Beautifully Broken (Beautifully Series, Book 1) Read online

“This is Maddox Enterprises. I run most of my businesses out of this building. It’s more convenient to be available to each company I run. That way I don’t spend a majority of my day commuting all over Florida.” We take the elevator up to the eighth floor, which opens up to a large reception area.

  “Liam,” Lillian rises from behind her desk giving me a kiss on each cheek, “I prepared everything as you instructed and this must be Ella.” She says beaming at Ella. Lillian’s is only in her mid forties but gives off a motherly air.

  “I’m Lillian. I’ll be your receptionist. Whatever you need all you have to do is press the red button on your phone and it’ll intercom you to me.” Lillian is still holding Ella’s hand and she looks a little overwhelmed by Lillian’s cheerful persona.

  “Thank you Lillian, I’m sure we’ll get along fine.” Lillian finally releases Ella’s hand, hurrying to answer the ringing phone behind her.

  I guide Ella down the corridor into the door at the end of the corridor. She gasps as soon as she crosses the threshold. An array of computers runs on both sides of the office and in the middle a large black desk. She walks across the plush gray carpeting and faces me.

  “Liam this is too much. What did you do give up your office for me?” she ask in wide eyed amazement.

  I laugh at her astonishment, “No this office was actually empty. The head of our IT department left six months ago. Richard Harris, one of our specialists, has been acting as head since then.”

  “You want me to head the department?” excitement flickers in her eyes.

  “I knew you’d be perfect for this position. This department is a much larger operation than you’re used to though. Each company has its own IT specialists on different floors but you’ll be managing all of it from up here. It’s your own personal hub.”

  “I hope you realizes this means a lot of late nights and weekends until I get assimilated here?” she pats my chest knowing I won’t agree to her not being available to me.

  “Harris will catch you up on all the software and hardware we use here. You don’t need to absorb everything all at once. I expect you home when I get there Ella.” I warn her. Her arms encircle my neck pulling closer, her lips touch mines briefly.

  “Thank you for this Liam. Now get out before my boss fires me for fooling around at work.” she giggles making her way behind her new desk.

  “My office is on the top floor.” I place a security card on her desk. “Use this in the elevator and you’ll gain access to my floor.” She’s tucks the card in her purse as I turn to leave.

  Isabella

  The thrill I feel learning of my new job description jars me. I had always felt comfortable in my position in Chicago. It’s not until Liam offered me this position that I realized how excited I am by the challenge. Mid morning Richard Harris sticks his head into my office as way of introduction and I invite him in. He’s young maybe 24, lean and tall with unruly black hair. He personifies the sexy geek look with his thick black glasses. He smiles warmly at me as he runs through all each departments and the systems they use.

  After an hour and a half in my office he takes me on a tour of the very large building. I meet about fifty IT specialists throughout the tour, everyone is unexpectedly warm and welcoming. Rich guides me with a hand at the small of my back into the data room. The high tech hardware isn’t anything I’m not accustomed to but it’s stimulating to be around such an extensive system.

  My phone buzzes as the door shuts behind us. I open the text from Liam surprised he’s waited this long to contact me.

  MAKE SURE HARRIS KNOWS UR MINE!!

  Shouty letters, really?

  He’s being very professional, not everyone wants me Liam. Shouty text not necessary

  Rich quickly runs through which servers run with which systems before grabbing my hand and exiting the room. We ride the elevator back up to our floor.

  “You’re a really bright woman Isabella. It’s nice to have someone on my level here.” he says as we exit the elevator.

  “Thank you Rich but so are you maybe this position should’ve been yours.” I feel a little guilty for coming here and taking the position that should rightfully been his.

  “No you’re perfect for the position. I think we’ll learn from each other.” He says with a genuine smile.

  “I know we will.” I say as we reach my office. “Thanks for the tour.”

  “Anytime, maybe we’ll do lunch next week.” He says cocking his eyebrow.

