Unbroken (5 page)

“Yes!” he says, looking obviously relieved that I didn’t ask any more questions about his unit. “It’s so weird, having nowhere to be, no one to answer to. And the hospital messed with my sleep schedule. I’ve been sleeping in later than I have in… probably my entire life. My dad keeps complaining about it—when he’s home.”

“Sleep is good for you,” I tell him, hating his dad more and more every time he brings him up. “It’s important to the healing process.”

“Yeah,” he agrees, though the way he’s looking at me lets me know that his mind is on something other than sleep at the moment…

I
really don’t want
this date to be over. I don’t know that I’ve ever been with a woman as stunning as Milly. I practically force the desert down my throat as I try to think about what else we can do.

“Want to take a walk by the river?” I ask finally, because it’s
something
.

“Love to,” she answers with a smile.

It’s a warm spring night, not too hot and not too cool. Milly takes my arm as we make our way down the river walk.

“Want to hear something weird?” I ask after a moment.

“What?”

“I think my dad is dating someone.”

“You find that weird?”

“I don’t really know,” I answer honestly. “I don’t actually know my father that well, and I know that sounds weird. Any topic that’s slightly vulnerable—he hides it away.”

“Your mom died twenty-eight years ago, right?” she says, watching me closely. “Surely your dad has dated since then.”

“Not that I know of,” I reply, slightly embarrassed at how little I know my own father. I try to explain our dynamic as best as I can. “After my mom died, dad threw himself into his career. I mean, I never really knew what he was like before mom. But from what others have told me, he got way more intense after she passed. And then he decided that I would follow in his footsteps. Anything that could be seen as a weakness, we didn’t discuss. I’m sure he’s probably dated over the years. I just didn’t know about it.”

“That would be weird, if he didn’t date at all,” Milly says blatantly, and I have to laugh.

“Yes,” I agree. “But he never brought any women home. Plus, I was always busy—with football, and school, then USNA, then the Marines. I had my life, he had his. What about you? Did your mom remarry?”

“No,” she tells me as she purses his lips. “I don’t know if I told you, she’s in politics too. She is the State Senator for West Virginia. So she’s always busy, and she had dated here and there, but only men she thought would help further her career. When it became apparent that they weren’t doing her any good, she always let them go. I know it sounds harsh, but that’s the truth.”

I can tell she doesn’t want to talk about her mother, so I let it go. We’re quiet for a while, lost in our own thoughts as we walk beside the river.

“I really don’t want to turn out like her,” Milly admits eventually.

I stop and face her, cupping her gorgeous cheeks in the palms of my hands.

“From what you’ve told me,” I say, “you’re absolutely nothing like her.”

Before I realize what’s happening, Milly is surging forward, pressing her lips against mine. It only takes me a few seconds to get with the program. I wrap my hands around her neck and pull her closer, exploring my way into her mouth. It’s perfect and not enough at the same time.

“Come home with me,” she says when we finally pull away, panting.

I freeze, considering her invitation. I’ve only been out of the hospital for five days. Yes, I can run a mile without vomiting, but am I really not in any condition to have sex. I mean, I used to run twenty miles, no problem. Not that I don’t want to go home with her—I just don’t want to embarrass myself. And yet, the very idea of turning her down seems absurd. Everything inside me wants to possess this gorgeous woman.

“We don’t have to have sex,” she says quickly, as if reading my mind. “I know you’re still not at one hundred percent. I know that. I just meant… I really don’t want this date to end.”

And that’s what I get for overthinking
, I tell myself.

“Neither do I, actually,” I say before planting another wet, hungry kiss against her lips. “And it’s okay if you don’t want to have sex yet. But don’t feel like you have to be worried about me. Before you know it, I’ll be stronger than a bull.”

“Okay,” Milly says, a wide smile on her face.

We turn around immediately. It’s all I can do not to jog back towards her car, dragging her with me. Luckily, Milly doesn’t actually live very far away. It takes less than twenty minutes until we’re at her door. As soon as we’re inside, I push her up against the wall, pressing my body along hers. She’s wearing heels tonight, which make us almost the same height.

Eventually, I pull away slightly, allowing us to fully enter her apartment.

