Awakening to You (Awakening Trilogy #3) Read online

  Standing over him, my heart started beating so loudly, I was surprised it did not wake him. He was so gorgeous and peaceful. I almost didn’t want to wake him, but I need him. Lowering myself on to the houndstooth area rug that sat under the couch, I brought my hands to the top of his pants. Untying them, I pulled them down enough to free him. Placing alight kiss on the crown, I felt hands reach me. “Sofie, please tell me I’m not dreaming.” His voice was soft and gravely. I looked up to see beautiful lavender eyes.

  “I’m real. I’m sorry. I made a mistake. Forgive me.”

  “Are you done with him?”

  “Him?”

  “Marco. David told me you left. That Marco picked you up from the airport. That you were safe.”

  “He did. But, I’m not with him. Marco is your hero. I’m here because of him. You will need to thank him.” Drake started to speak, but I extended my finger to his lips. “Let me finish. He made me watch the tape, frame by frame on my sister’s huge TV. It was obviously doctored, but the film was really you.” This got Drake’s full attention. He tried to speak. Again, I shook my head, smiling. “It was you and me. Someone filmed us the night on the set. The girl was added and the first part was added. That wasn’t you. Marco and Gracee kept analyzing the first part after they pointed out the birthmark on my hip…”

  “Your heart,” Drake said softly, reaching his hand to my left hip.

  “You noticed it?” I nearly purred feeling his gentle caress.

  “I love every inch of you…” he almost whispered. I lowered my head as a couple tears slide down my cheeks. I was so happy, why was I crying? “I love you, Sofie,” he said pulling me up so my body covered his. He felt so good, so right.

  “I love you, Drake,” I whispered against his lips as he cupped my face, before he sunk his teeth into my bottom lip. I moaned and he captured my mouth completely, slipping his pants off. I did my best to assist him. I needed him. I wanted him. He needed to make me his, again.

  Chapter Five

  Drake…

  Awakening by my breathtakingly beautiful Sofie, naked, kneeling on the floor next to me, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. As much as I loved her mouth wrapped around me, I wanted to feel her covering me. Lifting her fit-frame from the rug, she molded to me; the warmth . . . the softness. I held her tight . . . I missed her so much. My heart raced, my cock throbbed with anticipation of taking possession of her completely. Attacking her, I heard our mixed moans and groans; both of us aggressive with our tongues and teeth. It wasn’t enough. Once begging escaped Sofie’s lips, I grasped her hips firmly while she reached between us, guiding me deep inside. Oh, God, nothing had ever felt so right, so incredible—so mine.

  “You’re mine.” My teeth captured her neck.

  “Yes,” she panted, “always… always yours.”

  Her words had me wild. I wanted to stand up, puff out my chest, and thump it with my fists, caveman like . . . Tarzan like . . . King Kong like. I had my Sofie back. I wanted to shout it from the top of the Empire State Building. Instead, I flipped her onto her back, lifting her feet up on my shoulders. I felt the need to deepen my drive. To take her completely. Fill her. Climb inside of her. I never wanted to be separated again.

  When I awoke the next morning, I thanked my lucky stars, that the night before was real. She was real; still in my arms, her body half draped over mine, on the sofa, in her studio. Moving, my girl started to slide her body over mine, but I pulled up, causing her to grunt her disapproval. “Where are you going?”

  “We. Are. Going to a more comfortable spot.” Standing, I reached for her. Despite my aching back from sleeping awkwardly, yet perfectly, I scooped her up. Naked, I walked us across the garden with her tightly to my chest, her arms around my neck, her teeth attacking my left pec. “Sofie, darling, I’m never going to make it to the bed if you keep that up.”

  She laughed and purred, “Who said we need a bed… the lawn looks fine to me.” I shook my head. Ignoring her, I managed to make it up onto the teak deck and through the glass doors to her bedroom. Settling her on the bed, I went in search of sweats to slip on. “Where are you going now?”

