Filed to story: Sinful Mates (Imogen) Book by Jessica Hall
“Good, wasn’t cold last night and was rather quiet. How’s the wife?” Tom walks up and hands me a cappuccino in a paper cup. I thank him, then warm my hands on it while taking a sip.
“She is good. I have a surprise for you. Mary made meatballs last night, and there were plenty of leftovers, so I brought them in a Chinese dish for you.” I lean into Tom and give him a side hug. He reminds me of my grandfather. Tom hugs me back, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
We quickly go back to my car. I grab my handbag and the few things I need to finish getting ready, then lock my car and follow him to the entrance.
Getting to my desk, I flick everything on and power up my computer. While waiting for everything to load, I finish my cappuccino and head into the bathroom to do my hair and makeup. Just as I finish making my bosses their coffees, they step out of the elevator like clockwork. They’ve never been late. They are always on time.
However, I stop what I’m doing when I hear them arguing as soon as they set foot outside the elevator. That’s unusual. I stay in the small kitchen, not wanting to be present for their heated argument, but I can’t help but overhear part of their discussion. Theo is rarely angry, and I find it odd that he’s raising his voice at Tobias, who, I can tell from his clipped tones, is getting angrier by the second. Their voices don’t change in volume, so I still imagine them to be in the foyer. Usually, when they have their lover’s quarrel, it’s in one of their offices, not where anyone can overhear.
“You can’t keep ignoring the bond and hiding in your office. You will snap, and that will scare her even more.” Theo’s voice seems to get higher as he gets angrier. I freeze, listening intently. Who is this mystery woman?
“Stay out of it. I have control of my urges. It is yours I’m more worried about,” spits Tobias, the words rolling off his tongue, are dripping with venom.
“Well, at least I am not denying them like you,” Theo retorts.
“She’s human, weak, and she doesn’t belong in our world. I’m sick of having this same argument. This isn’t just about us, this would put her in danger. Is that what you want, Theo?” Tobias’s voice rises, anger coloring every word.
My mind reels. Humans? Aren’t we all human? I must have heard wrong, and who is in danger? I can feel my heart rate pick up, pounding in my ears. Goosebumps spread up my arms; my hand remains frozen in place, clutching white-knuckled onto the kettle. Why are my mind and body paralyzed with fear?
“Boo!” I jump at the voice next to my ear. “You know what they say about eavesdropping,” Theo whispers, his breath sweeping across my neck. He steps closer, chest pressing against my back. My hands tremble slightly as I place the jug back on the counter.
“You okay, Imogen?” He sounds concerned. Plastering a fake smile on my face, I spin around to face him, but he is standing by the door. Did I just imagine the entire scenario in my head? There’s no way he could have moved that fast and not be heard. I really am going nuts, maybe even having a mental breakdown. Their conversation replays in my head but becomes muddled to the point I can’t even remember what they were arguing about. Tobias steps in behind Theo, popping his head around the corner of the door and staring at me. An uneasy feeling rolls over me, and I can’t get my thoughts straight. My mind feels foggy, and have Theo’s eyes always been so bright? For some reason, I can’t pull my gaze from his as unease rolls through me and tension builds. What’s going on here?
They both stare at me, concern in their eyes. Have I done something alarming? Were they just arguing, or had I imagined that too? What were they arguing about, and why can’t I remember anymore? They look like their normal selves. I stand there, just as confused as they are, when Tobias breaks the awkward silence that has fallen over us. His voice forcing me out of my head and into the present moment.
“Imogen… Imogen, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” He seems to sniff the air lightly for a second. I tilt my head, observing them. They glance between themselves, doing their silent communication only they can understand. The room warps and spins, growing darker as the seconds pass by. I see Tobias shove past Theo, his fingers reaching for me. The world falls around me. My muscles turn to weights. No, wait, I’m the one that is falling. Oh no, I remember this feeling. I’m having a panic attack. Shit. I try to breathe, but my body gives up functioning, and I can’t catch my breath as the room grows darker; my vision tunnels, and I try to remember the most basic bodily function, one that should be instinct, but I fail. Then the darkness takes my sight away completely.