“I suppose you’ll want a tour,” she says as she saunters past me. Her curls are disheveled and her lips are swollen and bruised. She looks perfectly debauched. The last thing in the world I want right now is a damn tour.

“I’d rather just see your bedroom,” I say, my voice hoarser than I’d like it to be.

“I’m sure you would,” Milly says with a smirk, slipping out of her heels and walking down the hall. Like an animal following its prey, I stalk after her. Her hips sway hypnotically as she moves through a doorway and into her bedroom. “And here we are.”

I’m pushing up against her again before I can think. I’m kissing her as I walk her backwards towards the bed. Right before we hit the sheets, I reach around and unzip the back of her dress. Milly allows it to slide off her shoulders and down to the floor.

I back up so I can fully appreciate the sight of her. Her hair is wild, falling in messy tendrils around her shoulders. Her lips are swollen and her eyes are dancing with passion. And her body—oh my God, her body… Scrubs did not do Milly justice. Her waist is slim, curving down into round hips, and up into shapely, full breasts. I’m harder than I have been in a long time and all I’ve done is look at her.

“My turn,” she says with a smile, moving towards me. “I’ve wanted to see this chest bare since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

Milly unbuttons my shirt and slides it slowly over my shoulders and down my arms. Her fingers trace my tattoos as she moves the fabric. Even after the shirt is on the floor, her explorations don’t stop. She winds her hands up my shoulders and across my pecs before turning me to examine my back. I hear a slight hitch in her breath, then feel her fingers begin to trace the outline of the giant wings that spread out across my shoulders.

Soon, it’s no longer just her fingers exploring my body. I shiver at the touch of her warm lips, than her moist tongue along the lines of my ink. It’s been so long since I’ve been touched like this; I’d forgotten how good it feels. My erection is throbbing painfully against my jeans, and I try to readjust myself, without being too overt.

“Let me help you with that,” Milly whispers in my ear before turning me back around to face her. She drops to her knees and unzips my fly. Slowly, she slides my pants and boxer briefs down my legs.

My erection springs free, slapping against my stomach angrily, and I can hear Milly hold her breath at the sight. She abandons my pants around my knees in favor of running a finger gently up my red, dripping length. I can’t help but cry out as she follows the same trail with her tongue.

Feeling emboldened, I run my fingers into her hair and pull gently. I then guide her head towards my aching member. With my other hand, I hold the base of my cock and run the tip along her parted lips, leaving a trail of pre-cum in its wake.

Unable to control myself any longer, I push myself into her open mouth. Her tongue instantly swirls around the head of my cock, and I nearly lose my balance. I thrust my hips, lost in the sensation of her warm, wet throat.

All to soon, I feel an orgasm building within my lower abdomen. I try to stay still and gently pull at Milly’s hair.

“If we don’t stop soon, I’m gonna come like this,” I croak in a voice hardly recognizable as my own. Milly pulls off and looks up at me, a mischievous grin on her face. There is a gooey string stretching from her lips to the tip of my dick, and the sight almost makes me come on the spot. I have to squeeze the base of my cock to stop myself.

“Good,” she says before swallowing me down again. Her tongue runs along my shaft before licking across the head. It’s incredible, but I know it’s not what I want—not how I want to finish.

“No,” I whisper, using my hands in her hair to gently pull her off me. I have to groan at the loss of her warm, wet mouth.

She looks up and lets me take the lead, so I pick her up and toss her on the bed. She’s clearly surprised to see how much strength I’ve regained.

“Come here,” she says, opening her arms towards me. I climb onto the bed and press against her, winding my arms around her. She’s so soft and warm beneath my touch.

It’s my turn to explore her body, and I run my hands up and down her smooth curves. I wind one hand behind her and unhook her bra before pulling it off. Her breasts bounce free, round and perky and perfect. I lower my head and lave at one, then the other. Sucking a nipple into my mouth, I push one hand beneath her wet panties and flick my finger over her swollen clit.

Milly moans and writhes against my hand. Snaking my other hand down, I press two fingers inside her hot canal, thrusting them as I continue to circle her clit with my thumb. Pulling away slightly, I watch Milly fall apart in front of me. Her eyes are closed and her lips are parted. She twists and moans against the comforter as I play with her pussy. Suddenly, her mouth opens wide in a silent scream, and I watch her shake beneath me as she goes over the edge. Her sex contracts against my fingers inside her, flooding me with her release. It’s the most intoxicating thing I’ve ever seen.

