Breaking Benjamin

by Haylee Thorne

  Breaking Benjamin

  Haylee Thorne & Michelle Windsor

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Acknowledgements

  About the Authors

  Haylee Thorne and Michelle Windsor assert the right to be identified as the authors of this work.

  All rights reserved. No part of the digital or printed book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without direct, written permission from the authors. Please do not participate in piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictionally, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  First published May 2018

  Copyright © Haylee Thorne 2018

  Copyright © Michelle Windsor 2018

  Published by

  Windsor House Publishing

  Cover Design by Liv Moore at Liv’s Shoppe

  Copy editing provided by Kendra Gaither at Kendra's Editing and Book Services

  Formatting provided by Formatting by Leigh

  This one is for the fans of The Auction Series and The Kingsley Series….

  Without you, there may not have been a Ben and Jill.

  We hope you love them as much as we love you.

  Chapter 1

  I shove two fingers between my collar and neck and tug hard as I stride through the revolving door of our newest hotel. This damn tie is strangling me. It’s bad enough I have to make an appearance at these events, but Drew’s insistence that I wear a suit and tie is pure torture for me and he knows it. Fuck it. I grasp the knot of the tie, loosen it, and yank the noose-like silk over my head, shoving the offending article in my jacket pocket. I unbutton the top two buttons of my shirt as well, letting out a sigh of pleasure at the ability to breathe freely again. What’s Drew going to do, fire me? He can’t. I own thirty percent of the company, just like him.

  Just to really get under his skin, I stop at the coat check, swap my suit jacket for a ticket, and grin widely. I thank the attendant who has just unwittingly helped me to drag at least one eye roll out of my younger brother this evening. Yep, Drew is my younger brother, but he does more to keep me on the straight and narrow than the other way around. After spending seven years in the Army, three of those years deployed overseas for active duty, he understands that my edges will always be a little rough. But that doesn’t stop him from trying to smooth them out when he can.

  Strolling into the grand ballroom, I smile as a swell of pride courses through me. The latest hotel in our chain, Sapphire Resorts, has turned out beautifully, and without a doubt, I believe it’s going to be a big success, especially with the location so central to the financial district. When did I start caring so much about this shit? I chuckle softly with a small shake of my head and then look for the closest bar. I need a drink if I’m going to get through the next two hours.

  I head to the back corner of the ballroom, a spot I know will most likely be a bit quieter, but pause when a flash of gold catches the corner of my eye. I turn my head and draw in a long, appreciative breath as I scan the beauty making her way across the room. Her gaze seems focused on the bar at the front of the room, so I turn my body and casually drift in that direction instead.

  As I’m walking, I scan from her gold-clad toes, up her bare, toned legs to mid-thigh, where the hem of her sheer cream dress ends. The sheer fabric is scattered with a thousand different types of golden gemstones that hug her tiny waist and perfect breasts, reflecting against every light in the room. But what really draws my attention is the open back of the dress. Her entire back is bare, exposing skin so smooth, it appears flawless. I clasp and unclasp my hand as I fight the urge to press it flat against her skin as I move closer. It’s hard to tell if her hair is long or short because it’s all piled on top of her head, as if she knows the power her exposed back possesses.

  I stop several feet from the bar and watch as she attempts to cut a path through the mingling throng, waving to try to catch the bartender’s attention. The bartender is female; otherwise, I’m certain she would have had a drink in front her before she lifted a single finger. I continue watching until a rather stout gentleman slides up beside her and attempts to make conversation. It’s amusing to watch her try to be kind to the man until I see him reach out and slide his pinky finger down her arm suggestively, a look of disgust crossing her face at the action.

  Anger surges through my body, and within seconds, I’m pushing myself between her and the man. A warning snarl slips from my lips as I glare at him and place my hand flat against the center of her back. It feels like silk. It’s the single thought that flies through my head before I smile down at her and brush a kiss against her cheek.

  “Hello, darling. Are you having a problem getting the cocktails?”

  Her wide blue eyes look up at me in surprise and then in knowing relief as she immediately plays into my little game. “Yes! Have you come to rescue me, babe?”

  I can’t help the wide grin that breaks across my face when she gives me a small wink and mouths silently, “Thank you so much”.

  “I have.” I give her my full attention for only a second, my eyes locking onto hers long enough to see light grey flecks mixed into the blue surrounding her pupil, reminding me of waves churning at sea. I break contact and look at the bartender’s name tag.

  “Excuse me, Greta?” Whether it’s because I’m a somewhat handsome male, or because she realizes a Sapphire is standing in front of her, suddenly, all of her attention is focused on me.

  “Yes, sir, what can I get you?” Her cheeks turn a light pink as she fidgets with the bottle opener in her fingers.

  I smile warmly to try to settle her nerves, nodding toward the back of the bar. “I’ll have a couple fingers of that whiskey, please, on the rocks.” I turn my head toward the vision in gold, locking my eyes with hers again. “And, darling, I’m sorry, what did you want again?”

