Finding Peace (Breaking Free Series Book 2)

by Becca Taylor

  She shuffles through the pictures pointing to one, reverse cowgirl. I take off my sock. She hands me her device, but I don’t need it. I just tell her about how I picture her night after night. “You, in the kitchen, feeding me, while I fuck you on the kitchen counter.” Her cheeks turn pink, but she takes off her bracelet. Sneaky.

  This time she tells me, “Bent over the dining room table.”

  My other sock comes off.

  “You, riding my face, while sucking my cock.”

  She’s still for a moment, thinking about it. Then she removes her tank top, leaving her in a sheer black bra, her pink nipples pointing right at me. I run my fingers through my hair as I groan. I want nothing more than to touch them, but I hold back.

  “Me pinned to the wall. Legs around your waist.”

  Mother fucker. There are so many times I’ve wanted to take her like that, and couldn’t. We weren’t a couple any of those times. I remove my t-shirt and she hisses.

  “In the shower. You dripping wet, gripping the walls with me behind you.”

  Her shorts come off. Her panties are no better than the bra: a black thong, see-through, with a little lace. I swear under my breath.

  “At the beach. In the ocean or on the sand. Either one.”

  My pants get tossed to the floor. My dick is trying to break free from my boxer briefs. She licks her lips as I adjust myself.

  “On the swing outside, mine and yours.”

  She undoes her bra, removing it slowly. She runs her hands over each breast, teasing me some more.

  She once again looks at her tablet. She shows me a picture of some chaise lounge and smiles. “Every position.”

  I scroll through the pictures… fuck me, it’s a sex sofa. My dick weeps at the thought of her on this thing. I stand from the bed to remove my last piece of clothing.

  “You on me right now.”

  She removes her panties fast and pushes me on my back, working the condom on me. We don’t try out anything that we talked about. I am too worked up to care. Just talking about it has driven me crazy and by how wet she feels, it’s excited her too. It’s fast and hard, but no less amazing than any other time together.

  She falls asleep in my arms, and I know I want her there all the time. I don’t care if it is too soon. She is mine. After her girl vacation, she’s not spending another night anywhere I’m not. I’m never letting her go.

  Alyssa

  I’M IN KAT’S CAR, riding shotgun. Lexi and Jade are in the back. Since we like her that much, we invited Deanna to come with us. Dani is meeting us at the resort in Marco Island. This is the first time all of us are spending four days alone together. I managed to get us adjoining rooms, one of which is a two-bedroom suite. We pull into the hotel carpark with the music blasting from the cars.

  After we check in, we unload the over-packed luggage we’ve brought. Five girls plus four days warrants at least two outfit changes a day, plus bathing suits, underwear, and beach towels; can’t forget shoes and makeup. Lexi grabs one of those luggage carts and the bell boy quickly steps in to help us to our room. Lexi hands him some money and kisses him on the cheek for being a gentleman. I think the kid creams his pants. I don’t think he is much older than eighteen. He walks away a happy boy.

  Dani shows up just in time to work out the rooming situation. She wins the coin toss for the single room; Lexi and Deanna decide to room together since they hit it off in the car. Kat and I will share a bed and Jade will get the other. It isn’t quite dinner time yet, so we pop open the bottle of champagne Kat brought before we get ready for our reservations. We go to an Italian restaurant nearby. Since it is Thursday night, we decide to keep it low key and have a few drinks at the restaurant, then on Friday find out where the nightlife is.

  We wake on day two with the desire to spend the morning at the beach. The hotel has a private beach for their guests, and we stay outside until we are tanned, but not scorched. We ask around as to where the best place to hang on a Friday night is. The concierge advises to go to this fun little place on the gulf. There is an outside area with a DJ. It is much more low key than the clubs we usually go to back in Naples, but, as long as we get to drink and dance, that’s all that matters. None of us, except maybe Lexi, are looking to hook up with anyone. She is the only single girl of the bunch, but she doesn’t seem interested. A few guys buy us drinks, and we are fine with that. They can look, but not touch. Of course, the same rule applies to us. But, as cute as the guys are, none of them can compare to Bentley.

