Awakening (12 page)

She smiled. It seemed like he was easy to talk to. “That is good to know. So how long have you been an Actual?”

“Well, I’ve always known what I was. My family is from the linage of the Descendants.”

Caitlyn was shocked. “You are a Descendant?”

It was Declan’s turn to shrug. “Garrett did not tell you that part, huh? My dad is the Head of Household. It’s really not all that impressive to me.”

“It must have been so much easier for you knowing what was happening when you were still a Potential.”

“Yes… and no. I had my Awakening at the age of sixteen. Makes it pretty difficult when you are the sole teenager in decades that has awoken that soon.”

Caitlyn had a hard time imagining a teenager awakening with those capabilities. “I can picture that being rough.”

He nodded. “Almost as difficult as when you turned and had no idea what was coming.”

Caitlyn was going to comment on Declan’s response when she saw Garrett making his way through the crowd. When his eyes rested on Declan, his eyes slanted the slightest bit as he walked up to them.

“Garrett Stevens. Nice to see you again.” Declan put out his hand.

Garrett took the offered hand. “Declan. What brings you over here?”

The Descendant glanced at Caitlyn. “Just wanted to meet one of the big topics of conversation this evening is all. Caitlyn, it was a pleasure meeting you, and I am sure that you will continue to exceed everyone’s expectations. Garrett, if you will please excuse me, I have a couple of other people I need to see before the evening is through.”

Garrett gave a tight-lipped smile in return before Declan turned, disappearing through the crowd. Caitlyn turned to him. “What was that about?”

Garrett put his hands in his pocket. “What was what about?”

Caitlyn motioned her head in the direction Declan took off in. “Don’t play dumb. That.”

Garrett sighed. “Nothing really. Declan and I just don’t see eye to eye on everything. To be honest, we don’t even know each other very well. I work with his father a lot more than him.”

At that point, Caleb was finally making his way back with their drinks, stopping to say hello to a retreating Declan in passing. Caitlyn gladly took the offered glass when he arrived. “Sorry it took so long, but there was a leggy blonde that was begging to meet me.”

Garrett slapped his shoulder. “Who was it this time?”

“Stacy Rollingsford, daughter of the Councilmen. She just returned from some time with the Trust in Europe and she had not seen me in years. She was very interested in catching up if you know what I mean.”

“Well, I am surprised you are even here.”

The offense on Caleb’s face was evident. “Hey, I wouldn’t leave Caitlyn by herself. Who knows how long you and Isla would have been?” His head turned back in the direction of the bar. “But… if you are back…”

Caitlyn couldn’t help but laugh. “Go before she wanders off.”

Caleb leaned over giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I knew I would like you. I’ll meet up with you two later.”

Garrett moved his hand to her waist again. “Isla was advising me that there are quite a few more people who want to meet you tonight. Apparently, I am not doing my job well. Do you mind if I introduce to a few dozen people?”

“Of course not.”

The next two hours were a blur to Caitlyn. Between the politicians, the Councilmen, and the high ranking Actuals, Caitlyn felt as if she had been put through the ringer with the many questions she had been asked. Caitlyn was never a wallflower by any means, but the amount of questions that had been fired at her would leave the most social butterfly longing for a moment by herself.

Garrett seemed to understand how she felt as she was again subjected to another line of questioning, this time by an older woman who was part of some sort of Trust committee.
“Need a moment?”

“Please.”

Garrett looked at the woman apologetically. “Mrs. Overton, please forgive me for interrupting, but I hope you will understand if I take this young woman away for a few minutes for a breath of fresh air?”

Garrett grabbed her hand, leading her away. “Let’s get out of here, shall we?”

A
s Garrett led them down the old wooden walkway that led to the beach, he could not help admiring Caitlyn holding her heels in her hand, sighing as her bare feet touched the soft sand.

