The One Awakened: Book 1 in The One Trilogy

by Alexandra North

  God she’d looked washed out. Her beautiful face, pale; huge lime eyes dulled. What a way to put a dampener on a fabulous night. Now I had immense bucket-loads of guilt. Now I had doubts about whether I was good enough for her.

  She’d been so bloody angry. That stubborn streak flaring, its fiery head the second I brought my own to the fore. I’d been rock solid just watching her, all rumpled from sleep and firmly independent. I loved that about her that she wasn’t a drip. I just wished she’d have told me - our friendship was wavering and I’m at a loss as to what I can do to reign it back in and maintain the pace of our blossoming sex life.

  So I’m off the hook now am I?

  We’ll se about that - not a fucking chance - I’m all in, and this is far from over between us Ms. Myers.

  I was wrong. A new day and a better nights sleep hadn’t altered anything really; I still felt pretty shit about it all. Rushing around in the usual tizz that has become my habit on a morning, I grab a bite of my toast, and cringe as my delicate stomach flips in disgust; not quite there yet I agree with my body, as nausea waves engulf me again.

  Thank goodness I’d not had to cater for Finn this morning, at least I’d been allowed the luxury of a lie in until 7.30am! I spy the designs collated yesterday, shrug into my suit jacket and locate my heels from the lego dump truck. The faint buzz of my phone alerts me but it is buried deep within my bag, amidst the escaped make-up, pens, spare change and MacDonald’s toys; I just don’t have the time to locate it right now.

  Today was going to be just as manic as Monday, and I’d be firing on half cylinders, as I feel rather beaten up after last night’s pill taking and impromptu visit from Seb. I really am going to need Colin’s support over the next few days. With a last frantic look around the lounge, I mentally tick off what I have, whether I’ve forgotten anything and nodding to myself, shut the door – if its not with me now, it was tough.

  In the car I connect my phone to bluetooth and locate Suzie’s work number. After a few rings she picks up.

  “Good Morning. Dolly’s Boutique,” her happy voice filters through my handsfree system and I relax.

  “It’s me.”

  “About bloody time Missy. I’ve been worried sick! I was busting to call you first thing but Gino persuaded me to wait - well?”

  “Thanks for the heads up, last night. Turns out I needed it, as Mr. Silver turned up all guns blazing at nearly midnight.”

  “Oh shit!”

  “Yes. Oh shit exactly. He was lovely though. Really caring; carried me upstairs, and tucked me in.”

  “See, I told you he’d be nice about it.”

  “Stop interrupting me,” she laughs at my bossiness. “It changed in seconds. I think I messed up - he was being all controlly Sebastian again. You know how independent I am.” I can practically see the eye roll at the other end of the phone, and smile to myself. “Anyway we argued big-time; about whether the risk could be with Leo too? About why I didn’t tell him, then got side tracked onto us and then he stormed out. I fell asleep. Pills stayed down. Feel a bit crap today but I’ll be fine.”

  “Shut the front door - why would he think you’d slept with Leo?”

  “Apparently someone put the thought in his mind. The same person who saw me buying the pill and kindly informed him.”

  “Sly fucker!”

  “My sentiments exactly. I’d love to know who it was; I’d tear them a new arsehole.”

  “The anger hormone is raising its ugly head then Sis?”

  I laugh at this. “Totally - my hormones are all over the place.”

  “Well, remember how you feel now, - the next time you’re sliding down his Silver pole Madam.”

  “I know, I know! Lesson learned but I’m not sure there’ll be a reoccurrence of that unfortunately - self-preservation me thinks. Anyway enough about me; one of the reasons I couldn’t sleep secret lady, is I’ve been too busy wondering about your drama? Come on, spill.”

  The phone is silent at the other end.

  “Suze - you’re starting to worry me.”

  “Wel….lllll! Maybe now’s not the right time to say anything after you taking the morning after pill… but… oh sod it! I’m pregnant!” her excited voice is full of joy, and I’m immediately over the moon for her.

  “Oh. My. God. That’s amazing news sweetie! You daft thing. When did you find out?”

