Breaking Braydon (3 page)

“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 it.”

“She’d be worth a lesson or two,” I muttered under my breath. 

Todd’s ears perked up. “Oh, no you don’t! Revenge only hurts the hater. Don’t you dare go after her for the sole purpose of hurting her. That’d make you no better than she is. Who knows? Maybe she’s all sunshine and light now.”

“Sunshine and light?” My eyebrows crept up.

A smile curved his lips. “I spent last weekend with my seven-year-old niece. You remember my sister, Becca?”

I nodded and sipped from my water.

“She flew in with her family for a visit since I won’t see them on Thanksgiving. Anyway, I’ll rephrase. Maybe Angela has changed. It’s been a long time.”

“Unfortunately, she hasn’t.” I felt my pulse start to kick into high gear again. “I watched her all night to see if that was the case. Not only is she the same as she was in high school, I think she may be even worse.” Her parents had become even wealthier, if that was possible, which gave her that much more power.

It was an interesting study. But if anything, it added even more negative emotions to what I’d already been carrying around. She was there, at our charity event, on the prowl. She was like a spider, biding her time, eyes watchful as she waited for her prey to be caught in the huge web she constructed. I’d checked up on her afterward. Word on the street was she waiting for a big payday. A millionaire wouldn’t be good enough for Angela. I’d wondered when or if her blue-eyed gaze and steel heart would turn my way. If it did, I’d be ready for her.

I’d observed her that night with interest as she worked the room. She wore a plastic smile while her eyes shifted around, surveying her possibilities. Calculating. Assessing. She wasn’t the brightest girl in school, but she did have street smarts. She knew who to approach and who to avoid. The men that didn’t measure up? She’d laugh and shake her head, dismissing them by tossing her honey-streaked blonde hair while she turned her back.

She wanted it all – status, money, fame. The event wasn’t a way for her to help breast cancer research. It was all about her and her mega-wealthy husband hunt.

What if I let her believe I was interested? I could work out my issues and rid myself of her for good
. She won’t be interested in you,
remember?
Damn. That was a possibility. She might remember me, remember my name. I didn’t look anything like I had in my freshman year, and after my dad moved us my sophomore year, things began to change. Gains in height, muscle, and rowing for an award-winning crew team brought in the girls. I didn’t care though. I kept my nose in the books and made it to Harvard, but eventually, physical needs took over.
Brittany Rogers—beautiful, rich, calculating and detached—took my virginity and taught me all I needed to know about women. And I mean everything. I left that night knowing exactly what I required in a sexual partner. No emotions, no phone numbers, no expectations. Perfect.

SIX

Jain

“Okay, I’ll do it. But…what exactly am I doing?” I asked.

Martin let out a sigh of relief. “I’ve never done anything like this, either. Our funds have always come from Research Ventures, Inc. Now that they’ve cut us off, I’m at a loss.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this a success.” I hoped my look of confidence was sufficient enough to match my words. On the outside, my face was a mask, hiding my true feelings of panic. Inside, I kept my insecurities locked up.

Martin, still sitting behind his desk, smiled, while Colin shook his head, shooting me a warning glare.

“Not that! What kind of girl do you think I am?” I hoped Colin was kidding.

“Remember what I told you about him. Women flock to him, even though they know it’ll be for just one day. Well, they don’t know for sure. I’ve heard every society girl hopes to be
the
one.”

“The one to marry him?” I asked.

“Maybe. I heard there’s a bet going around called Breaking Braydon, with a circulating list containing around two hundred names, and the pot’s over a hundred grand. Rumor is, if one of the women gets him to stay for over a week, they’d be awarded a huge payout. But I don’t think it’s the money they’re after. It’s the prestige for bagging the unattainable Braydon.”

“That’s messed up! That is the tackiest thing I’ve ever heard. Don’t these women have any self-respect?”

“Don’t feel too sorry for him. I told you before; he’s a known womanizer. He was probably the one to start circulating the list.” Colin laughed.

“Really? Who would do something like that?” Good grief, I’d gone from feeling sorry for him to detesting him in a matter of seconds. And now, I was going to have to work with this loser?

“It’s not for certain he even knows about the list, but he’s reaping the benefits. He gives the women six hours max, and then they’re shown the door. ” Colin made a shooing motion with his hands.

“Well, that’s a lot of detailed information on someone you don’t know. How did you hear all this?” I asked.

“Angela, a girl from my high school filled me in a few months ago. I bumped into her at a cancer fundraising event. Even though I entered Roosevelt High in my senior year, it was obvious from day one what she was all about. She’s as spoiled and unpleasant as they come. Her parents own a bunch of oil refineries, and they are as rich as Croesus. Apparently, she’s on the list and is very excited about it. She’s going for it, and she’s one of those girls who gets whatever or whomever she goes after.” Colin shook his head in sympathy. “Poor Braydon. He doesn’t have a chance.”

“I take back what I said earlier. I don’t feel bad for this Braydon guy at all. I’m sure he’s left behind a lot of broken hearts.” I raised my hand to stop Colin before he could speak. “Even if the women knew the ‘rules’, I’m sure every one of them thought they’d be the one to break him…or, you know, change his mind at least.”

“You’re probably right, but the fault still lies with the women. They knew from the start what type of guy Braydon is. You know, a leopard can’t change his spots.” His brow wrinkled.     “What? You think I’d try to color the leopard? Don’t you know me at all? I don’t even date! I’m too busy, and…wh…what would I want with a playboy anyway?” I stuttered out.

