Love Heals All (Once Broken Book 2)

by Alison Mello

  “Are you ready?” Her voice is soft and needy. I nod my head.

  The waitress comes back over. “Can I have the bill?” She nods and walks away. “Listen, guys. We’re going to take off. Callen and I are splitting the bill to this point, but you’re on your own now.” The waitress comes over and hands Callen and I each a slip. We each hand over a card for her to swipe, and she runs off one more time, telling us she’ll be right back. I call the cab driver, letting him know we’re ready.

  As soon as she comes back with the cards, we head outside to wait for our ride, my fingers interlocked with hers while we wait. When the cab pulls up, I open the door for her and she slips in. There’s so much sexual tension flowing on the ride home it’s almost painful. I’m thankful my place isn’t far, because just thinking about what I want to do to her has my cock thickening.

  When we pull up to my apartment, I quickly pay the guy and take Brooke’s hand. I pull her into the house, slamming the door shut behind us and locking it. Brody comes running to see who it is. We both quickly pet him and tell him to go lay down. As soon as he runs off, I slip my hands into her hair, and my mouth crashes down on hers. She pulls my shirt from my shorts and runs her hands up my back. Her touch sets my skin on fire. I rest my forehead on hers. “Come on.” I take her hand and pull her toward my room. When we get there, she pulls the straps from her sundress off of her shoulders and it slips down her body, pooling at her feet. My jaw drops at the beautiful sight before me. She’s wearing a white lace bra and matching panties. She’s stunning. I step up to her, running my hands up her bare arms. She shivers, and goosebumps spread across her body. I slip my hands up over her shoulders and into her hair, pulling slightly so she’s forced to look at me. “Are you good with this?” She bites her lip and nods. I press my lips to hers in a much softer, gentler kiss. She wraps her hands around my hips and presses my body against hers.

  Grabbing her hair, I pull it, exposing her neck, and kiss up her jaw to her ear. I whisper, “It’s time for dessert,” and then I lick down the vein in her neck. Her pulse is rapid and her breathing has picked up. I back her up until the back of her legs bump my bed, and then I gently push her down onto the center of the mattress.

  I pull my shirt over my head and unbutton my shorts as her gaze rakes over my body. She’s hungry for more, so I drop both my boxers and my shorts to the floor, revealing my cock, it’s hard as nails. She licks her lips—and what mighty fine lips they are, the way they feel wrapped around my cock is heavenly—but right now I want to taste her. After that, my cock is going to experience that sweet pussy of hers. I slip her panties down her legs, and then climbing onto the bed, I settle myself between her legs. I gently bite the inside of her thigh and then kiss it better. Her legs are spread wide for me. She thrusts her hips forward, wanting my tongue on her pussy. I chuckle licking up her pussy to her clit, sucking it into my mouth and rolling my tongue over it. She whimpers when I suck it even harder. She tastes so damn fine I could devour her all fucking night long.

  “Yes, Vaughn, that feels fucking amazing.” I can’t help but laugh that she just said fuck. Brooke doesn’t typically curse like that, it sounds funny coming from her mouth.

  Slipping my tongue deep inside of her pussy, I start fucking her with it while massaging her clit with my thumb. I peek up to see her eyes are closed and she’s grasping the sheets. I know she’s getting close because I can feel her muscles tightening up.

  “Shit, I’m going to…” her words trail off as I pinch her clit and send her over the edge. Her legs tighten around my head and her body shakes. My tongue is still deep inside of her, enjoying every last drop of her release. Kissing my way up over her hip, she giggles, and the sound is so beautiful it makes me smile. I continue my way up her body to her perky breasts. I take one in my mouth and massage the other. Her back arches, pressing her tit into my face. I scrape my teeth along her hardening nipple, causing her to hiss.

  Sitting up, I grab a condom from the night stand. I rip the package open with my teeth and slide the condom over my cock. I line myself up and gently begin pressing at her opening. “Holy shit, babe. You’re so tight.”

  She presses her hips forward. “Just give it to me.”

