Broken CEO Read online

  He pointed to the pen on his desk. “Then sign.”

  I sucked on my bottom lip. Part of me loved risking everything, but I pushed my hair behind my ear and said, “I… I want you to kiss me before I do.”

  “Are you worried?”

  I shook my head. He had no idea what my life had been like. I’d been sheltered. My limbs trembled as I told him the truth. “I kissed one boy in high school, but afterwards, he decided he was definitely gay. I’d like for our kiss… to be real… not because of a contract.”

  He stood. “Come here.”

  I stood, and he wrapped his arms around me. My eyes fluttered closed, but then his lips met mine.

  The rest of the world disappeared when he did.

  Chapter 4

  Zane

  I never expected ever to taste anyone like her—she was so sweet that it rocked me to my core. It shocked me, and as the kiss ended, I traced her body and squeezed that ass of hers, which was mine. Then I said, “You’re sweeter than I imagined.”

  She blushed as I held onto her. “I… thank you.” She wiggled free and held my hands. “One more thing. It’s five. My sister is home. If we’re going to be spending time together, I’m going to have to explain it somehow. I mean, I know that you aren’t really going to be my boyfriend, but would you be okay with me telling her you are, so it makes sense to her?”

  The word “minx” didn’t even begin to describe Abby. I rubbed the back of my head and took in her scent, a light vanilla. “I’ve never been called that before.”

  Her eyes narrowed as if I was insane. “What? ‘Boyfriend’? Isn’t that what this whole contract means?”

  A chuckle escaped me. She must have grown up sheltered. I tapped my chest with my hand. “I’m not exactly the guy you bring home.”

  “It’s not like I’m taking you home to meet the parents.” She looked out the window wistfully. “Annie’s easy to get along with. I just don’t want her to get the wrong idea.”

  The sister was a complication. The last woman who’d signed the contract had been free of entanglements but knew her place. We’d never gotten personal.

  My way was safer than pretending to be her boyfriend, so I motioned to the paper in her seat. “I’ll still need you to sign.”

  She picked up a pen from my desk. “Can we talk logistics? I’m in and excited, but I’m not sure how this will work when I need to get home to ensure homework is done, my sister is safe, things like that.”

  Childcare. Money could buy anything. Once we settled details, we would set up rules. I grabbed a blank piece of paper from my desk, and the space between us seemed to widen. I wrote quickly and returned to her side. “Here. Meet me at this address at eight. The water view will be nice. I’ll have a car take you home and there.”

  She paused as if she needed to decide. “I’ll figure out childcare.”

  I tugged her hips so she could feel how hard she made me. “No. Bring her. I’ll have a nanny and a private place for us. So pack bags for both of you.”

  She trembled, and her face turned red. She licked her lips. “Yeah?”

  “You’re staying the night.” I held her ass to see if she would reject me.

  She wrapped her arms around my neck. I paused—no one hugged me—but then she said, “Sounds wonderful.”

  For some reason, my heart had gotten involved. I moved her head and sucked on her neck, as it seemed safer than kissing her lips again. “You have a few hours. Pack fast.” Holding her made me wish I was a better man.

  She smiled. “One more kiss before I go?”

  I squeezed her and wanted nothing more than to rip her clothes off and have her right there, but I stopped myself. “You’re crazy and innocent at the same time.”

  Our lips met, and for the second time in my life, the first being moments before, a kiss made me forget my past. I was with the best woman in the world, and that was all that mattered.

  As the moment ended, I let her go.

  She swayed her hips as she headed to the door. “Bye.”

  I should have steered clear of Abby. I normally avoided optimists, but somehow, she was special, and soon, she would be entirely mine.

  Chapter 5

  Abby

  My sister asked a million questions. She wasn’t buying that my boss and I were now dating. But when his car arrived to pick us up, she grabbed her backpack and happily hopped in the Mercedes, where she peppered me with more questions for the entire ride.

  She’d clearly inherited our father’s more suspicious nature, but she quieted as we rode in the elevator of a high rise to the penthouse, which overlooked San Francisco Bay. Our ears popped as we went up.

