The Soul Mate Read online

  Parks scattered throughout Aster Province were surrounded by restaurants and bars. They served as the social hub in each community. The larger parks also had walking paths.

  She could not dismiss the conversation she overheard. “Is Benko Jarlyn in danger?” The question was too sensitive to ask in any other means but through their closed channel. A chill ran down her spine thinking about that little boy being hurt or worse.

  “I cannot risk Benko’s life. Jeryl Jarlyn needs to be warned. You have to appear ignorant of the conspiracy.” Zane squeezed the hand he held tighter.

  The closer they got to the restaurant, the more agitated she became. How could she sit and enjoy a nice meal when a child was in danger?

  “How far do you live from here?” she asked. “I am too nervous to eat. It would be nice to spend time alone together.”

  Zane grabbed her upper arm and they stopped walking. She turned to face him. His eyes examined her face. Was he able to feel her emotions as she felt his?

  He ran his index finger along the apple of her cheek. “My apartment is a distance away, but my parents live close by. They left this morning on a business trip to Starling Province. We will have the place to ourselves.”

  Leenea nodded her consent. They turned down the second street they crossed. Purple lilacs lined the avenue and their sweet aroma helped to curb her anxiety. The large homes on the street were well maintained, all constructed from the same mauve colored stone. She wondered which one Zane had grown up in.

  They turned and walked down the walk to a single story dwelling. He pulled out his keys and opened the front door.

  “I will give you the grand tour,” Zane said. “The kitchen and the common room are to the left.”

  Her parent’s house was designed to depict wealth. Although this home was furnished with expensive pieces, it had a homey quality. One could relax in the common room without worrying about leaving a crumb behind.

  A massive wood table sat between the kitchen and the common room. Ten chairs were scattered around it.

  “You must come from a large family,” Leenea commented.

  “My parents were hopeful, but there is only me,” Zane replied. He gathered her into his arms. “One day, I hope to fill this table with our children and their friends.”

  Once again, Leenea felt her face warm with desire. She could no longer deny her body what it needed. There was always a piece of her missing and she knew it was Zane.

  “I would like to see your bedroom.” She communicated her desire loud and clear.

  As they passed the large dining table, she could almost see her children and their soul mates sitting around it. She had found hers. It was her greatest desire that her kids would find their own mates. Her thoughts were premature, but she knew they would come to pass one day.

  All thoughts of children and the future fled her mind when they stepped into Zane’s bedroom. She knew the room was filled with various pieces of furniture, but all she could see was the massive bed.

  Should she admit she was a virgin or let him discover that on his own?

  Zane removed the silk scarf from around Leenea’s neck. The material was soft, but nothing like the perfection of the flesh it lay against. Since meeting her, all he could think about was this moment.

  He could feel her shiver as his fingers brushed against her delicate skin. Small goose bumps appeared at the spot and spread. Her body responded to the gentlest of his touches.

  He was so anxious, his hands shook. It was clear, he needed to take his time. They had all night. Her father had made that clear. This would be their first time together and he wanted it to be perfect.

  He did not know how experienced she was with men. It had been her idea to move things along, but she had not initiated any physical intimacy. No emotions came across the pathway between them to communicate Leenea’s comfort level. He would proceed as if she were inexperienced and make adjustments as things progressed.

  The black tunic molded her ample breasts. He would soon discover if the garment enhanced what she possessed or if it was all Leenea. His fingers ran along the bottom of her jersey. He lifted the material until it was just below her breasts.

  Leenea shoved his hands away. “I am sorry. Things are moving too quickly.”

  Considering who her father was, it should not have surprised him she was a virgin. That was one secret she would not have been able to keep from a mind control telepath.

  “We can still go out to dinner or I can prepare something here. Even when my parents travel, they always have a fully stocked cold storage unit.”

  She moved forward closing the distance between them. “I want to be with you. It is just—I do not want to disappoint you. Maybe after I lose some weight, I will be more comfortable with nudity.”

  If she could see herself through his eyes, she would never talk about losing a single ounce. Her body frame needed to be a certain weight, as did his.

  “Leenea, I am a large man and I am attracted to women of a similar size.” His eyes soaked in every luscious curve she possessed. “You are perfect the way you are. In my opinion, you could afford to gain more weight.”

  Her eyes widen with that comment. She stepped back and pulled her tunic over her head, tossing the material to the ground. He mimicked the action by removing his own.

  Only the delightful blush on her cheeks betrayed her innocence. He soaked in her beauty. Although he could have gazed on the perfection of her breasts for hours, he knew how exposed she felt.

  He reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, bringing her into his embrace. Her stunning breasts were crushed against his chest.

  Their channel communicated the security she felt in his arms. He was going to teach her the myriad of emotions that were possible when they were intimate. Although she was inexperienced, he knew they would reach sexual heights together he had never dreamed of achieving with other women.

