Imogen
We had a lovely evening despite the fact that I am mad as hell at Atlas for deciding for me, that I was going to be Cody’s nutrionist. Inside I’m all churned up and wanting to get right back on a flight to where I came from. Only, I can’t. There’s no way I can afford to live in New York. At the moment. But, I am hell bent on getting back there at some point. I love the vibrancy of the city, the different quarters and the diversity of people.
Don’t get me wrong it’s nice here where I grew up in Minnesota, there’s a bundle of stuff to do and as a kid we’d travel from here into Canada and took trips across to Alaska. That’s another place on my list to roam to and stay for a year or two. I’m young, I can afford to travel some.
Mom couldn’t stop fussing around, it was cute. Secretly, I think she’s kind of pleased that I’ll be sticking around a while. My dad certainly is, he couldn’t stop telling me last night how much it meant to him to have his little girl back home. Sure, it would be if I wasn’t having to go and work for Cody fucking Brannigan.
After dinner, I spent most of the evening in my room on FaceTime with my bestie Autumn back in New York.
“Girlfriend, how is it being back home in Minni?” She drawled looking as stunning as ever with her ebony skin and high cheekbones. Why she isn’t a model I honestly don’t know. Autumn works in real estate and she makes an absolute packet. It was her who showed me the rental, room share when I first got to New York. We clicked almost immediately.
“Well, it could be better. Don’t get me wrong being home and all is cool. Mom and dad are loving that I’m back home.”
“I sense an only, Imogen. What’s going on?” Oh boy does she know me so well.
“Atlas has firmed up a job for me, it’s live in and the salary is more than I’d ever imagine possible. I could travel for at least two years without working, on what I’m going to get paid.”
“Well that sounds amazing. What’s the downer, I can hear it in your voice, honey?”
“My new boss is Cody Brannigan.” I watched as her eyes almost popped out of her head.
“Are you shitting me? He’s the top ice hockey player in the US right now. Damn that is so friggin’ awesome. You’re kidding me right?” I shake my head as she tries to recover herself from being so in awe of one name.
“Nope. I’m not shitting you. And it’s not a good thing.”
“Well, helllllo. Of course it’s a good thing. That man is sex on legs, the hottest thing since Tom Cruise exploded on the scene and Brad Pitt and he’s as rich as fuck. Oh and he’s single.” She began to chuckle and fake mopped her brow.
“He’s also Atlas’ best friend and he was a jerk when I was growing up. That man couldn’t make it clear enough how much he didn’t like me hanging around. He constantly picked on me and took the piss out of me.” Did I sound like I was warbling? You bet I did.
“Sweetie, that was a long time ago. He’s all grown up now, trust me you are in for a nice surprise.” Autumn follows hockey, it’s her all-time favourite sport. Mine is too, main because of Atlas playing.
“Doesn’t change the fact that he was a royal prick and I just can’t stand him. I don’t really care if he’s the top player in the country or how good looking he’s become, I still hate him for being such a prick.” Autumn was laughing, it’s deep and throaty. That girl is never short of admirers but she’s holding out for the one.
“It doesn’t sound much like you have a choice though, honey. If Atlas has set this up and you’re going to get paid so well, you’re gonna have to suck it up.” I sighed resigned that Autumn was speaking the truth. “It’s not like you’ve got offers popping out of your ears now then is it? Least this way you get to earn a bucket full of money and can be close to your folks and Atlas.”
“I suppose.” I’d said. Not long after we wrapped our call up and I tried to settle down to read a book. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover. I’ve read it at least three times already, good job too since I didn’t end up reading any of it last night. The focus wasn’t there and all I could think about was being employed by Cody Brannigan. The man I can’t stand.
I’m still spitting feathers about it at seven in the morning.
Bright spark, Atlas decided we were going to go over to Cody nice and early so I could get settled in. I can’t wait. That’s me being sarcastic naturally. I’ve dressed in black smart jeans, ankle boots colour tan and a cream fine knit sweater. I’m guessing it’s smart but casual. There’s no way I want that jerk thinking I’ve made some kind of special effort for him. There’s no way I’ve even considered that I’m the last person he wants to see either.
“Ready?” Atlas pushes past me in the hallway and slips his sneakers on and grabs his car keys from the wooden bowl on the pine dresser that stands in the hallway.
“Not really.” I shrug.
