Rising Up: Finding Me book 1

by J J Harper

  I watch her stomp off and feel guilty that my fears and insecurities are interrupting with her life.

  I've got a funny feeling in my stomach, and I feel all tingly like I’ve forgotten or lost something important, maybe it's just the jetlag setting in. I sit there and stewing on her words and realize that she's right, and I'm being silly, this is a new start and I should be grateful that I'm away from Jake and my mother.

  The waitress brings our drinks over and smiles at me, "If it means anything to you I think you did the right thing there, those guys, well the blond one for sure, are real players, your friend would have ended up another notch in his bedpost."

  "Thanks for that, I'm Imogen, and as you can tell, we're new here so I'm sure we were just fresh meat to them."

  "It's nice to meet you. I'm Tammy, well it’s Tamsin but everyone calls me Tammy. Let me know if you need anything, I'm here most days." Smiling again she walks away.

  Maddie comes back and we both start to speak. "I'm sorry Mads, I promise not to be a killjoy anymore, and if you want to hook up with someone then who am I to stop you."

  "I'm sorry too, I wasn't thinking, I just got caught up in the moment, and shit Ginny, he was a fine specimen, so was the guy you were talking to, Lake said they live round here maybe we'll see them here again."

  "I'm sure we will, it is our local now too."

  The rest of the evening goes quickly, and even though we are approached by quite a few more men, we don't encourage them to sit with us, and they soon move off. As we get up and start to leave, I get the tingling feeling down my spine, this time I turn to look, and see Mason watching me, his amazing blue eyes darken when I look at him, he smiles and mouths "goodnight" to me. I feel the blush spread up over my face and return his goodbye, he swallows hard and smiles. I'm finding it very difficult to turn away.

  "Come on Ginny, let's go." Maddie grabs my arm and pulls me along, but not before I see that Lake has some girl draped over him with his tongue down her throat. Maddie must have seen that and it's pissed her off, just proving to me that he is indeed a player.

  When we get back home, Maddie seems to have shaken her bad mood off and we open a bottle of wine, and turn the music up loud, and Tom Odell is singing his heart out about another love, but after finishing the bottle we head off to our beds.

  I'm lying stretched out in probably the largest and most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. I realize I haven't checked my phone all night, and really wish I'd kept it that way when I saw how many text messages and voice mails I had from my mother and Jake, and none of them are pleasant, so I delete the lot and vow to myself not to give in to them, and chuck my phone into the corner of the room.

  Tomorrow I will buy a new phone then they won't be able to reach me, I don't even know why I kept this one with me.

  As I lie down my head is suddenly filled with thoughts of Mason, he really is possibly the best looking man I have ever seen. His dark almost black hair, and it’s longer than I usually like, but it looked like he'd just got out of bed and ran his hands through it, I always think of it as 'good sex hair', all scruffy and messed up, I wanted to run my hands through it and pull hard, his eyes are the brightest cerulean blue I've ever seen, like a tropical lagoon sort of blue.

  But it was when he started to speak, and his deep voice was dark brown like melted chocolate and as smooth as soft velvet. I hope he didn't notice the goose bumps that ran over my body. That has never happened to me before, such an instant attraction, which is why I didn't want them to stay with us, I knew I wouldn't be able to control myself with him.

  Jake had always fancied himself more than me and didn't care how I felt, sex was for his self-gratification never for mine, and after everything he did to me I never thought I'd want to be with another man again, but Mason sure looked like he knew how to make a girl feel good. Sighing, I turn over and try to get to sleep.

  *

  My bruises have faded now, and my ribs are definitely less painful, but my mind keeps drifting back to my last night with him. I’ve had some flash backs of what happened, and after finding it all on his computer I’m glad I can’t remember most of it.

  The brutality from seemingly intelligent and respectable men astounded me, and I don’t ever want to watch or see any of those images again, and now as I heal physically my mind is clearer and stronger too.