  By the time we get back to the hotel everyone is feeling relaxed. We change into pajamas and sit in the living room area of the suite. Thankfully, Kat had thought to stock up on snacks before we got here. We sit, munching on chips, chocolate and wine, engaging in some much needed late night girl talk. My phone buzzes just as we were getting to the good stuff.

  Bentley: Having a good time Angel?

  Me: A great time.

  Bentley: Do you miss me even a little?

  Me: Maybe slightly, but Kat will keep me company in bed tonight.

  Bentley: My bed is rather empty without you.

  Me: I’ll make it up to you when I get back.

  Bentley: I’ll hold you to it. Night, Aly.

  Me: Night, Bents.

  Lexi laughs, bringing my attention back to the girls. “Look at all of you texting your men. Put those things away. No more electronics.” Lexi collects everyone’s phone, placing them in a bowl on the table. She goes into the other room and returns with a game and sketchpad.

  “Who’s up for a game of Dirty Pictionary?” We all love a good game. Lexi always comes prepared. She’s printed out a whole bunch of dirty words, anatomical terms and sexual positions for us to choose from.

  I’m pretty sure one or more of us pees our pants from laughing so hard. After one too many poorly drawn penises, we turn in for the night.

  Day three is my favorite. It’s Spa day. I get everything done: body wrap, facial, nails, hair, and makeup. Dani and Deanna go with nails and massage. We meet for lunch at the spa café wearing the comfy robes they supply us with. Since it is our last night, we make plans to go somewhere nice to eat. We eat at some steakhouse slash seafood restaurant that is truly wonderful. I don’t hear from Bentley, but he’d called me earlier in the day. Slither is playing and he’d said they will be late.

  Sunday is our last morning together, and we order room service for breakfast. Dani is the first to leave, having the farthest to travel. The weekend has been such a blast, we make plans to do something every year, just the girls.

  When we arrive back at Kat’s house, Caleb practically runs to Kat, taking her in his arms. “Missed you, baby.”

  She wraps her legs around him as he heads back to the front door. Kat yells her goodbyes to us over her man’s shoulder and the rest of head out in our own cars.

  When I get home, it feels empty. Bentley’s still at work and won’t be home for a few more hours. I pass the time with unpacking, starting some laundry, and getting something ready for dinner.

  I hear his jeep pull in as I pull the chicken parmesan out of the oven. My front door crashes open and much like Caleb did, Bentley lifts me off the ground, me wrapping my legs around him.

  “Hi.” I say in a quiet voice.

  “Hi back. I’m glad you’re home.” His lips seek mine in a frenzied kiss. He carries me into the bedroom, kissing me the entire way. “I want you now, Aly. Missed you too damn much.”

  By the time we make it out of the bedroom, I have to reheat dinner and remake the pasta. Thankfully, I have an extra batch in the freezer, but even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t care.

  Alyssa

  AT WORK, I GET AN email notification that my cellphone bill is due. I haven’t given it much thought, but Mike and I are still on a shared account. He used to just give me his half every month. Since I want to break away from Mike as quickly and as cleanly as possible, I send him a text to tell him that it is time for us to get our own accounts.

 
Bentley is working the later shift, so he isn’t around when Mike calls. I was hoping he would just text me and we could work it out without physically talking to each other.

  “Al, I’ll put a check in the mail tomorrow. If that’s what you want.” Why he tries to act like he is so broken-hearted is beyond me. He had to know this was coming.

  “Fine. Thank you. Since I’m the primary, I can take you off, but, you need to set up your own account. I will be doing this tomorrow.” I take a breath to steel myself for the conversation I know needs to happen, but I am dreading it. “There is one other thing we need to discuss. What to do with the property.” I pause for a moment. “Do you want to sell it or buy me out?”

  “Why do we have to make the decision right now? I want us to work things out between us.” He says with a sigh. For a moment I go into shock. When he says my name again, I get angry.

