Release Day Blitz For Alexandra North's first novel in The One
Trilogy
The One Awakened, by Alexandra North -
The First Erotic Novel in The One Trilogy is due for release on
Amazon kindle books July 5th 2014.
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prologue
Over a decade earlier…
LUCIA
We enter the murky underground bar where pretty much every student at Lords Uni frequents, and smile at each other, anticipating what tonight may bring. The Cave is a grotty, musty hole of a place, which housed crappy live bands, smelled damp and offered watered-down beer. None of that mattered though; the vibe was always great.
Abby and I had only been a couple of times since moving into Dorms; once to eat (never again!) and once, for Happy Hour. That night had been memorable and we’d definitely come away happy, or at least until we threw up the copious amounts of Malibu & Pineapple consumed from dodgy plastic pint glasses! The Bar’s aptly named and the place to go if you were single; plenty of Neanderthal men - with lots of grunting, boozing and male bravado. However, tonight we were going to their Friday night blast. The theme is Dance and that’s exactly, what we intend to do. We are 19, young, free and attractive. Life is good and we are open to new opportunities and exciting adventures!
“If one more waster, letches over me I’ll lose it!”
Abby shudders at the thought and fluffs up her freshly dyed bright red hair. The picture on the box of dye had shown a vibrant girl with warm copper locks but somehow Abby’s hair had over-developed into something more likened to scary clown than saucy chick; the results were shall we say, extreme. I feel for her, but even the harsh, fiery red tones couldn’t detract from her lovely face and big brown expressive eyes. She really could pull off anything and on a positive note; it certainly made her stand out in a busy crowd- I wouldn’t lose her!
“I thought you wanted to meet someone Abs? Behind every frog is a prince, or something like that!”
“Bollocks! You just made that up. More like behind every frog is a horny toad!” She whacks my arm and I burst out into floods of laughter. “Besides, I think I’ll be lucky to attract Shrek tonight with this hair.”
“True. But don’t be so judgmental. Let’s just have some fun. It’s our first year at Uni. I, for one, am not interested in settling down or getting serious with any man - especially not one from here.”
“Tell that to the guy with the cross eyes and spittle lips in the corner. He’d definitely be a grateful lover!”
Yuk! We both shudder and giggle in unison.
There’s a huge scrabble at the bar, and feeling daring, I nudge in and order us two beers. I can feel pressure from jostling punters at my back and to both sides, but stand my ground. We’d quickly learned it was the only way and you had to be tough to brave the Cave Bar. As I turn to pass one plastic pint glass to Abs, impressed with my skill, I’m careful not to spill a drop; I groan as my elbow is knocked and the chance of saving both myself and my drink is negligible. In that split-second instant I become a walking-talking cliché – my nipples now perky and on show through my wet vest-top; the scent of weak ‘eau de Tetley’s’ all over me. All we needed was a ton of wet mud and Abs and I would have every man in that bar at our beck and call; but purely for the wrong reasons. Tits and ass and female wrestling; the stuff of most young men’s wet dreams.
“What the hell?”
I’m sure the anger is evident on my face as I look down at my top. “Nice!”
Shaking my head incredulously, I spin around and am met by a solid male wall of heat. He was the culprit and the jostler at my back. Glancing up slowly, I lock eyes with the most intense blackened pools I’ve ever looked into, and review the drink spiller at my leisure. He is utterly devastating. Almost perfect apart from a slight bump in his otherwise straight nose, probably from a sports related injury - he certainly looked like he played a lot of sport. Yum!
Jutting cheekbones, a well-defined jaw and two-day stubble show off those amazing dark melted chocolate eyes, which are enhanced by short inky hair, worn slightly longer and messy on top; my fingers itch to delve into it. Even his clothes are effortlessly seductive - plain black slim-fit T, over black faded jeans. He is fit, and Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. I know I’m staring, but I truly can’t help it. He’s the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
Seriously, heart-stoppingly, dry-mouth, tasty.
I watch as his brow furrows in question at my open gawking.
