Yet here I am, hoping that if I sink deep enough, I’ll be distracted from these awful feelings that come my way whenever the club has to do something reckless.
Penelope getting all worked up about Judge helps make the threat of this feel so much more real. She’s scared that they’re going to die, and now, I’m starting to, as well.
I don’t like being worried.
I need to jump into this waternow. As my fingers brush against the hook of my bra, I hear a choking sound come from the man looking at me like I’ve grown a second head on myshoulders. Between pain and worry, my peaceful silence keeps getting disturbed.
Jinx looks like he’s about to have a meltdown.
“No one comes here.” Keeping my voice calm, my heart does a small flutter when his eyes dip low before flicking back up. He keeps doing that. Keeps trying to look, all while trying not to look. The guy could at least try not to be obvious about it.
It’s funny. I thought I wouldn’t care about stripping in front of him. I mean, a piece of me is trying to convince myself that last night was a fluke. He’d get worked up over any woman, and I’m not some special case. Yet, when he looks at me now, I can’t convince myself of anything.
A heat twists around in my chest and drips down to my stomach, trailing even further like there’s no end under his hungry gaze.
Turning away, I shove my underwear down and hear him sputter and release a groan that’s placed deep within him. Pretending I misheard, the heat goes nowhere as I make the rest of my clothing disappear on the spot.
Everything is fine.
Finally bare, I can’t take another second of what I know is arousal picking my body apart. Instead of feeding into it like I did yesterday, I make a run for the water.
Only when I jump and sink under the surface do I finally feel relief. Like ice needles prickling my skin all over the place, they target every heated spot. My chest, my limbs, and even the throbbing between my thighs.
Coming back up, the next breath of air feels refreshing and freeing. This is so much better than soaking in all the worry that filled that place.
I know that if I spent a few more minutes in there, the cracks in my exterior wouldn’t just show my concern. They’d reveal the other things occupying my troubled thoughts.
Jinx stares at me, his eyes locked on for the longest time. Finally, he breaks away and looks around, his jaw set. “You do this often?”
“A couple of times a week. Sometimes late at night, sometimes not.” I sigh under my breath. “Don’t ruin this for me. Don’t turn this into a mistake.” Splashing the water, it ripples toward him. “Get in. Swim in your clothes, I honestly don’t care.”
Of course, I do, but I’m not letting myself accept it.
My curiosity about him wasn’t completely satisfied yesterday.
Jinx finally gives. He pulls off his shirt and drops it next to mine. I shouldn’t watch him undress, but I do. Even worse, he keeps his eyes on me, too. This moment we’re sharing feels… intimate.
I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until my lungs start burning and my body sinks to the bottom. Dipping low enough for the water to lick at my cheeks, I realize there’s warmth there, too.
Neither of us speaks as he shoves his jeans down. I can see the hesitation when it comes to his boxers. From his past actions, I know he’s not shy about getting all touchy and feely. He’s dried humped with an audience, and even went past that when he drinks too much.
He shoves his boxers down, and once more, I see he’s hard. Searing his thigh, even from a distance, I can see how impressive it is.
Is healwayshard?
Or… What if…
He isn’t attracted to you. He doesn’t even like you.
Jinx doesn’t jump in as I had. He takes one step at a time, slowly submerging himself in the cool water. Despite hissing at the temperature, he doesn’t stop until finally, he’s completelyunder, leaving behind nothing but a couple of bubbles before even that stops.
The water surrounding my body no longer feels cold. I’m not even numb. Instead, it feels warm. Too warm.
I can’t tell where he is, but do I want to? I should be more worried about trying to relax.
When he pops back up, sucking in a lungful of much-needed air, I catch the way water comes pouring off his shoulders, down his chest, and past his sculpted abs.
He looks… good. I get the appeal. I hate that I do, but I do. It’s what creates such a pull, an invisible force tugging me toward him.
