Chapter 2 I'm Not A Child Anymore, Uncle

Rachel POV My uncle got me out of that police station, protecting me as if I were simply a treasure that shouldn't be hurt. It's true that he didn't need to hit Brad, but I also couldn't deny the satisfaction I felt seeing that scumbag writhing in pain on the floor, especially since Uncle Jeremy had a heavy hand. He stood at 6'2 and worked out regularly; his punch was anything but light. Now he was opening the door of his luxurious car for me to get in. I entered without protest, and he soon followed, driving as if being there no longer interested him. "Why did you have to hit him?" I asked after some time, during our silence, as the ordinary lights from the streetlamps in the big city made that night comfortably bright, but not more comfortable than having Uncle Jeremy right beside me, taking me to a safe place. He sucked air through his teeth before speaking. "I don't like it when someone messes with those I like," he responded, his eyes still fixed on the road. My God, for a moment hearing about his words, I couldn't help but imagine what it would feel like to be desired by him, but that was somewhat questionable because I knew he liked me simply as an uncle would like a niece. But the feeling hidden deep inside me made my heart skip in excitement with his words because I couldn't deny I was still attracted to him. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help it. It was like a damned intrusive thought, always there, making me imagine things with my uncle that were far from decent and completely forbidden. I always found myself thinking about what my parents, the couple who took me in when I needed it most and gave me a home and a family, would think of me if they knew I harbored these forbidden feelings for my own adoptive uncle. When I was younger and started to realize that my fixation on Uncle Jeremy was not just a childish crush but something much bigger and less controllable, I would blame myself and police my feelings, afraid that my parents or someone close might notice what I felt for him. I was scared they would send me back to the orphanage I came from, and I would lose the family I loved so much. I fought so hard not to disappoint anyone, so I pretended everything was fine in every way I could, but every time I saw Uncle Jeremy, that feeling returned stronger within me. And even now, when I had plenty of reasons to say I had left behind this sinful emotion, here I was feeling like I was in paradise just because he was near me, just because he went to that police station and saved me from that embarrassing moment, just because he punched Brad for disrespecting and betraying me. That wasn't fair; the way he was taking care of me made me dive into my fantasies, and I felt like that silly girl imagining every romantic scenario between us living our love... But clearly, Jeremy said he loved me because I was part of his family, that's all. "But damn, Rachel," he said after a while, with disapproval in his voice, "How did you get involved with such a lowlife like that? I expected more from you." He looked at me now, his moss-green eyes on me. "For a girl as pretty as you, you should know you deserve the best." I felt my lips dry, so I quickly ran my tongue over them, moistening them. 'For a girl as pretty as you...' those words repeated in my mind countless times. It must have been visible on my face how much it affected me. "Yup, what can I say?" I shrugged. "Seems I have a knack for picking the wrong guys; sometimes I fall for those who don't deserve me, and other times for those I shouldn't." On this last sentence, I glanced at him. Jeremy sighed heavily and placed his hand on my thigh over my dress. "It's okay, sweetie. You'll do better; you still have a lot to learn. But I can say things will get better for you," he said with affection as his hand caressed my thigh, a gesture that for him might just be a normal, caring uncle-to-niece touch, but for me, his touch on my leg was creating energy currents that spread throughout my body from where he was touching, it was messing with me so much it gave me goosebumps... I had to pull away from him quickly, as if I had been shocked. Jeremy was startled by my reaction. "What? Sorry, I didn't mean to..." he mumbled. "Stop the car," I asked, cutting him off. "What? But why? We're not home yet," he tried to understand. But I raised my voice. "I said, stop the car!" I practically shouted. I was so tense; couldn't he see that? "Okay..." he said, pulling the car over to the side of the road. I got out quickly, even before he had fully parked the car. "Rachel, calm down! What's wrong with you?" He tried to grab me, but I dodged, running away. It was like I needed to escape from him; it was like the air in the car had become so thick it was hard to breathe. So I ran in search of air and relief. It was the middle of the night, and we were on some bridge; cars passed us with their distant noises, but I was holding onto the bridge's railing, breathing through my mouth while looking at the black water below. My God, my emotions were all stirred up. But then I felt his fingers touching my back, which was exposed because of the tight, low-back dress I was wearing—after all, I had left home with the intention of going to a party where the plan was to drink, have a blast, and show off our young, slender bodies. I didn't expect this night to end here with my uncle touching my back, so I shivered with my eyes closed and heavy breathing. "Why are you acting like this? Can't I even touch you? What have I done for you to have such aversion to me?" He said, sounding a bit sad. I turned to look at him, my well-groomed brown hair swaying with the early morning breeze. I was breathing heavily. "Let me ask why you're doing this to me," I said instead of answering his questions. He slightly furrowed his brow. "What are you talking about, Rachel?" His moss-green eyes in the darkness turned into two deep, black flames, so attractive. "I kissed you that day three years ago, then you left to come back now and pretend nothing happened between us. You said I was too young, but what about now, Uncle Jeremy? Am I not grown up enough?" I asked, my heart beating so hard it almost burst out of my chest. He was close to me, so close I could smell his sandalwood scent. His curly hair danced with the breeze, his eyes fixed on mine, his lips parting slowly as if surprised by my words. "Rachel…" "Just tell me… would you be with me now?" I insisted. "Don't do this," he said, seriously. "This isn't a game. Don't make me say or do what I shouldn't." "But what if I want to? Do you still see me as a child?" "No… I've been saying since earlier that you're grown." I could see the desire in his eyes, miserably trying to hold back. But tonight, I didn't want to hold back. I closed the distance between us and joined our lips, holding his face with both my hands and kissing him with fervor and need. Uncle Jeremy grunted and tried to push me away, but then he surrendered, and I felt his hands pulling me close and his lips responding to my kiss with as much fervor as mine.