“Like what you see?” His magnetic eyes crinkle at the corners and his generous mouth smirks.
“Sorry.”
My thoughts are interrupted and I feel myself flush, and flustered, shake my head to pull myself together. The air seems to have left my lungs and I’m struggling to breathe.
How full of himself was this guy? How annoyed are you at your obvious reaction to him? My disloyal inner voice sides with the drink spiller.
I find my tongue and moisten my lips before framing myself and grinding out,
“Actually no. I’m not bloody sorry, you’re the clumsy oaf!”
There. That told him! “You should watch what you’re doing in future.”
My voice sounds weak and snooty and very unlike me. What I really want to say, as I watch his naughty bedroom eyes and sexy mouth lift at the corners is, “for God’s sake shut up and kiss me, you arrogant bastard!”
Seriously Lu - you don’t even know his name?
This annoyingly handsome male continues to smile at me, assessing my behaviour and openly staring at my now completely soaked chest. I fold my arms over my breasts in retaliation and lean back to put some space between us. I’m not sure why but he both annoys me and sends shivers over me all at once. There are definite sparks, something I’d not ever encountered before - and never on the first time encounter with a man. I am inextricably drawn to him.
“What are you studying?” I hear the question but am too unnerved by his presence to answer.
“Studying?” he gently repeats.
And I stutter my response. “BA (Hons) in Design.” Chill the fuck out girl!
“Really? That’s my course – I’ll no doubt be seeing much more of you.” The emphasis is heavily put on much more, as he casually assesses my chest. Oh crap - this guy was trouble. I should steer well clear!
“Well, maybe not – there are several divisions of the degree.”
He flashes lovely white teeth, grinning openly at my negative and harsh reply, his eyes darting back to my now pointing to attention, chest.
“I’m sure we’ll bump into one another again but I won’t make such a boob of it next time. I promise.”
I give in at this and chuckle openly, despite my annoyance and his own laugh is genuine. The intimate moment and sexual tension are shattered as I hear my friend’s voice behind us.
“Lulu where’s the beer?”
Abby nuzzles her way into our circle of two and it’s only then that I realise that clumsy sexy man has his arms loosely hung around my waist. As my brain reacts to their position, my skin sizzles beneath his fingertips and I shiver noticeably. I immediately grab those strong arms and push away, but not in time for Abs to raise her arched brow cheekily in surprise at my reaction.
“Let me get you both a drink; it’s the least I can do.” He smiles showing those pearly whites again, and his twinkly eyes are still focused on my ample charms. He is divine but really?
“No its fine, thanks.” I’m being really rude and I don’t know why. His classic good looks put me on edge.
“Yeah Lu, it’s the least he can do,” Abby laughs, mimicking his sexy voice and puts out her hand to shake his.
“‘Scuse my arsey friend. I’m Abby, and this, is Lucia. Nice to meet you.” Her warmth is infectious and for the first time ever it irritates me as she is rewarded with a glowing white smile for her niceties.
“Sebastian. Sebastian Silver at your service,” he pronounces clearly and with confidence. Of course he’d have an alliterative name - like a bloody superhero!
Deep down, as I study his handsome face, I realise that his name is perfect for him; magnetic, memorable, arrogant and manly - just like him; a silver-tongued devil.
We’re interrupted again, as a second male slaps him on his back. “Seb, my mate. Get the beers in. I’m dying of thirst here.” He looks in our direction, his delight evident on his rather plain but friendly face.
“I was just about to when I bumped into the lovely Abby and Lucia.” My name falls from his delicious lips with a provocative drawl and his bold eyes hold mine with every syllable.
I feel his mate’s eyes rest upon my chest and cringe. I really need to get to the little girl’s room and use the dryer, before I become the night’s entertainment or get picked up for soliciting. Either way, I’m showcasing my trump card far too soon.
Sebastian continues. “Ladies, Niall. Niall, Ladies.” He holds four fingers up to the rather sweaty barman struggling to meet the demands of thirsty, pissed up students and rests his elbows on the bar, throwing over his shoulder, “Don’t worry I won’t touch you again.”
