Page 80 of Imogen

“No,” I whisper.

“Imogen,” he calls.

I blink through the unshed tears, hoping my makeup stays intact if they fall. I straighten my skirt, a sob catching in my throat at the proof of what we did soaking my thong. Knocking at the door echoes down the hall, and moments after, my phone begins to blare. “I’m going, and you had better be gone by the time I answer the door.”

He steps back like I’ve visibly hit him. “You don’t mean that.”

“You came here to prove you could have me. Congratulations. You had me. But this doesn’t change anything.”

“It changes everything,” he remarks.

I meet his gaze. “Not unless you’ve changed your mind,” I fire back. “I’m not waiting around for you to realise what you’re missing. So if you don’t mind, I’ll be leaving.”

“Stop!” he pleads.

“Goodbye, Ben.” Before he can argue, I step out of my room, calling out, “I’m coming.”

My mum would have let herself in by now, and my dad never knocks. I glance at the clock on the fireplace, seeing I still have twenty minutes until Jackson arrives.

Jackson.Oh God.

I just fucked Ben knowing I’m going out with him. I’m a fucking slut. Guilt swarms me. I might have said yes to prove to Ben that someone wants me, but I do like Jackson. He seems like a great guy.

But this… I never planned for this. And I don’t know how I’ll be able to sit across from him without this weighing down on me.

I pull open the door, and the man in question is standing there in a shirt and dark jeans. He scans me up and down, raising an eyebrow. “You look beautiful.”

I feel anything but beautiful right now.

I clear my throat. “Hey, you look good too.”

“For a minute there, I thought you changed your mind.”

“I’m sorry. I was still, um, getting ready. I wasn’t expecting you until eight.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, it happens a lot.”

I can still feel Ben’s cum inside of me. “Can you come in for five minutes whilst I quickly finish?”

“Of course.”

I step out of the way and gesture to the sofa. “I won’t be long,” I promise as he sweeps the room. “Take a seat.”

I head back down the hall, my heart hammering against my chest.

Please don’t be here.

I hold my breath as I step into my room. It’s clear and the window is open, the wind blowing the curtains. I move over to close it, gazing outside.

I should be relieved he’s gone, but the weight in the pit of my stomach only grows heavier.

I quickly grab some fresh knickers from my drawer and head straight to the bathroom. Glancing in the full-length mirror, I take in my appearance. My cheeks are flushed, and my hair looks how I expect it to look after sex. A mess.

Not wanting to keep him waiting, I rush through everything and decide to just put a brush through my hair.

As I make it back into the living room, I can’t help but wonder what I’m doing. This isn’t fair to Jackson. As great as he is, things with Ben are complicated. I’m no longer lying to myself. Whilst I won’t wait for him to make a decision, I also know the minute he finally wants me as more, I’ll give in. Because that is how much control he has over me.

“Ready,” I announce when he doesn’t hear me approach.

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