  “Yesterday but you were indisposed. Normally you’d have been in the loo with me, whilst I pee’d on that stick and you know it!”

  We laugh together as she’s totally on the money.

  “I’m already 14 weeks gone!”

  “What?”

  “I Know! I thought I was just getting fat and you know how dicey the Myers females cycles are!”

  She’s right my mum, Suzie and I all had dodgy periods but she’d never seen fat! But I suppose on a tiny size 8, a fourteen-week pregnancy belly would show.

  “So you’d be due in what… January sometime?”

  “Ahem - a few weeks after New Year. I’ll be the turkey this year, Auntie Lulu.”

  A baby. I’m suddenly surprised at how emotional I feel.

  I’m so, so happy for her and Gino - it was definitely the right time for them and they were both fabulous with Finn.

  “Finn, will be made up to have a cousin. Can I tell him?”

  “Of course. I’m over three months now, so the scary time is over. I’m telling Mum and Dad tonight.”

  “Great. They’ll be so excited too. Ah, you’ve really cheered me up, Hun. I can enjoy today now, as nothing is going get me down after this news. I’m going to be an Auntie!”

  “Go. Bugger off and let me do some work… and ring Sebastian - you two need to sort things before they go on too long. You’re good together - he’s put the glow back into you.”

  He’s put much more in me I think naughtily, aching for his touch. I miss him badly.

  “I’m not calling him. Anyway he’s away now on business until his party. I’ll catch up with you this week. My congrats to G.”

  “Oh don’t! He’s strutting around like he’s God’s gift to women! Obviously, I had nothing to do with it.”

  I know she’s joking, but I also know the Italian in him can make him rather less, modest, shall we say than us British, so I empathise.

  “Seriously, I’m not sure I can take another 6months of Gino the baby maker. Its been one day and he’s feeding me pre-natal vitamins, checking the temperature of my bath, so it’s not too hot, won’t let me lift anything! The man’s gone mad - gorgeous - yes - heart in right place - yes, but utterly bonkers! We are not calling the baby Sonny, Tommy, Frankie, Fat Larry, Vinnie, or anything remotely related to The Godfather or Goodfellas, if it’s a boy. He’s just going to have get over it.”

  I burst into laughter. She was on a rant. Funny! Good luck Gino trying to convince Suze of any of those names. Although surely she’s exaggerating with Fat Larry?

  “Bye my Lovely. Best news ever. Speak soon.”

  We hang up and I continue on my way to work, in complete awe of my recent findings. It’s true what they say; behind every cloud is most definitely a silver lining.

  Cracking on, with the positive news, I achieve plenty. As a team we work tirelessly - I thank heavens for Colin and Jackie - the only thing that reminds me of Sebastian, enough to send me off track is the hand delivered Rose from FWC, which I sign for as I’m about to lock-up at the end of the day. I’d already sent J & C home. They’d worked through lunch and been great so what was 30 minutes, if it meant they’d do it all again for me, willingly, tomorrow?

  Happily, this meant I could open my delivery in private and the monogrammed cream card that accompanied it.

  Lifting the lid with a warm feeling, I note that the rose is as usual, stunning and mentally I clock in my head, it’s the fourth I’d received. He really is very romantic and I hope that this is an olive branch of sorts. I pick up the bud from its tissue-bols
tered bed and smile at the now familiar jewelled middle. Each time I’d receive one of these special roses, I’ve added it to the large lustre vase in my lounge. It’s a nice feeling to watch it filling up, as our sexual relationship progresses.

  The note is a caring but more friendly than romantic.

  With no regrets? Regrets about what?

  Taking the morning after pill or making the decision to sleep with him? At least he’d sent me said olive branch; last night had not ended well between us, mainly due to my own stubbornness and I hate the bad feeling between us, I wasn’t used to it at all. This meant he was still in the game.

  Locking up with my goodies, I head for the lift. As I exit on the ground floor, I throw my bright coral handbag over my shoulder, nod to the security porter and head towards the huge revolving glass doors. Its only as I’m about to enter, I glance over my shoulder, with the prickle of someone walking over your grave, running over me, and I sense that I am being watched. I look both ways and back towards the lift, but no one is there and, shaking it off, I head out.

