The One Awakened: Book 1 in The One Trilogy (60 page)

“Lucia be sure in the knowledge that whilst you and I are having sex, I won’t sleep with anyone else. Just you. You have my word, I promise. I would have thought that a given, with our proposition but after
this
, you obviously needed to hear it.”
 

His face is gentle whilst he delivers this unintentional blow - full on nail-driven-into-coffin-moment. My own blissful split-second shattered, my shoulders slump in sadness. I have some serious decisions to make. Enjoy the time we have left together and prepare for the inevitable devastation or get out now before I lose everything, including our friendship and my self-respect.

I clenched my fists at my sides, trying desperately to restrain myself and remain calm but invisible steam is erupting from every orifice.
Ooh he makes me so mad
. My Grandma had always said to me that the best relationship was one built like a seesaw, where love and hate rocked back and forth over the years, toying with one another’s weaknesses. Love reigned the majority of the time, as the heaviest and most grounded party, whilst hate tipped the balance every once in a while, to mix things up, managing to add weight in order to bring passion and communication to the forefront of a long-term relationship. Hate was the reminder needed in every relationship that you loved this person in the first place. One did not work without the other. A relationship without hate was a relationship without depth. They were both necessary to ensure both parties still felt deeply enough about one another. I’d never truly understood her analogy until this very moment, with this man. At this very moment, I both hated him, and loved him, at the exact same time.
 

Oh crap! I knew it would happen - was helpless to stop it.

I’m desperately in love with Sebastian Silver. The one man who doesn’t do commitment!

“Where have you been Lulu?” I hear Abby’s questioning tone, as soon as my foot hits the bottom step into the hallway. The throng is so busy I am pleased that my arrival goes unnoticed to all but my caring friend.
“Don’t ask. I kinda got waylaid.” I blush annoyed at my body’s ultimate betrayal of my mind.

“Seems to me you just got laid. Full stop! You dirty bitch! Speaking of bitches - Did you talk about that cow-bag Toni?”

I take a gulp of the much –needed drink she places in my hand and pat my hair to check its still holding up.
 

“You won’t believe it Abs - she bloody made it up! Totally bullshitted about being in the shower with Seb; he wasn’t even here until the day after!”

“No. Fucking. Way! Do you believe that? Him?” She bites her lip, and concentrates wholly on my answer, encouraging me to take my time - I don’t need to.

“He didn’t sleep with her Abs. I know it
here
!” I place my palm across my heart, completely sure of my instinct and in my trust of Sebastian.

“Well that’s enough for me - problem is that means that this girl is a whole shed-load worse than we thought – crazy MF!”
“I know. Then one thing led to another and before you knew it we were having make-up sex.”
“Dirty bitch!” Abs repeats and grinning clinks her wine glass with mine. “Might just take your lead and ask Nathan to show me the spare room myself! May as well put these gorgeous undies to use,” she cheekily pushes her breasts together and pouts prettily.
 

“You do that girl. I need to go find Suzie and tell her the news before I speak to the blonde assassin in person. That woman is going down!” I snap my fingers in a Z shape and we giggle together at my reinvigorated attitude.

Abby waves me off wishing me luck and I head in the direction of the lounge once again. It is there that I see Chris and Toni head to head, deep in what appears to be a fairly nasty confrontation. He is trying to engage her in some form of physical display but she is definitely having none of it and pushes his tentacles away angrily. Looking around Chris checks to see if anyone has seen them, obviously embarrassed at her dismissal and laughs it off but she continues to give him a severe ticking off, in an albeit lowered voice.
 

To the right of them, standing near the grey velvet sofas and the roaring open fire are Suzie, Gino and Sebastian. One look at his face and I melt.

“Lucia.
Come! Come
join us!” his voice drawls with heavy emphasis put on the word,
come
. He is impossible.

Suzie looks from me to Seb and back again, her eyes nearly popping out in desperation to know what is going on. We chatter about work and Gino’s new dick of a boss and I feel Sebastian’s warm hand at the base of my spine, tracing delicate circles over and over again across the sensitive skin there, his fingers playing with the ropes of pearls. His hand shows ownership and I go with it but for how long would this be the case?

The second that Seb and Gino leave us, to get more drinks Suzie pounces on me. “Well?”

I sip my drink and ponder on how to play this one. Suzie could hold a grudge and I needed her to see that whilst Sebastian and I are yet to be a couple, he did
not
cheat on me.
Her beautiful face scrunches in annoyance. “Lulu did you have it out with him or what?”
 

“Yes Sis – its sorted. It wasn’t him! Toni delivered bucket loads of shit from the bull!”
I can tell that she is not entirely sure what to believe but gives me the benefit of the doubt. Her eyes fluttering as she mulls the information over.
“If it wasn’t Sebastian then who was it?”

“I think its more along the lines of
Miss Toni with an ‘i’,
set me up!”
“What a cow!”
“Complete and nutter!” I agree and we clink our glasses affirmably, laughing at my play on words.

