Soul Mates Read online

  “No buts, Nae. Please. Just allow me to handle this my way.”

  “Okay.”

  She smiled, rising. “Now, let’s get back to work.”

  Erinae glanced at her watch before frowning up at Carlee. “You get back to work if you want, but I fully plan to take the remaining fifteen minutes of my lunch to sit here and contemplate whether I’ll go out with Mick Reilly and get myself another one of those blistering kisses of his.”

  “He seemed nice, Nae.”

  “He’s a terrific kisser too. I wonder what he’s like in bed.”

  “Are you planning to find out?”

  Erinae shrugged. “I don’t know. I won’t know until I see him and see where things go. I’ve never been with a white man. It might be interesting to see what he’s working with.”

  * * * * *

  Seated beside his sister’s hospital bed, Trey glanced up. Mick walked into the room. He placed a vase of flowers and a card on her bedside table. He placed a hand on Trey’s shoulder. “How are you?”

  He sighed. “I’m okay.”

  “Okay? You’ve been spending nearly every waking hour of the last three weeks between here and your mom’s room. You need a break.”

  He looked at his sister, still on a respirator. “How can I take a break when they’re both fighting for their lives?”

  “It won’t help anyone if you wear yourself out.” Mick squeezed his shoulder. “Let’s go to the cafeteria.”

  He sighed, feeling bone weary. He nodded, kissed Delta’s cheek, and whispered in her ear. “Just going for a quick bite, Del. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  He followed Mick through corridors and down two flights of stairs to the hospital café. He picked up a salad.

  Mick put it back and steered him to the grille. “No salad. You need something more substantial than rabbit food.” Mick nodded at the cook behind the grille. “Two cheese steaks with fried onions and fries.”

  Ten minutes later they sat across from each other in a corner of the café. With the food in front of him, Trey realized he was hungry.

  They didn’t speak until he’d eaten half his steak.

  “So. How are you really, Trey?”

  He raked a hand through his hair. “Tired.”

  “I spoke to your Dad in your mom’s room before I came to Delta’s room. He said there’s some slight improvement for both of them.” Mick reached across the table and hit a clenched fist against his. “Your dad and I both agree, Trey, you need a break.”

  He sighed. “Maybe so.”

  Mick sipped his cola. “Have you talked to Carlee?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’m not exactly in the frame of mind to try to romance her and change her mind about having a long distance relationship with me.”

  “But that’s what you want?”

  “Yes.”

  “But how is she going to know that if you don’t tell her? It’s been three weeks. If you’re not going to lose ground, you need to at least call her and tell her what’s going on with your mom and sister so she’ll know you meant all those things you said to her.”

  “She waited for me for a very long time. She’ll wait a little longer. I’ll call her as soon as I can find the time to go see her.”

  “Make the time, Trey. Neither Delta nor your mom would want you to blow it with someone you really care about on their behalf.”

  “I know that and I’m not planning to blow anything with her. But she needs some time to realize what we have is real. I’ll give it another few weeks and then call her.”

  “Don’t wait, Trey. Call her, even if it’s just to say hello.”

  “I will. I just need to be in the right frame of mind.”

  Mick shook his head. “Something else is bothering you. What is it?”

  He palmed his coffee cup. “Do you believe in reincarnation, Mick?”

  “Personally? I can’t say I’ve ever had any reason to, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Why do you ask?”

  “Carlee does. She says we—she and I—have lived before.”

  “Oh?”

  He nodded. “On a Virginia plantation. She has what she calls vivid memories of our having been in love when we were teenagers. She said that one night my mother saw me kiss her, told my father who then sold her. We were separated and we never saw each other again—until we met at the lodge.”

  “And you believe her?”

  “No, but she really believes it, Mick. Sometimes when we were together, she almost made me believe it. Sometimes I felt just a breath away from remembering a past life.”

  “How?”

