The One Awakened: Book 1 in The One Trilogy (64 page)

I wake to the delicious sounds of a well-spent woman, lightly breathing next to me. Her glorious glossy ebony hair tumbling over my pillows, long lashes fanning her cheeks. She really is stunning. Thank fuck I’d been able to sort things last night. When I think what Toni had tried to do to us - my blood boils? The girl had worked with me for about a year now, on and off and I’d never expected this degree of manipulation.
 

No wonder Lu had ignored all my calls - she must have been devastated.
 

I sneak from the bed and check my phone. It’s early still, for a Sunday morning but I’ve already had a missed call from the psycho PA and I don’t want Lu worrying unnecessarily. I lean over to give the sexy piece of ass, sprawled across my sheets, a soft kiss on her snub nose and my heart tightens. I liked the sight of her here in my bed and not just for sex and it surprises me.

Last night we’d made love. No doubt about it. The feelings I have for her - I can’t put into words but I don’t want to address them… yet.
 

She’d said she
loved me
. I’d nearly been asleep but I’d heard the words, whispered from her sexy mouth. No more sleep for me after that. I’d lain awake most of the night, wandering what to do with those three monumental words.

How did I feel about it? She was mine and I loved her back, always had but was I in love with her?
 
The thought of
 
‘
forever’
with another human being was so foreign to me; I’d not considered it before but I do know I don’t want to lose her.

My phone blings again.
 

Ignoring it, I jump in the shower, - quick freshen up, throw on some jeans and t-shirt and slide in my flops, then head downstairs to grab some much needed coffee and see was Miss Toni with an ‘i’ was calling about.

Half an hour later and I’m wearing holes in the garden as I discuss the reasons behind her mock-sex-feast.
 

“I’m sorry Seb.”
 

“Why did you do it Toni?” Her voice irritates me beyond belief -
had she always been so whiney?

“You must have known how I felt about you…?”

I hadn’t. Shit. Now I felt like a prize dick.

“I’m sorry Toni. No, I didn’t. It was always professional between you and I - that was the reason I employed you. Its no excuse for what you did to Lu though.”

“I know. I feel sooo bad. Honest. I don’t know what came over me.”

I’m not sure her statement is that heartfelt but I go with it. I’m wracking my brain for any possibilities that I ever encouraged her? I’m a bit of a flirt but I’m pretty sure I’ve never gone beyond work friends with Toni. She wasn’t my type.
 

“Sebastian? You still there?”

“Yep? I’m here. Look Toni - you’ve put me in an awkward position. What you did was a sackable offence.”

“Oh please Sebastian. Come on - it was only a bit of fun.”

“At whose expense Toni - my girlfriend’s and mine -
your
boss.”

So she’s your girlfriend now? Hmmm OK - well at least you’re recognising its more than fuck buddies.

“Look I can’t have you working at Silver Con anymore but I can give you a great reference, in light of your brother and my history and the fact that you were actually bloody good at your job. I’ve made a few calls and I’ve a mate who has an Architect firm in Lords - he’s looking for a PA pronto.”
Let her be his issue.
“You’ll have to interview for it but the jobs pretty much yours if you want it.”

“Thank you Sebastian.”

“Ok Toni. Good luck but I don’t want you near me or Lucia again, understood.”

“Understood. I know I don’t deserve it… the help with a new job, that is.” She has the decency to sound genuine and remorseful. “In fact as a way of an apology I’ve arrange a present to be delivered for you and Lucia today to the house. Chris will bring it over for me when he comes home. I really am sorry.”

“There’s no need Toni.”
 

WTF? The last thing Lu will want is a gift from Toni; no matter how heartfelt.

“I insist. Really.”

“Ok. Well thanks.”

“Goodbye Sebastian Silver - enjoy the gift - shame I won’t be there the look on both your faces when it arrives. It came from the heart.”

The line clicks dead before I can respond. For the second time that morning I consider, why I hadn’t realised before how unstable a character Toni was.

I need to call Chris asap, and find out if he knows anything more about this mystery parcel - for some reason I have a bad feeling about it.

