When She's Broken

by Briann Danae

  She had only been at Honey's for three days, and in the time frame, Alonzo had gone up to her job and visited her grandmother making threats. The only reason he hadn't stopped by Honey's was because he couldn't recall what block she stayed on. But, to keep her out of harm's way, Astryd still felt comfortable heading to D'Haven's instead.

  Trailing her car just in case Alonzo got fed up and decided to stake the neighborhood, D'Haven wondered what he had really gotten himself into. Helping Astryd out wasn't the issue he had. Containing the feelings he had for her were. Before he got locked up, their friendship was more than a simple crush as Astryd put it. He had taken her virginity the year before he went to jail so to find out she was in a full-blown relationship and had kids by another nigga sort of bruised his ego.

  Most men, the ones he had grown up with, didn't prefer breaking a virgin in. They claimed the girls were too clingy and expected the most out of them. In D'Haven's mind, virgins were perfect. Astryd had chosen him to be the man she gave her pureness to, and he cherished it like a mothafucka. That entire summer, they dated on the low but didn't get serious because Astryd was going away to school that Fall. When she came home for Christmas break, they had a heart to heart and decided to just remain friends. The college life had gotten the best of Astryd.

  For a few weeks, they kept in contact, but it became less and less. When she popped up with a boyfriend, D'Haven was confused. He thought they had something special but chucked it up as a loss. Three months later, he took the charge for Winston, and they hadn't really talked since. Yet, here D'Haven was offering up his home as a free man to the girl who had in a way played him. Though it was the past, D'Haven had a few questions of his own he wanted to get off his chest.

  Pulling up to his townhome, he told Astryd to go ahead and park in the garage. Pulling behind her, he cut the car off and helped her bring she and the girls' things inside. When you first walked in, there was the living room, his bedroom with a bathroom inside, and a half bath for guests. Upstairs was the second bedroom and full bathroom. He told Astryd she and her girls they could have his bedroom for the night since there wasn't a bed in the upstairs room yet.

  "You sure?" Astryd asked as the girls made themselves busy scoping the new place out.

  "Positive. I can crash on the couch, and we'll go get a bed for y'all tomorrow."

  What he really wanted to tell her was that she could sleep in the bed with him, and he'd get the girls their own bed but chilled. She was already trying to get out of one complicated situation, there was no need to begin another.

  "Okay, well thank you again. I know this isn't ideal for you. I guess I should've asked if you had a female friend or anything that comes by," Astryd said with a giggle.

  "Nah. Honestly, you're the first female I've brought here."

  Astryd looked shocked. "Really?"

  "Yeah. Why you looking like you're shocked."

  "I am that's why. You're fresh out of jail and… I don't know," she shrugged. "I guess I thought you'd be humping on everything moving."

  D'Haven chuckled and shook his head. "The only person I've humped on is you at my party."

  Astryd rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Can I have some towels, so I can get them in the tub? Otherwise, they'll be running around here all night."

  "Yeah. There should be some in the linen closet inside the bathroom. I'ma order some Imo's pizza. What kind they like?"

  "Pepperoni."

  "Aight. I'll be in the living room if you need anything."

  The look Astryd gave him made him not make a move toward the door. "What?" he questioned.

  "Why didn't you ask me what kind of pizza I liked?"

  D'Haven smirked. "Because I already know what kind you like. Barbecue chicken, right?"

  The blush on Astryd's face was one he could get used to seeing on a regular basis again. "Right. Thank you."

  "It ain't nothing."

  Walking out of the room, D'Haven's phone rang and Astryd couldn't help but think that it was a woman calling him. Why she was concerned and felt some type of way, she didn't know. He wasn't her man, but the act of him opening up his home to her was a privilege she found herself not wanting anyone else to have.

  "I'm tripping," she said aloud. "Come on girls. Let's go take a bath."

  "Aww Mommy," Ashlee whined.

  "Aww Mommy nothing. You have marker all over you, and so does your sister. Let's go, Pumpkin."

