Broken and Beautiful

by Ryan, Kendall

  Her body visually tenses up before she turns around to see who it is. From the shocked expression on her face it’s safe to say she wasn’t expecting it to be me.

  “Class, quietly gather your things and line up at the door. I’ll be right back.” She motions for me to wait for her in the hallway and then joins me a few seconds later. “What are you doing here, Jensen?”

  Her eyes scan over my face, and the moment they land on my lips, she swallows and turns away. She’s still thinking about our kiss, which means it still has an affect on her.

  Good.

  “To make sure people will talk, Cami . . . of what we want them to talk about.” I step in close and grab her chin, causing her to meet my eyes. “I’ll see you on Friday with the contract. Meet me there after school. Don’t be late.”

  Knowing people are watching us, I lean in and press my lips against hers, kissing her quick and hard, before walking away, not looking back.

  People can talk about that.

  What makes this more interesting is the fact that my next stop is Douglas’ classroom. And when I get there, I don’t bother to knock either. I step inside to see Douglas at Benny’s desk.

  “Should be pretty easy, Benny. Perhaps your mom can answer—”

  “We both know that can’t happen and why,” I snap, causing everyone to look my way. “Benny, grab your backpack. Wait for me here.”

  “But Jensen. I still have a few que—”

  “Now.”

  While Benny is gathering his things, I nod toward the door, letting Douglas know I want to speak to him in the hall. Once we’re alone, I get in Douglas’ face, wanting to make this as clear as possible. He’s damn lucky we’re at the school right now with kids around. They’re saving his ass from being against the door with my forearm against his throat.

  “Don’t ever fucking mention his mother like that again. This is your only warning.” I step in closer, causing him to swallow and take a step back. “Next time there won’t be one. Got it?”

  “It was a mistake,” he says nervously. “I have a lot of students and I wasn’t think—”

  “That’s your fucking problem, Douglas. You don’t think. If you did, Cami wouldn’t be screaming out my name for the whole town to hear.”

  His face hardens and he takes another step back until he’s practically against the door. “Look here, Pal. I’ve heard the rumors about that, but that’s all it is. Cami already told me the truth about the two of you. She’s too good to give herself to a guy like you, even if she won’t take me back right now. Leave her alone and find someone else to screw with.”

  He turns to walk back into the room, but he stops when I say, “It’s too late, Douglas. There is no leaving her alone now.” I look in the window and motion for Benny to meet me in the hallway. “And thanks to you making the mistake of baby shopping with the woman you hurt her with in public, there’s not a chance in hell she’ll be taking you back. Have a nice fucking day.”

  Benny steps into the hall right as the last word leaves my mouth. “I’m ready.”

  “Let’s go, bud.” I grab Benny’s backpack and start down the hallway with him at my side. “Pizza or tacos?”

  He smiles, seeming to forget about his mom being mentioned. “Pizza!”

  “Good choice.”

  Just as we reach the main door and get ready to exit the school, I look over to see Cami walking down the hallway with her students behind her. She stops and looks at me, and then at Benny, before looking back at me in confusion.

  We stare at each other in silence for a moment, before she pulls it together and leads her students toward the door that takes you directly to the playground. The bell doesn’t ring for another five minutes, but after the stunt I pulled not long ago she probably needs to clear her head. Looks like she’ll have something else to figure out now too.

  I knew there’d be a possibility of Cami seeing me with Benny at some point. He’s no secret. At least not to the people that live in this town. Everyone knows our story, but clearly, no one has filled her in yet.

  That surprises me since all this town does is gossip. Especially when it involves me. The only problem with talking to her about Benny is what the conversation will lead to. That’s a little harder to explain, and if she thinks I’m an asshole now… what will she think once she finds out what happened that night?

  She’ll think I’m the cold-hearted piece of shit that the town has decided I am. I’m just the empty shell of a good-looking man and a body for women to use, because they’re certain after what happened that I can’t be anything more.

  I’m not sure I’m ready for Cami to see me that way yet.

  Cami

  I trace my fingers over my lips, replaying Jensen’s kiss for the millionth time since I left school for the day. After he walked away, I couldn’t think straight, so I decided to let my students go early. I couldn’t even catch my breath to talk, so I knew I needed to be alone as quickly as possible.

  Jensen was the last person I expected to barge into my classroom unannounced, but the moment I looked up to see him standing there, my heart sped up and I felt butterflies in my stomach.

  After not seeing him for a few days, my body and heart reacted in a way I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t think I’d miss being around him as much as I did, and seeing him looking back at me and the way it made me feel all giddy inside proved just how much I had been wanting to see him again.

  But that kiss—I wasn’t expecting it. And I definitely wasn’t expecting it to leave me speechless. It felt so good that I didn’t even care about the eyes watching after he walked away. I also didn’t care that it was just for show. I liked it.

  That’s when I realized how screwed I am. As hard as I’ve been fighting any feelings for Jensen, the more slivers I get of the real him makes me realize I’ve just been in denial. If I were honest, I’d say I’m falling for him.

  Which is why I was so shocked to see him leaving the school with a student today. I’ve seen Benny off and on over the years, but I don’t know enough about him to know what Jensen is to him.

