Awakened (7 page)

“Partners,” she said firmly. “I would like them to hear what you have to say.

“Very well,” the doctor agreed. “The reason you felt so unwell and passed out is because your blood sugar level dropped dangerously low. It’s called Hypoglycemia. You said you were exercising when you became ill?”

Phoebe nodded.

“What have you eaten today?” The doctor asked.

Phoebe shot Linc and Alistair a guilty glance. “I had two coffees. I was really busy.”

The doctor frowned. “My dear, you cannot run on empty for long before your body protests.”

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“You know the consequences of not eating now. Hopefully you will not allow it to happen again.” He turned toward Alistair and Linc. “I’ll keep her here overnight. I’ve ordered a meal for her to be delivered shortly. She should be able to go home in the morning.”

Linc thanked the doctor.

The doctor patted Phoebe’s free hand, bid the men goodnight and left.

Alistair crossed to the other side of the bed and while he sat on one side of Phoebe, Linc sat on the other. They each held her hands.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think.” Phoebe apologized to the men she had worried.

“At least it wasn’t too serious. I was terrified you were having a heart attack,” Linc said.

“Isn’t twenty six a bit young?” Phoebe asked.

“I don’t think heart attacks are particularly fussy about age.” Alistair answered.

“We’ll be making sure this doesn’t happen again.” Linc said.

“It won’t,” Phoebe promised.

Chapter Seven

Linc and Alistair arrived at the hospital to find Phoebe anxious to leave. They handed her a bag containing the change of clothes she had requested. She padded off to the small bathroom to change out of the hospital gown.

A nurse entered the room and smiled at the two handsome young men.

“Phoebe’s in the bathroom getting changed,” Linc said.

“She’s free to go as soon as she’s ready. The doctor has asked that she rest up for a few days but everything should be fine,” the nurse said.

“We’ve already spoken with her bosses and they have said she has to take some time off.” Alistair said.

“We’ll make sure she takes it easy,” Linc added.

“Who’s taking it easy?” Phoebe asked as she sauntered out of the bathroom.

“You are.” Linc braced for an argument.

“No gym huh?” She smiled cheekily. “I can live with that.”

“No gym, no work and you’re staying with us.” Alistair’s voice had a determined edge to it.

“I have to go to work. I had a week off not long ago.” Phoebe protested. “And, I can take care of myself.”

Linc gathered her hand in his. “We’ll argue about this on our way.”

The nurse laughed and looked directly at Phoebe when she spoke, “Good luck arguing with these two.”

Phoebe mumbled her thanks as she was led from the room and the hospital.

Alistair settled Phoebe into the back seat of his BMW and slid behind the wheel while Linc climbed into the passenger seat.

“Ready to go?” Alistair asked.

“I need to go home. I have to go in to work. David and Tony will wonder what’s going on. I can’t let them down.” Phoebe grumbled. “I feel fine now.”

“I’ve spoken with David and explained what happened. He knows you have been under a lot of stress with the break up and moving. He said you’re to take a month off.” Linc told her.

“A month! No way. They can’t do without me for that long.”

Linc swiveled in his seat to face her. “I like David. We got along real well and he told me, in the seven years you have worked there you have taken less than six weeks off for holidays. He couldn’t remember you ever having called in sick. He said he’ll organize for Rebecca to take care of things while you’re gone. Oh, and he gave me a message for you – if you go in before the month is up, you’re fired!”

Phoebe slammed back against the soft leather and crossed her arms. A sign of frustration. “Men!” Suddenly she sat forward as if there was something she had remembered. “I’m not moving in with you.”

“No. You’re staying for a while so we can pamper you. Take care of you. Make sure you’re eating properly.” Alistair’s tone told her he wouldn’t be argued with.

Linc spoke softly, “Sweetheart, where are your parents? I’ve never heard you mention them.”

“My dad died just before I turned eighteen and mum took off. We never got along any way and I would have moved out. I got a job as a Secretary for a sleazy accountant and I was almost nineteen when I started working with David and Tony. They were, and are, like the family I never had. I love them and their families. I managed to rent a small apartment and I stayed there until I met Callum. He insisted on something bigger so we moved out of town. I hated it but it was what he wanted.”

“Do you have brothers, sisters?’ Linc asked.

“An older brother, Steven. He’s in the Army and moves around a lot. He calls me when he’s in town and we have dinner.”

