Broken Man

Broken Man

Christopher Scott

Broken Man

Copyright 2013 by Christopher Scott

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase another copy for each person. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, please return to the electronic publisher to purchase a copy. Thank you for your honesty and for respecting the hard work of this author.

Broken Man is Christopher Scott’s debut novel, the centerpiece of the Broken Man Series. To contact the author or to access additional writings, please visit his website at Brokenman.net.

A special thank you to my reader, Sue MacDonald,
a perfect stranger and a close friend.

Prologue

Christmas Eve

As he watched Brittany place the last present under the tree, Jack smiled, fully aware of how blessed he was and how special this holiday season was turning out to be.

Watching Brittany inspect her work to make sure it was perfect for the girls in the morning, Jack felt the sudden urge to be close to her. Still smiling, he stood up from the couch and walked over to where she was putting the final touches on the tree, not quite happy with her preparation despite the preceding three hours spent decorating, wrapping gifts, and sipping wine.

“Brit, the tree is perfect,” he said as he slipped his arms around her waist. “It’s past midnight, are you going to stay up all night?”

“Are you sure it looks good, Jack,” she turned to him and smiled tipsily, a combination of beauty and silliness underneath her red and white elf hat. “The girls aren’t going to be little forever, and I want this year to be special.”

“Honey, everything about this Christmas has been perfect, and the girls are going to love the tree and their gifts. But, you are going to be exhausted in the morning if you don’t get some rest. You know the girls are going to be up early and aren’t going to let you sleep in.”

“I know, Jack, and I can’t wait,” she replied excitedly. “Do you need to get going?”

“I do, Brit,” Jack replied, although he knew he didn’t want to leave.

“Okay, but give me a second. We still need to exchange gifts, but I want to check on the girls first,” she said before giving him a quick kiss.

As he watched her walk down the hallway, Jack realized he didn’t want to go back to the hotel, but in the seven months they had been together, he still hadn’t slept over at Brittany’s when the girls were home. Jack knew it was the right thing to do, but it didn’t stop him from missing her during the many nights alone.

As he took out the fireplace tongs and placed one more log on the fire, Jack thought back over the last several months. He had never known life could be this good, and his time with Brittany had exceeded all of his expectations. Every day got better and better, and their love grew stronger with each passing moment.

A year earlier, Brittany had hit bottom, but now that unhappy time seemed like a lifetime ago. He admired the way she had changed her life in the past year, and marveled at the love she possessed for Delaney and Bailey.

Jack had never really understood the love a mother could have for a child until he had been able to see it up close with Brittany and the girls. She seemed to have an internal clock that let her know what they were doing every minute of every day and alerted her if they ever needed anything. Jack had never seen that kind of connection, and loved the way Delaney and Bailey were always at the forefront of her mind.

Jack also loved the way Brittany had included him in this relationship with her daughters. It would have been easy to make the mistake of rushing things with him and creating tension or jealousy as the girls felt neglected in favor of a man, but Brittany instinctually knew to take it slowly when it came to introducing Jack into their lives. The process had been painstakingly slow yet rewarding as he gradually became a part of their world, and before too long, Delaney and Bailey were asking their mother why he didn’t come over more often.

As he sat back down on the couch, Jack still couldn’t stop thinking about this amazing woman. Somehow, even with that laser-like focus on her daughters, Brittany was able to accomplish so much in the rest of her life. Her business was no longer just surviving, it was prospering. She kept herself in great shape, volunteered at the girls’ school, had plenty of friends, and still found an abundance of time for Jack. She was even an expert on handling a divorce, breezing through the proceeding in record time while maintaining a civil relationship with her ex-husband and a stress free home for her two special girls.

Was there anything this woman couldn’t do?

Jack’s question was answered as he heard Brittany singing quietly from the hallway, a nasally soprano definitely not fit for the radio.

“You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not shout, I’m telling you why,” Brittany emerged from the hallway, stunning in a tiny red nightie and matching elf hat. “Santa Claus is coming to town,” she finished her song and smiled seductively before sitting down on Jack’s lap.

“Merry Christmas, Jack,” she purred before taking a sip of wine and kissing him slowly and softly on the mouth. “How did you like my song?”

“How could I not love it, Brit,” he answered politely yet rhetorically as he slid his hands over the soft silk of her negligee before finding the equally soft skin of her thigh, his interest immediately piqued. “I love your outfit.”