  “Sure,” lunch with Rich will be fun. He’s young, smart and we have a lot in common.

  He grabs one of my hands with both of his and rubs it gently. He releases my hand with a wink making his way down the hall to his office.

  My phone buzzes angrily in my pocket as if portraying Liam’s anger. I pull it out and see three texts this time.

  Why the fuck is he caressing ur hand

  He wants u Ella, I see it in his eyes

  Is he gonna b a problem cause I can get rid of him

  Jeez and I thought I had jealousy issues. Watching me through security cameras is borderline stalker. I grab my purse out my desk and head for the elevator. I slide the key Liam gave me in the slot and the car starts to approach the top floor. The doors slide open and the first thing I see when the doors slides open is Liam scowling at me. He grabs my arm pulling me through the large reception area. The two women behind the large oval shaped reception desk glance at me curiously. Behind them is a large glossy dark wood partition. Liam pulls me behind the partition and through two large shaded glass doors that slide open automatically. He pushes a button as soon as we enter. I assume it’s a lock for the doors.

  In his office I stop short pulling my arm from his grasp. This is not an office it’s a living space, it must be at least 1000 sq ft. Four large pillars make a pathway to a huge glossy mahogany desk. It’s presence in the room is as intimidating as the man who occupies it. The room also has a wet bar, a large dining table and a sofa seating area. The dark slate walls are a huge contrast to the fluffy cream carpets. The wall to wall windows work at brightening the dark office and the view of the cityscape and ocean are fantastic from up here.

  “Do I need to do something about Harris?” Liam questions me.

  “Baby that’s ridiculous. Rich is good at his job and it’s hard to find someone as smart as him.” I wrap my hands around his neck running them up and down the nape of his neck, trying to ease the tension I feel building there. I pull his lips to mine kissing him softly. He closes his eyes and huffs out a breath. I knew that a simple reply text would never alleviate his agitation, he needs this contact. Needed to feel our connection was not broken by my interaction with another man.

  “You turn me into a deranged man. I hate to see other men trying to take what’s mine.” he whispers against my lips his breath cool and minty.

  “Nobody can take me from you.” I say loving the texture of his hair against my fingers. “I’m yours. You have me.” I reassure him, kissing him deeply. His arms tighten around me as his tongue tangles with mine. His taste is intoxicating and I get lost in him immediately. In moments were panting heavily and my fingers are rapidly fumbling at his belt buckle. He places a hand over mine breaking our kiss.

  “I have a meeting in…” he glances at his watch. “Ten minutes” he warns shaking his head to dissuade me but the bulge underneath my fingers is begging me to continue.

  “I’ll be done in less than five,” I say dropping down to my knees smirking up at him. I quickly pull his pants down followed by those sexy skin tight boxer briefs. His strong masculine smell hits me instantly causing liquid to pool between my legs.

  He smells so delicious. I reach out and envelope him in my hand, his skin hot and velvety. My small hand is barely able to circle his girth. My tongue flicks across the slit at the head of his cock and he jolts as though I electrocuted him. I circle the bulging head with my tongue savoring his flavor mingling with my saliva. I thrust as much of him into my mouth as possible adding sucti
on around the head. His eyes close right before he throws his head back.

  His hand grips my head as his hips begin to rotate, thrusting into my mouth in a clockwise motion. My hand massages the remainder of his beautiful cock urging him to release his pleasure into my mouth. His hips buck one more time and his knee begin to buckle as hot streams of Liam flavored liquid fill my mouth. I feed on him greedily. Surprised by how much pleasure I feel by just the taste of him on my tongue. He drops to his knees in front of me once I release him from my mouth. He grabs my face kissing me deeply. He leans his forehead against mine looking into my eyes emoting.

  “God I love you,” he proclaims in the silent room. He leans back on his heels shaking his head amazed at me, at us. He rises up pulling his pants up and pulling me up after him. He makes his way through a door next to his desk leaving me to explore his office. I end up behind his desk sitting in his huge leather chair. I feel powerful in this chair. This is the chair of a man who has the world at the palm of his hand the only thing missing in his life was a special woman. I hope he found that in me because the addiction to him I’ve developed is incurable.

