Unbreak This Heart

by Betty Shreffler

  As we eat, Todd shares highlights of the last year and how his clientele has grown significantly. The news doesn’t surprise me. He always was a shark when it came to getting what he wanted. The part that stings is when he tells me his younger sister is now married and they’re expecting their first child. Elizabeth’s now-husband had proposed around the same time Todd proposed to me. We could be in the same position expecting our first baby and it tears a hole right through me.

  Todd must sense it and quickly changes the subject.

  “What about you?”

  Little does he know my life’s been a rollercoaster of highs and lows and I’m thankful I still have my job. I was fired from my previous one, and the only new activities in my life are kickboxing classes and my friendship with Carter.

  “I love my new job. I chose them for more than their excellent benefits. It gave me a chance to give back to the kind of officers who helped me that day.”

  Todd’s expression darkens at the mention of my attack. He downs his Scotch and I can see I’m losing him as he drifts off in thought.

  “But the newest activity I started is kickboxing lessons.”

  Todd’s expression transitions and life comes back into his eyes.

  “Oh yeah. How’s that going?”

  “It was going good, but I think I’m going to cancel the lessons.”

  “Why would you quit?”

  His tone is disapproving. Todd doesn’t understand quitting except for our relationship, but to him, it was probably more like a break while I got myself together.

  I fiddle with my food. “Maybe I won’t.”

  “You shouldn’t. It’s not good to quit. You should see it through. It’ll be good for you.”

  I don’t want him to think I’m unable to handle my commitments. It’s something I know he sees as a weakness. “You’re right. I won’t quit.”

  Todd smiles. “How’s dinner?”

  “Just as delicious as I remember.”

  Todd reaches over the table and I see his hand is going to take mine. I steady myself in anticipation. Taking hold of my hand, he runs his thumb over it.

  “I like this. Seeing you again. How about we have dinner again tomorrow?”

  “I have kickboxing tomorrow.”

  “I’ll come over after. What time should I be there?”

  “Seven-thirty.”

  “Where are you taking your lessons at?”

  I hesitate and Todd narrows his brows.

  “Raise the Bar.”

  “I know that place. Kyle and I went there a few times.”

  My chest tightens wondering if he knows Carter.

  “What’s your instructor’s name?”

  I hesitate again and Todd frowns. He’s far too observant of my body language.

  “Carter.”

  Todd shrugs. “Don’t know him.”

  I let out a breath of relief.

  The waiter brings the highlight of my evening, the flaming custard. It’s ignited and served to our table. Watching the flames jump wildly, I glance at Todd. I know what he’s thinking. The last time we had dinner here, we had the same dessert that night. We couldn’t even make it home. He pulled his Corvette over and I slid into his lap.

  I’m aroused at the thought of it and how amazing it felt to have him inside me. The flames die down as the liquor is burned off and Todd hands me a spoon.

  “Eat slowly. I want to watch you savor it.”

  Spooning a bite, I slowly lick it clean. His gaze is carnal as he watches me. His voice is low and sensual as he takes a spoon and slides it into the custard.

  “Remember the night I licked the whipped cream off you?”

  My nipples harden to peaks. “I do.”

  “Remember what we did after?”

  His hand grazes mine as I dip the spoon. Taking hold of it, his thumb caresses across my hand. The memories of how he explored my body in new ways that night flash through my mind.

  “I do.”

  “Would you let me do it again?”

  Desire burns between my legs and I shift uncomfortably. I swallow the lump in my throat. Don’t let him know. Be brave.

  “Yes, but not tonight.”

  A grin splits his lips and he strokes my hand. “Of course, baby. I have to earn it.”

  Surprise sweeps over me at the sound of my old nickname. It feels good to hear him call me it, but I’m not sure I’m ready for it.

  Todd releases my hand when the waiter brings the bill, then hands him his card.

  When the waiter returns, Todd pulls out my chair and holds my jacket as I put it on. His lips touch just behind my ear, the exact spot he knows makes me weak in the knees. Pleasure spreads from head to toe.

