Page 64 of Unbroken

“I’m gonna get dressed in the bathroom,” she says, her voice tight. Then, with a glance over her shoulder, soft and serious, “We need to be careful, Vadka.”

I don’t need her to explain. She’s not talking about the Irish. Or any threat outside this door.

She’s talking aboutus. This. The edge we’re dancing on.

I strip, shirt first. Then pants, the rush still buzzing in my blood like lightning. Mariah’s phone falls from the pocket—thudding against the floor like a verdict.

Guilt flashes through me, sharp and fast.

I pick it up and set it on the dresser.

Then I stare at the ceiling.

What the fuck are we doing?

And why does it feel so good to lose control—only with her?

There’s one new voicemail.

Who even sends those anymore?

Then I remember Ruthie said she left one, and I told her I wouldn’t listen.

But then I see a text too.

So I sit on the bed, thumbing through it. My eyes go wide. My heart beats faster.

Well, damn.

Chapter 11

RUTHIE

I don’t thinkI’ve ever been this turned on in my entire life.

Not once. Not even close.

I’ve never even thought about getting spanked by a guy, not seriously. But with Vadka? The way he looked at me. The authority in his voice. The rough slap of his palm against my skin? It sent me straight into overdrive. I’m soaked. Drenched. So fucking wet, I’m two seconds away from crawling into that bed, yanking off these clothes, and rubbing one out just to take the edge off.

And the worst part? He knew. That smug bastard knew exactly what he was doing to me. Every time he gets bossy. Every time I push back. Every time he calls me “little brat,” a thrill zips through me like a live wire. My whole body hums with it. I shiver just thinking about it.

I want him. Desperately.

Would it be so terrible if it was just casual? Just… comfort. Skin against skin. Who could blame us? We’ve both been through so much.

What the fuck am I even thinking?

Oh my god.

But here I am, in his house. In his space. More turned on than I’ve ever been with any man who’s ever touched me. And I’ve never—never—had sex with someone I actually cared about. Not once. I don’t even know what that feels like.

And I want to.

God, I want to.

But I have to be here for Luka. I have to be his auntie. His anchor. I can’t blur the lines and become his daddy’s girlfriend.

…Right?