I consider why I wish that that were not the case but I am not allowed the luxury for long, as Niall muscles in next to me, hiding me from Sebastian’s view. He is Ok looking, with a definite, Indie coolness about him, but is certainly not as arresting as his friend Sebastian. Realistically, he was probably more my type if I went by my previous dating history; his dress-sense is rock-star cool and makes him appear current, if a little eccentric. We chatter for a while, whilst Abby and Sebastian do the same. I keep one eye on them at all times.
“Don’t worry about your mate,” Niall informs me, leaning into my ear, his warm breath on my neck.
“Sebastian is all loved up! Some Textile student or something like that. So he’s not up for anything but a bit of a flirt – boy he lurves to flirt.” He winks at me and I feel a moment of strange loss at his news of Sebastian’s love of women.
What did I expect when the man looks that good?
And in that second, I decide to focus my charms on Niall for the night. He was safe, didn’t scare the hell out of me and didn’t send my emotions haywire and was a bit of a charmer, in a kind of cool, Oasis brother way - what would be the harm?
“Give me a few minutes to dry off and I’ll be back Niall.”
“I’m not going anywhere Lucia.”
His face is intent and I smile to myself. It’s always nice to feel like you have a man’s full attention, even if it’s not the attention of the man I can’t seem to take my eyes off - my brain is telling me that but my heart is saying something else.
***
After a few hours of getting to know him better, realising our mutual likes and dislikes of certain music genres and enjoying one too many tequila slammers, I consider Niall. He’s actually pretty cool and has a dry sense of humour and is a rare commodity within the Cave Bar in that he does appear to have a brain; even though his hands are a little too knowing, I’m enjoying my time with him but cannot help being continuously drawn back to his mate Sebastian, who is now on the dance floor, with the textile girl. She is very pretty and he’s looking sexier than ever.
I am at a loss as to why just the glimpse of him is enough to create a fizz of excitement in my belly. It’s ridiculous. I’ve just met him and he’s the epitome of a player. I’m pleased that I’ve decided to see past the movie star looks and muscled physique and listened to my gut instinct. You keep telling yourself that love.
Yes. Niall is much more my type I convince myself, and the moody artist character has always appealed to me. Plus, he was single, so why not have some flirtatious fun with a fellow classmate? It would never lead to more - I’m not ready or in the market for anything serious.
An hour or so later and Abby has already disappeared with someone from our dorm and given the choice between going back to hear her getting off in our minute, shared bedroom or getting-to-know Niall better, I choose the latter. This first year at University was looking like it could be interesting for each of us.
We wave our goodbyes to Sebastian and his material girl, as we get our coats to leave and clasping Niall’s outstretched hand I follow him out the door. I look over my shoulder one last time for him and we lock eyes immediately, his penetrating mine, forest green boring into intense blackened brown. This man made me feel things I’d never felt before and it scared the hell out of me! We hold each other’s gaze until the door swings shut on us, finalising any chance of taking it further that night.
***
Over a decade earlier…
SEBASTIAN
“Holy shit Mate! Well done you!” Niall slaps me on my shoulder and takes a gulp of his pint.
“What have I done?” I know exactly what he’s talking about, but am irritated by his jubilation - she was my find.
“The girls! Bloody hot as; and that Lucia is something else!”
I knew he had taken an interest in Lucia. For some reason I’m feeling very territorial about this girl. I’d never seen her before on campus, I’d have remembered if that were the case.
“It wasn’t intentional we really did just meet at the bar.”
I’d turned her into a Playboy-Bunny with one spill of a drink, like a complete arse.
My mind wanders from her face and the most striking dark lime green pools I’d ever encountered, to the shape of her fantastic breasts, their nipples darkening as the fabric of her top turns almost transparent. I’m a sucker for green-eyes - more unique and revealing.
I had never felt so sexually charged with one introduction. The second I touched her, I’d wanted more and found it hard to remove my hands from her curvaceous hips; my cock jumping to life in my jeans, like I’d been getting down and dirty for the past ten minutes. Down Boy! Yet my gut instinct wasn’t to take her home and have the usual one-night stand.
