The Awakening (Wake Up #1)

by Sarah Brocious

  "I should get you home," Nolan said softly.

  Raina was about to protest.

  "Rain check," Susanne chuckled. "I certainly want to see you again."

  Raina felt the sincerity. It was funny, after all this time the first new friend she made was a cougar who had initially been after her faux boyfriend. "I'd like that."

  Susanne reached for Nolan’s hand. "Take care of her. And, make some time for me...I'd like to sign that contract."

  Nolan grinned thankfully. “If you come to the office next week, we'll sign those papers. Mr. Clay will have them ready."

  Susanne gave them a nod, and exited.

  Nolan turned to Raina and grinned. "Thank you, thank you. You couldn't have been more perfect tonight!"

  She laughed. "She wasn't that bad Nolan."

  He chuckled. "You have no idea how much of a difference you made...believe me! You won her over."

  "My pleasure Mr. Gregor." She gathered her purse, and turned back to him.

  He set his hand gently at the small of her back and they started toward the front. His chaste touch still made her tummy perform a riot. One moment she was humming from his touch and the next....she felt her skin crawl, swearing she felt eyes on her as they made their way out.

  Nolan handed over a slip for their coats, and helped her easily into hers. His own hung over his arm...she remembered... he didn't easily get cold.

  They were nearly out the door, when a waiter stopped them, calling Nolan's name. He hurried over with a folded note.

  "Sir, this is for you."

  Nolan frowned. He opened the note, read it over, then paled.

  Raina wasn't brave, or rude enough to peak at the note. "What is it?" she whispered.

  Nolan glanced at her, a bit of uncertainty in his eyes. "Stay here, I'll only be a moment," he whispered. He cleared his throat, and tucked the note into his pocket. He looked toward the dining room they had just exited. He swallowed and stopped to think.

  This made Raina extremely nervous. "Nolan..."

  "It’s nothing," he chuckled. "One moment." He held up a hand to silence her fears and marched back in.

  Raina bit her lip, and hesitated to just stay back. What had caused his shift? Where had the note come from?

  She moved closer to the entrance of the dining room. Her eyes searched the diners, hesitating, she let her gaze slip to the table they had left, then...to the table next. Frowning, she bit her lip, feeling the pain. Her heart dropped.

  Nolan stood at the table where the lovely brunette sat. Her beautiful face lit, and she hurried to her feet to embrace him. She looked smugly toward Raina, then turned her attention to Nolan and began talking fervently.

  Raina couldn't watch. She felt a bit defeated. So the beauty knew him. She had felt superior with all of Nolan’s attention...and the whole time the woman knew him, and knew she could beckon him with just a note. She'd know Raina’s act was just that.

  Nolan's back was to her, so she couldn't see his reaction...couldn't see if his eyes followed the beautiful creature’s movements. Could he tear his eyes from the chocolate brown eyes? Was he smiling down at her as she did up at him?

  Feeling ashamed, she changed her mind about staying put, and decided to wait outside. She kept from an all-out sprint, knowing, with her luck, she'd trip in her heels, but she did make haste.

  She cleared the door, felt the cool air, pulled in a thankful breath, and then yelped as fingers wrapped around her wrist. She was whipped around and slammed into the wall of the restaurant. It was done firmly, but surprisingly without injuring her.

  "What happened?" Green eyes flashed angry and concerned at the same time above her....and inch from her face.

  "Thanatos!" she gasped, fighting to bite back her fear. "You startled me!"

  He tilted his head. "You okay?"

  She looked up into the green eyes, and was shocked that tears sprang up in her own. "F...fine," she stuttered. "I'm fine. It was just a bit stuffy in there." She drew in deeply, shaking her head.

  "You came running out of there like you were being chased," he growled. "I thought you were hurt!" His face was painted with blame. "You can't do that!" He stepped back, releasing her wrist, and glancing about to make sure he hadn't been seen.

  He looked stunning in his dark suit. He knew it too, as he straightened it now after their altercation ruffled him a bit.

