Breaking Free

by LeAnn Ashers

  I look out at the land in front of me. It’s so beautiful and pure. Untainted by the ugliness of the world.

  “You moved around a lot because of him?” Dave asks exactly what I didn’t want him to.

  “Yeah, I was careful. But my kids were tired of moving, so we settled here. Nothing has happened until now.” My throat knots up.

  “I’m sorry you went through that,” he says softly, and I look at him. He is staring at me with a sad expression.

  “It was a long time ago.” I put my hair behind my ear and shift in the saddle.

  “It may have been, but nobody truly heals from something like what has happened to you.”

  He hit the nail on the head. I stop my horse as the tears come. Many, many years of tears. Arms wrap around me, and I feel myself pulled from my horse and into Dave’s lap. I still have the reins in my hand.

  “Let it out, baby. That man will never be around you again,” he soothes. I lay my head on his shoulder crying, letting out all the pain and sorrow.

  A few minutes later, I wipe my eyes, feeling a lot better. Yesterday brought back old memories and shook me up badly.

  “Thank you,” I tell him softly and hug him.

  “No problem, darlin’.” He winks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes at this man. He helps me back onto Buck.

  “Race you back!” I grin at him. He gives me a determinded look. “You’re on.”

  “1, 2, 3, go!” I yell, and Buck shoots forward, leaving Dave in the dust. I laugh and hang on. Out of the corner of my eye I see him gaining ground on me. I scream, and my horse goes faster.

  The barn is up ahead. I enter the yard ahead of him by only a foot. We slow down as I grin cockily at Dave. “Haha!” I tease.

  He climbs off Sadie and comes over to me, lifting me down from mine. My body drags down his front, and I look up into his eyes. His eyes turn dark as he looks down at my breasts in my tank. He lets me go instantly, my cheeks burning.

  “I am taking you out tonight. Be ready by eight. Cowboy boots, jeans, the works.” He winks, which is when I see Chase coming down my driveway.

  “What if I don’t want to go?” I ask him in mock anger and cross my arms across my chest.

  “Too bad.” He winks again, then kisses the top of my head. He leaves me gaping as he walks inside of my house and then back out a second later in the clothes he had on yesterday. He waves at me, and I wave back.

  I watch as they thunder down the road just as quickly as he powered his way in. Who is this man?

  Chapter Three

  I am ready by eight, my hair curled in waves down my back. I am slipping my shoes on when I hear a truck outside. Grabbing my phone, I slip it into my back pocket and walk outside.

  Dave climbs out of a huge truck. He is wearing tight Wranglers, cowboy boots, and a long sleeve button-up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbow showing off his tattoos.

  “You look gorgeous.” He grabs my hand and leads me down the stairs. I blush at his compliment and hide it with my hair.

  He opens his truck door, and I grab ahold of the handle and lift one leg inside of the truck when Dave puts his hand on my butt and gives me a push up. I am pretty sure he just wanted to cop a feel, so I look behind me and see him giving me a sheepish smile. Totally copping a feel.

  Once I am seated, he shuts the door and I put on my seatbelt. Dave climbs in and turns around in my driveway.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Dancing, drinking,” he says with a grin.

  “Dancing?” I repeat and can’t help but feel excited. I needed a night out like this.

  He turns on the radio, while I look out the window as we enter the city and head toward downtown where the honky tonk bars are at. He parks, gets out, and opens my door. I can hear the honky tonk music from here when he helps me step out.

  Dave wraps his arm around me as we walk through the dark parking lot and past some men laughing at the side of the building, which is when he tightens his hold on me.

  He opens the door for me and we walk inside. People are dancing. I can hear laughter ringing through the building and smell barbeque. I spot a booth across the room, and we walk hand in hand toward it.

  When I sit down in the seat, to my surprise, he sits down beside me instead of across from me. I smile and scoot over close to the wall to make more room. A waitress comes over a few seconds later, placing menus in front of us, and takes our drink order. I ask for a Corona with lime, while Dave just has a beer.

  “Want to order now or later?” he asks, and since I ate before I left, I answer. “Later.”

