The One Awakened: Book 1 in The One Trilogy (31 page)

He smiles, waves off my comment and weaves his way to the gate at the bottom of the garden, car keys jangling, thanking G and Suzie en route. I’d forgotten he was driving. No wonder he’d found us all a little overbearing. Poor thing!

After Leo has left I throw myself into having the fun I’d promised myself I’d have that night. Abby and I dance away, to the cool music beating around us. She is flushed and happy and I can tell that Nathan’s interest is having a good effect on her. They are really good together. It seems like they’d been a couple for some time, - all very natural.
 

My friend’s brown eyes glint mischievously, her dark bob sleek, as she holds her nose and with her arms, wiggling in wavy lines, she dips in a sixties dance pose, similar to Mia Wallace in Pulp fiction. I copy her rhythm and before long Suzie, Jess and others have joined us, jiving like Travolta. We must look ridiculous but we don’t care, we just enjoy our carefree abandon. I feel relaxed and happy and at that moment I sense someone is watching me.
 

I look over towards the fountain, where guests congregate around the seating area. Several are enjoying the games, twister in particular, some the music and many each other. My eyes are drawn to one couple in particular and I recognise the female, as one of Suzie’s friends. She and her husband are devouring one another with mouths, hands, everything, and taking full advantage of the huge bed of floor cushions. I am incredibly envious of them at their desperation to be together, never mind the voyeurs. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a movement and turn to focus more clearly.
 

It is then that I see
him
.
 

The object of my own confused state of mind and my need to be close to him overwhelms me. I have never felt such a driven desire to be with another man.
 

He’s
the one watching me.
 

Smiling and enjoying my dance, as though it is just for him. I sheepishly shrug, slightly embarrassed but fuelled by wanton confidence. I seem to be providing him with a non-stop parade of exotic dancing recently, all free of monetary charge – the cost is to be determined later and I am concerned that it will be great but I don’t care. The courage of my lack of inhibitions, gently pushing me towards this infuriating but mesmerising man.
I’m not sure whether it was the feisty argument we’d had earlier, the build-up since last Friday night, the fact that Leo was a definite no-no and on his way, or the sexy couple giving a live porn-show in the garden – whichever, I am consumed with such immense sexual need and drawn to Sebastian with a pull which is too irresistible to resist. All I want him to do is kiss me and we could figure out the rest.
 

The small fizz of excitement forming low in my belly is enough to boost me but my mind is saying he should be pursuing you, not vice versa so I stay rooted to the spot. The music switches up, to something more current and as it starts Abby points to her ears and yells.
 

“OMG listen!”
 

As I hear first words begin, I recognise the latest track by Neon Trees, blasting throughout the garden and I laugh at the huge coincidence. What were the chances? Actually slim to none, as the wand of reality sprinkles over me and I clock my cheeky mates wink. She shrugs hers shoulders in time to the beat, while mouthing dramatically, ‘Cos this is trouble, yeah this is trouble…
sleeping with a friend
,” and in that moment I know she’d requested the song.

I smile coyly at her to assure her
I’m fine with it
and let go, getting lost in the throng of fellow movers, smiling every so often at Abby, as we energetically throw ourselves into enjoying the DJ’s expert mixing. The beat of the dance music is loud in my ears and hums under my feet and for a short while I forget everything and just move, swaying rhythmically. It feels good. I feel sexy and know from the many admiring glances I’d received from other men, I looked good. I could feel my confidence growing, with the added boost of alcohol infused buoyancy.

I suddenly jump when a firm hand grips my hip and I know instantly it’s Seb. I hadn’t seen him make his way over to us but I’d been oblivious to anything but the music ebbing around me. I continue to move, my arms in the air, as I looked at Abby and she winks at me, moving off in Nathan’s direction. Her work here was done.

“It seems they’re playing our song Babe,” he grins at me, moving sexily to the beat.
 

He’d picked up on the words then, recognised their relevance to our situation.
 

“I’ve been watching you wiggle your sexy curvaceous butt for the past five minutes. In fact
,
I was accompanied
,
by several other
,
admiring voyeurs. Was that your intention?” he drawls, grabbing both hips in his hands. “Either way, I am here to save you from one of them. Lean back into me.”
 

It was a demand, a compliment and an insult all in one; I couldn’t decipher which annoyed me more or what his intention was. However, I do as I’m told and lean back into him and we continue to dance together. He moved like he kissed. He had a modern sway to him, which was both sexy and forceful and the position we were in, cried out
erotic
. It was so nice when a man could actually dance. No silly moves, just great timing and pure confidence, mouthing the words of the track, directly to me… ‘Ooh Ooh, you got me in the mood… Oooh we’re in danger, sleeping with a friend.’

I’m totally turned on, my belly tightening in excitement. Something about the music, the beat, the words, our bodies grinding, just makes me feel naughty.

I twist my neck to look up at him and he leans in towards me and moans into my neck. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
I tremble. God I’m already damp with expectation. If I’m honest I had been all night.
 

Why is he constantly giving me such mixed signals?
 

He moves to twist a strand of my hair around his finger and I back away, reluctant to lose myself in a moment, which is so unexpected and probably would not end well.
 

I decide instead to tease him and move away further into the makeshift dance area to escape, as my mood is not one that wants to submit too soon. Suddenly another guy leaps at the chance to join me and moves in close, trying to gyrate against me. I do my best to disentangle myself from him but he is incredibly persistent and
very
pushy. Abby’s gone and I can’t see Seb. I think I recognize the gyrator as one of Suzie & Gino’s neighbours. Working my way backwards towards the edge of the floor, the guy is leaning in and trying to lunge at me, whilst suggestively forming the
hourglass
shape with his hands.
Yuk!
He really needs to get new material. Abruptly the man is shoved aside, as Seb places himself between us, with a triumphant but annoyed expression.
 