  “You ready to go?”

  “Yes.”

  The familiar touch of his strong hand and the delicious scent of his Armani cologne has me angling my body toward his. He raises his arm and puts it around my waist. Leaning over, he kisses my temple.

  “I miss this,” he whispers.

  So do I.

  I lean my head against his shoulder as the valet brings his Corvette around. On the ride back to my apartment he places his hand on my knee and I’m proud of myself for how relaxed I am with it.

  With his Corvette parked outside my apartment, he walks me to my door and we stop outside of it.

  “I’m glad I get to see you tomorrow.”

  “I am too.”

  Todd steps closer and gently moves me into his arms. Hand grazing my hair, he holds my neck and brings me in for a kiss. The familiar strength of his desire overwhelms me. I’m moved against my door, and he presses into me, moaning into my mouth and roaming his hands over my back. His hand cups my ass and squeezes.

  Putting my hand on his chest, I gently push him back as panic seizes me.

  “Not so fast, stud.” Thankfully my voice doesn’t betray me.

  Todd chuckles and places a lighter, gentler kiss on my lips before releasing me.

  “I can’t help it. You know what you do to me.”

  Staring back at his hungry hazel eyes, I do my best to hide my fear. “Tonight was wonderful. Thank you for dinner.”

  He takes hold of my hand, caressing it. “You sure you don’t want me to come in?”

  “You have to earn it, remember?”

  Todd smirks. “Night, baby.” He kisses my head and turns to leave.

  Gathering my breath, I watch him walk back to his car. He enters it and waves. Digging my keys out, I push through the door, and lean my head against it for several minutes, calming my nerves. I’d spent so many nights wishing to have Todd back in my life, and now that he is, I’m terrified.

  CHAPTER TEN

  —

  CARTER

  Wiping my neck and chest with the towel, I greet Rachele at the counter. “Did my five o’clock, DeMarco cancel again?”

  Rachele shakes her head. “No, she didn’t cancel.”

  The tension in my chest lightens. I hoped she would come to her session. I owe her an apology for being an insensitive prick. I understood why she canceled the last two. I had no right to bring up what happened to her as a reason for not letting me in.

  I head to the mats and prep, hopeful she shows. When I see her walk across the gym several minutes later my heart skips a beat. Seeing her reminds me of how much I’ve missed her.

  Not a day didn’t go by this week that I didn’t think of her. If only I hadn’t acted like a tool, she still might be speaking to me.

  She approaches with that same shy smile and lust filled eyes she has every time she sees me and I can’t help smiling.

  “I’m glad you’re here. I was afraid you weren’t going to come back.”

  “I want to keep coming, but I need to make sure it’s not gonna be complicated between us.”

  “Alex, I’m sorry for how I acted. I never should’ve said what I did. I acted like a douchebag, and I know it’s not an excuse, but I had just woken up with you in my arms, and it felt incredible. I didn’t
mean to act like a tool.”

  Her face twists into an expression of anguish. “I can’t give you anything more than friendship.”

  A brick hits my gut. “I understand. You want me to get you another instructor?”

  She shakes her head, tears pooling at the corners of her eyes. “No. I want to continue to work with you. I’m comfortable with you.”

  Comfortable. I’ve landed in the damn friend zone.

  “We better get to work then.”

  Starting her out on stretches, I discover I’m not completely in the friend zone. Her eyes watch me like a curious cat and glance away when she’s realized she’s stared too long. She’s a little rusty from missing two sessions and I place my hands on her hips to adjust her stance. She doesn’t flinch at the contact and I’m surprised. She’s gotten used to me touching her and that brings me a hell of a lot of satisfaction. Maybe being the friend she needs is the best way to go about this.

  “How was your week? Anything new?”

  It’s clear that question hit a button. Her body language changes. She’s obviously uncomfortable.

  “It’s been a busy week. I did go to the massage therapist you recommended, and you were right, she’s ah-mazing. We picked up a new account at work and…” she pauses and throws a couple punches in silence. “My ex took me out to dinner.”

