Finding Home (Breaking Free Series Book 1) Read online

After the truck arrived, it took all afternoon to get the furniture placement right. That was Bentley’s job. Poor guy moved the couch a dozen times. Aly now has a house full of brand new furniture. “Aly, it’s perfect!”

  She smiles, “It is. I know it’s only been one night, but I love it here already. It feels like home already. It’s peaceful.” I agreed. She looks much more relaxed here than she ever did at her old place.

  “You talk to Mike yet?”

  She shakes her head yes, “He’s coming over tomorrow to check it out.”

  “What do you think he’s going to do when he sees Bentley?”

  Rolling her eyes, “I don’t know. Mike probably won’t do anything. Bents is my landlord.”

  “Um, Aly, if you haven’t noticed, your landlord is fine. I don’t think Mike pictured you living below a hottie. More like a fat, balding man, with his butt crack showing.” Plus, you already gave him a cute nickname, calling him Bents like you call me Kats. I only think that, not say it out loud.

  “I really don’t care what he thinks. I love it here. That’s all that matters. Don’t you have to get ready for your date?”

  I checked the time on my cellphone, it’s later than I thought. “Help me get ready. I don’t have time to shower again.”

  Aly helps me with my makeup and hair. She hands me a cute tank top, jeans and sandals from her closet. “Wear these.”

  I’m dressed, ready to drive to Caleb’s house. “See you next weekend, Aly.”

  She hugs me, “Thanks for helping me. Have fun tonight.”

  When I walk outside, I see Bentley walking upstairs, “Night, Bentley. Take care of my girl for me.”

  He walks to the edge of the deck, yelling over it. “Always, Kat. Say hi to my boy for me.” With a wink, he walks back to whatever he was working on. He is one fine man, but doesn’t come close to Caleb.

  Katerina

  I AM ACTUALLY nervous going to his house. Although, it could be excitement. As soon as I see his driveway, my heart picks up a beat—definitely nervous excitement. Just knowing I am going to be seeing Caleb has my body reacting. My temperature rises, my palms are a little sweaty, and my face is flushed. I shouldn’t feel like this already, but I feel like I’m becoming addicted to him. Knowing I need to keep from jumping into things too fast, I take a deep breath to slow my pulse, and give myself a stern warning. Calm the fuck down.

  Before I can even knock on the door, it swings open. Arms wrap around my waist as Caleb pulls me in the front door. With a kick of his foot, Caleb closes the door, crushing his lips to mine. Thump thump, thump thump. And there goes my heart again. Breaking the kiss, I look at him. All I can manage to say is whispered hello.

  “Hi back,” he says, as he grips my hand pulling me towards the kitchen.

  There are trays spread across the island, so I ask, “What’s for dinner?”

  “We are having an appetizer theme night: finger food and a movie.” He says as he places some wings in the oven.

  “Wow, I’m impressed. I’ve never had a man cook for me, well besides the last time you did. This is perfect.” Some of my best times with friends are just like this. Simple food, drinks, and fun.

  “Well, I have more planned, but we have to wait until it gets dark. Should be right around when the food is done.”

  “What happens then?” I have a feeling I will like what he has planned no matter what.

  “Well, we have to wait till it gets dark to watch a movie. I hate watching movies during daylight. Don’t you?”

  “I thought I was the only one like that. What movie will we be watching? Nothing too scary I hope.”

  “Not a horror fan then?”

  “Nope.” My first memory of seeing a horror movie pops in my head. I walked in the living room when I was about four years old, seeing some guy ripping his face off. I screamed my head off, yelling for my mom to turn it off. “Definitely not a horror fan.”

  “That’s a shame. I kind of like the idea of you needing me to protect you from the big, bad movie.” Suddenly, I consider watching one.

  “That could definitely help, but I need to work up courage for it. Next time.”

  He laughs, “I figured I’ll let you decide. Check the bookshelf. There’s bound to be something you’ll like. FYI, the bottom is the horror section.”

  He has a ton of movies. “Wow, you really have quite the collection.” Glancing over everything, I see one that draws my attention. “How about this?” I hand him The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s been awhile since I’ve watched it.

