The Awakening (20 page)

“Oh, Honey. Just hang in. I’ll be there and I’ll never leave you again. I promise I’ll always be there.”

“I know, Andrew. I know.” But could she trust him? His voice sounded so true, but she couldn’t just dismiss all that had happened in one phone call. She would have to be with him again to be sure. She signed, she knew what Victor would say but it was the only way.

As soon as he took her in his arms Carmen was pleased he was back. She opened the door and he grabbed her, kissed her and held her close. “Oh, Carmen, I’ve been so worried.”

Despite herself she melted into him, inhaled the smell of his cologne, that musky, sour male smell of him, which was so utterly absent from his flat. Now with him back the place seemed warm: seemed like a home. The dogs slunk off to a corner near the fire and settled for glaring at Andrew. He took her straight to the bedroom, barely able to contain his need for her. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” he said, taking off his tie and shirt.

She fell upon him, kissing him like a demented harpy. She needed to taste him, fill her nostrils with his spicy cologne, feel the texture of his face. She touched all of him at once, her hands everywhere as he pulled off his clothes and stood naked before her. She needed to know and this was the only way she could be sure. Oh, yes, he was a fine looking man and it was clear he was pleased to see her. She felt herself moisten and knelt to put her lips to his manhood. She flicked her tongue like a lizard, small whips of pleasure as his penis quivered in her face. She took the head in her mouth gently sucking, pushing her tongue into his slit. He moaned and jerked his hips towards her face. She took his balls in her left hand and squeezed slowly, massaging them into a tight mass of desire. She could feel him wanting to come, so she dragged her teeth up and down his stem. She felt him quiver, an edge of fear as she bit at him. At some base level she thought how easy it would be to just bite off his dick and leave him there. But that was a ferocious thought from another part of her. Instead she moved her lips to shield her teeth and sucked. She moved her mouth up and down his throbbing stem, as he moaned more and more. Then just as he was on the edge of orgasm she fell away from him and pulled off her t-shirt and shorts. She fell back onto the bed, naked and waiting.

“Come on then, big boy. What are you waiting for?”

“Oh, baby,” Andrew moaned. “Have I missed you!”

He covered her body with his, moving his mouth to cover hers. He pushed his tongue into her mouth and his penis into her pussy in one synchronised movement. She felt his thickness open her up. She kissed him back and pushed her hips into him. She wanted him inside her so badly she thought she would burst. He pushed and pushed in deeper and deeper in what felt like a primordial male stamping his property. He was slamming into her like a pile driver, opening her wider and wider, making her wetter and wetter. She wrapped her legs around his ass and pushed up against him as he pushed harder into her. Her hands moved across his back, her nails scratching him, marking him on the outside as he was marking her on the inside. Her nails seemed to grow in the heat of their coupling. They seemed harder and longer and she felt as if she was ripping off AA’s skin as he moved deeper and closer to the centre of her. She heard a moan, deep and far off, felt a roaring in her ears and an explosion of heat in her pussy. Andrew was biting her neck and shuddering into her as he came, pouring his sticky hot glue inside her to mix with her own volcanic lava.

He rolled off her and lay gasping beside her on the bed. Carmen’s face was pink and her nipples hard. She felt a comforting throbbing between her legs. God, she’d missed him. She couldn’t go that long without sex again. It was too much to expect.

“Hey, Honey,” Andrew purred. “That was amazing. I guess you missed me as much as I missed you.”

She sighed with satiated pleasure. “I know why I love you.” She was sure she felt more than just lust for him. This sort of sex was only possible with love.

They lay together for a few moments, their heat steaming the atmosphere in the room. Andrew stood and stretched. “I need a shower, Hon. My back feels a bit hot and sore and then we can go out for dinner. How does that sound?”

Carmen smiled like a minx. “As long as we can do that again.”

Andrew winked at her as headed to his en-suite. “You bet.”

Carmen gasped as she saw his back. She hadn’t just scratched him, she had ripped the skin from his back. He would need more than a shower to ease that. Instinctively she called him back. “I need to kiss you first.”

