Page 38

THIRTY-SEVEN

IMOGEN

I meant what I said to Drake. I am in love with him, but I added the ‘think’ so as not to scare him away.

However, now, as we kiss like the lovers we are, my heart is conflicted.

It’s as if a huge cloud is surrounding us and I can’t see the dangers lurking inside.

A storm is brewing and we have no weapons to defend ourselves, the shadows harboring demons intent on destruction, and only our wits can save us from damnation.

The arrival of room service distracts us and we are soon wearing white robes as we eat on the balcony overlooking the mountains.

“I love this.” I admit as I sit with my feet up on Drake’s lap, chewing a French fry, as I stare on to paradise.

“Me too.” He smiles and massages my feet with one hand while he devours a sandwich with the other one.

“It’s not enough though.”

“What isn’t?”

I raise my eyes and he says huskily, “One day isn’t enough.

I want all of your days, all of your smiles, your gentle looks and touch.

I want to hear your voice when I wake and for it to be the last one I hear when I fall asleep.

I want to know you are one touch away at all times and that scares the shit out of me. ”

“What does?” I love how he speaks and I’m of the same mind and I don’t even consider we are moving way too fast on this. It’s as natural as breathing and as if I’ve met my other half, the one who completes me.

He huffs a despairing sigh.

“I can think of many reasons why we won’t find it easy.”

“My father?” I raise the subject we’ve been avoiding like the plague and shake the problem away with a toss of my head. “I’ll talk to him. He only wants what’s best for me and that is you. He’ll understand.”

“I have every faith in you, but I’ll be the one confessing this to him. I’ll not hide behind you, darlin’ and I never will. I’ll be the one standing in front of you, defending you with every weapon in my arsenal. I’ll take the pain so you don’t have to and nothing will change my mind about that.”

Seeing him now, massaging my feet, gazing at me with adoration and defending my honor like the hero he is, I can’t imagine ever being with another man and I will do whatever it takes to keep us together.

When you know, you know, as they say and I know, believe me I know, so I whisper, “We’ll be okay. I’m certain of that. Just you stay safe for me, Drake, because that fear works both ways.”

We fall silent because we are only too aware how dangerous the life of a Reaper is.

They take out the enemy and sometimes they may be injured or worse.

It hasn’t happened yet because they are good at what they do, but there is always a first time and I won’t allow that first time to involve either of us.

The rest of our day is spent in bed, talking, sleeping and making sweet love as if we have all the time in the world. We take a deep bath together and the shower is put to good use, but most of all we enjoy every delicious second of this time we have when we are free to be together.

Leaving is bittersweet, and as we pull out of the lot, reality bears down on us like a baby desperate to be born. There’s no stopping it and we are unsure what we will find, but the nearer we get to the academy, the more anxious I get.

Drake drops me in the lane as before with the promise to be in touch if there is anything I need to know, and as I jog through the gates, I wonder what excuse I’ll give for my absence today. As it turns out, I don’t have to fabricate a reason because the house is deserted when I return.

It’s unusual and as I check my phone, I note there are no messages either. It’s as if something happened and everyone just up sticks and left.

I head toward the cafeteria, wondering if they are grabbing a snack there, and as I head inside, I spy at least one friendly face.

“Kennedy!” I call out and she waves me across.

She’s sitting with Amos, her boyfriend, who is always by her side, and she smiles as I approach.

“I thought you’d be with the others.”

“Where are they?”

She seems surprised that I’m unaware of their whereabouts.

“The Great Hall.”

“Why are they there?”

The Great Hall is, as its name suggests, the biggest space in the academy and was used back in the day as the monk’s dining room. Today it is used when they call the entire student body in to discuss matters of importance. It doesn’t happen much though, and I wonder if something big is going down.

“They called on The Elusive House to help decorate the room. They were caught on their way back from grabbing breakfast in town and the principal insisted they do their bit and begin erecting the props and backdrop to the prom.”

She turns to Amos. “We get to help with the banners and are on the planning committee. Our stint is tomorrow once the props are firmly in place.”

