Broken: The Knox Brothers, #1

By Sarah Irvine

The handsome suave Brendan Knox is a billionaire who has it all. Money, women, everything a man could wish for.  He is a high stakes player in the business world and doesn't need anything or anyone. When Brendan sees Hattie in the small-town art store he is enraptured by her beauty and he is determined to take her to his bed. 
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sarah Irvine
• Release date: Jul 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393682592

Book preview

Chapter One

Hattie, Sofia called out from the storeroom of the Arts supply store The Love of Art. Can you hold down the fort out there? I’m going to be a little while with this inventory back here.

No problem Sofia, I can manage here. Hattie called back to her as she finished putting away the paint brushes. Business had been slow all morning so she didn’t foresee any problems. It was graduation week at the college. Students were busy with friends and family and celebrating their achievements and while it was usually quiet during this week it was good to be prepared. That’s why Sofia was in the store room taking inventory while they had some down time.

Continuing with her work, she smiled as she remembered walking into the Love of Art one day five years ago to buy some charcoal for drawings. It was an art supply store near the college campus. She had enrolled in Waterford Art School and worked on her degree part time. A talented art student, she loved the sketching and pottery classes. But she also loved to use colors and her tutors had told her she had a knack for it.

Hattie and Sofia had instantly hit it off and she would pop into the store whenever she passed, sometimes bringing coffee in for Sofia. Sofia had a great outlook on life and often made her feel better with a pearl of wisdom or a saying that didn’t come out quite as she meant it to, but she loved Sofia and was grateful for the mentoring and support she received from her.

Hattie was cleaning one of the shelves in the front of the store when she heard a deep baritone voice behind her. Ahem! Excuse me miss. I need a gift for my sister’s graduation. She is an artist and I thought I would get her some brushes and perhaps some paints. Please show me your most expensive gift box? This was the voice of a man used to giving orders and getting his own way. She recognized the tone and her hackles immediately went up.

I will be with you in a moment she called over her shoulder as she carefully placed the items she had been holding, back on the shelf. Not slowly, but neither was she jumping to turn around and pander to this man’s orders.

Brendan Knox looked at the round, shapely, attractive rear view of the woman and spoke in a clipped tone saying I am in a serious hurry here, so I would be grateful if you could attend to me now

I am nearly finished…a moment, and then. There she said as she straightened up and turned, Now, how can I help y-you She stuttered, stopping short. Wow Hattie, just wow. How could someone so snarky look like the Archangel freaking Gabriel in a high class tailored suit? Are there wings under that Italian cut suit that surely cost a year of my salary? She blinked and then coughed trying to recover from her astonishment. He was drumming the counter with the fingers of one hand, looking irritated and just about ready to explode, while his phone vibrated incessantly in his other hand.

Okay look He took a breath to calm himself, unsure if the breathy words were a result of agitation for being late or discomfort at the inappropriately stirring boner he had going on at the sight of this beautiful woman. I have flown in from New York and I have to be at a graduation ceremony in thirty minutes so I would be grateful for your full attention and help in finding a gift for my sister. Just get me the most expensive gift set you have. Oh and can you gift wrap it while you’re at it?

Why? said Hattie.

Excuse me?

Why?

Why what?

Why do you want the most expensive gift for your sister?

He looked exasperated now. Aren’t you supposed to want to sell me the most expensive item?

I would rather sell you the item your sister would most enjoy and find useful

He stood up straighter, forcing Hattie to strain her neck to take in his impressive six feet two inches height. He took a slow breath, forcing himself to calm down. Who is this snippy woman?…, This… Gorgeous… Snippy – Woman, and why am I explaining myself to her? I should just leave and write Mia a check so she can choose her own gift. Yes that would be much more sensible. …Damn the way she is licking her lips.

But he didn’t want Mia to feel he had forgotten her graduation. He had. Well, he thought he had more time but unfortunately events took over and now he was running late and needing to buy her a nice gift, but this beautiful woman was being very unhelpful and making him late for Mia’s ceremony. On top of that she was distracting him.

He took a moment now to appraise her light brown hair that was pulled back in a loose knot, tendrils hanging loosely in places, those wide green eyes and that slender, long legged body, beautiful breasts and nipples that strained slightly against her blouse. He could imagine covering them with his hands and. What? Stop it… he sucked in a breath as she bit her bottom lip. Perfect lips too, perfect for kissing…. Jesus I’m a Fucking moron he told himself as she glared at him and he felt his shaft stirring, mocking him spitefully.