  He shrugged. “Once when we were walking in the woods we encountered a woman with a dog. She mentioned she had a white German Shepard named Danny. When I asked her what kind of name that was for a dog, she said it was short for Danton.”

  “And?”

  “And I started to say that Danton was a horse.”

  “And?”

  “I remembered a large, white stallion called Danton. I’ve never ridden, but when she said he used to be my horse—in that other life—I knew she was right. And when she asked me about my relationship with my parents, she knew it left a lot to be desired. I’ve never known why I resented them both. When she told me my former mother had betrayed my confidence and my father had sold her and that was the basis of my resentment of them, I knew she was right.”

  He paused. “And I have faint memories of a strange woman I met a long time ago.”

  “How long?”

  “A very long time…longer than I am old. I remember her and yet I don’t.”

  “Then you do believe you’ve lived before?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know what to believe anymore, Mick. I just don’t.”

  “So this is why you think you can afford to allow all this time to pass without contacting her?”

  “She waited this long for me. She’ll wait.”

  “I think you need to at least call her, Trey.”

  “Not until I know what’s going on or what went on between us.”

  “What difference does that make? Worry about what’s going on now.”

  “The past is important to her. She needs me to remember. I don’t know if she’d accept a long distance relationship until I do.”

  “She will if she loves you, Trey.”

  “See, that’s the problem. I don’t know if she does.”

  “Do you love her?”

  “I want and need her. I’ve never felt this way with any other woman.” He shrugged. “If that’s love, then I guess I do.”

  “Did you tell her you did?”

  “No, because I’m not sure I do.”

  “Trey—”

  “Look, I appreciate your concern, Mick, but I really don’t want to talk about this anymore. What about you and her friend? Have you seen her?”

  “No. I called her, but our schedules are conflicting. We may or may not go out.”

  “Well, Carlee and I will get it together.”

  “Listen, you know I only live forty minutes away from her. I could go visit her and let her know how things stand with you.”

  “Thanks, but no. She needs time and so do I. In a few weeks, I’ll romance her off her feet.”

  Mick nodded. “I hope you know what you’re doing. In the meantime, I have tickets to a game this Sunday. You and I—”

  “This Sunday? Well, actually—”

  “Well hell! I have a suitcase in the car. I’m spending the weekend to make sure we go on Sunday. So don’t give me any shit, Trey!”

  He smiled. “I suppose I can use a break.”

  * * * * *

  After spending the weekend with Trey, Mick drove home to his Center City condo to find a message from Erinae.

  “Hi Mick, I’d love to have dinner with you tomorrow night if you’re free. You have my number. Call me if you’re available.”

  He sat on the side of the bed and dialed the phone number. She an
swered on the fourth ring, her soft, sultry voice sending a tingle of anticipation through him. “Hello?”

  “Hi. This is Mick Reilly.”

  “Mick! How are you?”

  “Fine. So we can do dinner tomorrow night?”

  “Yes.”

  “What kind of place should I call for reservations?”

  “Let’s have dinner at my place. I’ll make you a big steak and we can decide just how far we’re going with each other. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep tonight because if things go as planned, you’ll need all your strength tomorrow night. Good night.”

  “Good night.” He hung up the phone and stretched out on his bed. It had been awhile since he’d had sex and he’d expected to have to wine and dine Erinae for a few weeks before they slept together. He grinned. This way was so much better. God, he loved liberated women who didn’t need to play sex games.

  * * * * *

  Five weeks after she’d last seen Trey, Carlee returned from lunch to find a bouquet of roses on her desk. “Trey,” she whispered. Heart thumping, she rushed across her office and snatched up the accompanying card.

  Lee,

  I’ll be in town to wrap up some business on Friday. I’ll be staying until Monday night. I’d love to take you to dinner one night if you’re available. I’ll call you when I arrive.

