Men Love Curves: BBW Romance

by Ruby Madden

  She studied them for a minute and handed them back to him. “Tell ya what. Take one too and I’ll have one. Fair?”

  Without hesitation, he agreed. “Works for me. Smart,” he said while popping open the small pill bottle. He quickly handed her two and took one for himself, swallowing it without the need for water.

  She studied him as if her life depended on it and at some point, she seemed to resolve within herself that he wasn’t out to harm her, was exactly who he said he was and wanted to help. She swallowed the two pills and began to reach for her water bottle, only to find that he had it ready for her already.

  “Thank you…” she said softly.

  “You bet, no prob.”

  They each held their ground, calmly waiting while the Vicodin worked its way into their systems. Ryker kept his gaze elsewhere, relying on his shifter instincts to assess and gauge her, how she was doing. Her heartbeat had calmed and her body scent had shifted away from being afraid to just being concerned and worried about her situation.

  He listened to the sounds of the forest, smelled the air, sensed the ground beneath him and all was well. His protective instinct was keenly high and he wondered what it was about this woman that had him so unusually protective? He’d always been a Good Samaritan, but there was more to it than that.

  Then it hit him, right in the gut and the groin.

  Good god! Was she his mate?!

  He peered at her, the silly notion in his head that she might be a mind-reader. The Psy Ops unit had a few of those, so he knew it wasn’t entirely unheard of. The look on her face didn’t register any type of comprehension outside of what they were saying to one another.

  Ryker let out a small sigh of relief.

  The last thing he needed was to be meeting his mate at this stage in his life. His military job required so much of him that there was little he could provide to a partner or significant other. A girlfriend or a wife.

  He’d decided before he joined the military that he would stay removed from the opposite sex until he was in the clear, done with his twenties and moving more towards the desk duty aspect of his job. Have a wife and family later in his career.

  She moved and let out a small moan which pulled him away from his thoughts and back to the matter at hand. They’d best get going, make the most of the remaining daylight to get to Emerald Lake. He stood up, took a long swig of his water and then put it back in his pack.

  “You ready?” He asked, extending his hand out, to help her up. “I think it will be best and quicker if I carry you for a while, then we can rest, then go again. It will be easier than a hop-along attempt.”

  “You’re sure? I’m so sorry to be a burden.”

  “Nonsense, life happens. We deal with it as it comes. Fair?” He said warmly, wanting to convey his sincerity.

  Charlene acquiesced, accepting what he said to be true. Her gaze held a determination he hadn’t encountered in a while. It was the same look that he’d seen on his comrades faces in the midst of battle and war.

  On her pretty face was the look of determination – to survive.

  CHAPTER TWO

  [[ 2 ]]

  CHARLENE

  Charlene had had bad days. But today was turning out to be a really, really bad day. As in doubly, triply so.

  She desperately needed to make her way to her step-aunt and uncle’s cabin up by Emerald Lake and then everything would be okay. At least for a little while. She prayed fervently as she trekked up the trail, feeling out of shape. Adrenaline poured through her and it gave her the energy and the pace she needed to keep going. Each step meant one step closer to safety, sanity, freedom and a new beginning.

  She talked to herself in the privacy of her mind, all her worries and concerns catching up with her.

  He won’t think to look for me here, would he? Did I ever mention the cabin my step-aunt and uncle owned? He didn’t really know much about her step-father’s extended family, right? That she even had a step-aunt?

  Worried thoughts whirled in her mind like a tornado… Always coming back to the same, stormy place. She wondered when she would ever feel peaceful again? These last few years, as the spouse to a wife-beater, she’d learned that peace of mind was the most precious thing on Earth, once lost.

  Charlene hated herself for ever having fallen in love with him. She’d slowly been able to come to grips with the truth as she did more research on the personality types who sought out vulnerable women, eager to be loved, eager to please and hence, seduced and then tricked later.

  In their relationship, he’d laid claim to being a ‘Dom’, but now she knew the truth. He just liked control. Craved control. Liked to hurt her.

  He’d never cared about her as a submissive.

  She’d been too young and impressionable to know the difference. Had never been a submissive to any man. In fact, she’d been a virgin before her relationship with her spouse, Trevor.

  Saying his name made her skin crawl, now. Opting not to speak it, just referring to him as ‘asshole’ in her mind.

  She thought about the look on Trevor’s face via the computer monitor, her soon to be ex-husband, when she’d told him she was leaving him, that he’d laid his hands on her in violence for the last time. It had taken every ounce of courage she had to do it. But she’d done it.

  Being smart about it, she’d waited until he’d flown to Chicago for a week-long business trip. Then, she’d Skyped him in the evening, like he’d always required her to do. Only this time, she had informed him that she’d packed her belongings and was leaving him.

  She’d never felt fear like she’d felt it then. His pure hatred for her, fiercely written on his face. Plain as day. The truth that he didn’t love her as a woman or a human being, but rather as a sadistic misogynist losing his favorite plaything to torment and hurt.

