Free Beautiful and Broken by Sara Hubbard Page B

immediately. Bright eyed. Practically licking her lips. Let's face it, Sawyer Davis is hot, in this bend-me-over-bad-boy kind of way. Even I can't deny that. He has a body to kill for, of course—it’s his job to stay fit.  
    He’s giving off the stink of sex and charisma, and she’s eating it up with a silver spoon. It makes me want to run to the bathroom and vomit up the raspberry square I scoffed down minutes before he arrived.  
    He orders. "Coffee. Black. House brand. Whatever."
    "Sure thing." The girl smiles shyly and fidgets, swaying back and forth before breaking away from his spell and hurrying away. All I can do is roll my eyes.  
    "Do I repulse you?" he asks, clearly finding my response amusing.  
    "Why would you think that?" My voice is even, unaffected. I try hard to keep it this way.  
    He laughs at me, low and hard. "I've never had anyone find me so completely unattractive before. Makes for a bit of a challenge, and I'll admit I like challenges."
    Now I know he doesn’t remember me. Fine. It’s better that way. I can forget all about it too. “I have no interest in you outside of selling you a house. I've sworn off men, particularly men like you, so don't waste your time—or mine."
    "The challenge grows.”
    The challenge? I just screwed him a week ago. I hardly think I’m challenging.  
    “Does this mean you’re into chicks now?” he asks.  
    I roll my eyes at him. "You didn't answer my question. Who told you I need a big client?" I don't even know why I ask. Clearly Amy ratted me out. I don’t care what he thinks of me—mostly—but I don't want him thinking I’m some pathetic girl in need of a handout.  
    "I can't reveal my sources."
    "And what exactly did your source tell you?"  
    His smile thickens until a slight dimple forms in his right cheek. His teeth are perfect. Probably capped. A faint shadow covers his chin, like he might not have been paying particular attention to it while shaving this morning. I stare at it a little longer that I should and immediately decide I need to get away from this guy sooner rather than later. Something tells me if he decides to turn on the charm, I might be in trouble.  
    The barrista skips over and hands Sawyer the coffee. He winks at her as he takes a gentle sip from the edge of his cup. Her cheeks blaze and her smile goes ear to ear before she backs away and almost stumbles over a chair.  
    "Oh, brother." I rise to my feet. "I don't think we'd work well together."
    "Really? Try me."  
    Already have.  
    My eyes flash to his thick, muscular arms. Down girl. I only have eyes for Jason. Sawyer was a mistake, a big, beautiful mistake. One I don't intend to repeat. And the fact that he doesn't remember meeting me at all completely blasts my confidence. Plus, this guy is trouble. Amy said he'd been in and out of said trouble since he was a kid. I have enough problems without adding him to the mix.  
    "No. I'm good."
    I start to walk away, but turn on my heel and walk back. I lay a five on the table. I’ll be damned if he's going to pay for my coffee.  
    He smiles up at me. "So that's the way it's going to be, is it?"
    "Yes. It is. Have a nice life, Sawyer Davis. I sincerely hope I don't see you again."
    "You will," he says between sips of his coffee. "You will."

Seven

    I PLOP DOWN in my seat and slam my tote bag onto my desk. With a sigh, I swivel in my chair. My big chance at a wealthy client and I blew him off. I must need my head examined.  
    Sophie smiles over at me. "Didn't go so well, huh?"
    I smile back. "On the contrary. He wanted me to represent him, and I declined."
    Her smile deepens and she leans forward onto her desk, resting her weight on her elbows. "So who was your big client?"
    "Sawyer Davis. He's some big boxer guy."
    Her smile drops. "Really?"
    "You've heard of him?"
    "We dated briefly."
    Of course they did. And by dated briefly , I bet she means a one-night stand like the one I had. "I see. Well good for you. I’m sure