  Once we stopped, Zane walked out, wearing a T-shirt and sweatpants that probably cost more than my jeans.

  Annie stood like my sentinel, so I put my hand on her shoulder. “This is my sister.”

  He offered his hand to shake and said, “Nice to meet you, Annie.”

  True to character, she was dramatic. “I thought my sister having a boyfriend was some joke she was playing on me. I’m glad to see you’re real.”

  A woman came around the corner, and Zane waved her over. “Right. Miss Alvarez, this is Annie Armstrong.”

  She waved at us. “Nice to meet you both. I’m a fully licensed nanny if you need to see my references.”

  Annie nodded. “I’ll be fine. Have fun, sis.”

  “I love you,” I called to her as she headed to a door that appeared to lead to a separate wing.

  She waved. “I love you too.”

  My heart was full. It was the start of the life I’d fantasized about for weeks. I walked beside Zane.

  “You and your sister are close.” He placed his hand on my lower back, and I warmed. Then we passed the threshold, and he closed the door.

  “She’s amazing. She excels in the opposite of everything I do, but somehow, we get along.”

  He took off his shoes near the door, and I backed up to join him. “You’re lucky,” he said. “I have a lot of brothers, but we’re all fucked in the head.”

  Once my old gray Skechers were next to his fancy red Nike Air Max, I stood and straightened. “So I’m here. We’re alone. Where do you want me?”

  His lips quirked into a smile. “Were you always so direct?”

  Good. I breathed more easily when I saw him calm. I nodded. “Yeah. I’ve always found if I don’t ask, then I make mistakes and regret holding my tongue.”

  He patted my ass. “Strip, and let’s go to the window.”

  I lifted my shirt, and my heart pounded loudly in my chest. I’d half expected him to demand the contract. I tossed my shirt onto his couch. “Okay.”

  Then I shimmied out of my jeans while he watched. I wiggled a little more, and he took a deep breath when he saw my panties though. “Name one regret,” he said.

  I shivered. It wasn’t how I expected my first time. I’d wanted to be in love, but I expected roses and sheets that covered us, like in the movies. But I rolled my panties down to be completely bare, and goose bumps cropped up on my skin. “Not asking for a kiss weeks ago.”

  He came closer, and I trembled as he held me. “I’m going to fuck you right here, in front of the window,” he said with a growl.

  I walked backward with him holding me. “Can anyone see?”

  He stared at my lips. “Does it matter?”

  I rocked as I touched the glass and saw our reflection there. My nipples hardened, and I was blushing all the way into my chest. I sucked in my bottom lip as he kissed the nape of my neck.

  My skin awakened, but I curled my hand around his neck and held my breath. Now or never. I swallowed. “I… Zane, I’m a virgin, so if I don’t know what I’m doing, please let me know so I can be better.”

  He stopped kissing me. The window overlooked the bay, and far below us was Fisherman’s Wharf. My skin zipped with energy in the silence. Finally, he kissed my shoulder and said, “Every time I think you’re done surprising me, you remind me how s
pecial you are.”

  I pivoted. I wanted it to be important for both of us. I loved the man. I sighed. “I’m not special. I just want to make my boyfriend… happy.”

  “Happiness has never been my life.” He massaged my breasts.

  My private parts yearned for more as he nuzzled my neck with kisses.

  Love rushed through me as my core awakened.

  My lips met his, and need rushed in me.

  I hoped I was a fast learner, as we all needed to find happiness in the world.

  One of his hands traced down my body. Every cell he touched ached for more, but then he petted my center.

  I moaned as desire rushed in my veins. His reddened face told me he liked how I tasted, but honestly, he tasted better than a sweet cookie.

  He squeezed my breasts again, and my nipples hardened as if I was cold, but that wasn’t true. I was on fire for his caress. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his cheek.

  He nibbled my body, and the flutter inside me grew.

  His finger pressed the edge of my core. I bounced and sighed as warmness overtook my ability to think.

