Page 64 of Too Broken to Love

Shivering, despite Tessa perched in front of him, her hands on his thighs like tethers to a promise, he told her about the burning shack. “We’re taught not to dwell on what-ifs. We address what went wrong, learn from it, and move on. I’m good at that, but this time I can’t stop thinking, what if I killed Chris by saving his life?” Hudson’s heart raced as his words spilled out. “What if I’m as broken as he is?”

“How could you not be broken after an experience like that?” A thick tear rolled down her cheek. “Have you talked to Chris since you saw him at the hospital?”

“No. He was moved to an undisclosed location. I asked the General to find out where he is. He just said, ‘He’s better than okay. He’s being reborn.’”

Tessa flipped her hand under his and threaded their fingers together. “What does that mean?”

He held her fingers tight, another thread to ground him in her quiet support. “I have no fucking idea.”

“Maybe knowing isn’t what you need. Maybe you need to find your own way to be reborn.”

“How? Every time I go to sleep I relive the rescue and every minute I’m awake I question if I should have let Chris bleed out. I can’t be reborn if I’m stuck in the past.”

“You told me a few days ago that you weren’t sure if you wanted the opportunity with Project V, but I can see the excitement in your face. Maybe it’s your chance to be reborn too.” She leaned forward and stroked her finger down his cheek. “What’s holding you back?”

“At first, I was afraid of getting injured as badly as Chris or getting killed and not coming home to Pop, but then you happened.” He swallowed his fear and voiced it at the same time. “And now I’m afraid of not coming home to…”

She brushed her lips over his. “To me?”

He didn’t answer. He just claimed her mouth in an urgent, hungry kiss, like he’d just returned from the most dangerous mission of his life and knowing she’d be home waiting for him was the only thing that kept him sane.

The only thing that could reset his soul.

He couldn’t wait any longer to claim her as his salvation.

As his own.

Pulling away, he leaned back. “As much as I love the way those silky, little pajamas look, they need to come off. Now.”

She smiled and bit her lower lip as she shimmied out of her clothes.

His cock shot to attention. “About goddamn time I got to see you naked.” Wrapping his hands around her waist, he shifted her to the headboard. With both hands, he spread her thighs and settled himself between them.

Licking his lips, he zeroed in on the glistening proof of how much she wanted him. “I wish you would have known you were this wet. I would have put the world on hold and done something about it.”

Dark brown flecks danced in her amber eyes.

His fatigue vanished as he circled a breast with the tip of his finger. Her shudder shot a rush of endorphins to his hard cock. “You’re so beautiful.”

He trailed his finger down her ribcage to her flat belly, slow and steady, like he had the rest of his life to explore every inch of her willing body. He paused just below her belly button. “Did you enjoy watching me jerk off while I thought about you this morning in the shower?”

She groaned a yes as she fisted his cock.

“I knew you were there. I saw you in the mirror. Saw you consider running.” He slid his finger to the top of her folds. “I’m so glad you stayed because seeing you on your knees, begging for my cock without words was the hottest moment of my life.”

She whimpered as she drove her hips against his hand. “Hudson.”

“I know what you want, little thief. If I move one more inch, I could make you scream in less than a minute, but first I need you to do something for me.” Taking her wrist, he guided her hand to where his fingers had been moments ago. “I need you to touch yourself.”

She drew her arm back. He caught it in an iron grip that wouldn’t hurt her, but said the request wasn’t negotiable. “Do it. I need to watch you make yourself even wetter for me.”

“I…I’ve never…”

“Never what, Tessa?” He brushed his lips over her cheek that was the prettiest pink he’d ever seen. “Never touched yourself in front of someone?”

“I haven’t been with many men, so…no.”

“Did you trust them like you trust me?”