Read Online Perfectly Shattered by Emily Jane Trent - Free Book Online
Authors: Emily Jane Trent
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telling them a story. Both women laughed.
Drinks were ordered, and Bradan sipped his. The bar menu sported a list of offerings with clever names. The ladies each ordered one that was pear brandy, rum, and a squeeze of lime. Ian decided on one of the ales on draft from a local brewer. Bradan stuck with whiskey on the rocks. It went down well.
He bantered about programming with a couple of co-workers, and then the talk drifted to sports. Bradan wasn’t very interested in talking, but he did feel better nearing the end of his second drink. The pretzels and nuts didn’t do much to slow down the alcohol, and he felt a mild buzz. A few of the group made their way to the dining room to eat.
Perfume wafted up, and a well-built brunette slid onto the stool beside him. She had huge, dark eyes, finely sculpted features, and full lips. The top of her dress was just low enough to allow a view of some cleavage, which Bradan didn’t mind. She was a looker; he thought maybe Greek from her coloring and features.
“Mind if I sit here?” She looked over at him with a coy smile.
“Not at all. What are you drinking?”
“White wine, please.”
Bradan ordered her wine and another whiskey for himself. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
With a winning smile, showing straight white teeth, she said, “Carla Ward.”
The glass of wine was set in front of her.
“I’m Bradan Reid. I would have guessed a different last name. You have a Greek look.”
She giggled. “My mother’s side. But I grew up in New York. Moved here recently.”
“Looking for something or getting away from something?”
Carla shrugged. “A little of both. For now I’m working in fashion.”
“Of course.” Bradan was feeling comfortable. The whiskey had worked its magic, relaxing him, and he was in his element. If all went well, he would have Carla in his bed later, and that sounded much better than being alone.
The women he met filled a void, one he didn’t want to think about. And he liked beautiful women. Was anything wrong with that? Eventually, they ordered some food, but never left the bar. His other friends gradually migrated to the dining room or left to go home, either alone or with whoever they’d connected up with.
While drinking and talking to Carla, the only friend Bradan noticed was Ian. And that was only because he popped into the bar to wave goodbye before he took off with one of the co-workers he’d been sitting next to earlier. Alone with a beautiful woman, Bradan was feeling better. But it was temporary.
They left the bar together and Carla snuggled next to him against the wind. Even with coats on, it was bitterly cold. There was no question that she was willing to go home with him, actually wanted to. Bradan even stopped at a corner and, pressing her against the brick wall, kissed her hard, desperately. But what was he desperate for? He didn’t want to take Carla home, and that surprised him. It had never happened before: a woman in his arms and Bradan rejecting her. Not understanding his own feelings, he leaned back and ran his hand through his hair.
“Do you live far?” Carla looked at him, her lips still parted from the kiss.
Bradan shook his head. “I have something I have to take care of, Carla. Maybe next time.”
And he walked away. Just like that. It made no sense. Something I have to take care of . What did that mean? Increasing his pace against the chill of the night, Bradan negotiated the short distance home. He was unsettled and unhappy. And alone.
Chapter 8
On a weeknight, Cami would normally stay in. It hadn’t been easy to cultivate new habits, and going out to clubs would only make it harder. But when Brittany pleaded for her to go to dinner, she couldn’t refuse. Her friend had it hard, going from one guy to the next. She always seemed crazy about them, but they never seemed to call.
One advantage to the restaurant Brittany chose was that it was known for the brick-oven gulf shrimp. Cami wanted to
Drinks were ordered, and Bradan sipped his. The bar menu sported a list of offerings with clever names. The ladies each ordered one that was pear brandy, rum, and a squeeze of lime. Ian decided on one of the ales on draft from a local brewer. Bradan stuck with whiskey on the rocks. It went down well.
He bantered about programming with a couple of co-workers, and then the talk drifted to sports. Bradan wasn’t very interested in talking, but he did feel better nearing the end of his second drink. The pretzels and nuts didn’t do much to slow down the alcohol, and he felt a mild buzz. A few of the group made their way to the dining room to eat.
Perfume wafted up, and a well-built brunette slid onto the stool beside him. She had huge, dark eyes, finely sculpted features, and full lips. The top of her dress was just low enough to allow a view of some cleavage, which Bradan didn’t mind. She was a looker; he thought maybe Greek from her coloring and features.
“Mind if I sit here?” She looked over at him with a coy smile.
“Not at all. What are you drinking?”
“White wine, please.”
Bradan ordered her wine and another whiskey for himself. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
With a winning smile, showing straight white teeth, she said, “Carla Ward.”
The glass of wine was set in front of her.
“I’m Bradan Reid. I would have guessed a different last name. You have a Greek look.”
She giggled. “My mother’s side. But I grew up in New York. Moved here recently.”
“Looking for something or getting away from something?”
Carla shrugged. “A little of both. For now I’m working in fashion.”
“Of course.” Bradan was feeling comfortable. The whiskey had worked its magic, relaxing him, and he was in his element. If all went well, he would have Carla in his bed later, and that sounded much better than being alone.
The women he met filled a void, one he didn’t want to think about. And he liked beautiful women. Was anything wrong with that? Eventually, they ordered some food, but never left the bar. His other friends gradually migrated to the dining room or left to go home, either alone or with whoever they’d connected up with.
While drinking and talking to Carla, the only friend Bradan noticed was Ian. And that was only because he popped into the bar to wave goodbye before he took off with one of the co-workers he’d been sitting next to earlier. Alone with a beautiful woman, Bradan was feeling better. But it was temporary.
They left the bar together and Carla snuggled next to him against the wind. Even with coats on, it was bitterly cold. There was no question that she was willing to go home with him, actually wanted to. Bradan even stopped at a corner and, pressing her against the brick wall, kissed her hard, desperately. But what was he desperate for? He didn’t want to take Carla home, and that surprised him. It had never happened before: a woman in his arms and Bradan rejecting her. Not understanding his own feelings, he leaned back and ran his hand through his hair.
“Do you live far?” Carla looked at him, her lips still parted from the kiss.
Bradan shook his head. “I have something I have to take care of, Carla. Maybe next time.”
And he walked away. Just like that. It made no sense. Something I have to take care of . What did that mean? Increasing his pace against the chill of the night, Bradan negotiated the short distance home. He was unsettled and unhappy. And alone.
Chapter 8
On a weeknight, Cami would normally stay in. It hadn’t been easy to cultivate new habits, and going out to clubs would only make it harder. But when Brittany pleaded for her to go to dinner, she couldn’t refuse. Her friend had it hard, going from one guy to the next. She always seemed crazy about them, but they never seemed to call.
One advantage to the restaurant Brittany chose was that it was known for the brick-oven gulf shrimp. Cami wanted to
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