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Nell’s eyes fluttered shut, dark lashes fanning across her delicate skin. Maklr tilted her chin, and her lips parted slightly. Unable to resist temptation, he lowered his lips toward her waiting mouth. He groaned in pleasure at the softness of her lips before deepening the kiss. His tongue darted out to lick the seam of her parted lips before delving into her mouth.

Nell lost herself in the pleasure of the kiss. She wrapped one hand around his neck, pulling his body closer to hers while her other hand reached to squeeze his muscular arm. Her heart thudded in her chest. She skimmed her fingers over his bicep and across his muscular chest, resting her palm over his collarbone. Maklr’s hand traced the graceful line of her neck, his palm heating her skin. Nell groaned into Maklr’s mouth, pulling him closer.

Without warning, Maklr broke away.

Lips swollen from the kiss, a flush covered Nell’s cheeks as her eyes flashed open. Her chest heaved as she fought to catch her breath. “Now I know what being kissed senseless means,” Nell said. She didn’t recognize the sultry voice as her own.

“I’m sorry,” Maklr said.

“For what?”

“I shouldn’t have kissed you.” Regret filled Maklr’s voice.

A strangled sob wrenched in Nell’s throat. She sprinted into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. As she stared at her reflection in the mirror with silent tears streaming down her cheeks, Nell chanted, “I am not broken. I am not broken.”

Chapter 10

Nell

Nelllayonthebed, humming a song she hadn’t thought about in years. Not since before the harem ship. Her fingers flew over her tablet, pressing on different apps. She opened a new file, making sure to password protect it. She poured out her feelings into her makeshift diary.

One day, I’ll get Maklr to admit that neither of us should feel guilty about the kiss. I think it was a natural progression. His lips were softer than I imagined. Ireplayed the moment over and over in my mind, wishing it would happen again. No one has ever kissed me like that. He’s passionate under a reserved exterior. I wonder what it’d be like to get him to lose control. I know no one can see it, but I’m kicking my feet like a schoolgirl with her first crush.

She ended the diary entry with a flourish. After making sure the file was under two password protected layers, Nell stood up, deciding to play it cool and not mention the kiss to Maklr. She walked into the living room. Maklr sat on the couch, scrolling on his tablet.

“About last night… I’m sorry.” Maklr’s head bowed.

“I didn’t mind.”

“We shouldn’t have.”

“Let’s leave it.” Nell changed the topic. “Are you working on anything special?” she asked.

“Ideas for the rehab center.”

“Want to show me?” Nell asked.

Maklr flipped the tablet toward her. His plans were orderly, methodical, just like the man himself. “What do you think?” he asked after a minute.

Nell hesitated.

“You hate it, don’t you?” he said.

“No. It’s,” she paused, searching for the right word, “sterile. Clinical.”

“It is a rehab center.”

“Mind if I make a few suggestions?”

“By all means.”

Nell took his tablet and drew. “Excuse my general shapes. They’re stand-ins only. I’m not an artist, but we can use ourimagination. What do you think about bringing more of the outdoors to the center?”

“How so?”

Nell pointed at the center of her sketch. “What if we set up this area like an obstacle course? Not with military precision or accuracy, but with challenges that focus on exercising or strengthening different body parts and muscle groups? Maybe a climbing rope or something to practice upper body strength or an obstacle for crawling?” Nell tied her hair back in a ponytail. “Do many of the warriors you treat have families? I’m thinking of the soldier with the baby. What if there’s a family area or a playground? It doesn’t have to be a large space, just a dedicated one.”

“How would that help?” Maklr asked.