The One Awakened: Book 1 in The One Trilogy (6 page)

Annoyed with myself, and my ridiculous thoughts, I quickly run to the fridge - the only mirror on that floor - to see my reflection and try to catch a glimpse between the many pieces of artwork by my talented son. Staring out between the green splodgey handprints and my favourite painting, showcasing a random blue slug, is a dark haired, green-eyed… Mum! Hardly the sex-goddess that would tempt a man, like Sebastian Silver.

My shoulders slump.
No. Stop! You are not just a mum - you’re a twenty-nine year old, intelligent and attractive woman, remember that
. My inner voice chastises me.
 

Actually I didn’t look that bad, considering I’d not refreshed my make-up since I’d returned home. My fitted black hook and eye corset shirt, showed enough cleavage to classily tempt and not turn tricks and my hair fell in heavy glossy waves, down my back, thanks to the last minute lunch cancellation at the hip new salon ‘Gum’, with my darling hairdresser, Sophie.
 

At least I’d gone for the wine option and not the fake-tan and PJ’s decision, when I’d got back. A slightly relaxed woman with a large Spritzer was much more pleasant to look upon, than a St. Tropez smeared stranger with the eye-watering scent of ‘eau de kebab’. I shudder at that unattractive vision.
 

Why did I care though, it was Seb?
 

He’d seen me in considerably worse states. God, when I thought about the nights out we’d had over the years - namely in the student bar, when he’d held my hair whilst I threw up, got me home safely in a cab or let me doss down at his on the sofa. He’d even helped me get to the toilet after my Oophorectomy
 
operation, when burst ovarian cyst, warranted emergency surgery. I remember, him waiting patiently outside, - to carry me back to bed. Such a gent. Niall had been busy with work - of course!

Yep - if a girl was in distress within a five-mile radius, Sebastian Silver was the man you called. He just made everything, well… better. Now I was beginning to understand why women swooned around him too.
 

Had I had blinkers on for the past decade? Nope Hun, you’d just been blinded by Niall’s promises and deafened by his lies.
Sebastian hadn’t laid eyes on me for the best part of a year, nor had he seen me much since Niall & I had parted ways, so shockingly. The last time we’d spent time together, I was in the middle of a nasty break-up. I was still his best friend, but had also existed as part of a couple for nine years. I’d been two stone heavier and a blubbering, hormonal mess, trying to deal with the fact that I had just packed my partner off, and my future, as I knew it, had ended. I had probably appeared weak and lacking in my usual confidence and very un-Lulu-like. I shudder at the thought of the image I’d portrayed.

Whilst Sebastian visits my sleeping son, I take a moment to grab a pizza out of the fridge and switch the oven on. Then I prepare a small rocket and parmesan salad and mix up some french dressing. I suppose the one bonus of him arriving tonight, is that I might actually bother to eat. It is so much better cooking for two adults. I’d forgotten how nice it is to cook for a man, even if it is only to heat-up a ready meal. Most men are rarely on a diet and tend to eat so heartily, it relaxes you into doing the same.

I turn, just as I hear him bounding down the steps, his muscled body nimble, despite the three flights of stairs. It feels strange to have a man in the house again, or rather a man who is comfortable and knows his way around my home. Strange, but it’s also calming; I’d missed that, without even realising it.
 

Thank goodness I have such a good male friend. My female friends have been amazing but you can’t beat great male company. They just have a different type of energy about them and are great at helping around the house, with the crappy little jobs that most women don’t have the required gene (or inclination) in them, to perform. Sorry ladies if you’re good with tools, big ups to Girl-Power but unfortunately, I’m not one of those women - not that I won’t give anything a go at least once; but I know my limitations, and plumbing, changing tyres and picture hanging are on that list - to name but a few.
“Hmm. Something smells good!”
I smile brightly at his tanned watchful face. “Hope pizza suits, it’s all I have. Marks & Spencer’s though, so it should be up to your high worldly - wise standards.”
He swats me on the behind, and laughs as I squeeze past him to get the trays and cutlery, catching a gorgeous whiff of vanilla and spice and heat. My bottom buzzes literally and not from the soft smack and I stop a second to compose myself. He’s only trying to lighten the mood.

