Breaking Beautiful (Broken Series #2)

by Amanda Bennett

  The night sky was plastered with stars beyond belief. I couldn’t help but stare into the vast black night. I spun around quickly when I heard shuffling on the deck behind me. When I turned, I caught the tail end of a raccoon rounding the corner. I took another pull off of my beer and let out a loud sigh. If a raccoon was all I was dealing with right now, I welcomed it.

  I just had to remember that tomorrow would be one of the best days of my life, it had to be. I finished my beer and tossed it in the kitchen garbage can before shutting everything in the house down. I double-checked every door and window in the entire house before I finally made my way to my beautiful, sleeping fiancé.

  I threw my shirt and jeans on the floor at the end of the bed, and then quietly slid in behind her. I tucked her tightly into my chest, letting my hand come to rest on her small belly. I drifted off to sleep after pressing a kiss to the top of her feathered hair.

  Twenty-One

  Bennett

  The sun dancing with the trees that made shadows on the wall woke me in the morning. I couldn’t tell you how long I had been asleep, but I most definitely felt refreshed, for the first time in a long time. I felt Gray’s arm tighten around my stomach. In response, I pushed my butt into his growing erection. There was no way I was letting that, go to waste.

  A mischievous grin spread across my face as I turned in his arms to face him. I ran my finger nails down his rippling chest and down his chiseled abs. His body was begging for me to touch him. When I reached the waistband of his boxer briefs, I had to stifle a moan.

  My hand slipped in between him and the thin fabric, causing him to moan. My smile grew wider as I explored the rest of his length with my hands. Just as I was about to close the distance between him and my mouth, his eyes shot straight open, landing on me.

  “Button, what in the world?” A smile was playing at the corners of his mouth, and I couldn’t help but let out a small giggle.

  “I’m doing what I please with my fiancé. Is that okay with you?” I continued to move down his body, my mouth kissing every inch of his muscular frame.

  “That is more than okay with me.” He crossed his arms behind his head and let his eyes flutter shut.

  I let the tip of my tongue trace tiny circles on the tip of his erection. I could feel the heat pooling between my legs just thinking about pleasuring him. As I dipped down a little lower, taking his whole length into my mouth, his hands came up to the back of my head. He grasped tightly onto my hair just as I let a small moan escape my lips. His body stiffened for a moment and then relaxed a second later, as I continued to bob my head up and down.

  I could feel him reaching the point of no return when he suddenly grabbed me, gently flinging me onto my back. A small laugh vibrated through his chest as he slowly lowered himself on top of me. I knew why he was being gentle, but I had to admit, I liked it a bit rough as of late.

  I wrapped my legs tightly around his waist, guiding him into me harder than I had anticipated. I bit down hard on my bottom lip so he wouldn’t see the pain I was in. He lifted his body off of mine for a second to adjust our position and the pain dissipated. His lips ravenously found mine and I was lost. I could fell my walls began to tighten around him, knowing I couldn’t hold on much longer.

  My nails dug deep into his shoulder blades just as I came undone underneath his large frame. He was right behind me a minute later. We both lay panting, trying to catch our breath before either of us spoke.

  Gray rolled onto his side, propping his head up with his arm. “I’m so in love with you, Bennett. You know that right?”

  His eyes were boring a hole straight through me, making me worry. “Of course I know that, Gray. I feel the same. What is this all about?” I rolled onto my side and propped my own head up with my hand to better face him.

  “Just remember that in a few minutes, okay?” He quickly kissed me on the tip of my nose before running into the bathroom.

  “Gray, what does that mean?” It was too late. I could already hear him laughing loudly with the door closed.

  “Nothing! Go answer the door, Button.” He yelled.

  “What? Nobody is even at the do-“ Just then the doorbell rang and I sprang into action, quickly dressing and flying down the stairs. I could barely contain the excitement that was running through me.

  When I reached the bottom step, I caught a glimpse of Hannah through the long window adjacent to the door. I almost squealed when I threw open the door.

  “Oh my gosh. What are you guys doing here?” I flung my arms around Hannah’s neck, and then did the same to Theo.

  “Well, I’m here for you and Theo is here for Gray. Now, hustle your skinny ass up those stairs and put on some real clothes.” I turned to head back up stairs before Hannah shouted something else, “oh and Bennett?”

  “Yeah Han?” I turned to face her.

  “Comb your sex hair baby girl. We’re going in public.” She let out a loud cackle and I could feel the blush creeping up my whole body.

  I shook my head in embarrassment and made my way into my bedroom. When I walked in I found Gray leaning up against the bathroom counter. “Was this all your idea?” I threw a wink is way as I passed him to go into the closet.

  “Of course.” He smirked.

  I threw on a pair of black leggings and a long pink hooded sweater before emerging from our closet. Gray’s eyes narrowed as he took in the view in front of him. His look darkened and I knew exactly what he wanted. This man was insatiable. “You can’t possibly be able to go again, already.” I knew he could but I was trying to let him down easy. I hadn’t hung out with Hannah for a minute and I seriously missed her.