I don’t know how much time passes before I wake up. Groaning, I groggily lift myself onto my elbow, my other hand clutching my head. Within moments I am forced down by Theo’s heavy hand on my shoulder. “Woah there, lay back down for a bit.” I stare, confused. I’m lying on the brown leather couch in Tobias’s office. Tobias is sitting on the edge of his desk, arms folded across his chest, making him appear even more intimidating than usual.
However, concern is etched on his face as he stares back at me. That’s new. Theo??sits beside me with my legs over his lap, rubbing them of all things. Shit, I did something embarrassing; I know it.
“What happened?” I ask, confused. I try to think of the last thing I remember. But I only remember eavesdropping on a conversation between Tobias and Theo about… Funny, I can’t remember a single detail. All I can recall is the vibe that something was off, then the not being able to breathe thing, Theo’s enchanting gaze, and, oh yeah, my old friend, the darkness.
“You fainted. Just lay down for a bit and drink this,” orders Tobias, walking back over with a glass of water in his hand. I sit up, pull my legs from Theo, and lean against the armrest. Reaching out, I grip the ice-cold glass of water. My fingertips brush Tobias’s. He rips his hand away as if I had burned him, before moving back to his desk.
A knock on the door a few minutes later interrupts our awkward tension. Tobias tells them to enter, and a leggy blonde woman steps into the office with a few styrofoam food cartons in her hand. My nose twitches as the smell wafts from it. My mouth waters at the smell of Chinese food. The blonde woman peers around the room, unsure of what to do. Her light blue eyes dart to each of us frantically until she sees Theo, and she freezes in place like a deer in headlights.
She’s incredibly attractive; she has white suit pants on and a blazer with a black cami.
“Just leave it on the desk, Merida,” Theo speaks quietly. Merida jumps slightly but obeys before quickly darting back out of the room, which has grown incredibly tense. What did I just witness? Why did she seem so scared? And more importantly, how long have I been out? Looking at the clock that hangs above the door, I notice the time. 3:15 PM … my eyes bulge out of my head. I have been out for hours. Jumping to my feet, I quickly make my way to the door. Shit, I’m supposed to have the Merger files ready by 4 PM. Just as I open the door, a hand shoves it shut above me, the lock clicking into place. Burning heat seeps up my back. I instinctively freeze at the abrupt harshness of the door being slammed in my face.
“Sit back down, Imogen.” Tobias’s voice is demanding. A cold shiver runs up my spine, his hot breath tickling my neck.
“I have to get the Merger documents for your meeting,” I try to argue back. My voice comes out shaky; I can hear the fear in it. But why am I suddenly scared of my boss?
Leaning into me, his front presses into my back, body molding to mine. Lowering his head to my ear, he whispers, “I said sit back down.” He emphasizes each word, giving me no choice. I turn towards him only to be met with Tobias’ harsh gaze staring back at me. No help there. I shrink under his glare and take a step back, hitting the door with my back, feeling extremely small beside him. Who am I kidding? I’m small beside him regardless, but right now, I feel tiny and weak and hunted.
His eyes soften when they meet my fearful ones. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He speaks gently, a trace of my former boss in his eyes. Scratch that. My former boss wasn’t usually this gentle. Theo, sure, but not Tobias. Reaching down, he places a loose hair back behind my ear before stepping away, motioning for me to sit back next to Theo. I quickly obey as my mind swims with the implications of what the hell is going on.
Once beside him, Theo grips my knee softly. His touch is warm and at least some comfort, but again, my bosses don’t touch me. Besides, they’re gay, right? “Don’t worry about him; he’s a bit tense. We canceled the meeting. It’s not till tomorrow morning.” Theo reassures me, still rubbing my knee. I nod in understanding, but all I want is to get out of this room. I can’t believe I slept all day on my boss’s couch. How embarrassing. God, I hope I didn’t talk in my sleep or fart. Oh my god, what if I did? I suddenly wish the floor could open up and swallow me.
“Here,” says Tobias, dropping the styrofoam food carton in front of me before placing another in front of Theo.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?