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TWENTY-SEVEN

IMOGEN

I’m really doing this. We are really doing this, and it is every bit as amazing as I was led to believe.

As I hoped it would be, and I’m certain it’s because of who I’m doing it with.

Drake is the only man I wanted to experience this with and as he moves inside me, I commit every sweet second to my memory.

He is everything I wanted and wished for and I can’t believe I made this happen.

I am a woman now. His woman, for this moment, anyway. He may other ideas on that and as I kiss his shoulder that rests against my lips, I squeeze my eyes tightly shut as his cock claims my body as his. It didn’t even hurt, not a bit, and I am in no hurry for him to leave.

“God, you feel good.” He groans as he pushes in harder, his sweat clinging to mine, signifying the best workout of my life.

“I love this, Drake.” I admit, no shame here. That lies in tatters on the floor along with my drenched panties.

He pulls away and gazes down at my heated face and whispers, “You are so beautiful, angel. I love being inside you.”

“You’re welcome.” I smile and his eyes glaze with lust as he rocks gently inside me, reminding me who’s in charge of this body now.

“Am I hurting you?”

“No” Leaning forward, I kiss him slow and lingering, driving a deep groan from inside him as I stroke his face.

It’s an intimate act that complements the sexual one, telling him I accept him unreservedly and have no regrets—never any regrets.

A building pressure flutters inside my soul as he pushes in and out, back and forth, commanding my clit with his rough fingers.

The body flush against mine has been sculpted from battle and bears the scars along with the inked on memories.

His stubbled jaw scratches against my smooth skin and his dark turbulent eyes glare into my soul with the promise he is in charge.

Every nerve ending is dancing to his tune and as he works his magic, it’s as if I am floating on a cloud, delicious sensations powering through me as a sudden burst of heat explodes inside me.

His name is on my lips as I surrender to a man I am so not done with yet.

“Fuck.” His tortured groan meets mine on its way down and with one last gigantic thrust he roars, “Fuck, Imogen, that is so fucking good.”

Hearing him call out my name as he explodes inside me is like nothing I ever imagined. It’s empowering and knowing I have given him pleasure means a lot.

As we come down, we lie close, our bodies relaxed, burning with the effects of the unexpected.

His heart beats against mine and reality bites.

I gave my virginity to a Reaper . A fucking god-damned Reaper and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was written in the stars and caused a planet to explode and as he stares with concern into my eyes, I reassure him with mine.

“Thank you.” I whisper shyly as he lies flush against my sweat-soaked body.

“I should be thanking you.”

He grins, which is a homecoming of sorts. I love how familiar he is. It’s almost comforting and I ruin the moment by voicing my concerns.

“What happens now?”

A flicker of pain in his eyes causes my heart to drop, and he pulls me closer. “We get the job done.”

He reminds me why we’re here and yet I add, “After the job. What happens then, Drake?”

He sighs and rolls onto his back, reaching for a tissue and wrapping his condom before tossing it into the bin.

“We’ll figure it out, but darlin’–”

His expression is almost fierce as he whispers huskily, “This changes everything between us.”

“It does?” I’m anxious that I may not like what I hear, but I needn’t have worried because he says fiercely, “I’m not walking away from this, Imogen—from you, until you tell me otherwise.”

“Really?” I turn onto my side and gaze into his eyes. “This wasn’t the only time?”

He almost appears angry.

“Is that what you think? That I’m just out for a quick fuck?”

I shrug. “I wouldn’t blame you. I kind of tore your clothes off back there. You didn’t really have a choice.”

He laughs softly. “I like that you know your own mind. I want a strong woman to be by my side, and that position is yours for as long as you want it to be.”

“What are you saying, Drake?”

My eyes widen and he reaches out and runs his finger over my lips and fixes me with a firm, “I wanted this to happen even though it went against my moral code. If you even consider I did that lightly, you’re mistaken.

I wanted you, Imogen, from the moment we bumped heads and that hasn’t changed.

If anything, my infatuation has grown and now we’re in big trouble. ”

“My father?” My heart sinks. “I’ll talk to him.”

“No.”

He shakes his head before saying, “ I’ll talk to him.”

Fuck! This won’t go well.

He sighs and appears almost resigned to the coming problems. His voice is sad as he pulls my face to his and grips it between his hands and whispers, “Even if I can’t have you in the light, I will love you in the dark.”

My eyes fill with desperate tears that he wipes away and smiles.

“As Ryder said––”

Wait, what? Ryder is involved in this and my expression must say it all because he chuckles, “We may be warned but when the heart wants something it kind of goes there anyway and after all, why wouldn’t he be happy his girl is with a Reaper?”