  "Why are you here?" she asked softly. "I thought you had other plans."

  He grinned smugly. "Keeping tabs on me are you?"

  She scowled at him. "Of course not! You do know Nolan just finished the dinner meeting you were supposed to have attended?"

  He shrugged. "I have plans...meeting her right now."

  Raina rolled her eyes. "Of course." She rummaged through her purse, pulling out a tissue to dab her damp forehead.

  "Why are you here?" he accused.

  "Helping a friend."

  He grinned. "Leave it to Nolan to prey upon your soft side. You really think he needed your help?"

  "Whether he did or not, I had a lovely time. Meet a new friend."

  His lips parted in a slow smile. "Susanne? Really? She eats pretty young women for dinner. Especially when they get between her and a conquest!"

  So, he had planned it! He had meant to torment Nolan!

  "I won her over," she said proudly.

  He chuckled. "Only you could." His eyes assessed her lazily.

  Raina pushed past him. He grabbed her elbow and pulled her back. "Next time I have to exert my hero skills, there better be a reason," he growled. "I have a reputation to uphold you know."

  "Don't want anyone calling you a good guy, do you?" She shivered at the look he gave her. "Won't hear it from me," she promised.

  He frowned. But let her go, as Nolan exited.

  Grey eyes held concern, until they fell on her...then relief. He didn't look surprised to see Thanatos. He gave him a quick nod to acknowledge him.

  He lifted the keys to unlock his car.

  "Raina could you please wait for me in the car? I have to speak to Thanatos." His eyes darkened a bit. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

  She nodded and obeyed.

  From the car she watched the two men talking. Nolan looked visibly shaken...not scared, but concerned. Thanatos crossed his arms, but nodded in agreement at whatever Nolan was saying. To her surprise the conversation ended with Thanatos clapping Nolan on the shoulder. A rather friendly exchange between the two.

  Nolan joined her in the car, tossing his coat to the back seat.

  "Is everything okay?" she whispered.

  He forced a smile. "It will be."

  Raina bit her lip. "That woman...was she meeting Thanatos?"

  Nolan nodded.

  "But she...she was there when we first got there!"

  He frowned.

  "The she-devil that was staring you down...then glared at me the entire dinner," she stated.

  His brows rose. "Really? She was the one that got your back up then?"

  Raina shrugged. "It’s just that she seemed pretty rude to me...she and Thanatos deserve each other."

  He chuckled. "I suppose they do. And if she was there when we first got there...then my partner was just being his usual self. Remember, the World revolves around him. He was making her wait, then making his grand entrance."

  She giggled. "Yes, that does seem very Thanatos."

  They pulled out of the lot and turned toward home. It was silent in the car for a bit...a little strained, so unlike earlier.

  Raina worried her lip, and cast a look at his profile. "She knows you too," she stated curiously. When he didn't respond, she pushed on. "How do you know her?"

  Nolan drew in a breath and gripped the steering wheel. Eerily a rumble of thunder sounded in the clouds above them, almost mimicking the tension in his muscled shoulders. It got darker, as others moved in. "She’s Thanatos friend...we met through him. We run into each other now and then."

  "But she summoned you and you went," Rai
na pointed out. She didn't ask her name, she didn't deem the snob worthy of a name.

  Nolan shrugged and flipped on the wipers. "To say hello and no more. It would have been rude to ignore her."

  Raina frowned, and then shook her head with disgust. "Well she certainly knows nothing of manners," she murmured, and sunk down deeper in her seat. "It would have served her right."

  Nolan gave her an amused glance, which showed he very much agreed. It was then she two knew the matter was moot. Why ruin an otherwise enjoyable evening? The now falling rain was doing its best to dampen it.

  "I know it’s chilly now... it’s dark and rainy...but I sure could go for some ice cream." Grey eyes flashed a quick glance at her. He grinned boyishly.

  Raina had a feeling he might be trying to distract her from the earlier scene. She tilted her head in thought. "As long as I don't have to get out of the car!"

  He grinned again "That’s why there are drive thrus."