  “Easy, babe. I don’t want to hurt you.” I look into her eyes slowly slipping my cock deeper and deeper inside of her.

  “You’re not going to break me. It’s just been a little while. I want to feel you fill me up.” Her hips are meeting my thrusts. I grasp her shoulders and slam myself the rest of the way in. She whimpers.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Give me what I need.” I begin rolling my hips as she meets my thrusts. We find our rhythm as we pick up the pace. She’s so tight there’s no way I’m going to be able to last long. I start pounding her harder and deeper. “Yes!” The word comes from her lips in one long moan.

  “Fuck, babe. I’m not going to last.” I keep going, fighting my release until she finally finds hers. Her pussy tightens around my cock, squeezing it. My balls tighten and I find my own release. I pound deep inside her a few more times before I plant myself balls deep, shaking as I empty myself into the condom.

  I rest on top of her as we both try to calm our breathing. “Holy shit, that was amazing.” She presses a kiss to my chest.

  “Fuck yeah, it was.” I smile down at her and then kiss her forehead. “I need to get rid of this condom. I’ll be right back with a warm washcloth.” I grip the end of the condom and slip out of her. I run to the bathroom to throw it in the trash. I turn on the warm water and let it heat up while I grab a washcloth. When I get back, she’s lying on top of the comforter with her eyes closed. “Are you okay?”

  She smiles. “Yeah, I’m great. I’m just tired.”

  Chapter 10

  Brooke

  We both fell into a comfortable sleep while holding each other after an amazing night of sex. God, the things this man does to my body. He can just look at me a certain way and my panties are wet. Now I’m lying in his bed listening to him whimper. It sounds like he’s starting to have a nightmare and I’m not sure what to do. He’s never mentioned having a problem with nightmares before. He starts flinching slightly and beads of sweat are forming on his forehead. Suddenly Brody jumps up and starts growling at Vaughn’s side of the bed. “Sshh, Brody. Go lay down.” He doesn’t listen. He continues to growl as Vaughn starts to thrash around in bed. I need to do something, but I’m not sure of the best way to wake him. Brody jumps up on the bed and starts licking his face. I’m trying to get Brody off the bed, but he won’t listen.

  “Thanks, buddy. I’m okay now.” Vaughn pets Brody’s head, he barks, jumps down, and goes back to his bed. He turns to me, looking embarrassed. “I’m sorry I woke you.”

  “It’s fine. Want to talk about it?”

  He shakes his head. “It’s still early. Let’s get back to sleep.” He kisses me on the cheek and rolls back over, and I’m left with my mind reeling. How many of these nightmares does he have? Did something bad happen to him while he was away and he can’t get the memory of it out of his head?

  I roll over onto my side and watching Brody sleep in his bed. Every move I make, his ears perk up just a tad more, and it’s in that moment I know we made a good decision in adopting him. I think it’s amazing how he knew something was off with Vaughn and he came to his rescue. Even now, he’s listening to see if he needs him.

  I can’t seem to fall back to sleep. I’ve been lying here watching Vaughn for almost an hour now, my mind drifting in different directions. I can’t help but wonder if he has anything else that he’s keeping from me. I want him to know he can talk to me. I want to help him. I’ve liked Vaughn for a long time, and now I’m falling for him. It will kill me if he doesn’t let me in. I need to figure out how to get him to let me help. It’s almost six a.m. and I’m debating if I should get up and make us some breakfast. I’m on-call all weekend, so we’re just going to hang out. We need to make plans with Callen and Courtney for a gam
e night…maybe next weekend. I also want to take Brody to the beach. I need to stop thinking so much.

  A yawn escapes me, but I know I won’t fall back to sleep. I roll back over to face Vaughn, his back is still to me, but he seems to be falling back into a deep sleep. I want him to know I support him and I’m here for him. I scoot myself closer, wrapping my arm around him and pressing my front to his back. He flinches, reacting to my touch. His elbow flies back and he nails me in the stomach. Holy shit, the pain is fierce. I lose my breath and Brody starts to bark. I’m out of the bed and on my feet before Vaughn even realizes what just happened.