  I watch as her eyes narrow and one side of her gloss-lined lips tilt up in a smirk as she tells the bartender that she’ll have a Goose on the rocks, her eyes never leaving mine.

  Greta sets our drinks down in front of us within seconds, then busies herself with the next person in line. I watch as her delicate fingers, tipped with nails painted black, wrap around the glass and raise it to her mouth, her lips kissing the edge as she draws in a small sip of the clear liquid before slowly lowering it.

  “Thanks for rescuing me.”

  I look down in shock as the hand that was on her back is suddenly cold and empty. I watch her turn and walk away for only a second before I grab my whiskey off the bar and quickly follow, calling after her.

  “I’m Ben, in case you were wondering.” She stops mid-stride, anchors her foot and then spins around, stopping in front of me, a cocky grin on her face.

  “I wasn’t. Wondering. But nice to meet you, Ben. Thanks again.” She raises the glass in salute and moves to turn again, but I take a step closer as she does, causing her to falter, one eyebrow raising in curiosity. “Yes?”

  “You aren’t going to tell me your name?” Jesus, I sound like a desperate idiot who’s never seen a beautiful woma
n before.

  She laughs lightly and takes another sip from her glass, her eyes scanning me from head to toe then pausing briefly at what I’m sure are my tattoos peeking out of my open collar, and then shakes her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

  I rear back in surprise and scoff. “You seriously aren’t going to tell me your name?”

  She shrugs and challenges me. “Why?”

  “Why do I want to know your name?”

  She nods and places a hand on her hip, jutting it out slightly as she does. “Yes, why? Are you planning on sending me flowers or are you just trying to get to know me better?” She lifts her glass a little in the air. “Do I owe you because you bought me a drink?”

  A little unsure and a lot stunned by her response, I scratch my beard and frown down at her. “You’re a spunky little thing, aren’t you?”

  She lifts her shoulders nonchalantly. “Maybe. Maybe I just know guys like you.”

  I raise my brows in surprise. “Guys like me?”

  She nods and takes her hand off her hip to wave it up and down with a flourish around me. “Yes, guys like you: tall, dark and handsome.” She gives me another once over before continuing. “And I’d say rich based on your watch and shoes alone.”

  I give her my most dazzling smile. “You think I’m handsome?”

  A small frown tugs her lips down. “See? That’s all you heard. Guys like you think they can throw their pretty little smiles around and we women are just supposed to fall at your feet.”

  “I wasn’t expecting you to fall at my feet. I was just wondering what your name is.”

  She lifts the glass to her lips again, the ice clinking as she drains the rest of the vodka, and then takes a step closer to hand me the glass. “Like I said, thanks for the drink.” She looks me up and down one final time, shakes her head, and then mutters as she turns to leave, “Been there, done that. Not going there again.”

  Dumbfounded, I watch her walk back through the crowd, her beautiful bare back taunting me as she does. I raise my own glass in response, finishing the whiskey in one swallow. As I lower the glass, I notice Gage, my friend and photographer we hired for the evening, taking some pictures at the edge of the room. I quickly walk back to the bar, deposit the empty glasses, and ask Greta for two beers. Grabbing them, I relocate Gage and make my way over to him.

  “Hey, man! How’s it going?” I hold one of the beers out to him, which he takes, a grateful look on his face.

  “Thanks, man. I need this.” He takes a long pull from the bottle. “The shoot is going great. I’m just about done I think. Just want to get some of your brother’s speech and then I think I can wrap up.”

  “Thanks again for filling in last minute. I know Drew really appreciates it.”

  “No problem at all. It’s easy work.” He scowls and pulls at the collar of his shirt. “I just wish I didn’t have to wear this damn thing. Hate having shit on my neck.”

  I can’t help but chuckle, because I obviously know exactly how he’s feeling, but I give him some shit anyway. “Toughen up and quit your bitching.”

  Gage points to my loosened collar and retorts. “Shut the fuck up! Where the hell is your tie?”

  I grin broadly. “I don’t work for my brother so I’ll wear whatever the hell I want.”

  We both laugh and take a couple more drinks in silence before Gage points his bottle toward the stage. “Looks like Drew might be getting ready to speak, so I’m going to go find a good spot.”

  “Okay, look me up after if you want to get another drink.” I tip my bottle at him in goodbye and turn to see if I can find Hannah, Drew’s wife. Scanning the crowd in front of the stage, I spot her and work my way over, a smile breaking across her face as she sees me, her hand lifting to wave me over.

  I wave back and only miss half a beat in my step when I notice the woman in gold is standing next to Hannah, her features a mask of surprise as I approach and kiss Hannah on the cheek. “How’s my favorite sister-in-law?”

  She kisses me back and giggles. “I’m your only sister-in-law.”