“Get over it already, Imogen. He’s not that bad and whatever you think of him, just remember he’s paying you a fortune. Six months and you can leave if you want to. Deal?” Atlas sticks his hand out for me to shake. I take it. I have no choice.
“Deal.” We leave the house hearing mom call after us to take care and that she’ll see me tomorrow during the day for a walk around the shops. Which I’m seriously looking forward to, since we have a really pretty Main street here in our town.
The driver over takes twenty minutes to get to where Cody lives in Maple Forest area, apparently right on Lake Minnetonka. Flash bastard is what I’m thinking as I sit with my arms folded the entire way. Atlas turns the car into the area, the skies are clear blue without a cloud in sight. The trees are full and lush with just a hint that Fall is on its way. It’s my favourite time of the year when the leaves become red, russet, yellow and brown. Pumpkins come out, the mornings are crisp and the evenings. It makes me feel cosy and snugly. But I’m not feeling that right now.
I’m very tense and agitated. Being trapped like a bird in a cage could better describe it. He pulls the car onto a large swinging drive and in front stands the biggest house I have ever seen, except for on the movies. It’s two levels with a wraparound porch, large floor to ceiling windows and decked out with large planters out front. WOW. WOW. Is this how rich Cody Brannigan is? Shit. This is serious.
I try not to be impressed because I can’t stand him but it’s really difficult when you’re looking at a monster of a house with immaculate lawns. Atlas gets out of his car. “C’mon. We’ll grab your stuff out the trunk after.” He’s off up the pathway and the three steps leading to the porch.
Before he has a chance to knock and announce himself the door opens. My jaw drops to the ground and my eyes almost pop out of my head. The man that is standing there is the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen with his piercing blue eyes and brown-golden hair hanging to his chin. Something weird happens and I feel a warmth creeping up from my stomach. This cannot be Cody Brannigan?
CodyAs I stand leaning against the door frame I’m completely taken back by the woman who is with Atlas as she trails reluctantly behind him. If I didn’t know any better that’s the Imogen of old, the one that sulks, huffs and puffs and can create a drama out of nothing.Only, I’m also not entirely sure it’s the one and same person. This woman is so fucking damn hot that I feel a stir in my pants. Her hips are narrow and taper down to some very fine long legs, encased in those spray on black jeans of hers and damn she isn’t even wearing any heels. An image of them wrapped around my neck flashes in front of my eyes. Shit. I feel blood rushing to my cock. Thank god I’m wearing tight denims that can keep it contained and not my sweat pants that I favour most of the time. Only I thought I’d better make a bit of an impression even though I don’t get along with Atlas’ sister.She comes closer and I notice how luscious and soft her dark hair looks as it hangs down her back and some over her s
ImogenWow this place is huge, it has vaulted ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. The front look onto the gardens which I'm betting Cody has a gardener or two. His Porsche and his black Range Rover are parked out the front. He's standing right behind me, I can feel his breath on me, it makes me tingle. Fuck it, I can't feel like this about him. He's my enemy and I'm really pissed that my body is having some kind of betrayal going on right now.I turn furious at him for being so close and at me for having this reaction. "Do you mind, you're in my fucking space. Back off." Too much? I don't really care, we need boundaries but before I can open my mouth, I hear my brother's voice cutting in. Again."Imogen, stop with the shitty attitude." I pull a face and stick my tongue out. at my brother. "So adult of you." He's clearly not impressed but Cody has a smirk on his face, one I'd like to slap off his face. "You ready to see your room." Cody says as he grabs my bag from my shoulder. I qu
Cody Damn it. I walk back to the open plan lounge area all the while running my hands through my hair. My dick has had a life of its own as I stood right behind her inhaling her intoxicating shampoo, coconut. It took all my power not to grab her round the waist and turn her to me and plant kisses on her lips. Fuck this. I can’t be having an attraction to Immi. It’s just not on. My memories of her are a spoilt little brat who got her own way from her daddy and her big brother, my best friend Atlas. I’m blaming her spoiltness directly on those two. He never went anywhere without her and nobody was allowed to date or touch his little princess. It perhaps wasn’t nice of me to have taken the piss out of her so much, but you know we were fucking kids what can I say? Now what’s the problem is that she’s all grown up. Little annoying Immi has grown into a sexy, hot woman and my dick wants to get right inside her and fuck her senseless. This isn’t going to work out, her living here in my hous
