Shattered (Book Two of the Beautifully Broken Series) Read online

  The knock at the door startled them both, and Kathryn barely had time to conceal her surprise when James entered the office. Looking bronzed and mussed from being outdoors, he was walking eye candy in his snug jeans and simple T-shirt.

  James smiled, his eyes traveling from one watchful face to the other. “Ladies,” he said. “Am I interrupting anything?”

  Sandra rose and quickly walked past him. “I was just on my way to drop some packages off at reception,” she said. “I’ll catch you later.”

  James watched her hasty departure with a bemused look before turning to Kathryn. Though she tried to maintain her serious demeanor, she found herself happier to see him than she thought possible.

  “I didn’t catch you looking at porn, did I?” he said with a crooked smile. “Sandra jetted out of here so quickly I thought she was on rollerblades.”

  Kathryn giggled. “That’s actually not a bad idea,” she said. “Maybe I should invest in a pair.”

  James sauntered toward her. She tried not to inhale the delectable scent of his cologne mixed with a faint touch of sweat, but her efforts were a lost cause.

  “I didn’t think you’d be in today,” she said, pretending to look at her computer.

  “Why should I be surprised?” he said. “Every time I check my phone I see another appointment on my calendar. I’m beginning to think you don’t want me around.”

  Kathryn felt a flush rise to her cheeks. It was true in a way, but not because she wanted it.

  “James, we’ve been through all this before. We knew the campaign was going to be hectic. And take a look at the results, they’re amazing!”

  He perched against her desk and started toying with her nameplate. Kathryn watched the way he touched the letters of her name and for a vivid moment, imagined the feel of his hands on her body.

  “That’s an understatement,” he said, enjoying her attempts to remain poker faced. “I’m almost tempted to put a “for-rent” sign on my office door.”

  “Why would you even think that?” Kathryn asked. “You know this is your home base.”

  “Why indeed,” he said, looking at her. “I love your hair parted to the side, by the way. Very sexy. Very.”

  Kathryn struggled not to squirm, but looking into his eyes filled her body with such heat it was all she could do to keep from gasping.

  “So why don’t you tell me what’s really going on?” he asked. “The two of you looked like you were cooking up a plan.”

  Kathryn sighed, unwilling to continue the standoff. ‘If you really have to know, I was confiding in Sandra. Sometimes I need a friend, someone I can talk to, and she’s been wonderful to me.”

  James cocked an eyebrow. “How much have you been confiding?”

  “She’s not stupid, James. She’s around us more than anyone else. It’s inevitable that she’d notice the energy between us.”

  James reached out and tweaked a strand of her hair. “Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe it’s time this was out in the open.”

  Kathryn stared dumbstruck at him. “You can’t be serious! You’re getting married soon and you’re talking like this? Have you even thought about the consequences?”

  James held out his hands. “Easy, Kat. Calm down. Your reaction tells me everything I needed to know.”

  Kathryn lowered her head. The tension that had knotted her temples was now brewing into a headache. “And what does it tell you, James?”

  He reached toward her and cupped her chin in a way that had become customary. “It tells me that our feelings are real whether we choose to acknowledge them or not. It tells me that I’ve fallen in love with you and that the future is not set in stone.”

  Kathryn blinked at him through incipient tears. She could try to lie her way out of the situation, but she knew it would be useless.

  “Admit it, Kat,” James said. “I know you feel the same. We probably didn’t get off on the right foot and since then we’ve been doing this silly little dance, but all the appointments you cram into my diary won’t change our feelings for each other.”

  Kathryn tried to swallow the emotion rising in her throat and gazed at him. Her eyes followed the contours of his chest beneath his T-shirt, eliciting in her an intense arousal. All she wanted at that moment was to fall into his arms and feel his body against hers.

  James noticed it as well, but as he moved toward her, Kathryn abruptly rose and pushed past him.

  “Stop denying it,” he said, watching her press her hands against the window. “You’re not going to find answers out there.”

  “Why did you come back?” Kathryn asked, desperately trying to reign in her emotions.

  James watched her for a moment, then relented. “My father approached me about an upcoming charitable event that he wants to use as my official launch. Said that I should talk to you about it and get back to him.”

  Kathryn struggled to switch to consultant mode. “The Green Gala?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s only two weeks away.”

  “Talk to the man. He has every confidence you can make the necessary changes to the event.”

  Grateful for the distraction, Kathryn’s mind began to refocus. “Well, you’re already the keynote speaker so all we really need to do is change that into your launch platform. That could actually work to our advantage as then you can introduce some of the new green programs.”

  James grinned. “Yes, I’m sure we can find a way to encourage our well-heeled guests to open their pockets further. You’re nothing if not persuasive.”

  Kathryn regarded him. “You’re not exactly a lost cause either. People were practically crawling all over you at the photo shoot.”

  “Oh, you noticed, did you?”

  “Of course. You’re an amazingly charismatic speaker.”

  “Not to mention smoking hot,” James added with a wry grin.

  “We may need two launches,” Kathryn said, noticing how he gradually approached her. “One for you and one for your ego.”

