The Awakening (The Elders Trilogy Book 1) Page 4

  “Do you want us to stay with you?” Cole asked.

  My head is saying yes, but my mouth overrides it, “No, I’ll be okay.”

  They nod in unison and walk away. This is starting to feel like the beginning of a ‘B’ rated slasher film. Ugh, that makes my stomach knot up.

  After waiting for another ten minutes, I come to the realization that I am a complete idiot sitting alone in a dark, empty parking lot. I start my car turning on my headlights and there he stands, in the bushes straight ahead. I freeze, not knowing if I should turn off my car and get out or to take off, and never look back. Option B was the right choice, but the suspense of meeting him is eating me alive. I turn off my car and sit there for a few moments.

  I reach over to the passenger’s seat and grab the can of mace out of my purse, safely tucking it in my back pocket. I get out of the car standing closely beside it. Strategically, I space the keys between my fingers. My thought behind that move is if he goes psycho I will scream, poke his eyes out, get back in my car and take off like a bat out of hell.

  He stepped closer. “Please don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. I know you’re confused, but I can explain.”

  My pulse is racing, my heart pounding violently in my chest. It feel as though it is going to explode. He reaches down, taking my hand in his. His ice-cold touch sends familiar shivers down my spine, reminding me of my dream.

  “Take a deep breath, Jess, you’re not dreaming,” he says.

  A zillion questions whip through my head, but my mouth is too dry to speak. All the while, I keep telling myself to get in the car and get the hell out of here, but I couldn’t move. He takes my other hand in his and I am out.

  When I come to, I move too quickly making me woozy. I shut my eyes, slowly reopening them taking in the surrounding room. I am sitting on a bed in a very dark room. Where am I? Am I ok? I touch myself, all my clothes are still on and nothing feels hurt, but my mace is gone. What in the hell is wrong with me, why did I go looking for trouble? Now I’m trapped.

  I stand up — still a little off balance and reach out to grab hold of whatever is closest to steady myself when a hand slides around my waist. I scream while trying to fight it off.

  His hand covered my mouth. “Ssssh, Jess, it’s okay, I’m right here.”

  I can’t see anything, but yell, “Who the hell are you? Where am I?” That’s when the tears commence. “Uh, uh are you going to k…k…kill me?” I stutter.

  Much to my surprise he laughs. “No, I’m not going to hurt you. It’s me, David.”

  My legs buckle so he guides me back down on the bed. He reaches over toward me and I flinch, bracing myself for whatever is coming, but all he does is turn on the bedside lamp. I am face to face with my kidnapper.

  Well, if I’m gonna die at least it will be by the hands of a gorgeous man. A sight for sore eyes my grandmother would say. With that last thought still fresh in my mind, he senses I am calming. He flashes me a smile that heats my insides. Okay, now I feel weak in the knees because my kidnapper is totally hot. Tie me up, tie me down just tie me now, damn these teenage hormones.

  I force myself to look away because I can feel my face flushing and feel an overwhelming urge to get us both out of our clothes. I decide to focus my attention elsewhere, checking the surroundings for a way out. The furnishings are simple, thick red velvet curtains adorn the window, a four-poster queen sized bed, nightstand, dresser and a desk with chair.

  The bed linens are black. Nothing about this room seems sick, twisted, or out of the ordinary. No freaky doctor tools to dissect me with, no perverse abstract art, in fact, there isn’t anything on the walls at all.

  “Where am I?”

  “In my bedroom. You fainted so I brought you here.”

  “Where’s my car?”

  “In the driveway, I found the keys in your hand and drove us here so you would have it when you were able to leave.”

  That grabs my attention so I bolt to the window to verify what he is telling me and find my car to be exactly where he said it is.

  “I’m free to leave?”

  He nods yes. But I know I’m not going because I need answers.

  “Why are you stalking me? How did you find me? How did you get my phone number?”

  “I’ve always known where you are.” He just keeps staring at me.

