Filed to story: Sinful Mates (Imogen) Book by Jessica Hall
I sit there for hours, sipping my drink and gradually chipping away at the bottle until it’s half empty. I reach to pour another glass and notice the heft is off on the bottle of tequila. Oops, I’d probably had enough at this point. I get up to put the alcohol away when the room spins around me, making me feel like I stumbled off a tea cup ride. I abandon the bottle and grab onto the counter, trying to hold myself steady. I kick the glass coffee table while righting myself and I wince at the dull throbbing pain.
Hobbling my way into the bedroom, I collapse backwards onto the king-sized bed. I enjoy the sensation of the bounce I get when my body hits the mattress. I want to throw my hands out and laugh, but I also don’t want to risk getting really sick. I yawn hard, staring up at the ceiling, they live up there. I wince at my stench, I really need a shower, but this is just too comfortable. I’ll take one in a few minutes.
Sunlight pours into my eyes and I wince, reaching for my cover to throw over my head. The stupid windshield seems to reflect that crap right at me in the mornings, and my alarm hasn’t gone off so I know it’s early. Wait, something’s off, I blink hard and stretch my non sore body. I’m not in my car, or the storage unit.
I sit up and reach for my head as it throbs, a punishment from overdoing it last night. My whole night rushes back to me and I groan, dropping my face into my hands. I really need that shower now. I stretch, and hobble out of bed. My alarm hasn’t gone off, but here I am up again just in time for 7. I’m a human alarm clock by this point.
Forcing myself up, I jump into the shower. I sigh and relax under the hot stream of water, my skin turning pink from the heat. This is heaven. Finally, hot water that isn’t restricted I can get as close to burning as I want and just let it pound into my tight muscles. I haven’t had a shower this hot in months. The memories of the showers at the hospital and the parking garage fade away. I stretch my back in the shower, moaning at just how good it feels, this is better than sex. Granted, it has been more than a while since my last sexual encounter, but still. Unless it’s Theo and Tobias in here with me all soaped up in the middle, I don’t see how anything could be more perfect in this solitary moment of bliss.
Spending far more time than necessary in the shower, I reluctantly get out and notice the time. No! I’m going to be late at this rate! I race around, trying to find something decent to wear for work, settling on some black slacks and a white button up blouse. It’s strange, having my clothes all hung up, waiting for me to pick them.
Everything looks so crisp, and I’m pretty sure there are clothes in there I’ve never owned before. I finish getting dressed and work on my makeup, without having to worry about using a small mirror or worrying about jabbing my eye out because someone comes up behind me.
I finish straightening my hair, slip on my tan heels and retrieve my purse and car keys. My hand is on the doorknob when I hear two sharp knocks. No one knows I live here, who could it be? I open the door and stare at the two gorgeous men outside of it. Theo has the same sly smirk from last night that I just want to smack off of him. My cheeks burn at just the memory of the whole incident. I duck my head so they can’t see the blush stealing across my features. “Morning?” I say.
Tobias’s eyes are hard, glaring down at me, making me take a step back into the apartment. “Morning,” his voice is colder than usual. I can tell he’s angry about something, I’m just not sure what has him in such a mood so early in the day. Have I forgotten something when getting ready?
“Come on, let’s get to work,” Theo says. He throws his arm over my shoulder like we are best buddies. Tobias’ jaw clenches and unclenches out of the corner of my eye. How have I managed to make him even more upset? “I thought you could come to work with us. I don’t trust that car of yours,” Theo tells me.
I roll my eyes. “There is nothing wrong with my car, you are just a snob,” I scold. This man will never understand what it’s like to live by a certain means. He pulls me in closer, squeezing my shoulder before letting me go completely and letting me walk by myself. I follow them out to their car, the sleek blue BMW M340 which is waiting out the front. The valet tosses the keys and Tobias catches them in the air before walking around to the driver’s side.
My hand is on the rear handle when Tobias speaks. “No, in front, with me.” I looked back but Theo had already hopped in the backseat. Can this be any worse of a start to my day? I take a seat beside Tobias and do my best to not make him anymore upset with me.
Tobias is a demon, of the speed demon variety. The man doesn’t pull away as we drive out. No, he stomps his foot on the pedal and the car screams as we race through the city. He plays a game with weaving between the cars. Honks, screams, and curses meet my ears and I slump a little in my seat. Is this because he’s mad at me, or is he always like this? Theo doesn’t seem the least bit disturbed. Tobias swerves the car into a parking spot and stomps on the brakes. My head thumps against the headrest and I whimper at the whiplash. If either of them hear my complaint, they ignore it. Once safely stopped, I scramble out of the car, knees shaking. I’ve never been so grateful to get out of a vehicle before. There’s no way I’m driving with him behind the wheel again. I’ll walk home first, or try to summon my missing stray and ride him. Anything has to be better than this experience.
