded.

  Kathryn watched him walk away for a moment, then stepped outside into the pleasant coolness of the evening. The serenade of the birds and the fragrance of summer soon soothed her and the closer she got to home, the calmer she felt. As m
uch as she loved her job and James, the stress of the situation with Heather only completely retreated when she was away from the office.

  Listening to the hiss of sprinklers and the chat of people sitting on their porches infused Kathryn with a sense of nostalgia. Her childhood had sounded like this in her original neighborhood, but when they had moved to a new development, somehow the uniformity of the planned community transformed into a uniformity of spirit. Her mother had taken a position at a large local hospital, and the more she advanced, the more distanced she became from Kathryn.

  She stopped to watch a couple of young children playing tag on a grassy front lawn while their parents watched from the porch. They nodded a friendly greeting, and Kathryn was struck by how lonely she felt going home to an empty apartment every night. She moved on, feeling suddenly emotional and a little upset.

  Until her feelings for James began to blossom, she had been able to cope with living alone, but now she longed for a welcoming smile and the comfort of companionship at the end of her day. She sighed, seeing more couples walking dogs, chatting with neighbors or working in the yard.

  Crossing the street two blocks from her apartment, she glimpsed what she thought was a Jeep from her peripheral vision. She quickly turned, but a delivery truck blocked her view and a green light at the intersection allowed traffic to move. Kathryn felt a trickle of alarm. Was James following her? Though she doubted he would stoop to spying on her, she was more concerned about Heather tracking him.

  It occurred to her she didn’t even know what vehicle Heather drove. They had taken a cab to the restaurant that day and if Heather did have cause to park her car at the Manticorp garage, it would be lost to a sea of vehicles unless she drove some foreign beast as extravagant as she was.

  Kathryn decided to take a shortcut through an alley she had discovered during her earlier days of normal working hours. It was a route obviously used for trash collection but she put aside her caution just in case James was circling the neighborhood in search of her. The neighborhood was far from dangerous and there was enough light to be visible.