“He makes a valid point.”

I breathe a little easier.

“So, we’re a team.”

“You had better believe it.”

“With a mission.”

“With a mission.”

We bump fists and for the first time I relax, wondering if this really will go the distance.

“So, what is our mission now?”

He pulls my head down onto his chest and kisses my head. “We wait for a bit and then I’ll show you what happens next. Sleep is overrated, anyway.

When the sun pushes the night away, I am almost sad. It’s the end of our beginning and yet hope is on the horizon.

I have no regrets as I head back through the trees.

The new day dawning lifting my spirits as I applaud the fact I took a chance last night.

It was almost an act of desperation because in talking to Jesse, it made me realize that life is too short to be dictated to by others.

To be controlled and forced down a path you didn’t choose.

I chose me last night and I chose Drake and I don’t regret a second of it.

Somehow, I manage to slip inside my room undetected and the first place I head to is the shower. It’s early but I’m too elated to sleep. What happened with Drake was life changing—for me anyway, and it’s as if a different person walked back in here.

When I’m clean and in a fresh set of clothes, I head to the kitchen for coffee and a snack. Sex sure makes you hungry and I almost float on air as I start a fresh day with more hope than yesterday.

By the time the first person surfaces, I have cleaned the kitchen, stacked the dishwasher and mopped the floor and as I’m fixing some breakfast, Santi wanders in bleary-eyed.

“What time is it?” He stares at me with concern. “Please don’t tell me I’ve overslept. If I miss practice, the coach will haul my ass.”

“Relax.” I chuckle softly. “It’s seven and you’re up early, even for you.”

“Then why?” He appears puzzled as he notes the sparkling kitchen and the fact I’m fully dressed and ready.

“I’m an early riser.” I shrug and he rakes his fingers through his hair and groans.

“No wonder you don’t sleep with Jesse then. We’ll be lucky to see him before nine.”

My heart drops a little at the mention of the man I’m supposed to be sleeping with and yet I push it aside and say brightly, “Coffee?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

Santi sits at the counter and yawns loudly. “You know, I may take part in The Claiming myself if I get someone to make me coffee and breakfast.”

“I’m not making breakfast for Jesse. He can do that himself.”

“Seriously though, why did you enter?”

He fixes me with a sharp gaze, and it surprises me. Santi is a joker, the master of the ceremony, and that is all I know about him. He is also incredibly buff and underneath his lumberjack beard hides an extremely handsome face.

His question takes me by surprise and I consider my answer carefully.

“I like Jesse and suppose I coudn’t see myself with anyone else.”

“Cut the bullshit, Imogen.”

He stares at me with a hard expression.

“Jesse is a project, and nothing more. You think you can save him—from himself. It’s noble but foolish.”

I’m stunned because is it that obvious?

He sighs. “Listen, we all want to help Jesse, but I wouldn’t compromise myself to do it. Jesse is a big boy who can learn from his mistakes. You are not expected to sacrifice your time here at Rockwell for him.”

I’m surprised at the venom in his words and probe a little deeper.

“Why are you fired up, Santi? I thought he was your friend.”

“He is.” He slurps the coffee and I stare in wonder at the muscles that ripple on his chest as he stretches.

“Listen, don’t get me wrong, I get it. Jesse is a great guy with a lot of baggage. It’s admirable wanting to help him, but it isn’t your job.”

He leans on the counter, his gaze burning into me. “What do you want, Imogen?”

I shift on the spot, sure my cheeks must be on fire right now.

“To be happy, I guess.”

“Does Jesse make you happy?”

“Yes and no.”

I’m honest and he nods. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

“Why do you care about my intentions, Santi?”

I’m curious why we’re even having this conversation, and he appears a little sheepish.

“It’s best you don’t ask.”

“But I have.” I fix him with a determined smile. “You asked me a question, now answer mine.”

He sighs heavily and bangs down the mug, standing and growling, “You may not like this answer, Imogen and Jesse definitely wouldn’t, but perhaps I’m pissed at you because I would kind of like the opportunity to get with you myself.”

He smiles ruefully and heads out of the room and tosses back as an aside. “And you’re wasting your time with Jesse. He’s screwed, and it would take an angel to save him.”

He leaves almost as quickly as he came, but my heart is racing as he leaves his intentions behind.

Santi likes me.

The biggest man whore in this house is pissed that he didn’t get his chance with me. I probably can’t take that declaration seriously because knowing him, one taste and he’d be hitting on the next in line, but something in his expression tugged on my heart.

We all want someone and perhaps his promiscuity is merely a cover for that. It’s doubtful he will find it by fucking his way through the list, but I wonder if The Claiming is exactly what Santi needs.