The Unseen Enemy Series

Chapter 136

Jenny looked over at Chris and smiled. They’d spent the whole day at home together, watching movies, cooking, talking. She was astounded that she was as relaxed and comfortable as she was. She hadn’t had a single moment of panic – not even when Chris’ hand accidentally brushed against hers as she handed him the plate of food she’d just dished out for him. She had jumped a bit at the shock of contact, but then she’d looked up into his warm eyes and it had passed.

Chris looked over at her now and smiled back.

“So,” he said. “I think I’ll start to get ready to turn in.”

Jenny glanced at the clock. “This your usual bedtime during the work week?”

“Yeah, mostly. I like to get up early and go to the gym before heading to the garage.”

“Huh.” Her eyes ran over his chest and shoulders in his white t-shirt. “So that’s how you’ve held on to your muscles since leaving active duty.”

He grinned. “Yep. This body doesn’t come naturally, girl.”

She grinned back.

Chris got to his feet and hovered for a few seconds, unsure. “I really want to give you a hug goodnight, but I know it’s way too soon. Can I just touch your hand again?”

Jenny nodded and extended her hands to him, no hesitation at all. He came over to the chair she was in, took both hands gently in his, pulled her to her feet slowly. She went willingly, but then a small stab of fear pulsed in her chest before she could stop it.

Chris stood still, both of her small hands in his huge ones, looking down at her. They stayed like that, just breathing and gazing at each other, and then he carefully squeezed her hands.

“Goodnight, Jenny.”

“Goodnight, Chris.”

She watched him head for the stairs and she sat again, her knees a bit weak under her. She still couldn’t quite believe that she was able to touch him without losing her mind, that she’d let him close to her. More surprisingly, she’d found herself looking at his body all that day, taking note of his chest, his back, his arms.

She knew damn well that in her life before – before it had all happened – she’d have been drooling over Chris if she’d met him. She was damaged, after all; she wasn’t blind. And he was, frankly, hot. Like, scorching hot. His body was amazing, he was handsome, he was kind, he made her laugh. Even from the very beginning, she’d been able to see him through her fear, and she’d been very aware of Chris’ physical attributes without once being attracted to them. But today… something had changed today.

Maybe it’s because you know that you can touch that body, if you want to; you can kiss those lips, if you want to. That body could make you feel good. You could make Chris feel good, too.

The idea of doing those things terrified her, but conversely, knowing that it was within her control if those things happened or not made her feel safe. There was power and security in knowing that he wouldn’t do anything to her without her saying that it was OK. All she had to do was ask, and he’d hold her, kiss her. Or not, if she didn’t ask.

This is what choice with a man is all about, Jenny. Doing what feels good, when you’re ready to do it. You’ve forgotten this ability to choose; you had yours taken away, but it wasn’t taken away forever. You have it back now.



Now she just had to decide what the hell she was going to do with it.