Bent not Broken Read Free Page B

I want to shake your dad’s hand and tell him that I will take care of his daughter and that I won’t bring her home too late. Then, I will compliment your mother with how beautiful she is. Because only a beautiful woman could have given birth to someone as pretty as you.”
    He caresses my cheek tenderly. “Then, you will blush and take my hand in yours to get me out of the house as fast as possible so I don’t embarrass you anymore. When we’re outside, I will take your hand in mine and walk you to my car. I’ll open the door for you, let you in, and then once the door is closed, I’ll make my way to the driver’s seat. But before I start the engine, I want to turn to look at you, sitting there, blushing. I want to grab you by the neck,” his words reflect his actions as he grabs the back of my neck tenderly and brings our faces closer together, “bring your perfect lips close to mine. And then…”
    “Yes?” I swallow hard.
    “And then finally kiss you,” he whispers huskily, his eyes boring into mine.
    Oh my God.
    “So, do we have a date?” he says, smiling smugly.
    “Yes,” I say breathlessly as my pulse begins to race.
    “You won’t regret it, Wow,” he says, smiling.
    “My name is Cathy,” I smile in return.
    “I like that. You look like a Cathy. Sweet, innocent, and perfect.”
    “Oh.”
    I seriously want to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.
    “My name is Ben, by the way.”
    “Nice meeting you, Ben,” I murmur softly.
    Putting my hand out for a handshake, Ben totally rocks my world when he takes it and brings it to his lips, planting a kiss I feel all the way to my bones. Dumbstruck, I let go of his hand and watch Ben step to the side, opening the door wider for me to get in.
    Is this guy for real? I don’t know whether to swoon, or burst out laughing. I kind of want to swoon, though.
    “Okay. Thank you. I, um, I guess I’ll wait to hear from you?”
    “Sure.” He smiles.
    After we exchange numbers and say a quick goodbye, I get in the cab and give the driver my address. I feel in a daze as if I’m standing still while the world moves around me at a fast speed.
    I feel my phone vibrating. Well, I guess it didn’t die after all. I take my cell out and notice I have a text from an unknown number.
    1(347) 886-8688: Hey, Cathy. I meant what I said on the street.
    I smile as I remember what he whispered in my ear.
    “Too late. Lighting has already struck.”
    I burst out laughing, then look out the window. As I gaze at my reflection, I decide that maybe I don’t hate the rain after all.
    Ben.
    Oh, yes.
    Most definitely.

Chapter 3
    Present
    Ben: On my way home. Picked up the dry cleaning and some dinner from Past-Tina’s. Wasn’t sure if you’re going to have dinner with Amy and the new guy, but figured you might be hungry when you get home if you didn’t. Good luck, babe.
    That is Ben for you, always thoughtful. Looking down at my screen, my fingers hover over the digital keypad on my phone. I really should reply to his text and thank him for thinking about me, but I don’t. Not sure why. Maybe it’s because I don’t feel like starting a text message conversation with him, maybe it’s because I am running late, as always, and I need to get to the airport pronto. Or maybe it’s because I just don’t feel like typing.
    Shoving my phone in my Burberry bag, I decide to give Ben a call on my way to the airport. I’ll be leaving as soon as Amy gives me the information on Mr. Radcliff’s flight, anyway. Yippee…can’t wait to meet another Hotel Magnate jerk who thinks the sun rises and sets on his ass.
    Bruno Radcliff just acquired the hotel where Amy and I work. The chain was known as Dreams Hotels, but now we are part of the bigger and more exclusive Radcliff Conglomerate. So yes, Mr. Radcliff is a big deal in the hotel world.
    Amy, my boss, is the director of sales and marketing. She manages all the top accounts and key clients. I’m a sales coordinator, and my