Broken In Pieces: Billionaire Stepbrother Romance (Wounded Hearts Book 1) (2 page)

When we reach the door, I take a deep breath before opening it. There he stands in all the glory that is Jarrod Davis. “Hello gorgeous,” he smiles at me. I smile not realizing I’m looking at him like a deer caught in headlights.

“Okay Stud, have her back before midnight and she damn well better be in one piece,” Donna orders.

“Yes ma’am,” he replies but his eyes never leave mine as he takes my hand and leads me to the car.

We pull back in the driveway around eleven fifteen. Jarrod walks me to the door giving me a small chaste kiss before I walk in with my head in the clouds. Mother and Carter are in New York for the weekend so Donna is staying over. She’s in her pajamas on the couch with a bowl of popcorn when I enter the living room. “Ohhhh, you’ve got it bad,” she cackles. I pay her no attention, head over to the couch and slide off the boots that have been killing my feet all night. “So, I want details,” she demands.

I curl up beside her and grab a handful of popcorn. I give her all the ifs, ands, and what’s of the date. How polite he was, how he opened all the doors for me, how he showered me with all his attention and was continually telling me how beautiful I am. I told her about the comedy we watched at the theater and what a wonderful sense of humor he has. We had a wonderful dinner at the steakhouse where he pulled out my chair and ordered for me. Donna listens intently, only chiming in occasionally with her usual funny sarcasm.

When I’m finished, she takes my hand, “You know I love ya and I’m really happy for ya but please, please be careful. He seems like a dream but there’s something ’bout him I don’t like. I can’t put my finger on it but I don’t trust him.” I can’t figure if this is coming from the need that she’s always had to protect me or if it’s because she knows I’m very inexperienced and have never really had a serious relationship.

“I love you too and I promise,” I pacify her. Then I head off to bed. It’s been a full day and I’m beat.

The next week is a blur of college finals and party preparations for the birthday bash. Manicure, pedicure and eyebrow waxing after class on Wednesday. Pick up the dress from the seamstress; buy shoes and jewelry after class on Thursday. I take my last final on Friday morning and Mother insists I go with her to the caterers and country club to make sure all the food and decorations are coming along as planned. Saturday, before the party, Donna and I go to our hair and make-up appointments together. I know it sounds bad but as much as I hate all the hoopla, I am glad for the bit of time away from Mother. She’s been so demanding and judgmental this week, it makes me want to run into the mountains screaming.

After our appointments, Donna drives me back home. When we pull in the driveway, Mother and Carter are standing outside beside of a black BMW. We get out of the car and approach them. They’re smiling from ear to ear. “Sheridan, your mother and I love you very much,” Carter begins in a slow, almost monotone voice, “and we’re very proud of you.” I’m stunned but I’m trying not to let it show. This is the most Carter’s said to me at once and he’s never told me that he loves me. He holds out a set of car keys, “Your birthday present from your mother and me.”

I squeal, Donna squeals, and we’re both jumping up and down. I reach for the keys and grab Carter. I hug him tight, “I love you too Carter. Thank you so much!” Then I grab Mother and hug her tight, “I love you Mother and thank you so much!” I look at Donna and we both squeal again as we run to the car and take it for a spin before the party.

Mother, Carter and I arrive at the country club around three so Mother can make sure that everything’s ready for the party to begin. The banquet room is beautifully decorated in the classiest combination of red, black and white that I’ve ever seen. There’s a delicious aroma lingering in the air, from the buffet the caterers are preparing. The open bar is being stocked with anything you could want and the towns hottest DJ is setting up. Mother seems very pleased and honestly, I am too.

I had felt a little overdressed in my way too tight, way too low cut, way too short, red dress with matching five inch stilettos and diamonds dripping from my ears, neck and wrist. Mother had picked it all. After looking around at this place, anything less would have been underdressed.

“Thank you, Mother,” I say as I hug her and kiss her cheek.

She hugs me tighter than usual, “It’s not every day that your only child turns twenty-one.” I think I almost hear her voice crack but she releases me and regains her composure quickly. The guests are beginning to arrive and Mother shifts into hostess mode.

