Page 26

TWENTY-FIVE

DRAKE

After Imogen left, I went home and forwarded the recording to Ryder. I hope he doesn’t share it with Flash because hearing his daughter making out with the number one suspect would be a red rag to the bull.

I attempt to shift my mind away from what Imogen could be doing right now and take a cold shower and curl up in front of the television in an attempt to distract my attention.

Halfway through the movie, my phone lights up and I stare at Imogen’s name on my screen. My heart nosedives because what if she’s in trouble and I reply immediately, “Hey.”

“Hey.” Her soft voice melts my heart as I picture her soft smile and she whispers, “Can I come over?”

Fuck! My immediate response is hell yeah, but common sense overrides my wishes and I say guardedly, “It’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?” She sounds hesitant and probably imagines I’m here with another woman and I curse under my breath.

“We agreed.”

“I want to discuss the conversation with Jesse.”

She adds in a whisper, “I don’t know what to do about him. He wanted to spend time together tonight in his room, but I made up an excuse and got out of it. I doubt I’ll be so lucky next time.”

I understand her concern and the idea of him placing any one of his hands on her rouses the jealous beast inside me, who is ready to spring with claws drawn where it concerns her.

“I see your predicament.” I groan inwardly, knowing that if she heads over here in the middle of the night, this won’t end well for either of us.

But I go there anyway.

“Sure. Just don’t be seen.”

“I’m already outside.”

I spring up and bolt for the door and as I open it, she shifts inside quickly, and I lock the door behind her.

All the lights are off in my house because of the lie I told Angela and so with only the moon to light her heavenly face, we face one another awkwardly.

“Thanks for the call earlier.”

I attempt to bring us on topic because fuck me, Imogen is worth dying for tonight.

Her bright blue eyes are sparkling and her blonde hair frames them like a silk curtain.

Her lips are parted in a smile and her willowy body looks good in a figure hugging dress that dusts just above her knees, silver sandals on her feet, revealing perfectly red painted toenails to match her fingers.

“You’re welcome.” She peers past me into the darkness and smiles. “I don’t suppose we could take a seat. It would be good to talk about that conversation.”

“Sure.” I stand to one side and allow her to pass and as she heads into the living room, she perches on the edge of the couch and I swear my testosterone levels are maxed out.

I take the seat opposite and lean forward, my arms resting on my knees as I face her, wishing like hell I took the seat beside her.

“What did you make of his conversation?” She asks with concern, and I shrug.

“He seemed genuine enough, but you were right to insist on actions rather than words.”

“It was the only excuse I could come up with.”

“You needed an excuse?” I raise my eyes. “If you’re not feeling it, darlin’, tell him. You should never do anything you’re not one hundred percent certain of, no matter how they sugar coat the offer.”

She nods. “I kind of already made that decision, but Jesse may call my bluff. There may come a time when my excuses run out and I hate stringing him along like this.”

“You’re not stringing him along. He made his bad choices and is having to live with that now. No man should ever expect a lady to do something she isn’t sure about.”

“So, I’m a lady now.” She raises her eyes. “I kind of like the sound of that.”

“You should. You deserve the title.”

I jerk my head toward the kitchen. “Fancy a coffee? There’s some in the pot.”

“Sure, thanks.”

As I head into the small kitchen, she follows me in and now we’re in a smaller space, my senses are on red code danger.

I detect her light fragrance following me as I pour us two mugs and as I hand her one, our fingers touch and it’s as if lightning strikes my soul.

Her eyes widen as she stares at me with an expression of desire and I groan inside at how unfair life is sometimes.

Ryder’s statement plays on repeat in my mind as he almost gave me the green light to dive a little deeper but his word is one thing, however, Flash’s anger will be another if I even lift a hesitant finger toward his daughter.

“Drake.” The soft use of my name curls around my heart with pleasure and she whispers, “I don’t want Jesse. I want–”

She blushes, and it’s so god-damned fucking adorable I almost break the mug in my hands as my fist clenches it hard.

“You.” Her lashes flutter as she peers from under them and whispers, “I’m sorry if that makes you uneasy, but I couldn’t leave what happened in the car. I can’t get it out of my mind, and I suppose it was the main reason for rejecting Jesse.”

I should shut this down. Walk away. Tell her to leave and revert to business, but seeing Imogen standing in my kitchen, staring at me with those soul-filled eyes, takes my doubts and tosses them out of the window.

I set my mug down.

She sets her mug down.

I take one step toward her.

She takes one toward me.

As we meet in the middle, I reach out and curling my hand behind her head, I pull her closer, my eager lips settling on hers.

As they connect, I swear a dozen shooting stars explode in my mind and her soft moan escapes into my mouth, firing up my libido like a lit match on a can of gasoline.

With my other hand, I pull her in closer, my hand resting on the small of her back as I deepen the kiss, her body closer to mine than it has ever been.

She kisses like an angel and I am definitely not worthy of being the recipient, but as I savor the moment, no doubts remain in my mind.