  He glances at me giving me a half grin, “You like that movie?”

  “Yes, it’s one of my favorites. Every time it comes on, I have to watch it. Where do you think my tattoo came from?”

  “I think you just got a little hotter. It’s my favorite book and movie.”

  When it finally turns dark out and the food is cooked, I go to sit on the sofa. “Not there, baby. Outside.” Raising my eyebrow in a questioning look, I stand to follow Caleb out to the lanai. I see a huge blanket on the ground with a ton of pillows thrown around it. “Get comfortable. I’ll grab the food. I got some wine for you too.” He brings the food out, placing it around the blanket. Then he pours me a glass of wine. Caleb makes one more trip inside and returns with a few more blankets and a beer for himself. I’m still not sure how we are watching a movie though.

  Before sitting down, Caleb produces a remote from his pocket. Arranging the pillows, he lays down next to me. After pressing a few buttons on the remote, a movie displays on the far wall of the house. “This is amazing! Reminds me of going to the drive-in, but better. You don’t have to deal with all the cars and noise.”

  We relax, eat too much food, and drink for the next three hours. At least two of the three hours. Some of that time is spent on a good old-fashioned making out. Because what is good is a movie without a little touchy-feely?

  When the movie ends, we clean up all the left overs, and put away the pillows and blankets. As I finish washing the wine glass, Caleb grabs my hips, kissing my neck. “Bed, now, baby. The rest can wait till tomorrow.” Spinning me around, he lifts me, and I link my legs around him. Like I weigh nothing, he carries me to his room, tossing me on his bed. We spend the night rolling in the sheets, enjoying each other’s bodies, and sleeping in the next day.

  Caleb

  IT’S CRAZY HOW in the short time I have spent with Kat, how at ease I feel with her here. She just fits here in my home and life. My boys love her. We have a lot in common. No woman has worked her way into my like she has. I’ve never wanted a woman like the way I want her.

  When I wake the next morning, I rest on my elbow taking in the woman next to me. Her long brown hair is spread across my pillow. Her face is beautiful. Her nose, her cheeks flushed from last night, and her full heart shaped lips. Perfect. I kiss her lips gently, needing a taste. Her eyes flutter open as she stretches her arms above her head. “Morning, baby. Sleep good?” She shakes her head yes. “Coffee?”

  Her big brown eyes open fully now. “Yes, please.”

  After what she had told me about her ex, I wanted last night to be about Kat. I had talked to Aly when Kat was in another room, asking her what would be Kat’s dream date. I took her advice about the movie night. This morning, I prepared breakfast in bed. This was all my idea. Girls like that romantic shit, right? She is sitting up in bed, wearing my t-shirt from yesterday. I feel a tightening in my chest.

  She breaks me from my thoughts when she says, “You are spoiling me. Breakfast in bed, no one has ever done this for me. Not even my mom.” My chest puffs slightly with pride.

  After placing the tray on the bed, I hand Kat her coffee. Going back and forth, I feed her pieces of waffle, while she feeds me a piece of bacon, until everything is eaten. “Breakfast was delicious, Caleb.” She moves the tray off the bed. Then positions herself on top of me. “I’m still hungry though.” Fuck, this woman is going to be the death of me.

  Kat starts exploring my body with
her mouth. She grips my hair, pulling my head back, slowly kissing around my neck. She kisses me from my shoulders all down my arms. With my hand in hers, Kat licks and sucks each fucking finger. “Yum, syrup.”

  I grip her hip, grinding myself on her heat. Her hips begin circling me slowly. She begins nipping her way down my chest, not before she sucks on each of my nipples. When she reaches my belly button, she licks it completely and, fuck me, it feels good. As she begins to kiss each side of my hipbone, Kat pushes my sweats and boxers down my legs. She continues exploring my body. My thighs, calves, down to my ankles, as she removes my clothing.

  Crawling her way back up my legs, she licks her lips. “You ready, Caleb? Because I’m dying to have you in my mouth. I’ve been wondering what you taste like.”