It was chaotic at the annual Trust Gala to say the least. He couldn’t help but be impressed at the way that Caitlyn presented herself. He was already sure that many of the Trust’s most important people had a positive outlook on her and were already considering vying for her for multiple positions.

Still, he wondered if this might be overwhelming to her considering her sister passed away less than two weeks ago. He thought that maybe he was rash in bringing her to an event such as this. She had been so insistent on returning back to training so quickly that he could not help but think that maybe this might afford her an opportunity to take a break from it all, even if it was just for a couple more days until they returned back to Maine. But now, he wasn’t sure which would have been more taxing on her, this event or continuing the training at the insane pace that she set for herself.

“So much better.” She breathed softly, smiling up at him.

“Are you alright? It was a lot to take in back there.”

Looking out at the night, she responded. “I’m fine. Really.”

She took a few steps forward before accidently stumbling on a small piece of driftwood. Garrett caught her, her body securely in his arms. It seemed like eternity as he found himself getting lost in those brown eyes of hers, when he found the strength to straighten the both of them up before letting her go. He cleared his throat.

The past few months had been building up to this. He was attracted to her from the first time he laid eyes on her in that bar, dancing with her friends. He had pushed it aside immediately, flirting with countless women. The flirting was an attempt to stave off the inevitable, letting it fester underneath the surface, until it became impossible to deny the feelings he had for her. He knew now that he could not hold off a moment longer. It was time. As much as he had tried all evening, he could not get his mind off the enticing way her body clung to the lines of the dress, the way she felt in his arms just now.

Isla had pulled him aside earlier that evening in part to discuss the exact nature of the relationship between Garrett and Caitlyn. It was her job to know everything that was associated with the Trust, even relationships. She had wanted to find out exactly what was occurring between the two of them, surprised when Garrett indicated nothing. As his friend, she indicated that he better act on his feelings fast before others tried to pursue her. And with the way she looked this evening, he knew that wouldn’t be long. He was positive that several males had amorous thoughts about her; he did not need to be telepathic to know that. He wanted to let her know how much he cared for her and hoped that she would return the sentiment.

The moon cast a soft glow on the beach, the light catching the waves as they crashed in upon the shore. Garrett closed his eyes, listening as the sounds of the ocean overtook him and soothed him as the waves had done so many times before. Those moments allowed him tranquility; the tranquility he so often had to work hard for when not in Caitlyn’s immediate presence. But now, he found he needed it again, unsure of what exactly her response would be.

Caitlyn gently placed her hand on his arm, bringing him out of his thoughts. He realized for the second time that evening, she had caught him lost in his own thoughts when he wasn’t paying attention. Garrett was not sure he if he was ready for her seeing him while his defenses were down. He admitted to himself that he was nervous about her figuring out some of the secrets that made up Garrett Stevens. He was not ready for her to know that side of him, not yet. But then again, he wasn’t sure he was ready for anyone to know that side of him. He smiled at her, wrapping his arms around her since he noticed that the chill of the ocean wind was making her shiver slightly. She sighed contently, leaning into the embrace. Quietly, with his chin resting securely on her shoulder, he stood there with her, looking out into the Atlantic.

It seemed appropriate that they were on a beach. After all, a beach was where they went on the day of her Awakening, and now it is where he was going to tell her his feelings and hopefully she would reciprocate his.

Garrett found a weathered bench, and motioned for the both of them to sit down. He did not fail to notice how close she was next to him, her thigh touching his, her hand barely grazing his. It was distracting to say the least. He wondered if she really did not realize the impact she had on him. He turned to her, noting that her eyes were wide and inquiring. He stared into those depths, taking her hands gently in his.

“Did you have a good time tonight?”

She nodded happily. “Beyond the grand inquisition, it was a very nice evening. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome. It’s not every student that gets to attend one of these things.”

“I could tell. You must have pull.”

He shook his head. “Not really, but my reports on you made various people want to meet you.”

Even though Garrett could not tell in the moonlight, he was pretty sure that she was blushing. “I really liked Isla and Caleb.”