  6

  Leenea had envisioned her first sexual encounter thousands of times. In her daydreams, she was confident about performing the act. Reality was very different. She was unsure of what to do.

  She surrendered her body and heart to Zane. Something within her knew she could trust him. He would never do anything to harm her physically or emotionally.

  “Love me,” Leenea said, half begging.

  He shepherded her backwards until she reached the bed. With a gentleness she had not expected from such a large man, he pushed her onto the bed. His hands took ahold of the waistband and removed her leggings.

  Zane took in a loud breath when he noted she was not wearing panties. Her decision had been daring when she dressed. Now, she was petrified he would not like what he saw.

  A satisfying smile crossed Zane’s face. “You, naughty girl. Do you want me to show you what happens to bad girls?”

  His playful delivery boosted her confidence. She licked her dry lips. “Yes. I have been very, very bad.”

  This time, Zane groaned. He was driving her insane and she seemed to have the same impact on him.

  Leenea used her hips and legs and moved up the bed. Zane followed on his hands and knees. Neither broke eye contact as they positioned themselves.

  When her head reached the pillows, Zane took a hold of her ankles. He spread them apart and came up between her knees. His hands roamed her inner thighs, opening her up to him. Sensations rocked her core with the simple movement, making her wet.

  She should have been horrified at what he had done, but her eyes observed every movement with fascination. Rather than fighting him, she spread her legs farther apart.

  When his mouth came down on her mound and his tongue entered through her feminine folds, a cry escaped her. His adventurous tongue explored her and rubbed against her clit. She was helpless to stop the scream of pleasure the action produced.

  Her mother had talked about intercourse, but never mentioned about the wonderful intimacy of Zane’s exploration. She was told sex was something a wife had to withstand. Nothing wa
s ever mentioned about the delicious physical reactions that occurred.

  When Zane removed his tongue, Leenea was quick to respond. “I have been very naughty!”

  Small fits of laughter came from Zane as he moved up the bed toward her. “I have just begun punishing you. We have all night.”

  Proving his words true, Zane took one of her hardened nipples into his mouth. His talented tongue swirled around the areola and her breast further tightened. When he sucked, pulling on her nipple, she cried out with pleasure.

  She was putty in his hands and she loved everything he did to her. He was slow and deliberate, worshipping every inch of her.

  When she attempted to bring her legs together, Zane drove them farther apart. He moved one of his hands that had rested on her hip to the juncture between her legs.

  A finger entered her passage and moved with the skill his tongue had shown earlier. Soon, a second finger joined the first, further stretching her. Zane had not removed his leggings, so she was not sure how large he was. From his overall size, he had to be enormous.

  As his fingers quickened, her rate of breathing increased. If she thought an inferno was building within her earlier, nothing short of a volcanic eruption was close to occurring.

  Zane pulled his leggings past his waist and then his hips, finally freeing his engorged cock. She swallowed hard at the sight of it.

  Now was not the time to question whether she would be able to accommodate his size. His talented fingers must have properly prepared her for his girth.

  “Do you trust me?” Zane asked. Her apprehension must have been written all over her face. “We are soul mates, but there is pain the first time. I will take it slow, allowing you to stretch from within.”

  She nodded her consent. It was questionable whether her quaking voice would have sounded confident. For her own sanity, she moved her gaze from his rod to his warm eyes. There was such gentleness depicted there.

  As promised, he entered her slowly. Her body adjusted to his size. What little discomfort she felt was dwarfed by the knowledge they were one. Her body was welcoming home her missing half. They could now be whole.

  He performed a final thrust and captured her cry of surprise with his lips. The little membrane breaking was nothing compared to a ruptured ear drum she had when she was five.

  What she was not prepared for was his continual entry and exit from her body. The friction it caused within was unlike anything she had experienced. Something explosive was building within her.

  She pounded on his back, wanting more. “Faster,” she cried.

  Zane lowered his head and responded to her command. His pace increased, as did the noises that escaped her. They were neither cries or screams, but somewhere in between.

  Her hips and pelvis kept up with the rhythm he set. Using what little coherent thought she possessed, she believed she would be sore the next morning since she was using muscles she did not know existed until tonight.

  At the fevered pace they were going, she was not sure how much longer she would be able to continue. Something was building and she knew she would perish if there was not some kind of release soon.

  Sensations rocketed through her body and she climaxed. Her scream harmonized with Zane’s triumphant cry.

  She heard girls talk about orgasms, but never dreamed the experience would be life changing.

  Her rapture was replaced with panic. It felt as if her brain was frying. She was not sure how else to explain it.

  “There is something wrong,” she cried.

  Zane was trying to determine what was happening to his brain when Leenea cried out. There could not be an issue with both of them simultaneously. Whatever was happening had to be associated with them being soul mates.

  He cupped her face with his hands. “Can you describe what you are feeling?”

  All the stories he heard as a child must have been toned down. There were no tales about what occurred when soul mates had sex for the first time.