  Hearing that affects me more than I want to show. “So, he’s back, huh?”

  “We were engaged. That’s not something you let go of easily.”

  As the tension builds in my chest, I now understand why I’ve been friend zoned. The bastard who left her when she was at her worst wants her back at her best. Asshole.

  “Just be careful. Guys are supposed to be there for the women they love, not run out on them when it gets hard.”

  Her punches increase in speed and she continues in silence. I can see I’ve hit a nerve.

  “Let’s move onto a core circuit.”

  Pushing her body to the limit, I make up for her missed sessions and I’m proud when she doesn’t whine or give up. She wipes the sweat from her brow and makes sure to regulate her breathing.

  “Did you play any sports in high school or college?”

  “I ran track and did pole vault. Played soccer too.”

  It’s no wonder athletics come easily to her.

  “Have you been running to loosen the lactic acid build up?”

  “I have.”

  “Good. I want you to start adding protein shakes after your workouts even on rest days. It’ll optimize muscle repair and growth.”

  “Got it, Boss.”

  “You’re gonna need it. Your workouts are going to get more intense, and soon, I’ll add self-defense lessons.”

  Her expression morphs, I can see her getting lost in her own thoughts. The last thing I want is for her to go back to those memories.

  “Time.”

  She drops the ropes and steps off the balance ball. The darkness I saw overcast her eyes a moment ago is gone.

  “Get some water, then we’ll stretch.” Grabbing a towel for her, I meet her at the bench. She takes the towel and guzzles her water.

  “You did damn good today.”

  “Thanks, Coach.”

  I lean in and nudge her shoulder. She smiles, her gaze lingering over me.

  “You sure about this guy?”

  Her smile flips to a frown. “Are you mad at me?”

  “No, I’m jealous.” Her eyes light up, clearly surprised by my honesty. “Part of me hopes the asshole fucks up because we never got a chance to explore what’s between us. But the other part of me wants to see you happy.”

  “You make it difficult.”

  “I make what difficult?”

  “Just being friends.”

  I brush a stray hair from her face, and her eyes soften, staring at me affectionately. “I’d suggest dating us both, but I couldn’t share you. I prefer to have you all to myself.”

  Nudging my shoulder, she nibbles on her bottom lip. “I gotta go.”

  “Will you be here for your next session?”

  “I will.”

  Watching her head to the front door, my chest constricts when I see a pretty boy in a suit approach her and kiss her cheek. I squash the urge to drop kick the fucker and get back to gathering my shit.

  In my periphery, I see the guy walking toward me. When I look up, I get a better look at him. Damn, he looks familiar.

  “Hey man, it’s been a while.”

  Shit. Her ex is Kyle’s friend, Todd.

  “Yeah, it has.”

  “So you’re Alex’s instructor?”

  “I am. You got a problem with that?”

  “I don’t give a fuck you’re her instructor. What I got a problem with is you touching my girl. I suggest you keep your hands to yourself or I’ll have your ass fired.”

  Is this asshole for real?

  “I don’t think so, bud. Do that, and I’ll tell Alex about the time I saw you walk out of here with the blonde. Pretty sure you and Alex were together then, am I right?”

  “Go ahead. She won’t believe you. She’ll think you’re selfishly trying to sabotage what we have. And by the looks of it, you wouldn’t want her to think that, would you?”

  “Get the fuck out of my gym.”

  “Glad to see you understand me.”

  The asshole walks off and I see Alex looking back at me as he nearly drags her out of the gym. Her expression tells me she’s worried about our conversation. She should be. Her ex is a cheating prick.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  —

  ALEX

  “Todd’s going to be here any minute.”

  Jane sways her foot as it dangles over her other leg. “I know. That’s why I’m lingering. I don’t like that you’ve let him back in your life or that you’re going out of town with him.”

  “It’s his sister and brother-in-law’s baby shower. It’s one night and we’re staying at their house. Todd said I could have my own room.”