  After their bath, too much pizza and watching the Trolls movie on Netflix, Ashlee and Ashlynn were out cold. Astryd placed them in the center of the king-sized bed knowing by the time she came to lie down; their little bodies would be all over the place. Letting out a yawn, she curled up on the couch making D'Haven look up from his phone.

  "If you sleepy, you can go to bed," he offered. "I know you probably had a long day."

  "I'm fine. I'm just relaxing."

  He gave her a nod and hit play on the movie 211. Astryd loved action movies; always had. Twenty minutes into it, her gaze fell back on D'Haven. He was out of his dress shirt and pants and was wearing some basketball shorts with a gray tank top. Astryd let her eyes trail from his covered feet, up his hairy legs, to his defined chest, broad shoulders, and heavily sculpted arms. The veins in them were enticingly sexy. When he popped his knuckles, Astryd imagined his hands roaming her body as he delivered a massage she would gladly pay for. When she squirmed in her seated position, D'Haven looked her way, and she quickly looked at the TV.

  Chuckling he said, "Pebbles, you staring at me?"

  "What? No," she laughed nervously.

  "Come here," he called out, and Astryd froze.

  She blinked a few times and mumbled, "Huh?"

  D'Haven scratched his jaw and licked his lips. "Come here, baby."

  Hesitantly, Astryd stood to her feet and moseyed over to him. It was something about the way he had called her baby, not once but twice today, that had her heart beating uncontrollably. Standing in front of him, she tugged on the pair of shorts she was wearing as he looked up at her with a grin.

  "You so fine, you know that?"

  "Stop," she whined, shaking her head.

  Leaning up, he grabbed Astryd around her waist and sat back on the couch. She was straddling his lap with her arms crossed over her chest. The perk in having small boobs awarded her the luxury in not having to wear a bra all the time, but the disadvantage was her nipples always made a grand appearance. Especially now with their closeness.

  "Stop what? You are fine. I make you nervous still, huh?"

  "A little. I just… I don't know. We haven't seen one another in so long, and this is the way we reconnect," she sighed shaking her head.

  "Would you like that we never spoke again?"

  "What! No. Those years without you were hell," she said and D'Haven's brow lifted.

  "Yeah?"

  Her truth surprised them both. "Honestly, yes. We had a special bond. At least I thought we did."

  "I should be asking you that? You went and got a man on me and all," he said, and Astryd rolled her eyes.

  "He's far from a man, trust me. I don't want to talk about that, though."

  "I don't want to talk about that either."

  Astryd's brows furrowed with curiosity. "What do you want to talk about then?"

  "Me eating your pussy."

  "D'Haven," she groaned, shaking her head as he began to massage her ass cheeks.

  "What?"

  "That's not the type of talking we need to be doing."

  "Why not?" he asked, with a smile in his voice.

  When his hands crept up her back, she shivered and inhaled a sharp breath. Closing her eyes, she savored the feel of his calloused hands against her skin.

  "Look at me," he called out gently.

  She peeled her eyes open. The look in his eyes scared Astryd. They oozed with love, but she wished they didn't. She was scared to love again… scared to love him again.

  "I'm not here to hurt you," he said softly as tears gathered in
her eyes. "I just want to love you."

  "I-I know," she choked out. "I just… please bear with me, okay? I'm not used to being loved properly."

  Pulling her closer to him, D'Haven stroked her back and whispered in her ear, "Allow a real man to love you, Pebbles. Can I do that?"

  She nodded as a warm tear slid down her cheek. His question saddened her to her core. He never demanded anything of her; always asked permission. It was something she was no longer fond of. Alonzo never asked, just requested. He forced her to do things she'd never in life think she would. He forced her to love his malicious, disgusting ways and stay by his side when really, she wanted to leave him.

  "You deserve to be loved, Astryd. All of you."

  "I can't be loved," she cried, covering her face with her hands. "Why would anyone want to love me after what I've been through?"

  "Because," D'Haven stated gently pulling on her wrists, "You'll learn to love yourself first, and that'll be better than any love a man can give."

  She sniffled. "Even yours?"

  "Even mine. The type that comes from right here," he said placing a hand over her chest where her heart was beating wildly.

