Broken In Pieces: Billionaire Stepbrother Romance (Wounded Hearts Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

and here I am. I go to the receptionist and ask for Caroline. I am instructed to take a seat and she will be with me shortly.
    The waiting area, though very lavishly business like, is extremely comfortable. There is lots of dark mahogany wood and ceiling to floor windows. The couches and chairs are extremely plush and all in a mahogany colored leather. The artwork is exquisite and captures my interest quickly. I watch the interaction of the staff. They seem genuinely polite but very aware of themselves.
    “Sheridan, Caroline will see you now,” the receptionist brings my attention back to the reason I am here. I follow her down the hallway.
    When we reach Caroline’s office, the receptionist knocks and announces me. As I enter, I notice it is decorated much like the waiting area with a few personal touches from the woman who occupies it. There’s a friendly looking lady sitting behind the desk. She looks to be around forty with fire red hair and porcelain skin. Her makeup and clothing are immaculate. She rises from her seat with a huge smile, “Please, come in and have a seat.”
    I notice a southern drawl as she speaks which puts me at ease, somewhat. I take my place at one of the chairs she motioned to, in front of her desk. I notice that there is a paper copy of my online resume lying in front of her. We spend the next thirty minutes or so in a very informal interview. It feels more like two old friends having a discussion. This eases my nerves further. We discuss my experience working in offices on my summer breaks and my education.
    At the end of the interview, Caroline begins, “Sheridan, I really like you and we’re looking for someone like you who doesn’t have a lot of experience. This way we can train you to assist Mr. Hawthorne. I’ll be honest with you, Mr. Hawthorne is very demanding and he likes things the way he likes them. No questions asked. So anything you may have gotten used to in your other jobs, forget it.” Then her smile fades, “There is one other thing. Your clothing is a bit frumpy for our atmosphere. I’m not being disrespectful. It’s just the way things are around here. I can see that you have a good figure under all the material you have surrounded yourself with. Don’t be afraid to show it off.” I smile and feel my face flush slightly as I assure her that I will take care of it.
    We then move onto business. She explains that twenty-eight year old, Damien Blade Hawthorne is the owner. She gives me a background on the company and emphasizes that Hawthorne Heights is one of the largest and most well-known real estate and land development agencies in New York City. Then she takes me on a tour. The floor we’re on is the executive floor where all the CEO’s and Vice Presidents are housed. We visit the floor that houses legal affairs, then another floor that houses all the real estate agents and another floor for accounting, and so on. She explains that the basement is an employee gym with a swimming pool and sauna.
    We return to the executive floor and she begins introducing me to the staff. While we’re at the receptionist desk, a man gets off the elevator. He is a god! A gorgeous, tanned, muscular body with raven hair. He’s clad in tight jeans and an even tighter black t-shirt. My trance is broken when he begins barking orders at the girls behind the desk.
    Caroline interrupts, “Mr. Hawthorne,” she gives him an almost motherly look, saying settle down. “This is your new personal assistant, Sheridan.”
    He looks me over from head to toe and I see a hint of disappointment on his face. It’s my clothes. I have to go shopping . He extends his hand to shake mine, “Welcome,” he says sternly.
    As soon as he touches my hand, I feel the electricity shoot through my body. I recoil my hand more quickly than I should, “I’m glad to be here, sir.” His eyes are the most beautiful color of cyan that I’ve ever seen and I stand breathless, caught in his stare. He returns to