Page 3 of Unthinkable

CHAPTER TWO

IMMIE

I can’t believe he’s finally here. It’s been 548 days since I saw him last, and now that he’s back, my heart is swelling with love and need for him.

Jensen might not realize it yet, but I’m not the same girl I was when he left. Sure, I may have overstepped the mark a little and scared him away, but I won’t make the same mistake again. He will want me, crave me like I do him, and I’ll become his everything. How it should be.

The door leading to the swimming pool pushes open, but I pay it no attention. I already know who it will be. I can feel him watching me, and that only adds to my excitement.

From the moment I met him, I’ve felt his presence and knew he would protect me. He’s imprinted on me like I have him. Only, he’s too scared to recognize it, and while my latter actions were inappropriate, there’s no boundary now.

We will be crossing it one way or another.

I swim as if he doesn’t exist; each stroke is like I’m drowning in his orbit. He’s finally back, and I never want him to leave. This time, I’ll make sure he’s tied to me forever.

He takes a seat on one of the loungers, and I indulge in the fact that my ass will be on full display for him. I hope his eyes are hungry when I finally emerge. As hungry as I am.

As I reach the side of the pool, I dive beneath the water, then roll and push off the side to swim back to the other side.

I swim until my legs ache and my chest feels like it’s caving in, then I emerge to catch my breath before swimming toward the steps.

As I climb out, Jensen moves, and something akin to panic rushes through my veins. Is he leaving already?

When I lift my head, he’s there, barefoot, holding out a towel for me, and my shoulders sag in relief. “Thank you.”

He wraps me in the towel, and his feet are gigantic compared to mine. His large hands are covered in tattoos, and I revel in being so small beside him. My protector, through and through.

I follow him over to the loungers and wait for him to sit. Without needing encouragement, he hauls me onto his lap, and I melt against his embrace.

“You swim so beautifully, Little Nightmare.” He kisses my wet head, and I bite into my lip to stop myself from smiling at the nickname bestowed upon me so early in our relationship.

“Thank you.” His inked hand picks up the edge of the towel, and he dries my hair, squeezing the water from the ends, giving me the opportunity to look him over closer this time.

His hair is cropped short, but longer on top than before, and I run my fingers through it. His shoulders appear broader, and I imagine him working out more, becoming even stronger, more invincible to his enemies, and the thought fills me with hope. Hope that he’ll never be vulnerable and an easy target to those who choose to cause him harm.

The fact that I know of Jensen’s true background when Amanda doesn’t leaves me feeling powerful. I have his trust, something I carry with pride.

A new scar over his right eyebrow draws my attention. “I don’t like you being hurt,” I whisper, stroking his eyebrow.

He chuckles, the sound deep and vibrating his chest. “I’m fine, baby.”

Baby.

The very first day he called me that, I melted on the spot, a puddle of goo that would do anything for him. Anything in the world. He’s never witnessed the lengths I’ll go, but he’ll find out soon enough.

I shuffle on his lap, dragging my ass over his crotch in a strategic move to rest over his bulge, but he lifts me and positions me on the edge of his thigh, away from where I want to be. I’m only grateful his arm is still banded around me in a protective manner some would argue is a normal position. Not to me. Our relationship is anything but normal.

A deep chuckle rumbles from his broad chest. “Why are you pouting like that?”

Shit. I can’t tell him it’s because I want to feel his bulge beneath me, can I?

My cheeks heat, and I duck my head. “I just wondered if you’re going out tonight?” I bite my lip and lift my head to face him.

We’re only inches away, so close I feel the air leave his lips, and he slowly drags his tongue over them. First the top lip, then the bottom, before he rolls it into his mouth. “No. I thought we could order takeout.” His voice is husky and has me squirming inside.

We always order takeout on his first night home, and my body relaxes, knowing he’s keeping to our tradition. I drop my head onto his arm and roll to face him. “I love takeout.” I want to tell him I love him too, but he’ll freak out. It will only push him away, and neither of us is prepared for that, not yet.

His lips tip up into the most handsome smile. A smile I feel down to my core. This man, he’s everything to me. “I know you do, Little Nightmare.”