  The waitress brings our drinks and slides them in front of us. “Want anything to eat?”

  “We will later.”

  “All right.” She nods and walks away.

  Grabbing my Corona, I take a big swig and look out at the dance floor. A woman falls down onto the ground, and I can’t help but laugh when a man tries to help her up but instead, falls down onto the ground too, because he can’t lift her; and she is a small woman.

  “Well, that’s sad,” I mutter and take another drink.

  “Do you have any kids?” I ask Dave. He turns to look at me and shakes his head no. “Nope, military was my life until I retired a year ago with my buddies. They all moved here with me.”

  “You’re all retired now?”

  He nods, “Yeah. I have been in the marines since I was eighteen years old, and so have the other guys. It’s time to live a little. We served our country, dedicated our lives to it.”

  “Thank you for watching out for Ethan,” I thank him, and he asks, “Ready to dance?”

  I nod and empty my drink. No way will I leave it sitting here. Dave gets out of the booth and has a hand held out for me. I look up at him and smile. I put my hand in his, and he helps me stand. We walk over to the middle of the dance floor.

  I stand still as Dave moves toward me. My heart starts pounding at the look on his face. He stops when my chest is touching the top of his stomach. His arm bands around my waist as he pulls me flush against him until there is no space left between us.

  He moves his hand down until it’s touching my butt and pushes my hips against his. I gasp, and he grins down at me. Then he moves his hips to the side. I gasp again at the feel of this man holding me like this. I throw my head back so I can see his face better.

  His eyes are smoldering as his arms are holding me tightly against him, and it feels right. I feel protected, and I never knew how much I needed that until this moment. I put my hand on his forearms.

  “You look beautiful tonight.”

  I blush and smile at him. “Thank you.” I raise my hand up and smooth out the smile lines around his eyes.

  He dips me, and I throw my head back, my left leg flying up, and I laugh. He presses a kiss to the center of my throat. When he brings me back up, I grin at him. Then a fast song comes up, and he grips my hand and puts the other at the small of my back so we can do the two-step.

  After the song is over, we move back to our booth. I basically collapse to the seat, feeling exhausted. Dave wraps his arm around my shoulder and hugs me to his side. I lay my head on his shoulder and look up at him.

  “Want to do you guys want to eat?” The waitress asks, and I turn to look at her. “I’ll just take a steak with fries. Medium.” Hey, I am not a salad girl.

  “I will have the same, but I want my steak well done.”

  A hand wraps around my jaw and pulls my face around. My eyes connect with Dave’s, and his shoot down to my mouth when my tongue snakes out to wet my bottom lip. Then his mouth meets mine, and he immediately takes over the kiss. He bites, licks, sucks my lips, while I just hang on for the ride.

  I bring my hand up to his jaw and sit up higher in my seat to get closer to him. His hand wraps around my hair and gives it a tug, tilting my head back farther so he has better access.

  He pulls away and looks me straight into the eyes. Then he leans forward again and kisses me on the forehead, which is beyond sw
eet.

  “Your food.” The waitress sets the food onto the table with silverware then walks away. I grab my knife and cut up my steak.

  We sit in comfortable silence. Dave has his hand on my leg while we’re enjoying each other’s company as we watch the the crowd around us. I notice a guy in the corner with his dick hanging out, thrusting in the air. I jump in shock. What in the world?

  “What is it?”

  I look at Dave and see him staring at me. He must have felt me jump. “The dude over there.” I point to the guy, who is now thrusting his dick in my direction.

  “What the fuck?” Dave growls and starts to stand up.

  I grab his arm and try to pull him back down. “What are you doing?” I ask him.

  “Taking care of that.” His voice is dark as he breaks free from my hand. I watch him stalk over to that man, his arms bulging as he fists his hands over and over. What is happening right now? Is he really going to confront that guy? For me?

  I slide out of the booth and notice the man tucking his stuff back in. Dave gets closer and looks down on him as he towers over him. The man nods and backs away. Dave points a finger and backs away.

  My mouth is gaping as I watch him do this. Over me? That shocks me most of all. “What?” I ask Dave when he joins me.

