Page 27 of Unbroken

His head dipped until it was next to hers, and she could feel the heat of his breath wafting over her skin as he lightly kissed her cheek. “You’re sure, Maya?”

His mouth was barely an inch from hers, and she turned her head. “Kiss me.”

Continuing with the same formatting and keeping speaker actions/dialogue on the same line:

His lips feathered over hers, achingly tender. She closed her eyes at the sensation, loving the way he held her.

Memories pressed in—Wainwright’s thick arms around her, choking her—and she sucked in a breath as she battled them back.

Aiden lifted away and stared down at her. “Good?”

Her heart kicked up in her chest, and she forced herself to calm.

Wainwright was gone.

It was only Aiden and her now.

“Again,” she demanded.

She focused on each sensation streaming through her body, replacing every memory of Wainwright with Aiden’s touch, his hands on her back, his lips on hers.

If her request surprised him, he didn’t show it. Instead, he lowered his head and dedicated himself to the task of kissing her deeper, more sensually.

Watching Aiden as he kissed her kept the memories at bay. She studied his face, let his scent fill her nostrils as she ran her hands over his biceps and shoulders, committing every hardened muscle to memory.

The tiny flame of desire deep inside her roared to life, and liquid heat slid through her veins as she melted against him.

She needed to feel him, needed to know she could still want and be wanted.

“Aiden… I need you. I want⁠—”

“No.”

Aiden’s voice was thick with emotion when he pulled away.

She recoiled, the sting of rejection spiraling through her heart.

“Maya. Look at me, sweetheart.” The press of his fingertips against her lower back implored her to listen.

She pushed the dark thoughts away and reluctantly met his gaze.

He stared at her for a moment before speaking. “I’ve waited a year for this. I can wait another day. A week, a month… whatever it takes.”

He lifted one hand and cupped the side of her face. “I want you more than anything, but I want to take this slow. You’re going to get to know me, to really trust me.”

The intent in his dark eyes sent a hot shiver of need down her spine.

“Because once I make you mine, Maya… I won’t let you go.”

CHAPTER

SEVENTEEN

Aiden had been called out to work another case, and he’d been busy for the past week and a half. It was a good thing, Maya supposed. She didn’t want to move too quickly, but she also worried that he’d finally found a reason not to date her.

Initially, she wondered if he’d used work as an excuse to blow her off, and she was pleasantly surprised when he’d called her a little after eleven that first night. Since then, he’d called every night before bed, and she could hear the exhaustion weighing down his voice.

It felt awkward at first, but she had to admit she was flattered to know he was thinking about her. She loved talking to him, and though it would’ve felt strange if it were anyone else, she found herself sharing intimate details she’d never told anyone before. She told him about her childhood, her career plans, and the ordeal with Wainwright last year.