  The rage and fury on his face had nearly paralyzed her. Broken her down. But her desire to live, to survive had risen up and conquered that fear. Once she’d finally accepted that he was a monster, incapable of love – then it hadn’t been so hard to see the truth, face it and plan her escape.

  She’d made the Skype call from her old laptop in a hotel room just outside their hometown. After the call ended, she’d thrown the old laptop away in the large trash bins outside behind the hotel. She’d already swiped everything she wanted to keep and had put it on her new laptop.

  A laptop she’d paid cash for, with her own money. Money he didn’t know she’d been earning and saving for over a year. Working four hours every day at a job he didn’t know she had. Financially, he’d kept her on a tight leash, only providing her an American Express card that had a set limit that she wasn’t to ever go over. He never allowed her access to any of his money.

  She’d used it, just as he instructed, for the groceries, housekeep, and her personal appointments with her hairdresser, etc. Although he often left her bruised, he often said that he liked his ‘property’ to look nice and be well groomed.

  Charlene despised that word. Property.

  It made her gut turn and her skin crawl. That was when she had fully appreciated that he didn’t have the capacity to treat her like a human being, that he was probably a psychopath or sociopath.

  Survival had depended on her playing the role, playing the part, even for the little things – like becoming an expert at applying cover-up makeup to hide all the bruises. Thankfully, he had typically left her face alone and never slapped her there. He liked her pretty face and wouldn’t inflict any damage.

  For all the beauty Charlene possessed, she felt like the ugliest woman in the world. That was how he made her feel.

  Destroyed. Ugly. Pathetic.

  She fought back tears, sucking in a deep breath.

  Not now, Charlene. Get your shit together, asap!

  Diligently, patiently, thoughtfully – she’d created her plan of escape.

  The only part of it that had been hard was the one of where would she go? Who would
help her? Could she find a place that he’d never think to find her?

  So now, here she was. It was happening, she was making her escape, fleeing for her life and making her way up to Emerald Lake. To live in her step-aunt’s vacation cabin for a year or so until she was certain he’d given up on finding her.

  Everything was going fine until she’d tripped right over that damned tree root and she found herself in a world of agony. Almost as fast as finding herself on the ground, writhing in pain and clutching at her ankle, not too soon afterwards – another hiker tripped right over her and found himself on the ground as well.

  And words failed her.

  Despite being in pain, she was stunned to find one of the sexiest, most attractive black men she’d ever seen, peering at her in surprised disbelief. For an instant, despite the pain in her ankle and the fear she was wrestling with as she made her escape from her abusive spouse – there was something about this man that magnetically pulled her to him.

  Stunned, feeling that reverence that happens when the universe or God, if you will, is making everything that was ever wrong with your life – right, she could only respond to his concerned inquiries in a semi-alert state.

  There was no way to explain that she was somewhat muted by pain but equally so, by her immediate need to connect with him. The way she was so drawn and compelled. Not knowing whether it was simply her vulnerable position or if there was more to it than just that.

  Eventually, she got her wits and bearings in place. He’d explained that it would be faster if he carried her on his back for the rest of the trail hike.

  He helped hoist her up and then, they gently maneuvered her so that her legs were wrapped around his torso and her arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders. Now they were slowly making their way on the trail. For the most part, they both fell silent as he made his way along, one careful step at a time.

  Eventually, he needed a break and a breather and carefully helped her down off his muscular frame and onto the forest ground. There were decaying tree logs & stumps nearby, the remains of some light clearing where they could both sit.

  Charlene was savoring something she hadn’t savored in a long, long time. The very masculine and muscular physique of a man she was finding more and more attractive by the minute. And with each passing thought of her escape slipping away, despite the pain of her injury, she was excited about the new connection.

  The new possibility.

  “You doing okay?” Ryker asked her after catching his breath and downing some water.

  “Yes, all things considered. I’m thanking my lucky stars you came along. I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now if it weren’t for you,” she shared, feeling guilty to be causing him any trouble.

  Ryker nodded in acknowledgment. He was turning out to be a man of few words, seemingly only talking when it was required. Which she didn’t mind. Trevor talked incessantly, as if he were the only man on Earth who had anything important to say. She’d first grown tired, then weary, then loathed to be his solo audience of one.

  “So, what’s got you heading up to Emerald Lake?” He asked.

  Charlene sucked in a deep breath.

  Should she tell him? Be honest with him? Would it be too much to burden him with, a complete stranger? A very nice, and helpful one, but a stranger nonetheless.

  “Can I trust you, Ryker?” she asked.

  “Well, I know we just met but the military finds me to be a highly trustworthy person. I know I can’t convince you with my words as it typically takes time, circumstance and actions to determine if someone is trustworthy…”

  His voice trailed off as if he wished he could find a way to prove it to her.

  She decided to take a leap of faith. She trusted in a higher power and if he was the one who’d found her on the trail after injuring herself, then she had to trust that something good was looking over her. So, she dove in.

  “I need to be someplace safe. I’m leaving behind an abusive spouse. My aunt has a place up here that I can stay at and I’m hoping that he won’t be able to find me,” she shared as fast as she could, barely finishing one word before the next one was falling from my lips.

