Bloodshed (Order of the Unseen, #1)(60)

Don’t bother, I text back. We took care of it.

“Holy fuck, what a rush,” Micah sharply exhales. “You’ve always been such a clever bastard.”

I snort.

“He’s dead, Damien,” he confirms. “There’s no bringing him back from that.”

“No,” I dryly let out. “There’s not.”

And we head for the stairwell.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR





QUINN





My eyes flutter open, and the sight of Jensen quietly pacing the room takes me by surprise. He looks so deep in thought. His hands are firmly planted on his hips, and his gaze is concentrated on the floor beneath his bare feet.

“Are you okay?” I abruptly ask, breaking the silence.

He turns to face me, eyes wide. “Yeah,” he bleakly answers, forcing a tight grin. “I’m fine.”

“Come here,” I offer.

Jensen sits down beside me with an apprehensive look in his eyes. “I’m fine. Really.”

“Come here,” I say again, wrapping my arms around him as he rests beside me. “My mom used to tell me that saying you’re fine means you’re anything but fine.”

He lets out a quiet laugh, his body finally relaxing against mine. “Your mom is smart,” he says.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask, trying not to overstep his boundaries.

“I’m not sure.”

“We don’t have to. It’s okay.”

He shifts his position slightly, resting the side of his face on my chest. “You really are one of a kind,” he cautiously lets out, as I soothingly caress his back. “You know that?”

“Am I?”

“Yes. You are,” he replies, releasing a small breath. “I guess I just have a lot on my mind. It’s been a weird last few years.”

“Same here.”

He looks up at me, and deeply searches my eyes. “Has it?” he wonders.

“I was ten when my dad died,” I anxiously begin, looking away from his gaze. “And ever since, I’ve just felt out of place. Like I don’t really belong anywhere. I try my best to always stay positive. To smile… but it’s really hard.”

He remains silent, but embraces me tightly, as if trying to tell me that I’m safe here. That all of my darkest secrets will be protected with him, and taken to the grave.

It calms me, and I finally let everything out.

“He shot himself,” I emotionally murmur. “And it’s something we never saw coming. Maybe if we saw the warning signs, then we could have stopped him…” I hesitate, letting out a small breath. “Losing him was the worst pain I’ve ever been through.”

He reaches for my face, and gently wipes away a tear from the corner of my eye.

“Sorry,” I sheepishly mutter.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he tells me, cupping my face with his hand. I lean into his touch and shut my eyes, relaxing against him. “What you’ve been through is awful, and your feelings are valid. Every single one of them.”

Our eyes lock in an intense stare. “It’s been thirteen years,” I nervously smile. “I should be over it by now—”

“No,” he speaks over me. “No, Quinn. Grief has no time expiration.”

I nod, lightly grazing my fingertips along his shoulders. “We just met, and here I am, spilling my guts out to you,” I joke. “You just make me feel so comfortable.”

“The same to you. It feels like I’ve known you forever,” he says, lightly tracing my cheekbone with his thumb. “You are so genuine.”

“You are, too, Jensen.”

“I want to know more about you. Really get to know you,” he breathes. “If you’ll let me.”

My stomach flutters. “I’d like that,” I confess, running my fingers through his hair. “I want to get to know you, too.”

He slightly grins, moving his head onto my shoulder, our faces now only inches apart. “Who knew that the most beautiful girl in the world would also have the biggest heart?” he quietly lets out, staring into my eyes so sincerely that I lose my breath.

My heart races from the powerful, energetic connection between the two of us. It’s unbelievable how easily we click. I feel so understood with him, like I don’t need to explain myself. Last night, there was an undeniable physical attraction, but tonight, he’s stimulating me with his mind.

“Do you feel any better?” I softly ask.

“Yes,” he breathes. “Now that I’m with you.”

He looks me in my eyes and slowly wets his lips with the tip of his tongue. There’s this strong, magnetic pull between us.

Leaning in, he kisses me softly.

And just like that, the whole world instantly fades away.

His tongue brushes against mine in a slow, erotic dance. He rolls onto me further, pinning me to the bed beneath him. My fingers grasp the hem of his sweatpants, and I tug them down his hips, desperate to feel him.

His cock springs free, and he feels so smooth against my palm. A low groan escapes his chest as he kisses me deeper. I work him with my hand as he guides his hips into my touch, desperate for as much contact as he can get.