I shuck off the rest of my clothes and stroke my cock for a moment as I gaze at her hungrily. She watches my hand slide up and down my swollen member. I see a shudder ripple through her and I cannot help but preen.

“Condom?” My voice comes out all raspy.

She pulls her nightstand drawer and hands me a packet. I rip it with my teeth and quickly slide the condom on, then climb onto the bed and lean over her.

I run my hands along her smooth hips, pulling her panties off. I then dip one hand between her legs. Her breath hitches as I explore her soaked folds. Her clit is hard under my fingers, and she shakes and moans as I circle it again.

She rolls her hips and buckles, and I know she’s ready. Lining up my cock, I sink into her slowly, allowing her some time to adjust to my sizable length. Her body is so tight and hot around me that I think I may come right here and now.

Instead, I hold still for a moment, grabbing the base of my cock and taking a deep breath. Milly is having none of this, however. She rolls towards me, impaling herself on my member. At this, all of my self-control crumbles, and I kneel between her legs, gripping her hips and raising them off the bed. I thrust into her fast and rough, giving her exactly what she wants.

It doesn’t take long before she is writhing and moaning beneath me, shaking with her second orgasm of the night. That, in turn, sends me over the edge. Pleasure pulses through me as I pump my release deep inside her.

Milly collapses and I quickly follow, landing next to her and pulling her towards me. I slip off my condom and toss it to the side, thinking I’ll pick it up later. I’m too spent to move right now.

“So,” she eventually pants with a giggle. “I thought we weren’t going to have sex.”

“You said that, not me,” I remind her.

“You’re in recovery,” she says. “I just wanted to make sure you didn’t overexert yourself.” She giggles again.

“I’m not feeble,” I say indignantly, but by the way she’s panting and blushed all over, I know I’ve already proven that point.

“Come on,” she says, pulling me up. “Let’s get under the comforter before you fall asleep.”

Taking her advice, I crawl beneath the warm blanket and allow Milly to tuck herself up against me. She falls asleep quickly, breathing softly against my chest. I, however, remain awake for a long time.

I can’t shake the awful, persistent thought—I’m broken. Despite what Dr. Ruiz said, I don’t really have anything to offer Milly and I can’t help but wonder if tonight was a mistake. These thoughts hound me as I drift into a fitful sleep.

I
’m jostled awake
, and it takes me a moment to realize that Cameron is having a nightmare next to me. Last night comes back to me all at once, and I can’t help but smile to myself even as I attempt to shake him awake.

“Cameron! Cameron! It’s just a dream!” I say, running my hands across his sweaty chest.

With a final moan, he opens his eyes. His pupils are dilated and full of terror for a split second, before they focus on my face.

“What?” he mumbles.

“Nightmare,” I whisper, and he closes his eyes again, nodding his head in understanding.

After taking a few deep breaths, he rolls away from me and slips off of the bed. “Bathroom?” he asks, and I point down the hall.

While Cameron is pulling himself together, I slip on an oversized t-shirt and head to the kitchen to make coffee since it’s already almost eight a.m.

“Want some breakfast?” I ask as I hear the door to the bathroom open.

I turn around and immediately suck in my breath. Cameron is naked—gloriously so—as he stands calmly in my hallway and watches me. His body, even in its leaner state, is still well-defined. His tattoos almost shine in the morning light where they wrap around his arms and shoulders. Even soft, his member is imposing, hanging between his legs.

“Breakfast would be great,” he says with a smirk, having caught me checking him out. “I’ll just go find my pants.”

I whine at the loss, but enjoy the tight flexing of his muscular buttocks as he heads back down the hall. Once he’s disappeared in the bedroom, I pull my phone from where I’d left it in my purse the night before. To my surprise, there are three missed calls from my mother and a text telling me to call her “as soon as possible.”

She never calls me three times in a row. Feeling slightly worried, I immediately call her back.

“Where have you been?” comes my mother’s icy voice from across the line.

“Sleeping, mom.”

“It’s almost eight a.m.”

