Collided Souls

C A N E

The next time one of the staff volunteers me for one of these stupid events again—I'll stab my own eyes out.

Stress swallowed me whole as I yanked off my tie after one of the longest days of my life. Although... I can't lie, it wasn't all bad. Not after Imogen and I made out in the janitor's supply closet. Her lips on mine. Her body melting perfectly into me. The soft sighs between kisses. All of it.

Mine.

I smirked—just a little.

Tossing the tie aside, I pulled off my shirt and started unbuckling my pants while kicking off my shoes. Between the students, the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd, and the heat—I was a sweating mess. Most of my shirt clung to me like a second skin, revealing parts of me to the girls and staff walking by on campus.

Knock. Knock.

I froze.

Raising a brow, I glanced at my watch before removing anything else. The sun had begun to set outside my window, casting gold across the apartment as I stepped through the hallway. My watch flashed eight o'clock.

Who the hell would be here now?

Meow.

Witty sat by the door, eyes locked like a guard waiting for orders.

Opening the door halfway, half-undressed, I came face to face with Imogen.

Her lips moved like she was going to say something—but stopped the second her eyes dropped to my abdomen. Her cheeks flushed pink. Her breathing hitched. She stared a little longer than needed, and I felt heat crawl up my spine.

"I..." she tried, "Um..."

Ignoring the chaos swirling inside me, I stepped aside and let her in. Her body brushed mine—barely a whisper of contact—but it was enough to steal both our breaths.

She cleared her throat, forcing her gaze to the stack of books in the corner of my living room. I shut the door behind her.

"I came here because..." Her voice faltered. She picked at her nails, her teeth tugging at her lip. Nervous. Uneasy.

I stepped closer, heart tugging. "Hey... what's wrong?"

Instead of glancing back down at my bare torso, she kept her eyes on the books. I gently cupped her face.

"Imogen," I whispered.

She exhaled a shaky breath. "I don't usually tell people this kind of thing... because I never know how they'll react. I just want to make sure you're—"

She was rambling. Out of fear.

I silenced her by brushing our lips together. She melted instantly, wrapping into me, her hands gliding down my abdomen like I was hers to explore.

I took one of her hands and guided it up, slowly. Her gasp echoed in my chest like a memory I'd never forget. Her fingers burned trails into my skin as we finally pulled apart.

"Christian," she barely whispered.

I blinked. My brows furrowed. Christian? My insides twisted. She said another man's name. The name alone sent a red haze through my thoughts. But the way she said it? She sounded scared. Afraid.

"Who... who's that?" My voice tightened with concern. Rage bubbled just beneath it.

She gulped. "He's... he's my ex."

I blinked, instinct pulling me away, but I still held her face. Still held her hand. But something in my stomach churned. Ugly. Familiar. A feeling I hadn't missed since childhood.

"Ex?" I echoed, jaw tightening.

"Yes," she sighed. "But he was never right in the head."

"Enlighten me." My grip on her hand tensed. Something primal, possessive, rattled my chest.

Her eyes shimmered with emotion. "He... he abused me. Hurt me. Mentally and physically. Told me they were lessons I had to learn because I never listened." Her voice cracked.

My heart broke. Completely shattered. The thought of anyone laying a finger on her—hurting her—ignited a rage I could barely hold back. I pulled her into me, held her tighter than before.

"Why are you telling me this now?"

"Because of everything that's happened lately," she rushed out. "He called me out of the blue when I was out with Leona and Jenny. Then the night I came to your place... and then I..."

"You what?"

"I saw him."

My eyes widened. "Why would you do that?"

"I went to tell him to stop. But it got out of hand. He..." she gulped, "he threatened your life. Three times."

I stepped back, letting her go. She whimpered slightly—afraid of my reaction. Afraid of losing me. My mind spun. The room tilted. My chest tightened. He knows who I am? "Cane..." she said softly.

"Is that why you've been so hot and cold with me?" I asked, stepping back again.

She nibbled her lip. "I... yes."

Silence swallowed the room. Even Witty had stopped, perched now on the couch, watching us unfold.

"Cane," Imogen whispered again.

"What did he say?"

"Cane, I—"

"What. Did. He. Say." My voice dropped. I was done. Done with the heat, the crowds, and now—this. "I'm not asking again."

She swallowed. "He said things like ending your life. He sent me a photo of some random guy I didn't recognize, saying that would be you when he gets out."

My blood ran cold.

"How long was he in for?" I demanded.

"The judge gave him life—for abuse and money laundering. But the way he's talking... it's like he's getting out early."

My jaw clenched.

"I understand if you want me to leave and never come back," Imogen said, stepping toward the door. Her body brushed against me—again sparking that fire. "I just... had to tell you."

I sighed as she opened the door.

But I wasn't done. I'd come too far. Felt too much. I stepped behind her, pushed the door closed, my chest pressed against her back. Her scent drowned me.

"You're not leaving," I whispered in her ear. "Whether he likes it or not... I'm not going anywhere, baby."

Imogen turned her head. I kissed her. Insane ex or not—Imogen is mine. Mine to love. Mine to fight for. Mine to hold when the days get rough. And I'm not going anywhere.

A/N

Finally she spilled and...awww!! Any of you guys have a favorite forbidden lovers book?? 💌