  As he went deeper, he tasted my neck and ear. My heart fluttered. I was his.

  He lowered himself to one knee then held my breasts and licked one of them.

  The apex of my thighs widened as a need rushed in me.

  He took his time sucking and licking my nipples, almost as if he was eating ice cream, and I was lost in an inferno of raw desire. I groped at his shoulders, asking him to come up to me.

  He did, and his tongue clashed with mine in a searing kiss.

  I held him like he was my anchor, but then his finger pressed against my clit.

  Damn.

  His other hand squeezed my nipple, and I was overwhelmed with need. His kisses became more intense, and I needed to use the cold glass of the window to stay upright as my legs opened.

  I helped him out of his clothes as he continued to play with me. I was warm. I needed him. My flesh was alive at his touch, and pleasure rushed through me.

  His sweats fell to the ground, and his huge cock made me pause. There was no way he would fit. Damn.

  He held my leg up, though, and my ass went to the window. I held my breath and braced for pain when he pushed inside me. I cried out, and he stilled, but pain never came. His lips met mine, and his fingers brushed against my nipples.

  Then my body soared as excitement rushed inside me. I was with the man I loved. I needed him.

  I nodded, and he went deeper. I sighed. Being one was even better than I thought.

  Then he pushed fully inside me. My muscles contracted. I held my bottom lip to stop from screaming as I crashed toward oblivion.

  I felt my muscles contracting and sucked on his neck, but my brain was foggy. We were alone in our bubble as a craze exploded in my skin.

  He rode me faster, and I surrendered. I was his.

  I must have lost consciousness, because I woke up on his bed, not remembering how I got there. He watched me as I slept. I stirred.

  “How are you?” he asked.

  “Wonderful,” I said with a smile.

  His face was unreadable. “I was thinking there is room for you and your sister here. Would that work for you?”

  My eyes widened. “Live with you?”

  “It would be easier.”

  That time, I moved, and there was a light knock on the door. My eyes widened. My sister didn’t need to see me like that, and Annie was a smart girl. I grabbed my clothes as quickly as I could, and he tugged on his sweatpants.

  He tossed my clothes toward me but closed the bedroom door. I still struggled with my jeans, but I heard him open the door.

  “I saw the texts to Miss Alvarez.” Annie’s voice was clear. “Is it true we live here now? With you?”

  “Yes,” he said quickly. “And those texts were about her coming to live downstairs.”

  “Here is great.” My heart contracted. That wasn’t in the contract. I wished he loved me, but maybe the whole thing was a mistake.

  I couldn’t risk ruining my sister’s life by getting her hopes dashed when he kicked us out. I loved him, but he absolutely didn’t love me. I wasn’t so much a fool to believe he did.

  Chapter 6

  Abby

  My body still had zips from last night. Zane had been gentle despite the rough pretense.

  I’d not realized the morning after a night of passion would be filled with so much energy. I’d slept in short spurts, but Zane wasn’t in the bedroom.

  I heard him outside, so I knew he was close. I headed into the bathroom. I’d packed my toothbrush, but a new one was on the counter.

  I opened the package and hummed my favorite song as I brushed. Once done, I took a quick shower and checked to be sure that there was no outward sign of what we’d done on my skin.

  Work was work. As I finished, I grabbed a towel and headed to the bedroom.

  Shopping bags were on the bed. I held my towel up and tiptoed over to see. I peeked inside, and my heart pounded. The bags must have been for me.

  The door opened behind me, and Zane came in, already dressed in his white work business shirt but with no pants yet.

  I reached into the bag. “Zane, what’s this?”

  On the top was a sexy number I would never wear. He walked toward me, and I felt a twitch in my core, as if I wanted to go again.

  Heat rushed to my face as he reached over and took the sexy number. “This is a corset body suit with removable garters. No bra or panties. This will be sexy as fuck on you.”

  There was wire and push-up in that thing. I wasn’t blind, but I laughed and said, “It’s soft, and I’m excited to wear white sheer lace, but I meant the rest.”

