Breaking Benjamin

by Haylee Thorne

  “Traitor,” I mouth at her. I watch her walk away for a moment, an enormous grin on her face, before I turn to face my accuser. “Going to the bathroom is running off?”

  I’m surprised with how even my tone is. Judging from the look on Sapphire’s face, it’s thrown him off, too. But he recovers fast and flashes me a smile as he approaches me.

  “So, we can have a drink at the bar then?”

  “Look, um, Ben, is it?”

  He closes the distance between us and cocks his head. “You know it is.”

  I bite my lower lip in an attempt to hide my smile; it’s fun sparring with him. He’s so close now, close enough for me to smell his cologne. Hints of clean soap and earthy scents tickle my nostrils, and it is taking everything I have to stop myself from inhaling deeply. Mercifully, I manage to collect myself. Lifting my head, I look at him and smile sweetly.

  “I’m just not that into you.”

  His eyes sparkle brightly, a twinkle of amusement setting them ablaze. He takes another step closer, his right-hand slipping around my waist, and pulls me against him. It doesn’t even occur to me to stop him. Our eyes lock, and I feel his finger trail slowly from my shoulder to the very tip of my index finger. The gentle touch is setting my body on fire. I gasp slightly, screaming inwardly at myself to look away, but my irises are his willing prisoners. My body trembles against his, so close now that I can feel how hard is chest is. He leans in agonizingly slow, and I know that I’m done for. His lips are just mere inches from mine. My eyes flicker to his perfect mouth, and I swallow hard.

  “Yes,” he whispers against my lips. “I can see just how little you are into me.” His lips gently brush my cheek and he releases me. The air is thick with desire, and I know it’s not just mine. Ben shakes his head, a smirk on his face. “Stubborn little thing, aren’t you?”

  He takes my hand once more and lifts it to his lips. “I’ll definitely be in touch.”

  And, with those parting words, he leaves me standing there in the hallway, somewhere between feeling bereft and dumbfounded.

  Chapter 2

  “When’s your next meeting with Jill Baldwin?” I burst into Drew’s office and make myself comfortable in one of the wing back chairs in front of his desk. Looking up, I’m met with a look of utter annoyance.

  “Well, good morning to you, Benny.” He waves his hand to the chair I’m already in. “Won’t you come in and have a seat? It’s not like I was working on anything.” His brow arches high as he finishes, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Can I get you a cup of coffee perhaps?”

  “You can get me Jill Baldwin’s number,” I retort, shaking off his edginess. He’s too wound up for his own good.

  “I’m sorry, whose number do you want?” His fingers are tapping in irritation on his desk.

  “Jill Baldwin. Mika’s wife’s friend. Owns Serenity Spas. You had a meeting with her last week.”

  Realization dawns and a knowing smile dances on his lips. “Ah, you must have met the lovely Ms. Baldwin at the opening, and now you’re interested in a meeting. Am I correct?”

  “Did you see her? She’s absolutely stunning.” I stand from the chair and begin pacing, trying to expend some of the restless energy coursing through my system. “But damn if she isn’t playing hard to get.”

  “Yes, she’s hard to miss. I can see why you’re taken by her.”

  I stop and turn in his direction when I hear his fingers cease their movement. “But?” I know there’s a but coming. Drew may be my younger brother, but there is no doubt that he’s generally the more reasonable one of us.

  “But,” he gives me a hard stare, “I’m actually quite interested in having her incorporate her spas into our hotels and don’t need you to interfere with that.”

  “So, let me help. If you think it’s a good business decision, let me work to make the deal happen.”

  Drew chuckles and shakes his head. “I think we both know what kind of deal you’re interested in when it comes to Ms. Baldwin. Go chase another skirt. This one is too important for you to mess with.”

  I move to stand in front of his desk and slap my palm down hard. “Damn it, this girl is different! I feel it in my bones.”

  My brother stands to his full height, which is two small inches taller than me, his blue eyes turning to steel. “Different because she said no? I’m sure that’s a new concept for you, big brother.”