  “Perhaps we can share the stage,” he said. “I’m sure your lovely face will inspire the male members of the audience to be more than generous.”

  Kathryn pictured the scenario of sharing the stage with James and thought how wonderful it would be to be able to speak together on subjects they were passionate about. Though the green movement had been a topic of interest to her, her involvement in the cause had blossomed since meeting James and working for Manticorp.

  Then, an unwanted image of Heather surfaced in her mind, spoiling her mood.

  “What’s wrong?” James asked, noticing the shift. “I think it would be a great idea. My father wants to discuss the event with you today if you have the time. I think you should suggest it; I know he’d go for it. You know he thinks the world of you and having a woman at the forefront would add more clout to our cause.”

  “That’s... a great idea,” Kathryn said, brushing past him to get to her phone. “I’ll see if your father’s available now.”

  She felt James walk up behind her and flinched when he touched her shoulder. Struggling to concentrate on Frank’s ringing extension, she felt a sense of relief when he answered.

  “Frank Manticorp.”

  “Frank, it’s Kathryn.”

  “Kathryn, I was hoping to hear from you.”

  “James just told me about your idea for the Green Gala. You’re not after my job, are you?”

  Frank laughed. “No one could possibly replace you, Kathryn.”

  His words uplifted her. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

  “If you’re free, why don’t you stop by and we can chat about the Gala?”

  Kathryn made a show of checking her watch. “I’m available now if you are.”

  “Excellent. I’ll see you shortly.”

  She hung up and turned to James. Before she could react, he swatted the phone from her hand and kissed her deeply. Their bodies instantly locked, their hunger explosive as their tongues fenced and their hands expl
ored each other.

  Kathryn felt James’s fingers tease her swollen lips through the dampening crotch of her panties and reach for her button-hard clit. She moaned softly as he caressed it, then sought to slide his fingers inside her. With his free hand James hiked up her skirt and felt the contours of her ass.

  Then Kathryn pushed him off. James blinked at her in surprise as she hastily straightened her clothing and headed toward the door.

  “Stop pretending, Kathryn,” he said. “You want me as badly as I want you.”

  Kathryn looked at him with naked longing. “I do,” she said, stepping out the door. “More than you know. And that’s the problem.”

  Chapter Six

  Standing outside Frank’s office, Kathryn felt like she was about to enter the principal’s office. Fleeing James had not resolved the emotions bubbling over within her and she had nearly broken down in the elevator. Fortunately, no one was in the hallway when she stepped onto Frank’s floor and she hastily retreated to the ladies room to regain her composure. Her reflection in the mirror said it all, and until she replaced the distraught face staring back at her, there was no way she could meet Frank. It would take only a few questions to shatter her vulnerable shell.

  After taking a few deep breaths and running cold water over her wrists, she managed to calm down and hurried to Frank’s office. Now, in the hallway outside his door, she was once again Kathryn Denton, image consultant. She knocked.

  “Come in.”

  Kathryn stepped inside. Frank rose with a smile that conveyed genuine pleasure at seeing her.

  “Just in time for coffee,” he said, serving her a cup of aromatic espresso in a tiny glass cup.

  Kathryn eyeballed the sleek Italian espresso machine prominently displayed on the mahogany credenza behind his desk.

  “Well, aren’t we the cosmopolitan one,” Kathryn quipped. “Is that new? I don’t remember seeing that before.”

  “It is,” Frank said. “As much as I love the coffee downstairs, sometimes I just don’t have the time to take a break.” He motioned her to a chair. “Please, sit down. I have some biscotti as well if you’d like one.”

  Kathryn laughed. “Frank, on behalf of my thighs, I’m going to decline. Once I’ve started using only the stairs then I might reconsider.”

  Frank helped himself to a chocolate biscotti and sat down. “I admire your willpower,” he said. “I’ve actually started using the stairs more, but only to go down.”

  “Have you considered an employee gym?” Kathryn asked, sipping her espresso.

  “It’s actually in progress,” Frank said. “We’re combining the space of two conference rooms on the fifteenth floor. It should be complete in about another month.”

  “Really? I must be more out of the loop than I realized.”

  “No, you’ve been busy doing more important things,” Frank said, eyeing her. “You’re quite an amazing young woman, Kathryn. This company has needed someone like you for a long time, and the difference you’ve made is nothing short of staggering.”

  Kathryn smiled with genuine pleasure. It occurred to her that since she had started her career with Manticorp, she had received more praise from Frank in the last few months than she had in the previous two years from her mother.

  “You’re going to make me blush, Frank,” she said.

  “Blush away, Kathryn,” Frank said. “Credit where credit is due.”

  They took a moment to sip their coffee.

  “Did James tell you about my ideas for the Green Gala?”

  Kathryn tried not to react at the mention of James’ name.

  “Yes, I ran into him earlier,” she said. “You want to announce James at the event?”

  “Don’t you think that would be an excellent idea?”

  “I do. Considering that an influential audience will already be attending, to combine the charity event and launch James as the revamped CEO of Manticorp is perfect timing.”

  “I realize it’s a little last minute,” Frank said, “but do you see any problems in changing or making additional arrangements?”