  His arms caught me as I tried to make my way passed him. His erection dug into my hip and I smiled wide. “Okay, so maybe you can.” I blushed.

  “Oh, I can. You should know that by now.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head and then my swollen lips. “Have fun with Hannah. You look beautiful.” His lips pressed against mine once more before he released his hold on me.

  I pulled on my boots and made my way back downstairs. When I walked into the kitchen, Theo was sprawled out on the couch and Hannah was helping herself to left over Chinese food.

  “You ready?” I was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. I felt as though I hadn’t been out of the house since we moved in. Now that I was thinking about it, I really hadn’t been out.

  Hannah abandoned the food on the counter and grabbed my hand. “You betcha

  Hon. Let’s go.”

  I gave a quick wave to Theo and Gray, who had joined him in the living room. As we stepped outside, the cool winter air whipped around me like a breath of fresh air. It felt amazing to have the sun shining down, warming my skin. It was colder than I was expecting but I paid no mind to the temperature. It felt good just to get out of that damn house. It was rather big, but man did it feel small after being cooped up in there for more than a week.

  Hannah’s hand tugged on mine, pulling me out to her car. I hadn’t realized I hadn’t moved off of the front porch yet. Once we were tightly secured in her new Audi, we were on our way – to where I had no idea - but we were going somewhere.

  “Where are we headed?” We had just made it out of the security gate and onto the main road, when I decided to ask. Winter had engulfed the whole town. The once lusciously green trees were now covered in thin layers of white powder. The streets were cleared but snow painted the sidewalks and greenery. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

  “Into town.” And that was all she said.

  Twenty minutes later we were pulling up alongside a small red brick building I had never noticed before. We weren’t far from our old house and I had a very unnerving feeling being this far from Gray. I knew Hannah would drag me out even if I fought her, so I didn’t speak a word. We exited her car and rounded a corner when Hannah came to an abrupt stop. I ran right into the back of her, almost yelling at her to keep moving.

  “Hannah what the hell?” I pulled my p
urse strap that had fallen back onto my shoulder.

  “We’re here.” She was pointing at a small shop inside the brick encased building.

  “Where is here, exactly?” I didn’t need to know once my eyes caught sight of the mannequin in the window. Holy shit! We were at a wedding dress shop. I tried to swallow past the lump in my throat before I spoke again. “What are we doing here? OH.MY.GOD. You bitch! You weren’t even going to tell me that Theo asked you to marry him?” I slapped her shoulder before pulling her into a deep hug. I was so happy for them.

  “Um, no. Sorry. You need to find a dress for your wedding.” She winked before pressing the buzzer on the entrance to the shop.

  I shook my head in disbelief, just as a woman’s small voice came on over the dated intercom.

  “Yes?”

  “We’re here for our appointment. Bennett Reynolds is the name its under.”

  “Oh yes dear, come on in.”

  A loud buzzing noise hummed above our ears as the doors popped open. I hesitantly walked into the small boutique behind Hannah. It smelt musty and old. I took in a deep breath through my mouth, not wanting to inhale the overwhelming scent. My breath felt strangled in my throat and I suddenly couldn’t find my voice. I wanted to protest. I wanted to tell Hannah that I needed longer to accept this whole wedding thing, but it was too late. We were already here and I was bound and determined to make the most out of it. I probably wouldn’t find a dress anyways.

  A small fragile old woman came out from a backroom, I could only assume. Her olive skin was covered in wrinkles and time had been kind to her. You could see how beautiful she had once been. Not to say that she wasn’t pretty now, but she looked, well, like she had lived a full life. She wore an old satin handmade scarf around her pinned up gray hair and my mind floated back to our time in Italy.

  We had seen so many older women, just like this woman. Every one of them, kinder than the first. We had met quite a few of them when we went in to new shops or bistros. They always spoke of true love and how food was the way to a man’s heart. I laughed at the memory, before returning my focus back onto the little old woman in front of me.

  “How far along are you?” Her weak voice stunned me immobile and silent. Hannah’s words broke through my thoughts, helping to regain my composure.

  “She will be four months next month.” I saw the earth shattering smile she gave the little woman and she smiled in return.

  “It’s always nice to see such a beautiful young lady find love. Now let’s find you the dress, shall we?”

  We followed her to the long line of wedding gowns hanging along the far wall.

  “I’m actually looking for something in particular.” Her and Hannah both looked at me in shock. I hadn’t said a word since we walked into the store, not to mention how against this I truly was.

  “Tell me about it, sweetheart.”

  Her handed grazed my belly as she pulled me to sit down beside her in the large overstuffed plush chairs. “Well, I don’t quite know how to describe it. I have only ever seen it in a magazine. It’s a Maggie Sottero, fit and flare gown. It has-“ Before I could finish the half assed description I was about to give, that little old woman was flying across the room in a tizzy. All I saw was white material flying up around her.