  “Fuck you, Drew.” I move to stand next to him to show I’m not intimidated by him in any way. “If memory serves correctly, I don’t think it was too long ago that you found yourself in a very similar position. It was only chance that you ran into Hannah that day in the lobby that saved you.”

  I feel a little badly for shooting below the belt when I see Drew take a step back, his eyes widening in surprise, but the feeling goes away immediately when I hear his consent.

  “Fine.” He sits back in his seat and types something on his laptop. “I’ll text you her information.”

  “No.” Drew’s eyes snap to mine in frustration. “I want you to set up another meeting with her, but I’ll take the meeting, not you.”

  He stops typing and looks up at me, anger stewing close to the surface. “So, you’re essentially going to trick her into a date with you?”

  “No, it’s a business meeting, but unfortunately, you aren’t going to be able to make it, so I am generously going in your place to ensure discussions move forward.” I flash him my cockiest grin and then continue. “Set it up for Thursday, 7 p.m. in the hotel restaurant at the new financial district location.”

  “A little late for a business meeting, don’t you think?” His tone is wry and condescending at best.

  “She won’t say no to you. You’re Drew ‘Fucking’ Sapphire.” This time, I provide him with a genuine smile.

  “You got that right.” He finally cracks and lets a smile escape before muttering, “You better not screw this up, Benny.”

  Three long nights later, I stroll into the Blue Ivy and address the hostess. “Good evening. I’ve got a table reserved under Sapphire.”

  “Of course, Mr. Sapphire.” She takes two menus and leads me to a table. “I have you here, but if you’d prefer something else?”

  “Yes, actually.” I look toward one of the more private booths along the wall in the back of the room and move in that direction. “I’ll take this. Can you show Ms. Baldwin to the table when she arrives, please?”

  “Certainly.” She sets the menus down and places the wine list in front of me. “Jeffrey will be over in just a moment. Do you need anything in the meantime?”

  “No, thank you.” I open the wine menu in dismissal and begin browsing the selections. I’m fifteen minutes too early but couldn’t stand sitting in my apartment any longer and also wanted the element of surprise when she arrived. I’m generally a whiskey or beer kind of guy, but given this is supposed to be a business meeting, wine seems like the wiser choice.

  “Good evening, Mr. Sapphire, sir.” A smartly dressed waiter in his mid-thirties stands before me, a white napkin folded neatly over his arm, a black pad at the ready. “I’m Jeffrey and will be your server for the evening. Would you care for something to drink from the bar, or perhaps a bottle of wine?”

  “Jeffrey.” I open the folder and point to the row of Pinot Noirs. “Let’s try one of these bottles. Do you have a recommendation?”

  “The 2014 Gap’s Crown is very nice. It’s from Oregon and has wonderful layers of floral and fruit flavors that aren’t overly acidic.”

  “Great.” I close the menu and smile up at him. “Let’s do that then.”

  “Yes, sir.” He walks quickly away to retrieve the wine, and I look at my watch for the twentieth time. Six-fifty. I wonder if she’ll be prompt, but then consider what she must know is at stake if she goes into business with Sapphire and assume she will be. Jeffrey is back before I can start another thought, twisting and turning the cork off with a soft pop and then handing it to me with a flourish.

 
; I smell it, pretending to know what I’m doing, and nod my head in approval. He pours a small taste into my glass, which I take, swish around, inhale, and taste. My eyebrows fly up as the flavor of the wine bursts across my tongue and slides warmly down my throat. The wine is quite delicious, and I tell Jeffrey just that. He beams as if he had pressed the grapes himself and then pours more into my glass.

  I raise my glass for another sip as he steps away, revealing a hidden Jill from his shadow, her lips pressed in a tight line, brows furrowed. Even with a grimace on her face, I cannot help but marvel again at how beautiful she is. My eyes rake over her figure, hugged in a simple form-fitting dress of tan and black, made edgier by the cropped black leather jacket she’s wearing. Her feet are also clad in black leather, but with four-inch heels, and she wears only simple diamond studs in her ears.

  Standing, I greet her with my most charming smile, my hand extended. “Ms. Baldwin, you’re so prompt.”