  His words were sweet, and Astryd appreciated it them, but she wanted to feel them. She wanted this love D'Haven spoke so highly off to water her insecurities and replenish her dry valley.

  "I need it to come from you. Please," she whispered against his lips before placing a soft kiss against them.

  Indulging in her advances, D'Haven deepened their kiss and pulled her body flush against his. As his hands trailed her body, Astryd's arms wrapped around his neck. His member thickened underneath his polyester shorts. Her soft groans had him ready to make love to her and even if temporary, give her deep strokes to erase her pain. For now, he'd save the strokes and provide her with something that'd settle her needs and his.

  Standing to his feet, D'Haven laid her across the long part of his sectional couch. Astryd stared up at him breathlessly awaiting his next move. Removing her shirt from her body, D'Haven discarded her shorts and lace boy shorts next. Rubbing his hands up her thick, copper thighs, kisses replaced their warmth. Spreading her legs at the knees, D'Haven positioned himself over her body and covered every inch with his lips. Licking here and kissing there, the taste of her made him a feign immediately.

  Astryd's body was a masterpiece. He'd gladly love to shoot her in the nude and hang her up on his wall if he was given the opportunity. The TV's light illuminated her skin, showcasing her tiger stripes on her hips, ass, and stomach. There was a light bruise covering her side, and she tensed up when he kissed it.

  "You're so beautiful, ma," he said, making his way up to his favorite feature on her body besides her smile.

  Taking a nipple into his mouth, D'Haven sucked hungrily and caressed the other breast. Her soft moan made him go harder.

  "Ahhh, yes," she whimpered.

  Astryd closed her eyes bracing herself for the pleasure she knew would come next as he made his way down her body. It had been years since their last sexual encounter, but D'Haven had memorized her body as if it was his own. With need, he spread her legs more and dragged his palm against her womanhood. It was still fat like he liked it, with minimal hair and coated with slickness. His mouth watered at her aroma. Astryd's bottom wiggled in anticipation.

  Flattening his tongue, D'Haven initiated the throaty groan that fell from her lips. Skillfully, he slurped, licked, and penetrated her gushy walls. Astryd was sure to give him a cavity. She tasted so good, D'Haven promised to never purchase another piece of candy again. She was his sweet treat. Thrusting her hips upward, Astryd's hands caressed his scalp as he buried his face deeper. Flicking the tip of his tongue against her clit, Astryd's stomach caved.

  "Oh, shit!"

  "Sssh, baby," he muffled out.

  Before her hearing left her temporarily, that word baby caused her to cream upon falling from his glossed lips. D'Haven was eating her pussy so meticulously Astryd wanted to cry. In fact, a few tears did roll down the sides of her face and pool in her ears when D'Haven placed two of his long fingers inside her warmth and zoned in on her clit like it was the last meal he'd ever taste. Astryd's frame trembled, and he held her down, so she wouldn't flip off the couch.

  He wanted every drop of her. Her moans encouraged him to keep going. In a swift motion, Astryd's body was flipped over, ass tooted in the air, and D'Haven's tongue was back assaulting her pussy. Spreading her ass cheeks, he showed it love before venturing back down and wrapping his juicy lips around her fat ones.

  "Ooooh, D'Haven!" she moaned softly. "I'm-I'm cumming."

  "Cum for me, Pebbles."

  Juices ran down her thighs as he brought her to her peak in under a minute flat. When he smacked her ass, Astryd squirted all over his brand-new couch.

  "I-I can't take anymore," she huffed, falling flat on her stomach.

  Chuckling, D'Haven leaned over her spent body and kissed her pouty lips. Hungrily, she accepted them and licked off her juices. While she sucked on his tongue, D'Haven massaged her bare cheeks with his hands, loving how they jiggled with ease.

  "You taste so damn good," he groaned in a raspy manner in her ear before lifting up.

  Unable to move, D'Haven left her there to bask in her orgasm while he went to get a warm towel. Turning her over, he wiped her down and kissed her puffy lips while fighting the urge to eat her ass up all over again. Sliding her panties up her legs first, then her shorts and shirt following, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.