  “Uh huh. I still don’t like it.”

  Todd knocks on the door and I nervously let him in. He glances at Jane sitting at my table. She forces a grimace into a smile.

  “Jane.” He nods.

  “Todd. How are you these days?”

  “Can’t complain.”

  The awkward tension can be cut with a knife.

  Rubbing Todd’s arm, I get his attention. “You mind taking my bag out to the car?”

  He looks at my bag next to me. Moving closer, he kisses me on the cheek and grabs it. “Yeah, baby. I’ll be outside waiting for you.”

  The moment the door closes behind him, Jane jumps out of the chair. “Did he just call you baby?”

  “Yes.”

  “Alex!”

  “Jane!” I mock, as the fumes escape her head.

  “I don’t trust him.”

  “Stop worrying. Taking this trip is important to me.”

  “I want you to be careful, and if you need me, for anything, I don’t care if it’s in the middle of the night. I will drive to where you’re at and bring you home.”

  Approaching her, I wrap my arms around shoulders. “I love you.”

  “I love you too. Be careful, okay?”

  “I will. I’m excited about the getaway. It should be a fun weekend. Oh my gosh, I almost forgot.”

  Running back to my room, I gather his sister’s gift. I spent almost my whole day off shopping for it and would’ve felt terrible if I forgot it.

  “Okay, I’m good. Let’s go.”

  Walking outside, Jane gives Todd the evil eye as she saunters past him to her car.

  When he sees my gift bag, Todd gets out and smiles. “You’re always so thoughtful. It’s one of the things I love about you.”

  His words send butterflies flapping through my belly. My smile widens when he comes to my side and kisses me. Taking the bag, he puts it in the trunk before opening the passenger door for me.

  “It’s going to be a fun weekend. I’m glad
you decided to come.”

  ***

  Pulling up to the colonial home, my nerves bunch. I haven’t seen Elizabeth or James since before that night. She tried to reach out to me, but I couldn’t face her. I’d closed off everyone. How I treated her brother makes me feel ashamed. Will she blame me for the breakup? How does she feel about me after all this time?

  The touch of Todd’s hand on my leg turns my attention to him. “Baby, you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m nervous about seeing your sister and what she thinks of me.”

  Placing his fingers under my chin, he lifts it so I meet his gaze. “You have nothing to worry about. No one would dare disrespect you knowing how I feel about you.”

  Warm lips pull my lust to the surface. My breath gets heavy as Todd caresses my inner thigh.

  “Have I told you how good you look?” His hazel-green eyes are filled with desire.

  “No, you haven’t.”

  “I’m slipping then, ’cause baby, you look good enough to eat.” Tongue sliding between my lips, he moves with erotic efficiency. His caresses continue up my thigh and I struggle with a mix of arousal and uneasiness.

  “Todd.”

  “Yes?”

  “We need to go in before someone sees us.”

  A heavy sigh expands his chest. “You’re right.” Taking my hand, he rubs my palm with his thumb before bringing it to his side of the car and laying it over his erection. “It’s hard to stop when you do this to me.” Having my hand guided in rhythmic strokes, my body goes into a neurotic frenzy between heightened arousal and jumpy nerves.

  “Come here.”

  Pulling me close, he covers my mouth with a heated, needy kiss as he shifts my hand into his jeans. My mind goes blank as his kiss warms my body and the sounds of his moans give me as much pleasure as they do him.

  “Baby, you make me hard as a steel pipe.”

  Unbuttoning his jeans, he gives me better access. “Harder, baby.”

  The words fill my mouth as his grip tightens on my hair and his kiss turns rough.

  “Put your mouth on it. I’m gonna cum.”

  My body tenses.

  “Fucking now! I’m gonna cum.”

  Forcing my head down onto him, he fills my mouth until he hits the back of my throat. Tears pool at the corner of my eyes as I control my trembling emotions. Hot cum shoots down the back of my mouth and into my throat.