  Sam

  Sam. She closed her eyes. A picture of Sam Creekland’s handsome ebony face with its dark brown eyes danced along her memory. He was big, kind, considerate, and had been in love with her. While she’d been unable to return the depth of his love, she had cared deeply for him. Although they had parted on friendly terms, she feared she’d hurt him, which she regretted. Why was he asking her out? Was it just a courtesy visit? Or did he want to rekindle their relationship?

  She recalled the taste of his mouth moving so sweetly over hers and shivered. He had been tender, considerate, and loving. Was she ready to put Trey in the past and possibly give a relationship with Sam another try?

  As she sat staring at his flowers, Erinae rushed inside her office door. “Oh, God, Lee, you won’t believe who I just got off the phone with!” She sank down into one of the chairs in front of Carlee’s desk.

  Carlee studied Erinae’s face. Her smile was radiant and her eyes sparkled. Good news. “Mick Reilly?”

  “What? No! Well, that would be good news, but, no.” Erinae waved a hand. “It was Mark Jackson from Mathis Builders. He wants to meet with me to discuss the possibility of offering us a contract to consult with Mathis Builders on an upcoming project!”

  Carlee sank back against her seat. “Mathis Builders! Oh, my God, Nae! They’re one of the most prestigious builders on the East Coast! If we can get a contract with them, we’re on our way!”

  “Why do you think I’m practically hyperventilating? Do you want to come to the meeting?”

  “When is it?”

  “Friday night.”

  “This Friday?”

  “Yes. We’re having dinner at Chez Ravel. He said you were welcome to come.”

  “Do you need me to come?”

  “Need? Not if you have something else you need to do. Do you?”

  Carlee glanced at Sam’s flowers. She nodded. “Yes and charming prospective clients is what you do best. Working out the logistics is what I do best. You go and knock him off his feet. Besides, I think I’m going to have a date Friday.”

  “With who?” Erinae blinked, her gaze widening as she saw the flowers. “Oh. Very nice. Who’s in love with you?”

  “Sam sent them. He’ll be in town on business this weekend. I’m going to have dinner with him.”

  Erinae smiled. “Good for you, Lee! Have dinner with him and get to know him all over again.”

  “I’m afraid of hurting him again.”

  “Still longing for Trey?”

  “I think there’s always going to be some feelings there, but I’m determined to move on. I just don’t want to hurt Sam.”

  “He’s a big boy, Lee. If he’s calling to ask you for a date, he must have decided he wants to risk trying it again with you. How do you feel?”

  “I always liked him a lot.”

  “Just like?”

  She shook her head. “Okay. If not for the memory of Trey, I think I would have fallen so deeply in love with Sam I’d still be falling. As it is, my feelings for him make me wonder if it’s possible to love two men at the same time.”

  Erinae shrugged. “Are you in love with both of them?”

  “I don’t know. I just know I still have feelings for Trey. At the same time, I have some very strong feelings for Sam too. It’s crazy, but I’m looking forward to seeing him again.”

  “And more?”

  A memory of Sam’s warm lips pressing against hers, his cock, hard and thick pulsing against her body sent a wave of heat through her. Cheeks burning, she lowered her lids. “He and I never…”

  “I know, but maybe it’s time for a new beginning in more ways than one. Huh?”

  Carlee drew in a deep breath. She definitely wanted to have vaginal sex with Sam. “I probably would have been better served giving my virginity to him instead of saving it for Trey.”

  “Are you sure about this, Lee? What if Trey calls and you’ve slept with Sam?”

  “He left without saying good-bye and he’s been silent for weeks. If he wanted anything special or anything more than we’ve already shared, he would have been in contact with me. I’m moving on. I’m more than willing if Sam wants to try again. In fact I’m happy for this new chance with him.”

  “I could ask Mick what’s going on with Trey—”

  “No. We had ten days. I think that’s all we were supposed to have. It’s time I got on with living in the present and for the future instead of the past. I’ll always have deep feelings for him, but he represents my past.”

  “Sam?”