  Nessa sent a colleague of hers to help me through the hard days after the rape, and by talking to her every day, sometimes for hours on end, I have tried to close the door on the whole event and not to let it encroach on my new life, and now that I am here I can breathe again, and not feel that I need to keep looking over my shoulder. Nobody here knows me, and nobody at home knows where I am, not even Nessa. It’s safer this way.

  We spend the next day shopping for new clothes, and although I brought most of mine here, I’m choosing to replace them and continue the reinvention of myself and my life.

  “Hey Imogen, do you think I should call Lake, the guy from the bar?” Maddie turns to me, her eyes pleading with me.

  “Don’t you think it’s a bit too soon? You don’t want to give them the wrong impression of us.” My body is screaming at me to let her call, but my brain is reining me in because damn, I want to see Mason again.

  "I know but he was just so gorgeous and I think I would like to see him again, you know that when we start work we'll be so busy, so I just fancy a bit of fun, so what do you think, shall I call him? And don't think I didn't notice the way you and his cousin were looking at each other as we left."

  "Yeah well, I'm not looking for that sort of thing right now, but how about we compromise? We'll get the first week of work out of the way, and then you can call or we can just hit the bar again and see if they are there."

  "Yay!" Jumping up and clapping her hands, "Thank you so much. You are the bestest best friend in the world!"

  "Yeah, yeah, I know you love me!" The rest of the day is brilliant, we shop, we have lunch, we people watch, and laugh so much that I realized how much Jake had brought me down, I felt lighter and happier than I had for a long time.

  *

  Getting up for work this morning is both exciting and nerve-wracking, we had a practice run yesterday and we know where we are going, and how long it will take and as it’s walking distance from our apartment we decided not to get rent a car.

  I dress in an above the knee charcoal grey skirt with a black tailored shirt, and as I’m so tall I keep my heels reasonable low. Maddie is similarly dressed but she has on her usual killer heels. So grabbing a coffee from the Deli on the corner and we are set to go.

  “I’m really beginning to shit myself now Ginny.” Maddie looks a little bit green and her hands are shaking.

  “Don’t be nervous, we have spoken to HR plenty of times now, and they chose us Maddie, out of all the other applicants, we got picked, so head up, shoulders back and let’s go and kick some butt.” I grab her free hand and give it a squeeze.

  “You’re right, we are awesome! Let’s go.” So with a smile we enter the main reception area, and then our faces fall when we see the photographs of the partners and associates on the wall behind the receptionist desk.

  “Shit!!!” My mouth drops open.

  “Fuck!!!” Maddie turns round and goes to leave.

  There in front of us in all of their absolute glory are Lake Davenport and Mason Reynolds. Not the two complete hot hunks that flirted and messed with us on Friday night, but two incredibly successful, taking-the-US-by-storm, hot-shot lawyers.

  Seriously What The Fuck???

  Just then the smoked glass doors open and a woman I recognize from our Skype conversations approaches us. “Madeleine, Imogen how lovely to finally talk in person. Welcome to Davenport-Reynolds and Partners, please come this way.”

  I look at Maddie and see that the green tinge is spreading back over her face, and under my breath I start to whisper, “Maddie! Come on pull yourself together. Let’s go.” I turn back to my new colleague, “April,
it’s super to meet you too. We can’t wait to get to work. “I grasp Maddie’s hand and we go through to our new jobs.

  After the shock of our first day, the remainder of our first week at work has been hectic, we have been introduced to so many co-workers that it will take a while for me to remember everyone’s names, and have yet to be assigned to a particular team, but we have been issued with our id cards and computer log on details, and have spent days with the HR manager completing all the forms and paperwork needed for our year here, as well as understanding the computer system and the programs they use.

  We have taken up the offers of lunches, and have made friends with other girls our age. Every person I speak to is friendly and welcoming, and all speak highly of the two young partners and the achievements they have made since taking over the firm, but how will they feel when they see that the two girls from the bar are now their two newest employees?

  CHAPTER THREE

  Imogen

  Friday soon comes, and even though I’m feeling pretty tired, I know I promised Maddie, so we are going to hit the bar again. I'm getting ready to go out again, I pay more attention to my clothes and make-up knowing that back home I'd be told I looked trampy and dressing up like a tart. I know this would really piss off Jake which only fuels my desire to look as good as I can.