  When she finally emerged from the sea of tulle, she was holding the exact gown I had just been describing. My mouth dropped open and I instantly ran to her, hugging her tight to my chest. Stray tears began falling down my cheeks without my knowledge. It was perfect. I didn’t even need to try it on to know.

  “I’ll take it.” I pulled back from her for a moment and stared blankly into her sunken in, almond colored eyes. “Thank you, um, ma’am.”

  “The name is Reagan, Dear.” She answered as she walked over to her ancient register.

  I slowly turned as the tears were now coming faster. My heart grew in size and all felt right in the world.

  “If that wasn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.” Hannah’s voice rang.

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  We finalized my purchase, hugged Reagan good-bye and made our way back out to the car. “I don’t know why on earth I just bought a dress. I’m almost four months pregnant and don’t even know when I am getting married.” I rolled my eyes at Hannah, as we slid into the warm comforting car.

  “I know when.” She blurted out. Her shiny black hair bounced across her shoulders as her body shook with laughter. “How about tonight?” She looked at me intently. She was dead serious.

  “Are you serious?” My mouth went dry and I swear my heartbeat slowed drastically. “You’re serious aren’t you? Is that what today was?” I didn’t know whether to be happy, mad, excited or scared.

  “I’m one hundred percent serious. You’re getting married tonight, Bennett, to the perfect man, in your perfect dress. We’ve already invited everybody.” Her smile said it all.

  “Okay. I’m getting married tonight.” I chuckled.

  Twenty-Two

  Gray

  Theo and I got the whole house together while the girls were out. There weren’t that many people to accommodate, so space wasn’t much of an issue. Theo wrapped the banisters in white twinkle lights, accented with white and pink roses, while I moved all of the furniture to one side of the living room. I ran the long black runner that Theo picked up through the hallway from the foyer, through the kitchen and then out onto the deck.

  Winter had let up for a bit, leaving it chilly outside but at least it wasn’t snowing. I sat out the white folding chairs and wood archway that Theo and I covered in matching twinkle lights and even more roses. Everything was coming together quite nicely, when I heard the doorbell ring.

  I had no idea who would be showing up so early. I half ran to the door and almost lost it when I saw Vince and her on the other side. All I could think to myself was why the fuck was she here with him?

  I went in for a half handshake, half hug and pulled back quickly to ask the obvious question weighing on my mind. “Vince, good to see ya bro. Why the fuck is she at my house with you?” I couldn’t help but notice the slack jaw expression on my ex-wife’s face.

  “Look, I wanted to tell you Gray, I really did. I just didn’t want to do it over the phone. And this –he gestured between the two of us- is why. Because this is how I figured you would react.”

  “Where do you get off telling me how I should react? How did you think I would react to you dating my ex-wife, or whatever the fuck you’re doing with her. Dude, Bennett is going to have my balls.” I ran both of my hands down the front of my face and back into my hair with a loud sigh. “Come on in.”

  As they both walked past me, Cora stopped briefly and grabbed my hand. “I’m really sorry.” Really? Really, that’s all she has to say?

  The three of us made it into the kitchen where Theo was setting out food and plates. I quickly made the introductions and then headed up stairs to get dressed. What was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life was sure to go to shit, as soon as she walked through that door.

  I heard the front door open and close a few minutes later. Her soft melodic voice floated up the stairs like music to my ears. I still couldn’t believe that in two hours that amazing woman would be my wife. Hannah had text me on their way home letting me know that she let Bennett in on the surprise. I was almost positive that Bennett wouldn’t go along with it; given her raging hormones she was never in an accommodating mood.

  I knew I wasn’t going to be able to see her anytime soon, and maybe that was for the better. I would rather tell her after we were married, and then she couldn’t run away. I grabbed my shirt and headed to the guest room half naked. Part of me wanted her to see me like this, just so she would get riled up. I wasn’t so lucky. I chanced a glance down over the railing, but all the voices were muffled and I started to have a mini panic attack.

  As I buttoned the last button on my dress shirt, I heard her and Hannah making their way up the stairs. Bennett was giggl
ing and chatting up a storm, so I could only assume that Cora and Vince had kept their big mouths shut.

  “Gray are you up here?” Her voice did things to me that only she could do.

  “Yes, Button. I’m up here.” I slid my tie into place just as I was peeking through the cracked door, catching a glimpse of her beautiful smiling face.

  “I love you Gray. Can’t wait to see you down there.” I could hear the smile breaking across her face.

  “I love you too, Bennett.”

  I finished tucking in my shirt and sliding on my shoes when I heard more voices floating up the stairs. I ran my fingers through my disheveled hair then headed down to join everybody. Dr. Cutler and his wife were the first two people I saw. I immediately wrapped my arms around the good ol’ doctor, thanking him for giving me back my life.

  “I owe you so much Dr. Cutler. Thank you for saving her, for saving them.” I pulled back introducing myself to his beautiful wife. “Hi I’m Gray. It’s a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Cutler.”