He obeyed and let her kiss him gently and passionately as she ran her hands up and down his back just above the ripped skin, massaging the space between her hands and his skin, repairing the damage she had inflicted in the heat of her animal passion.

“There,” she breathed, releasing him from her embrace. “All better now.”

“I love you, Carmen Whyte,” Andrew winked as he headed to the shower, his back healed as if nothing untoward had happened.

Carmen led back on the bed and closed her eyes. Victor was standing before her shaking his head. “You have no choice,” he said. “Time is running out.” She shook her head. “Go away. Leave me alone. He loves me. I know he does. And that’s all that matters.” Victor smiled at her like she was very dumb child. “Ah, that the world was that simple, my little bear.”

Carmen looked at her hands, examined her nails, saw the flesh beneath them and knew she was not the person she thought she was. Victor in all his madness was right.

Carmen and Andrew were driving down to the Adams family house at the Hamptons for the weekend with Alaska and Zanzibar lying disgruntled on the back seat of Andrew’s Porsche. Carmen stroked them sympathetically: she knew exactly how they felt. This was her last chance to be sure. She needed to know if what she had sensed about Will was true. Despite falling back into Andrew’s arms and bed so readily she was not the woman he had left when he went off to Brazil. She watched everything he did, considered everything he said. She looked into her own heart, which remained confused. She could not see into Andrew’s despite how hard she tried. She avoided Victor at work, shaking her head at him as he raised his eyebrows at her. She had her own testing to complete and this was the only way: meet the enemy, if that was who they were, in their own lair and let the battle commence. She looked at Andrew who had his eyes fiercely on the road, driving too fast, as he always did. Was he the future or was it Victor? This weekend would tell, of that Carmen was certain.

“Are you sure this is such a good idea?” Carmen asked.

Andrew shrugged. “I don’t know what else was possible, Hon. They couldn’t stay in the apartment for the weekend without us. And I’m sure Will and Mom won’t mind. There’s more than enough room. Just relax, Carmen. I thought you’d be happier having them with you.”

“I guess,” Carmen nodded. “It’s just that they seem so agitated.”

“It’s probably the car. There’s not exactly a lot of room for them.” He patted her thigh and smiled. “We’re nearly there, Carmen. Try to look as if you want to spend the weekend with my family. Discussing our wedding.”

Carmen laughed. “Of course, Andrew. Yes, I am. I just get really aware that the dogs can be unsettling for some people.”

“I guess my folks just have to get used to them, eh? After all you three really are a packaged deal.” Andrew laughed at his own cleverness and Carmen considered that perhaps he was the one after all. If he understood that about the dogs then they could make it as a couple. Still, she knew Alaska and Zanzibar were anything but happy about a weekend at the Adams family estate, and she was learning to trust their instincts above all others, including her own. She leant into Andrew and kissed him on the cheek.

“What was that for?”

She smiled warmly at him. “I guess you do understand me.”

“I guess I do,” he smiled. “Hey, it’ll be a great weekend. My folks are really keen to make this wedding the best thing for both of us. Will already loves you and Mom is well won over.”

Carmen kept her thoughts tight inside. There was no way she could share her visions about Will. She would behave as ever and watch and see where the truth lay. Were these people her friends and saviours or were they her mortal enemies? It seemed extreme but that was how her life was shaping up. Looking at Andrew she couldn’t believe he would ever hurt her or act against her. She struggled with the visions – how could they be true? When they made love it was magic, her whole body thrilled to be with him and she was certain of his feelings for her.

Will and Elizabeth were on the porch as Andrew swung the Porsche into the white stoned drive-way sweeping several hundred yards up to the house. For all the Adams referred to it as a “cottage” it was as big as any house Carmen had ever seen. It had five double bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, an impressive oak staircase in the centre of the house, a balcony upstairs and a wrap around deck on the ground floor. The back of the house overlooked the sea, the in-ground pool and the boat house. There was a huge eat in kitchen, a formal dining room, a library, two sitting rooms and an expansive lounge with an imported antique French marble mantle piece. Every part of the house oozed money, taste and age. Still it was more relaxed and friendly than Andrew’s loft. Carmen guessed that was due to Elizabeth’s influence. It was clearly a house for family and entertaining. She hated to think how many important and influential people had stayed at this house.