  Sitting in a parking lot, rain pouring, lightning flashing, sharing a sundae with Nolan seemed like heaven to Raina. It was simple...yet it was intimate...even as they fought over who got the cherry. The gentleman in him gave her the upper hand, and she was the one who ended the victor.

  "That was a great idea," Raina sighed. "Hit the spot."

  He patted his enviably flat stomach and nodded. His gaze went through the window to the rolling clouds.

  "Are we going to have a heart to heart? Ice cream seems like a good way to start."

  He shook his head, closed his eyes. "My minds a little busy tonight."

  She bit her lip. "You know...your mood changed when you realized she was there," Her blue eyes fell to her hands. "You more than just know her Nolan."

  He cleared his throat. "She is a part of my past that I don't like to think about or even acknowledge," he whispered.

  "Is she part of the secret that surrounds the two of you then? She knows about you and Thanatos doesn't she?"

  He dipped his chin in assent.

  "And I get left in the dark?"

  His lovely mouth turned down. "I don't want to leave you in the dark Raina. But I don't want to just bombard you with a bunch of facts. Especially not tonight! Yes...she knows about me...but that just complicates things."

  "Because I was with you?"

  "Yes."

  "And she wants to be with you?" She tugged her jacket closer, warding off the chill she now felt.

  He saw her shiver, and turned up the heat.

  He didn't answer her question.

  "Do you appear in her dreams too?" Her voice was so muted, she wondered if she had truly said it out loud.

  "No," he growled. "It’s not like that!"

  "Then tell me what it’s like." She reached for his arm, and he drew away. She pretended not to notice his withdraw.

  "Give me time," he pleaded gently.

  "So I get to go on guessing?"

  "For now," he agreed.

  She nodded. "I...I think I'd like to go home now," she whispered.

  He looked hurt for a moment, but obliged.

  When they pulled into her drive it was a monsoon.

  Raina peeked out with dread. Her brown silk would be ruined. She wanted to run from the car, and get away from the confusion. At the same time she wanted to stay very near Nolan. He was vulnerable right now, and she knew it had everything to do with the she-devil.

  "It was lovely evening Nolan, truly." She felt her heart lift when the hard edge around his mouth softened. "I'm sorry if I seem...nosey, pushy...whatever. I don't want to force you to share yourself. I just have to know for me! I will allow you your time...I can be patient."

  His chest rose and fell in relief. "Thank you."

  Raina again looked wearily at the falling rain. "Who knows when this will let up," she sighed. "I guess I'll have to get wet....you'd think, all these years of living here I'd learn to carry an umbrella!"

  His lips twitched in a smile. "I got you," he assured her. Without hesitation, he grabbed his coat from the back, and then was out his side of the door.

  Raina gasped when her door flew open, and he was there, holding his coat over his head, making a cocoon for her. She willingly stepped up against his side into the shelter. They hurried to the door together, only her shoes would be water damaged. In the shelter of the porch, he pulled away abruptly. She wanted to protest at the loss of contact, but held her tongue. This was his way.... for whatever reason; he preferred little contact with her.

  She thought of the sweet kiss on her fingers in the middle of the waiting room at the restaurant. Her cheeks warmed...obviously a moment of indiscretion on his part...but she'd hold onto that memory for a while. Maybe it was only when he was on guard, as he was now...when control was all important to him. It had something to do with that woman too!

  Well, she'd put that behind her. There was nothing she could do about his past...and she'd have to be patient if she wanted to know anything about that.

  "Sleep well," he said gently. "I'll see you in a few days." The promise was sealed with a gorgeous smile.

  "I did enjoy myself Nolan...it was a much better evening then I would have had on my own. Popcorn TV and wine...fun." She tilted her head. "Actually that sounds really good."

  He chuckled. "Thank you for being so gracious. I appreciate all you did tonight."

  She lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. "It’s what friends do." She hugged her coat closer. "Stay warm," she shivered and turned to unlock her door.

  "Aelan," he whispered softly.

  She didn’t turn to face him. "Yes?"

