Page 53 of Beautifully Broken

Braiden

Removing the keys from the ignition, I wait before heading to Ava Rose’s door.

The strong smell of salty ocean air filters through the window, calming my nerves.

She looked uneasy this morning when she asked me to come over.

Her breathing picked up like it did the other day when we began to fool around.

I’m not sure if I should prepare myself for the worst, or act like she’s just gonna tell me a cute but embarrassing childhood story.

I don’t even know what the worst could be, but this is psyching me out more than being on the starting block at the Olympics.

Whatever she’s willing to share, it’s personal.

Grabbing her favorite sushi order from the passenger seat, I step out and praise mother nature for the lack of wind.

It’s a beautiful warm night on an ocean cliff across from San Francisco.

A perfect night with my perfect girl.

Quiet pop tunes bring my attention to the backyard, where I find Ava lying on a chair by the pool, absorbed in a book.

My eyes immediately fixate on her perfect ass as she’s positioned on her stomach.

I’ve never seen this thong bikini, and as much as I love being around her family, I’m thankful they’re gone so I can really enjoy the view.

My cock hardens from her teasing bottom, but that’s not why I’m here.

Setting our sushi on the outdoor bar, I walk over, my shadow covering her as her book quickly closes.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, lovebug.”

She peeks over her shoulder before turning onto her back. My eyes fight to stay on hers instead of roaming down to her full breasts, the dip of her waist, and lower to her muscular legs I desperately want wrapped around my head.

She’s worth the wait, however long that may be .

“You’re good. I don’t startle easily.” She sits, taking my hand to I help her up. Arms wrap around my neck while she pushes her sun-warmed body against mine. She moans, flexing her hips into my cock. “My new bikini cause that?”

“You in a messy bun and sweatpants can cause that.” Grinning, I lean down, kissing her softly, but tug on her bottom lip before pulling away. “But yes, you’re a delicious smokeshow in this.”

Her stomach grumbles, making me chuckle.

“I brought sushi.”

Eyes lighting up, she kisses my lips quickly. “Mmm. You’re the best.”

I’ve learned Ava inhales her sushi as if she’s been deprived of it for decades, and tonight is no different.

I keep quiet as the ocean waves act as a soundtrack to our thoughts.

I don’t want to initiate the mystery topic as we finish eating, but now that she’s fed and looks relaxed, I begin with something general.

“Did you manage to get through that paper you were struggling with the other day?”

She was vague about the topic, but said it meant a lot to her and solidified the direction of her career.

“I handled it, and I think I’ll be getting a great grade.” She smiles softly as her eyes tell me she’s holding something back. “Summer classes are tiring, but I’ll be thrilled to graduate early.”

“What was the paper about again?”

She hops off the barstool and nods toward the pool. “I turned up the heat this morning, so it’ll feel like a bathtub if the cool breeze kicks in.”

“Always thoughtful.” I follow her into the water, knowing floating around helps her relax and collect her thoughts.

It’s my solace too. “Does this mean you decided what law sector you want to specialize in?” I rephrase my question for a final time.

She’s mentioned wanting to become an injury lawyer but still didn’t feel like it was fulfilling enough.

There’s a short nod as her eyes swing to the right, debating about how to answer or if she even will.

“I’d love to specialize in sexual assault cases.” A nervous laugh follows her statement as she sinks farther into the water. “Winning cases in that field would bring me so much satisfaction, but also, it’s a heavy topic for people to deal with. ”

“I’m proud of you.” My arms open, pushing water behind me as I casually lean back. “Sounds like you put a lot of thought behind it, and you’re right, it takes a strong person to handle cases like that.” As my hands reach the pool wall, I give her some space to talk, but she comes closer.

“Yeah. I know I could handle it, though.” She’s chewing her cheek like she wants to elaborate, and I fight like hell to keep my composure, wondering if my thoughts about what she’s possibly endured are being confirmed.

Clearing my throat, I break the lull of silence. “What made you choose that specific field?” My voice is soft, but casual. Her face pales, rising bile to my stomach at what I think she might admit.

