Page 23
TWENTY-TWO
IMOGEN
Frankie leads us back down the darkened tunnel and I’m glad it was him who came to find us. I’m strangely nervous about tonight, and it’s due to the fact I’m hating the idea of fending Jesse off.
If I’m honest, I wish I’d never agreed to help him. I never realized I’d be sacrificing part of my soul in the process, and meeting Drake demonstrated what happens when you meet a man you connect with on another level.
All we’ve done is kiss, shared a few conversations and many longing looks, but it’s as if I have known him all my life and I’m guessing it’s because he is one of us. A Twisted Reaper, and that settles my mind more than anything.
“Hey.” Cassie is the first person we see as we make it out of the tunnel where the iron door leads into the tunnel chamber.
“How did it go?” Summer asks and Cassie grins.
“Five challengers claimed with no drama. Perfect really, because it means we get to party without having to deal with the shit that drama leaves.
“Were they happy with their pairings?”
I’m anxious about that because being chained to one person who you can’t stand is a lot to deal with. I won’t say I can’t stand Jesse, but I’m increasingly ambivalent toward him.
“I think so.” Cassie shrugs. “There was a lot of giggling and flirtatious banter, so I’m guessing they’re happy. I’m sorry you got the riverbank. Perhaps we should rotate next time.”
We make our way back to the main chamber, which is always an experience because we must crawl through another tunnel with our robes and masks and it doesn’t make it easy.
When we enter the main chamber, the others are disrobing and hanging up their masks, and Jesse heads straight for me.
“Hey baby, I missed you.”
“Same.” I force a smile on my face as he slings his arm around my shoulders.
“At least we have the party tonight and I’m going to devote all of my attention to my pretty lady tonight.”
Cassie chuckles beside us. “I’m sure that’s not all you’ll devote to her.”
I cringe as Jesse’s eyes flash. “You’d better believe it. Getting time alone with this babe is increasingly harder, so forgive us if we’re a little unsociable tonight.”
He winks, and I shrivel up inside.
Frankie joins Cassie and immediately takes her hand. I envy them as she gazes up into his eyes and a silent message passes between them. Despite my wish she was with Jack, I must admit they suit one another. The same for Siri and Jack, and yet I’m struggling with my own pairing.
We head off to The Elusive House that has become home in a short period and as we walk, Jesse whispers, “I meant what I said back there. I want some alone time with you tonight, babe. I mean, I’m guilty of neglecting you and that stops now.”
“Why now?”
My ears prick up and his eyes gleam in the darkness as he whispers, “Because it was brought to my attention that I’m a shit boyfriend and you deserve better.”
“By who?”
“Jack.” He rolls his eyes. “He warned me that unless I was serious and devoted all of my attention to you, he would arrange our twist ceremony personally and it would be a premature ending.”
“Jack did?”
My heart sinks. I understand why he did it.
He is trying to save Jesse from Jenna Sloane and that was always the plan, anyway.
Be coupled up with me to distract him from her and because I liked Jesse and wanted to help, I agreed willingly.
The trouble is, I never thought it through, and now I’m fending him off, wishing it was someone forbidden in his place instead.
I refuse to think of Drake in that way anymore. He made it clear our involvement must remain strictly professional from now on, and I must remember he is here to do a job. Now that job is on my list, so I smile. “I’d like that. I haven’t seen much of you since, well–”
“Movie night.” He reminds me of how we left it before the sprinklers rained on our parade.
“I’d like to revisit that night, Imogen. If you agree, that is.”
I say nothing because we reach the house, but my mind is frantically working out ways to deflect that activity from his mind.
It’s inevitable he wants a more intimate relationship—all the other couples fell into it as naturally as breathing, but it’s a lot for me to agree to.
Jesse would be my first and I never imagined my first time as a favor to my friends.
It doesn’t take long for the beer to flow and the music to thump and soon we are partying hard. Relieved another challenge was successful. There is always a risk we will be discovered and shut down and it intrigues me why that hasn’t happened—yet, anyway.
Luckily, the guys all drift into a corner to chug beer, leaving the girls to congregate outside on the comfortable seats set around the fire pit.
We’re not alone as the couples from The Claiming get to know one another better and tuck themselves away to make out and talk about what just happened in the dungeon.
“So, tonight’s the night.”
Siri fastens her curious gaze on me and the others lean in with interest.
