Page 11 of The Prom

“I know.”

He hands me a slice of pizza as he crams one into his mouth.

“You really didn’t have to do this.” I remind him and he shrugs.

“I wanted to. Why would I prefer spending time with the guys when I have you waiting for me?”

He grins and my heart melts because when Jesse wants to, he can turn on the cheeky charm and discard all of my reservations in a heartbeat.

He flicks the remote and the movie I was watching bursts into life on the screen and he scoots up the bed and leans against the pillows, resting his arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.

“This is nice.” He whispers as he drops a light kiss on my head and as he reaches for another slice of pizza, I kind of admit it is.

Jesse is easy going at the best of times and this is when he shines. I decide to use this to my advantage and enquire, “What did you do today?”

His easy response chases away my doubts. “Gym, then I caught up on my overdue essay and shot some pool with Frankie and the guys.”

He peers at me with concern. “I heard about your ankle. That sucks.”

“It’s fine.” I snuggle into his side, strangely loving this situation. It feels good, almost natural and, if I’m honest, was always what I envisioned a relationship to be like.

The movie distracts my attention and we eat in silence, absorbed in the story, enjoying a peaceful night together with none of the distractions of our friends.

If anything, it makes me like him more because there is no pressure. We are away from curious eyes, and I’m certain that wouldn’t be the case at the party tonight.

Jesse is one of the popular Elusive guys. They live in a house together, along with Cassie, Jack, Siri, and Luca, and are considered the top dogs at Rockwell. Summer is Frankie’s sister and therefore we were included in their exclusive club and Jesse is one of the main players of that.

Many girls covet my place by his side and it’s only now I see the attraction. When he’s relaxed, Jesse is impossible to ignore. He is handsome with his super fit body and blondish colored hair. His eyes mesmerize and his easy smile is sexy as hell. Any girl would kill to be where I am now, and I must remember that. When Jesse plays himself, there really is no other competition, but it’s the secretive edge to him that has my guard up.

The movie ends, and he yawns loudly. “I never saw that twist coming.” He refers to the thriller we just watched, and I nod. “Same. I loved it, and I never suspected for one minute the mother did it.”

“Same, although where I come from, moms aren’t all apple pie.”

“In what way?”

I’m so curious about Jesse’s hometown because, on face value, they have a strict upbringing there and iron clad morals. Jesse is expected to marry a local girl who will be a virgin and set up a farm for the good of the community. I just can’t see that happening, especially knowing he was such a man whore before I arrived.

He tugs me a little closer and says sadly, “Bolder Rock isn’t a place listed on any tourist map, and if it were, it would come with a warning attached.”

“What’s so bad about it?” I keep my voice low because this is the most he’s spoken about his hometown and I don’t want him to change the subject.

“You wouldn’t be free there, Imogen.”

His voice is loaded with regret and he sighs heavily. “Women are controlled and when they reach eighteen, they are gifted to a family their father considers respectful.”

“Gifted!” I sit up, my eyes wide and Jesse surprises me by reaching up and holding his hand flat against my face, peeringinto my eyes and saying softly, “You are so pretty, Imogen. You would be sought after in Bolder Rock.”

“Jesse, it sounds awful.”

I can’t comprehend a life that holds such disregard for women’s emotions.

A flicker of pain lights his expression and he whispers almost to himself while staring into my eyes. “My family is considered respectable. My father works in the offices of the town president.”

“I don’t understand. What is a town president?”

His thumb drags against my cheek as he whispers, “The appointed head of the chamber of business. The machine that drives our existence. Every family in the town has an obligation to pay into the joint wealth. If we farm the land, the profits of any sales out of town are gifted to the chamber. The women make jams, sew clothing and make jewelry and sell it at markets and online. Once again, any profits are deposited into the chamber’s bank account.”

“But why?”

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