Look said Hattie. I can show you a beautifully carved box that is much cheaper and select you some brushes that I am sure will be much more useful than these branded gift boxes, and I think your sister will be extremely happy with Your selection. She said using air quotation marks and smiling mischievously. Let me show you

Hattie lifted a beautiful maple wood box with a traditional carved rope and knot design down from the shelf and opened it. Inside was a section for paints, a section for brushes and little pull out draw for charcoal. Does your sister paint in oils or water colors? she asked.

Err I’m not sure

Okaaay then she said. I will put in a mix of the best value for money paints, brushes and practical tools.

She worked quickly and efficiently, putting the selection of items into the compartments in the box while occasionally tapping her luscious mouth with her finger and chewing slightly on the nail, making him more and more uncomfortable and agitated, but.. Also entranced by the way she moved her hips as she reached for items and placed them in the box.

Hattie proceeded to fill the compartments of the box with chisel brushes, wide brushes, pallet knives and color shapers along with several types of brushes for water colors and oils. In the end the price was no less expensive than the gift box, but it now contained a much more practical selection of brushes and tools and Hattie was sure his sister would appreciate this more.

He had to admit it did look great and he knew his ever practical and unpretentious sister Mia would love it. Thank you. He said chastely. You were right. I haven’t seen the branded gift box but if I know my sister she will love this.

We aim to please Hattie smiled, looking up at him as she started the wrapping process, feeling a sense of triumph and at the same time grateful that she had been able to please this magnificent deity. What the hell! Just because he has the most beautiful gray blue eyes I have ever seen. Just because he looks incredible in his designer suit with his expensive cuff links peeking from his sleeves… and his tie reflects the color of his eyes perfectly. Just because of his very broad manly shoulders and chest that were no strangers to a daily workout, and just because of all that it doesn’t mean I have to be affected by his charming smile. Hell, he probably dates supermodel types, seeing how he isn’t wearing a wedding ring and all. Hattie’s cheeks were flushed now, and she felt flustered as she tried to pull herself together. Straightening up she finished the wrapping.

Chapter Two

Brendan Knox was feeling off guard and unsure of himself. This was not a comfortable position for him to be in and he needed to get out of here and away from this woman as soon as possible. His company was on the brink of a major deal and he was trying to conduct a meeting with the other party and his second in command James Grady on the phone goddammit. On top of that he was late for his sister’s graduation ceremony and damn near forgot her gift, and now he was faced with, what he could only describe as a vision in a tight blouse and jeans with big green eyes, and she was laughing at him. He got the distinct impression she thought he was taking himself too seriously and needed to loosen up. Oh, he could loosen up with her. A picture of her on his bed naked and begging for him quickly flashed into his dulled brain which was fueled as she continued biting her bottom lip. He wanted to stroke that mouth and then…. For Fucks sake Bren get a grip. I need to get this Fucking call and deal with the new acquisition now

He gazed at her mouth for a long moment but then shook his head before leaning on the counter and grinning. In a deep sexy voice that made her shiver he said, Oh I am pleased.

She cleared her throat stepping back and tried to compose herself.

He let out a long breath. I am very pleased he mumbled suggestively.

She looked up, wide eyed. Ha, he wasn’t the only one-off guard now. She stepped back further catching her breath as she did so, and they stood for a moment staring at each other. Suddenly he picked up the wrapped gift and smiling said Well thank you. You’ve been a big help.

And….. she breathed a slightly slow breath watching his broad back and very firm rear as he turned barking into the phone as he left the store in a cascade of pheromones and climbed into his town car as his driver held the door open for him.

Hattie stood motionless while she tried to recover herself from the onslaught of the tall gray-blue eyed man-god. She could hear her heart pounding and she felt the heat rising and her cheeks flushing. She blew out a breath and fanned herself. He should have a health warning sign on him.

What’s that? Sofia said as she entered from the back room.

Oh it’s nothing, just another satisfied customer she smiled to herself at the humorous irony of that because she was far from satisfied. She felt… Well - Aroused? Oh God, stop it Hattie. Stop now.

It doesn’t look like nothing" to me honey. Who was that gorgeous specimen? He could definitely satisfy a woman’s girly