Broken by Desire Read online

  I can see she’s going to play right into my hands. When she rises from her chair, I watch her. The way her lithe body moves, to that tiny tank top that’s hugging her torso. Her ass is tight and I imagine marking it with my hand. I know there’s a tent in my sweats, but I don’t care right now. The only thought I have is taking her and making her scream my fucking name. Her under me, my cock buried in that tiny little cunt. Yes, that’s exactly what I want, and I always get what I want.

  As soon as I walk into the office and hour later, my new assistant is at my heels. She’s fucking annoying, but insanely good. Once I am at my desk, seated, she starts rambling off about the meetings I have set up for today. “Stacy. Just bring me a coffee. I need a moment.” Her tirade of words stops dead and she nods. She spins on her heel and leaves me to my thoughts.

  I close my eyes and sit back. The memory of the mysterious girl from the coffee shop has been invading my thoughts all morning. My shower was one of the best I had in a long time. When I open my eyes, I turn to face the city, the view from my office was incredible, but nothing could top those mocha eyes that seemed to stare a hole inside me this morning. “Sir?” I glance up and nod. Stacy places my coffee on the desk and takes a seat in one of the black leather wingback chairs opposite my desk. “There’s a marketing meeting in thirty minutes, I have all the documents you need. Then you have the four-hour board meeting and your father will be here as well.” I nod. “And then there’s the interview on Monday with the new candidates for the publishing assistant. Victoria will head it up, but you should be there.”

  “Why?” I sit back. She looks dumbfounded that I should even ask her something like that. I don’t see why I have to sit in an interview when I know Victoria can handle it.

  “Well, sir, I mean—”

  “Victoria can handle it,” I say dismissively. “Call Jayce, tell him to be in that marketing meeting.” I grab my coffee and take a long sip. Grabbing the paperwork, I rise and Stacy follows me.

  “Meeting room four sir,” she tells me as I make my way out of the office, turning left, walking down the hallway. As soon as I’m seated, the thoughts of her invade my mind again. Fuck this. I need to find her. I need to make her pussy come all over me. Fuck her out of my system, because that’s all that it will ever be.

  Chapter 1

  Cassandra

  My feet pound the ground hard; it was a dismal morning with the threat of rain. The rhythm of the song urged the tired muscles in my legs forward. I run towards the modest cafe at the bottom of the hilltop, people were lining up for their daily fix of caffeine and it wasn't even 6:45 yet. I slow to a steady pace taking a deep breath, my legs throbbed from the exertion. I had run the normal six miles today but seemed more like sixty. Exhaustion creeping up on me, feeling it in my muscles. I hadn’t been sleeping properly. I put it down to excitement for the interview on Monday, but also that I couldn’t get a specific green-eyed man off my mind.

  When I walked into the small coffee shop and waited in line, pulling my phone from the zipped pocket, I went through my email. As I glance up, I realize I am at the front of the queue. I turn off the music and step forward to place my order. “One black coffee, please? The Brazilian blend, no sugar.”

  The barista smiled and responded. “The usual then?” He takes the Styrofoam cup, turning to the machine. A few moments later, he hands me my order, and I find my usual table empty. I loved to watch people, and this table gave me the bird’s-eye view of the whole café. With a slow sop of my coffee, I keep myself distracted on my phone. I notice his presence the instant he sauntered into the shop. My heart hammered in my chest and the butterflies came alive in my belly. Every morning without fail, he orders a large cappuccino. He wore grey sweats and a grey tank top. His ritual matching mine, a long jog and then a coffee.

  His dark brown spikey hair wet from the soft drizzle outside, causing me to crave running my fingers through it. He takes a seat at this usual table neat the window, two from me. His deep green eyes examine the screen of his phone.

  The realization hits me, I am blatantly staring, but I can't help it. I have never seen a more beautiful man. He has become the only reason I stop here after my run. To get my fill of him for the day. I wondered what he did? He must be in a band, or advertising? With those tattoos I doubt that his passion was anything, but creative.

