Page 54 of The Prom

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.

TWENTY-SIX

DRAKE

I can’t believe she’s here. That she made the first move and laid out her wishes like a petulant child.

She wants me.

Nothing is clearer in my mind and I’m aware of the risks involved but kind of think she’s worth all that.

My reaction encourages her to be bolder and as she slides her hand under my t-shirt, it rests on my firm abs, causing me to groan out loud.

I pull away and stare into her eyes, a flash of determination in mine, and she gasps, “Please, Drake. I’m beg–”

I shake my head, fire lighting my eyes. “Never beg me for anything, Imogen, because I would give you the world willingly.”

I crush my lips to hers and push aside common sense. Fuck being respectful. There is no man who would treat this woman better than I can.

---