Broken Beauty Read online

  “What time is it?” She rubs her eyes and I’m in two minds whether to break with my routine and indulge in a different form of exercise but figure she needs the rest, so say firmly, “It’s time to take that morning run.”

  “Really?”

  Her eyes snap open wide in disbelief and I laugh softly. “I need you in top condition to keep up with me and it starts today. Now, unless you want to join me and run naked, save for a pair of shorts, I suggest you head back to your room and meet me in ten outside.”

  Groaning, she pulls herself up and shakes her head. “Fine, have it your way.”

  “Oh, I will, darlin’ and I’ll have it again and again and again.”

  I wink and she rolls her eyes, laughing softly. How I love the sound of it and love the fact her eyes are filled with a sparkle that wasn’t there before. Sophia is starting to come to life before my eyes and it’s an incredible sight.

  She leaves and I jump in the shower to wash away a night of passion that equaled no other. It felt good and nothing like I thought it would. Normally as soon as I fuck a woman, I’m keen for her to leave. Hardly chivalrous I know, but I’m not interested in them past the obvious. Millie was always accommodating but started to make demands that were never on offer. She’ll be pissed when she sees me with Sophia, but I can’t help that. I never pretended we were anything but what normally happens between a biker and whore.

  Most of the girls here love the freedom that gives them. They are all here for their own reasons and nobody expects anything from them they aren’t prepared to give. We treat them well and they want for nothing. Those who do make it to an old lady, live like a queen. Some of the whores move on, but only when they’re ready. If Millie had designs on being my old lady, it was never gonna happen. I made that crystal clear over the time I’ve been here and made sure to choose different girls to drive the message home. But now, if so much as one of the other bikers looks at Sophia, they will find out what lengths I go to protect my property and the sooner they know that she is—my property, the better because the minute she starts mixing in, then she will be fair game for the whole fucking lot of them.

  13

  Sophia

  So, this is considered the walk of shame. I giggle to myself as I steal through the night as carefully as possible, so as not to disturb the other bikers sleeping nearby. Quietly, I creep through the yard toward the building where the women live and can’t quite believe I’m the same woman who went jogging just yesterday. So much has happened and all of it good because of one man.

  First the jog, then the ice-cream, ending up with one emotion filled night, followed by the best sex I could ever have dreamed of having. I cannot wait to repeat the performance and marvel at how quickly my life has changed in the space of just a few hours.

  By the time I reach my room, I am wide awake and eager to start my day. What will this one bring? More of the same I hope and I wonder if Maverick was joking when he asked me to move in with him. Live with a man, that’s serious stuff and so, as I shower and change, I can’t get back there quickly enough.

  He’s already waiting as I make my way outside and I roll my eyes as I see his bare chest calling to me. “What, no top—again?”

  “Told you, honey, that’s just unnecessary laundry.”

  As I reach his side, he pulls me in fast and hard against him and kisses me deeply. My arms reach for him and I kiss him back with a hunger I never had before and as my body inches closer, I feel my nipples straining against the thin lycra top. Reaching under it, Maverick rolls my nipple in his finger and bites my bottom lip before squeezing my ass hard and growls, “I want you to work up a sweat a different way before I tie you to my bed and fuck you deeply for the rest of the day.”

  His wicked mouth excites me way too much and as I break away and start running, I shout over my shoulder, “You’ll have to catch me first.”

  I start to run in the direction of the trees and laugh as I hear him gaining on me behind. I know I’ll never out run him, but it’s a game I’m keen to play. Maybe I push myself a little too hard because the sweat drenches my vest and my breathing is hard as I gasp for oxygen. Then the air is knocked out of my lungs as he scoops me back and pushes me to the forest floor. A bed of leaves provide the only comfort as he pushes my vest over my breasts and leans down and sucks each one roughly and without care. I arch into him and run my hands over his dripping body and groan as he rips my shorts down in one swift move. His soon follow and as my legs wrap around his waist, he thrusts inside and I gasp as I feel the full force of the man himself with no barrier between us.

  “But…”

  “Don’t worry, baby, I’ll pull out. I just want to feel you with nothing between us.”

  Feeling Maverick’s cock inside me, excites me way too much and I moan his name as he rocks inside me, thrusting so hard the leaves and twigs tear at my skin. I start panting as we mate like wild animals, not caring who else is around and, as he holds my arms above my head, I love the whole primal sexiness of this dirty encounter. He growls in my ear, “Come for me, baby, show me you’re mine.”

  I need no further invitation because I scream his name as I clench his cock and squeeze it hard and as he pulls out just in time, I love feeling the hot, sweet sticky jets of his own orgasm shoot all over my breasts and chest.

  The fact it’s still half dark makes it even more dangerous and as the sweat coats our bodies, I pant and gasp for air. Grabbing a handful of leaves, Maverick wipes the sticky mess from my chest and pulls my top down over my engorged breasts. Then he pulls up my shorts and kisses me lightly on the lips, saying huskily, “Now you’d better run faster than that if you don’t want to see what happens next.”