  “I’m not talking about this. When I told you I was done, that was it. I don’t want to discuss it. Let me know what you want to do. Text me, don’t call.” Just as I am going to hang up, he speaks again.

  “Wait, let’s just sell it. I’ll call our real estate agent and set it up. I’ll let you know. I really hope you will have reconsidered by then.”

  There is no way I am reconsidering.

  Over dinner, I tell Bentley about the phone call, not wanting to keep anything from him. He tells me he doesn’t want me to go alone if Mike is going to be there. I don’t think there should be any reason for me to see Mike. I can meet the real estate lady during lunch and sign what needs to be signed. Between her and the lawyer they should be able to handle everything else without me.

  In fact, I get the call the next day. I arrange to meet the agent after work to sign everything. She plans to meet me at a nearby restaurant, and Mike will meet her after at her office to sign his part. When I show up, however, Mike is sitting at the table with a beer in hand. I walk up to the table, angry at both of them, but trying to keep myself professional.

  “What are you doing here, Mike?”

  He looks confused.

  “Why wouldn’t I be here, Al? This involves me.”

  I look from him to the real estate agent. “I thought this was a private meeting. Why is he here?”

  She gets a little flustered. “I had a scheduling conflict, and I thought it would be easier to go through everything all at once. I apologize. I’ll be as quick as possible.” She pulls out all the necessary documents.

  Mike and I sign where we need to; I shake her hand in a fast good bye. Bentley texts letting me know he is on his way. When I walk outside to wait for him, Mike follows.

  “Alyssa?”

  “I have plans, Mike. You should go.”

  “I wanted to talk to you first.”

  I’m standing on the sidewalk, trying to avoid eye contact, choosing to look at the ground and not him. “There is nothing left to say.”

  He snatches my wrist. When I try to pull away, he holds it tighter. “Yes, there is, Al. You know this is stupid. We do this all the time. Fight and make up. Well, it’s time to make up.”

  That’s when I look up at him. Wrong move. He grabs both my wrists tighter, cutting off circulation to my hands, pulling them up towards his face. Instinctively, they open, trying to regain some feeling. When he puts my open hands on his face, I struggle to push him away, but his arms are so tight against me. Mike leans in and kisses me.

  When I finally get free from him, I touch my lips in shock, stunned at what just happened. With my fingers on my bruised lips, I look up and see Bentley standing across the street. Looking right at us. Mike sees Bentley and takes my hand in his before I can pull it free from his grip. I watch in horror as Bentley turns and heads the opposite way.

  I yank my hand from Mike’s. My voice returns. “How could you do that? I meant it. We are done.” My face is hot with anger.

  “Is that why you wanted to break up so bad? You’re together with him now? I knew there was something going on between you two. How long have you been sleeping with him? Probably since the beginning. I knew you were nothing but a trashy slut, opening your legs to anyone who wants to be between them.” His voice gets louder and louder. People slow down to look at the scene Mike is creating, but in awkward embarrassment, keep on walking by.

  I cut him off before he insults me further. “Fuck you, Mike. I never cheated on you. But you know what? I should have ended things with you long ago. He’s a million times the man you are. This is the last time I will say it. You and I are finished.”

  He seizes my elbow, and his hand arches back. I cower and cover my face, screaming as loud as I can. “Mike! Don’t!”

  He snaps out of it.

  Looking from his raised hand to me, he drops my arm. “What the fuck am I doing? Al, did I hurt you? Are you okay?” He doesn’t even wait for my reply. He runs to his car, hops inside and speeds off. As I watch him race out of the parking lot, my body crashes to the ground. The next thing I know, a lady has me in her arms, asking if she should call the cops. I tell her no. I just need to get home. I need to explain to Bentley what happened. She helps me to my car and with repeated reassurance that I am okay, she leaves.

  The drive home seems to take forever. I keep dialing Bentley’s cell with no luck. When I get home, his car isn’t here. I call him again, and this time it goes straight to voicemail.

  Through my tears, I call Kat. As I tell her what happened, I hear her front door open and close, followed by the opening and closing of the car. Kat stays on the phone through the whole drive over, not hanging up until she walks through my front door.

