Break Me

Break Me

Book 1 in the Shattered series

Jo-Anna Walker

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Break Me

copyright 2013, Jo-Anna Walker

Acknowledgments

First off I would like to thank everyone who has helped me with this unexpected journey and dream of mine. You all know who you are and without your support, this wouldn’t have happened for me.

Thank you to my friends and family for your love and constant encouragement. Sometimes a girl needs a little coddling.

Thank you to Chrissy (C.A. Szarek) for EVERYTHING! Bestie, you are my inspiration, and words cannot express how much I am grateful for all you have done for me.

To my sister, Shawna…you are my rock. Thank you for telling me to “just write.”

My beta readers (Karen, Amee, Selena, Jessica and Angie W): You ladies are a solid source of helpfulness and you definitely don’t have any qualms about telling me when I really screwed up my grammar or storyline. Love you girlies!

To my girls who helped me swear!!! Who would have thought I needed help in that department with all the movies I've watched and books I've read? So thank you!

To my girls at my review blog, Twinsie Talk Book Reviews. Angie W, Angie J and Brenda. Thank you for hosting my very first tour and just for everything. I love you like sisters!

To my online book club (you know who you are) and my coworkers. Thank you for constantly putting up with all of my book talk and rants and raves about my characters being difficult.

Thank you for Once Upon a Time Covers for creating my beautiful cover. You definitely did Sebastian and Tori justice.

To Barbeth Publications for my beautiful banners and author promo. Your work is absolutely brilliant.

Dedication

Dedicated to my wonderful husband, Michael

Chapter 1

He’s here
.

As I walked to the same seat at the same window that I had been sitting at each morning for the last month, I felt him watching me. My body warmed, and when I sat down, I looked up. Dark eyes gazed at me, caressing me with just a look. It was the first time he had noticed me, and it made my stomach flip.

The coffee shop buzzed with activity, distracting me enough to turn away from his heated stare.

My gaze flicked back to his, and a hint of disappointment settled in my belly when he was no longer looking at me.

I couldn’t help but stare as he leaned back in his chair, newspaper in hand, and brought his coffee up to full, kissable lips.

A black leather jacket just waiting to be pulled off of him covered his large frame that showcased power and domination. Images of me ripping off his black T-shirt flew through my mind. Wow…no man had ever made me think thoughts like those.

His V-neck T-shirt showed a hint of tattoos covering his torso with thick arms that I would love to feel wrapped around me. He definitely looked like a man that got what he wanted, when he wanted it.

I always overheard the baristas joking around about who he was, but no one actually knew him. Not having the courage to actually go up to him myself, I waited to see if he would come to me, and he didn’t. Not yet anyway.

His gaze flashed up to mine, interrupting my thoughts, and my cheeks heated at being caught staring at him. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips before he stood from his seat.

I quickly looked down and pulled my book out of my bag, opening it to the bookmarked page. Clearing my throat, I ignored the rapid beating of my heart.
Oh God, he’s coming over here.

A moment later, the chair across from me squeaked as it was dragged across the floor.

The scent of fresh laundry, soap, and man filled my nostrils, making my heart pitter-patter at the intoxicating smell.

I looked up into a set of deep, warm brown eyes surrounded by long lashes that would make any girl envious. He was simply breathtaking, and the hint of a smile on his lips showed that he knew he was getting to me.

His short black hair shouted that running his fingers through it was about all the styling he went for. A five o’clock shadow covered his jawline that somehow made him look scarier and sexier. He grabbed the book out of my hand and leaned back in his chair, flipping through the pages.

I frowned. “Excuse me?”

He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “Is there a problem?” His voice was deep and smooth like silk.

Ignoring the way it made my heart flutter, I rolled my eyes. “No, of course not. Now why would there be a problem? You only snatched my book out of my hand while I was trying to read it but no, no problem.”

His lips turned up at the corners and then tapped the cover of my book. “I think you were checking me out more than you were reading.”

I gaped at his brutal honesty. Sexy confidence oozed off of him, and all I could do was stare. Not having any witty comeback, I crossed my arms under my chest.

“I never pictured you as the romance-reading type.” He added.

“And what’s wrong with reading romance?” I asked.

Black eyes narrowed at me. “It usually means you can’t get a piece in real life, so you have to resort to masturbating to paper or porn, but…” He lifted my book. “Looking at this cover, it looks like it could be a bit of both.”

I scoffed. “Please. Maybe in some cases that may be true, but I’m sure a lot of women enjoy the actual storylines. I, for one, just read it for entertainment.”

“Yeah, I don’t think you’d have any issues getting a piece in real life.” His voice became sensual as his gaze lowered to my mouth and down, stopping at my chest. He smirked.

Tingles washed over my skin at his heated stare. My throat dried up instantly as the current in the room shifted.

He was sex on a stick, and he was flirting with me, making my stomach jump with glee.

Clearing his throat, he bit back a laugh.

“What?” I asked, confused, looking down. No coffee had slopped on me, so I was good that way.

“Oh, nothing.” He massaged his chin, rubbing his fingers along the scruff of his jaw.

My gaze instantly went to his lips, and I wondered what it would be like to kiss him. Shaking that thought out of my head, I leaned forward. He clearly was not a man of many words. “You were going to say something.”