  “I’m going to get nourishment for our bodies. Stay there. We will be spending the whole day in bed. There is a lot of time to make up,” I said with a wink before ducking out of the room. I heard her call after me to hurry back or she would come looking for me.

  In the kitchen, I filled the tea kettle with water, turned the burner on, and scooped ground coffee into a copper French press. Next up was the food. I pulled out pre-packages of sliced tropical fruit from the refrigerator. Then I grabbed two berry scones from a glass cake plate that was always displaying sweet treats from a nearby organic bakery. Locating a teakwood tray in the pantry, I placed it on the counter, ready to be filled for breakfast in bed.

  Back in the bedroom, I found Sofie under the covers with her eyes closed. Fair enough, we hadn’t gotten much sleep on the studio couch. As I was about to back out of the room, her eyes opened, “I’m awake. Was just resting my eyes. Don’t leave.”

  Setting the tray in the middle of the bed, she sat up, allowing the sheet to pool at her waist. I swooped in, giving each of her pretty, pink nipples a little attention before handing her a cup of coffee. Then, I grabbed my own mug, moving to the end of the bed. Leaning against the bed post diagonally across from her, I watched her. She cocked her head sideways. “Why are you so far from me?” she asked, nibbling on a piece of ripe mango. I was tempted to lick the juice that ran down her chin. My reason for distance.

  “I want you to eat. Seeing as though it is difficult to keep my hands to myself…”

  “Who said they wanted you to keep your hands to yourself?” She smiled. My heart pounded.

  “We have all day. I promise to not leave you alone.”

  “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too, Sofie.”

  Reaching forward, I grabbed one of the scones; she watched my every move. “I see you visited my favorite pastry shop.”

  “I’ve kept the house stocked with all of your favorites: flowers, food. I’ve been ready for your return. I was never ready for your departure.”

  “I’m sorry…”

  “Don’t be. I knew there needed to be proof. I’ve been wracking my brain. Searching for answers. I’d figured it was Blaine. But how? How could I not remember?”

  “Hard to remember something that never happened.”

  “That’s true. Yet, it looked so real. I figured I had to be drugged. I mentioned something to the women in the video. They looked at me like I was crazy. Shit! Did Blaine slip something to all of us, I wondered. Getting answers was going to be harder than I imagined. And Lila said…”

  “Lila?”

  “Don’t be mad. I needed another pair of ears and eyes on the set. Someone that I knew was not out to get me. More important—someone on your side. I told her all about the tape. How I lost my phone, or someone stole it, and that you received messages from me . . . but not really me. That I would never willingly hurt you. I asked her to help me without betraying you.”

  “I’m sorry I shut you out.”

  “It was understandable. If the tables were turned, I’m not sure how I would’ve reacted. I’m just happy it’s over. When this film wraps, Blaine will have to answer to me . . . to us.”

  “Blaine-the-pain,” she said through gritted her teeth. “What’s the story between you two? I’ve never asked. I was waiting, but…”

  “Back when I was working on Dave’s student films, Blaine and I became friends. We all seemed to be doing several roles in those days. Whatever we could, to make the film come together. Blaine was working as the cinematographer and film editor. He was the kind of guy that was always looking to get ahead, and looking for a good time. Surfing. Partying. Fucking. Not in any certain order. When I first met him, I was dating this girl whose family was a big deal in the film world. That did not impress me. Nor did she, for very long, when I found out she was more in
terested in getting Dave jealous…”

  “Sounds like Mandolina.”

  “Exactly!”

  “I had no idea you dated her. Ugh! That girl caused so much shit!”

  “Yes, so I’ve heard. Believe me, it was brief. Anyway, as soon as I moved on, Blaine moved in. He wasn’t about to miss an opportunity with her father. Mandi, of course, thought it might get Dave’s attention. She was wrong, again. Blaine knew what she was up to, but he was going to use her.”

  “Good! I hope he broke her heart, if she ever had one—what a perfect pair.” I watched her take a firm bite of pineapple like she was biting her head off. I had to laugh. I was certain steam would be coming out of her ears, at any moment.

