Blackwater 3 - Breaking Brodix by Anne Rainey Read Free Book Online

peeked over at him and caught him staring at her, a wicked smile on his face. Her stomach filled with butterflies. This is supposed to be a working dinner. She was supposed to be interviewing him for the story. She needed to get her reputation back. It was important, she reminded herself. The newspaper didn’t matter right now though. The only thing on her mind was Brodix.
    The Cozy Catch restaurant was an impressive establishment. The main dining area consisted of three levels. On the entry level was the bar and a door that led to the kitchen. An exit at the back of the restaurant led to a large garden. On the lower level was an area where a band could set up to play live music. A short flight of stairs led to a balcony that overlooked the ground level. The seating in the balcony was usually minimal, and reservations had to be made way in advance. A little thrill went up her spine as the hostess led them there. Once they were seated, the hostess left them to look over the menu.
    “I don’t know how you managed to get such a great table, but I’m impressed.”
    Brodix winked, his intense blue eyes focused on her as if she were the only person in the room. “I admit, I know the owner. Duke Wells and my dad go way back.”
    Sarah laughed. “That’s cheating.”
    “A man will go to great lengths to impress a pretty lady,” he said.
    His voice was low and deep, and the sound fueled her imagination. Sarah immediately pictured them alone in a candlelit room. In her mind, Brodix was nude, and his strong, gentle hands were slowly undressing her. An image of him dragging her to the floor and making love to her sent her head spinning and her body temperature spiking.
    Sarah pushed the erotic thoughts aside and forced herself to peruse the menu. After she settled on her usual, baked cod and steamed vegetables, Sarah put the menu aside and looked at Brodix. His gaze, so warm and tender, rested on her instead of the menu. She wondered what he was thinking.
    “Did you decide what you want to eat?”
    “I always get the same thing here. The filet mignon and baked sweet potato. You?”
    “The cod,” she answered without a second thought. “The fish here is amazing.”
    “So,” he said, leaning forward, “when does the interview start?”
    Heat crept into her cheeks as she became aware of just how little she cared about the interview. And a knot formed in her stomach as she thought of the little white lie she’d told him earlier at his mother’s house. Oh, she did intend to write a piece honoring Wanda and Chet Jennings, but she’d left out a key ingredient. In order for the story to make it to the front page, there would have to be something juicier for the readers to sink their teeth into. Guilt assailed her as she looked across the table at him. He trusted her with his family. For the first time since becoming a reporter, Sarah wasn’t sure she had the right stuff for the job.
    She yanked herself out of her depressing thoughts and said, “Uh, we can start anytime you’re comfortable.”
    Brodix held out his hands. “Fire away, then.”
    As if on cue, their waiter came over, and their conversation was temporarily put on hold as they ordered. After he hurried off, Sarah said, “Before we start, I wanted to ask you something, but I’m not sure how you’re going to respond.”
    Brodix cocked his head to the side. “You can ask me anything, but some things might get you a ‘no comment’. My family can be damn prickly about their privacy, and I’m no different.”
    “I understand, and if I ask you something you aren’t comfortable answering, just say the word.” At his nod, she continued. “It was made very clear to me earlier that Reilly and River are extremely bothered by my profession.” She frowned when she thought of the twins and the tension they’d exhibited while in her presence. “Can you tell me why?”
    Brodix hesitated a moment, a scowl marring his handsome face. “It’s because of a man River