  Is he Benny’s father?

  His uncle?

  A friend to his mother maybe?

  He can’t be Benny’s father, right? Not with the way he works nonstop. He’s always out late. Doesn’t seem to have any real agenda. He does as he pleases. At least I wouldn’t think so, but then again, I don’t know much about Jensen. Or this child’s mother.

  I not only want to now, but I need to.

  After packing up my two bags and only leaving the few things out that I’ll need before Friday, I make my way through Veronica’s house and peek out of the living room window to see if Jensen is next door.

  My heart does this little dance when I see his truck parked out front. I had been listening for his motorcycle since I got back a few hours ago. I hadn’t even stopped to think that he might be in his truck.

  “What ya doing, babe?”

  I close the curtain and turn to face Veronica. I’ve been struggling all day with whether or not I should ask her for more information, or hope that Jensen will let me in some more. Truthfully, I don’t think it’s something Jensen will willingly talk about. Especially since I was barely able to get out of him who the guy at the bar was.

  It’s eating at me more than I thought it would… “I saw Jensen at the school today. He was picking up Benny Smith. Who is he to Jensen?”

  Veronica’s face turns white, as if she wasn’t expecting that question. Clearly, it’s something she’s not comfortable with, and that only makes me more nervous.

  “He hasn’t told you about Benny?” Her voice cracks on Benny’s name.

  I shake my head. “I need to know, Veronica. Is he Benny’s father? You don’t have to tell me anything else. I just want to know if he has a kid. It seems like something he should’ve told me after… Just answer the question. Is he?”

  “Jensen isn’t Benny’s father. The father has never been in Benny’s life or Katherine’s
really. It’s a very long, complicated story that not many around here talk about anymore. But I can tell you this—he’s good to that kid, Cami. Jensen may put up a front and act like an asshole—the biggest one I know—but there’s more to him. A lot more.” She walks over to peek out the window, before offering me a small smile once she sees what I was just looking at. “I can see why you two would be good together. If you knew the old him, you’d see it too.”

  “What?” I let out a nervous laugh and wipe my palms down the front of my jeans, my heart pounding from all of the information she just gave me. “We’re not together, Veronica.”

  “That’s not what I hear,” she sing-songs. “I heard Benny wasn’t the only reason Jensen was at the school today. Just saying.”

  “Wow.” I rush to the kitchen and pour a glass of wine, my nerves getting the best of me. “Well, that sure got around fast. You don’t even work at the school. And it wasn’t what you think. He said it was so people would talk. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that.”

  “Yeah… well.” She stops and pours a glass of wine for herself. “Word travels fast when Jensen Blake is caught kissing a girl in public. People will talk about that over Douglas getting Susan pregnant any day. It’s easy to say it’s not a sight this town sees very often when it comes to Jensen. Unlike most guys, kissing means something to him. And doing it in public for people to see is a huge deal, yet for whatever reason, he did that for you. That says a lot. A whole lot.”

  There goes my heart again. If there’s one thing Jensen does, he keeps my heart beating at a faster than normal rate on a daily basis. I’m not sure how good that man is for my health, but I think I’ll be finding out.

  “I’ll be back.” I set my wine glass down and Veronica watches me with curious eyes as I walk past her and to the living room.

  “Where are you going, babe?”

  I stop at the door and close my eyes, preparing myself for what I’m about to do. “Next door to see Jensen. I owe him a thank you. Wish me luck.”

  “You don’t need it,” she says, right before I walk outside.

  I don’t know about that. I definitely feel like I need some luck as I make my way next door.

  I’m not sure if I’m about to make a huge mistake or not, but just like the first time I barged through this door, nothing can stop me at the moment.

  Without knocking, I let myself inside, my sight setting on Jensen as he looks away from the pull he’s currently changing on one of the cabinet doors.

  “What are you doing, Cami?” he questions stiffly, setting the screwdriver down. “I told you I didn’t need your help anymore.”

  “That’s not why I’m here.” I swallow and look him over, taking in the way his black shirt and jeans form to his hard body. Everything on him is perfection. Especially those lips that I’m now staring at like a fool. “There’s something I need to do.”

  “Yeah?” he questions, taking a step toward me. “What is it, so I can get back to work.”

  Without answering him, I walk over, grab him by the back of the neck, and kiss him hard and deep just like he did to me earlier today.

  I’m nervous of his reaction for a split second, until he tangles his hands into my hair and pulls me in deeper until I’m practically on top of him.

  “Fuck, Cami.” He breathes against my lips once we break apart. “What was that for?”

  “To say thank you for earlier,” I whisper through heavy breaths. “You didn’t have to do that for me—”

  “I know I didn’t have to, Cami.” He clenches his jaw and leans against the wall. “But the thought of Douglas doing anything to hurt you more made it an easy decision for me. That son of a bitch should’ve given it more time before being seen out in public with Susan shopping for baby things. Fuck, a public breakup first would’ve been key. I know how people around here talk. It would’ve been all over school, stressing you out. Now people will know you and Douglas are no longer together. They’ll know you’re mine.”