Tobias exits on his side and slams the door behind him, stalking off. I shiver at the palpable rage.
Theo chuckles, eyes on me, “He is just jealous at how well we get along.” I can hear the mocking in his tone, I roll my eyes before following after.
My heels click on the ground as Theo and I race to keep up with the angry Tobias. Stepping in the elevator, I stand between Tobias and Theo. What is it with elevators? The smell of both their colognes fills the tight space. On one hand, Theo’s scent brings back the memory of that kiss, and that other elevator ride. But on the other, Tobias’s aroma makes my mouth water. I want that softer Tobias that stood behind me. I lean closer, inhaling Tobias’ thick masculine scent. Tobias moves closer to me, snapping me out of my trance. I glance up at him to see if he notices, but his eyes are closed. Still, he’s leaning in to me, almost giving me a better chance to indulge in his unique aroma. I lick my lips and take a timid step back. My thighs are wet at this point, I have to reel it in.
I bump into Theo and Tobias’ eyes snap open. They flicker between dark and light, this has to be a trick of the light, right? I grip his forearm and shake him, “You okay, Tobias?” As soon as my hand touches the warm skin of his arm, I gasp and a tingling sensation runs up my arm. Moving my hand, I run it up his arm to the crook of his elbow completely enthralled by the sensation of his skin under my hands. The door dings signaling our arrival at the office and breaking me out of this new trance. I want to touch him more, explore if all of him gives me that little zap. What am I thinking? These are my bosses! But, I can’t deny there’s something there, something dangerous that is pulling me closer and closer to my boundaries every time I’m alone with them. I don’t know how much longer I can hold back before I snap and cross that line.
“Sorry,” I mumble. What the hell is wrong with me? I can’t believe I just touched my boss like that, and that I would have gone farther if the trip had been longer.
Stepping out of the elevator, I rush to my desk, trying to keep my distance from both of them. I’m clearly not in the right headspace. Something in me keeps craving them, making me react in ways I normally wouldn’t. They both walk into their own offices, not even sparing me a glance. Maybe I imagined it? Can it really be all in my head?
The minutes tick by, keeping me in agony. It doesn’t help that my head throbs from the overindulgence of last night. I want the day to be finished so I can curl up in my fluffy bed and get some much needed sleep, but it isn’t even lunch time yet. At least I have enough money to actually get a decent lunch today. I won’t be surviving on crackers or scraps. I don’t even have to worry about gas because of the forced carpooling so it’s best to just indulge for once. I grab my purse and head downstairs.
The day is a nice one, perfect for a scenic walk. I’m not about to ask either of my bosses to drive me anywhere. Alone with either of them in the state I’d been in lately, is just asking for trouble. I make it to the ATM by the cutest cafe and fish out my card. I pull out a simple twenty. It’ll be more than enough to take care of me.
The machine spits out my receipt and I reach for it, preparing to just toss it aside. I never have spare money since I’m indebted for the next few years, but something is off, there are too many digits on it. I stare at it, trying to comprehend. What has happened? My entire pay is on here, the hospital’s fees hadn’t been taken out. I gulp, rip out my cell phone and call the hospital. A late fee will cripple me. I won’t be able to afford lunch for who knows how long.
The ringtone mocks me as whoever is on the other end refuses to answer until the fifth ring. “Mater Hospital,” answers a cheery woman on the other end. “How may I direct your call?”
I tell her everything. Who I am, about my bill, and that I can’t possibly afford a late fee. I don’t understand what has happened but I need her help to get it all fixed.
“One moment please,” she blurts out. Her rapid keystrokes fill my ears, “Ma’am?” She questions, her tone off. Oh no, has something else happened? I close my eyes, fearing the worst and make an affirmative grunt for her to continue. “Your account has been paid in full, that’s why nothing was taken out. There’s nothing left to be paid.”
I pull the phone away from my ear, studying the number. I dialed it too many times to get it wrong. So that part isn’t wrong, but can this really be the truth? That makes no sense. I don’t make enough to cover the hospital bill in one go. “Please, check again?” I whisper as I clutch my phone tight.
She pauses on the other end, sighing at me. “You are Imogen Riley, correct? Please, give me your date of birth again and I will double check for you.”
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