  She shrugged. “I’ll be more than willing to go as far with him this weekend as he wants to go with me.”

  “I’m sure that’s all he wants.”

  That night, for the first time in weeks, Carlee enjoyed a restful night, her sleep undisturbed by lingering thoughts of Trey or unwelcome nightmares. She woke the next morning refreshed and optimistic. When her phone rang that night as she and Danny returned from their evening walk, her heart didn’t race and she didn’t rush to answer it hoping it was Trey.

  Deciding to allow the answering machine to pick it up, she flopped down in the chair by the hall table to take off Danny’s body harness. After her greeting ended, she heard a man’s voice. “Lee, this is—”

  She reached over and snatched up the phone, smiling. “Sam! Hello!”

  “Lee! It’s good to hear your voice. I got in town a day early and thought I’d give you a call. How are you, sweet lips?”

  “I’m fine. How are you, Sam?”

  “I’m okay. Are you seeing anyone special?”

  “No. You?”

  He sighed. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s difficult to get seriously involved with anyone else when I still think of you all the time.”

  Her heart raced and her smile widened. Maybe she had been given the ten days with Trey to get him out of her system so she could finally give her heart fully to Sam. “So where are you staying?”

  He named a big hotel chain located in the heart of the city.

  “That’s the lap of luxury, Sam.”

  “So they tell me.”

  She wet her lips before speaking quickly. “If you’re finding hotel life lonely, you’re welcome to share my bed.”

  “Tonight?”

  “For as long as you’re here.”

  “I’ll be in town until Monday night.”

  “Then you’re welcome to stay with me until then.”

  The silence that followed her words unnerved her. “Sam?”

  “Oh, hell, honey, I’d love to take you up on your offer without another word.”

  She raked a hand over her h
air. “But?”

  “I’ve accepted a position with an oil company in the Middle East.”

  Chapter Eight

  “The Middle East? Oh, Sam! No! This is a dangerous time for Americans there.”

  “I know, but as you know I speak the language and this is something I’ve decided I want to do to make the future more financially secure.”

  “But Sam, you’re bright and intelligent and there are so many opportunities for you here. You could—”

  “Lee, don’t.”

  She sighed. “You’re determined to go?”

  “It’s a done deal. That’s the reason for my hesitation. I’ve committed myself to a two-year agreement with a big signing bonus. I care too much about you to sweep into town, sleep with you for the weekend, and then waltz out of your life for two years.”

  She closed her eyes briefly. So he wasn’t interested in rekindling their romance. That didn’t really change her resolve. She still needed a way to get over Trey and Sam was the man to do it for her. “I wish you wouldn’t go, but even if you’re going, I’d love to spend the next few days with you in my bed. Are you interested?”

  “Am I interested? I’m on my way.”

  “I’ll be waiting for you, Sam.”

  “Damn, this is far more than I dared hope for.”

  “Make sure you bring protection, Sam.”

  “Protection? You mean you want—”

  “I want everything, Sam. And I want it in every way imaginable. Bring protection and I’ll see you when you arrive.”

  She hung up, finished removing Danny’s harness, and then hugged him. “He’s coming to see us, Danny!”

  She showered and slipped a dark pink silk lounge suit over her naked body. She chilled a bottle of wine, dimmed the lights in the living room, and sat listening to soft jazz. When she heard a car pull into her driveway, her heart raced. She moistened her lips and hurried to the side door.

  A tall, handsome man with dark skin and eyes got out of a late model luxury car. He took his suitcase and garment bag from the backseat. She opened the side door. She and Danny rushed down the driveway towards him. He dropped his bags on the path. He caught her in his arms when she tossed herself at him.

  “Sam!”

  “Oh, damn, baby, it’s good to see you again!” He hugged her and settled his warm, sweet lips over hers. A tingle danced through her. She linked her arms around his neck, parting her lips. He kissed her with a passion and heat that sent a rush of moisture between her legs.