Breaking Braydon Read Free Page A

Colin?”
    He shook his head. “I’ve got Colin working on firming up our business plan. Our numbers will need to be spot-on if we have a chance of securing funds.”
    My shoulders slumped as I came to terms with my new assignment. I knew when I took on this job right after medical school that I’d need to be creative. At the time, I thought it would be in the field of research, not party planning. Or, should I say, fundraising? Were they the same thing? I should know the difference. What did I get myself into? I didn’t know what I was doing, combined with the fact I’d have to interact with the biggest player in the city, possibly even the country.
    I tried to shake off the dread to no avail. The fancy coffee drink I enjoyed an hour earlier, seemed to be working against the lining in my stomach. It burned as a nervous feeling crept through my body. This was so far out of my comfort zone, I didn’t know what to think or do. I had to come to terms with my new assignment. I must do this. Now, I just needed to figure out how.
     

FIVE
    Braydon
    No, it couldn’t be. Todd’s statement about Angela took root, unnerving me. Hell, no. Like a photo album, my mind flipped through the many women I’d dated. Well, maybe not dated – bedded would be more accurate. Damn. All those women did have something in common. If they weren’t blonde by nature, they were by the bottle. They weren’t shy with their make-up and were extremely wealthy. They dressed and acted alike. But didn’t most women have that in common? That’s what it was.
    Although the truth churned in my gut, attempts to ignore it failed. Could it be I attempted to replace Angela with these women? Was that why I felt such disgust and panic after we’d had sex? All I ever wanted afterwards was for them to leave, and fast. These girls knew what they were getting into. It shouldn’t come as a surprise when I’d asked them to go. I needed them to. Never thought about why. It had always been that way. Now, I started to question myself.
    “You’re daydreaming again.” Todd’s statement jolted me from my inner musings.
    “I was thinking about what you said – you know, about the women I date.”
    “Yeah?” He arched an eyebrow.
    “Do you think that’s what I’m doing? Replacing Angela?”
    “Or punishing her.”
    Whoa .
    “Listen, I’ve known you since college, and I’ve never seen you with a woman for longer than a day. Have you ever thought about that? Why you can’t connect?” Todd asked a hard question.
    Now he needed to shut up.
    “I’m twenty-eight, for God’s sake. Why should I tie myself down? I’m ‘playing the field’ as the saying goes. I haven’t met anyone who’s interested me – except for what they could give me in the bedroom.”
    Todd shook his head; I knew what that gesture meant.
    “Judge all you want. It’s not like they’re interested in me as a person. If you took away my money and the status it brings, those women would be headed for the exits in record time. I’m a realist; always have been. I’m better off alone. And before you say it, I’m not lonely. There’s a difference. I love my work, and my life is more than fine the way it is.”
    “Well, I can see you’ve thought this out. You make a good argument, but I think you’re kidding yourself.” Todd quirked an eyebrow. Arrogant bastard.
    “I’m about to change my mind about the inanimate object. I think a fist to your face is just what I need right now.” I was joking, but I noticed my hands had tightened into themselves. I got up from my desk to pour us both a glass of water. This conversation needed to cool down.
    “Yeah, yeah. Right.” Todd waved his hand to dismiss me. He knew I’d never hit him. He’s like the brother I never had.
    “You might want to consider your motives. If the right woman does come along, you wouldn’t notice, because you’re all tied up in the past. This Angela chick? I can guarantee you, she isn’t worth