  “That’s a little freaky, are you a freaking stalker? Watched one too many Dexter episodes?”

  Again, with the laughing, why is this so funny to him?

  “No Jess, you are my alma gemela, soul mate. I’ve always known where you are.”

  Ok, that’s my cue to bail because that’s one lame ass response. I get up and head for the door, but realize I don’t have my purse. I turn to retrieve it when he hands it to me.

  “You’re free to go, but I wish you wouldn’t. I didn’t mean to scare you. I hope in time you’ll allow me to explain.”

  How can he be so calm about this? Doesn’t he understand how insanely ridiculous his responses are? This isn’t normal behavior. Soul mates? Has he lost his damn mind? There’s no such thing and I sure as hell don’t want someone in my life that knows what I’m thinking or doing or where I’m at all the time.

  I step back and he gestures toward the bed for me to sit. I stand there waiting for him to sit first, like that makes any difference. He seems to have guessed what I’m thinking because he walks over to his desk, pulls out the chair, and sits down. So, I take his lead and proceed to sit on the bed, clutching my purse to my chest in case I need a quick exit. He tosses me my mace, assuring me there would be no need for it.

  Okay, back to where I left off. “I think you owe me an explanation. I have stalking and kidnapping charges to file so you’d better start talking before I call 9-1-1!”

  Again, with that damn smile, shit, even sitting I can feel my knees quaver.

  “Jess, do you believe in love at first sight? That there’s one true love for everyone?”

  “I would like to believe that, but reality and the high divorce rate leads me to believe otherwise.” Boy, my attitude kicks into high gear.

  He ignores my snide comment pressing on, “I’m a believer. I’ve loved you since the day we met. Do you remember that first day in kindergarten?”

  How can anyone love someone in kindergarten? If memory serves me correctly, I had an unnatural love for the fruit scented markers on the tables as well as for eating paste. Okay, I know what you’re thinking — sick, but it was kindergarten and maybe the fruit markers got me a little high, heck maybe that’s why I munched on a bottle or two of paste.

  “For someone who says he loves me, you have a funny way of showing it. As I recall, you were the one who took off in seventh grade without warning. Not a note, a phone call, nothing. Where’ve you been all this time and why have you chosen now to resurface?”

  “I’m different than you, Jess. My family is not your normal everyday family.”

  “What in the Sam hell does that mean? Every family, every person is different. Take mine for instance, my mother is a psychotic bitch who can’t love anyone but herself and my father is my mother’s personal slave, catering to her every whim. What the hell does that have to do with you disappearing?”

  He rises from his seat and moves to take a seat beside me. I stiffen, which he takes note of and backs up.

  “I’m not here to hurt you. It’s quite the opposite. I’m here to protect you and take care of you.”

  I puff up my chest like a proud peacock. “I can take care of myself, thanks.” What am I, some helpless female?

  He nods. “Yes, I remember that night you were so brave and independent that you walked out to your car without a care in the world. Even though four guys were standing beside it? That was very brave indeed,” he spits with much contention.

  “How do you know about that? I’ve never shared that with anyone.”

  “Because I was there, I was the one who stopped them from raping you.”

  Every ounce o
f breath liberates itself from my being. “How did you know what they were going to do?”

  He pauses for a moment, selectively choosing his response. “I could sense their thoughts. The largest of the four men had no soul.”

  “No soul?”

  He reaches over touching my shoulder. I slide out from under his hand. “Are you okay?” he asks.

  “I thought you could read my mind? If that were true then you would already know the answer to that question.” Now I’m getting pissed. This conversation is going nowhere.

  “I can’t read minds, but I am gifted with deciphering people’s body language and can make out what they’re thinking, not to mention the fact that they were ripping your clothes off while he was undoing his pants.”

  It occurrs to me that I’ve only had two boyfriends, David and Luke. I’ve always shut everyone out or pushed them away so I never had to feel anything or know what it is like to be rejected. Maybe part of that is due to David’s disappearance. Right after he left, I found myself drifting away, abstaining from human contact. I guess his leaving scarred me deeper than I thought.