  I’m seriously getting paranoid here.

  I need some sleep and pasta carbs tonight; the early onslaught of hyperglycemia, was making me feel overly anxious.

  Later as I curl up on the sofa, with an indulgent hot chocolate with marshmallows, back-to-back The Good Wife and my trusty laptop, my Facebook page bleeps at me. Glancing briefly at it, mid deliberation between bedspread or bed throw, for The Ashton, I scrunch up my nose in annoyance. I had a private message from Seb.

  See Chris, I think spitefully, maybe Nathan was right?

  Lu,

  The other night did not go well. Probably our first proper argument - not so pretty eh?

  Either way, I know you are independent but I wish you had spoken to me about the MAP, so I could have helped. Maybe driving 200miles was not the best thing to do without calling you first. Hope you’re not feeling too rubbish now. I’ll sort out protection from here on out. I’m here if you need me. Always.

  Like I said I’m all in for this proposition. We’ve only just begun having some fun. I know your mind, let me get to know your body better. You really are more than I could have ever hoped for Lu. We have a sexual connection, a heat, which I’ve not experienced before and you’ve so much more to give.

  Rules still apply. No.3: to be explored further.

  Yours,

  Seb x

  P.S When I get home, you won’t sleep for a week.

  P.P.S Look out for a delivery tomorrow & keep the night free - no excuses, as I know Finn is away.

  I feel my smile reach my ears and I flush with overwhelming happiness. I couldn’t wait for the lack of sleep either. How wanton was I? I wonder what flowers he’d send this time?

  Crossing my foot underneath my knee, and settling back onto the cushions, I sigh in contentment - this message and the rose I’d received earlier today were all working wonders at appeasing my ongoing doubts - he certainly knew how to romance a girl. Not sure that was a good or bag thing? I’d placed the rose inside the vase on the mirrored console, alongside its predecessors and it shone, full of life against the three others, now losing their vibrancy, the diamante crystal pin, twinkling for attention within their centre’s.

  My eyes flick over his message again and revert continuously back to the end, ‘Yours, Seb x’. I’m beginning to wish he were truly mine, in mind, body and soul.

  By Wednesday, after a much better night’s sleep, and feeling more organised, I’m much more Lulu-like. Its as I’m about to leave to meet Chris at The Ashton, I receive the promised delivery or rather deliveries to the office. I know they’re from him, the minute Jackie hands them over to me, her excitement hardly contained. In truth I’d been watching and waiting since his message last night. Opening the first discreet brown parcel, I’m surprised when I ease out the palest iconic pink box emblazoned with the Agent Provocateur logo. Sensing that this is the type of gift to review in private I grab the other two boxes and remove myself from the office, disappearing to the ladies. I’m just glad that my co-workers appear to be deeply in talks about Colin’s love life.

  Taking a second to indulge, I run my hand over the beautiful packaging, then anxious to see the goodies, slip off the black satin ribbon. It drops from the corner as I lift the lid, surrounding me with the scent of luxury, sensuality and naughtiness. Inside wrapped in tissue, sits a black satin and lace bra. At least I think it is. There’s not much too it! I hold it up to my chest, admiring the under-wired demi cups, sheer mesh, pretty lace, matt satin and bows - but they only go about a quarter of the way up? Each cup has a strip of satin, which reaches around the top of the breast and joined the strap with a bow - giving the look, a bondage feel. While the open top cups are barely there, just a whisper of French lace, scattered with the odd black sequin, which sparkles in the light. Finally my eyes are drawn to a huge drop cameo pearl, dangling from the plunged neckline - absolutely stunning.

  Wow - my nipples would be completely on show!

  Oh My.

  My belly flip-flops in excitement.

  I select the next item; panties made from the same matching scraps of glittering and matt black satin - the back a thong made from a strand of creamy white pearls. I’d seen these before but never purchased any and as I turn the fabric around I realise that the front is missing too.