  My new short dark denim skirt and silk vest top look good with my wedge sandals I pull my hair into a loose plait over my shoulder and a quick spray of L'eau D'Issy, my favorite perfume and I'm all set.

  The strange feeling is back again, and I'm trying to put it down to nerves, because everything is new, but deep down I know it's because of one very tall, and exquisitely handsome man and my desire to see him again.

  Maddie’s voice interrupts my thoughts. "Are you ready Ginny?"

  "Yep, I'm good to go."

  I walk out to the main room and see that Maddie has pulled out all the stops too.

  "You're looking good Mads, No holds barred tonight then?" I laugh happily at her.

  "D'you think it's too much?” She shakes her head. “No, of course not I look hot!" Her white denim shorts are teamed up with a tight bright pink shirt tied under her breasts, and her signature high heels finish off the outfit. "Let's go!

  And just looking at us tonight, even if the guys from last week aren't there, we won't be alone for long."

  "Just promise me you won't try and hook me up with anyone tonight, Mads I mean it," when she raises her eyebrow at me. "Let me do this my way, okay?"

  "Sure, I promise." Giving me a hug we set out.

  I see Tammy as soon as we walk in, and she leads us off to her section. "You girls look fabulous, have you had a good week settling in?"

  "Yeah we hit the mall last weekend and work has been hectic but good. Tamsin this is Maddie, my best friend."

  "Hi Maddie, it's good to meet you. Just let me know if you get pestered tonight and I'll shoo them away for you."

  "Thanks Tammy, but I think Maddie here is ready to get pestered." I laugh and we sit down.

  "I'll bring your drinks over, two beers and a couple of margaritas to follow?"

  "Yes please." I can see Maddie scoping the room, but she doesn't look like she has seen them. "No sign of them then?"

  "No, not yet, but it's still early." I can hear the desperation in my voice and I try to calm down.

  We sit back and enjoy our drinks, chatting about our day and trying to decide what to do tomorrow, it's Saturday and we have no real idea of what goes on around here at the weekend. I’d notice a couple of posters for a market, so we decide to go there.

  After about half an hour I suddenly feel my skin prickle and the hairs on my arms stand on end, and I know that Mason has walked in, I try not to look around but can't stop myself, and although I can’t see him yet I get the feeling he knows I’m here.

  How can my body react to somebody like this? I don't even know him, but hell my skin feels like it's singing out to him.

  "Maddie, they're here." I whisper.

  "Where? I can't see them." Her eyes roam around the room.

  "Neither can I, but, and I know this is weird, I can feel him. They will find us soon. Stop looking around Mads, it makes you look desperate." I chuckle at her.

  "I am desperate! Do you know how long it's been? I'm gonna have to send a chimney sweep up there soon to clear out the cobwebs!"

  I'm really laughing hard now. "I've spotted them. Fuck! Maddie, he is so fucking gorgeous." Tonight Mason is in faded jeans and a tight white T-shirt, showing off his perfectly toned muscles, and I can see a tattoo peeking out under the sleeve, and a shadow of more ink under the shirt and his hair is still damp from his shower.

  My mouth goes dry and my hands get clammy at the sight of him. I can tell he can feel me here too, his eyes are scouring the bar searching every face, between every space and corner of the room. I can tell when he spots me, his body goes rigid and his eyes turn almost black as his pupils dilate.

  I can feel my heart rate increase, and a shiver runs over my body, and I straighten up as he stalks towards me. I can feel Maddie staring at us watching our reaction to each other with her mouth open.

  "Fuck Ginny, what the hell is going on with you two?" She whispers.

  But before I can answer, he reaches me and runs his hand gently down my face, sending every nerve ending into a frenzy, causing me to blush again. He reaches his hand out to mine and stands me up and tucking a strand of my escaping hair behind my ear, and leans down whispering in my ear. "I could sense you the moment I walked in I can tell you did too."

