Page 55 of Beautifully Broken

Ava Rose

Straightening my sundress, I adjust my overnight bag and punch in Braiden's condo code to let myself in. Lately, his training has increased, and we haven’t been able to spend much time together.

The elevator opens as my hands shake and heart hammers with anticipation.

Tonight, I’m ready to take us a step further, but that doesn’t stop a thousand ‘what ifs’ from swarming my mind of how my past experiences could ruin tonight’s agenda.

Stepping into the long hallway, I swallow those nagging fears, knowing he’s going to go at my pace and not guilt trip me if I can’t follow through.

Since the first time he made me come, we’ve achieved a few more orgasms, and that has eased my anxieties.

His patience makes me love him even more, and turns me on more too, only adding to how badly I want tonight to be successful.

Making my way to the beautiful corner unit, my lungs fill for a few seconds before exhaling in a whoosh.

I’m earlier than he’s expecting, so I knock.

Braiden opens the door, and his excited smile warms my heart. “Ava.”

My eyes immediately take in how his shirt only has two buttons done up. He must have just gotten out of the shower because his hair is still damp, but his jeans are secured with a belt.

“I know I’m a bit early––”

“Means more time I get to spend with you.” His chipper tone flips my stomach as he gives me a kiss, reaching for my bag at the same time. “I’m almost ready, and dinner is in the oven.” When he goes to button his shirt, I take his hand away from the task.

“While I appreciate the formality, I’m very much liking this unbuttoned look.” I swear he doesn’t know how hot he is.

His eyes roll with a chuckle .

“But if you must, button it up so you’re not overly distracting while we eat.” I finally pull my eyes away from his body.

“Come on in, lovebug.” He closes the door and takes my hand, and we round the corner of the entryway into the main living area.

It’s dark from the storm outside, and I was too distracted by his appearance to notice the lack of lighting with the space full of candles.

Soft music plays as rain pulverizes large windows overlooking the city.

What a cozy and sensual setting for us to hide away in for the night.

Delicious aromas of Italian food fill the air, and as we step farther in, my eyes land on the coffee table with stacks of craft assortment.

“What is all this?” My voice is soft, taking it all in. His hand meets my lower back, guiding me over to the crafting supplies.

“We’ve been so busy and overstimulated this past week, so I figured soft lighting, calming music, and reliving the moments that made us fall in love would be a perfect night in as the storm carries on outside.” His attention to detail should never be underestimated or underappreciated.

As I look at the two scrapbooks and stacks of photos, I smile. “That’s why you asked me to text you every photo of us on my phone.”

“There are double photos of everything so we can both craft our memories.” Braiden points, and I zone in on some cute candids our friends took of us around the city and at events without my knowledge. “I know how much you love doing DIYs.”

My nose stings with emotion as I blink back tears.

The number of times this man chokes me up in the best of ways is unfathomable. Wrapping my arms around his neck, we begin to sway. Naturally moving to the beat of background music as candlelight flickers in his adoring eyes, I meet his eyes and whisper, “You’re too perfect, Brai.”

Shaking his head, he kisses me sweetly. “You know that’s not true, but you make me want to be the best version of myself.” I hum, melting against him. As we dance, he spins us slowly, and a massage table in the corner catches my eye. “New addition to the living room?”

“You mentioned your shoulders were hurting yesterday, so I’m going to take care of that for you.” He says it so casually, like it’s not a big deal .

My head spins in slight disbelief as my breathing wavers. “I don’t deserve this.”

“You deserve this and more.” He stops our swaying, making sure to have my full attention. “I love you, and I want to take care of you, baby. All the things that matter to you, little or not, matter to me.”

“I love you too.” It’s a mere whisper as my voice cracks. Everything about this evening is more than I could have asked for. There’s no one else I’d rather be with.

My hand weaves into his soft hair, pulling his head down to mine.

A spark shoots through me as he deepens the kiss, and another side takes over.

The side that wants him, all of him. I’m done waiting.

I’m done letting my past take hold over my future.

To hell with what’s held me back from getting lost in everything Braiden has to offer.

My tongue tangles with his as he picks me up, walking me toward the kitchen.

“Hungry?” he murmurs into the kiss.