  They’re crotchless!

  I feel my cheeks flame and lick my lips. He’d chosen these for me. He’d thought about me in them.

  A suspender belt with the same bondage strap detailing and lace topped stockings complete the evocative look. Beneath the erotic lingerie, winks a black satin mask, trimmed with lace and pearls and attached wide sashes; I presume, these tie behind the head.

  Ok this was really getting kinky.

  He did say I had to be open to anything. Hell, I’d said I’d be open to anything.

  Sebastian had also said that the next time we were together I was to wear no panties. I suppose crotchless comes close.

  I open the smallest of the three parcels next - a white jiffy-bag, which houses a plastic business card, and a hand-scrawled note. Eh?

  Looking inside I discover a beautifully designed red keycard holder, with a monogram design to the front; the letters SH entwined in Gold. I can practically hear my heart pounding as I turn it in my fingers. I moisten my lips again and scan the letter.

  He must be home?

  Again my heart beats erratically, my palms clam up and my sex clenches in anticipation. Fuck me, this man is good. I reread his message, my eyes drawn back continuously to the last three lines.

  Forget your fears. Give in to your desires. Untold pleasures await.

  I open the last box tentatively, almost afraid of what would be next but all nerves go out the window when I see the red soles, glossy and brazenly winking at me. Oh. My. God! He’s bought me a pair of Christian Louboutins. He’s bloody bought me some Luby Lu’s!

  I’ve wanted a pair of these shoes forever to add to my collection of do-me-shoes. Like an excited little girl I shriek in silence, careful not to alert my design team to my glee, and delicately remove each shoe from their tissued bed, marvelling at their remarkable design. They were black suede pointed toe stilettos, with at least a four-inch narrow heel and at the part where the heel met the shoe, three large chunky pearls were embedded and encrusted with diamonds. They are bloody gorgeous and totally me!

  Even if Niall had been drunk enough to relax his hold on his credit card, he’d never have chosen the right style to suit me or the right size. Sebastian had managed both.

  Pondering on that consideration I carefully place all the extravagance back into their respective packages and carry them with me to the office, before locating a huge carrier from my drawer.

  Was I actually going to go through with this?

  I hadn’t seen him since the other night and did feel fine after Monday night pill episode. But was continuing this proposition such a good idea. I
loved being the object of desire but at what cost and for how long?

  His controlling ways were increasing and I was falling deeper. I fear my heart won’t take the hit from a Silver break-up.

  On a worried sigh I mutter something about The Ashton to J & C and head off with my new gifts - the drive to Holdgate would give me chance to clear my fuzzy mind. The little voice inside there, reminds me that I should be thinking with my bits and not my brain right now and for the first time ever, I tend to agree.

  Half an hour later I’ve managed to reduce Chris from an Octopus to a crab for the time being. I’m not sure which is worse but we get through the fireplace plans and the suite is beginning to look busy as more helpers have arrived, one of them being Nathan. The plaster is being refreshed and under floor heating added to the bathroom. The result is a big dusty chaotic mess and I smile as that means something shiny and new will emerge in time. It was exciting!

  “Hey Lulu – looking far too lovely for this grubby worksite,” a genuine smile lights up his already college boy handsome face and he blows me a kiss, pointing apologetically to his dust covered body and protective goggles, now sitting on his forehead.

  “Don’t think that under this suit and heels, there isn’t a hard headed business woman Nathan Silver – I’m a feisty little thing when I want things done!”

  “Bloody not wrong there.” Chris agrees sulkily. “I’ve never worked so hard – although I do like em feisty!” He winks and laces the last word with extra zest running his appreciative eyes up and down my body. “Didn’t think you’d be in today Lady Boss - got the painters in I hear?”

  My questioning frown encourages him to continue, as I grapple with what he’s talking about? ‘Painters’ and ‘Having them in’ - The decorating team I use aren’t due in for a week at least, I think to myself dimly, looking around the room, that still resembles a building site. As I focus on Chris again and hear the words fall from his lips, the penny suddenly drops and I wish I’d just ignored him. What a complete prat!