“I work evenings, remember?”

“Do you work
this
evening?”

I pause. I really don’t want to waste my night off with my mother, but I figure she’ll probably cancel at the last minute, like she always does, so I might as well humor her.

“No.”

“Good. I would like you to join me for dinner. Madison is coming down from New York. I have an important announcement to make and I would like to tell you both at the same time.”

“Fine,” I say before hanging up. I’m slightly disappointed, as I doubt she’ll cancel if she’s making a big announcement—and if Madi is in town—but I’m also intrigued. Perhaps she’s decided not to run for re-election next term, or maybe it’s the opposite, and she’s going to run for President. I wouldn’t put it past her.

“Who was that?” comes Cameron’s deep voice from behind me. I’d momentarily forgotten his presence and the breakfast I’d promised him.

“My mother,” I say as I pull eggs and veggies out of the fridge. “She wants to do dinner tonight.”

“This is good though, right? She’s been canceling on you a lot lately.”

“I think this is kind of a special occasion. She has some big announcement.”

“Oh yeah? What do you think it will be?” Cameron moves into the kitchen as he speaks and helps me cut the vegetables for the omelet.

“I don’t know. Probably something about her career.”

Cameron nods as he continues to help me prepare breakfast. We move around the kitchen together easily, working in unison as if we’d been doing it for years. We’ve only known each other for a short time, but I can’t deny how right this feels.

I don’t tell him this, of course. It’s still way too soon, and I don’t want to freak him out. Instead, I keep the conversation light through breakfast and then during the drive back to his apartment.

“I had a lot of fun last night… and this morning,” he says against my lips as he kisses me goodbye.

“Me too,” I agree. “We should do it again soon.”

“Definitely,” he says with a smile. “Call me after your dinner tonight and we can make some plans.”

I smile all the way home, not even allowing the impending dinner with my mother to bring me down. In the early afternoon, she texts me the address for an exclusive restaurant where she’s made a reservation.

I arrive a few minutes early, but both my mom and my sister are already seated. I sigh, accepting that no matter how hard I try, it always seems like I’m lagging behind.

“Milly,” my mother says, acknowledging my presence as I sit.

I give a quick hug to my sister Madi, whom I haven’t seen in almost a month. Her short hair is tucked behind her ears, and she’s wearing a perfectly pressed suit. “Hey Madi,” I say with a smile, which is quickly returned. Madi may have inherited my mother’s drive, but she’s fortunately skipped the icy demeanor.

“Hey sis,” she says, hugging me back. “How are you?”

“Great,” I say as I pull away. “Actually, I have some news too.”

“Really,” mother says flatly. She raises her eyebrows, as if surprised I could possibly have any news at all. “Then you may want to go first. I wouldn’t want your news to be trumped by mine.”

Leave it to my mom to put me in my place, even when I’m in a good mood. I open my mouth to say as much, but luckily, the server arrives at that precise moment. After we’ve all ordered and the server is gone, both Mother and Madi turn back at me.

“Well?” Madi asks encouragingly.

I feel like I’m about to be interrogated but I then remember my news and I can’t help but smile.

“So,” I begin. “I’m seeing someone.”

I can see my mother purse her lips and take a sip of wine out of the corner of my eye, though I don’t allow her the satisfaction of a reaction.

“Who is he? How did you meet? How serious is it?” Madi asks all at once. I can tell she’s happy for me. God, I love my sister.

“Is he worthy of a Hamilton?” Mother asks, and I can’t help but sigh. All she ever worries about is her career. But I know Cameron comes from a family my mother will find appropriate, since I remember how she’s gone out of her way to ambush his father at the hospital. I smirk at the memory.

“I think so,” I reply. “You would approve, anyway.”

“Details,” Madi reminds me, so I turn back to her.

“He’s a Marine. Or was. He was injured in combat. I met him through work. I was his nurse for a while.”

“Look at you, being a naughty nurse.”

“Nothing happened until after he was transferred,” I say, embarrassed. “I’d never do anything with a patient.”

“Relax,” Madi says with a laugh. “I’m only joking. Trust me, Milly, no one is questioning your integrity. You’re like the most honorable person in the family.”

“I don’t know about
that
,” mother interjects. Then, to me, she says, “Does this boy have a name?”