  He stands up and pulls me with him and then smacks me hard on my ass and says roughly, “I’ll give you a head start.”

  Giggling, I head off at a pace and don’t even care this is against every single one of my feminist principles. He could tie me to a tree and whip me with a branch and I couldn’t be happier to let him. You see, Maverick can do no wrong in my eyes because he has made me the center of his world right now and for someone who has never had that, it’s a powerful force.

  An hour later and I am bruised, sore and swollen and all of its good. Despite the extreme sex run, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Maverick used the time to help me with some other kind of moves and for a while there, we were playing the game of assailant and victim. He showed me ways to defend myself should anyone try to take me again and as I learned a few tricks; I began to feel a little braver.

  As I head inside to shower and change before meeting him back at his place for breakfast, I can’t quite believe my luck that he has come into my life.

  On my way out to meet him, I bump into the girl who greeted him so warmly yesterday morning and she smiles sweetly as I pass, before saying, “How are things, honey?”

  I return the smile and nod. “Things are good thanks.”

  “You seem a little brighter, are things calming down a little?”

  “Yes, thank you. I feel a little happier because yesterday I went into town for the first time and learned a few self defense moves.”

  She looks interested. “That sounds good, who helped you?”

  I feel a little anxious and just say shyly, “Maverick.”

  “Oh.”

  Immediately her face falls and I wonder if I’ve missed something here. Remembering the way she flew into his arms, tells me there’s something more going on and I feel bad.

  She smiles but I can tell her mind is elsewhere and I say softly, “I’m sorry, is Maverick your guy?”

  Her eyes widen and she shakes her head vigorously. “God, no. I mean, I wouldn’t say no if he asked, but they never do. Ask, that is.”

  I feel bad for her and she laughs self-consciously. “It’s fine, I know the score. The guys I mix with are just looking for a distraction most of the time. Me too if I’m honest but sometimes it’s hard not to feel more, do you get what I’m sa
ying?”

  Now I feel bad and nod. “It must be hard.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, Sophia, I love my life here. The guys are great and it’s not a chore going with them. I don’t know why I want Maverick as much as I do. He has never promised me anything but a good time and yet he’s something else entirely. There’s something edgy about him that’s mixed with a lost feeling that makes me wonder what happened in his life before he came here.”

  Now I’m interested and whisper, “How did he get to come here?”

  “Not sure really.” She shrugs. “Most of them are ex-military or along those lines. Maverick isn’t, that much I do know. The thing is, he keeps his cards close guarded and isn’t one for answering questions.”

  She looks at me and half smiles. “Anyway, I should be heading in, it’s been one of those nights.”

  It strikes me that she’s not dressed for breakfast and appears to be wearing last night’s clothes, judging by the look of her smudged eyes, and she grins as she sees me looking. “Don’t you worry about me, honey, I had the best night. Razor’s back and starved of female company. He was out of control, which is just how I like them.”

  She winks and heads off and I feel a surge of pity for the attractive girl. She deserves someone who makes her feel like a queen, not used by the men here because even though she pretends it’s what she wants, I can see the yearning for more behind those pretty eyes.

  However, her mentioning Maverick sets me on edge. What’s he hiding behind and why is he here? She’s right, he keeps things close, hell, so do I but if I’m going to trust him with my darkest secrets, then he should trust me, surely that’s how it works.

  14

  Maverick

  As runs go, that was the best of my life and I have the pretty lady to thank for that. She was a willing student in every way and against my better judgment, I am enjoying every second I spend with the delectable Miss Moretti. That alone has surprised me because she is so different to how I imagined. There’s a hard edge that shows itself once in a while but behind it, she’s soft, feminine and has a quick wit that I want to help her sharpen. She has the makings of a great woman and I want to be the man on the receiving end of that. Two days ago, I wanted nothing to do with her. Now I’m thinking up ways to keep her.

  I can tell something’s up the minute she walks into my apartment and I say roughly, “What happened?”

  She looks up in surprise and tries to wave it off. “Oh, nothing, it’s silly really.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  I walk toward her and she looks down, which rings the alarm bells. Reaching her, I lift her face to mine and say firmly, “Tell me.”

  “It’s nothing. I met up with one of the um… ladies and she made me think on a few things I shouldn’t.”

  “What did she say?”

  I’m curious because I’m not sure what anyone could say that would worry Sophia so much and she shakes herself and laughs self-consciously. “She told me you were hiding behind something and it got me thinking.”

  I can’t speak because she is so close to the truth, I can’t let my guard slip for an instant.

  “What about?”

  “Me, I suppose. Ever since I came here, I’ve been hiding behind a secret. I haven’t told anyone because quite honestly, that secret will be my downfall. But you, it hurts me so much to think you have to live with something you can’t explain. I want to help you the same as you helped me, but I don’t know how. I’m not one to give advice, but I want a shot at least.”

  “There’s nothing to tell.” I sigh with exasperation and say bluntly, “Whoever told you that is stirring the pot unnecessarily. You’ve got to know that some of these whores would give anything to be in your shoes. They will say and do anything to cause trouble because it makes their lives seem less meaningless.”