  She glares at my hand, ignoring it before responding tartly, “I thought I was meeting with the other Mr. Sapphire.”

  “Unfortunately, he had an unforeseen emergency and asked me to meet with you instead. He didn’t want to cancel on such short notice or stall the discussions for the spas.”

  “Isn’t that convenient?” One well-manicured brow arches sky high.

  I chuckle lightly. “For me, perhaps.” I move behind her and can’t help but notice her eyes following, her neck craning as I place my hands on her shoulders. “Can I take your jacket?”

  Seemingly resigned at being stuck with me, she shrugs as I slide the thin, soft material from her shoulders. Her arms are bare, and I notice, very tone and wonder if she works out regularly or if it’s great genetics. As I pull the jacket down her arms, I inhale her scent and immediately am reminded of coconuts and the sun. She twirls around, seeming startled to realize she’s only inches from me, and takes a sudden step back. “I don’t know what game you’re trying to play, Ben, but I can assure you right now that this is strictly a business dinner.”

  God, she’s sexy when she’s trying to be tough. I give her my most complacent smile and take her elbow, gently guiding her to the table and into the booth before sliding in next to her. “Of course. What else would it be?” I lift the bottle that’s been left by Jeffrey. “Wine?”

  I really want to take him up on the offer. God knows I could use a drink. But seeing that I am already struggling to string together a coherent thought, adding alcohol in the mix doesn’t seem like a smart idea. Crap, why does he have to be this ridiculously good looking?

  After taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I immediately regret it. He’s sitting right next to me, and the scent of him—clean mixed with woodsy and musky tones—is enveloping me. I can’t believe it’s him that showed up. I regret my choice in clothing; it feels too constricted, too tight. I can literally feel his eyes roaming all over me, like a ghostly touch. I cross my legs and don’t miss the fact that his eyes seem glued to the movement, his gaze hoovering at my legs for a long moment before travelling back up to my face. He looks at me expectantly, flashing his pearly whites. Everything about him is drawing me in, and I can’t allow that. Alarm bells ring loud inside my head, instantly causing imaginary walls to shoot out of the ground and up to the ceiling.

  “I’ll stick with water, thank you,” I tell him with an eerily calm voice, one that doesn’t match what I am feeling at all.

  “You don’t like wine?”

  “Quite the contrary; I love a good glass of wine. But, like I said, this is a business dinner, and I don’t mix business with pleasure.”

  “Ah, so, in your mind, you associate me with pleasure? I will take that as a win for me,” he says with a smirk.

  I scoff. “I associate you with a few things, Mr. Sapphire. Pleasure isn’t on that list, I assure you. I am here to discuss business. If that isn’t the case, then I will get up and leave right now.”

  When I move to do just that, he gently places a hand on my arm. “Listen, I’m sorry,” he says sheepishly. “I think we got off on the wrong foot. Can we start over? Please?”

  He actually looks contrite and sounds sincere, and I can’t help but feel a little bad. I sigh.

  “Okay, let’s start over,” I concede.

  He visibly relaxes some, and I tense up more in response. “Ms. Baldwin, thank you for joining me tonight. I know you were expecting my brother, but I assure you that I am just as invested in the company as he is.”

  I realize it is entirely possible that I am putting too much stock in my belief that this is a set-up. After all, he is a Sapphire and this deal could be lucrative for all parties involved. To think that he would orchestrate this meeting just to get into my pants seems a little arrogant. I mean, I guess I am not unattractive, but that man is sex on legs and can get any woman he wants. Why would he go through all this if it wasn’t for business?

  I smile at him. “I’ve been looking forward to the meeting, Mr. Sapphire. I—”

  “Please, call me Ben. Mr. Sapphire is my father; I have no desire to be called that.”

  “Okay… Ben.” Just saying his name is causing a tingling feeling in my belly. “And you can call me Jill, if you’d like.”

  “I’d like.”

  That earns him a smile. “As I was saying, I have been looking forward to this meeting because I think a collaboration between your resorts and my spa would be a happy marriage.”