“I think you should dance elsewhere
mate
.”
 

At the word
mate,
the thruster looks a little surprised but doesn’t give up, obviously infused with beer courage. “What the fuck Pal? Who are you?”
I laugh to myself, at the irony of the question.
 

Yes who is Seb? Who is he to me? What am I to him?
“I’m the guy she’s with. She’s mine. Ok…
mate
?” he laces that last word with serious contempt.
The guy gives a light shrug and skulks off in answer, with a nod of understanding that only men would appreciate. I’m not sure what to say or if I can speak. I’m both relieved that Seb has pushed away a potential problem and yet annoyed that he feels he has the right to do so on my behalf. I can also feel the tell-tale thrum of excitement weaving its way around my body, as I recognise this to be a monumental turning point in my life.
 

The music thumps around us forming a kind of invisible bubble, away from everyone else, as I turn to stare at Seb. His eyes bore right back into mine, with particular focus on my mouth and I lean in to speak to him, to be heard over the music.

“Thank you.” That’s all I can think of to say.

He looks angry and slightly annoyed and seems to be struggling for control himself.
 

“Told you that arse would get you into trouble Lucia. Let’s go get a drink. We need to talk.”
 

Feeling completely reprimanded I dutifully take the hand he offers me and follow him to a quieter part of the garden. He is looking at me in such a territorial way – there is definite passion there, even if I question what is happening to us, I don’t question my eyesight.
 

“I think about you all the time. Not as a friend.”
 

He looks pained and nervously rubs his hand over his head. “I think about your mouth, the way I know other men do and imagine what you could do with it. What you could do with it on me.” He sighs exasperated, “Now I can’t get it out of my head.”
 

He steps back onto his foot, allowing us both some breathing space but immediately thinks better of it and shifting balance he clasps the fence post that stands behind me. It was odd seeing him so unnerved but I didn’t want to interrupt. This had to come from him. I continue to chew my lip, intent on his face. Amazingly calm and quiet for me. His eyes seemed to bore holes into my face, as he searches every part of it, seemingly looking for answers to his own confusion.
 

“Since you sent me that request all I’ve wanted to do is take you home and fuck you until you can’t walk. I want to make love to you slowly, passionately, until you shatter around me. I want you - no, I
need
you Lu.” He brushes his thumb over my lip and rests his forehead against mine. “I didn’t see this coming but to be completely honest I’ve wanted it forever.”

Nervous bubbles of excitement began to build up inside my tummy, sending an electric fizz along every part of my skin. He slips both hands underneath my hair to cup the back of my neck, easing me closer to him.
“I’m coming home with you tonight Lu. Tonight is the
when & where
.” he demands assertively.

The cocky arrogant bastard; he never asks he just demands. Rule number 1, I suppose.

“What about your date?” I raise a brow in question.

“Who?”

“Toni.”

“Toni isn’t my date tonight. We came together in a cab, with Chris but that’s all.”

I nod my understanding and glance across to where Chris and Toni are currently attempting twister, then look up into deep black pools, willing him to kiss me.

“What about Mr. Interesting?”
 

“Leo left ages ago - it was never going to work between us.”

With the gentlest of touches he plays his mouth over mine, increasing the pressure and connection between us, as he feels me relax. This quickly turns into a devastating slide of lips, which whispers untold promises and I weaken. As he deepens the kiss, a hot sensation pools low down in my belly, and washes over my entire body; exploring every part of my mouth thoroughly and slowly
.
I can feel the passion building to a craving so desperate, that I become weak and yet completely addicted. I don’t want it to end. I wrap my arms around his neck, drawing him into me and sigh as his chest grazes mine, where my nipples scream to be touched and swollen breasts ache to be enclosed in his large palms. Wanting more, I grab his shoulders and feel his hand lightly graze the side of one breast, before continuing on to cup my bottom possessively, his finger pushing gently at the inner part of my perineum, through the fabric. Shivers rock over me indecently as his tongue flicks over mine playfully and I melt as the spark ignites and fizzes. If he lifted my skirt right here and now I’d go with it.

I’m not given the chance, as he pushes me away from him and moistens his mouth.

“Stop chewing your lip Lu - you’ve no idea what it does to me. Time to go.”

Duly reprimanded I immediately do that and gazing into his blackened eyes, I tremble and take a breath. The severe throb between my legs is controlling every thought, beating in time to the music ebbing around us. Frustratingly at that moment, we are interrupted and Sebastian turns at the sound of his name.

“Oi Seb; Beer?” Chris hollers in his pissed-up state, waggling his own empty bottle in reference.

I cringe and am gutted at his timing - just as it is getting good and I’m thinking with my body rather than my brain for once.
 

“Not for me Chris – Ta – I’m good.” He salutes him across the garden.

This unfortunately doesn’t deter Chris and he hurdles over one of the rattan chairs, nearly breaking a leg in the process and launches himself at Seb.

“Ah come on mate – have a nuvva, the night is young!” he whines in a put-on southern accent. “We haven’t let loose in a while, besides that girl Mel is it? - Suzie knows her anyway? - She is really into you – Fink you’re on a promise with that un and Toni. Take your pick!”
 

I know he’s drunk but I’m finding it harder and harder to like this guy. He always seems to be…well… there - in the way. And appears determined to stop us becoming, an us!