  I took in how his long lithe fingers gripped the phone and his thumbs move over the screen. It didn’t take him long to finish the email or text message. When his eyes dart up, locking with mine for the first time and I am startled. The heat pools in my belly and my pulse quickens. A mischievous smirk curls on his amazing lips. I flush, biting my thumb to keep from smiling. His eyes narrow as he watches my reaction to him. I avert my attention to the damp morning. I can’t let him know he’s affected me.

  There is no way I can get involved with anyone. Romance was a no go area. The only thing on my mind, besides this handsome stranger, was the interview later today. I had to make sure I landed the position. I couldn’t go back to New York.

  His heated gaze burned into me. I needed to go. Now. The last gulp of coffee is lukewarm, and I finish it quickly. I go to stand up. My legs are wobbly, but I make my way towards the exit. I sense his eyes on me, but I steel myself from turning to look at him. I am sure he will be here again tomorrow. Same time, same place. The door closes behind me, and I run into the deluge.

  Lucien

  My run is consumed with her. I haven’t spoken to her yet. I can't afford to scare her off, so I need to figure out how to approach her. She will be beneath me. Soon. I take what I want, especially to piss my stepmother off. This girl is new. I haven’t seen her around before and I wonder what her story is. She has starred in my fantasies since the first day I saw her and now I find myself getting a coffee every morning to stare into those mocha colored eyes. She’s sexy as hell and all I can think of is how she would look naked, writhing below me. I need to get that image out of my head, it won’t be a good idea to walk into a busy coffee shop with a fucking hard on.

  When I reach the door, I push it open and step inside. My eyes dart around until they fall on her, but I don’t dwell on her too long. I can’t let her know that I spotted her, not yet. Come on dude, she’s just a girl, actually, she’s a woman. She has curves for days and that little tank top she’s wearing does nothing to hide the beautiful set of tits on her. I want her.

  I grab my phone out of my pocket to distract myself, opening my emails I groan at the sheer number of them. Once I get my coffee, I grab a seat at the table close to hers. I don’t want to make it obvious, but I need to be close enough to drink in every detail of her. Her long brown hair is tied back into a ponytail; her cheeks are flushed. I take in the curve of her lips, they are natural, soft and pink and they would look so good wrapped around my cock. Fuck! I glance down at my emails again, but I can’t concentrate. I tap out a message to Jayce about the latest shoot, which is only a week away. It’s the only thing I can do to keep my mind off her. The photo shoot this weekend will help; I can find a hot model eager to let me fuck her. Easy enough, they’re all so brazen in their attempts to trap me, I find it laughable.

  I glance up, her eyes are on me and I’m awarded with those chocolate eyes drinking me in. She’s staring. Giving her one of my signature smirks has her flushing and my effect on her doesn’t go unnoticed.

  Why else would she come here every morning? Yea, the coffee is good, but not that good. When she glances out the window, I take in the profile of her soft features, the smooth skin, the way she glistens with sweat from the exertion of her early morning run. I bet I could make her sweat in more pleasurable ways. My mind completely focused on how her lips must taste. She rises and walks towards the exit, our time has come to an abrupt end, my stare doesn’t leave her lean frame, the way her hips sway and how her ass looks in those sweats. My cock aching for attention and I tear my eyes away as the door closes behind her.

  This will be an incredible fuck. She mu
st be so fucking tight. With my past, it’s too risky for a relationship, but I wouldn’t mind finding out what she tastes like, how sensitive her nipples are. The thought of her swallowing my cock is in the forefront of my mind now. Maybe I would see her tonight, Jayce and I plan to hit that bar down on Sunset. I glance at the emails again, apparently, there’s an interview today. I know I should be there, but I am definitely not in the mood for it. Once they’ve hired a replacement, then I plan on meeting her. I specifically wanted them to hire a female, not for the reasons you’re thinking. Mainly because she will manage my photo shoots and I didn’t want more men around the models.

  I finish my cappuccino and make my way to the door. It’s started raining again. My eyes do a quick glance down the road, but she isn’t there. Of course, she isn’t! She left ages ago. I will have to just see her tomorrow morning. I look forward to seeing that blush on her cheeks again.