“I should go and help them.” I’m relieved it’s as simple as decorating duty and I’m amused to see how the guys are handling that.

When I head into the hall, the first person I see is Cassie, and she wastes no time heading my way. “Are you okay, honey?”

“Sure.”

She smiles with relief. “I didn’t want to disturb you. When I got your message earlier, I told the others to leave you alone. Are you coming down with anything?”

As I picture Drake going down on me several times today it brings a smile to my face, and she peers at me with concern. “You do look a little flushed, glowing even.”

“I feel better now, thanks.”

I distract her attention when I see Luca leaning against a pillar on his phone.

“Luca doesn’t appear happy to be here.”

She rolls her eyes. “He’s spent more time dragging Summer behind the pillar than erecting it and no prizes for guessing what pillar he was erecting.”

“Cassie. Oh my God.”

I blush even more furiously and she grins. “The guys are pissed. It would have been better if they’d been somewhere else when the principal caught us. Jack’s the only one doing any actual prop building. The others are merely complaining or attempting to make out with their girls.”

She glances around the room. “Speaking of which, Jesse is concerned about you. He’s bent my ear all day about you and asked if you’ve said anything about him and does he think you’re still interested.”

“I’m sorry, Cass.”

I smile my apology and she shrugs. “I couldn’t answer him. Are you still interested in Jesse, Imogen, or has that ship never really got into the water?”

“I like him, but as a friend.”

She nods, understanding reflecting in her smile.

“It’s what I thought.” She sighs. “We can’t win them all, I suppose. What are you going to do about it?”

“I’ve already told him.”

Her mouth drops. “Did you tell him in a different language because he doesn’t appear to have understood?”

“Why, what’s he said?”

I’m concerned that he missed the memo, and she lowers her voice. “That the prom will make or break your relationship and he’s going to try to make it right for you.”

“He’s too late.” I shrug. “It shouldn’t be so difficult to be with a guy. He created this mess and I’m not the one who wants to clear it up.”

“I understand, babe. I’d be the same.”

Jack heads our way and huffs with frustration. “Can you have a word with Jesse, Imogen? He’s been pining for you all day and has been as much help as a chocolate pot on a fire.”

Cassie makes to speak and I say hastily, “Sure. Where is he?”

“Nailing Rome to the paneling, if I’m not mistaken.”

Jack grumbles as he walks away, a hammer hanging limply from his fingers.

Cassie sighs. “Sorry. We’ll work it out, don’t worry, we always do”

As she heads back to her task, I head off in search of Jesse. I find him cursing as he attempts to fix a backdrop to the wall, and his eyes light up when he sees me.

“Hey, baby. I’ve missed you. How are you feeling now?”

Guilt is a hard thing to shake and it must reflect in my smile because an anxious shadow crosses his expression.

“I’m good. Thanks for asking. Now–” I glance around, taking in the mess he has caused. “What’s going on here?”

“Backdrop scenery. I fucking hate manual labor.”

“Which is why a career on the farm is not for you.”

I remind him of his possible future, and he shakes his head. “We have already established that is not an option.”

He winks. “So, help me out and I’ll treat you to pizza.”

Somehow, we manage to fix the scenery in place and as we take a breath, we stare at our efforts.

“This does look good.” I admit in admiration, and Jesse nods.

“It’s a good theme. I can’t wait to see you in a toga, baby.

For your information I’m a gladiator and I would fight to the death for your fair hand. ”

“Idiot.” I nudge him and he surprises me by reaching out and cupping my face in his hands and, all joking apart, his expression turns serious.

“I want to make it up to you, Imogen. To be the man, I should have been from the beginning. The prom will be my fresh start and I’m not expecting you to allow it so easily, but I want us to try again.”

My heart is heavy as he smiles into my eyes and luckily Summer yells, “Put her down, Jesse. We’re heading back to the house.”

Jesse sighs and drops his hands with a cheeky wink.

“Come on baby, they can go back to the house, but I want some alone time with you. Now—” He slings his arm around my shoulder. “I prefer pepperoni, but you can choose any topping you want.”