  "Don't be afraid to move forward. You'll be okay. You have people who love you...who aren't going to let you fail. I promise."

  She closed her eyes and nodded. She didn't move again, until she heard his engine start, and he pull out of the drive. She then pushed the door open, and hurried inside.

  Chapter 6 Coping

  Nolan’s parting words from the night before kept running through her head. She really did need to allow herself to move on.

  She carefully began going through David’s clothing…coming upon his old college sweater nearly did her in.

  She slipped out of her t-shirt and pulled it over her head. It was far too big and bulky, but it brought her comfort and she snuggled into it as she sorted the rest of the clothes to donate. There were many out there that would benefit from these. She had no right keeping them.

  She did well, packing with no tears. She sorted shirts, pants shoes, jackets...she neatly packed them and marked them for donation. She'd have Bradley and Emily help her take them...she wasn't quite brave enough for that! Not on her own.

  Feeling exhausted, she decided a shower was her best bet. She shuffled to the bathroom. She turned on the faucets, tested the heat with her fingers and pulled the lever for the shower to sputter on.

  She threw off her clothes and climbed into the warm water. It felt good and soothed her tired muscles. Why had that task abused her body so badly? It wasn't hard labor...yet as the steam melted her muscles, she realized why she ached all over. She had held herself rigid, literally...pushing away the memories those items held. Each shirt....every tie...she remembered how each one looked on David. She remembered how he smelled...the smile, the gentle loving eyes. A tear trickled down her cheek. She had been fighting against the pain, not allowing the sorrow. She was proud of her new found bravery...but it was still a work in progress.

  She missed him...but she had to move on... to live again. Nolan’s soft spoken farewell ran through her thoughts again.

  He seemed to know the answers, but there was so much about him that made her feel they would not be easy answers. And the guilt, oh the guilt over what she felt for him....it was deep and it was unrelenting.

  She rinsed her hair, and then just stood under the showers flow.

  When the water started running cold, she sulkily turned it off and stepped out, wrapping herself in a big plush towel.

  She rubbed herself dry, attacked her hair with th
e towel, then slipped David’s sweater back on, nothing else... it was all she needed, and it was certainly big enough. She brushed out the tangles of her hair, and rehung her towel.

  In the kitchen, she pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge, and snagged a glass from the cabinet. The cork made a popping noise as she carefully pulled at the bottle opener. She glanced over at the ever attentive Turk as she poured. She rested against the counter and took a long sip of the crisp white wine.

  Turk whined at her, his paw lifted.

  She sighed and, carrying her glass of wine, led him outside onto the deck. She opened the gate on the deck and let him down.

  Leaning against the railing, she smiled and took another big sip of her wine. She certainly hoped to have no visitors this evening. She ran a hand through her damp hair, and tugged the sweater further down her thighs. Never had she had a worry in her back yard about intruders or visitors other than Emily. Not since....she sighed, trying to banish an image of a silver eyed Nolan. Her tummy fluttered with excitement, then crashed with guilt.

  She went inside for a moment and retrieved her phone, suddenly needing to speak to Emily. Emily would bring her back down to earth.

  She walked back out and checked her texts...one from her Mom...congratulating her on her venture away from the house...she hadn't told her yet about her outing with Nolan the other night. She wondered if she wanted to open that can of worms. An evening with friends is one thing...dinner with a young man was another.

  She also had a text from Emily, three missed calls, and a voice mail. The text read, where are you...we have shopping to do!?!

  "Damn," Raina swore.

  She stomped her foot, and to calm herself, took a swallow of wine. She growled and plopped down on the chase.

  Already she was feeling guilty about keeping her dinner with Nolan a secret! She just couldn't bring herself to share that night for some reason. She knew Nolan and Thanatos had said nothing to Bradley, and ultimately Emily...or she never would have heard the end of it.

  She couldn't believe she had forgotten all about the plans with her best friend. They had made a trip for the decor, but would be getting the fresh food tonight...especially the meats for the grill. "Damn," she growled again. Neglecting her phone had not been a good idea.