Page 18 of Unbroken

I’m not sure this is the most sound advice, although it obviously worked in his favor or else he wouldn’t be telling me this story. “So what? You just remained persistent and then she finally gave in?”

“Not quite. One day, I’d gotten a call. A buddy of mine had lost his life in the line of duty. So, I had to take off for a few days and attend the funeral. I was driving back from the service when I got a call. It was my girl’s friend, calling to ream my ass outfor breaking Lorna’s heart again. Mallory was completely irate, and I was stunned. As far as I’d known, my girl still hated my ass. But, you see, for as much as Lorna was putting up a fight, she wanted me there. She needed me to show up every day and prove my commitment. And that day, she’d thought I’d given up. She thought I took off and wasn’t coming back. I’d failed to let anyone know my whereabouts, so no one told her any different. Have to say…” He smiles. “That was one of the better decisions of my life.”

I’m clinging to every word. Showing up, being present, proving that I’m not leaving her side ever again may be exactly what I need to do. It may be the key to winning my girl’s heart back.

“So, I drove straight to her place,” he continues. “Got down on one knee and proposed. I explained what had happened and told her that I was sitting at the funeral, thinking of how I didn’t want to go to my grave without her love. And you know what she said?” I shake my head, wondering if she put up a fight because that’s what my Wren would do. She’d give me hell and point that gun of hers in my face.

“She said yes.” He smiles fondly. “And, son, it’s been bliss ever since. Except for when she gets on my ass about my diet. The woman needs to let me live at my age. But she keeps telling me she doesn’t want me going to an early grave.”

That’s because she loves him. He should see it as a sign of her affection.

“So, my advice is to keep showing up. And, one day, it’ll finally click. That as much as you can’t live without her, she’ll realize she can’t live without you.”

I tip my chin. It’s solid advice, although I think there’s something I need to do first. I need to right my wrong. And then I’ll spend every second proving my love and devotion.

CHAPTER 14

Wren

Day 2,253

Regret of answered prayers.

Not five minutes after I flip the sign to open, the bell above the door chimes. My stomach does a somersault as Kayden struts in, looking better than ever in his jeans and black leather jacket with a white tee underneath. It reminds me of the boy I met seven years ago. The boy with a daring edge and a smile that could melt my heart.

“Morning, baby.” His low voice rumbles right through me like a warm cup of coffee, waking up all of my senses.

“You must have a real hard time of hearing. If you want service, Kayden, you won’t find it here.” I turn and head straight back to my office. It’s bad enough I had to wake up again soaked in sweat with yesterday replaying in my mind; I don’t need himshowing up and slapping me in the face with the reminder of how good looking he is.

My plan seriously backfired. For as much as I wanted to send him off with a parting “fuck you,” I’m the one that is feeling the pain of the loss. Sex with him was so much better than I remember. Then again, I wasn’t nervous this time around. I wasn’t self-conscious about my lack of experience; I just did what felt right. And he came hard, grunting my name over and over. His entire body convulsing beneath me, nearly bucking me off his hips. And when he opened his eyes, they were filled with adoration. The heat still sizzling in their depths.

I reach for the knob of my office door but am stopped by his big body pressing against my back, pinning me up against the wood. “I was going to try to behave this morning, but you’ve gone and tempted me, little one.” His big hand is braced at my hip, sliding down around to my waist. “Seems as though you woke up on the wrong side of the bed and need to be set straight. I’m going to remedy the fact.”

His fingers dive into my pants, sliding over my panty-covered pussy and press right down on my clit. A tremor rocks through me and I slump against the door, pressing my forehead to the cold wood.

“You’re already swollen, babe. Did you wake up this slick because of me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Kayden.” The words come out a breathless rasp, as his thick finger slides right under my panties, rubbing over my swollen flesh. Pulling at my need.

“Liar.” His whisper casts over my ear as he nibbles his way across my flesh, leaving a trail of tingles along his path. “You always were a lousy liar, baby. If it makes you feel any better, I beat off all night to thoughts of you. Your perky little tits bouncing around as you rode my cock. Your tight pussy squeezing me so well. You’re so wet, baby.” He pushes into meand I moan against my will, doing a terrible job at denying the effect he has on me.

“You know what I dreamt of when I was locked in the slammer?”

I can’t even think straight, let alone answer him.

“I thought of the first time you went down on my dick. Those innocent eyes looking up at me, watering as those pretty little lips stretched around my girth, trying to suck me in deep. I thought about you working so hard to take me whole that you nearly choked yourself. Everything has always been so fucking incredible with you, Wren.”

His fingers are incredible, drilling into me. In and out as his big palm provides pressure at the top. I’m so close, I can almost taste it. The delicious tightening. The release of that unbearable ache as the shocks rolls in.

“And every time I beat myself off in the shower, I thought about the time you first let me take a peek at your tits. Your cheeks were pink with that bashful look on your face, slowly sliding your shirt over your head. Then the prettiest set of nipples came into view. Peaked and eager. That image is burned in my memory. Your teeth sinking into your bottom lip as if you were unsure of whether I’d approve. Fuck.” His groan hits me everywhere. “Never seen a prettier set of tits.”

His free hand squeezes over my bra and the tension between my legs starts to unfurl. “Come for me, little one. Tighten those muscles around me and let me hear you scream.”

The dam breaks, and the heat floods in. My entire body is rocked with those exquisite sensations that have me moaning and begging for him not to let me go.

“I’m never walking away, Wren. You’re fucking mine. Always have been.”

There’s a hint of a protest wanting to form on my lips, but I’m not quite coherent, let alone in a state to argue. He canthink whatever he wants, but it’s never going to happen. Lesson learned.