The One Awakened: Book 1 in The One Trilogy (11 page)

His face is stern, almost angry looking; his jaw strong, and arrogant. He’d cut his hair recently, probably for ease at work and now wore it shorter, not quite entirely shaved but cut short on the sides, and kept slightly longer on top, soldier style. It only adds to his raw sexuality. He has a
fuck off
nose, I’d always teased - it is slightly too long and angular but perfectly straight, despite having broken it on several occasions. It makes you want to run your finger along the edge of it, slowly, right to the tip. His colouring is so dark; he permanently has a shadow of stubble, which threatens to erupt at any moment and an olive tone to his fantastic skin. But it was his eyes that are now captivating me. They are slightly turned down in the outer corners and huge, almost black in shade, with sherry brown and hazel flecks if you caught them in a certain light, and eyelashes that any woman would die for, that fringed his bedroom gaze with full, sooty bluntness. The overall effect was one of power, arrogance, success and confidence, but ultimately, he commanded attention and women did not let him down. He was a great combination of Jason Statham, Ryan Gosling and Channing Tatum, all mixed into one delicious package - he quite literally oozed sex appeal and right at this moment I could eat him up with a cherry on top.
How have I not seen how hot he is until now? You did - you’d just forgotten, my inner voice reminds me annoyingly.

“Your brother’s here. I haven’t seen him since that party for your Nan’s 70
^th
at your Mum and Dad’s last year.” Finally, I stop drooling and find my tongue.
“Yeah, he got back from travelling in Oz recently and is now going to join me on site,” he nods his head towards Nathan’s direction. “It’s really good to have him home - soft lad that he is.” I can hear the affection in his voice.
I’m not really listening to him, as I can’t stop ogling. I’ve spent years on and off with this man, hours sitting next to him in lecture theatres and cramming for exams. Why did I never see him in this way? My hand is itching to touch him. “Is he single?” I ask.
Nice one Lu. Didn’t Abby ask you to be subtle?
Sebastian considers my question watching me inquisitively. “He’s my brother Lu.”
I’m confused by his disapproving response and my screwed up face and stutter probably show this, when he continues dryly.
“Yes he’s single.”
It suddenly dawns on me that he must realise that I am asking for myself and I laugh at his misconception. “Not for me, you ditz. I know a little bird who’s enquiring that’s all.”
My information doesn’t appear to have lessened his scowl. Grumpy bastard – where’s fun-loving Sebastian gone? He’s become very intense. Taking a swig of champagne he brings his brooding focus back to me but we remain silent. God, this is awkward. I have to get out of here. I’d hoped to maybe take the moment to discuss my favour with him.
“I’ll be back in a bit - off to the Ladies.”
“Off you go an powder that cute little snub nose of yours.”
It’s abrupt but I excuse myself and try to appear casual as I head in the direction of the toilets so that I can deep breathe in peace. I don’t look back, but can feel the burn of his gaze on my retreating form and I ensure he gets the complete Lulu wiggle. All these comments about my appearance are wreaking havoc with my nether regions.

I touch up my lipstick, blush and eye-makeup and spritz some more perfume over my neck and wrists. Not that I need to do any of this, I’m just desperate for something to occupy my shaky hands.
On edge
would be a total understatement for the mixed jumble of emotions that I am right now. Showcasing a prime example of it, I jump as I hear a voice shouting my name from one of the cubicle doors.
“Lu is that you? It’s Meg-haann,” she drunkenly giggles from her patch, mimicking Gino’s Italian accent; she really can’t drink champagne, if she’s like this after only a couple.
“Hey, I didn’t hear you come in, sorry love. Are you nearly done? I’m going to go back out now.”
“Wait! Wait for me.” She throws open her door dramatically, pulling her dress back down as she exits. “Do I need more?” She puckers her lips up at me like a little girl and sways as she squirts foam on her hands, rushing them under the automatic faucet.
“Maybe a bit more lippy,” I comment. “You look fab still.” I watch as she retouches and messes with her hair in the wall-to-wall mirrors. The manic finger combing is making her look like a wilder crazier version of Jane Fonda in Barbarella.
“Oooh goodie. I need to look my best tonight. We have some right fitties at our beck and call, don’t we?” she grins impishly at me through the reflection.
“Whom have you got your beady eye on?” I enquire a little too harshly.
“W..e..ll we’re spoilt for choice but I’m quite taken with Sebastian as you know, but his brother is hot too and the moody one; Chris is it? Anyway he is kind of smoking in a brooding Gerard Butler way.”
She holds her feet up one at a time for loose toilet paper inspection. I shake my head and she nods her blonde head, pleased.
“Right. Come on Babe – let’s go pester them.”
I groan inwardly, Meg can be a little over the top sometimes and I definitely prefer the less desperate approach. I love her to bits but I’m starting to get really pissed about her liking Sebastian and I’m even more annoyed that I have no right to say that I don’t want her to
go there
.
We tug open the door and are met with the sexy beat of
Ellie Goulding’s
new track
Burn
; it picks me up immediately and I decide to go out, enjoy myself and try and ignore my strange feelings towards both of my friends. The night is young and I’m determined to have some fun.
 

