Beautiful Broken by Nazarea Andrews Read Free Book Online

all that will do is bring Atticus back early, hounding her. She doesn’t need that.
    "She's good. Avery is trying to get her a job today," I say.
    "Why? She'll be starting school in a few months," Atti says, bewildered.
    "Because Scout needs something to keep her occupied and away from drugs," I say patiently. "And don't push the school thing. It might not be what's best for her."
    There's a moment of quiet and then: "What's going on there, Dane?"
    I fill him in on our conversation, about Scout's hesitation to go back to school. I don't go into why the UB campus makes her so nervous. It’s not my story to tell.
    My secretary, Glenda, knocks, her eyebrows raised. "Someone to see you, Mr. Guillot."
    Thank God. "Atti, gotta go. Appointment."
    "Do I need to come home?"
    A few minutes ago—before he called—I was ready to pack her up and ship her to Atti's cabin in the middle of the woods.
    Now the thought of her leaving me makes me want to panic. I shake my head before remembering he can't see me.
    "No. She's solid. We're going to a meeting tonight. Just give her some space. Try to be accepting."
    He sighs, but I know my best friend, and I know he's backing down for now. I hang up and call to Glenda, "Send in my appointment."
    Scout breezes into my office in a short sweater dress, torn tights, and black knee high-boots. She's got on a little bit of makeup, her long black hair pulled into a high ponytail on her head. She looks amazing, like sex on a stick, and she's staring at me with a challenging gleam in her eyes.
    "I thought I said I'd see you at home," I say, swallowing hard.
    She closes the door behind her. "How did you know Avery could get me a job with Curtis Interiors?"
    "Jason is one of her best friends. If anyone could, it's her," I answer.
    Scout nods, dropping into the chair across from me. Her dress bunches under her, and when she crosses her legs, I get a tantalizing glimpse of tight-encased thigh.
    Why the hell that would drive me crazy when she's been prancing around half-naked for three days doesn't make any sense. But it does.
    "Dane?"
    Her voice is different, and I look at her—really look.
    "Yeah?" I ask, my voice rough.
    "Did you ever talk to someone, after—after everything?"
    I freeze and look at her. She's so small and fragile looking, despite the kickass boots and attitude. Without thinking, I open my arms, and she immediately comes and snuggles into my lap.
    It doesn't mean anything. It's never meant anything—it’s just Scout and our weird almost-sibling relationship.
    "No," I say hoarsely. "I thought about it. But—" I shake my head, and she burrows deeper into my chest, the smell of her filling my head. "I didn't. I self-destructed instead. It's something I'm good at."
    "I think I should," she says softly.
    And I nod. Because she should—we both should, even if I won't. "Dane?" she whispers.
    "Yeah?"
    "I'm sorry. For whatever I said that made you think you had to go fuck a stranger."
    I groan. The combination of Scout, soft and pliant in my arms, her little body hot and pressed against mine, and talking about me having sex with someone—I couldn't stop my erection if I tried.
    And with her in my lap, I can't hide it.
    She tenses, and I freeze, trying to think unsexy thoughts—Atticus punching me, dead fish, Nik—and then she tilts her head up, peering at me.
    Shit .
    "Did you need anything else?" I ask, voice low.
    A little smile tilts her lips, and I don't think. I shift my legs under her a tiny bit, slip a hand behind her head, and kiss her.
    Her lips are soft, deliciously full, and I suck the bottom one lightly into my mouth. Her hand is on my chest, the other on my thigh, and both are clenching and unclenching, driving me crazy. I lick at her lips, and she sighs, a softening that I want desperately to take advantage of. The tiny taste of her isn't enough—it's sweet and clean and tasting slightly of citrus.
    I want more.
    Instead, I force myself to pull away from her. She whimpers,