The morning sun filters through the small split at the corner of the black out blind, casting a spray of twinkly rays across my face, enough to raise me from a deep and luxurious slumber. Testing my aversion to the light my eyes go from blurred to focused with rapid amounts of blinking and rubbing, I remember my surroundings and smile and stretch contentedly.
 

My body feels nothing short of worshipped and as I move to check the time, I’m pleased that I’m actually not that sore. I’ve adapted to his big body and the regular sexual workouts of late have enabled me to go the distance without the immense muscular aches afterwards. Last night had been a whirlwind of emotions and drama, but most importantly I had concluded that I am irrefutably and undoubtedly in love.
 

Boy, am I in love!
 

Part of me wishes I wasn’t, which is ridiculous, as I feel like for the first time in my relationship history, I can be utterly honest, open and free. The other part of me is happy to just enjoy the luxury of knowing that I am the one that makes Sebastian Silver laugh like a naughty schoolboy and groan like a naughty Silver tongued devil. I have never loved a man like I do Sebastian. If I’m honest, I knew it the first time we had sex;
fuck
- probably the first time that we met, all those years ago in The Cave Bar.

Padding downstairs in one of Sebastian’s shirts and nothing else but a pair of thick cashmere socks, I’d located in his bottom drawer; I head for the kitchen in search of serious sustenance. All is pretty quiet and I figure that most of our friends are enjoying a lazy Sunday lie in - shame Sebastian hadn’t wanted to do the same. The bed had been empty when I’d awoken and I’m ashamed to say I’d been disappointed not to enjoy some relaxed morning nookie with my lover.
 

My lover.
My love…er!

I like the way that sounds. The way it rolls off my tongue. It feels right and sexy and forbidden and I feel very fortunate. It feels like we’ve moved into a new part of our relationship, one I’d not ever expected the day I’d propositioned him with that text.

As I make my way into the kitchen I can hear his voice and my steps quicken. But reaching the door I slow; he sounds angry. Unsure whether to tiptoe back out the way I’d come or act like I couldn’t hear him I decide to do what I always do when I need distracting, start cooking and with a quick glance around the room I nod and head for the immense triple mirrored fridge for ingredients, my catering plan taking action in my hungry mind.
 

From my position at the stove I can see Sebastian pacing outside on the patio, in faded grey jeans, a worn All Saints v-neck T-shirt, and leather flops. The man oozes sex appeal in whatever he chose to wear - yet always managed to look effortless.
 

He redefines fine!

Unfortunately, his shades cover his eyes, so I can’t read his expression clearly but from the distinct amount of arm gesturing and head stroking, he is passionately pissed off about something or someone. I wonder what or whom?

The house is still hushed, as I locate two plates and matching mugs and set about serving up my futile attempts at Nigella style cooking - well the sexy man’s shirt helped a little.

“Something smells good.”
 

I smile at the sound of his voice, noticing that all traces of annoyance appear to have disappeared and jump as he playfully taps me on the bottom.

“Oi! Hands off the Chef and get tucked into this!” I laugh, placing the mushrooms, scrambled eggs, tomato and grilled bacon in front of his greedy eyes. “I’m not just good for one thing you know.” Winking saucily, I pour freshly brewed coffee from the cafetière into his mug and tea into mine.

The absence of any clever comeback makes me stop pouring milk and look up, at the serious expression on his very handsome sexy face.
 

Oh my! Who needs food in the morning when you’re with Sebastian Silver?
 

He was more than enough to feast upon.

“You look beautiful.”

I swallow and lick my drying lips. Don’t ruin this moment Lu with a silly joke - enjoy the compliment; enjoy the moment.

He instead comes to my rescue and speaks for me, recognising my surprise at the sudden change in mood.

“Let’s eat before it gets cold or the scavengers arrive to feast.”
 

I study his face as we sit opposite one another at the sparkling granite island and ignore the steaming plate of delicious food in front of me, instead reaching for my tea. I’m suddenly not hungry, well not for food. My pleasure is taken from seeing and hearing his obvious approval at my thrown-together fry-up. He truly was a pleasure to cook for - very easy to please.