Carmen took a deep breath and fixed a warm smile to her face as she stepped from the car. She let the dogs out and instead of running free as she expected they sat quietly by her side. Will and Elizabeth embraced Andrew and Carmen warmly. As Will kissed her Carmen was struck by the smell of oil and industry. He made her nostril flare and bristle almost: it was an unexpected smell on a man, especially down here in the clean air of the country. She hadn’t noticed the aroma in the past – had Will changed his after shave?

“You look so well, son.” Will slapped his son cheerfully on his back. “That Australian climate must have done you good.”

“Don’t be silly, William,” Elizabeth chided gently. “It’s being in love.”

Carmen blushed and smiled.

“Of course,” exclaimed Will, taking Carmen by the hand to lead her into the house. “If I was his age I’d be happy too. So how are you, Carmen?”

“Well, thank you, Will, especially here. I do love this house.” And that was true: she’d enjoyed her couple of visits to the “cottage” so far. “I hope you don’t mind my dogs being here too. Just that-”

Will hushed her. “Of course, my dear. With all your upsets recently you’d want them close by. We’ve put you in the balcony room so they can sleep near you.”

“Thanks, Will. That’s very kind of you.”

“Well, our boy has made it quite clear that you’re the girl for him and he says your dogs mean everything, so what can we do? They’re obviously going to be part of the family too.” Will was as cheerful and friendly as ever and Carmen might have been persuaded to forget her suspicions but Alaska and Zanzibar hadn’t moved from the car and sat glaring at her.

Will noticed their behaviour, which Carmen considered interesting, given AA never noticed anything about the dogs. “We’re having lunch on the back deck. It’s just about ready. Why don’t you call the dogs to walk around the house with you while I help that boy with your bags? I’m sure they need a drink.”

Carmen nodded and called to the dogs.

“Yes,” Elizabeth echoed. “Lunch is just about ready. I’ve got cold drinks waiting. It’s lovely out there in all this sunshine.”

Carmen knew they were being friendly and welcoming but she did feel a shiver of unease. They were almost too nice. She squatted to nuzzle her dogs, trying to make peace with them and watched Andrew and Will take the bags into the house. She could imagine their conversation. “Am I being paranoid?” She said quietly to herself. Alaska shook her head. Carmen looked into her pale blue eyes. “You do understand me, don’t you?” The dog nodded. Carmen turned to Zanzibar. “And you too?’ He nodded and seemed to smile at her. Carmen laughed. She was a fool. “Will we survive the weekend?” she asked them. Alaska put her head on the side as if considering the question, while Zanzibar nodded. But Carmen saw a note of caution in his eyes. Be careful he seemed to say. “Is it too fanciful to think you can actually talk to me?” Zanzibar looked up at her as she stood up. “All things are possible once you accept who you are,” she heard. But whether the words came from his mouth or just echoed in her head she wasn’t sure.

“Let’s just get a drink, eh, guys?”

Lunch was very pleasant. Southern fried chicken, Caesar salad, potato salad, freshly baked bread and smoked salmon. Carmen drank white wine spritzers with Elizabeth while the men drank a couple of beers. Will and Andrew talked politics and about his recent trip away. Elizabeth and Carmen had intermittent discussions about the weather, her appearance on Oprah, how the book was selling. Carmen was her usual quiet self: happier to watch the others as they all embarked upon a highly animated discussion about the current president and his pro-environment stance. She guessed the Adams family wouldn’t be that fond of Victor, despite how good it was for Andrew’s public standing to be involved in such a responsible and green company.

Coffee was served and a horn honked announcing the arrival of Andrew’s eldest sister, Louise and her husband Todd Albright, who were also down for the family wedding discussions. Carmen looked to Andrew as she realised the whole family would be at the “cottage” for dinner where the wedding was the central topic of conversation. Caroline, the other sister, and her husband Michael Johnson were due for dinner. Carmen heard the children’s voices and braced herself for the onslaught. She sensed the forces gathering against her with every new arrival. She looked to Alaska and Zanzibar dozing in the sun and motioned them to stay.