“What did David and Tony think of Callum?” Alistair asked.

“They didn’t like him. They hated how he dominated and changed me.” She grinned at Linc. “I wasn’t always so daggy.”

Alistair turned the car into an underground garage. When he swiped his card, a boom gate lifted and he drove through. Phoebe noticed he pulled into a space marked ‘Penthouse’ and parked next to another, identical BMW.
Probably Lincs.

Linc opened her door and offered his hand. She slipped her hand into his and stepped from the car. Alistair was at the rear of the vehicle, the trunk was raised. When it was closed, Phoebe noted one of her suitcases in his hand.

Phoebe sensed she wouldn’t be seeing her apartment again. These two men had stepped into her life and in a few short weeks, appeared to have taken command of her.  After Callum, she had vowed never to allow any man to rule her again. But, this felt so right. Being with these two caring men made her happier than she had ever been.

Phoebe had a feeling she had fallen a little bit in love with this pair. And why not? They were handsome, kind and considerate.

ᴥ ᴥ ᴥ

“Wow.” Phoebe couldn’t hide her amazement at the gorgeous place she had stepped in to from the elevator.

Linc and Alistair laughed at her enthusiasm.

“This place is so…so, incredible,” she continued.

“I guess we don’t notice. We have been here for almost eight years. Probably used to it.” Linc said.

“We take it for granted, I suppose.” Alistair added.

Phoebe wandered around the large room. At one end was a shiny white kitchen with what seemed like every modern appliance known to man.  A large breakfast bar had four white leather stools nestled beneath. The six seater, chrome, glass and white leather dining suite sat in an alcove off to one side.

Phoebe padded to the other side of the room. It was the living area. An enormous white leather couch with a chaise longue at one end, had pride of place. The television mounted on the wall over a marble fireplace was the largest she had ever seen.
Watching movies on that television would be like being in a cinema
. She drifted her fingers over the soft leather of the couch as she gravitated to the glass wall which housed sliding glass doors. They opened on to a balcony. The view over the city by day was amazing, by night it would be spectacular.

Moving back into the room she noticed a small hallway which led who knew where. A chrome and glass spiral staircase probably led up to the bedrooms.

She turned to face Linc and Alistair who had quietly followed her as she’d explored. The smiles that greeted her shot warmth straight to her core. She stepped toward them. “I love it. Have I died and is this heaven?”

The men laughed. “I don’t think we have all died yet,” Linc said.

“I love it. I’m going to enjoy being here with you both.”

“Does that mean you’ll stay for the whole month? Alistair asked cautiously.

“I’ll think about it,” Phoebe said. “One day at a time.”

“That’s fair. Let us show you your room.” Alistair said.

The men gathered her hands into theirs. Instead of guiding her up the stairs, they led her around it and into the small hall. Three doors opened off it.

Linc pointed to the door on their left. “Laundry, I think.”

“You think?” Phoebe asked.

Linc and Alistair glanced at each other sheepishly before Linc explained. “We have a housekeeper, Savannah. We don’t need to go in there.” He swung open a door on their right. Both men released her hands and stepped back so she could enter.

Phoebe gasped. The bedroom was one a Princess belonged in. The gigantic, white four poster bed was swathed in white gauze curtains fixed back in the corners with rich, red velvet ribbon. The lacy white coverlet was trimmed with the same ribbon as were the curtains. A red decorative mat sat atop pristine white carpet. The effect was stunning.

This room also had a full width glass wall with doors opening onto a balcony. She crossed to her left and opened a door. It led into a dressing room. The room would hold as much clothing as a store! Beyond that was a luxurious bathroom. The twin porcelain sinks were white with sparkling chrome fittings. The toilet and bidet were also white porcelain. The shower was a single sheet of glass with an overhead rain shower fitting and two lift off wall heads. The white tiles on the floor were so shiny, she could almost see her face in them. Brilliant, blood red tiles on the walls gave the impression of sumptuous wealth. The crowning glory and the one thing she couldn’t wait to try, was the four person spa bath. Phoebe imagined herself soaking in that after a long day at work and the gym. Rose fragrance from bath salts would waft up her nose while the powerful jets relaxed her tired muscles.

Whoa, after work? I have a month before I return to work. Am I thinking of staying longer? Would Linc and Alistair ask her to stay permanently?  What would her answer be if they did? Hmmm, I can imagine all three of us relaxing back in that tub.