“I-I love helping people,” she settles with, but I sense there’s more. It’s in the way she stops looking at me, how her breaths come quicker. As she stands tall in the water before me, I take her hands in mine.

“You can tell me anything, Ava. I hope you know that. Whatever it is that you’re holding back…”

When she lifts her gaze this time, I see the weight she carries there.

My chest aches at the sight of it. “I… I was sexually abused in the foster system until I was ten. The foster family’s son and his friends took advantage of being alone with me after school until the mom came home.

” She shakes her head, while mine spins, feeling like I might vomit.

“Lauren, my now mom, was the ER nurse who saved me after a couple visits to the hospital.”

The air around me vanishes. How the fuck could anyone do this to anyone? I’m so thankful for the Wheatons adopting her.

Her eyes meet mine, and she continues. “It’s hard for me to overcome the fear I have surrounding pleasure when I’m not in control of it.”

Thinking back to her panic when I held her hips, guilt floods me.

I nod and swallow past a growing lump in my throat as my brave girl says, “I’m not sure I’ll be able to fulfill your sexual needs, but I want to.”

A tear trails down her cheek, and I lift my hand, cupping her face to wipe the ones that follow.

I’ve been triggering her every time I go near her without realizing. She’s literally my everything, and I want her as comfortable with me as possible.

“Ava…” My heart is hers .

“It’s a lot to take in, I know.” Again, she chews her cheek, trying to steady her breath. “Look, you don’t have to say any––”

“I love you, Ava Rose.”

Her stiff shoulders relax at the same time her jaw tightens, fighting back more tears.

“I know sharing that wasn’t easy. I appreciate you trusting me enough to open up.” Cradling her face in my palms, I stare into her vulnerable eyes. “You’re so strong and incredible, and there has never been another woman I’ve felt so confident about sharing my life with.”

She nods rapidly, crying now as my own eyes become blurry with emotion.

“I love you too.” It’s a strained whisper through a wobbly smile.

Hearing those words from her lips stops the world as pride hits my chest. She’s my other piece of gold.

“I hate that you went through that.” Kissing her softly, she sighs, melting against me. Holding her, all I can hope is that those fuckers are locked up so no one is ever at risk from them again.

Pulling back slightly, her hand slides over my chest. “I want to keep trying with you because you mean so much to me.” Her pleading eyes tug at my heart, unable to fathom how uneasy she’s felt keeping all this to herself. “I picture myself with you and don’t want this to be something in our way.”

“You don’t have to deal with the weight of your past alone.” My voice breaks as my throat tightens. “I will do my best to help you through this, at your pace, okay? However long it takes. Really. I mean it, Ava. I picture myself with you, too, and we have time to figure this out together.”

Another tear falls down her cheek, and I lean in to kiss it off.

“I love you, Braiden.” Rising onto her toes, her lips seal to mine, this time with a hunger that flips my damn stomach.

Apprehension takes over. I’m scared to put my hands on her waist and trigger her after what she told me.

But as she pushes her body closer, and her hip rubs against me, she awakens my erection.

Normalcy is what she’s searching for. My arms snake around her waist, holding her tighter.

Ava lifts her leg, grinding into me, which is nothing new, but my heart hammers.

She must feel it, because her hand slides over it as she breaks our kiss to look up at me .

“I need to try something.” She speaks softly, but there’s slight mischief in her tone. That's when she reaches down, pulling the strings of her bikini bottoms.

I swallow, still as a statue at the sight before me. Ava places her bikini bottoms on the side of the pool and takes my hand, guiding me toward the entry steps. Thank goodness there are no neighbours nearby.

Are we taking this inside? I follow silently as she leads me, stopping at the pool steps and turning with a daring smirk.

Ava holds my shoulders, pushing me down to take a seat.

Her boldness takes me by surprise; her taking charge is hot.

Pausing, she stares at me, face softening like she might back out, but I know she doesn’t want to.

My lips tug upwards as my gaze floats down her body and back up to her beautiful eyes.

It’s golden hour, and the sun is hitting her hair from behind, creating an angelic aura around her figure and making her skin glow. She’s a treasure I never thought I’d find.

“You’re so damn beautiful, Ava Rose.”