  Ben smiles, and I fight the urge to touch the dimple that appears. He hands me a menu, and I pretend to read it. Instead, I am inwardly trying to collect myself. My heart rate is accelerated, every single nerve ending in my body is at high attention, and my stomach is tied up in a thousand knots. The server approaches the table and asks if we are ready to order. My eyes dart over to Ben, who is studying my expression. I force a smile and nod. I order the first thing I see and honestly, I am not even sure what it was. I hope it is I something that I enjoy eating, because either way, I’m stuck with it now. Ben orders his food, and the server pours us both some water before heading back to put in our food orders.

  “My brother tells me that one of the reasons he was so keen to meet you in the first place is the development of your own product line and special services. I understand it’s quite revolutionary. Can you tell me more?”

  “Of course.” I pull my catalog from my attaché, place it on the table, and slide it toward him. I am impressed that he’s actually done his homework. He opens it as I tell him about my skincare line, the painless hair removal, and about the special rejuvenating facials we offer. Much to my surprise, he actually hangs on my every word. He seems genuinely interested, asking me follow-up questions and taking notes.

  Now that I am talking about my passion, I feel relaxed and in control. I have practiced this speech a million times over, but I am going completely off script. Not because I am nervous, quite contrary really. It flows out of me so naturally, and with my audience of one being so captivated by my words, I dive right in. The food arrives, so I place the catalog back in my attaché and Ben stows his notebook away. Our dinners are placed in front of us, and I’m relieved when I see that I ordered what looks to be a chicken with some kind of sauce. The server pours more wine for Ben and asks me if I would like a glass, too.

  “Actually, I’d love a glass,” I say with a smile. I expect Ben to comment, but he simply smiles and cuts his steak. I accept the glass from our server and take a sip of the blood red liquid, nearly moaning at the taste. It’s delicious. I tell him so and he beams at me.

  “This is actually one of my very favorite wines,” Ben tells me as the server strides off.

  A chuckle escapes my lips.

  “That’s funny?”

  “No, it’s just that you don’t really strike me as a wine guy.”

  “That is an astute observation, Ms. Baldwin. What, pray tell, would you say is my poison of choice?”

  This is too easy. “Hmmm, that is a hard question.” I purse my lips as I pretend to mull it over.
“You definitely strike me as a bourbon kinda guy.”

  Ben raises a brow and a small smile tugs at my lips. “Is that right? What brings you to that conclusion, Ms. Baldwin?”

  “I could lie and tell you that I guessed, but I won’t. I remember what drink you ordered the night we met.” I grin with a little wink.

  “You remember what drink I ordered?” His brows arch in feigned delight. “Ms. Baldwin, if I didn’t know any better, I would swear that I made an impression on you.”

  He has no idea. “I’m glad you know better.”

  His lips curl up into a smile, revealing those dimples of his. I drain my glass and warmth spreads through my belly. I know, though, that it isn’t the wine causing this stir inside of me.

  “Would you like some more wine?” he asks as he hovers the bottle above my glass.

  I am inclined to say yes, because part of me wants to prolong the evening. But a nagging voice in the back of my head is telling me to go. It’s telling me that I am setting myself up for disappointment and heartbreak. I need to get off this road. “I think I have had enough. Thank you, Ben,” I say with a small smile.

  He nods and places the bottle back on the table.

  “In fact, I think I should probably call it a night. If you have any more questions, you can email me.”

  “You’re right, it is getting late…” Ben motions the server and requests the check, handing him his credit card without even looking to find out how much the dinner costs. Our server returns swiftly, and Ben puts his credit card back into his wallet. He hesitates for a moment, but then slides out of the booth and picks up my coat. I follow suit and smoothly glide out of the booth. An involuntarily shiver courses through my body as he helps me into it.

  “Let me walk you out,” he offers. “I’ll help you catch a cab.”

  “Actually, I have a driver waiting for me, but thank you.”

  “Let me walk you to your car then.”

  “All right.”

  We walk through the restaurant, which for the time of night is still very crowded. Ben places his hand on the small of my back, and my breath catches. I notice some longing looks being thrown his way, and I hate to admit that I loathe them. A chilly New York breeze greets us as we step outside onto the teeming sidewalk.