  Leenea appeared to be in too much of a panic to respond. She shook her head and mumbled to herself.

  “Relax, baby. Whatever is happening is because we are soul mates.”

  “It felt as if my brain was sizzling,” Leenea said. “The sensation has diminished. I can barely feel it now.”

  Zane pulled her into his arms. “Telepathy is driven by our minds. Everything that has occurred to us since we first touched has been within our brains. There is nothing to be concerned about.” It was a logical conclusion. He did not want her to continue to worry.

  She sat and gathered the linen across her breasts. Her black hair was an adorable mess. “I feel better. Whatever the problem was, it is over.”

  “Leenea, lean back against the headboard and relax. I will make us something to eat.” Zane rolled out of bed and retrieved the leggings located at the foot of the bed.

  Feeding her seemed the best way to distract her. At this point, he could not explain what had happened to them. Soul mates were beings of legend. There were no doctors they could go to for an explanation.

  He walked to the kitchen, still considering what had occurred. It took little time to make sandwiches. The less time Leenea was left alone, the better.

  They should be basking in the miracle that had occurred between them. It was the most satisfying sexual experience of his life. There was no close second. He had never climaxed at the same instant with any of his other partners.

  Zane placed a small green salad on both plates when a dressed Leenea joined him in the kitchen. He sighed with relief when he looked into her eyes and saw excitement.

  “I remember a fable one of my nannies told me about soul mates,” Leenea announced. “She told me when I loved my other half, my telepathic gifts would evolve. What we felt must have been a hormone produced by our brains.”

  It was as reasonable an explanation as anything he had come up with. There had been no subsequent issues with their minds since the initial reaction.

  “Did she mention what additional powers we will possess?” He knew the stories were not based on facts, but Leenea seemed happy about her memory and he did not want to discount her contribution.

  “No. She said each couple and their telepathic abilities were unique.” Leenea grabbed a sandwich and took a bite. He was fascinated watching her chew and then swallow. “What we possess will be enhanced. Unfortunately, neither of us will become a mind control or crystal telepath.”

  He could see how disappointed she was on that account. She glowed whenever she talked about being able to navigate inter-dimensional portals.

  “In the fable she told me, the soul mates had the ability to read the thoughts of others,” Leenea shared with him. “Could you imagine if we developed such gifts and the government learned about our powers? I shudder to think about what would happen to us.”

  Zane took her into his arms. “Whatever we discover about any new powers, we must not share their existence with another person. There must be other soul mates in Aster Province and they have hidden their talents from society. We cannot be the only ones.”

  “Will you walk me home?” Leenea requested. “My mother was not feeling well and I want to check on her. I also do not want my father to guess about the true nature of our relationship. If I am home at a reasonable hour, he may not cross-examine me.”

  Zane would have preferred to keep Leenea at his parents’ house until the danger to Benko Jarlyn was dealt with. He did not want her to become collateral damage once Jeryl Jarlyn learned of the conspiracy to harm his son.

  Leenea shook her head. “Your thoughts are leaking through our pathway. It appears strong emotions transfer even if that was not your intention. Jarlyn sees me and my mother as window dressing. When he goes after my father, he will spare the two of us.”

  He could only hope she was correct. There had to be a way to save the boy while protecting Leenea. Time was of the essence. A solution needed to come to him before he headed to The Palace tomorrow morning.

  7r />
  The porch light was off when Zane walked her to the front door. Her father had not expected her to return home this evening. It disturbed her how easily he gave her away, even though she was pleased with the man she would one day call husband.

  She fished through her evening bag for her keys. As soon as she found them, Zane took possession of the keys and unlocked the door.

  “We better say our goodbyes here in case my father is still awake,” Leenea said. “I do not know if I will be able to stand beside you and not blush. Our time together was very intimate.”

  His fingers brushed her warm cheeks. “Have lunch with me tomorrow. I will meet with Jeryl Jarlyn in the morning. It would be prudent for you and your mother to be out of the house until the matter is resolved.”

  Leenea was pleased that Zane was quick to take action. He did not get weighed down in a lengthy thought process. The man identified a problem and resolved it before it festered.

  She leaned in and whispered in his ear. “My mother has been complaining she has not seen her sister in over a year. I will encourage her to leave tomorrow and then I will meet you for lunch. If there are any problems, I want to be with you.”

  Zane grabbed her around the waist and brought her against his rock solid body. His lips claimed hers while her breasts were crushed against his chest. He stole her breath away. She whimpered when he ended the kiss.

  Once again, he brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “I will see you at noon where we were supposed to have dinner tonight.”

  He briefly placed his lips against hers and then walked away. In a matter of moments, he disappeared into the night. She stood in front of the unlocked door gathering her composure before she entered. There was no telling if her father was asleep upstairs or still working in his study.

  After she entered, she carefully closed the door to reduce the noise echoing through the hall. A slamming door had always been a warning her father had returned and she had to make herself scarce.