Breaking Free (Freeing Beck Book 1)

By L. Loryn

Beck grew up knowing he’d be arm candy. He knew he was beautiful and he spent ten years learning exactly how to please a man. He knew the art of conversation, how to laugh and smile and make a man feel special. He was ready to accept his fate until he met Tobias “Carver” Coleman.

Tobias “Carver” Coleman found himself at an exclusive underground event alongside his billionaire best friend. He’d been single for years, but Beck’s brilliant green eyes warmed him from the inside out, but Beck has a secret worth over a million dollars.

Beck wants his freedom and Tobias wants Beck. Can they both get what they want?

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. Loryn
• Release date: Apr 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370081745

Book preview

Finding Freedom

(Freeing Beck Book 2)

By L. Loryn

Copyright 2018 L. Loryn

Smashwords Edition

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Part 1

Beck sat on the worn couch in the small room. Across from him, his therapist sat cross legged with a mug of sweet smelling tea warming her fingers. Beck clutched a pillow to his chest, resting his chin on the pillow for support as he studied the abstract pattern of the carpet.

It’s good to see you, Beck. How have you been? Debra, the therapist smiled at him. His eyes floated up to her face, focusing on her faded blonde eyebrows behind her cat-eye glasses.

Fine. He mumbled, eating up minutes with his delayed response which was better than the responses she received for the first three months of sessions. Beck visited Debra in her modern home twice a week. Sometimes he talked, sometimes he didn’t. Sometimes he picked the threads of her antique couch, begging her to show annoyance but she never did. Five months into the twice-a-week sessions, Beck prompted conversation. He told her it was cold in the room and asked if it were possible to change the setting on the thermostat.

He flinched when she stood to honor his request. After, silence drowned him again. Debra came armed with her own thoughts, watching Beck with an endless supply of patience despite his lack of responses. She studied him and despite his lack of eye contact, he studied her. Convinced she was trustworthy, he relented, answering her introductory question and winding around to real conversation.

How has your week been? She ventured further, curling into her seat and bunching silvery hair resting on her shoulders.

Better. I finished high school this week.

Congratulations, Beck. How long did it take you, six months?

Eight, actually.

We’ve been seeing each other for eight months? It seems so much shorter. Debra lamented, taking a slow sip of her tea. Have you thought about the future?

Yes. I rushed to finish the course work to gain admittance to the local community college for freshman courses. Beck hugged the pillow tighter.

Good idea. Community college is affordable, and you can always transfer to a university later, even in the middle of the semester if you would like.

I read it can be a waste to start at a university because the first two years you take introductory classes.

Pretty much. Debra shrugged her agreement. What’re you going to major in?

I am not sure yet. I like art. Toby suggested take a lot of different courses and decide later.

Are you going to do that?

Probably. The conversation lapsed into silence. Debra waited until it was clear Beck was done with the conversation before prompting a new one.

Do you want to talk about Toby?

Um. Sure. What about him?

Tell me about him.

He’s-- nice. I mean. He’s really nice. He never gets mad and we have fun doing things together. Beck’s stormy expression cleared. The first night after everything, he bought burgers, so we have burgers every Saturday and whenever I’m upset. And he offered the master bedroom to me, too, even though it’s his room.

Did you take it?

No, but I take showers and baths in there sometimes. I have my own room across the hall. The second biggest room with a private bathroom. It’s nice. Oh, and I have a new work room. Today he’s with his friends moving in new furniture.

To your new work room?

Yes. We purchased a desk, easel, art supplies, furniture-- of course. He waved a hand, leaning back into the couch.

Ah. How would you describe your relationship with Toby?

I’m not sure.

What do you mean?

I’m not sure how I would describe our relationship. Beck paused. More than a friendship.

Is there a romantic aspect to your relationship?

We spend time together one-on-one a lot. Eating and movies. We also spend time with his friends a lot. I don’t have friends yet.

Well, Toby’s friends count as your friends, don’t they?

I suppose, yes. They are nice people, even when you’re alone with them.

As they’re supposed to be. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to; however, is there an intimate aspect to your relationship?

Yes-- no. Not really? His easy expression slipped into a frown. We hold hands sometimes. Sometimes we kiss. Sometimes I sit in his lap and he holds me, like when we’re relaxing. We don’t h-have sex.

Oh, okay. Do you like this relationship with Toby?

I do, but I’m afraid he may not.

Why?

Because he never wants to have sex with me.

Have you guys ever had sex or talked about having sex?

N-no. Not since the first time.

The first time? A flash of polite curiosity sparked Debra’s eyes, the thrill of seeing a client bloom.

The first time. When we first met. He-- Beck’s words broke off. I-- We had sex after the fight and the money.

Would you like to take us back to when you first met?

I’m not ready. Voice trembling, he turned shining green eyes to Debra. Tears glistened at the corners of his eyes, threatening to slide down his smooth cheeks. Debra offered him tissue.

Take your time.

He blotted the corners of his eyes, took in a deep breath, and exhaled. Fingers folded and refolded the damp tissue. "We met at a party. Like a coming out party, I guess. Me and three other girls, it was our turn to-- to be presented to the world. I had on nicer clothing than I’d ever put on in my life. The shirt was soft against my skin and the pants.