  His reaction was very telling as he stopped dead in his tracks.

  “Seriously, Charlene?” He asked, a noticeable note of anger in his voice.

  “Yes. Seriously,” she said softly.

  He started trekking again, and Charlene could practically feel the anger in his body. Which surprised her. Was he so vested in her already? Or was it just that he strongly disliked men who beat on women, in general?

  Whatever the case, it was incredibly awkward. But comforting.

  She’d never felt safer in her life. There she was, strapped to his back like a human backpack, as he carried her on the trail to Emerald Lake. He was literally the strongest man she’d yet met. A lean, sexy machine of sinew, muscle and elegant physical presence.

  “I’m very sorry to hear it. I’ll do whatever I can to help you make it to your destination, safe and secure. I promise you that,” he said softly, a calm and fierce determination dripping from his voice that made everything inside of her feel safer and aroused, all at once.

  “Thank you… as is, I feel so awful. Being a stranger, relying on you for help right now,” she said, murmuring softly, trying not to cry. She had a tendency of crying when others extended their supportive sympathy.

  “Ain’t no shame in needing or asking for help. The way I see it, we’re all put on this world to help one another out.” Ryker shared.

  Charlene’s heart swelled with admiration.

  Who was this man? Was it possible she was falling for him, even in the midst of escaping the clutches of her abusive spouse? Maybe it was because she felt so vulnerable and fragile?

  The pain in her ankle was just another war wound amongst the dozens she’d had over the years of her marriage. Sadly, her pain tolerance had grown as a result. Which was partly why she wasn’t able to tell if she had broken her ankle, snapped a tendon or sprained it.

  Either way, she was grateful for the friendly, helpful and attractive stranger.

  CHAPTER THREE

  [[ 3 ]]

  RYKER

  Ryker kept his focus on the task at hand. What had started as a simple day off for some private alone time had quickly derailed the moment he collided with Charlene.

  Aware of her predicament now, he felt even more determined to do his civic duty and see her safely through. One citizen helping the other. Hearing her reason for why she needed to get to Emerald Lake had infuriated him, although he’d done his best to hide his true feelings and reaction.

  Which had been somewhat weird. Yes, it pissed him off in general to hear about a man beating a woman… but his reaction had been even stronger.

  He’d taken it personal. And the rearing desire to protect her had roared upwards.

  Almost causing him to shift.

  Almost.

  Thankfully he’d squelched it fast and wondered if she had felt his body struggling to remain under his strong mental control.

  Damn it Ryker! He scolded himself again for allowing too much time to lapse between shifts. It was like flossing, he needed to remember to do it more often. Period.

  Slowly, steadfastly, hour by hour – they made their way on the trail. Twilight began to arrive and Ryker was grateful to finally see the signs for the highway that led into Emerald Lake, the town. He was hoping for a kindly passerby who would be willing to give them a ride into town. He didn’t want to be trekking with Charlene on his back as the day made its way to nightfall. She’d need to see a Doctor for her ankle, just to be certain it wasn’t broken.

  “So, no car to come up to Emerald Lake?” He asked, randomly curious as to why she’d chosen to trek and hike instead of going by vehicle.

  “I have a car, but he owns it. I guess I should say, I had a car. It’s in his name and he has Lojack on it. He’d know exactly where I was go
ing. It’d be a moot point,” she shared.

  “Didn’t want to do a rental?” He asked in a teasing tone, still curious.

  “No, I didn’t want to leave a trail of any sort. Not even my scent. If I could somehow erase and make it disappear right about now, I would.”

  Ryker heard the fear she was hiding in her voice. Which only made him angrier. If he ever got his hands on the man who dared…

  They both heard a car making its way up the highway and Ryker turned to flag it down, flashing his military ID in a gesture of authority in the hopes that they’d stop. Sure enough, the car came to a halt and a kind-looking elderly couple took keen interest in their predicament. Ten minutes later, they were in the backseat of a car and on their way into town.

  Ryker did most of the talking, only explaining that they were out hiking when Charlene had tripped and fallen on a tree root, spraining her ankle. Charlene flashed him a look of gratitude, indicating she appreciated the white lie. At this rate, the elderly couple would think they were just a couple out hiking who’d run into some bad luck. They didn’t need to know any more than that.

  Not even twenty minutes later, they were pulling up in front of Charlene’s destination, her Aunt’s cabin. Soon, they were sharing polite goodbyes and thank-you’s for the elderly couples’ kindness and help.

  They stood and watched them drive away. With little protest, Ryker turned to and picked Charlene up, carrying her to the front door of the cabin.

  “I think I can manage getting to the door…” Charlene exclaimed.

  “A soldier sees his mission through,” Ryker said determinedly, grinning at her.

  “The key is very strategically hidden. It’s under the doormat,” she said, half-laughing.

  “I’m hoping you plan to be safer with the hiding spot?” He teased while setting her down so they could get inside.

  “Much. Safer,” she said, giggling out loud.

  He retrieved the key, then opened the front door.

  “You good to make your way in okay?” He said, gesturing for her to enter.