ImogenHe’s such a jerk sitting there watching television, he hasn’t even turned round once to acknowledge me. I’m cutting up lettuce as if I’m slicing his fingers off one by one. Because how mad I am, I could easily do this to Cody fucking Brannigan.He’s watching a hockey game and I’m trying my damndest not to stare at his broad shoulders and those tattoos that are running down his arm from his white tee. He’s not evening tensing his arms and I can see the form of his bicep muscles, the ones that in between thinking of cutting his fingers off, I want to run my hands down and trace the patterns of. I’m hot and flustered and I feel a warmth rush up from my pussy to my stomach. Holy Fuck. I chop harder. He doesn’t seem to notice or he’s really good at ignoring people.I add some bell tomatoes, feta cheese and red onion to the salad and sprinkle it with basil before drizzling olive oil over it. The chicken I was grilling is finished, I slice it in thick chunks and lay it on his plate be
Cody Right, well I wasn’t expecting that. I thought the last thing she’d want to do is come out with a rowdy group of hockey players tonight. Damn it. Now I’m going to watching her all night, I won’t be able to keep my eyes off her. Why the fuck does she have to be so damn hot? I mean HOT. Her eyes are flaming as she smacks my plate down on the counter. I know I’m riling her up and it’s amusing me. It’s childish I know, but I can’t help myself. She’s in my space. I could kill Atlas for putting me in this position. I don’t need a woman around, especially not this one. She’s driving me to distraction and I’ve got a serious game at the weekend. All our games are serious, we are top in the country right now and none of us can let that slide. The practice sessions, the training, the endless drills are hard work. But it’s worth it. I love being there right at the top. It was my dream since I was a kid and knowing my folks have always been right behind me, means that I can’t ever let them d
ImogenI’m so angry at him. He honestly thinks that he is some kind of gift to women. Yeah, so what? I have checked his Instagram page. I couldn’t help it. There was a stupid stage I went through when I was about fifteen when I really fancied him. Personally, I blame it on being a teenager and growing up.Even though he constantly took the piss out of me and was always banging on about me reading or having my head in a book and being a goodie-two shoes, I still fancied him. Who wouldn’t with his gorgeous electric blue eyes and that hair that falls ridiculously into his face. His jaw line has always been chiseled and those cheek bones would make a model jealous. Then there are those fat, plump lips. They would drive me insane. Every time he’d be saying something shitty to me, all I could do was watch them and wonder what it’d be like if he kissed me. Of course, Cody was way too busy being a jerk to me and kissing other girls.That man has always been a serial dater. He’s a fucking man-
Cody “Change of plan.” Atlas says on the other end of the phone. “We’re going to drive to Half Moon Bay and go to the bar on the ocean front. You still in?” I’d rather have gone to Daisy’s it’s up the road, it’s comfortable and everyone knows us there. The vibe is good but if Atlas wants to go to Half Moon Bay then that is where we’ll end up. He usually get his own way being team captain and all that. “Sure, why not. I’ll drive since I’m not drinking. Our game is at the weekend I don’t want to feel like shit going into it. It’s too important.” “No problem. I’ll not be drinking much either just a couple of beers. But you know for Imogen it’ll be lovely to take her out to the ocean front. Especially having been stuck in New York.” “They have the bay there.” I say not impressed the change of plan is all about Immi. Fuck’s sake. When did she become the most important person to impress? I know she’s Atlas’s sister but really? “It’s not the same bro, you know that. I’ve spoken to the gu
Cody The guys are already in the changing room. It’s time to take my mind of Immi. That woman sure is getting under my skin and it’s not even been twenty-four hours. How I’m going to last six months is beyond me. I’m swaying from angry-pissed off to wanting to tear her clothes off and letting her know what my tongue would feel like against her clit. “Hey, Cody. You’ve decided to join us.” Atlas thinks he’s so funny. I’m only ten minutes late. Besides they’re not even changed into their kit yet. Too much bicep showing going on and whose got the best abs. We’re such jerks right? I know but it’s fun and in any case, I already know my abs beat the total shit out of theirs. I work like a demon in the gym, in the pool, I do Pilates and Hot Yoga. I’m obsessed with being the best and staying at the top. Ain’t no fucker going to knock me off. “Yeah, had a call come in from Amber.” Atlas and I both use Amber as our assistant-P.R. person it’s just easier that way and she keeps us both extremel