  I stare at his stalker vision, that’s the large screen he uses to watch me on, a little annoyed that most of the small squares on the screen are set to my floor. He comes back into the office wearing a new suit looking unruffled. He walks to the bar grabbing a water and offers me one. I refuse wanting to keep his taste in my mouth a little while longer.

  “You keep a change of clothes here?” I ask admiring the sexy three piece suit he changed into.

  “I have a closet full of clothes here.” He chugs the water his Adams apple bobbing with each swallow. My goodness the man can turn me on by drinking water. Curious I walk through the door he came out of seconds ago. I’m taken aback by the discovery of a mini suite. A small dressing area with clothes for every occasion lined on each side of the wall leads into a larger room with a king sized bed. The crisp white furniture is a shock to my eyes coming from his gothic-like office. He’s a dark man and his tastes reflect that, this room however is not at all like the rest of his places. The ensuite is almost as extravagant as the one in his condo. I feel his presence behind me before I turn, his presence always commanding my attention. He wraps his arm around me, kissing my temple.

  “I wish I had time to throw you on that bed and finish what you started.” He says looking at the bed longingly.

  “As I recall I did finish what I started,” my expression challenging him to argue my point. He throws his hands up in defeat.

  “And you finished me off superbly.”

  “What’s with you having an apartment in your office?” I ask curiously.

  “Before you came here I spent a lot of time at work. I didn’t have much to go home to so I would crash here when I worked late.”

  A beep sounds over a speaker somewhere and his receptionist announces his one o’clock is here. He walks me to the door holding our hands intertwined. I place a kiss on his cheek before I leave through the sliding doors. This time the receptionist smiles politely at me as I walk towards the elevator.

  Lillian greets me cheerfully back in my office. I’ve usually been really annoyed by giddy women but her maternal air calls to me. She talks me into going out to lunch with her and half an hour later we’re laughing over oysters on a half shell at this place called Charley’s crab. Yes a crab joint, she brought me here without knowing my weakness for crabs. I may have made a friend for life. Lillian is fun and easy going and her beauty radiates from within.

  Outside she’s just as beautiful, reminding me a lot of Kate Walsh. Her auburn is wrapped into a tight business bun but I know when she lets it down she’s probably a fiery redhead. Of course I end up with another redhead for a receptionist but I liked Alice before the Liam situation and I already like Lillian too.

  “So how are you coping with your move from Chicago?” she asks.

  “It was a little scary at first but Liam’s helping me feel at home.” I’m surprised at myself for being so honest with her.

  “Ohh,” she stops eating her eyebrows lifting. “You and Liam are …together?” she asks nervously. I start to feel apprehensive hoping I didn’t just open up to one of Liam’s conquest, though I didn’t get that vibe from her earlier.

  “Uhh…yeah.” I answer, gauging her expression for any clues of something being off; instead I see concern beaming from her eyes.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t want to make anything awkward, I just really like you and I don’t want to see you get hurt.” She says patting my hand. “I’ve known Liam since he moved here ten years ago and he doesn’t commit. I hope you didn’t move here in hopes of changing him because I don’t want to see you leave when he won’t.”

  I’m touched that this woman that I’ve just met is genuinely concerned for me. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve pretty much been just like Liam but we found something in each other that’s inspired us to try to work on a relationship. I wouldn’t have moved here if our feelings for each other weren’t absolute.” I say as she continues to eat warily.

  “Are you staying in one of his condos?” she questions, her eyes averting mine. She knows about his fuck pad. They must be close if she knows about it.

  “No, I’m not staying in that condo. I’m staying with him at his place. Besides Arianna is still in residence there.” I say, not trying to hide my vehemence towards her. Her eyes practically bug out their socket as she gapes at me.