“I am glad you liked it,” she teased as she sat up and turned to him before carefully pulling the negligee over her head, leaving her dressed only in her silly red hat. “Because I only put it on for a minute.”

Jack once again marveled at the beauty of this amazing woman, and as she nibbled gently on his ear, he brushed her breast with his fingers and smiled at her unbridled, wine-enhanced sexuality as she started to unlatch his belt.

“Brit, what about the girls,” he regrettably interrupted her progress.

“The girls are sound asleep,” she whispered in his ear. “Now, please make love to me, Jack.”

She didn’t have to ask twice. Jack kissed her again, and quietly moved his fingers from her breast to her thigh before gently finding the warmth of her body as he felt her quiver softly. Brittany finally managed to remove his belt, and before she even finished taking off his clothes, she straddled his body and he was inside of her, a feeling he could never get enough of.

They made love on the couch and then on the rug in front of the fire, no position off limits, no emotion unexplored, desperately wanting more until finally their bodies erupted, both of them barely managing to muffle their screams as they shuddered uncontrollably, and finally, collapsed into each others arms.

* * *

I think I am ready for this, Amanda thought to herself as she kissed Jim softly and felt him unhooking her bra.

They had been dating for nearly a month after meeting at school, and their relationship had progressed nicely in the days leading up to Christmas. Spending so much time with him had helped her forget about her loneliness and taken her mind off of her mother, whom she hadn’t seen in exactly a year. I wonder if she is okay, Amanda tried not to think about her as her bra dropped to the floor.

It had been a pleasant Christmas eve, Amanda remembered their conversation over dinner as she felt his mouth move to her breast. We have a lot in common, a lot to talk about, it is nice to spend time with an intelligent man for once. He is nothing like the men I have dated in the past, unable to really communicate or express the way they feel. Jim is definitely different, and making love to him is the next natural step in our relationship, she convinced herself as he stood up from the bed.

Amanda watched as Jim took off his shirt and then unzipped his pants, pulling them off and placing them on the dresser before turning back around to face her. Maybe we should slow down a little, Amanda became apprehensive as he stood exposed just in front of her and she sensed what he wanted her to do. I am definitely not ready to do that, she stood up from the bed and again kissed him gently on the mouth, her hand finding the muscles of his chest. This is better, she was reassured enough to unbutton her jeans and slowly step out of them.

Both of them now naked, Amanda took her time as she went back to kissing him and slowly explored his body with her hands, feeling him nearly jump when she finally touched him. That feels pretty good, she enjoyed his fingers touching her and finally started to relax. His desire apparently too much and her inhibitions gradually waning, Amanda let him lay her back down on the bed, although she was not quite ready and hoped he would take his time.

I wonder what he thinks of me, she smiled insecurely as he stared at her lying naked on the bed and she again felt exposed. The first time is always a little awkward, she reminded herself as he turned back to the dresser and reached into the pocket of his pants as she modesty covered up with the sheet. I guess it is good that he was prepared, Amanda was unsure as he put on a condom, the wrapper falling to the floor.

Seemingly unaware of her uneasiness, Jim leaned down to kiss her and abruptly pulled the sheet away, leaving Amanda defenseless yet not wanting to object and ruin the mood. All obstacles out of the way, he laid down on top of her and then entered her rather quickly, his thrusts almost painful at first as she tried to slow him down. I could have used a couple more minutes, Amanda thought as she shifted her hips and tried to acclimate to him. That’s a little better, her body adjusted and she started to relax, maybe this will be okay after all.

They finally started to find a rhythm, Jim slowing down enough for Amanda to find some pleasure. As she watched him close his eyes and sensed his excitement building, Amanda thought to herself I could love this man, I can make this work, this could be the one. Feeling better about how things were progressing, she closed her eyes to enjoy the moment.

But, just as quickly as it started, it was over. She heard him let out a grunt and felt him spasm as he withdrew. As he rolled off of her, Amanda tried not to show her disappointment as she rested her head on his chest, her body not nearly fulfilled.

“That was nice, Jim,” she fibbed as she enjoyed the peacefulness of just laying with him.

“I had a good time tonight,” he responded with a yawn as Amanda realized pillow talk might not be his thing. “Are you sure you don’t want to come to my parents for dinner tomorrow.”

“I would love to, but I really have to work,” Amanda thought about her shift at the casino as she kissed his chest and considered maybe trying this again tomorrow night.

“Okay, maybe I will stop by after dinner.”

“That sounds good, we can go out after my shift if you want,” she smiled as she watched him close his eyes.