  "You feel better now?"

  She nodded, searching for her voice. "Yes," she answered softly. "Thank you… for everything."

  Snuggling closer into his chest, Astryd sighed. Her eyes were heavy with what she knew would be the best sleep she had in months. Her body was aching in a good way, and he hadn't even blessed her with the dick. He didn't have to; not yet at least. D'Haven meant it when he said he wanted her to love herself first. Sex was good, but it wasn't a cure for healing the broken. It was a temporary fix that he was glad to give her, but he knew this was only the beginning of her healing journey.

  Chapter Seven

  Frustrated with life in general, Astryd roughly drummed her finger over the scroll wheel on D'Haven's mouse. She hadn't had to look for a place to live in so long, she forgot how tedious the task was. A little over a month had gone by since she'd temporarily moved in with D'Haven and though she was enjoying it, Astryd knew she couldn't stay there forever. Especially not when she didn't have an income to bring to the table.

  Astryd had to quit her job, though she had planned to anyway because Alonzo had even gone as far as harassing and harming one of her co-workers. She received word through her boss and apologized immensely, but no words could make up for his actions. Relief came over her when she learned charges had been filed and he had been arrested. She wasn't sure for how long, but him being behind bars was better than roaming the streets.

  Before his decision to wreak havoc on the people close to her lives, Alonzo had sent her so many messages on Facebook, Astryd lost count. Having not logged in for a while, Astryd decided to one day last week from D'Haven's laptop and regretted doing so. She had over two hundred message notifications. They were filled with threats, apologizes, GIFs of flowers, tons of the sad face emoji before the anger took over again. She didn't bother to listen to the voice messages he left. Hearing his voice would haunt her in her sleep. The peaceful sleep she was finally able to enjoy without fear.

  When her phone rang, she happily picked it up needing a break from her search. Smiling, she answered D'Haven's call.

  "Hey."

  "What's up? What you doing?"

  "Was looking for apartments, but I'm tired now," she giggled. "How was work?"

  "Long as fuck, but I don't have a reason to complain. I'm on my way home. You and the girls ate?"

  Astryd's heart swelled at his attentiveness. Since day one under his roof, he had been nothing short of amazing. Every need they h
ad, he did his best to accommodate them. Beds had been situated upstairs for the girls, and though she put up a fight not to, Astryd took his room downstairs. D'Haven would sleep in the bed with her at night but would be up and on the couch by the time the girls woke up. They'd joke about him sneaking into her room like some teenager, but he didn't mind.

  They'd finally had sex a few weeks ago, and their connection only grew stronger. D'Haven didn't pressure her at all for it. Seeing her walk around his crib, cook at his stove, leave her scent in his sheets and everything else she innocently did to make him fall in love with her, had him ready to blow her back out during every second she was in his presence. He let her open up to him on her own, though. It gave her a piece of herself back. Alonzo no longer had the ownership he claimed to have over her body. For his patience, though he didn't mind waiting, Astryd put it on him so good, D'Haven was rushing home from work every day and had called in sick once already to dig in her guts and just spend time with her.

  "Yes, I cooked, but the girls are still with Grammy. Are you going to the gym?"

  "Bet, and nah. I'ma head there. I been missing you all day," he admitted, and Astryd grinned.

  "Awww. I miss you too. Are you just saying that beca—"

  The loud sound of the doorbell ringing startled Astryd, causing her question to be cut short.

  "You have someone coming over here?" she asked in a shaky voice.

  Fear crept up on her out of nowhere and crippled her immediately. For as long as she had been crashing at his place, no one had stopped by to visit. Not without her expecting them at least. D'Haven didn't mind having company, but Astryd's safety was top priority.

  "No. I'll be there in less than five minutes though. Can you peek out the blinds and see who it is?"

  "Um, okay. Hold on."

  Standing on trembling legs, Astryd's heartbeat tripled in speed the closer she got to the door. She didn't want to peek out the window, so instead, she looked through the peephole. Relief came over her when she realized it was only Demi; D'Haven's sister.