  “Then you win, hands down.” I give her a wink and move to address the three people standing next to her, my eyes landing on my mystery woman, who is shaking her head, a small grin of defeat on her mouth. “Hi, I’m Ben, Hannah’s brother-in-law. I don’t think we’ve met before.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Ben.” Hannah shifts quickly into hostess mode. “This is Drew’s friend from college, Mika Kingsley, and his new bride, Reava.” She gives me a quick look of apology. “I thought you may have already known him.”

  “No worries at all, Hannah.” I grasp Mika’s firm grip in my own and shake it. “Nice to meet you both.” I give a warm smile to his wife and then move my attention to the woman on her right, extending my hand, unable to hide the devil in my grin. “And you are?”

  She purses her lips and tilts her head, gracefully placing her hand in mine before finally bringing her eyes up to meet mine. “Jill Baldwin. Nice to meet you, Ben.”

  I’ve got to hand it to the man; he’s very resourceful. His lips curl up into a triumphant smirk. Damn it. Of course, he had to be Benjamin freaking Sapphire.

  “Jill Baldwin?” He repeats my name, as if he’s mulling it over in his head. The timber of his voice travels up my spine, awakening every nerve inside my body. Sex is literally seeping from his pores, and he is one thousand percent the type of guy I need to stay far, far away from. “I know I’ve heard that name before,” he says, not taking his eyes off me.

  Dear God, it feels as if he looking right into my inner thoughts. I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. Nope. Tall, dark, and off limits. I tell myself sternly. I force myself to get it together.

  “I think you were supposed to be at the meeting I had with your brother last week,” I reply sweetly. “But you had to cancel last minute?”

  “Jill owns that amazing spa downtown, Serenity,” Hannah chimes in.

  I met with Drew last week after Mika set up the meeting. He thought a partnership with Sapphire Resorts would be a great way for me to expand my business. Quite frankly, I am now happy Ben wasn’t at that meeting. I don’t think I could have focused. Drew Sapphire is handsome, but his brother—oh my God—that man should be illegal. From his dark hair that’s screaming to have my fingers running through it, to the intense gaze in his beautiful hazel eyes, every inch of his impressive six feet is drawing me in, like a moth to a flame. And that is a sure sign that I need to run for the hills, and fast.

  “Well, I was sorry to miss the meeting that day, even more so now,” he replies smoothly as he flashes me a smile that could melt any pair of panties.

  Good God, I need to get away from him. I force a tight smile. “Maybe next time. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go powder my nose.” I reach for Rae’s arm. “Are you coming?” I ask her urgently.

  Raeva raises a brow but nods. She kisses Mika on the cheek. “I’ll be back in a bit, love,” she tells him sweetly.

  My heart is pounding against my chest as if it wants to escape. I take long strides toward the ladies’ room, practically dragging poor Rae with me.

  “Slow down, Jillybean. These are six-inch heels, ya know?”

  I slow my roll. “Sorry, Rae. I just had to get away,” I tell her as we step into the fancy bathroom. I look around. The Sapphires really take things to the next level.

  Raeva chuckles. “I take it that Ben is tall, dark, and hell no?”

  I groan. “I can’t possibly do business with Benjamin Sapphire.”

  Raeva rolls her eyes at me. “Are you seriously going to walk away from a huge opportunity, just because you find a man attractive? I know I don’t have to tell you how ridiculous that sounds.” She takes a step toward me and places her hand gently on my forearm.

  I sigh. “Rae, guys like him—”

  “Guys like him?”

  “Yeah, too handsome, too rich, too…”

  “Too what exactly? Do you realize, you’ve just pretty much described Mika? And you ado
re him; I know you do.” She smiles widely.

  “I adore him because he makes you happier than I’ve ever seen you.”

  Rae’s face lights up like a Christmas tree. “That he does.”

  “Benjamin Sapphire is just not what I need in my life right now. I’ve been down that road plenty of times. I’m not…”

  “Whoa, let me stop you right there. We are talking about a business deal, not marriage. If you don’t want to date him, then don’t. It’s that simple.”

  As usual, my best friend makes total sense. “You’re right, I’m being silly.” I am being ridiculous. No matter how gorgeous Ben is, I am in complete control of my actions. I tell myself, all the while knowing that’s not entirely true.

  “You good, Jillybean?”

  “I’m good.”

  Raeva folds her arms around me and hugs me. After a beat, I pull away, holding her upper arms, and look at my beautiful bestie. Her long, dark hair is cascading around her shoulders, and her full lips are painted the same red as the silky gown that seems to have been poured onto her. “Have I told you, you look amazing tonight?”

  “Repeatedly, but thank you. And, might I add, right back at ya. No wonder you had Ben drooling.”

  A girlish giggle escapes from my lips. “He was not drooling.”

  “Oh, please,” Rae challenges.

  We both are laughing as we walk out of the bathroom. “Is there any particular reason why you keep running off, Jill?”

  I almost miss a step. I look up to find Benjamin Sapphire leaning against the wall across from the ladies’ room.

  “Well, that’s my cue,” Rae announces as she flashes me a wink.