Page 7 of Unthinkable

She sits up, and I miss her touch immediately. “I don’t like you leaving.”

I hate that she feels this way, I do, but not only would it raise questions about my whereabouts within the Carrera family, but it would also, without a doubt, bring trouble to my family. Something I’m unprepared to do, despite very much feeling the same way.

She shuffles forward on her knees, sitting so close she’s almost in my lap, and uses her finger to draw a path toward me. It’s a nervous tic I’ve discussed with her therapist, something she’s done since I rescued her.

To me, she’s detaching herself from a situation, and I hate that for her, so instead of allowing her to continue with it, I bring her hand to my lips and place a kiss on her fingers. Then I place her hand over my heart and whisper the words I know she longs to hear. “You’re in here always, Little Nightmare.” I tap her hand.

She shakes her head. “Bu-but what if …” She fidgets from side to side. “What if I want to be somewhere else too?”

Confusion takes over, and when her gaze locks on my groin, something twists inside me.

What the fuck?

Surely, she doesn’t think.

I dart my eyes back up to hers.

No.

Just, no.

This is Immie.

My little nightmare.

When she leans forward, I remain frozen in my seat, then her lips slam against mine.

I can’t compute what the fuck is happening.

Her tongue pushes past my lips, and I snap out of my frozen state and push her back, disconnecting us in an instant. “What the fuck, Immie?”

She makes no attempt to shift away from me, even as her cheeks heat.

“What the fuck?” I jump to my feet. “What was that?” I snap and throw my hand out in her direction.

She rolls her lip into her mouth slowly, calculated even. It’s as if she’s savoring my taste.

My eyes widen, and I shake my head, banishing the thought.

Her big blue eyes are full of trepidation, and I become putty in her hands.

“You can’t do shit like that. Do you understand me?” I murmur.

“Okay.”

Okay? Is that it?

“I don’t want you doing that with anyone.” I swallow hard, then add a little more explanation. “You’re too young.”

Something akin to determination flashes in her eyes before she quickly masks it. I’m mistaken, right?

“Okay,” she whispers.

I give her a swift nod. “I’m going to call it a night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay.”

I leave the room as quickly as my feet will carry me, determined to banish the memory of her lips touching mine. With that thought in mind, I pull my phone from my pocket and send a text to Czar, explaining I’ll be returning to work earlier than expected.