  “Are you going to let me finish my story?”

  “Sorry . . . go on.” She waved her hands in the air. “Tell me.”

  “So, one night, I’m sitting at home and Blaine shows up. He was definitely on something. All hyped up, he insisted I go to a party with him. He had told me about connections with this person and that person. That night, he wanted me to meet some. What the hell? I had nothing planned. We hopped in his Ferrari and shot over to the Valley. Once we got to the house, I was shocked. There were naked chicks all over the place. In some rooms, right out in the open, people were partaking in different sexual acts…”

  “A porn house? Oh. My. God.”

  “Yes. Blaine was involved in the porn industry before he started taking film classes at UCLA.”

  “Holy shit!”

  “The shit did hit the fan after that night. He confided in me how and when he got involved. He swore me to secrecy. Then somehow, Mandi got word of Blaine’s past and she dumped him abruptly. He was devastated. Not because he was attached to her, but he was attached to her father. He, of course, thought that I told her. He accused me of being jealous that her father had taken to him. I was anything but jealous. I didn’t need his influence or his help. The film industry was not for me. I did it to help Dave. He ended making a big scene, said I ruined his life, punched me in the face, and then he disappeared. I hadn’t seen or heard from him until the night that Dave introduced him as the cinematog at the party.”

  “I knew he was after you. I never thought he was ever interested in me. He was always so professional . . . a gentleman when you were out of the picture. Once you were anywhere near, he snapped. That wasn’t enough to break us apart . . . so . . . so he doctored sex tapes…”

  “Lila doesn’t believe it’s his doing. I wonder if she’s a little bias. I think something may be brewing with them.”

  “Really? I haven’t noticed. I actually haven’t seen her much. She’s usually off doing things for me . . . and apparently, you!”

  “And watching him.”

  “You have Lila spying on him?”

  “Yes, I guess I should text her. The jig is up! Let her get back to more important things.”

  “Maybe not. Might be best to see if he has more tricks up his sleeves. He has been sending you photos of me. Obviously, he’s not done.”

  “That reminds me. We need to find that hidden camera in your trailer. I don’t want films of us popping up. If they aren’t, already. And . . . now that we are back together, I want to be able to take full use of your caravan while we’re on set. Those were some of the best downtimes I have ever experienced.”

  “Why don’t you remind me,” she said, licking her lips. I scurried to her, moving the tray to the floors. Then I reminded her all day and night, breaking only long enough to refuel our bodies with a bevy of food and drink. We celebrated our togetherness privately, anticipating what would happen when we went public. What would be the next blow to our relationship?

  Back on the set, we found the mini camera directed at the bed and deposed of it. It appeared that Blaine had given up. We wrapped up filming, moved into post-production and editing. We were often together, the three of us, and others. No incidents. No texts. I was relieved, though part of me still wanted to confront Blaine. I was just waiting for the right moment.

  I didn’t have to wait too long. A few weeks prior to the premiere of the film, we got together, up at the producer’s house, the same place where Blaine was introduced to the cast and crew. One too many drinks, his mouth spewed shit, as always. He really should never drink. Anyway, he made one too many comments to Sofie, pawed her one too many times. I couldn’t let it go.

  “Blaine, cut the shit. We both know you’re not into Sofie, so lay off.”

  He laughed. “You’re right. I don’t give a fuck about her—or you. You, Mr. Perfect, never can do no wrong . . . tattletale . . . snoop . . . tell-all. Ha! You think I care? Not I, not me! No, you . . . you and Sofie shouldn’t fuck everywhere. I told you. Yes, I knew. I knew you would fuck with the wrong person, one day. You would get was coming to you. You would get caught. Caught right in the act with your pants down.” His laughter escalated. “Too bad it wasn’t me. No. It’s not me.”

  “Are you sure about that? You didn’t want to get even with me? For exposing your secret life? Which I didn’t do.”

  “Nah! You didn’t expose me. I thought it was you at first. I was pissed. I lashed out at you. Really, it could’ve been a number of people. But it happened so close to when I confessed to you, trusted you.”