Linc startled her when he spoke from close behind. “What do you think?”

She spun around hoping her thoughts of a threesome in the tub didn’t show on her face. “It’s beautiful. Thank you so much for having me. It really wasn’t necessary though.”

“Come into the kitchen and we’ll have coffee,” Alistair said.

“Don’t you have to go into the gym?” she asked.

“No,” they answered in unison.

“We’re going to stay and take care of you for a few days,” Linc said.

“Why?” Phoebe didn’t think she needed to be looked after.

“We want to,” Alistair answered.

“Oh, what will we do? I’ve never had a month off before.”

“You are going to spend a lot of time lying back on the couch, watching movies, sleeping, being pampered.” Linc answered as she hefted herself onto a stool at the breakfast bar.

“But, I’m fine now,” she protested halfheartedly. How was she going to last a month doing nothing? Callum had run her ragged from the minute she stepped through the door. He had done nothing to help. He hadn’t cared how busy her day at work had been. He was selfishness personified.

The men shook their head as Linc frowned at her. “We’re putting our feet down. After my long chat with David, who kindly spilled the beans about you, Alistair and I now realize how badly you have been treated in the past. It stops now. You are going to be pampered and spoiled for the next month. Oh, and we have David and Tony’s approval.”

Great, they’re all ganging up on me. Still, it wouldn’t be too bad having these two handsome hunks pandering to my every wish. Go for it, Phoebe. You deserve it for once in your life.

“I haven’t agreed to stay the full month, yet,” she pouted.

“You will,” Alistair said confidently.

ᴥ ᴥ ᴥ

Three weeks of heaven. Phoebe didn’t want it to end. Days had been spent out on the balcony. Relaxing in a comfy chair, reading and sipping cool drinks.

Alistair and Linc had taken her out for several dinners, including a surprise one with her bosses and their wives. David and Tony had liked Linc and Alistair immediately and the feelings were mutual. David had even taken her aside and told her – “I know it’s unconventional to be with two men, Phoebe, but you are glowing. You look happy. Go for it despite what others may think. They are good men and they will treat you the way you should be treated. Tony and I can see they both love you.”

The statement had floored Phoebe. Her bosses thought Alistair and Linc loved her? It had given her a warm feeling inside to know the four most important men in her life liked and approved of each other.

Other nights they had spent in the apartment, cuddling on the couch, watching movies or talking for hours. She’d been kissed senseless. Their hands had explored her body causing her nipples to pebble and heat to flood her belly and core. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind now, she was in love with both men. And, they showed her every day how much they adored her.

Now, after three weeks, she sat on the balcony, deep in thought, and made the biggest decision of her life. Linc and Alistair were at the gym taking care of regular clients. She couldn’t wait for them to arrive home.

Savannah, the housekeeper, had helped her to set up the table for a romantic dinner. Candles were placed ready for lighting and crystal wine glasses were in place. The chicken she had roasting sent out delicious aromas to fill the apartment. Vegetables had now joined the chicken. Oysters were plated with a curl of raw salmon on top then a dollop of fresh cream decorated with fresh caviar. Dessert would be something extra special. She smiled, she wasn’t at all nervous.

She must have dozed off for the next thing she knew, warm lips were being pressed against hers. “Come inside, sweetheart. It’s cool out here,” Linc whispered.

Her eyes flickered open, it was dark and as Linc had said, she felt cool. He assisted her to stand but before she could move, Alistair had her pulled against his rock hard chest. His lips covered hers.

When he released her, she lifted her eyes. “What was that for?”

“For creating those delicious smells to come home to.” Alistair made no secret of the fact that he loved his food.

Phoebe laughed as they entered the apartment.

Linc slid the door closed behind them.

Both men followed her to the kitchen. They hovered over her as she checked the chicken and she saw them licking their lips. “It’s pretty much ready. Have a seat at the table and I’ll get the entrees.”

“I’ll get the wine,” Linc said as he crossed to the liquor cabinet. He pulled out a bottle of his favorite Cabernet Sauvignon.

Alistair had found a lighter in a top cupboard in the kitchen and the candles were now burning brightly. He was sitting, eagerly awaiting what Phoebe had prepared for them. It was the first time she had cooked for
her men
and she was looking forward to them sampling her offerings.
All,
her offerings.