The Awakening: the First Taste

By Beth A. Curry

Ladies man C.J. is an officer who is assigned to one of the toughest cases hes ever come across. Not just because the victim is the beautiful Angela who he is inexplicably drawn to despite every fiber of his being telling him to stay away. But also because it requires him to entertain the possibility that the Supernatural world might be more real than he ever thought. Now, against everything hes ever known, he must cross into that world in order to protect Angela and uncover secrets about his own past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496929082

Beth A. Curry

Beth has always loved writing and has been writing since she was about ten. It started out as poems and grew to short stories. She began writing this story while taking some time off of work after giving birth to her son. It started as just a way to pass the time and gradually grew into a story that she really loved with characters that she enjoyed. She couldn’t wait to see what they would say next! She now lives out in the country with her fiancé, three kids, two dogs, two hamsters, one cat, a rooster and a horse.

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© 2014 Beth A. Curry. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/04/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2909-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2908-2 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One Almost Thirty Years Later

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About The Author

Prologue

Do you want to take a cab? he asked as they left the restaurant.

No, Jacob, why don’t we walk instead? she suggested, taking his hand.

They had had a wonderful dinner, although she felt like she had done most of the talking.

They’d met at a gas station of all places. Gabriella had been at her car, pumping gas.

When she had gone in to pay, the attendant told her that a gentleman had taken care of it for her.

She had walked back to her car, confused. Flattered but confused.

Things like that didn’t happen to her.

He stood there, leaning against the hood of her car, confident, slightly arrogant.

When she thanked him, he told her that she could return the favor by going to dinner with him.

She had agreed, going against everything she had ever known or done. She didn’t know him, or anything about him. Still, he had been charming, with a beautiful smile and chocolate dark skin, and she had said yes.

And now that dinner was over, she couldn’t help but think about how much she didn’t want the date to end.

She sighed.

Aren’t they beautiful? she asked, looking towards the stars.

Breathtaking, he said, not able to look away from the vision she was.

With her curly, shoulder length brown hair and light toffee colored skin, she was truly a Nubian Princess.

Dressed in a knee-length brown suede skirt and a tan sleeveless mock turtleneck, she carried herself with a grace that so many of the most famous models had practiced years to master.

Yet she seemed totally unaware of the effect she was having on him.

But that was one of the things that drew him to her… she didn’t try, she just was.

Are you feeling okay? she asked, looking worried. You look strange. And you didn’t touch a thing on your plate, she noted.

I’m fine, Gabby, he said, in a slightly accented deep voice. He led her through the fence surrounding his house. I had other things on my mind besides eating, he said, squeezing her hand.

Are we here already? Gabby asked, a warm feeling in her stomach from his comment. I didn’t think we were walking that fast.

He unlocked the front door, holding it open for her to proceed before him.

It’s not much, he warned, as she looked around.

It looks fine, she assured, taking in the bare white walls that held not a single picture or decoration.

The only furniture was a single black sofa that sat in the middle of the room, facing a fireplace.

I would take you on a tour, he said, closing the door, but I’m afraid there isn’t much to see at the moment. I haven’t had time to buy furniture yet, he explained.

Don’t worry about it, she said, placing a hand on his arm. He had told her that he was new to the area, just relocating because of his job. I’m sure when you finally do get it fixed up it’ll look great.

Why don’t you have a seat while I get you something to drink? he suggested, going through a door not far from the couch.

She sat on the couch and taking in everything.

First date and here she was, back at his place.

That was so unlike her.

And yet, it felt so right, she mused.

Jacob went into the kitchen and poured a glass of red wine.

She was the one, he was sure of it. She was beautiful, smart, and just what he’d been waiting for.

He’d been through too many other women to find her, and now that he had, there was no way he was letting her go.

That meant moving a little faster than he had planned, but, as he thought of her smile, some things just couldn’t be planned for.

What’s taking you so long? Gabby called from the living room, jerking him out of his trance.

Here we go, he said, suddenly appearing before her, handing her the glass.

She watched him, as he sat down close to her, his knee touching hers. His dark chocolate skin generated such heat, and his hazel eyes almost seemed to glow.