  My insides heat up at hearing him call me his again. “That’s the second time you’ve called me that, Jensen.” My heart pounds fast inside my chest as he moves in closer, studying my eyes. “You have to stop calling me that.”

  “Why?” He brushes his bottom lip over mine. “What if I want you to be but I’m fucking terrified to break you?”

  “I…” I swallow and close my eyes when his lips slightly brush mine again. “Why are you afraid of breaking me? What happened, Jensen? Is it because of Benny’s mom that you can’t let me in? What happened to her?”

  He stiffens and releases me so quickly that by the time I open my eyes he’s back inside the kitchen grabbing for his tools again. “I have shit to do, Cami. It’s time for you to leave.”

  “You can’t just do that, Jensen.” I walk over and snatch the screwdriver from his hand. “You can’t just say what you did and then push me away like it never fucking happened.”

  “You don’t understand, Cami, and you never fucking will.” He backs me up with his chest, not stopping until my back hits the wall. “I break people. I can’t do that to you. I won’t.”

  I swallow, my heart beating hard against his chest. I’m not as easily broken as he might think. Plus, I’m already down. How much worse could I be hurt? “Try me.”

  His eyes meet mine as he grips my face and studies it. “You have a good career and a good life. You have kids that depend on you. You don’t want me screwing that up for you, Cami.”

  “So do you.” I point out. “You have Benny depending on you. You can’t be as bad as you say you are. Open your eyes and see that. I already have.”

  Something in his eyes change the moment those words leave my mouth, and the next thing I know his lips crush mine so hard that it knocks the breath right out of me.

  My heart soars as his mouth captures mine over and over again, as if he can’t get enough of me. I can’t help but think about what Veronica told me about Jensen when it comes to kissing. He doesn’t do it unless it means something to him. I’m not sure what this means… What we are. But knowing I mean something to him is good enough for now.

  His kiss deepens and I moan out when I feel his erection press between my legs. This man has a way of making me want sex all the time. Doesn’t matter what time of day it is or where I’m at, I want him.

  He growls against my lips and his fists tighten in my hair as he pulls away, us both panting and fighting for air. “I need to show you something.” Grabbing my hand, he guides me down the hallway to the master bedroom, my heart racing with anticipation the whole way there.

  Once we reach the door, he steps inside first and turns on the light, before pulling me into the room with him. My heart skips a beat once I notice the color of the walls. “You did this?” I ask in awe, completely surprised that he’d do this for me. “When? I thought you wanted to keep the walls white?”

  “Why did you pick this color, Cami?” he questions, his icy-blue eyes meeting mine. “Tell me the truth.”

  I never thought the day would come that I’d admit this to him, but things have changed since the day I chose this color for my bedroom. “Because it’s color of your eyes and you have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. The moment I met you, I couldn’t stop looking at them. I thought having my bedroom the same color would help with that problem.”

  He grins and grabs my hip, pulling me against him. “I knew you couldn’t keep your fucking eyes off me when we met, Cami. You tried so hard, but it wasn’t happening, and it won’t be happening anytime soon.”

  “Is that right?” I question against his lips. “You’re so sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

  He nods and bites my bottom lip. “Hell yes I am. You make me that way. Even though I knew you hated me, you couldn’t hide the fact you still wanted me inside you.”

  “You’re an asshole,” I whisper.

  “So you keep telling me. But…” He runs his tongue over my bottom lip, causing my heart to speed up.

  Everything
he does is so incredibly sexy that I’m not sure I can handle it. “You want me to sink between your legs again, Cami. You want to feel my cum drip down your thighs. You will too. You’re the only one who will or has. Just not tonight.”

  Holy fuck… If I wasn’t wet before, I for sure am now.

  * * *

  JENSEN

  As badly as I want to sink between Cami’s legs right now and fill her with my cum again, I hold back, because I want her to see a small part of me I’ve kept hidden since Katherine.

  I wasn’t always sex material. I was boyfriend material once. Would’ve even made a good husband until one mistake changed everything that I was and left me the man I am now. A cold-hearted asshole afraid of letting anyone in for fear of breaking them just as I broke Katherine.

  “I think I need some wine,” she says, her face heated from my admission. “A lot of wine, actually. I should go.”

  “I figured you’d say that. Come.”

  She follows me into the kitchen and I pull out one of the bottles of wine I stocked her cabinet with a few days ago.

  “How many bottles are in there?” she asks, sounding amused.

  “Ten,” I say, pouring her a glass and scooting it in front of her. “I guess you can call it a housewarming gift.”

  She smiles and brings the glass to her lips, taking a sip. “How did you know what kind to buy?”

  I open a beer and bring it to my lips, before speaking. “I asked Veronica.”

  She seems surprised and impressed by my answer. “I never would’ve expected that. Thank you.”

  I nod. “I was feeling generous that day. It’s not something that happens very often.”

  A smile spreads across her face. “How long have you had your two businesses? I’m hoping you’re feeling generous enough today to give me that?”

  I laugh and set my beer down. “I started Blake Construction shortly after my twenty-second birthday and Blake Rentals on my twenty-fifth. It’s been eight years since I started my first business.”