  “You’re staying with him…Wow that’s…I don’t know what to say about that. You’re right your relationship is defiantly different and I’m glad. As for Arianna-never liked that bitch.” She says returning to her meal.

  I told her about the little play Arianna put on at the pool and she was not at all surprised. She warns me that Arianna won’t be giving up on Liam too easily especially now that she knows that he’s chosen someone else over her. It was a totally different situation when she thought he wouldn’t commit to anyone but now she’ll be insulted and try to gain back her self esteem by winning him back.

  Lillian goes to the restroom while I settle the check. She insisted on paying but I told her if I allowed her to pay I would never go to lunch with her again so she finally gave up and put her card away. A shadow falls over me as I wait for Lillian to return, I’m pleasantly surprised to see Dr. Knight when I glance up.

  “Cayden,” I exclaim rising from my seat and hugging him. The man saved me from something very difficult and I feel really safe around him.

  “Isabella how are you?” he asks holding me at arm’s length. Inspecting me with those angel eyes.

  “I’m great. Do you work around here?” I ask.

  “I live close by and my mother loves this place so I take her to lunch whenever I’m free. I noticed you from our table and just had to see how you’re doing. I was hoping you’d give me your card so I can check up on you.” Lillian returns looking flustered when she notices the beautiful man at our table.

  “Lillian this is Dr. Knight he helped me out when I got here and I’m forever in his debt”

  “Cayden, please,” he says shaking Lillian’s hand. “It was nice seeing you again Isabella call me if you ever need me.”

  “I will,” I say handing him my card before he returns to his table with a woman who looks too young and beautiful to be his mother. Now I know where he gets his great looks from.

  “Oh my god Isabella he’s like a fallen angel and he’s got it bad for you.” She says pulling my hand as we walk out the restaurant.

  “That’s crazy Lillian. He’s just a nice doctor who helped me out during a bad experience.” I say dismissing her allegations.

  “Okay…but that was not the vibe I felt flowing from him.” she hugs my arm as we walk to her car. I laugh at her, excited that I’ve just made my first girlfriend.

  Chapter 14

  Liam

  The past three weeks with Ella have been better than I imagined. Other than our time at work we’re inseparable and that
’s exactly how I want it to be. I glance over at her punching something into her iPad. She’s constantly updating meetings and trying to schedule everything within the work day. I forbid any business after six pm for our first month here. I thought we needed the quiet time together and I was absolutely right. The only problem is that after a month has passed I won’t want to return to late nights at the office when I can be at home with Ella wrapped in my arms.

  My anticipation builds as I pull into the parking deck. I’ve had this surprise in works for a week and I hope she won’t be too difficult about it. I pull into my spot and we get out together. She noticed the black Aston Martin Virage Volante with a big golden bow and she puts the iPad down dumbstruck.

  “You didn’t” she finally says after a few silent seconds.

  “Do you like it?” I wrap my arm around her knowing I can convince her to keep the car.

  “It’s too much Liam. How much did you spend on this convertible? You have two cars and a SUV, I can drive one of those.” She says pulling away from me.

  “I want you to have your own car. I never want you to feel trapped here. As much as I need you to stay I want you to have the freedom to go and do whatever you want.” I answer honestly. One thing I’ve learned from loving Ella is that I’d do anything to make her happy even let her go. She storms to the elevator without me. I catch up right before the door shuts me out.

  “Okay,” she says leaning against the back wall of the elevator. “Since you’re so excited to give me my freedom, this would be a good time to let you know I’m going to Vegas with Lucas in a couple weeks.”

  My heart begins a rapid rhythm in my chest, tightening to the point of rupture. It’s been weeks since I’ve even thought of Lucas and this announcement is a shock to my system. “No.” I say reflexively, my heart and mind revolting from the concept.

  “So you were just trying to get me to keep the car, you didn’t mean anything you said” she retorts. Damn I really fucked myself with that speech but how was I supposed to know the ghost of Lucas would come back to haunt me.