Since she and Carter are working the room, I go in search of Donna. She’s just coming through the door as I round the end of the buffet. We decide to sit and have a drink while the other guests arrive. Donna goes for a margarita but I stick with a soda. I’ve never been much of a drinker. The conversation eventually comes around to whether or not I’ve heard from Jarrod this week. I tell her no and shrug it off as if it doesn’t matter. I think I was convincing but the truth is, it does. I’ve thought about him a lot this week and I’ve been a little hurt that he hasn’t called.

The guests have settled in now and the party is cranking up. Donna decides she’s gonna hit the dance floor. She grabs the mayor’s son from a nearby table and drags him along. Mother comes by the table where I’m seated, “Dear, this is a party in your honor. You have to be more social.”

I look up at her with a slight smile as she opens her mouth to chastise me further, up walks Jarrod, “Hello ladies.” I introduce Jarrod to Mother and he charms her as I knew he would. Then he takes me by the hand and excuses us to the dance floor.

We spend the rest of the evening dancing, eating with Donna and talking. He is, again, very attentive and even a little affectionate. He tells me several times how beautiful I am and how red is definitely my color. He holds my hand, squeezes my knee and after the guests sing Happy Birthday and I blow out the candles, he kisses me on the lips hard. But it feels a little odd, almost like he’s staking his claim in front of everyone. I shake it off and chalk it up to my imagination.

It’s been a wonderful night, but eventually the party begins to wind down. “I’ll be back beautiful,” Jarrod whispers, placing a small kiss on my forehead. I watch as he walks off in the direction of the restroom.

“Are you having a good time?” Donna asks, walking up beside me.

“Yeah, of course,” I answer, but honestly something is feeling…strange. I try to shrug it off. “You want to come home with me? We could put on our pajamas and watch scary movies or something?”

“Nah, girl. I have to get up early in the morning. My parents have planned this whole family outing. I’ll check in with you when I get back though,” and I’m disappointed but give her a smile.

“Sounds good.” We exchange a hug and she kisses my cheek, before pulling away.

“Happy Birthday.”

“Thanks, girl,” I respond.

“Remember your promise,” she says looking over her shoulder at Jarrod as he’s returning. “Please? Just go slow and be careful.” I nod in agreement. Donna is always worrying over me. I love her for it, but I don’t honestly take her warning to heart. She exchanges a small, but civil goodbye with Jarrod then leaves.

Jarrod takes my hand once we’re alone and his thumb moves caressingly over my fingers. “I think we should continue your birthday party on our own.” My pulse speeds up, because I have missed him and the look in his eyes is intense. “You only turn twenty-one once and it needs to be memorable,” he continues.

“Okay…” I whisper with a small smile and go off to find Mother to let her and Carter know that I’m leaving with Jarrod.

Mother smiles, “I think I like that young man.” I return her smile and go off to the restroom to change into the jeans, sneakers and blouse that I brought along.

Jarrod drives us to the top of a mountain. We gaze at the stars, laugh and talk for over an hour. He turns and stares into my eyes as if he is searching for something. I feel heat shoot through my body again but this time I decide to embrace it and I don’t break our eye contact. He runs his finger down my cheek to my chin and gently tilts my head. He is so gorgeous in this moonlight.

He moves in and I close my eyes. I feel the soft touch of his lips on mine. His tongue separates my lips and begins a playful journey in my mouth. I follow him and our tongues enjoy the journey together. He pulls away slightly, our eyes connect again and he takes me by the hand. “Come on,” he motions to the car.

Once we are in the car, he lean in and places a small kiss on my lips. His mouth is so soft, so inviting. I could kiss him all night. “How ’bout we pick up a movie and head to my house?” he asks.

“Yeah, I think I’d like that,” I answer as he starts the car and we head out.

We arrive at his parent’s home and he leads me to the guest house where he is living. He explains that he just moved back after he graduated from law school last week and will be joining his father in his law practice. The guest house is nicely decorated and there is a hint of lavender hanging in the air. He tells me to make myself comfortable while he goes to the kitchen. He returns with two glasses of red wine and hands one to me. Then he puts the movie in the Blu-ray player, sits down beside me on the couch and puts his arm around me. I snuggle in beside him. “Drink up,” he insists. “There’s more where that came from.” I smile and begin drinking my wine.