He smiled and continued flipping through the pages of my book. “No, I wasn’t.” 

I huffed, drumming my fingers on the table. I so did not have patience for him or his crap. “Seriously, what were you going to say?”

Leaning forward, his gaze flicked to mine and then down to my mouth, a small smile forming on his lips. “I was going to ask you how far down that blush went.”

My mouth parted, and my heart thudded against my chest.

His gaze flicked back up to mine, and he chuckled, sitting back in his chair.

Ass
. “Are you done?”

He flipped through a couple of more pages and stopped, his eyes moving back and forth along the page.

“Are you seriously reading my…”

He held up his hand, stopping me.

My head rolled back on my neck, and I sighed dramatically.

“Did you guys need anything else?”

My head snapped up, and I saw a barista standing in front of me. Focusing on her name tag, I politely smiled. “No thank you, Brenda.”

She nodded in response and walked away, her graying bob bouncing against her shoulders.

Turning back to my new friend, I sighed loudly again and tapped my fingers on the table.

“Wow, this is some good shit right here. I should take notes,” he said, reaching into his coat.

My mouth dropped open. Did this guy actually think that he had issues in getting a woman? Or man, depending on what he went for. “Are you serious?”

He looked up at me, his lips set in a straight line, no emotion splaying on his face whatsoever. “What?”

“Really? Really. You should take notes? Seriously?” This guy was nuts.

He didn’t respond, and then a moment later, a huge grin broke out on his face. “Well, I thought it sounded good.”

I shook my head and chuckled at his poor attempt at being funny.

He laughed and gave me back my book.

Something about him made me feel comfortable enough that I could be myself around him. I didn’t have to pretend to be something I wasn’t like with other men.

A moment later, he stopped laughing, a small smile still curving his lips. “I love your laugh.”

My gaze snapped to his and my cheeks warmed. One compliment from him and I was mush. Putty in his hands.
Oh, crap.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.

His eyes blazed, and my heart beat loudly against my chest. I cleared my throat and put my book away, needing the distraction.

“You want another coffee?” he asked a moment later.

I looked up, and he motioned to my empty coffee mug. “Sure, please.”

Giving him my order, I watched as he headed to the counter. He leaned against it, talking to the barista and looked back at me. The barista said something funny, and he laughed, still keeping his gaze locked with mine.

My skin tingled as his stare roamed over me. His dark eyes instantly had that effect on me. Like he was searching into my soul for all my deepest, darkest secrets.

He looked away when the barista came back with our drinks.

I turned back to the table and frowned.
Where the hell was my phone
?

Searching through my bag, I came up empty-handed. I huffed, trying to remember if I had even brought my phone with me in the first place.

“What are you looking for?” He asked as he neared the table. Placing the drinks in between us, he sat down.

As an afterthought, I thanked him for the coffee. “I can’t seem to find my phone.”

“Hmm…maybe it’s in your purse,” he offered.

“Maybe.” I reached down for my bag and searched through it again. My eyes widened when my fingers wrapped around something hard and rectangular.

I pulled out my cell phone and frowned. Confusion coursed through me as to why I couldn’t find it just a moment ago. “I swear it wasn’t there.”

He shrugged and took a sip of his coffee. “So, what’s your name little one?”

My face warmed at his term of endearment. “Tori McLeod.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Tori,” he said, sticking out his hand.

The way he said my name, it came out low and deep, and it sent shivers down my spine.

Placing my hand in his, electricity ran down my spine as soon as we made contact. I swallowed. “Nice to meet you too…” 

“Sebastian Chelios, but you can call me whatever you damn well please.” He smirked.

I scoffed. “Does that sort of pickup line work on every girl, or is this your first time testing it out?”

He chuckled. “Well, that depends.”

My eyebrow rose. “On?”

His gaze darkened, and he placed a kiss on my knuckles. “Is it working?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words formed on my tongue as I watched his lips brush over the back of my hand.

He chuckled harder and leaned back in his seat.

I huffed and drank the rest of my coffee in one big gulp. Packing up my things, I rose from the chair. “I should go.” 

Sebastian shoved back his chair and rose. He looked down at me, our bodies mere inches from each other. “It was really nice meeting you, little one.”

“You too,” I said quietly.

His hand reached out and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, causing my heart to pitter-patter.

Images of our bodies entwined together, writhing and moving as one, flashed in my mind. My face grew hot.

“I’ll see you later, Tori.”

Nodding, I flung my bag over my shoulder and headed to the door. Pausing, I looked back at Sebastian. He wasn’t at the table. My eyes did a quick scan of the coffee shop, and I didn’t see him anywhere.

I sighed and pushed the door open, frowning at the gloomy weather. A cool draft washed over me, sending shivers down my spine. 

Heading home, I walked the five blocks, like I did all the time, while scrolling through the music list on my phone.

Suddenly, a rough hand grabbed my arm and yanked me into a dark nearby alley and covered my mouth before I could scream.

My heart sped up, and I broke out in a cold sweat.

Oh God. This is it. I’m going to be raped
.

My bag fell from my hands.

The ear buds were yanked from my ears, and my attacker growled, pushing me face-first against the brick wall of the building.

“Please. Just take my purse. Take my money, just please don’t hurt me.” Tears welled in my eyes, and I squeezed them shut as my heart thudded loudly against my chest.