  “Shit, Aly.” Kat sees the red marks on my wrists and grabs two bags of frozen vegetables. She wraps them in a towel before applying them to each arm. This is my rock bottom. I break down in her arms. Once I calm down, she makes a phone call in the other room.

  “Caleb says he doesn’t know where Bentley is. Hunter got a text from Bentley saying he needed a few days off, but that was it. No one can reach him. He probably turned his phone off. Aly, Caleb wants me to take you to our place.”

  I don’t want to leave in case Bentley comes home. I need to talk to him. I just plain need him. “I don’t want to leave. I’m fine here.”

  She ignores me, goes into my room, grabs my overnight bag and starts packing some of my things.

  “You’re not staying here. Mike knows where you live. He doesn’t know where I live. If he is capable of what he did in public, who knows what else he might do.”

  “It’s my fault. I should have walked away when I saw him at the table. I should have called Bentley right away and told him to come. I just wanted everything over with, wanted the property gone. No more ties to Mike, you know? Then I had to egg him on. I knew better.”

  She stares at me.

  “Aly, this is not your fault. Everything will be fine. But do not blame yourself for what that asshole did. He had no right to put his hands on you. You are coming to my house and then we will discuss what to do next. We can send Bentley a text letting him know where you will be. But until he comes back, you are not going to be here alone.”

  I don’t have it in me to fight, so I agree.

  Caleb is standing in the doorway when we park in the driveway. He pulls me into a protective hug. “Aly, I’m going to rearrange the motherfucker’s face.”

  Caleb has already laid out some food, but I have zero appetite. Kat and Caleb eat what’s on their plate while I more or less push my small amount of food around. Caleb clears the table and leaves to give us some privacy.

  I stop him. “Thanks, Caleb. Will you let me know if you hear from Bentley?”

  He nods his head before heading towards his gym.

  “You got a good one in him, Kat.”

  She smiles, watching him walk away.

  “I did, didn’t I? You do, too. Bentley will come around. Give him a little time. He’s probably just trying to process what he saw. Remember when I thought Caleb cheated? Bentley was the one who talked with me, told
me not to give up. He’ll get there.”

  If I ever saw Bentley kissing someone, even if it wasn’t anything real, I don’t know what I’d do.

  “I want you to be right. Things were so good, what if we can’t fix it?”

  “You will. The man has been in love with you since the start. Just don’t give up.”

  I won’t. That much I know.

  “Aly, we need to talk about Mike. You need to report this.”

  “No.” I can’t imagine reporting this. I’m so upset and even more humiliated.

  “Yes, you do. I worried about his outbursts while you were dating, now even more. If you won’t press charges, you need to get a restraining order. Something saying he can’t come near you or contact you.”

  I know she is right, but it is embarrassing that this has to happen at all.

  “Okay, but will you come with me? Not tonight though. It can wait until tomorrow.”

  She agrees to that. I call into work and ask to take a few days off to tend to a personal family matter. Thankfully, my boss is okay with it and approves. Kat takes some pictures of my wrists, just in case we need them tomorrow. She pours me a strong drink to help me sleep, and stays by my side the entire night.

  In the morning, holding my hand, Kat walks with me into the police station to file the report. As we leave, I am completely overwhelmed. The temporary injunction will be in place as soon as Mike gets served, then I will have to go to court sometime within the next 15 days.

  “I will be with you the whole time, Aly. You won’t go through this alone.”

  I am glad to have her, but I really want Bentley with me. No one has heard from him still. We go to the house and my notes are still on the doors, untouched. I tell Kat that as soon as I know Mike is served, I am going home. I want to be there when Bentley gets back.

  The next day, after my lawyer lets me know Mike has been served the papers, I go home, Caleb checks out the place before I go in. I can tell he’s not too happy to bring me here, but I just want to be in my own bed. When Kat and Caleb leave, I take a bath. I dress in Bentley’s boxers and t-shirt. I text and call him again. Voicemail. I fall asleep hugging his pillow, breathing in his scent.