  “Brody, calm down.” He turns over to see me holding my stomach.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m fine.” He jumps up with a look of fear in his eyes. I can see it clear as day. I stand up straight, trying to shake it off. I don’t want him to push me away any more than he already has.

  “Don’t tell me nothing. What happened?” His raises his voice to me…something I’ve never heard him do.

  I close my eyes as I contemplate my words. “I tried to snuggle up to you but you reacted, elbowing me in the stomach. I’m fine.” He runs his hands through what little hair he has and his eyes are all over the place, but he won’t look at me. I can see he’s panicking. He has no idea what to say or do. “Vaughn, look at me.” His eyes stay on the floor. I take a slow step closer to him. I want to be careful because I don’t know where his head is at right now. “Look at me.” My voice is soft, and because I’m shorter than him, he doesn’t have to lift his head much to look in my eyes. “Let me help you.”

  “You can’t help me. I’m fucking broken, Brooke.” He shakes his head, holding onto his last ounce of control. “I’ve tried so hard to fight this, to be the same guy I was before…” his words trail off and his breathing has picked up.

  “Take a deep breath. We don’t have to discuss this now.” I close my eyes. “I just want to be there for you. You mean a lot to me, Vaughn. I don’t want to lose what we have.”

  He nods. “I don’t either, but I’m fucked up, Brooke, and I’m not sure that’s ever going to change.”

  I nod my head. “Why don’t you shower? I’ll go make us some breakfast.”

  He wraps me in a hug. “I’m sorry. Please know I would never intentionally hurt you.” I can feel his heart beating out of his chest.

  “I know you wouldn’t.” He kisses the top of my head and walks off to the shower.

  I throw on a t-shirt and some shorts and head for the kitchen. I find everything I need to make my man breakfast. I search the cabinets for the right pans and set the bacon to defrost in the microwave. While I preheat the oven and heat some oil up in a pan, I cut some onion and potatoes and toss it with the hot oil, adding some salt, pepper, garlic, and other seasonings to the pan. I stir it and let the potatoes start to cook. When the microwave is done, I lay the bacon out on a pan and slip it into the now hot oven. I stir the potatoes and grab another pan to start on the eggs when Vaughn comes into the kitchen. “Damn, it smells good in here.” Vaughn looks like he’s feeling much better after his shower.

  “Well, I hope you’re hungry, because I’m making eggs, and there are potatoes in that pan, and bacon in the oven.”

  He’s about to say something when Brody whimpers from the back door. “I’m starved, but clearly I need to take care of my buddy.” He grabs Brody’s leash and takes him outside while I finish breakfast. I peek in the oven to check on the bacon that is now almost done.

  When Vaughn comes back in with the dog, he takes his leash off of him and tells him to go lay down. Brody listens and Vaughn steps up behind me. He presses a kiss to my lips and holds it there. I can tell he’s struggling. What I thought was him feeling better was simply a mask he slipped into place so I wouldn’t worry. Now is not the time to press him, so I’ll hold off, but we need to talk about this at some point. “You smell like breakfast and sex. That’s a pretty crazy combination. I’m not sure whether to eat you or fuck you.”

  I burst into laughter. “Well, how about I feed you first, and then we can see where the day goes.” I wiggle my brows. “You’re stuck with me unless I get called in.”

  “Stuck is not the word I would use, and that sounds like a good plan. My stomach is growling.” He rubs his stomach.

  “Why don’t you check those potatoes while I take care of the bacon?” I grab an oven mitt to take the bacon out. He opens the door for me and steps aside.

  Once I have it out, he closes it for me and stirs the potatoes. “These are done.” He puts a cover on them and shuts the burner off. I quickly make us each two eggs and serve up breakfast. He makes us each a coffee while I put our plates on the table, watching that Brody doesn’t help himself. I’m sure smelling the bacon is killing him, but he’s being a really good boy, sitting at the door without complaint.

  Vaughn turns around with our two cups of coffee in hand and starts to laugh. “Think he’s itching for some bacon?”

