Page 25

TWENTY-FOUR

IMOGEN

We head back to the party a different couple than before. Jesse’s arm is slung casually around my shoulder and we stop at intervals to snatch a cheeky kiss or three. This is the Jesse I am interested in. The irresistible cool guy with the smoldering grin and dusky eyes.

But it is too late.

That inner voice inside my head reminds me of another guy — sorry — man who has stolen my attention. Compared to him, Jesse is no competition at all.

Drake is everything I know and love coupled with an attraction I never saw coming and despite Jesse’s confession, it doesn’t change a thing.

I don’t want this.

I don’t want him, not in that way. As a friend—definitely, but I doubt that is on the playlist.

We head back to The Elusive House and before we head inside, Jesse stops and pulls me around to face him, a serious expression in his eye.

“Stay with me tonight, baby.”

I open my mouth with a negative reply and he clamps his hand over it and sighs. “I only want to hold you. To be close, to try to make up for the asshole I’ve been around you. Nothing more, just affection until you are ready.”

It would be so easy to say yes. To slip into his bed and snuggle up, loving being beside a man like him. If he had asked me last week, I would definitely have said yes, but nothing has changed since our conversation. He’s not the guy for me.

I blink and his hand leaves my mouth and I smile into his anxious eyes.

“Let’s take it one step at a time, Jesse. Tonight was the first one and I would rather see how things go after it before I allow myself to catch feelings.”

“I deserve that, I guess.” He shrugs, disappointment heavy in his eyes. “But I understand. I will prove that I mean what I say and back up my words with actions because I kind of know you’re worth the fight and you are right to be cautious.”

He plants a soft kiss on my lips, and it’s definitely not unpleasant. If anything, I would normally be ecstatic kissing a guy like him. The trouble is, when I close my eyes there’s another face smiling at me and until that changes I’m not adding a second one to stand beside him.

As soon as we step foot inside the house, the noise bangs against my eardrums, telling me it will be a long one tonight.

Sometimes the afterparty of The Claiming is a short one because the newly formed couples are more interested in spending time alone, as are the centurions who usually get off on the entire experience.

Cassie once told me she went to the tunnels with Frankie dressed as centurions, and they recreated the chase.

When he caught her, it was a different kind of claiming and it was evident she loved every second of it.

That’s Cassie. A rebel with a big heart and she loves shit like this, which is why Frankie Majerio is perfect for her.

Jack is like me, easy going, true and loyal.

Not risk averse, but not risk takers. Rockwell has been good for Cassie, and I wonder what she would say if she knew of my experience here.

A lot, I’m guessing, and as she waves me over, I excuse myself from Jesse’s side and oblige with a huge smile on my face.

“So?” Her impudent grin lights her eyes as she hands me a cold beer

I nod to the corner, the furthest one away from the speakers.

As we lean against the wall, I relay the conversation, and her eyes sparkle with relief. “Thank God. He’s come to his senses at last. Good job, Imogen.”

“Do you think?”

I’d like to agree with her, but I’m not as accepting of words as Cassie apparently is.

“He must be. He would be a fool to promise one thing and then do another. If anything, it’s a relief knowing he won’t be stealing off to Miss Sloane’s house anytime soon.”

I nod my agreement as Summer and Siri wander over.

Siri rolls her eyes. “The guys are shooting pool and have the beers lined up the length of the bar. It appears they are more interested in shooting those balls than their own tonight.”

Summer laughs out loud. “That’s not what Luca told me. In fact–” She glances at the time on her phone. “I have exactly thirty minutes before he wants me naked in his bed.”

“Gross.” Siri pretends to gag and I’m surprised at Summer.

I never had her down as the submissive type and she catches my concern and winks.

“That’s the easy part. Tonight, I have a notion to tie him up and have my wicked way with him.

Torture him a little for choosing the guys over me and ordering me around. ”

Siri nods emphatically. “You go girl, mind you–”

Her gaze drifts to Jack, who is currently bent over the pool table taking his shot and smiles dreamily. “Jack treats me with respect in every way. When I’m with him, I’m a princess. He is considerate attentive and–”

“Boring.” Summer yawns, earning her a sharp nudge in the ribs from Siri.

Cassie joins in the laughter. “So, we still haven’t fixed our idea for the prom. We should agree on a theme.”

“But–” I open my mouth to tell her we already have the theme and she holds up her hand.

“I mean, our theme. I’m thinking masked Roman goddesses. Bagsy Bellona.”

“Who is she?” Siri asks and Cassie grins.

“The goddess of war. Her main attribute is the military helmet worn on her head; she often holds a sword, spear, or shield, and brandishes a torch or whip as she rides into battle in a four-horse chariot.”

“Good luck recreating that.” Summer chuckles, “Although I’m jealous of the whip.”

Siri nods. “I’ll be Minerva. Another goddess of war who wins with strategy rather than force. She is multi-faceted, as she is also the goddess of wisdom, law, and justice and medicine. That’s a lot to occupy her time and I call that one.”

Summer shrugs. “Choose one for me.”

Siri grins. “What she means is, she knows fuck all about Roman goddesses.”

“Busted.”

This time Summer nudges Siri and they share a grin that has developed over years of friendship.

I think of one and add. “I say you’d be good as Nemesis. The Goddess of retribution, vengeance, and balance.”

“I like that.” Summer grins. “Sums me up nicely.”

They turn to me and Siri smiles. “Imogen is definitely Venus. The Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.”

“Less of the fertility, please. I’m not ready for that.”

We share a collective grin as our theme has been set and Cassie smiles happily. “We should research the kinds of outfits they wore. Definitely gold masks and–”

“Not centurion ones.” Summer says firmly.

“No way.” Siri smiles enthusiastically. “I’ll get onto it. I can’t wait to trawl the internet. There are some cute ones on there—not that I haven’t already got several marked on my prom Pinterest board.”

“Then we’re all set.” Summer casts a longing gaze at Luca whose own expression, as he stares directly at her, would scorch the soul of the devil himself.

“So, that’s a wrap.” Summer raises her eyes. “Sorry guys, I must dash. You know, things to do, places to go and all that.”

As she leaves, Siri remarks drily, “More like one person in particular to do.”

We watch her leave, closely followed by her dark prince and Cassie’s eyes immediately swivel to Frankie, who nods his head in the direction of the stairs.

“That’s my cue.” She winks. “And I’m not talking about the one he’s holding, either.”

Another one bites the dust, leaving Siri gazing longingly at Jack and Jesse, who are still deep in conversation.

If anything, I’m glad about that and decide to make my escape and say apologetically, “Do you mind, honey? I’m beat and could use an earlier night than planned.”

“Sure.” She sighs, gazing around at the emptying basement. “I could do with some alone time. Jack knows where to find me.”

I don’t even explain my absence to Jesse and slip out before he notices I’m here at all and as I head up the steps from the basement, it’s not the ones leading to my room that I’m heading for now. It’s a different set of steps entirely.