  She stares at me in shock. “Meaningless; you hypocrite.”

  “Maybe I am but I speak the truth.”

  She looks to be thinking on what I say and then snaps. “You can hold the breakfast because I’ve lost my appetite. I should get to work.”

  She turns away and I reach out and pull her back, saying with frustration, “Don’t walk away from me in anger—ever. If you have a problem with me, we talk it out. You may not like what goes on here, darlin’ but it works. If a whore is filling your head with shit, then it’s up to you to process the information and make your own decisions. What should matter is how I treat you and I’m telling you; I have never spent the night with a woman and certainly not in my bed. I do not make food for them and I do not spend time with them outside of when I’m inside them. So, if you don’t like the way I put you higher than them, you’ve got a problem. As for me hiding, you’re a fine one to talk. You still have some explaining to do and you know it’s only a matter of time before you tell us the real reason you’re hiding here. Until then, let me show you how to face your fears.”

  Sophia looks at me with so much disgust it makes me want to crawl into a pit and die. Her eyes narrow and she hisses. “Thanks for your help, but I’ll be fine from now on. I’m not interested in spending time with a man who dismisses women so cruelly. For your information, that girl was sweet, honest and concerned. She wasn’t stirring the pot as you say and seemed genuinely worried. Maybe it’s best you go back to only enjoying women when you’re inside them because quite honestly, your conversation sucks, anyway.”

  She spins on her heel and heads back the way she came and I make a fist. Fucking women, no wonder I keep away. I’ll never understand what goes on inside their head—ever.

  Like Sophia, I’ve lost my appetite and decide to punch it out on the bags in the gym.

  She needs to cool down and realize that she’s fighting over nothing.

  As I punch the lights out of the bag, I hear someone laughing and look up to see Snake lifting some weights on the bench.

  I glare at him and he grins. “Happens to us all bro.”

  “What?”

  I’m cold and abrupt but I don’t care and he shrugs. “Women. They have a habit of getting under your skin and once they have, there’s no shaking them. The ones with a brain are worse. They take no shit and make up their minds before knowing the facts. They’re hot headed, full bodied and fiery as hell and you know what, they are the best kind.”

  I sigh with exasperation. “How did you know?”

  “Been there, done that and ripped the t-shirt in half. You know my old lady, she ain’t no pushover either and that little lady you’re spending time with is a hard one to crack. From what I can see, you’re doing a good job, so far, anyway, but you need to know when to back off.”

  “What are you an expert?”

  “If I was, I’d charge you for my advice.”

  I roll my eyes as he grins. “Let her simmer down, she’ll come back. You just need to learn that some battles are not worth fighting. For those that are, the victory is in the making up at the end. All that aside though, has she said anything about why she won’t go home?”

  Sinking down on the bench opposite, I shake my head wearily. “She’s close but some stupid whore got in the way and filled her head with tales of me hiding something.”

  I can feel Snake’s eyes penetrating deep inside me and then he shrugs. “You are.”

  “She doesn’t need to know that, hell she’d better never find out.”

  “How’s that gonna work? I mean, if she sticks around and you get close, it will come out one day and then you’ll be deeper in shit than you would if you came clean now.”

  “NO!”

  Snake shrugs. “It’s your call to make. Anyway, my old lady is back today, so I’m off to make sure the house is tidy. Call me a pussy, but I kind of want to spend the night inside her, not cleaning my shit before she’ll let me. You know, Maverick, it’s the women that control the army, they are the generals and you are just there to obey their commands. We do so because the rewards are great and a happy old lady makes for an ecstatic old man. Whatever
it is, it’s not worth losing the honey for. Get what I’m saying.”

  He heads off and I punch the bench in despair. Fucking mafia, I knew I should have stayed away.

  15

  Sophia

  All morning I’ve been raging about Maverick and his crude way of talking. He was so dismissive of Millie and it showed a side to him that I didn’t care for. Would he talk the same way about me when the shine wears off? Probably. However, there’s a part of me that thinks I overreacted. I have no right to judge this life they lead. Just because it’s different, it doesn’t make it wrong. I’ve heard the girls swapping stories on the men they spend the night with. I hear them through the walls and through the crack in an open door. It intrigues and disgusts me in equal measures and I kind of want to find out for myself what goes on in that big barn they all head to every night without fail.

  Thinking of Maverick working his way through them, doing things to them that he did to me, hurts like hell. Then the way he dismissed them as just a warm body to hide inside sickened me to my stomach. Is that what I am; am I a whore like the rest of them? I certainly acted like it but it was so good at the time. I don’t even feel ashamed, just desperate for more. Is this what this place is, a den of iniquity that claims the morals and the souls of everyone inside?

  “Penny for them, honey?”

  I look up as Ashton watches me from the doorway, looking like an angel in a pale blue sundress.

  She smiles as she heads toward me and sits beside me on the couch where I am holding Caspian as he sleeps. As I look down at his perfect face, my heart fills with love for him. So perfect and so innocent, how I wish he would stay this way.