  “I hoped you were over it. Then this tape shit.”

  “Yea. Fuck. I thought I was over it too. Then I saw you at the party. Everyone fawning over you; the women like always, David boosting about you. Listening to the gossip, the buzz that you might be gracing the screen with your acting, again. Then there was the way Sofie looked at you, like you were God. Yes, I was jealous of you. Jealous of you and Sofie. Yes, I was even more jealous of you and David. Yes, I’m an asshole, I know. I just need the right one. I want what you two have. So I’ll admit, I messed with you a bit, but the filming? The sex thing? The texts? Not me. Excuse me, I take part back, that was me fucking the two chicks, but I didn’t know about the doctoring, the editing, or that I was being filmed. I thought the chicks were part of the scam. They denied everything when I showed them the tape that was also texted to me with a warning to keep my mouth shut. The girls were enraged. They tried to say I drugged them. They claimed they didn’t remember. I say they lied. I say they got a big check or a big promise from someone. I can truly say I was pretty fucked up that night…”

  “So if it wasn’t you, who was it?”

  “I would say, someone we all pissed off.”

  Chapter Six

  Sofie…

  Once we found out Blaine was not behind our unwarranted separation, I started receiving some disturbing texts, and Drake became extremely worried for my safety. If he wasn’t by my side, a big, burly bodyguard was. It started the night he was leaving to go up North for one last major adjustment that had to be made to the film. His flight had been delayed, due to excessive fog, so one of the producers made arrangements to use his plane. Having extra time, he came back home to wait it out. Taking advantage of those added minutes, he spent it being intimate with me. Entwined was the way we liked to spend our hours, without interruptions. However, it was at a very inopportune moment that texts began, one after another. It was difficult to ignore them.

  “Oh, he really did fool you.”

  “Maybe that was a film with you.”

  “He won’t be yours forever.”

  “He will see you for who you are; once a tramp, always a tramp.”

  “Does he know about all of your whoring around?”

  “Love them and leave them.”

  “Maybe there are tapes of you.”

  “Beware!”

  Those messages earned me a trip up North. Not that I minded, I was pretty freaked out, too. Until Drake, I had never had any problems like this. Whoever was behind this had to know both of us. First, they went after him. Then, it appeared, it was my turn. What would make them give up? If we were to split up completely, would they be satisfied? I was scared. I prayed that this wouldn’t turn violent. Hopefully, it
was just a scorned lover that would give up. Not some crazy psychopath. Whoever it was that continued to send texts to me and then to Drake, hadn’t truly thought their actions through. Instead of tearing us apart, it was bringing us closer.

  Two days before the film’s premiere, we had to alert David. We had both received similar texts that sounded like the person behind everything would be attending the evening’s events. I had never seen David so mad, ever. He laid into both of us for keeping him in the dark all of this time. After he calmed down, he secured extra security for the theatre, red carpet, and the after party. Along with uniformed attendants, he called in some favors, and had all of the locations searched ahead of time. Fortunately, nothing turned up. One problem down. Next, we waited to see if anyone would step forward, or would they remain in the shadows, taunting us?

  The morning of the event, pampering was the name of the game; Drake and I had massages, followed by lunch. Then I went off to Nelle’s salon to get the works: Manicure, pedicure, hair, and makeup. Back home, I carefully slid into a tub to refresh my body. Out of my bath, I dried, lotioned, and slipped into a black, fitted, just above the knee, cocktail dress. Then I adorned my feet with a pair of black Bionda Castana Beatrix heels. Ready to go, I found an extremely handsome man waiting for me in a tailored black suit with a silver tie and matching pocket square. He looked good enough to stay home. To hell with the premiere, I thought. But then again, I was overly excited to experience my first red carpet in a major role. Granted, no one would recognize me as I promenaded by them, but I knew my name would be up on the silver screen. I couldn’t wait to see the film with an audience. I couldn’t keep from smiling.