What is wrong with me? Get a grip! This is your mate.

My phone springs to life on the counter between us; interrupting the tension but the second I hear the ringtone I freeze. Oh no I’m going to kill Colin. He’s been at my bloody phone… again. Me so horny by 2 Live Crew bounces out, loud and bold in the kitchen. My cheeks blush as I watch Seb’s eyebrows near his hairline…and his lips curl in a playful grin, as the words repeat over and over.
 

“
Oh
me so horny,
oh
me so horny,
oh
me so horny - me love you
long
time.”

Seriously, could the timing be any worse?

“Nice ringtone Lu.”

“I didn’t set it - someone’s been messing with my phone.”

“Ok then - I believe you; many wouldn’t. Either that or you’re trying to tell me something.”

I glance down at the screen and see Meg, my rather energetic and newish neighbour's, name - I click the hold button, desperate for the song to end; I’ll call her later and Colin was in deep doo-doo.

Ignoring his continuing smirk, I change the subject fast. “I think this calls for a TV dinner, don’t you Mr. Silver?”
“Sounds good to me. Then you can tell me all about what’s been going on and how it is that with everything you’ve been through, you look sexier than ever Lu!”
Oh My!
Sebastian’s always been a flirt but not really with me. Am I reading more into this? I really do need to have sex again… and soon. The dry spell is making me see things that aren’t there.
 

Yes, don’t be silly, it’s you. He would never be interested in you that way and why are you openly considering him?
 

We snuggle down on the sofa and just as I reach for my wine, my iPhone woofs at me, alerting me to an incoming text. It’s Meg… again.
 

It reads…

Tried to call you - Just seen the hottest guy I’ve copped a look at in ages in the corner shop of all places. Then came home and saw him walking through your front door.

Fuck me, he’s fit, you jammy bitch - Who is he? I demand to be introduced. Your gagging for it and very single mate. Hint Hint ;)

I reply instantly, overcome by an unfamiliar and uncomfortable sensation, low in the pit of my stomach.

It’s my friend Sebastian, from University; I’m sure I’ve mentioned him before.

Having a night in but will introduce you soon x

Sitting back, I ignore Seb’s sideways glances towards my phone, as he piles rocket on top of his pizza. I am more concerned with the fact that the saying about
green eyes
seems to be very apt, in my case, as I realise that I am overcome with the undeniable and unwelcome emotion, jealousy, at the sheer thought that my friend would appeal to another.
 

Which is ridiculous, because why wouldn’t he? He’s single, as far as I’m aware, extremely wealthy and gorgeous! Plus, that was his thing; he had women literally falling at his feet.
 

He was
never
without a woman.

But he’s Sebastian and Sebastian is a commitment-phobe and because of that last pertinent point, I suppose I’d never considered him relationship material. Meg would probably only want a one-night-stand anyway though, I inwardly remind myself and am gutted that I’m also stricken by that potential scenario. Seriously annoyed I grab my tray and dig into the food diligently, glad of something to do. Sebastian considers me lazily as I nervously try to fill the quiet.

“So tell me, what’s happening in your life? How was Dubai? Is it really as hot as everyone says?”
 

Surely it’s not as hot as you, I bet?
Waiting to finish chewing Seb nods. “All good; nice to be home. Dubai is like Las Vegas, exciting and luxurious for a few days, then after a while it just felt like a rich man’s Blackpool.”
 

His conservative response is disconcerting. He usually loves to regale stories about the countries he frequents and entertain me with tales of his wild nights out. I laugh, in spite of his lack of energy.

 
“Easy for you to say, when you’ve had the opportunity to experience the world.”
“Oh yeah, it’s very exciting living out of a bag and dealing with arrogant Arabs for nearly a year! I think it would have been easier to have experienced pregnancy, complete with natural, drug-free labour,” he offers up casually, blissfully unaware of the ridiculousness of his throwaway statement.

I practically choke on my food. “Oh OK, like you’d know all about that Sebastian! Much easier to be pregnant for nine months then be split in half over a thirty-six hour labour, than handle a few difficult Arab princes with more money than sense!”
 