  “Baby, I will not let a man disrespect you like that.” His hand comes up to my jaw as he looks deep into my eyes. “Never again.”

  I catch his meaning and nod. His thumb strokes my cheekbone, and I step forward and wrap my arms around his waist. I rest my head on his chest and close my eyes. Dave puts his hand on the back of my head, holding me to him.

  I let go of him and slide back into the booth. I take a swig of my new beer and relax, then I grab my fork and spear another piece of steak. I look out around and see the man Dave just confronted staring at us. He is with a couple of guys. I know one of them; Marcus asked me out a couple of times, but I turned him down, saying I didn’t plan on ever dating. Oh boy…

  I quickly turn back to my steak so Dave doesn’t notice me looking at them. I don’t want any trouble, but is it wrong of me to be kind of flattered that he would stand up for me like that?

  “You said you grew up on a farm?” Dave asks, and I hold a finger up until I’m done chewing my food.

  “Yeah. In Wisconsin. I haven’t seen it since I was nineteen years old when I left for college. I don’t even know if my parents are alive or dead.” I swallow hard and put my hair behind my ear.

  “You haven’t seen your parents since you were nineteen? How old are you now?” he asks with his brow furrowed.

  I sigh. “Forty-six. My parents had me when they where eighteen years old.” I put my fork down and turn in the seat so I am facing Dave.

  “Why haven’t you seen them?”

  “I was kidnapped for years, and when I did make it out, I ran and kept running. I was afraid of putting my family in danger. I still believed they would be. You met him. You have to understand why I felt that way.”

  “I am so sorry, baby.”

  He takes my hand in his and squeezes. “It’s been a long time. I have dealt with everything, and now it’s time for me to break free.”

  Dave looks at me in awe. I smile. “You’re so fucking brave and strong.”

  “Thank you.” I turn back to my food.

  Once we are finished, Dave pays and leaves a tip. I offer to pay for my own, but he glares at me. I throw my hands up in defeat. Oh well.

  When we make it to the door, I step out in front of him and see that guy from earlier with his buddies. They are standing and leaning against a truck.

  I gulp and move a little closer to Dave. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side. But he doesn’t move. I look up at him and follow his line of sight. He is staring at those men. Then he lets me go and moves me to his other side, out of their sight.

  “Let’s just go, Dave,” I whisper and pull his arm a little to get his attention. His arm is bulging with muscles, and I can feel his veins under my hand. Dave can seem scary if you don’t know him, and he is huge.

  He moves his body until it’s almost tilted to the side so those men can’t see me. His arm is strong and steady as we walk toward the truck. I hear them laughing behind us and feel Dave hesitate.

  He unlocks his truck and helps me inside before he slams the door shut, and when he turns around, those guys are right there. Oh hell. Please leave, guys, don’t do this. Why does my first date in over two decades have to go like this? Do I have trouble stamped across my forehead?

  I open my door so I can hear what’s happening.

  “What do you want?” Dave asks scarily.

  “I am here to speak with Evelyn,” Marcus says, and I groan out loud.

  “That’s not going to happen,” Dave growls and takes a step cloesr to Marcus. I push my door open and slide out of the truck. When I walk over to Dave, he looks at me, shocked for a second. He puts his arm in front of me and pushes me behind him.

  “Evelyn.” Marcus grins at me.

  “Marcus, why are you causing trouble?” I come straight out and ask him.

  “I just wanted to talk to you.” He moves a step closer to me, causing Dave to move a step closer to him in response. “I thought you didn’t date.” So this is the reason why he is acting like that.

  “Look, Marcus, you are a great guy…” I stop when I see the expression on his face.

  “Don’t say that shit, Evelyn. I have asked you out repeatedly, and every time you have turned me down flat. But as soon as this big fucker comes into town, you spread your legs like nothing.” I gasp in shock at his crude words. I never once gave him any idea I wanted anything from him.

  “Big mistake,” Dave says, and it’s like it’s in slow motion when Dave punches Marcus right in the nose and I see blood splurt out. Marcus’ eyes roll back in his head and he falls and lands with his face to the ground and his butt up in the air. He is out cold.

