Read Beautifully Broken (The Broken Series Book 2) for Free Online Page B

dark thought tore mercilessly
at my heart. I reached for a pillow and pulled it over my head as I began to sob.
    I
eventually found myself standing in the center of the bathroom, with no memory
of how I’d come to be there. I shook my head, then walked to the shelves to
retrieve the lavender bath salts I had spotted last night. I programmed the
water for the bathtub using the small electronic panel that Michael had shown
me before we went to bed. The panel had been secreted under the tile alongside
the tub. The musky scent of lavender filled the air as I sprinkled the bath salts
into the warm water. I had long relied on lavender candles, shampoo, lotions,
and bath oils to relax, but I knew it was going to take a lot more than
lavender to soothe me now. I slipped out of the black silk nightgown that
Michael had given me and sank into the steaming water.
    I
closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I tried to relax. I hadn’t slept well
with Michael sleeping next to me, and the hours I’d just spent crying had left
me feeling even more fatigued. Still, it didn’t matter how wrecked I felt. I
was going to have to deal with Michael sooner or later. An endless amount of
questions were eating at me, and he was the only one who could provide the answers.
I sighed heavily as I ran the sea sponge over my arms and legs. If only I could
go to sleep, wake up, and discover this was all a bad dream.
    I
reached for the shampoo, poured a generous amount in my hand, and massaged it
into my scalp. I closed my eyes and sank into the silky water as I rinsed the
soap out. I worked the conditioner into my hair and reclined against the back
of the tub. I sank back into the water as I rinsed the conditioner out. I
huffed out a breath when I realized I hadn’t thought to grab a towel. I climbed
out of the tub and walked gingerly across the bathroom. I quickly towel dried
my hair and wrapped myself in the towel. I threw another towel on the floor. I
nudged it toward the tub with my foot so I could soak up the trail of water I
had left behind.
    I
slipped into the smaller of the two robes and rifled through the drawers until
I found a comb. I gently worked the knots out of my hair. I dusted a thin layer
of makeup over my face and brushed some mascara on my lashes in an effort to
hide my red rimmed eyes. I wasn’t trying to look pretty for Michael, but I
didn’t want him to know I’d been crying. I was certain that if he knew how
vulnerable I really felt, he’d find some way to use that to his advantage.
    I
peeked inside the bedroom. “ No Michael, ” I breathed with relief. I wanted
to talk to him but not until I was fully clothed. I crossed the room and ducked
inside the closet. I quickly glanced over the clothes. I settled on a teal sundress
when what I really wanted was a pair of baggy sweats. I searched through the
drawers for panties and a matching bra. Then I snagged a pair of heels that resembled
a watercolor painting in teal, coral, and ivory. I had to admit, Michael had
exceptional taste in clothes. Everything fit perfectly. I still couldn’t
believe Michael had figured out the correct sizes simply by watching me shop.
    My
hair was still damp when I opened the bedroom door and stepped directly into an
incredibly broad chest. Michael was built but not this built. I looked up at
the towering man. He was trying to look stern, but he was failing miserably. He
took a step back and crossed his arms in front of his chest. He was wearing
black cargo pants and a black short sleeved t-shirt, which appeared to be
painted on. He had light brown eyes and caramel colored skin like Michael. His
long dark hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail.
    His
eyes briefly took me in. “ Bonjour, Madame Stone . ” The deep, rich
tone of his voice sent goose bumps skittering across my arms.
    “ Bonjour ,”
I responded hesitantly. I wasn’t entirely sure the greeting was appropriate
when I’d just plowed into someone I didn’t know.
    The
man’s eyes