The Hero She Needs (Unbroken Heroes Book 1)(21)

Her breath hitched. “So why don’t you?”





Desire felt like fireworks inside her. Gemma’s belly was alive with hot flutters.

The way Boone was looking at her…

She trembled. He did nothing more than just stare at her, and it made everything inside her light up.

“Boone, I want you.”

He let out a low groan, then leaned forward. Then his warm mouth closed on one of her nipples, and he sucked.

Now, the room filled with Gemma’s moans. Sensations poured through her. She undulated and slid her hands into his hair. She pulled him closer.

It felt so good.

“More,” she panted.

He switched to the other breast, tugging her closer. She felt the hard bulge beneath her, and moved her hips, rubbing against him. It felt so good to think of nothing but pure desire. How much she wanted this good, protective man.

“Oh, my God.” Her head fell back, her fingers tangling in the brown strands of his hair. She rubbed against that rock-hard cock beneath her, and wondered what it looked like. What it would feel like inside her.

“Boone,” she moaned.

Suddenly, he moved. He stood and dumped her on her feet. She felt dizzy for a second and gripped the vanity to catch her balance. He stared at her for a beat, no emotion on his face.

“This is wrong.”

She frowned. It wasn’t wrong. Nothing had ever felt this right. “Boone—”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I won’t take advantage of you.”

She huffed out a breath. “You’re not. My eyes are wide open right now.” More than they had been in a long time. “I know what I’m feeling.”

He sucked in a breath. “I’m not the man for you. I’m not the man for anyone.” He opened the door, stepped out, and closed it behind him.

Gemma crouched and snatched up her towel. Goosebumps washed over her as she wrapped it around herself.

The man had a hard shell around him that was inches thick. It was like he couldn’t accept pleasure, or anything nice, or anyone caring.

Like he didn’t think he deserved it.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Did she want to change that?

It was a hell of a time to find a guy who made her feel more than she’d felt in a really long time.

“One step at a time, Gemma.”

But right then and there, she decided she wasn’t giving up on Boone Hendrix.





Gemma’s eyes snapped open, her heart racing. She sat up. The room was dark, and she was disoriented. Where was she?

Then she heard a low groan echo in the dark room.

“No. No. Stop.”

Boone’s voice. Her heart hit her ribs.

She heard a low whine and saw the shadow of Atlas pacing between the beds, agitated.

Boone thrashed on his bed.

She glanced at the glow of the alarm clock. They’d gone to sleep a few hours ago.

She bit her lip. “Boone? Boone?”

“Stop! Don’t hurt him. Take me.”

Raw pain tore through her. The agony in his voice was horrible. She hurt for him. For the memories that still haunted him.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, but was careful not to get too close to him.

“Boone, you’re having a nightmare.” She reached out and touched his bare shoulder. “You’re safe.”

He went still.

“Are you awake?” she asked.

“Yes.” His voice was hoarse. “I’m—”

“Don’t you dare apologize.”

She heard his harsh expulsion of breath.

“You need some water?”

“No.”

She set her shoulders back. She wouldn’t let him suffer alone because he was being stubborn. “Move over.”

“What?”

She lifted the covers on his bed. “I’m coming in.”

“Gemma.” The word was a growl. “This is a bad idea.”

She slid in. “No, it’s not. Don’t worry, I won’t take advantage of you, Boone.”

With both of them in it, the bed sagged a little, and she slid into the center, colliding with his hard body. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and all she felt was warm skin.

Oh. Her belly clenched. She hoped she wasn’t lying when she said she wouldn’t take advantage of him.

She settled her head on his arm. “Cuddling helps keep nightmares away.”

His body was stiff. “You have nightmares?”

“I used to when I was younger.” She paused. “My mom used to stay with me. I’d forgotten that.”

He started to relax a little.

“I’m sorry your friends’ deaths haunt you.” Silence stretched and she stifled a sigh. “You must miss them.”

“Yeah. Every day.”

The darkness wrapped around them, and she surreptitiously rubbed her cheek against his arm.

“I watched them die.”

Gemma sucked in a breath and held it. She stayed quiet and waited for him to go on. She couldn’t see his face, but she felt the tension in him. She turned her face into him, pressing into him more firmly. She knew the darkness made it easier to talk.

His arm curled around her, holding her tight.