Embracing Love (Once Broken Book 1) Read online

  I’m panting as I round my turn, but a smile spreads across my face as I see the patch of grass Remy tackled me on the other day to save me. I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to have him right behind me and in time to save me from a speeding car. I shake my thoughts away when suddenly I see him at my side. He smiles at me and I smile back, but we say nothing. We both just continue running together, side-by-side.

  We stay that way until we get back to my house, where I collapse on my front lawn. I’m exhausted from the run. I haven’t pushed myself that hard in a while. He sits next to me and says, “Are you okay?”

  I pull my headphones from my ears and say, “What was that?”

  He laughs as he lies back on his elbows. “Are you okay?” he repeats his question.

  I smile. “Yeah, I haven’t run hard like that in a long time.”

  “You were running at a pretty good pace. I’m impressed.” He stares down into my eyes.

  “I’ve been running since high school. It’s always been my escape.”

  “From what?” he questions.

  “Life, reality, whatever may have been bothering me that day.” I shrug and sit up next to him, hugging my knees to my chest.

  “What made you run so hard today?” He glances over to see me staring at the ground.

  I shrug again. “The challenge of beating my best time. I want to push myself to stay in shape, stay strong.”

  We both get quiet, no longer sure what to say. I finally break the silence. “Can I get you some water?” I ask him, hoping to invite him inside.

  He smiles. “Thanks, but I’m good. I have to get going. If I’m not back soon, Mama will send out a search party. I’m sure she has plenty for me to do before this afternoon’s party.”

  “You’re a good little mama’s boy, aren’t you?” I tease, bumping him with my shoulder.

  The poor guy smiles and blushes as he looks away.

  “Yeah, I guess you can say I have a soft spot for my mama. My sister too, she can be a pain in my ass, but I adore her.” He stands pulling me with him and that’s when I feel it again, the jolt that runs through my body every time he touches my hand. He smiles down at me, his eyes bouncing between my lips and my eyes. “I’ll see you tonight?” he whispers.

  I lick my lips and whisper back, “For sure.”

  He takes a deep breath and runs off toward his house, and I run straight inside to my room. I’m soaking wet right now. This guy does things to me, things I haven’t experienced in a really long time. I can’t resist. I strip out of my clothes and climb into bed, rolling onto my side to reach into my nightstand. I find my vibrator and press the on button. I sigh in relief when I see the batteries still work. I gently press it to my clit, and hiss at the sensation that shoots through my body. My god, it feels so good. I slowly rub it over and around my sensitive nub, my hips starting to move as I envision Remy on top of me, kissing me as he presses against me. It takes me minutes before I’m coming undone. My legs are shaking as I clench them shut, holding the vibrator in place, riding out my first orgasm in god knows how long.

  I turn the thing off, toss it in the drawer, and lie there, realizing that it only took the edge off. I need more than that. I need affection, touching, and I definitely need some good sex. With the lump I felt in Remy’s shorts just now, I bet he can provide me with some really great sex. I rip the sheets off and growl as I hit the shower.

  ***

  Remy

  I had no desire to go for a run on a Saturday morning, except for the hope that she would be running too. I leaped from my bed throwing on a pair of shorts, deodorant, and a shirt, and I took off out the door. I was running at a good clip hoping I didn’t miss her, or even that she’d be running on a Saturday. I couldn’t help but smile as I rounded the corner and there she was, looking all fine with her little shorts on and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She makes my heart race. I pick up the pace and level out as I reach her side. She nods at me and I return it, but instead of running past her, I stay by her side in a quiet steady pace all the way to her house, where she collapses on her lawn in a very dramatic fashion.

  I can’t help but laugh, taking a seat beside her. I ask her if she’s okay, but she has the volume up far too loud so she can’t hear me.

  I’m looking into her beautiful hazel eyes, with her ponytail spread out on the lawn. She’s panting as she says, “What was that?”

  I repeat the question, and she rewards me with her beautiful smile. It lights up her entire face as she lets me know that she’s fine. We continue having a light conversation, but suddenly it’s quiet. We’ve run out of things to say until she offers me some water, and by god I want to accept and spend more time with her, but if I do Mama will start to panic. She knows it doesn’t take me long to do my run.