  The air surrounding us feels thick and heavy, my voice is breathless when I manage to speak. "Yes, how can that be, we don't even know each other?" As he pulls me towards his body I can feel his erection pressing against my stomach, and as I look up to his eyes a small sigh escapes from me causing his eyes to dilate even more and are hooded and heavy, he leans down and brushes his lips across mine with the softest touch as his breath washes over me, and I inhale his unique spicy woody scent and my eyes close and I know I'm lost in him.

  "I don't know, but I can't get you out of my head, I've not been able to concentrate all week. I didn't know if I would see you here again." His hands have run down my arms and I start to step back away from him.

  "I know I've felt like that too, I've tried to put you out of my mind and I wasn't sure if I should come back here, but Maddie really likes your friend." I'm trying to make light of the situation but it doesn't seem to be working.

  "Why wouldn't you want to see me again? I know you felt the connection last week when you left." His eyebrows furrow as he shakes his head.

  "I knew I wouldn't be able to trust myself around you." I can feel the frown on my forehead, and I try to shake it off, but his thumbs smooth over it relaxing me. I hear a cough from next to me and I tear my eyes away from his and look at Maddie and Lake both standing with their mouths open staring at us.

  Lake is the first to speak. "What the fuck is going on with you two? Why are you looking at each other like that?"

  "Bloody hell Ginny, that was seriously hot!" Maddie is grinning and giving me two thumbs up.

  "What? Nothing's going on."

  Mason sits down and pulls me next to him, keeping hold of my hand under the table.

  "Yeah, sure. The whole bar watched that little show!" Lake looks pissed off, but Maddie is smiling at me. I look around and see that people are still looking at us.

  "Whatever! Get the drinks in Lake." Mason looks a bit put out by Lake's comments so I try to pull my hand away but he grips it harder, and just shakes his head very slightly and whispers, "No Ginny, don't let go."

  I look at Maddie and see her whispering in Lake's ear and then he looks at me and smirks. "Be good to him Imogen, he's had a shit time lately."

  "Shut the fuck up Lake, I don't need to hear this shit from you." Mason stands up and stalks away towards the bar.

  I look at Maddie, "What should I do, should I go to him?" I’m watching his tense mus
cled back as he strides away from us, from me.

  "Hell girl, after watching you two then I would never let him go, so yeah you should follow him."

  I stand up on shaky legs and follow him over to the bar, as I reach him and put my hand on his arm he turns quickly towards me, and with my face cupped in his hands he kisses me hard.

  Mason

  Walking into the bar I know she is in here, my skin erupts in goose bumps, and a light sweat breaks out over my body, but can’t see where she is yet. Scanning the crowds it takes a few moments till I find her, and she is watching me, her face flushes when I catch her eye.

  I automatically turn and walk towards her, not hearing Lake behind me but I have to touch her, so when I reach her I can't stop myself from running my hand down her cheek.

  My dick is swollen and pulsing inside my jeans, I pull her up against me and her eyes widen as she feels my hardness pressed into her stomach. Leaning down I kiss her softly not trusting myself any further.

  I hear Lake cough, and it breaks our gaze, I sit down with her next to me still holding her hand. Listening with half an ear to Lake and Maddie talking shit I squeeze Ginny's hand when she tries to remove it.

  Suddenly Lake's voice penetrates, and I hear him telling her to be nice to me. Fuck that! I get up and stride up to the bar not noticing anyone around me staring, and being 6' 5" people always clear a path for me. Waiting to be served, I feel her hand on my arm, and I before I can stop myself, I turn to her and kiss her hard.

  Kissing her is like nothing I've ever experienced before, it feels like sparks are flying all around me, I run my tongue over her bottom lip asking for entrance and as she sighs her mouth opens and I stroke my tongue into her mouth finding her own.

  As they start to dance slowly with each other her hands creep up to my chest and clutch the fabric of my shirt pulling me hard against her. I start to nip her lower lip between my teeth and a groan builds up in my chest until it's bursting from my mouth into hers. With my hands still in her hair I start to pull away as I suddenly remember where we are.