  “Why did you leave me?” I finally ask.

  The smile on his face fades replaced by sadness. “I didn’t have a choice, Jess. It was time for me to go.” He continues, “In time I’ll answer more questions, but for now it’s probably best you go home before your father reports you missing.”

  Glancing at the clock on the night stand, it read four twenty-four a.m. Holy shit, I am in trouble.

  I spring up and in an instant, he is by my side. He reaches over cupping my face in his hands, lifting it to stare into my eyes. “I hope I didn’t frighten you. I’m here for you and would like to see you again, if that’s okay?”

  “Okay.”

  He leans in and kisses me. A long, deep kiss that leaves me feeling like someone smacked me in the back of the legs. I feel weak and stimulated at the same time. He releases his hold with a smug look. Boy, I hope he doesn’t read my body language this time. The last thing I need is some guy thinking he has control over me.

  He takes my hand and leads me to the front door. On the way there I make mental notes of everything we pass. When we reached the foyer, he lets go so he can hug me, kissing me once again whispering, “Until we meet again, Mi Amor.”

  Like a stupid teenage girl, I blurt, “When will that be?” Wow, how desperate I’ve become.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow so we can plan something.”

  On that note, I make my way to my car, but as I’m backing out of the driveway, the vaguely familiar area catches my attention. Reaching the stop sign it dawns on me, I’m in my own neighborhood. This is way too eerie. How long has he been watching me? This is starting to look more and more like a ten o’clock news story.

  It ends up that his house is only three blocks from mine. What really sucks is I can’t confide in anyone about this, but what’s even sadder is that I have no one to talk to even if I could. I need to find out more, where he’s been, what he knows about me. I’m a little freaked out by this whole situation.

  When I walk in the house, Dash and Vi came running and I see my parents have waited up. Oh, this is so not gonna go well.

  My mother storms over. “Where in the hell have you been, do you know how worried your father and I were? We’ve been up all night.”

  Like she even freaking cares. All this coming from the woman who can’t hug me or tell me she loves me. She doesn’t care about anyone but herself. As my lips formed the words our eyes meet, my thoughts must have been conveyed by my facial expression because she backs down, exiting the room. Score one for body language.

  I erase the smirk from my face turning to my father.

  “Jess honey, we were worried, are you okay?”

  “Yes, Daddy, I’m fine. I’m so sorry, I went to the movies with my friends and then we went to Denny’s and started talking and I lost track of time.” I hate lying to him, but if he knew I was with a boy he would flip out. Some things are better left unsaid.

  He stands up and hugs me then holds me at arm’s length, scolding me, “I love you, Jess, please do not do this again.”

  “I love you too, Dad, I’m sorry. Next time I promise to check in.” I head upstairs with my dogs, briskly showering, then hit my bed, crashing instantly into the most risqué dream I’ve ever had.

  We are in a hotel room, David and I, naked. He’s sitting on a chair and I’m standing in front of him straddling his legs. He spreads his thighs forcing my legs further apart. I’m hovering over him and as I bend over, my long hair frames our faces. My taut nipples in front of his face, he cups my breasts sucking each nipple in turn. One hand reaches around, grabbing my ass while the other slowly rose up my inner thigh, closer and closer to my slit. Our lips meet as he pulls back, slightly, causing them to brush as we pause, each one breathing the other’s breath. His fingers reach inside, feeling the heat he’s brought and how wet it’s made me. I moan while he continues to twirl his fingers inside me.

  We start kissing as he toys with my clit. My hips drive down, begging him to penetrate me, but he forces me to hold still. Our tongues whipping wildly about as he slides his fingers back into me, one, two, extracting moans with each smooth stroke. My breathing accelerates, he knows I’m going to blow. My tongue plunges deeper and deeper, all that’s holding me up is his hand on my ass, the whole time we keep our lips locked riding out my orgasm.