He was beautiful, she thought, admiring his clean-shaven head, and she didn’t think she had ever said that about a man before. Quickly she took a sip, before she let the words slip past her lips.

I had a great time tonight, Jacob said. I don’t want it to end, he spoke quietly, placing his hand lightly on her knee.

It doesn’t have to, she said boldly, heart beating fast. Had she really just said that out loud?

I was hoping you’d say that, he said, answering her question. He used his left hand to place her wineglass on the wood floor while his right hand gently caressed her face. I knew your skin would be this soft, he whispered, his eyes roaming over her face, zeroing in on the rapid pulse at her neck.

He would kiss her there, he decided, very soon. I wonder how sweet you will taste.

He leaned towards her, eyes that earlier seemed to glow were now as dark as the night’s sky.

As his lips touched hers, a flame appeared in the fireplace.

Oh, she said, jumping, how did that happen?

By remote, he explained. It must be on the couch somewhere.

I don’t feel anything, she stated doubtingly.

He leaned close to her again, until his mouth was only a breath away from hers and whispered, Why don’t we go upstairs, and I can change that?

Okay, she whispered back, still nervous, but more sure that she was making the right decision.

She rose from the couch with him, fireplace forgotten. She placed her hand in his and walked around the couch.

He led her to the stairs, and as she followed him up, she noticed that the room had gotten darker.

The fireplace went out, she realized with a start. She wanted to question Jacob, but her mind suddenly felt cloudy, as if in a trance.

They reached the top of the stairs quickly. So quickly she didn’t even remember her feet touching the steps.

He led her towards his bedroom. Her mind vaguely registered the emptiness of the room, the absence of mirrors or windows. That was important, somehow, she knew.

And yet, she couldn’t clear her mind enough to figure out why.

He turned her to face him, gently framing her face with his hands as he leaned down to kiss her lips. He gently sucked her bottom lip, drawing a moan from her.

The kiss deepened and his tongue touched hers. She felt weightless, like her feet had left the ground.

Growing dizzy, she wrapped her arms around him, shocked to find herself touching bare skin. She wanted to look to see if she was naked too. She knew the answer already, but her eyes were suddenly too heavy to open.

It was confirmed when she felt his mouth on her bare breast.

Feelings raced through her, confusing her thoughts. Wave after wave of pleasure pulsed through her body as he sucked and nibbled and tasted.

Please, she whispered, wanting to end this torture, anticipation building.

He looked at her tenderly and asked Are you ready?

Oh yes, she replied, at this moment ready for anything.

Then hold on, he whispered, quickly lifting her up and filling her completely.

She tried to cry out, but couldn’t make a sound, at once marveling his strength as he carried her to the bed, and fearing she would die from the pleasure.

She could do no more than wrap her legs around his waist and hope it would never end. He moved quickly in and out, each movement taking her higher and higher.

She reached out to grasp a sheet, a pillow, anything to help steady herself, and found her hand touching solid.

She opened her eyes and gasped as she realized she was touching the ceiling.

She looked into those hazel eyes that were clouded with desire and watching her, and realized they really were glowing. What are you doing to me? she whispered.

Don’t you know? he asked quietly, no longer moving.

And she did know, she realized. Something in her had known all this time.

The dinner he hadn’t eaten. How quickly he seemed to move. The strange fireplace and those glowing eyes.

He had called to her and she had answered, unconsciously inviting him to find her, and he had.

They stared into each other’s eyes and he began to move again.

He made love to her, slowly this time, creating a smooth rhythm.

She caressed his bald head with her hands, and began to move with him, meeting him thrust for thrust.

She’ll never know how long they moved together, but she would always remember the look in his eyes that told her he was close.

Feeling her own orgasm building, she flexed her walls around him, making it tighter for him, making him moan.

Nostrils flaring, jaw clenched, he asked a question with his eyes and she answered by laying her head on his shoulder, exposing the sensitive skin on her neck.

She screamed out in both ecstasy and fear as she came with his teeth on her skin. He spilled inside her, both filling her and draining her.