Chuckling, I settle back into my seat and I can feel him watching my every move. I begin to relax and feel that cocoon of safety that Seb always manages to create around me - something I haven’t felt for a long time. He’d also always been able to put me at ease, but right now, I was both comfortable and on edge, if that was possible.
 

Confused much?
 

“Seriously though, you must be pleased it’s all nearly over?” I ask, as he suddenly seems quiet for him. Dubai has intensified him, no doubt there.
“Yeah. Yeah. I am, it’s been great for the business, really great. We’ve got lots of rebound work from it. The Dubai Marina is amazing and what they are doing there is nothing short of futuristic. The Middle East definitely have vision.

“Does the hotel look fabulous?”
 

I refer to the spectacular Skyscraper
Jannah Hotel,
situated within Dubai Marina that Silver Construction has been contracted to assist in its completion. Sebastian had been overseeing the latter stages of the project at management level, negotiating, handling other contractor firms and assisting the architects and from what I’d heard, spent more time in a suit than his site-gear. He really was rolling with the big-guys now. He’d put into this one financially from both the personal and business coffers and now nearing completion and sale, the profits could be in the millions; so I understood the pressure to be immense.

“It’s out of this world Lu - like something from a film set - pure polished steel, combined with glittering cut glass windows and the views! I’ll show you the pics soon. You’d
die
for the interior.”
 

The passion is there but he’s not quite on the ball and I remind myself that the poor guy has just spent eight hours on a return flight from a different time zone.

“I’m just tired I guess. I was really ready for home soil,” he sighs, running a hand over his newly cut hair.
My eyes are drawn to the familiar gesture, seeing it differently for the first time. I’m sensing that all is not as it seems with Dubai and that there is definitely more to tell, but recognising his reluctance to divulge at present, I leave well alone, for now.
Grateful to bypass any further questions he takes the opportunity to revert back to me. “Enough about me. How’s work?”
“It’s great actually. Long hours and it’s been tough trying to be there for Finn, as much as I can and maintain his routine, but it’s good. I’ve potentially a big Hotel job on at the moment, which if successful, will be mean a
huge
bonus!” I smile in genuine excitement. “I feel like I’m finally doing what I was meant to do. Actually that reminds me, this may be a job for Silver Construction? Especially now you’re back for a while. I’ve got my meeting on Monday but I’ll get you to quote, if you’re up for it - doesn’t have to be you, Mr. Boss man - I know how busy you are, but maybe one of your many minions?

Seb relaxes back into the sofa and stretches his well-muscled arm out along the top. I can see that he’s already inhaled his full pizza. It never ceased to amaze me the speed at which he ate. He pretty much did everything fast.
Or maybe not? There I go again…

I wonder if he’d fuck like that? Or if he’d be hard, yet slow? Stop Lucia!
“That’s great Lu; you deserve it. Yeah I’ll take a look at the brief. Just send me the details,” he nods, taking a swig of his cold beer. “I’ve always told you to believe in your skills. You should have set up on your own years ago; fuck
 
- we should have hooked up.” His eyes consider me seriously, watching my reaction.

Hooked up?
 

“Yeah, I can really tell that things are back on track. You are
you
again,” he continues, oblivious to my confusion and pleased with his revelations.
“Me again? I didn’t go anywhere,” I respond, a bit annoyed actually and on the defensive.
“Yes you did Lu. Sitting in front of me, is the girl I met at University - happy, independent, strong and confident. Bossy. Stubborn. Funny. A girl who know what she wants,” he laughs between swigging more beer, then keeps going. “… I haven’t seen her for years - well maybe had a few glimpses of her now and then,” correcting himself, he flicks a genuine smile in my direction, softening the blow, which allows me to calm my petulant childish thoughts and respond clearly.
“Well, redundancy, a break-up and becoming a single parent will do that to you,” I joke, embarrassed at his compliments.
 

Had I really changed that much?
 

I already knew the answer to that. Unequivocally - yes!
“You either crumble, or frame yourself. I chose to survive. Life’s good at the mo. In fact I’m dating… again.”
 

I throw out this last bit in for retaliation really, although I’m not a hundred percent why but notice that he looks up in surprise and puts his fork down with a clatter.
“Really? Who?”
“Oh just someone I met via work. He’s a banker, previously married, now recently divorced and likes Chinese.”