The One Awakened: Book 1 in The One Trilogy (16 page)

Thanks for last night Lu. Must do it again soon. x

Eh? What does that mean?
 

No mention of my offer? Does he now remember what happened or is he just being a mate about our night out? Talk about cryptic. I decide not to reply and to sleep on it, something I hope he’s also considering. I desperately need some serious shuteye and my head is in fucking bits.
Why did I put myself out there like that?
Turning round to squeeze Finn’s foot, I focus on him and join him in the
Bob the Builder
theme song. Can we fix it…yes we can! How apt.
 

I’m not sure that is the case this time.

As I settle down for the night I decide to reach out to Abby. We’ve not spoken since last night and she had no idea about what had happened between Sebastian and I or my proposal of a night of passion to him. I type the words and as I do they sting. The fact that Seb didn’t want me enough is soul-destroying in itself but I’m annoyed that I’d put myself out there only to be left feeling vulnerable and weak and more importantly really
stupid
.

 
Seb & I got down & dirty but didn’t finish the deed!
He chickened out - now I feel like crap!
Left in limbo. Got stupid text from him saying THANKS!
WTF?

*

 
What a Seb…ASS…tian!
Play him at his own game Babe. His interest is peeked; now peek at other male interests.
 
Maybe you & Seb are BEST as BEST FRIENDS without the complication of sex? X

Abs always gave great advice but the last sentence of her text is something I’m not ready to hear. She may be right but seeing it glaringly illuminated, is way too real.

Should have probably consulted you before I offered him ‘me on a platter for one night only’, no ties, no commitments just hot sex.
x

*

You did WHAT? Wow Lulu found her balls at last. Proud of you girl. Its about time you got laid and may as well be with an expert. Too many years being fucked by an amateur, now its time to get down and dirty.x

*

I know - that’s what I thought! Ha ha you make me laugh. What about you - anything happen with Nathan?
 

*

Just a peck - Was hoping for his PECKER ha ha!
He’s asked me to S & G’s on Sat night. Yay!
I like him Lu Bu - really f**king like him. Crap!
Better go I’m knackered. Love U. Mwah !
 

It’s only as I’m about to connect my phone up to my charger I realise that I’ve another text come through, whilst I’ve been messaging Abs. It’s from Niall.

I messed up Saturday. Let me come over Mu Mu?

I slam the phone down and turn the light off. Total douche-bag! It is Sunday night, Finn’s in bed and I’ve work in the morning. I’m annoyed with myself that deep down, I know that if the text had been from Seb, I’d have unlocked the door and forgone my beauty sleep, especially if he was there to give me an answer to my proposition.

Popping the top off a small Belgium beer, I pad through to the living room. Chris was out for the night leaving me alone with my thoughts. I’m glad of the silence. After Lu had dropped me off, I’d headed straight for bed and slept for five hours straight. Yet I still felt drained; my mind filled at every moment with
her text.

One night with Lucia Myers - the girl I’d lusted after, for over a decade.

I have to admit she had nerve, to put herself out there like that. Especially after I’d fucked things up so badly last nig
ht. What was wrong with me?

I had wanted to kiss her all night, thought about nothing else really since I left her Friday. I’d watched her bumping and grinding with Abby on the dance floor; couldn’t take my eyes off her and neither could Chris! That had been an unexpected annoyance. At least that new boyfriend of hers hadn’t shown up!

I’d managed to cleverly manipulate the situation so that I was in their cab, ended up back hers and even sharing her bed and yet she still couldn’t see how much I desired her. Finally, connecting with her after all these years had been everything I could have hoped for and more - she was receptive and hot and we’d gone much further than I’d ever intended to, our first time - I’d probably pushed her too hard. I think back to the moment I near her scar - she’d flinched. There was definitely more to that issue
 
- Niall had been an odd ball about it, I know that much. Gino had told me in the past but I’d never discussed it with Lu before. We were close as mates but something’s you didn’t talk about with the opposite sex unless you were bedding them!

I didn’t give a flying fuck about her scar. She’d had a horrific time when Finn was born - scared the hell out of me at the time but I want her to be uninhibited when we finally have sex. I’ve waited too long for it not to be right.

This morning had been shit. I’d waffled on about marmite and booze and knew she was desperate to get rid of me; I was desperate to escape and if it had been any other woman would have snuck out whilst she slept. But I couldn’t do that to Lu. My cheeks still ached from the fake bright smile I’d plastered across them. And that drive to mine - it was the most uncomfortable experience of my life. I wracked my brain, considering what if anything could be said that would make this whole situation any better.

I should never have forced the situation so soon. I should never have tried it on with her.

Dropping down onto the sofa, I switch the TV on with a flick of the wrist; scrolling through the planner and shaking my head at my stupidity, I groan aloud.

Cheers? What the fuck was I thinking?
 

I’d forced her into a compromising position, felt her come alive and let go in my arms and then left her hanging. Then I’d asked her for a bloody lift home!
 

Dick!
 

I can still see her face, her response, as I waggle the phone signal at her - utter contempt didn’t cut it. It was at that second my mobile had buzzed and everything had changed. I’d been bowled over by her proposition - never seen it coming and pretty much everything else, had gone out the window from thereon. I found it hard to breathe, dry mouth, sweaty palms, there was no way I could think on my feet. How could I control this situation and get things back on my terms?

Fucking Cheers!

She’d left before he could respond, driving like a lunatic as per usual, to go collect Finn. Now, as I glance at my phone, my mind working overtime, I make the positive decision to send out an olive branch to her and punch out a reply - I’m still not sure how to play this? Yeah, best keep it safe! I’ve got to send something, have some connection with her - no connection would be like sticking two fingers up at her!

I need to sleep on things before going all in or keeping things friendly. I want to take her to bed badly but I’m still not sure if I want long-term and am I just being a selfish git - is this just about the challenge again - as it had been with so many other women? If I go all in, this is it. Keeping it friendly, I’m not sure I can do that either? Problem is, she’s all I can think about - her lime green eyes, those kissable lips, those amazing breasts and having her naked beneath me, open to everything, with no ties, no commitment, just friends becoming fuck buddies - Jesus, she was making it easy for me - I’d be a fool
not
to accept!

Tomorrow I’ll make it clear to her what my ultimate decision is. The chance is there to take, without ties, so what is stopping you?

I’d been manic at work all morning and finally pushing my chair back, I stretch and head for a much needed cuppa. Monday’s were always hectic but today more than usual.
 

“Oooh are you brewing up?” Jackie begs pouting in desperation, as she glues a pantone colour swatch onto the mood board for our latest client.
 

We’ve both been busily putting the finishing touches to the portfolio of ideas for our Holdgate Hotel
The Ashton
. I am so excited about my concepts for this current job - they are rocking – all baroque, damask and flock. I’m literally salivating at the thought of it all coming together. One word
sumptuous
; that’s the theme I’m going for. The dramatic vision I have created for their new honeymoon suite is something I’ve had in my head for months, but not had the right project to apply the creative juices to. If this goes well, we are guaranteed to get each and every other room in the hotel, which is being re-vamped by the new owner, James Marcell. Plus he knew everyone, so the word-of-mouth marketing would be fabulous. Colin will flip if we get this coup.
“Quick cuppa and a bite to eat and then I must go face the client.”