  She grips my rock hard dick in her hands, stroking me slowly before running her thumb over the tip. “God baby, I’m so ready.” She kisses the tip of my cock softly. Fuck! Using just her tongue, she licks up and down my shaft with slow, long strokes. Once she’s satisfied she’s licked every inch of me, her lips wrap around the head and she moans, sucking me into the back of her throat, “Fuck, Kat. You’re going to kill me.” And what a way to go.

  With each stroke up, she stiffens her tongue, taking extra care around the tip. Down, she increases her suction till she reaches the base again. I am doing everything possible to hold back, and not lose it too soon. Kat’s mouth feels that amazing. My girl gives head like a champ.

  Slowly, she massages my balls, adding to the whole experience. Pushing her hair to the side, I grip it in my one hand to get a better view of the show. This is a bad idea. When she looks at me with her big, brown, doe eyes I feel the tingling begin in my balls first. Watching her head bobbing up and down, her warm, wet mouth combined with her fuck me eyes, I know I won’t be able to hold back much longer. “Baby, you better stop unless you want me to explode in your mouth.” Kat doesn’t stop. In fact, she only moves faster, sucking even harder. Holy fuck!

  I tug her hair in effort to move her. She won’t budge. She looks up in my eyes and cracks a slight smile. “I’m serious Kat, you have about five seconds.” My body feels like there is an electrical current running from my spine to my cock. Her eyes stay focused on mine. She sucks me in down to my base and swallows when she has me deep in her throat. Not once, but fucking twice. My balls tighten first, before the spasms start. There’s no holding back. “Holy fucking shit, Kat.” She sucks me dry. It was the best blowjob I have ever gotten and the most intense orgasm. She deserves an award, or a trophy: World’s Sweetest Mouth.

  Kat releases me with a pop. She licks her lips, as if she just finished a delicious dessert. “You taste really good, Caleb.” This woman is perfect. I pull her up to me kissing her deep, not even caring that I can still taste myself on her.

  Katerina’s it for me. This woman was made for me. “You can have a taste anytime you want, baby. I’m all yours. Where did you learn to do that? Never mind, I don’t think I want to know.”

  Smiling at me, “I read a lot of books.”

  “Books, huh? Well, I will buy you a whole library of books if that’s what they teach you.” She pushes away to stand up. “Where are you going, woman? I still need to take care of you.”

  Looking over her shoulder at me, she says, “I’m good. That was a thank you for the best movie night and for breakfast this morning.” She walks in the bathroom to take her shower. Like I said, fucking perfect.

  Katerina

  MY LIFE HAS been going so well, time seems to fly by. Caleb and I have been together, as an official couple, for a few weeks already. I have settled comfortably into my new routine, both work and personal. Since work has me traveling so much, my time with Logan at the gym has cut down once or twice a week now. He’s become a great friend. On the busier days, we meet in the morning for a run. The nights we go to the gym, he still comes to my place for dinner afterwards. He gave me an easy meal plan to follow, and an exercise regimen for when we couldn’t get together. Setting my alarm an hour earlier is not my favorite, but I am feeling energized, so I’ve been sticking to it.

  After kicking my ass once again, Logan and I sit to watch a movie, and just enjoy each other’s company. Logan looks my way, “You are looking great Kat. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks. I have an amazing instructor.”

  “I’m thinking it’s a little more than my workouts. How’s your new guy working out?” Something felt off with his question.

  “Good, really good in fact.” Looking at Logan, I see there is more to his question than he is letting on.

  “What’s going on, Logan? Something on your mind?”

  With a humph he says, “That obvious, huh?”

  “Spill it.”

  “Well, I was wondering if you had any nice single female friends. One that is looking for a nice guy to out with sometime.”

  Making a mental list of my friends, I try to think of someone who would be good for Logan. For the life of me, I can’t think of anyone. “Um, well seeing as you have met my female friends, and I’m pretty sure one of those females has hooked up with your friend. I’m not sure. Did any of them interest you?”

  His foot is tapping on the floor, nervously. “I don’t know. Dani, maybe?”

  Now I see where this is going. “Would you like me to talk to her? Maybe set something up between you two?”

  With his hands in a pretty please position, “That would be great. Maybe we could all do something this weekend?”