The next hour or so is spent enjoying good times with great company. The champagne flows liberally and we celebrate Suzie’s 27th in style. At all times I am aware of Sebastian watching me or it could be Meg as she and he, definitely appear to have clicked; she’d been mauling him for the past hour! However I consider whether this is just in my head as I’m pretty certain that when he thinks I am not looking, his focus is entirely on me – with a serious, rather unfriendly inspection. I’m definitely at a loss.
 

My thoughts are interrupted when my phone alerts me to a text. It’s from Leo.

Sorry L but I’m not going to make it tonight after all. Work things! Can I take you to dinner next Saturday night?
 

Let me make it up to you. x

I’d completely forgotten I’d asked him to join us, so I am actually pleased that he’s cancelled. Although I’m slightly annoyed that I won’t be allowed the opportunity to flaunt him in front of Sebastian. I quickly reel off a response, the champagne making me ballsy.

House Party at my sister’s Saturday night – be my + 1 - let me know if you accept? x

I don’t wait for his reply and just as I auto-lock my phone, a deep voice says casually, “I wouldn’t have stood you up. He’d kick himself if he’d seen you in that dress.”
I spin quickly to be met by Sebastian’s mate. Suzie has already informed me is definitely called Chris but I’ve yet to have a one-on-one with the guy. Meg was right - he did look like Gerard Butler, perhaps a little less sexy. I am a bit annoyed that he’s nosied at my text, but choose to ignore the irritation and go with it. I’m not about to add to his obviously inflated opinion of himself and decide to act coy as to, who he is.
 

“Thanks, Chris is it?” I hold out my hand to shake his but am a bit taken aback when he ignores it and leans in towards me, planting a firm kiss on one side of my cheek and then the other; continental style. He lingers a little too long, our faces touching.
 

I could have sworn he just sniffed me?
“Sebastian said that you and he went to Uni together Lucia?” he continues, paying a considerable amount of attention to my breasts.
“Yes, we did three years together, for our sins – not behind bars but definitely propped up in front of them,” I laugh back at him. He is Ok looking. Not as striking as Sebastian but has a similar dress-style, dark blonde short hair with a Beckham quiff and cool appraising icy-blue eyes.
“I’m working on a contract with our Mr. Silver for a few months and just moved in to his spare-room, so hopefully we’ll be seeing much more of each other in the very near future.” His voice is laden with confidence. I’m surprised, as I think he may be flirting, but I try not to show it.
 

“Definitely. We go out most Friday’s to our favourite bar, Rehab, in Bodley so I’ll have to introduce you to some of our friends.”
I can see Meg manically trying to catch my eye behind Chris’ back. I lean in closer to him and smile. “In fact I think you may already have an admirer in my neighbour Meg.”
 

He turns to look over his shoulder, and Meg instantly pretends to have dropped something, disappearing under the table. I snigger to myself. God we are all so silly where men are concerned.
Chris returns to face me, his eyes sparking. “You do seem to have a good group of mates here. I travel so much with work, it’s hard to catch up regularly with friends so you tend to drift apart. Sebastian and I go
way
back though and I’m pleased to be able to spend some quality time doing normal things in the same place for a while.”
I smile at him and sip at my drink and I’m about to continue, when we are interrupted, by the man, himself.
“Christopher – I see you’ve found Lulu.” Seb slaps Chris on the back looks between the two of us and takes a swig of his beer.

“I most certainly have. I’m pursuing her as we speak.” Chris doesn’t take his eyes off mine but I cannot hold his gaze. I’m left embarrassed, by his over-the-top statement.

“Are you now?” Sebastian’s furrowed brow is apparent but Chris is oblivious to anyone but himself (a bad habit that I can tell he has developed over years of having his ego stroked!).
“Yeah. We were just discussing that now I’m going to be around more, we could link up? I need to be shown about town!”
Sebastian seems less chilled than his normal laid-back self. He looks like he has a distinct bad taste in his mouth and his jaw is tense. I watch the strength of his muscles, taut in their coiled position, under his grey v-neck and admire his body. My hands itch to reach out and touch him there. Slip my arm around his waist and feel his arms enclose around me.
“I’m back now Chris, and Lu and I have a lot of catching up to do but I’m sure you’ll bump into one another. Besides you’ll meet plenty of new people at my housewarming in a couple of weeks.”
Wait! Did he just lay his claim? That’s great but what right does he have to tell another man whether I can see him or not?
I don’t even want to see Chris like that, but the attention is flattering and a little flirtation once in a while does wonders for the soul doesn’t it, provided they don’t get the wrong idea?
The whole scenario appears to have gone straight over Chris’ head and he continues to flirt and chatter amiably. Sebastian is that wired, his strikingly tanned face and muscular physique is overwrought.
 
I can’t relax either. I need to say my peace and get the hell out of there or get over it and frame myself. With Chris there, I couldn’t talk to Seb openly, even if I could maintain enough courage to actually say the words – something I’m still not sure I have in me.
I choose to leave them to their own devices. There is just too much testosterone in the air and I need a major girly overload. Looking around I can see that my sister is a lost cause and is deeply involved in what appears to be, some heavy going chatter with Gino and Jess. Meg is undulating in front of Nathan, stripper style, at another table and I can see the look of horror and jealousy on Ab’s face. Poor thing – she has it real bad! Meg was harmless but I could see me having to calm a few frayed feelings after this episode. I head directly for Abs, practically drag her to her senses and we make a dive for the dance floor.