  Cassandra

  I walk into the offices of Verán Publishing fifteen minutes early. I have a fear of being late so I always tend to be too early. The white tiles and glass that surround the reception area were a severe contrast to the drab morning outside. I take in the impeccably furnished area. My nerves are getting the better of me and I shudder. A crimson and black splattered canvas hangs above the reception counter.

  This is an important interview and tension tightens my shoulders. My iPod was on full blast, one of my favorite bands, Bullet for my Valentine, screamed in my ear. Funny enough they always seemed to calm me. I snagged the earphones from my ears and gave the receptionist a shaky smile. “Can I help you?” She asks glancing up with a flawless grin.

  “I, um… Cassandra Winters, here for an interview with Ms. Richards?” She nods, pressing a few buttons on the base of the phone. Her headset remains perfectly in place. She talks into the mic announcing my arrival. I take in her polished appearance. I am sure it’s a requirement to look good when you’re basically the face of a publishing company.

  “Have a seat, one of the human resource staff will get you in a minute.” She beams and carries on typing and answering calls. I turn around and make my way to one of the wide sofas. I perch on the plush leather, my back to the revolving doors. Checking my phone repeatedly, no messages or emails this morning. I take a deep breath and hit play on the song.

  I am calmer as the song ends. Suddenly a voice startles me. The timbre of this voice is like velvet being draped over my skin, warming my body and a knot in my stomach tightens. I whirl and glance into the intense green eyes I have seen every morning for the past four days. He acknowledges the receptionist as he confidently strides up to the counter. She blushes and flutters her perfect eyelashes. Flirting like her life depended on it. I don't blame her! Look at him! He turns on his heel, locking his gaze on me and I am floored. My face heats, my cheeks flush under his powerful stare. He smirks, giving me a slight nod. Turning and striding towards the elevators. I take in his departing form noting how his suit pants cling to his muscled thighs. His jacket just covering the tight ass I am drooling over. I had only ever seen him in sweats; I am breathless at how sexy he looks in a suit. So he works in an office. My office!

  Green eyes emblazoned in my mind. I wonder what he does here? We work in the same building. That means I won’t just see him in the mornings after our jog. The thought flip flops my belly and my nerves start up again. I can’t let him affect me like this. I need to pull myself together. It was one thing seeing him every morning, and he featured every night in my dreams, but seeing him every day at the office? Could I deal with that? I can, I am an adult, not a lovesick teenager. I needed to make sure I remained far away from him.

  Lucien

  The hot shower does nothing to stop the thoughts of my mystery woman from playing in my mind. I have a long day ahead of me. With meetings back to back and a working lunch, I have to clear my head. Every day for me lately is long. I recall my morning coffee, it is the only thing pushing me through. Fuck, I needed to stop thinking about her. Come on Luke, get a fucking grip. You can have any woman in LA or any other city for that matter. Why is she haunting me? Tomorrow I will just go up to her, ask her to join me for dinner and once I fuck her, it will be fine. I need to fuck her out of my system. That’s all. It’s easy as that, no strings, no hearts, nothing oddly romantic about it.

  I turn off the spray, stepping out of the shower, I grab a towel and make my way to the bedroom. My walk-in closet is filled with suits and shirts, ties and shoes, but I was always more comfortable in a pair of sweats and a tank top. Since taking over my father’s publishing company I suppose I had to dress the part, never in my life did I imagine I would be a suit. Jayce gave me shit about it every day, telling me I looked like a high-powered executive, which I was far from. I decide on my charcoal Armani suit, crisp white shirt and the olive green tie. Jayce is the jeans and trainers type, he’s lucky, being the photographer he doesn’t have suit up every day. Maybe I should ask dad if I can become a photographer, looking at beautiful women all day would definitely be right up my street.