  He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “Work clothes.”

  I waved the black suit in my hand and said, “It’s Marc Jacobs. People will notice.”

  He wrapped his arms around me and tugged me closer. “You have a new job and a new boyfriend.”

  “Yeah.” I lowered my lashes. His lips met mine, and steam rose through my body.

  He squeezed my ass and back but then let me go. “Let’s get your sister and have breakfast.”

  I dropped the towel. He’d seen me naked all night and then grabbed the sexy white lace. I studied it to figure out how to put it on.

  He went to the closet and grabbed a pair of pants as I wiggled the corset past my hips. He came over and tugged it higher. I jumped in surprise but smiled. He was helping me, calling himself my boyfriend… things were awesome. I put the skirt on and then the starched white shirt.

  He dressed. “I figure you’d need to see her, but after we eat, Miss Alvarez will take her to school.”

  I rocked and mentally noted to myself to get all her information so I could update the school. “I’ll have to add her name to the pickup list.”

  “Sounds responsible.”

  Once we were dressed—and I wore Christian Louboutin black high heels that matched my business suit—we headed across the hall.

  My sister had new clothes, too, though the blue shirt and khaki pants were technically her uniform. Miss Alvarez said she would give me all the information I needed to put her on Annie’s list. Then I asked my sister, “Are you ready, Annie?”

  She nodded and hugged me.

  We headed out to the elevator, and I glanced at Zane. Maybe in time, he would love me like I loved him.

  He said, “We’re going to the bistro downstairs. Get anything you want.”

  Annie nodded.

  The morning gave me hope.

  Then my sister took his hand and mine, and my heart melted. She was usually so protective, but she seemed happy. “Thanks. My new uniform is awesome.”

  “Glad you like it,” Zane said.

  Then she twisted as we descended and let go of both of us, leaving me holding Zane’s hand.

  He winked as we squeezed our palms together.

  Annie, clearly satisfied with playing matchmaker, nodded as
if her job was done. “And you look great, too, sis.”

  “Thanks,” I said as the doors opened.

  The bistro seemed busy, and I glanced at the clock. School didn’t hold their bell. “I’ll get the table. Get me an egg sandwich?”

  “And a latte,” Zane said, and he walked with my sister to the counter.

  “Thank you,” I called.

  I found a pretty spot outside where we could watch people and not be disturbed. I felt like I had a family. The sun was bright. Everything was perfect.

  Then a dark-haired woman tapped my shoulder. I turned toward her, and she asked, “Are you the new sub?”

  My gaze narrowed as I noticed how elegant and thin she was. She’d seen Zane and me come in together. “I’m not a substitute teacher, no.”

  She took the seat beside me at the table. “Zane must have wanted a sense of humor along with a curvy ass.”

  I trembled. Her brown eyes didn’t seem stable, but I shrugged. “Zane’s sweet.”

  She leaned closer. “Sweet? He’s a beast in bed—"

  She jumped up as Zane approached. My sister came over beside me.

  Zane asked the woman, “Why are you talking?”

  I hadn’t gotten her name. She lowered her head. “I’m sorry, sir. But why—"

  “Excuse us a moment,” he said, squeezing my shoulder.

  My sister sat with the breakfast tray, and I took the latte. Annie and I both watched Zane beside me. He spoke to her like he spoke to employees at work.

  I asked in a hushed tone mostly for myself, “Who is she?”

  Annie shrugged. “Looks like you met the jealous ex. Are you okay?”

  My face ticked. She wasn’t over Zane, but he pointed for her to leave, and she did.

  I breathed and said to my sister, “I’m great. Let’s eat and get going.”

  I sipped my latte, and my sister handed each of us our plates. “Are we coming back to Zane’s when school ends?”

  I nodded. We were losing our place, anyhow. “Miss Alvarez will pick you up.”

  “Awesome.”

  Zane sipped his plain coffee. My sister ate fast then jumped up. “Miss Alvarez and the limo are right there. I have to get to school, but you two have fun today.”