“Oh.” It was all he could muster, surprise and a twinge of hope rising through his chest.
“Hang on.” She ended the call.
A few seconds later and her back door opened. She stood there looking exhausted and sad, but he noticed her eyes lit up when she saw him.
“Can I come in?”
There was a nod, and she moved out of the way, letting him through to the kitchen.
“Do you want a drink?”
“No. I wanted to check you were okay.”
Another nod.
“Do you want me to stay?”
“It feels weird sleeping without you. I have too much bed to keep warm.”
He laughed, keeping it quiet so he didn’t disturb Imogen’s beauty sleep. “I have my uses. Let’s go up. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
“You’re still going to be a lot in the auction?”
“Yep.” He followed her upstairs, his trainers kicked off before he hit the carpet. “I’ll have the added selling point of a black eye to prove how manly I am.”
“How does it feel?”
“Like a black eye. Sore. I’ll live.” He followed her into her room, taking off his sweats and T-shirt, leaving him in just his underwear, then got into her bed.
She slipped off the robe she’d pulled on and got in with him, curling up in his arms like she had done every night for the last couple of weeks. Her perfume still lingered, the scent making him feel as if he’d come back home.
They didn’t talk, he didn’t ask any questions. Jake just waited until she’d fallen asleep in his arms and then drifted off himself.
Lainey wasn’tin the house when he woke up and went downstairs. A quick glance of the clock told him it was ten in the morning, a time he hadn’t slept past since he was about fifteen. His first feeling was panic. It didn’t matter that it was a weekend, animals still needed feeding.
“It’s all been taken care of.” A voice drifted up from the sofa.
Imogen Green lay there wearing what Jake knew to be Lainey’s riding clothes.
“I set my alarm early and took coffee to those who know better than me what needs to be done in places like this. Hens, goats, alpacas, cows, sheep and whatever the fuck you have living in that shed near the barn has been fed. Coffee is still hot. My sister is setting up for tonight.” She sat up. “Fuck, your eye looks bad.”
Jake hadn’t looked at himself yet.
He shrugged. “It’s a black eye. It adds character.”
“If that’s what you want to call it. Just saying it now, I apologise on behalf of my sister for her being a dick and trying to make you her dirty little secret.” Imogen gave him a smile that made him think she was an ally here. “However, if you ever do anything to upset her, or I find out that you’ve led her on, I will dismember you while you’re alive and feed you to your pigs. I believe this is a very good way to get rid of evidence.” She lifted the book she’d been holding.
True crime. He should’ve guessed.
“I’m not leading her on.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“I really like her.” He had no idea why he was telling Imogen this.
“Good.”
“I just wish she’d be okay with everyone knowing.”