CHAPTER ONE

ALMOST THIRTY YEARS LATER

Kimmy, he called impatiently, as he knocked and waited for a response.

Nothing.

Kimmy, he called again, this time banging on the bathroom door instead of knocking. Why don’t you come out here so that we can talk?

Kimmy, or Kimeka when she wasn’t pouting like a spoiled brat, had locked herself in the bathroom, in the hopes that she could convince C.J. to change his mind about their non-existent relationship.

But, C.J. had already decided how it was going to be. And no amount of pouting was going to change that.

He’d thought Kimmy had understood the way things were between them.

C.J. ran a hand over the top of his head in frustration, resisting the urge to beat on the door. Having been blessed with naturally curly brown hair, he usually found it easier to keep it short instead of spending time trying to mess around with it.

His hair complemented his fair skin. At six-foot-one, he had been compared to Chemar Moore more than once.

He folded his arms, his waist-length brown leather jacket tightening around them as if trying to restrain him.

He was running out of patience and tired of dealing with the drama.

You know what, Kimmy, you’re right, C.J. said, moving away from the door, his hands now in his jean pockets. There is nothing left to say.

And there wasn’t.

C.J. had already said everything he needed to say earlier, when Kimmy had started planning what she called a ‘family’ vacation. C.J. had gently, but firmly explained that he didn’t do family vacations or anything else with the word family in it.

Under any circumstances.

When Kimmy started throwing out words like future and commitment C.J. knew it was time to end things before they went too far.

Little did he know, Kimmy had already gone too far, going from normal to psycho in thirty seconds.

Well, C.J. was out. Done.

Kimmy was a big girl and she’d known from the beginning how it was. The problem came when girls like Kimmy found C.J. to be a challenge and were so sure of themselves and their abilities that they start thinking they can change him. But, he hadn’t met one yet that made him think of long-term as being more than a couple months.

And as far as C.J. was concerned, he never would.

He walked to the front door, grabbing the doorknob when he heard the click of the bathroom door, and quick footsteps running out.

When Kimmy grabbed his shoulder, C.J. turned around to face her, sighing.

Just wait, C.J., wait, Kimmy pleaded. Tell me how to fix this baby, she said, placing quick, desperate kisses on his face and neck.

C.J. placed his hands on Kimmy’s arms and pushed her gently away. He took in the tearstained face and smeared make-up on her chocolate colored skin and felt himself soften a little. She was still wearing the white towel from her shower.

C.J. ran his hand over her long dark pony-tail and then squeezed Kimmy’s arms gently.

There’s nothing to fix, he said quietly.

Then tell me what I did wrong, Kimmy said, new tears forming.

You didn’t do anything wrong, C.J. said, using a thumb to wipe a falling tear. I’m just not looking for anything serious. And you deserve to be with someone who is.

It was never easy, looking into the eyes of someone who is realizing for the first time that it really is over.

Fully prepared for more tears, C.J. was caught off guard when a look of calm replaced the sadness in Kimmy’s eyes. As a cop, C.J. had seen and dealt with enough crazy people to know that it was time to go before things got ugly.

Taking that look as his cue to leave, C.J. gave Kimmy’s hand another little squeeze and turned around to head for the door.

As he turned the knob, C.J. unconsciously braced himself for whatever object Kimmy might throw at him. But it never came.

As he shut the door behind him he thought to himself that Kimmy was more mature than he’d thought.

Outside, C.J. crossed the street to the car that was waiting for him.

So, how’d it go? his partner, Jeff, asked as he climbed inside the passenger’s side.

Oh, you know, he said, trying to sound casual. We talked, she cried, I left.

The truth was breakups always left him feeling tired, drained.

It took a lot of energy to try to let someone down easy. But, it had to be done.

Relationships always ended with someone getting hurt. So, he made it his business to make sure that someone was never him."

I don’t know how you did it, his partner of four years said.

Did what? C.J. asked, pulling down the vanity mirror to look at himself.

Walked away from someone as fine as her, Jeff said, shaking his head.

It was a shame, he said, remembering the first time he’d seen Kimmy.

He and some