  I smile at her. “Thanks, but I’m good. I have to get going. If I’m not back soon, Mama will send out a search party. I’m sure she has plenty for me to do before this afternoon’s party.”

  “You’re a good little mama’s boy, aren’t you?” Kenzie asks with a grin.

  Damn, I can’t believe this girl just made me blush. I quickly turn my head as I laugh at myself. I chuckle. “Yeah, I guess you can say I have a soft spot for my mama. My sister too, she can be a pain in my ass, but I adore her as well.”

  I pull her from the ground, and when I do, she presses her body close to mine, and it feels good. All I can think right now is that I hope she doesn’t feel my cock twitching, because this girl does things to me.

  My eyes wander between her lips and her eyes. I really want to press my lips to hers but instead I ask, “I’ll see you tonight?”

  She licks her full, luscious lips, and it causes my cock to twitch yet again. I have to get out of here before my cock ends up at full mast. “For sure,” she practically pants. As soon as the words are out of her mouth I take off running toward home, with a smile on my face and a hard-on in my shorts. My mind is reeling from the last two interactions I’ve had with her. When I finally get home, I run straight upstairs for the shower. Mama’s in the kitchen but I don’t stop to say a word, because I know you can see my tent through my thin-ass shorts. As soon as I’m in the shower, I start stroking my cock thinking about her and that beautiful mouth of hers. Pretending my hand is her lips, I start to pump my hips, fucking her mouth good and hard when suddenly I’m shooting my load down the drain just as my mother knocks on the door.

  I roll my eyes. “Yeah?” I shout from the shower, continuing to pump what’s left into the bottom of the tub.

  “Are you all right, Remy?” Mama shouts back.

  “I’m fine,” I say through gritted teeth. “I’ll be down as soon as I’m done showering.”

  She mumbles something through the door and walks away. Shaking my head, I think to myself, I really need to get a place of my own.

  I quickly wash and get dressed. I’m on my way downstairs when Mama shouts, “Breakfast is ready.”

  “Coming, Mama,” Brooke and I shout at the same time. I look over my shoulder to see she’s right behind me on the stairs. Smiling at my sister, I wait for her at the bottom of the stairs, “Good morning, Sis,” I put my arm around her shoulder.

  She narrows her eyes at me and says, “What are you up to?”

  My brows shoot up. “Nothing. What makes you think I’m up to something?”

  “You seem to have this glow about you this morning. I mean, you’re typically a pretty happy and easygoing guy, but you seem extra happy this morning,” she says in her sweet voice with a smile on her face.

  “What’s not to be happy about? It’s Mama’s annual Fourth of July party, and I’ve missed at least half a dozen. It’s good to be home for it.”

  She gives me a small side smile and mumbles, “Says the guy who hates attention.”

  I shake my head as we take a seat at the snack bar. Mama puts a plate for each of us on the table and says, “Good morning.” She looks at me, a bit skeptical.

  “Why am I getting
all these looks this morning?” I question. Everyone is looking at me like I’m hiding some crime.

  And at the same time, Mama and Brooke say, “Because you’re up to no good.”

  “I’m not up to anything.” I take a bite of my eggs to stifle my laughter. These two women are going to be the death of me. Add Kenzie to the mix, and I’m sure as hell to be in a world of trouble.

  “Good, since you’re not up to anything, you’ll be around to help Brooke and I set up for this afternoon’s festivities.” Mama’s brows shoot up as if she’s waiting for me to argue.

  “I’d love to, Mama. I’ve missed the last few and this will probably be my last Fourth of July living at home, so why not?”

  She pouts at me. “Why are you in such a hurry to move out?”

  “Because I’m a grown man, Mama, and I need my own place. Keaton has his own place and you didn’t give him a hard time about moving out.”

  “Keaton is a pain in your mama’s ass.” She winks at me. “Now eat your breakfast and get this cleaned up while I go start getting stuff ready. Your father will be home soon with the groceries so we can start cooking.”

