Page 57 of Her Chosen Protector

“Eden, I had Kane pull the file on that damned mission. It was a freaking miracle that anyone survived. One of the Afghan fighters they were working with sold them out, they were surrounded.

Xave’s best friend in the Army died on that mission. When I read what he accomplished, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Then I pictured it from Xavier’s point of view—he would only focus on the twelve men who died, not the twelve men he saved.”

Eden stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. She rested her head on his chest, and he could breathe in the subtle hint of peaches from her hair. “What have you done since then?”

Ash tried to pull away, but she wasn’t having any of it. “Answer the question, Thorne. What have you done since then? Since Xavier’s suicide?”

“How did you know?” he rasped.

“I figure every hour together in a situation like this is at least forty-eight. So, I’ve known you for quite some time, Asher. Just answer the question. What have you done since Xavier’s death?”

He pulled her closer, taking her weight against his body. She felt good. The fact that she had burrowed into his head and heart felt better.

“I’ve checked in with each member of Xavier’s team, including taking them on a deep-sea fishing trip. I wanted to make sure they’re okay.”

“Were they?”

“All but one.”

“What did you do?”

“I talked to his wife. We had an intervention and got him into counseling. He’s doing much better now.” This time, he did push her away enough so he could see her eyes. “How did you know?”

“I know you. I’m so goddamn sorry about your brother. I would love to have met him. But the man you were then did the best he could. You need to forgive yourself.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

She sighed. “I can understand that. But try. Please try.”

Asher swallowed. He blinked hard, but his eyes still stung. “I miss him so much, Eden.”

“I know.”

She twined her arms around his neck and pulled his head downwards. “You’re a good man, Asher Thorne, and I just have to do this one thing.”

Thank God. He wasn’t resisting. Eden had been worried she might have a fight on her hands. Instead, he readily bowed his head and allowed his lips to hover over hers.

“Are you sure?” he questioned quietly.

She tugged harder.

Eden watched as a slow smile spread across his face. She shoved up on her toes and touched her lips to his.

Perfect.

Asher took over the kiss, brushing his lips over hers in a tantalizing slow rhythm that coaxed her into following. Slowly his lips parted hers, and his tongue stole into her mouth, seducing hers into a dance. She felt the sensations flow down her neck, into her chest, and tighten her nipples. She rubbed her breasts against his chest, trying to find relief.

Is that me whining?

Ash’s fingers tangled in her hair, tipping her head in a way that allowed for a deeper kiss. She felt his heartbeat against her chest and beneath her fingers at his neck. He nipped at her lips, forcing her to open wider so that their breaths could mingle, and he could tempt her with a thrusting tempo, one that would be even more satisfying if it wasn’t just his tongue and a kiss.

She moved her hands and scrabbled for the hem of his t-shirt.

“Shhhh, slow down,” he soothed.

“No.” She thrust her palms under his shirt and sighed with pleasure when she met with the hot hard planes of his stomach. It was like touching hot velvet steel, only better, because it was Asher.

She needed more. She pushed up higher and then groaned as her fingers delved into his chest hair.