“Well however you met, I owe you big time. This girl is special. She’s soo hot and on our course too.”
Niall appears incredibly pleased with himself and I sense his interest. In the short-time I’ve known Niall, I’ve come to the conclusion that like me, he is always up for a bit of fun with the ladies, but I haven’t seen him this enamoured and know that his last long-term girlfriend was over a year ago.
I glance across to where the object of our conversation is animatedly chatting with her friend Abby. Her face is luminous and I don’t think I’ve ever seen any one woman so beautiful. She was a feisty one though. Far too feisty for Niall and would bore easily unless both sexually and mentally challenged - I can tell after just five minutes in her company.
I lick my lips and peruse her further, travelling over her long, dark glossy hair and back to those eyes. Jesus! They brazenly oozed sex and the way they had looked right back at me, stripping me bare, feasting on my mouth. I could have had her then. I know it. And her mouth! Full, red and pouty - the things I could only imagine those lips doing…
Stupid dick, why hadn’t you just kissed her, right there? Because I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself, I summarise inwardly.
I need to set my stake here before Niall drunkenly makes his own claim for the night. The reminder of Samantha, my on-off romantic interest, is not enough to dishearten me. Niall was right. This girl is special but I’m not ready for anything serious. God I’m only 22 and Lucia was not the type of girl to be trifled with - she was so much more than a fling. Maybe I should let this one slide for now and get to know her better as a mate? Not sure that’ll be possible though, as right now all I want to do is bury myself deep inside her and fuck the stubborn streak out of her; watch her eyes change colour from lime to wet moss when she climaxes around my cock, which clenches at the mere thought of touching her. Where are these feelings coming from? I’ve only just met her!
I’ve never had a reaction like this to a female before and it disturbs me profoundly.
Get a fucking grip Seb!
***
I’m enjoying Samantha’s flirtations as we dance together to OutKast’s ‘Hey Ya’ but I’m finding it hard not to keep glancing in the direction of Niall and Lucia. They are really hitting it off. He’s certainly making her laugh and he’s doing the intimate ear-whisper - cheesy or what. It pisses me off! It should be me touching her, inhaling that scent of hers - like cherries and vanilla; entirely lickable and edible.
Sam leans in to kiss me, her pretty blue eyes full of saucy promise and I respond half-heartedly. She feels good and looks great, no doubt about that. Fuck, she’s fun in bed but something is missing; odd how I hadn’t realised that until tonight?
As I move to push away from her rather claustrophobic embrace, I notice Niall beckoning, to get my attention. Routed to the spot, I watch as Lucia grabs her leather jacket, and slides it on, covering her now dry but nonetheless abundant assets. I sense a moment of sheer panic as I watch my friend grab her hand, moving towards the exit.
Shit – they’re leaving… together. I should be the one taking her home and running my hands over her amazing little body; be the one whose name she screams out loud in the dark.
I don’t blame Niall for trying and I couldn’t hate him. I hadn’t set my stake and I’m certainly not in the market for monogamy. That’s what you’re going with? I hear my inner demons retaliate.
My heart pounds ten to the dozen; body taut and I hear Sam call me. Snap out of it man. She’s gone. I can’t help but feel that I may have missed out on a chance, at something real. Something that I know I am going to regret.
Turn around Baby; look back at me. Let me see those fabulous eyes of yours again. Let me know you feel it too.
I will her to stop and glance back in my direction – to show that this vibe is mutual. Holding my breath I watch and wait. Those seconds feel like a lifetime and then it happens. Lucia throws a brief look over her shoulder and I hear my sigh of relief. We lock eyes, heat glittering between us and I rub my head in thought; every part of me wants to go to her and kiss her thoroughly; pick her up and parade her out of that door like a true man of the cave.
But I don’t.
My leaden feet don’t move.
I stay, and let her go.
Go off with Niall – whose grin is making me want to smash his face into the nearest wall - smug prick.
Mates it is then, Lucia Myers.
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