Awakening by Sydney Holmes Read Free Book Online Page B

bones.
    He stops and looks back at me flashing that salacious smile of his, “You look great in those heels, Young. You should wear them more often.”
    My mouth drops open. Before my brain function returns he is out the door and down the hall. Stunned, I watch him until he disappears. What was that? I sink back into the chair. I’m going to need another coffee to make it through the rest of this day. What little reserves I had are now depleted. My stomach aches, my heart is leaping around, and somewhere deep inside of me, is an awakening, something I have never felt before.
    ~~~
    The text comes in from Darren as I’m leaving the office, ‘Here. Where r u?’
    Crap. Crap. Hurriedly, I text back ‘Running late. On my way now.’
    I rush to the car; my frazzled nerves are over stimulated by my obscene consumption of caffeine. Exhaustion, confusion, and a quagmire of emotions clash around my body. I feel knocked around and the exhaustion resonates deep in my bones. I want nothing more than to simply go home by myself, take a hot bath, and go straight to bed tonight.
    While driving home, memories of the other night flood my brain. Could Darren and I ever get that passionate? I mean, without sex toys obviously, but would he take me dancing and let go like that? Would he even want me to dance with him that way?
    I meant to send Darren a text or call him or something. I hadn’t had a second all day. Guiltily, I realize that I have had thoughts of Ryan Cole reeling around in my brain. Ryan’s smile comes rushing back to me, causing my stomach to flip. More guilt seeps into my system. My phone buzzes once again.
    ‘Waiting at ur door. Where r u? :( ’
    Oh lovely. Now he’s mad. Just what I need right now. Well, excuse me for having a busy day at work.
    As I step off the elevator, I see him pacing in front of the door. Taking a deep breath, I start damage control.
    “Hi there. Sorry I’m late. Crazy day at the office. How come you didn’t use your key?”
    Rushing down the hall, I don’t think about my shoes until I lean down to kiss him and realize that I am towering over him. Damn these shoes! As I reach toward the lock with the keys, he steps to the side to let me pass. When I open the door, I can feel him seething behind me.
    “I see you’re wearing your heels,” he says, coldly, as we enter my apartment.
    Quickly, I slip them off. “I know, what a mistake. I thought they would help me get through this God awful day. But man, my feet hurt.”
    He breezes past me heading towards the kitchen. “I’ve told you time and time again to throw those away. They’re not good for your feet. You look awful in them. They just look so uncomfortable.”
    I freeze, astonished. Did he just say that? I’m pretty sure I should be royally offended. Darren and his damned insecurities! So you’re shorter than me; get over it, already. I laugh at the thought of actually saying that out loud. Like that would ever happen!
    “So. How was your day?” I want the mood to get better fast.
    “Great,” he says sharply, while he starts busying himself in the kitchen.
    I head down the hall to change. “Good. I’ll be right out.”
    I want to try and bring up the other night again, but obviously now is not the time. I’m thinking I over reached with the sex toy and hope that talking about it will work better. I am a bundle of nerves, excited about the possibility of bringing that kind of passion into our relationship, but I’m just not sure what the best way is to bring up dancing like that with a stranger. I’ll have to wait and see if his mood gets better.
    We’re finally sitting down to dinner and I still haven’t mentioned it, memories of the condom fiasco fresh in my mind. The food is delicious, Chicken Piccata, my favorite, with steamed carrots and a tossed salad. Darren seems to have forgotten about my dreaded entrance, and my insides start to relax for the first time all day.
    “Yum! This is so good! Thank you for making