  We both reply, “Yes, ma’am,” and finish eating our breakfast.

  ***

  I look down at my watch to see it’s two-thirty. People are going to start arriving soon. “Brooke, I’m running into the shower to freshen up.”

  I’m a sweaty mess, and there’s no way I want Kenzie seeing me like this. I run straight to my room to grab a pair of khaki shorts and a navy-blue polo. I run into the bathroom to start the shower, and fifteen minutes later, I’m freshened up and dressed. I’m running a comb through my hair with some gel when Mama comes to the door.

  “Is it Kenzie?” she asks, leaning against the door with a grin on her face.

  “Is what Kenzie?”

  “Don’t play me for a fool, boy. You ran into this house to shower and I find you looking all handsome and stressing over your hair. You never stress over your hair. That’s Keaton, not you.” I try to hold back my laughter but I fail. My mama is so observant; she misses nothing.

  I shrug. “It’s nothing, Mama.”

  “Yet.” She walks away with a smile on her face. I shake my head and continue fixing my hair. When I’m satisfied, I head back downstairs, and just as I’m making my way to the backyard to see if Brooke needs help, Vaughn is walking into the backyard.

  “Hey, my man. What’s going on?” I shake Vaughn’s hand and pull him in for a hug. My father comes out the back door with a few beers in hand.

  He shakes Vaughn’s hand and hands him a beer, handing me the other and the three of us sit up on the deck shooting the shit. My father excuses himself to check on the ribs. He’s been slow-cooking them on this huge grill he pulls out only for this and the block party. I don’t know how he does it, but damn do they taste delicious when he’s done. “So how’s Fort Stewart treating you?”

  I shrug. “So far, so good. This week was a bit boring, since I’m mainly observing, but I start working with my own soldiers soon, so I’ll be ready when Major Vickers leaves. They’ve already been pretty much trained, but I have to oversee them for a brief period of time before they go off on their first assignments.” He nods. “How about you?”

  “It’s going. The world of maintenance is the same kind of shit, different day type of work,” he says. More people from the neighborhood have started to arrive, and some approach us to say hello. I introduce Vaughn to all who stop over, but of course they’re never the person I’m waiting for. She’s still not here yet.

  Dawson comes walking into the backyard with Kayla and Becky in tow. Kayla looks great in her little maternity sundress, and of course, Dawson is babying her as he always does. I look at Vaughn. “Have you met my brother and sister-in-law?”

  “Nah,” he says as Kayla bickers with Dawson. Vaughn once spent time with us during our leave but I remember Dawson being away at school.

  “Dawson, will you calm down? I’m fine,” she says as she waddles up to me to say hi.

  We both stand as my niece runs up to me shouting, “Uncle Remy, Uncle Remy! Will you play in the pool with me?” I chuckle at her. She can’t say her “L” too well so it sounds like “poo.” This kid is so dang cute it’s hard to tell her no.

  I pick her up. “We’ll see. There are going to be a lot of people here today.”

  She pouts at my response, but I quickly start tickling her to cheer her up. “Uncle Remy, stop.” She squeals. I put her down and she goes running off to my father.

  My sister-in-law leans in to kiss me on the cheek. I give her a quick hug and say, “Kayla, Dawson, this is my friend, Vaughn. We go back to basic training days. He’s stationed at Fort Stewart as well.”

  My brother sticks his hand out, shaking hands with Vaughn. “Nice to meet you, and thank you for your service.”

  “Thanks for having me.” He blushes as my sister-in-law hugs him.

  The party is now in full swing, and three-quarters of the neighborhood are here along with our entire family. My brothers are sitting on the lawn chatting with Vaughn and some friends, and Mama is busy organizing all the sides that people have been bringing. I glance around our well-decorated yard. Mama really does a nice job putting this together. To my disappointment, I realize Kenzie isn’t here. I hope it’s not because something has happened to her nana.