  “Not at all,” Kathryn said, her gaze briefly flitting to the photos on Frank’s desk. “We just have enough time to get things organized if we work quickly.”

  “I’d like you to work closely with James regarding the preparations,” Frank said. “I’m sure his schedule can be adapted accordingly. The Gala takes precedence for now so this will be a priority for both of you.”

  Kathryn struggled to keep her expression neutral. “Of course,” she said. “I’ll get started immediately.”

  Frank ate the last piece of his biscotti with relish. “Delicious,” he said. “I’ve always had a soft spot for chocolate.”

  “So have I,” Kathryn said as she rose. “Next time I promise I’ll take you up on that biscotti, thighs be damned.”

  “I was actually hoping to tempt you with another espresso,” Frank said. “You don’t have to rush off so soon.”

  “Too many ideas buzzing around my head,” she said, walking to the door. “I’ll email a list for your approval.”

  “I’ll be waiting. It’s always a pleasure, Kathryn.”

  “Thank you, Frank,” she said with a smile and stepped out the door.

  Standing once again in the corridor, she tried to calm herself before heading back to her office, but thinking about James, and working closely with him, filled her both with a sense of anxiety ... and arousal. Her future was hanging in the balance, but which way was it going to go?

  ***

  Kathryn was not surprised to see Sandra working at her desk when she returned. Lately she had been staying late into the evening even though her workload didn’t always demand it. Kathryn realized it was Sandra’s way to provide support as well as keep an eye on things.

  Sandra glanced up from a stack of printouts and smiled. “I take it the meeting went well?”

  Kathryn glanced around.

  “It’s okay,” Sandra said. “James stepped out for a quick bite.”

  “The meeting was great. The Green Gala will be James’s official launch.” Kathryn tried to feign enthusiasm but her anxiety was too acute.

  “But?”

  Kathryn sighed. “But Frank wants me to work closely with James to make the changes to the venue. He doesn’t want James distracted with anything else until everything has been arranged.”

  “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised,” Sandra said, “but that may cause some complications.”

  Kathryn averted her eyes.

  “Or have those already begun?” Sandra asked. “I thought he looked a little tense when I saw him. He didn’t stick around long, but he did say that he’d be back.”

  “Complications are all that it’s been,” Kathryn said, “but what can I do? If Frank wants us to work together I can’t start making excuses. I’m excited about the Gala, but at the same time I’m worried about Heather.”

  Sandra took a sip of her iced tea. “Speaking of which, I got a call from Sam. He wants to meet me in an hour so I’ve got to head out early. Something came up and he won’t be available later this evening.”

  “If I’m working with James tonight, how is that going to work?”

  “I assume James doesn’t have access to your phone?”

  “No, it’s password protected.”

  “I’ll text you. We can set up a late night call or Skype meeting if necessary.”

  Sandra glanced toward the stairwell. “You should know that Heather’s been lurking around. Lakisha says she’s seen her a couple of times and a few others have told me they’ve seen her as well.” Sandra shook her head. “And it’s not good. Casey down in receiving told me he caught her going through the mail, our mail.”

  “And Frank still doesn’t know?”

  “I don’t think anyone wants to rock the boat until Heather’s caught doing something more serious, which will be anytime now. That’s why it’s so important we talk with Sam. Once we have undeniable proof, Frank will have to fa
ce the truth.”

  Kathryn felt a pang of anxiety. “And if she accuses me of chasing James, then what?”

  “Give Frank some credit,” Sandra said as she packed up her things. “He knows you now. And even if Heather did start blabbing about you and James, I don’t know that it would make much difference. If her involvement with drugs and who knows what else can be proven, he may thank you.”

  “He’s just done so much for me, I don’t want to hurt him.”

  “Don’t worry,” Sandra said, making her way to the elevator. “This could be a blessing in disguise.”

  The elevator opened, and Sandra stepped inside with a smile. “Expect my text in a few hours.”

  Kathryn watched the door close. Despite Sandra’s reassurance, she did feel worried. Between working with James and dreading what Sam had to say, she could only wonder how the evening was going to turn out.

  Though Kathryn found it difficult to concentrate, focusing on changing the Green Gala event at least distanced her concerns about Sandra’s meeting with Sam. She found that she was able to attend to at least the smaller details regarding the venue and her nerves had settled by the time she heard a knock at her door.

  “Come in,” she said.

  Though she had been anticipating James’s return, she had not expected to see the serious expression on his face.

  “Can we talk? His dark eyes for once were devoid of the mischievous twinkle that so characterized him.

  Kathryn’s stomach lurched as though she had just stepped off a carnival ride. There were few words that could instill anxiety as much as those three. She was seized by an intense desire to just run out of the office and breathe some fresh air.

  “What’s going on?” she asked as nonchalantly as she could.

  James approached and rolled a chair over from the conference table. As always, his proximity set Kathryn’s flesh tingling and though it annoyed her, she simply could not control her reactions. In his presence, her body and emotions abandoned ship, and her practical mind was left to reach the last lifeboat.

  He sat and faced her with searching eyes.

  “Look, James,” she said. “I know your father wants us to work closely together for the Green Gala, but—”