“I did say to you that it wasn’t like Seb didn’t I?” she enfolds me in a sisterly hug

“Oh I’m so pleased, Gino and I were so happy you two were finally getting it on and after Thursday night – we panicked that we’d have to choose between the two of you!”
I flinch at her words, surely there wouldn’t be a choice, seeing as we were siblings but I choose to ignore the comment and blame it on her pregnancy hormones.

“Yeah now all I need to do is make sure it’s long-term.”

“Honey in that dress you’ll have him eating out of your hand – anything else you wish – the man hasn’t taken his eyes off you all evening.”

I glance over to Seb’s direction and we connect, sharing a knowing sexual smile that’s full of promise and satiated satisfaction.
“I remember when Gino used to look at me like that.”
“He still does Darling – God he’s proud as punch about your news.”
She looks across at him adoringly, lightly placing her hand on her still flat abdomen.
 
“I know bless him – you’d think no one had ever got a woman up the duff! He’s strutting about like a peacock!”

“I still can’t believe I’m going to be Auntie Lulu – I’m so excited.”

We laugh together but again I am drawn to Sebastian.
“Just go you hussy! The way the two of you are looking at each other, its practically live porn. I’m getting turned on and that’s just sooo not right!”

“No Sis. I’m taking your earlier advice and I’m going to let him chase me. Play hard to get; or harder to get at least.”

“Ooh play him at his own previous game.”

“Maybe? – maybe just make him come to the notion that he can’t live without me.”

“He already knows that Hunny – one look at the way he has an eye on you at all times and everyone can see it but men take longer to come to terms with it. They fight it! You want him to need you as well as want you. He knows it, he just doesn’t
know
it!”
We laugh at her cryptic quote. “At least you know what you’re talking about Suze!” I grin and contemplate her happy glow.

“God help us when the hormones go on their rampage!” Rolling her eyes she sips her fresh orange juice in distaste. I feel for her, the champagne is plentiful tonight and delicious as ever. I kiss her soft cheek and shove her in the direction of her Hubbie and looking about, head off to circulate.
 

After chatting comfortably with a couple of freelance builders I’d met when Seb was building the house I move on to catch Abby and Nathan, both looking suitably flustered, with that just fucked aura. They’d definitely had some fun time and Abby and I share our mutual secret with a synced eyebrow raise. Dirty mares that we are! The Silver brothers are too irresistible and annoying that it is, my body thanks my mind for just going with it for once. I’m about to find Sebastian and make my excuses when I hear someone call my name.

I see Meg before I notice the person who’s accompanied her. We air kiss and dish out compliments on our respective apparel. She looks lovely in a black evening jumpsuit and gold sandals, very chic.
 

“Sorry Meg I didn’t know you were coming, I’d have shared a lift with you.” I feel bad I’ve not really seen much of her the past few weeks.
It’s only as I wait for her response that I divert my gaze to the silent male figure at her side, nervously fiddling with his glasses and shiftily looking everywhere but me.
 

I raise my brows as I see that she has arrived with
Leo
of all people.

“We’ve just been out for a meal at that little Italian in Bodley – gorgeous scallops with garlic and parsley – anyway Sebastian asked me when we were out in Lords, if I wanted to come along tonight and I thought we’d pop in for a nosey. It’s not a problem is it?”

She rambles on and appears embarrassed by the fact that she is with Leo; immediately I put her mind at rest and smile graciously – she’s my friend after all, although I would have preferred not to have an ex, albeit minor one encompassed with my friends. Besides Leo and I still worked together, kind of, so we would be mixing in some future circles.

“That’s great Meg – I’m so glad you came and you too Leo.”
 

With hands in his pockets he nods mutely. I cannot help but notice the Napolitana house sauce on his tie and inwardly cringe at my poor original judgment; he had seemed a nice man though and I’m genuinely pleased for Meg, if he treats her well. He did say that he liked kids.
“How’s things Leo? Work good? I’m so sorry I’ve not returned your call - think you called the office when I was ill didn’t you?” His eyes light up at the mention of the banking world and my own immediately glaze over and he nods at the mention of his call.
“Yes Lucia. Feeling better now?”

“Much thanks.”

“And work for you - how’s that going? Weren’t you decorating some big Hotel in Holdgate?” he enquires politely.

“Yes, The Ashton. It’s really coming along nicely, thanks. Hopefully will be the boost we need for the business.”

“That’s great Lucia. I’ll have to meet you for lunch to go over the last quarter for your accounts soon.”

“Oh we don’t need to do that Leo - we can just meet in the office.”
With Jackie and Colin around for back up.

“No no. I insist. I’ll call next week.”
 

Meg slings her arm around Leo, in an attempt to return the focus to her – she appears to have over-indulged and is relaxed enough for the both of them; I presume with a helping hand from Mr. Chablis.
“Leo has been telling me that he has a new hobby bird watching, he’s been buying all sorts of new equip…..” Meg waffles on brightly and is rudely interrupted by Leo’s brush off.