  Grabbing my phone, I text Robert to be ready in five minutes. I am ready to kick ass today and tonight I will be inside some hot brunette or blonde. My mind flits back to my mystery woman. I pull on my pants and button up my shirt and start on my tie. I hate these things, like a fucking noose. With a shrug I slip on my jacket and tie the two buttons. The suit looks good, tailored to be a perfect fit. Those mocha eyes are still burned into my eyelids. She’s so fucking hot. I grab my briefcase and make my way to the garage. Today I need to concentrate on work.

  “Robert, how are you this morning?”

  “Good Sir, thank you. And yourself?”

  “Ready to get the day done. I would like you to drive Jayce and me tonight.” He gives me a stiff nod. I have known him most of my teenage life. He’s been my driver since I was sixteen and needed to get to school and back. Now that I am thirty, it’s like he’s part of the family. He’s probably the only one besides Jay that knows me as well as anyone can.

  Fifteen minutes later I step into the offices, and I feel calm. I shoot a glance at the reception desk and see the perky receptionist. She’s brunette. That would be way too easy. As soon as she spots me her smile brightens, and she pushes out her chest. It’s like taking candy from a baby.

  “Good morning,” I glance at her nametag, “Trisha.” She offers me her best smile.

  “Good morning, Sir.” The words on her lips make my cock twitch. As I turn to walk away my glance falls on the people waiting on the sofas when I spot her. My heart hammers in my chest and I am sure it will stop. She looks up at me and my world spins. Play it cool man! Just fucking relax. I give her a smirk and I see the blush spread across her cheeks. She’s in my building. Fuck! This will be interesting. I need to tear my eyes away from her. She’s even more stunning all dressed up in those sexy heels. I wouldn’t mind having her wearing nothing but those heels. Luke, get a grip man! Turning away was difficult, but I had a meeting and if I stared at her for much longer, I would have to sit through the day with a hard cock. Her hungry gaze burns a hole into my back as I walk away and a smile curls my lips. Keep looking sweetheart, because I will be inside you, very soon.

  Cassandra

  I step onto the sidewalk two hours later. My body was noticeably shaking. I got it! I got the position! The first thing I need to do is tell Kenna. I find her number and hit call. She will be so excited. On the second ring I hear my best friend. Almost as if she’s poised with her phone in her hand, the excitement evident in her tone. “Tell me good news Cass?!” I giggle. I am walking on a cloud.

  “It is excellent news, I got it!” Her shriek was so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear. Once she’s calmed down I speak again. “Kenna?”

  “Sorry babe! I am so excited!” She shouts and I wince. “Okay, job sorted! Have you found any hot guys yet?” My mind latched on those haunting green eyes at once. I grinned but didn’t answer right away. “Cassie!” I realize she will pick up on my hes
itation.

  “Well,” I wasn’t sure if I should mention Mr. Green Eyes. The thought of him had my belly in knots again. I ached to look at him in his sweaty tank top again. Although when I recall his impeccable suit from this morning and I wonder what turned me on more. I couldn’t decide.

  “Cass? Are you there?” Kenna’s words pull me out of my naughty reverie of the hot man I would love to get closer to. I nod. “Tell me! Who is he?” She will not let me hear the end of this.

  “Nothing, it’s nothing. I have to go. Call you tonight. Okay?”

  “Mmmm, you’re hiding him from me, Cass! You know I will find out!! And if he is hot and you haven’t talked to him yet, I will murder you!” I giggle at her threat, but she would kill me because he was hot. I decide to walk home. The sun is peeking through the clouds and I can’t help smiling. It will be okay. This city will have my dreams coming true. I needed to focus on work and building my career. I wanted to make my parents proud. The thought of them tugs at my heart so much.

  On the way back to my apartment, I stop at the small café on the corner. I grab a sandwich and water. “You’re new around here?” The cashier is a young girl, with a pretty smile.

  “Yes. Just moved here from New York.”

  “Really? That’s great. Welcome.” She scans the items. I pay and make my way out to the sidewalk, with a slow walk up the road to my apartment. When I get home I flop down on the sofa. It’s only lunch time, but I am exhausted. The high from getting the job and seeing the handsome guy with the green eyes has been more excitement than I can handle in one day.