“I told you. Women find him irresistible.”

“Not me. I promise.”

SEVEN

Braydon

“Are we taking this one on? Bastion Research?” Todd asked. “It appears they have a lot of potential for a breakthrough treatment for ALS.” He sat in front of my desk while I sorted through the paperwork.

I sighed. “I don’t think we can fit them into our schedule. We’re booked for ten months solid. It looks like their ship is about to go down in the next few months without an incoming wave of funds. It might be too late for them.”

It was too bad because this was a company I’d love to help. Relatively small, with only twenty people on staff, they’d made some huge leaps in their trials, which could ultimately lead to either treatments or a maybe even a cure for ALS.

Todd leaned forward. “We have a meeting set up with the principals later today. I thought it was important to hear them out at least. If we can’t help them, maybe we can point them in another direction. How about we dig out that list of other venture capitalists?”

“I’ve looked over their financials. They won’t be able to take on any more debt. What’s needed is an influx of funds to stay liquid. They need a fundraiser.” A keen sense of disappointment swept through me. Every once in a while, a project came along we didn’t have time for. There were just too many.

***

Three o’clock arrived, and the three-person team from Bastion Medical Research were seated comfortably in the conference room. I hated this part of my job – breaking the bad news. I opened the door and entered the room.

I went to greet the representatives, but I stopped in my tracks.
Who in the hell is that?
I wasn’t expecting a female who looked…well, I couldn’t see her face clearly. Her head was tilted down, reading her notes, apparently unaware of my arrival. I was staring at a girl—no, a woman. She was wearing a lab coat. Baggy. I couldn’t fully make out her facial features. But those lips! They were full, pink, and sensuous, like none I’d ever seen before.

She looked up, and our eyes locked. I could barely breathe. Long bangs covered most of her eyes. I wanted to see them without the obstruction, but even without the hair, her god-awful glasses obscured them. Her hair was straight, a dull brown color matching what I could glimpse of her eyes. Her complexion ashen, no make-up, not even lipstick. Although her appearance was plain, I felt a pull, almost like a magnet. There was something about her that made me hesitant to break free. All I could think about was placing my lips against hers. I knew my reaction was not normal, not like me at all.

The desire to touch her grew stronger as each second passed. Why? Why now?  She’s certainly not like anyone I’ve ever been attracted to before. She’s not my type. Repeat. Not my type.

She broke her gaze away first and looked down at her notes. Even though her complexion was pale, I saw a little flush of pink staining her cheeks. She cleared her throat, looked up and asked, “Mr. Decker, I presume?”

I felt rather lightheaded, like I was thirteen again, experiencing my first crush. I needed to move, and now. But, I couldn’t. All I could do was nod.

I felt a slap on my shoulder as Todd joined the group. “Hey everyone! I guess you’ve met Braydon already. I’m Todd, director of creative development. It’s great to meet you.” He approached the table and did what I should have done; he greeted our guests with a handshake.

I walked toward the table, unable to take my eyes away from her. She kept eye contact, but I could tell she felt uncomfortable. She glanced over at the man sitting on her left. I wondered irrationally if it was her boyfriend. My hands clenched at the thought.

“Excuse me,” I said to the group, turned, and made my exit. I dodged into the bathroom and shut the door. I needed cold water…now. Todd entered the room as I splashed handfuls over my face and neck.

“What the hell was that?” he asked.

I jumped back, hitting my head on the stall door. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!” I was sweating, and my heart was racing a little too fast.

His eyebrows squished together. “Why did you leave the room like it was on fire?”

“I must’ve eaten something bad for breakfast. I thought it might come back up.” I felt sick, but it wasn’t exactly how I described.

“Wow. You never get sick. Okay, I’ll go back and make your excuses.”

“No!” I shouted.

Todd recoiled in response.

“Sorry. I want to talk to them myself,” I said, trying to regroup.

“Ooookay.” Now he looked at me like I was crazy. Which I probably was.

“Never mind. I’m fine, really. Let’s go back in before they leave.” I led him back toward the conference room.

“What’s the hurry?” His stride was quick as he tried to keep pace.

“They’re probably wondering what happened to us.” I continued to walk ahead while Todd followed close behind.

We reentered the room just in time to witness a heated discussion between the woman I was staring at and the other guy, her boyfriend? Hell. I wondered if he wanted to rip my eyes out after the way I stared at her earlier. I couldn’t help it; there was something about her. I’d hoped splashing water on my face would shake me out of it. No such luck.

The earpiece I’d slipped in before entering the room allowed me to hear every spoken word loud and clear. For personal reasons, I wanted to hear the conversation between her and the other man. I usually reserved that tactic for negotiations, but in this case, my curiosity got the better of me.

I took a quick glimpse at her again and felt the same pull as before, maybe even stronger. What was wrong with me?

EIGHT

Jain

“This building is impressive.” I stood on the sidewalk, staring at the gorgeous structure we were about to enter. Everything about it screamed money, and lots of it. Tasteful and elegant, from the ornate façade to the doorman assisting visitors, it was grand and impressive. I felt a little intimidated, to say the least. I let my head hang back as I scrutinized the forty or so stories. Maybe the building was purchased with the intent to intimidate? I’d heard that venture capitalists liked to show the world how successful they were.