“Yeah,” I say, ready to impress her. “Cameron Watson. You
know
his father, remember?”

I raise my eyebrows in anticipation. I know I’m being sassy, but I expect my mother to be at least a little impressed. Instead, she has a shocked, angry look on her face.

“That just won’t do,” she says finally, taking another sip of her wine. Madi and I just stare at her for a moment.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I snap.

“Perhaps I should get on with my announcement,” she says primly, ignoring my anger. “Then you’ll understand.” She straightens her already perfect jacket. “I’ve been seeing someone.”

For a second, I’m speechless. I can see Madi’s eyebrows rise as well. Mother hasn’t dated in a while, and she’s never seen it fit to announce it to us in such a way.

“I still don’t know what this has to do with me and Cameron,” I say.

“Well,” mother begins slowly. “You see, the man I’ve been seeing is Cameron’s father, General James Watson. We met at the hospital when I came to see you,
remember
?” She sounds almost menacing.

“Oh, I remember,” I say, ignoring her tone. “You came to see
him
though, not me. And you lied about already knowing him before that day. Was that your plan all along—to seduce him?”

“Don’t be silly,” Mother says, completely dismissing my frustration. “I’d just wanted to introduce myself, perhaps make a political connection. But then he invited me to dinner, and we really hit it off.”

I can’t stop myself from gagging a little at the thought. From what Cameron had said about his father, the man seemed like a total asshole. My mother isn’t the warmest, most nurturing woman in the world, but she deserves better than an asshole, I think.

“It’s only been a few weeks,” she continues. “But it’s getting rather serious. We’ve even talked marriage. Obviously, you see why your and Cameron’s relationship cannot continue.”

“No,” I reply, anger pulsing through my veins. “I
don’t
see why.”

“With our careers as they are…” she rolls her eyes as if she is being forced to explain herself to a five-year-old. “Obviously, we can’t have our children dating each other. It will be a scandal. You’ll practically be siblings.”

“You seriously expect me to break up with the most amazing man I’ve met in a very long time—if ever—simply because it could
hurt your career
?” I’m trying to blink back tears at this point, hurt and anger now boiling inside me. “I mean, you’ve always been selfish and self-centered, mother, but this is a new low—even for you.”

“
Me,
selfish and self-centered?” mother laughs. “
You’re
the one always demanding to do your own thing, with no regard for how it could affect my career. You never have any concern for how your job or your actions reflect on me.”

“Mom,” Madi says sternly. I’m surprised by the warning in her voice. Madi never stands up to our mother.

“Don’t “mom” me, Madison. Milly needs to hear this.”

“No, actually, I don’t!” I stand, placing my napkin on the table and picking up my purse.

“Milly, wait,” I hear Madi call after me, but I can’t turn around. I’ll have to call her in the morning.

I don’t want my mother to see the tears that are now creeping down my face. Her words run through my head. Earlier, I’d thought that Mother didn’t deserve to be with an asshole like James Watson, but at this moment, I decide that they may be perfect for each other.

I get into my car, but I’m still too upset to drive. Wiping away my tears, I reach for my phone to call Cameron. I’d promised to call him when the dinner was over after all. It just finished a little earlier than scheduled.

“Milly?” Cameron’s voice is soothing, even over the phone. “That was a short dinner. Did your mother cancel again?”

“No,” I say, trying not to sob into the phone. “We got into a huge fight and I walked out.”

“I’m so sorry. Want to talk about it?”

“Yes. It actually has to do with us—with you,” I say, not sure how to explain what’s going on.

“Wait, what? Me? You talked about me?”

“Yeah, I hope that’s okay.” I blanch. Had it been too fast? Are we just casually seeing each other? I really hope not—I just picked a fight with my mother over him.

“No, it’s fine. It’s sweet, actually,” he reassures me. “What’s going on?”

Thank God
. I’m immediately relieved.

“I like that you told your mom about me.”

“Thanks,” I say, smiling through my tears. “Only, she didn’t react well. That was the reason why we fought.”

“What do you mean?”

I pause for a moment. The dinner conversation with my mom was so ludicrous—and the revelation that she was dating Cameron’s dad so crazy—that I don’t actually know where to start.