AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And I’m back to wondering what to do.
He’s told me he wants me, and he wants to give this a go. But I don’t understand what has changed and if I’m just a phase.
He gets me in a way no one else ever has. And I don’t think ever will.
But maybe Mum was onto something earlier. Maybe I’m overthinking this and it’s as simple as my dad warning them away. I’ve been so focused on thinking there is something wrong with me, I didn’t really consider it could be something else entirely.
Maybe I should give him a chance to explain.
*** *** ***
It’s midnight, and my intrusive thoughts and an unexpected epiphany got the best of me. For some unknown reason, I thought it would be sexy to turn up at Ben’s in a trench coat wearing nothing but the underwear he got me for Christmas.
I don’t have a trench coat. I only have a winter coat because my other jacket showed off too much of what I was wearing.
Women in the movies seem confident and sexy. My heart hasn’t stopped racing and not in a good way. I’m so afraid of getting caught I think I might pass out.
And I don’t even want to talk about the chafing between my legs. Or think about the fact I flashed an older gentleman when I stopped to fill up my car.
Then to kick a girl when she’s down, the lift in Ben’s building is broken, so I had to trudge myself up a million stairs.
I pictured this going completely different. I’d have the perfect hair, flawless makeup, and look sexy as hell in the lingerie he bought me.
Instead, my makeup has melted off with my sweat, my hair feels frizzy, and I don’t even want to think about how red I look right now.
I just hope he can see past my appearance and instead focus on me actually being here. I’m tired of fighting him, and I feel like I’ve been at odds with him for too long. I want this. I want him. If I’m going to fight, I’d rather it be for him.
I tap my knuckles against the door, and inhale as I step back. After a few seconds, I begin to wonder if he’s asleep.
Until I hear the key turning. He pulls open the door, illuminating the dim hallway behind him.
His torso is bare, and he’s only wearing socks and a pair of pyjama bottoms. “Imogen? Are you okay? What’s happened?”
I exhale and go for it. “You said you wanted me, that you wanted a relationship. Is that still true?”
He drops his hand from the door, no longer on alert but still tense. “Yes.”
“Then tell me one thing. Is the reason you held back because of my dad? Is he the reason you didn’t want a relationship?”
He gulps, his eyes widening a fraction. “Yes,” he replies.
“Why? And what changed?”
“Because when Mickey went to ask you out, he made us all promise to never ask you out. He didn’t want conflict in the workplace so I made the promise.”
My eyes narrow slightly. “And?”
“And your dad was the only person who believed in me when so many people gave up. He saved my future and in turn my life. I owe everything to him. My freedom, my job, and my family. Without him, I wouldn’t have seen them for a long time. I respect him, Imogen, and going there with you, it felt—it feels like a betrayal.”
Which I completely understand. “If you feel like that, then why did you kiss me? Why did you sleep with me?”
“Because as hard as I try, I can’t seem to stay away from you. I made that promise before I knew what you’d mean to me. And I want to honour it; believe me, I do. But this…” he gestures between us, “is something I can’t fight. I can’t get you out of my head. And if it means blowing up my life to do that, then I will. I think of your dad as family, and it’s killing me to go against him like this, but you are worth it, Imogen. What we have is worth it.”
I can see how much this is hurting him. I understand his reasons more than ever and I don’t begrudge him for them. If anything, I admire him. “Okay.”
His brows pinch together. “Okay?”
“Okay, I’ll give this a try. I don’t like the thought of being a dirty secret or lying to everyone, but I get why you need to. We can see where this is going before we reveal it to everyone.” I unzip my coat, revealing what’s hiding underneath. “But I have rules.”