The beginning of the movie is slow and a little boring so we’re talking while we halfheartedly watch. I finish my glass of wine and Jarrod offers me another. I shake my head no. I’m feeling a little odd. I know I’m not a drinker, but I didn’t think one glass of wine would have an effect on me. Still, just a little later, my speech is slurred. I feel dizzy, and I just can’t seem to get control of myself. “I think something’s wrong with me,” I slur at Jarrod. He smiles, “No baby, your just fine. Roll with it. Embrace it.”

“Whaa..wh..” I can’t seem to put my thoughts and words together. He brushes my hair back with his hand and when I try to push it away, I can’t get my hand and arm to cooperate. I feel myself passing out or falling asleep or
something
. The next thing I know, I’m lying in a bed somewhere and Jarrod is on top of me kissing my neck.

“NO!! STOP!! I don’t want this!!!”
I am trying to scream but I’m not sure anything is coming out and would anyone hear me anyway?? Then the back of his hand, comes hard across my mouth, it feels like an explosion. I can instantly taste the bitter, metallic blood gushing into my mouth.

“SHHH! Be a good girl now,” he demands.

Please…please stop!! My arms feel like elephant legs, too heavy to lift when I go to push him off me. My head is consumed by fog, I can’t focus. WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME!?!? Why can’t I move? I can’t be drunk; I only had one glass of wine.

“You know you want it,” he says with the most sadistic grin on his face. NO! NO! I want to scream but I can’t make a sound. He grabs my blouse and yanks. I hear the buttons bouncing across the hard wood floor as I fade into nothingness….everything goes black!

As I come to, I feel the full weight of him on top of me. My bra is shoved up, exposing my breasts. My jeans and panties are off and he is completely undressed. As I blink my eyes for clarity, I can hear the Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony”, playing in the background. He smiles that smug, arrogant smile down at me, “You’re gonna like this, baby.”

He lowers his mouth to my breast. He bites me…the pain is excruciating! I still can’t find my voice to scream. I can feel his erection, hard against me. I try to move, wiggle, and squirm, anything to get loose. Nothing happens.
Oh God am I in hell!?!? Is this real?? Is it a bad dream?? A nightmare that I can’t seem to wake up from??
He bites me again! As he separates my legs with his knee, then looks me straight in the eye, “Ready or not, here I come.” He lowers his head and with the next painful bite to my breast, I feel the searing burn of him slamming inside of me.

Oh God, I AM in hell!! STOP
, I try to scream but it comes out only as a whisper. He continues his assault on my breast as he slams into to me over and over, harder and harder with each thrust. With his last thrust, it feels like he’s going to bite my nipple off. I scream a low, gravelly scream full of anger and pain. He’s a sweaty pile, slumped on top of me. Breathing hard and with each breath he takes, its suffocating me. The smell of his cologne is nauseating. I feel my stomach revolt and I fight back getting sick.

I muster every bit of strength I can, haphazardly raise my arm and shove at him. He rolls off me and lies beside me. My head is so hazy and I can’t lift myself from the bed.
What the hell is wrong with me??
I look down and there is blood on my breast from his mutilation. He rolls over on his side, looking down at me with a smirk on his face, “That was nice, baby.” Chills run through me and all I can think about is getting far, far away from here….from
him
. I try to raise myself again but barely budge.

He comes around to my side of the bed and begins getting dressed. Once he’s clothed, he walks back to me. He reaches down, grabs me by the arms, and pulls me to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. “We need to get you dressed.” I see the blood stain on the bed, the only thing left of my innocence, and tears well in my eyes. He turns loose of me to retrieve my clothes. I feel wobbly like I am going to topple over. He makes it back to the bed just in time to steady me. First he puts my bra back in place.
God, I don’t want him touching me! Please make him stop!

Then, he holds up my shirt with a sneer, “This will never do.” As he turns loose of me to walk to his dresser, I begin to wobble again. He returns and pulls one of his t-shirts over my head. When he’s finished dressing me, he stands me up. My legs feel like jell-o and begin to buckle. He reaches down, picks me up and packs me to the car.

The ride home is silent except for the music playing. I still feel like this has all been a nightmare. I don’t know how or why this ended up happening. Is it even real? Will I wake up in the morning and realize this was just a nightmare? We pull in my driveway; he turns off the car and unbuckles his seatbelt.