Garrett was grateful for the friendship he had developed with both of them over the years. “I’m glad. I am sure you will get to know them better as time goes on.”

“Good. You know, it sounded as if you never see them anymore though, even when Isla is in town. You should see them more often.”

Garrett tucked a stray hair behind Caitlyn’s ear. “I’m busy with you.”

“That just makes me feel guilty.”

Garrett was surprised. “You shouldn’t feel that way at all. I enjoy spending my time with you. It’s been an honor to teach you.”

Caitlyn blushed again, looking down before meeting his gaze again. “Thank you. I enjoy spending time with you too.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither sure exactly what to say from there. It was not lost on Garrett that he still held her hand. He began to caress her fingers with his, the movement slow and deliberate, relishing the simple act of feeling each finger as they interlaced eventually with his own. He gave her soft hand a gentle squeeze as he worked up the courage to say what he wanted to say.

“Garrett…” she started, but he placed a finger on her beautiful lips, silencing her. If he did not say this now, he was not sure he could ever complete it.

“Caitlyn, I’ve been holding something back from you.”

She pushed his finger away from her mouth. “What are you talking about?”

He took a large breath and continued. “I can’t pretend anymore. For months, I’ve been fighting my feelings for you. Every time I’m in your presence, I feel a complete and utter attraction to you. It’s more than physical; it’s emotional. There is something special between us and it’s killing me. Every time I see you, all I want to do is take you in my arms and kiss you. I know it’s inappropriate, with my mentoring you, but my feelings have been getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. What I am trying to say…” he paused, wanting the words to be right. “What I am trying to say is that I-”

His speech was broken off from her lips on his. The kiss was soft at first, almost as if asking for permission. He was caught off guard and it was as if his heart stopped, not really believing the fact that Caitlyn had feelings for him. After a moment, he wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss. She eagerly reciprocated, pressing his lips tighter to hers. He couldn’t think. All he knew in this moment is the woman he cared about was in his arms kissing him back, giving him everything he had hoped for. He made himself pull away from her to catch his breath.

His eyes evaluated hers, making sure what happened was really okay. She answered his unspoken question.
“Garrett, I was hoping that you might do that.”

He kissed her again, initiating the kiss this time, enjoying the feel of her lips against his. He was happily drowning in her. If he was honest with himself, he wanted a lot more than her mouth against his at the moment, but he was content where he was. There would be plenty of time for other things later. When they finally pulled away from one another, they resumed staring out to the ocean, enjoying the comfort of knowing they each wanted each other.

She was quiet with her next statement. “This changes everything, you know.”

“I know. It’s why I waited so long to make my feelings known.”

She gave his cheek a quick peck before snuggling into the crook of his neck. “I’m glad you did finally tell me. But what happens now?”

“Well, your training still needs to continue. That will not change. I won’t lie when I say it is not going be challenging sometimes distinguishing the line between mentor and boyfriend. But that is something that you and I’ll need to work through together.”

“Alright.”

“Caitlyn, I want you to know that it is very hard for me to put myself out there like I just did with you. I know that you have seen me on many occasions be flirtatious, but it’s been a long time since I have had serious feelings for anyone. I guess I just want to assure you that this is not a casual fling for me. My feelings for you are anything but casual.”

Caitlyn nuzzled closer at those words. He wanted desperately to know what she was thinking at the moment. Despite that, he shielded his thoughts from her as he thought to himself.
“I think I am coming dangerously close to falling in love with you.”

“D
eclan, for the tenth time, I said no.” Jonathan McPherson rubbed his eyes wearily. “We don’t have new Actuals change mentors midway through training.”

Declan glared at his father. “But an exception must be made in this case. It’s not like it has never happened before.”

His father rolled his eyes, clasping his hands together before placing them down on the desk in front of him. “Declan, you were the exception. Lionel was the only one who had the proper capacity to train you.”