  His buddies look from their best friend to Dave. But instead of wading in or defending him, they pick Marcus off the ground and walk away. I stand and watch in shock.

  Dave picks me up and carries me then sets me inside the vehicle. The door shuts and then Dave’s opens a second later. I feel his eyes on me, so I turn to look at him. I feel guilty he had to deal with any of this tonight. Why couldn’t the date be normal?

  “I am sorry, Dave,” I whisper and see his expression soften.

  “It’s not your fault, babe. That man had it fucking coming. Nobody should talk to a woman that way. He deserved that and more.” Dave grabs my hand and tucks me toward him. I scoot over to the middle seat, where he kisses me and I wrap my arms around his neck.

  “Let’s go home.”

  I nod and let him go. I start to move back to my seat when he puts a hand on my leg, stopping me.

  “Stay here with me.”

  I nod but don’t say anything as Dave starts the truck and backs out of the parking lot then pulls onto the highway.

  “What a night,” I mutter and rub my face.

  “An amazing night,” Dave says, and I look over at him. How can he say that? “How can you say that?”

  “Because I was with you.”

  The cheesiness is almost too much, but I love it. “That was sweet.” I lean forward and kiss him on the cheek.

  “Don’t say I am sweet. They’ll take my man card.” He smiles and winks at me.

  “Awww,” I drag out and rest my head on his shoulder.

  Dave

  Tonight was an amazing date until those fuckers wanted to fuck with Evelyn. That shithead Marcus will think twice before he looks in her direction again. Every protective instinct I have came out for Evelyn. Seeing her stand up to that man last night and being so strong has me in awe, but I want to be her protector so she doesn’t ever have to face that kind of fear anymore.

  Witnessing her kidnapper talking down to her will forever be stuck in my mind; so will the fear that radiated off of her. She is so fuckin
g strong and dealing so well, it’s shocking me.

  I joined the military right out of high school, and I just retired. I haven’t had a life outside the military, and while I was in, I wouldn’t date or get attached to women, because I didn’t think it fair to ask them to wait for me or only be with me a few weeks a year.

  So I haven’t had the desire to date.

  The moment I saw Evelyn, that changed in a instant. I wanted to get to know her. She is gorgous, doesn’t even look her age; far from it, to be exact.

  We pull up in front of her house, and she sits up in the seat. She looks at me and then back to her house while she gnaws on her bottom lip like she is unsure about something.

  “Want to come in?” she asks and noticably holds her breath awaiting my answer.

  “Sure.” I wink. I open my door and step out. I grab her hips and pull her to me then place my hands on her waist and lift her out of my truck. She is a small woman, short and petite. Her hands are so small that mine swallow hers whole.

  Once her feet are planted on the ground, she walks ahead of me to her front door, her butt swaying in her jeans, and I tilt my head to the side to get a better look. Evelyn coughs, and I look up at her, smirking. She has her eyebrow cocked. She caught me. No shame here.

  She unlocks her door and steps inside. “I am going to go change. Make yourself at home.” She walks up her stairs, and I take my boots off before I plop down onto the couch. I grab the remote and turn on the TV.

  When I hear the stair creep, I turn my head and see Evelyn walking down the steps. She is wearing a man’s shirt that swallows her whole with a small bit of shorts sticking out at the bottom.

  Whose shirt is that and why the fuck is Evelyn wearing it?

  Standing up, I stalk over to her and see her stare at me with wide eyes. “Whose shirt are you wearing?”

  She grins at me. I arch an eyebrow at her. “Are you jealous?” she teases and cocks her hip the side. Reaching my hand out, I put her hair over her shoulder. “Fuck yeah. Only man’s shirt you’ll be wearing is mine.”

  “This is Ethan’s shirt,” she says and smiles at me gleefully.

  “I approve of him.” I nod and sit back down onto the couch. Evelyn stands and stares at me for a moment before she bursts out laughing. “You’re such a caveman.” She wipes under her eyes and walks over to sit down beside me.