  Chapter 5

  Thankfully, today’s my day off which allows me to sleep in. Last night’s tawdry fantasy was draining. It is late afternoon before I leave my room and make my way to the kitchen for much needed substance when I spot a note from my parents. Well, from my dad telling me they’re running errands and basically to feed myself. There’s a shocker.

  Like any geek, my first thought is to turn on the computer, but for some reason I sit there, mindlessly staring at the blank screen. My thoughts gravitate toward David, and last night’s dream leaves me wondering if or when I will hear from him. I know I should stay away, but I can’t help myself, I’m drawn to him. Is there such a thing as soul mates, one true love? His words continually loop through my mind, seeking validity in his statement. I have to see him. I have to find out more.

  My cell phone rings and the screen reads David Cordova. How in the hell did his name and number get into my contact list?

  “Hello?” I ask quizzically.

  “Hi Jess, it’s David.”

  “Um ya, that’s what the screen on my phone shows. How did you get my cell number and how did your number get in my cell?”

  He clears his throat. “Um, I added myself while you were passed out. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Little too late to ask now, don’t ya think?” Well, that came out shittier than I meant it to.

  Hmm, I wonder what other liberties he took while I was out cold. He must have assumed that thought would cross my mind.

  “Nothing happened, Jess, I swear.”

  I know it’s the truth, but I needed to hear it from his lips.

  “Jess, are you still there?”

  Oh shit. “Yes.”

  “Can I see you tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “What time do you get off?”

  “How did you know my schedule for yesterday, but not for today? Today’s my day off.” Wow, my bitchy responses are even throwing me for a loop.

  “Great, will you come to my house around eight? I’ll cook you dinner.”

  “Okay.”

  “Do you remember how to get here?”

  “Yes.” I did after all manage to find my way home after the massive three block drive.

  My mind is spinning out of control – Jess, are you insane, what are you thinking and OH MY GAWD I cannot believe you gave in that easily.

  I get dressed, pull my hair up in a ponytail, grab my cell phone and shoot my dad a quick text letting him know what is going on, purse (making sure the can of mace is still in it) and head out the door. I’m far more excited tha
n I should be when apprehension is the emotion that should be prevalent. Hold on a sec, is this a date? Put the brakes on, now I’m nervous.

  David answers the door right as I am pressing the button, he must have been watching for me. As soon as I walk in, he pulls me into his waiting arms, fervently kissing me. Scenes from last night’s dream replay in my head. I want to wrap my legs around his waist and have him whisk me away to the bedroom, but somehow manage to say, “Hi,” unsteadily and make him laugh. Gee, I’m so glad he finds humor in my inability to control my hormones, but damn, that kiss was mind blowing. I grab him by his shirt collar pulling him back in, every inch of my body heats up.

  When we come up for air, he asks if I’m hungry. Food is the furthest thing from my mind, but I know he made me dinner, so I say yes. He takes me by the hand leading me to the table, pulling my chair out for me as a gentleman should. Boy, he’s pulling out all the stops. I’m blown away by the lavish spread he’s prepared. In the center of the table sits a vase of fresh sunflowers. How did he know that’s my favorite flower?

  I stare with my mouth gaping open like the winner that I am.

  “Let me serve you, Amor.”

  Cooking and serving, what did I do to deserve this? He fills my plate with a little bit of everything. There is no way he can be as perfect as he appears.

  He turns to me. “Let me know what you think.”

  Once the first bite hits my tongue, my eyes close. The flavor, the aroma, the lasagna melted in my mouth. “This is fantastic. Where did you learn how to cook?”

  “I took a culinary arts class.”

  Culinary arts, my ass, I took that class and all I succeeded at doing was burning water. Yes, I said it. I burnt water. In other words, I left the pot unattended. All water dissipated and I burnt the bottom of the pot. Needless to say, my teacher was pissed.

  “Why aren’t you eating?” I ask.

  “Oh, I sampled too much while I was cooking and it filled me up.”

  “You invited me for dinner and then you don’t eat with me?”