“For you,” I answer as he shuts off the oven and carries me to his bedroom.

His bedside lamp illuminates the room in a soft yellow glow as I’m set down gently on the mattress.

Braiden hovers over me before pressing his lips to my jaw and that spot on my neck, which never fails to make my stomach flutter.

Suddenly, with his body heat against me, this dress feels too restricting, and before I know it, I’m reaching for the hem.

Braiden lifts my back slightly, helping me remove it before taking in my bare chest. His fingers trace down my stomach and over the wave tattoo going across the arch of my hipbone.

A small giggle escapes me at the ticklish sensation.

When I look up at him, he’s smiling, the love he feels for me palpable in his gaze.

“You’re too clothed,” I tell him, eyes drifting down to his shirt. “I need your skin on mine.”

Slowly, he removes his shirt as anticipation continues to rise, rushing through my veins.

I work on his belt and jeans before he stands, undressing until he's only in his tight briefs that thankfully leave nothing to the imagination. His heart isn’t the only big and beautiful part of him.

My pussy aches, begging to be touched, so I do.

My thumbs slip into the waistband of my panties, sliding them down my legs as he stands there, mesmerized.

There’s something about his attention on my core that drives me wild, encouraging me to spread my legs, fully offering myself as my fingers find my clit.

Swallowing roughly, my thoughts leave my lips without any more hesitation. “I bet your mouth would feel amazing.” He observes me for a moment, checking my eyes and body language for confirmation before crawling back onto the bed.

“I’m ready to devour the best meal of my life, Ava Rose.” Pressing a kiss to my lips, he peppers more down my body, taking his sweet time as he treasures each breast, then drags his mouth along my stomach and hips, leaving soft, teasing kisses that have me nearly writhing.

I’m ready. More than ready.

Each kiss causes my heart to thud harder against my ribs, waiting for the contact I crave between my legs.

His lips descend lower, bypassing my pussy and moving to my thigh, slowly kissing toward it again.

I involuntarily gasp as he takes me in his mouth, moaning as I relax beneath the sensation.

The warmth and wetness and tingles assure me his tongue is going to get me off quicker than his fingers.

My God, it’s so gentle and tantalizing, and I never want this to end. I glance down, watching him.

As Braiden’s eyes open, and as he peers up at me, I instantly think how he looks like a crocodile peeking out of the water. My giggle breaks our moment of intensity, but I can’t help myself.

“What?” Confusion and amusement meet his eyes. It feels so freeing to be this comfortable while he’s touching me.

“Nothing.” I giggle once more and shake my head, collecting myself as my center aches for more of him. “Carry on.”

“I’ll take your giggles over panic anytime, lovebug.” His mouth covers my pussy once again, and my eyes shut, focusing on the swirl of his tongue, the little suctioning pulses of his lips, and the way my body begins to tense, chasing the release.

Will he know when to stop?

Fear jolts through me, and as if sensing my nerves, I feel him reach for my hand, weaving it in his hair for me.

My heart settles back in its rightful place as my fist clenches his hair while my orgasm takes over with just another few flicks and swirls of his tongue.

Each time euphoria consumes me, another layer of trauma dissolves into oblivion.

Braiden continues as I hold him in place, enjoying the continued pleasure until I’m ready to push his head away.

With my hand still in his hair, I bring him up to me, kissing his lips and tasting myself.

There’s something erotic about it, and as he moans into the kiss, my hand travels down to hold his hard-on.

Braiden thrusts into my hand as his arms rest on each side of my head.

A need deep inside me nearly stings for his attention, and I clench around nothing, desperate for him to fill me.

This is it.

“Fuck me, Braiden,” I breathe out into our kiss. “My body is yours.”

“It’s yours, but I’m going to show you how thankful I am for you to let me love it.” There’s no rush with what follows his declaration.

Our lips move, slowly savoring each kiss and sigh, every inch of his skin under my fingertips.

My legs wrap around him as my arms pull him down to feel his weight on me, like my own personal security blanket of muscle.

Braiden flexes into my hip, and I adjust myself, needing friction on my clit, which is exactly what I get when he grinds into me.

“Please, Braiden,” I moan, reaching to remove his briefs over his solid dick.