  “Sure, I don’t have plans. Dinner and drinks? We could go to a beach bar.” I drop Dani a text and she agrees to meet us there. Tyler and Lexi confirmed they would come too, after we each texted them. “Done. Now can we finish our movie?”

  Kissing my forehead, “I owe you, Katerina.”

  We settle into a contented silence. Logan has his feet propped on the coffee table, arm across the back of the couch. I lay with my head on a pillow that I prop up against his leg. It has become our Tuesday night ritual.

  Halfway through the movie, my doorbell rings. A deliveryman is on the other side, carrying a huge box. Knowing I have not ordered anything, I was just about to tell him he had the wrong house when he asks me to sign for it. He hands me the package and leaves.

  Logan comes behind me, taking the package from me. He carries it to the living room. I open the box with a blade from the kitchen. Inside the box are chocolates, bubble bath, wine and a giant teddy bear holding a sign that says “I miss you.” I dig to the bottom looking for a card, finally finding it. I figured I know who it was from, and say so aloud. Logan looks at me with slight concern after I read the card and realize my guess was correct. “Who is it from?” I hand him the card.

  A box of favorites, for my favorite girl

  I’ll wait here forever for you.

  It won’t be long before you are back in my arms.

  Travis

  “Kat, is your ex still bothering you?” As I shake my head, the tears start. I just want the douche to leave me alone. Logan grabs me in a hug. “What do you want me to do with this stuff?”

  “Just put it in the trash. I don’t want it.” Quickly he packs it all up, and brings it to the curb for the trash.

  After I collapse on the couch, he comes back inside. “Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to stay here tonight?” I’m not afraid to be alone, yet, I don’t want to be by myself.

  I thought about calling Caleb. I want his arms around me, comforting me, without having to tell him the reason why. Our relationship is too new, and I am worried this will drive him away. “Would you? I don’t want to be by myself.”

  “Done. I’ll sleep on the couch. Has anything more happened since the club?”

  I tell him about the concert, and the other week at work. How I thought it was no big deal. “Kat, you should tell Caleb.”

  “No. I don’t want him to know. Besides, I am being silly. It’s just a stupid box. I haven’t seen him in weeks, and I blocked him from everything in m
y life.” Both phone and social media.

  He drops it and we go to sleep in silence. Sleep never found me, though. At six in the morning, I finally give up, walking as quiet as possible to the kitchen to start coffee. Logan is already up, doing pushups on the floor. Laughing at him, “Really, is this how you start every morning?”

  Jumping to his feet, “Hey, of course I do. Gets the blood pumping, wakes me up.”

  “You know what wakes me up? A big cup of coffee, want one?”

  “Sound good to me. You feeling better this morning? Did you sleep?”

  Shaking my head, no, I clarify, “No to sleep, yes I feel better. Thanks for staying.”

  “Any time, honey. I’m always here when you need me.” For that, I’m grateful for Logan. He has become part of my family, a brother type. I make us eggs, toast and fruit before we head out for work. Before pulling out of the driveway he opens his window. “Call me if you need me. Anytime, day or night, Katerina.”

  Katerina

  THIS MORNING, I decided I was going to make an early pit stop before heading into the office. So I went to Butter My Bread for breakfast. When I walk in, the place is packed. Caleb gives me a wink before running around the counter, to give me a quick kiss hello. “Coffee?” He knows me well.

  Someone vacated a stool up at the front seating area, so I make my way up to it. Caleb places my coffee in front of me, and I just admire the view while I drink. The guys run the place with such ease, you can tell they have known each other for a long time. All of them seem completely relaxed, even when there is a huge crowd. They chat with each customer, flirt with the ladies, both young and old. Even the men that come in talk like they are friends. No wonder this place is so successful.

  Two coffees later, the rush dies down. Tristan mans the counter while Caleb sits by me. “Sorry that took so long. You want something to eat?”

  With his hands on my thighs, he rubs his thumbs in small circles on my skin. It’s such a small gesture, but his touch affects me like no other man’s has. My heart skips a beats. “I was thinking about bringing something for everyone at the office.” He tells Hunter what to cook, but to hold off a little while before starting.