“So it would seem.”
I don’t even pretend to be dumb about her meaning and Cassie says anxiously, “You don’t seem happy about that, Imogen. You can say no.”
“I know.” I sigh. “To be honest, I probably will. I’m just not ready for it.”
“I’d be the same.” Summer speaks up. “I mean, any guy who disappears off to meet another woman doesn’t deserve the benefits of being with a girl like Imogen.”
“Is he still sloping off?” Siri’s eyes widen. “I thought Jack warned him about that.”
“He did.” I sigh. “Jesse told me and said that from tonight I would get his complete attention.”
“What does that mean?” Siri gasps and Cassie’s eyes flash.
“It either means that Jenna Sloane is out of the picture or that Jesse is.”
She leans forward and lowers her voice. “He may have had a change of heart. They could have fallen out, she is done with him, or he woke up and discovered he wanted out. Whatever happened, it sounds as if she is out of the picture—for now, anyway.”
“So our plan worked?”
Siri smiles. “We saved him from her.”
I’m uneasy and don’t share their enthusiasm, and Summer obviously agrees with me.
“I don’t buy it.”
We turn to her.
“It’s a sudden change of heart which tells me it’s a forced one. Something has obviously happened between them, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that she is out of the picture. I’m with Imogen on this. Make him wait until you are ready and not because he is.”
Cassie nods. “Of course. It should only happen if it’s the most important thing in the world to you because sex with someone isn’t to be taken lightly and I agree with Summer. Jesse doesn’t deserve you—yet, anyway.”
“But what will I say to him?”
Silence falls on the group as we struggle to come up with a plan, and Summer groans. “This sucks. Poor Imogen.”
Cassie’s eyes flash as she says fiercely. “Imogen can stand up for herself and we are all under the same roof and just a yell away. Mind you, I doubt if Jesse knows Imogen is a bad ass and can defend herself if necessary.”
I think back on the night Jesse almost forced himself on me and vow not to be in that same vulnerable position again and I smile. “I’ll be okay. Nobody is going to force me to do anything. I can look after myself.”
There’s an uneasy tension surrounding us as the others face what I’ve known for a while now. In saving Jesse, I may lose myself in the process and I’m not sure if I’m prepared to do that.
We chat some more and soon the others drift inside to find their men, and Jesse heads out to join me.
“Hey baby.” He drops into the seat beside me and tilts my face to his, dropping a lingering kiss on my lips and then whispering, “I want to be alone with you.”
My stomach churns, and I heave a sigh.
“Not yet.”
“Why not?” His eyes widen and I take his hand.
“I have questions.”
“Go on.”
I stare at him to read his expression and detect a weariness behind his smile that he attempts to disguise with banter.
“What’s going on Jesse?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Where do you go when you duck out?”
It’s the first time I’ve asked this question, and it obviously catches him by surprise.
“I don’t understand.”
I smile gently. “It’s obvious you’re not really into me. I mean, if you were, you wouldn’t be missing most of the time and I’ve, well, I’ve heard rumors.”
“Tell me.”
I can tell he is shutting down behind a solid wall of self-preservation as I attempt to slide my foot inside before it closes on me.
“I know about Jenna Sloane, Jesse.”
I decide confrontation is the best form of defense and his eyes widen.
“What about her?”
“You’re involved with her.”
I state it in the present term as a test and if anything, a moments panic enters his eyes and then he huffs out a breath of despair.
“I’m sorry, Imogen. I wasn’t aware that you knew about her.”
His mouth sets into a grim line. “Who told you?”
“Everyone.”
He shakes his head as I add, “Except you.”
“You deserve an explanation.”
I’m surprised when he admits that and he jerks his thumb at the academy. “I’ll tell you, but not here.”
My nerves flutter inside me because this isn’t what was agreed. I must stay within shouting distance at all times, and yet Jesse is offering information that may help Drake.
In a second’s decision, I nod. “Sure, but we stay out in the open and take a seat by the fountain.”
“You have nothing to fear from me, Imogen.” He appears almost hurt by that and if anything, it helps relieve my anxiety.
“I know, but I’ve always found fresh air, privacy and common ground is the best place to have a serious conversation.”
“I guess.”
Jesse stands and offers me his hand and as we head off to the fountain, I wonder what he is about to say.
Table of Contents
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- Page 23 (Reading here)
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