  “I know he is, but that’s a bad habit to form. That said, he’s your dog.”

  “Nah, you’re right.” He looks at the dog. “Be a good boy and I’ll give you a treat when we’re done eating.” Brody collapses to the floor like he’s now heartbroken, but we ignore him and take our seats.

  “What should we do today?” I ask as we both dig into our breakfast.

  He shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe we can take Brody for a walk? It’s supposed to rain later, and I’d rather not take him in the rain.”

  “Okay, after we’re done eating, I’ll shower, and then we can take him for a walk.”

  We both finish eating in silence. I feel like there’s a bit of tension in the air, and I’m not sure if it’s because I feel like he’s hiding from me, but I don’t like it. I need to figure out how to get him to open up to me, and I will if it’s the last thing I do.

  I’m so deep in thought I hadn’t noticed that he’s finished eating until I’m done. I look up to find him at the sink cleaning up. “I can do that.” I want him to relax a bit.

  “I’ve got it. Go shower so we can go out.” I sigh but do as he asks. I don’t want to make things worse.

  I put my plate in the sink, kiss him on the cheek, and head to the bedroom to grab the bag I packed. When I get into the bedroom, I see the light flashing on my phone. I scoop it up to see it’s the clinic. “Fuck,” I whisper to myself and hit the dial button. Sure enough, I have to go in. We have an emergency.

  I walk back out to the kitchen. “What’s wrong?” Vaughn looks concerned.

  “I’m sorry, but I have to shower and go to work. A cat was hit by a car and they think we can save him.”

  He closes his eyes and takes a breath. “Go. Hurry.”

  “I’m sorry.” I run back to the room, shower in record time, and quickly dress.

  When I’m done, I find Vaughn in the living room, placing the leash on Brody’s collar. I can’t help but wonder if he was going to leave for his walk without saying goodbye, and to be honest, the thought of him doing that stings a bit, but I have to have a clear head if I’m going to save this animal. I press a kiss to his lips, and promise to call him later before running out the door to my car.

  ***

  Vaughn

  She’s gone. Just like that, she’s out the door to go do emergency surgery on a cat, and I miss her already. “Let’s go, boy.” I walk Brody to the door, grab my keys, and head out with him for a walk around the neighborhood. We didn’t even get to discuss making plans with Callen and Courtney, and after what I did to her this morning, I can’t help but wonder if I should. I can’t believe I hurt her. Fuck, this was one of my biggest fears, and now I have to figure out what to do. I tried really hard to slip my mask into place during my shower. I needed her to see that I’m okay, but I honestly don’t think she bought it. I feel like she sees right through me. This is why I don’t get close with anyone. This is why I haven’t dated in years. Women need a strong man, someone who can help them deal wit
h their shit, not give them shit to deal with. I’m supposed to be there for her, be strong for her, and I’m so fucking weak. And God help me if Remy finds out. He’s my boy, but if he knew that I hurt her, he would fucking kill me.

  Brody pulls me to the side of the street so he can take a piss on the same rock he uses all the time. I need to get my head on straight. Remy and Kenzie’s wedding is just around the corner and I’m supposed to be in it, but if I can’t pull my shit together, I’m going to have to back out. I turn the corner and walk past Callen’s house. His car is in the driveway, but I don’t bother to stop. I don’t feel like talking, and if he sees me, he’s going to know something is up. The guy knows me too fucking well. Apparently better than I thought, because before I get to the end of his street, my phone rings. “Hey, man. What’s up?”

  “I thought Brooke spent the night. What happened?” He’s trying not to sound concerned but I know my boy just as well as he knows me.

  “She did, but she got called in to work. Something about a cat and surgery.”

  “That sucks. What are you up to today?”

  “Not a hell of a lot. Probably going to take a nap and chill.”

  “Want to play some Call of Duty?” I chuckle into the phone. He knows when I’m fucked up I sometimes bury myself in video games. It takes my mind off things and lets me live an imaginary life for a while. I get to pretend my brain isn’t fucked from the real live shit I’ve witnessed.