  Once Mama has everything out and organized, she announces that dinner is ready. People around the food table get busy fixing their plates, and others scattered around the yard notice and get in line. I step up to help Kayla make Becky’s plate, while she and Dawson make their own plates. “Thanks, Remy, but aren’t you going to eat?”

  “Yeah, I’m going to wait until others have eaten and then I’ll make mine.”

  She smiles at me sweetly. “You’re such a good man, Remy.” I chuckle as I feel myself blushing. I take Becky’s hand with mine, her plate in the other, and I walk her over to the blanket she’s been playing on in the grass. I set her plate down and tell her to sit like a good girl and eat her dinner. Of course she does as she’s told, and a minute later, Kayla and Dawson are by her side.

  “Thanks, Remy,” Kayla says, taking a seat in her lawn chair.

  “Anytime.” I walk off towards the food table saying hi to various neighbors as I go.

  I’m talking to Mrs. Cockran about how long I’m going to be home and when I’ll retire, when I’m bumped. I glance over to see Kenzie and her friend. Kenzie has a huge casserole dish in her hands. I smile instantly. “Kenzie, have you met Mrs. Cockran?”

  She smiles at her. “No, but it’s a pleasure.” I take the dish from her so she can shake her delicate hand. Mrs. Cockran is one of our elderly neighbors. She’s sweet as a peach, but nosey as hell.

  “If you’ll excuse us, Mrs. Cockran, I’m going to take Kenzie and this dish up to the food table so we can get a bite to eat.”

  “It was nice catching up with you. Good luck with your new job.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  As we walk away, Kenzie says, “Remy, this is my best friend, Lillian.”

  Lillian sticks out her hand and says, “Please, call me Lilly.”

  “Nice to meet you, Lilly.” I shake her hand. She’s a cute thing, but nowhere near as beautiful as my Kenzie. I think to myself, My Kenzie? She isn’t mine yet. “Come on, ladies, let’s grab some food.”

  We walk past a ton of people to the food table, which is now free of a line. “Damn, your parents know how to throw a cookout.” Lilly laughs as she sees all the food.

  “Yeah, Mama tends to go a bit overboard,” I tell her, handing each of them a plate so they can start fixing their meals first.

  That’s when Keaton comes over and says, “Hey, sweet thang, I’m Keaton.”

  She smiles up at him and says, “Lilly, I’m Kenzie’s friend.”

  “Well, I’m sure glad Kenzie brought a friend.” He winks at her and takes a plate from the pile, acting like he hasn’t already eaten once. “M
ind if I join you for dinner?”

  “Not at all.”

  I roll my eyes, then realize this could be a good thing. If Keaton entertains Lilly, I may actually have a chance to talk with Kenzie. There are a set of lawn chairs set up with a small table. It’s near a shady section of the yard, so Keaton and I pick up the table shifting it slightly so we can eat comfortably.

  “What would you ladies like to drink? Mama has water, soda, and lemonade, and then for adult beverages she has beers, hard lemonade, and Arnold Palmer Iced Tea.” Keaton and I are standing waiting for their response.

  At the same time, they answer, “Arnold Palmer Iced tea.”

  We both chuckle, and I say, “Be right back.”

  As soon as we’re out of earshot Keaton says, “Dude, who’s that Lilly chick?”

  “I have no idea. It’s the first time I’m meeting her.”

  “Good Lord, she’s so hot she’ll melt the butter on my toast,” he says, fanning himself.

  “Whatever, just stay away from Kenzie. I might ask her out tonight.”

  “It’s about damn time,” he says, to bust my balls.

  “Shut up, man. She has a lot going on right now. I didn’t want to rush it.” I grab two cups to get their iced tea. “Grab me a beer, will ya?” He pulls two beers from the cooler and I take the two cups and we walk back to the table like we weren’t discussing the two women we’re about to have dinner with.

  The ladies thank me as I place the cups in front of them. I sit by Kenzie, and Keaton sits by Lilly. “Your mom certainly has a nice home,” Lilly says.

  “Thanks. Where you from?” Keaton asks.

  “Barronett, the next town over. That’s where Kenzie and I grew up.” She nods in Kenzie’s direction.