Page 51 of Unthinkable

His gaze slices to mine. “I’m unsure, actually. Do you know what he’s doing?”

I place another spoonful of berries in my mouth and shrug while Zane studies my face, as if searching for a lie. He won’t find one; his son is an enigma, even to those closest to him. Until Marlie came on the scene, Fern said she was convinced he was fucking a married woman due to all his secrecy. Whereas I think he has a crush on Winter, but either way, it’ll end in drama I want no part of, given that tends to follow Fen around.

I continue eating my yoghurt while swiping through recipes for tomorrow’s healthy breakfast.

Oh, poached egg with avocado on toast, followed by a protein smoothie—yum.

“What do you know about this girlfriend of his?” Zane asks, and I stop scrolling to give him my attention.

“Nothing much. Only that Fern likes her.”

He drags a finger over his bottom lip. “They don’t tell me anything.”

I want to point out he’s not very approachable, but I keep my mouth shut and continue eating. In fact, Zane is an arrogant, demanding, stereotypical Mafia man, and if I didn’t know him better, he would terrify me.

Jensen clears his throat, and I will myself to not check him out and make it too obvious how much I desire him.

“Ready?” he asks Zane, and I allow myself a moment to look him over.

The black shirt he wears is pulled tight across his strong chest, and his sleeves rest at the center of his arms as if unable to move anymore due to the muscles prohibiting them. The veins on his arms protrude, and I want to lick the path they take with my tongue, exploring each and every one of them.

His black pants are tight against his broad thighs, and I want to peel them from him while falling to my knees to worship every thick, perfect inch of him.

When my gaze finally lands on his handsome face, a knowing smile tugs at his lips, and I want to capture it in my mouth and devour him.

“I’ve confirmed our attendance at the country club ball this Sunday,” Amanda states, tapping on her phone, and the smile falls from his face.

“What?” His lip curls.

“The country club ball. You promised the last time you were home you’d come with me next time.” Her voice rises. “Well, newsflash, Jensen. It’s next time. My time, to be precise. So we’re going.”

“This is why I refuse to have a woman as my wife,” Zane says, pushing out of his chair.

Jensen snorts. “I doubt anyone would put up with you.”

“I think we know otherwise,” he says as he strides toward the exit.

“Stay out of trouble.” Jensen winks in my direction, then turns back toward Amanda as if she’s an afterthought. “Have a good day.”

He leaves the room, taking my breath with him, and my shoulders deflate.

“Ugh. You’re so pitiful, always so desperate for his attention, and when he doesn’t give it, you’re like a sad, kicked little puppy.” She pouts her lips mockingly. “Oh, dear, did Daddy leave you and now you want to cry again?” She’s referring to the many times I’ve cried into my pillow after Jensen left me behind.

I roll my eyes and pretend they don’t affect me, but the truth is, they hurt. They’re true, all of them. I finish my breakfast while sensing the bitterness emanating from her across the room. Her words continue to spill, but I ignore her and scroll through the plan of my future. Something I get lost in on a regular basis to block out her vitriol.

“Did you hear me? Earth to Imogen. I said, you’re going to get fat, then nobody will want you.” She snaps her fingers in front of my face.

When did she even walk toward me?

Was I really so lost in my thoughts to let my guard down around her?

A sharp sting hits my cheek, and I drop my phone to the table. “That’s for ignoring me, you ignorant little cunt,” she spits out, and tears spring to my eyes as I tremble.

Her harsh words and abusive hands are nothing new, but this time, they’re easier to endure because Jensen is finally succumbing to me. We’ve almost reached my endgame.

I just need to become pregnant and secure our future, then I can let him in on the truth about his bitch of a wife.

“One day, you’re going to end up sad, lonely, and used up, just like your mother,” she says, and I shove her words to the back of my mind, determined to not let them affect me. It’s so much easier not to allow them to consume my thoughts when Jensen is so close.