Soul Mates Read online

  He stiffened against her. “That doesn’t sound like a good Oh, God!”

  “It’s not.”

  He sighed and slid off her. He reached over and turned on the light. “So?” He fluffed up the pillows and they sat back against them.

  She shook her head. “I made what you’d probably call a mistake with Sam.”

  She saw him glance at the nightstand where Sam’s picture had sat. “I thought we weren’t going to talk about him anymore.”

  “We have to one more time.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we need to use a condom.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he and I didn’t and—”

  “And what? Are you telling me he passed on some kind of—”

  “No! He didn’t have anything to pass on.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I just thought you should know and we should use protection.”

  “Why didn’t you use it with him?”

  There was no mistaking the jealousy in his voice. “I didn’t want to.”

  “But you do with me?”

  “No! I just don’t want there to be any secrets between us.” She touched his shoulder. “I know what happened between me and Sam is going to be a problem for you for a while, but I thought it was—”

  “Over. I know. You thought it was over.” He turned to face her. He touched her cheek. “It’s never going to be over between us. Never.” He leaned over and kissed her. “You are mine and I don’t want anything between us. If you get pregnant, all the better.”

  He pushed her back against the pillows and reached over to turn off the light, still kissing her. “You’re mine and I love you.”

  She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him. She held him close, parting her legs. “Yes, Trey. I’m yours.” She gasped as he moved against her, driving his cock balls deep with one, powerful thrust.

  He shuddered against her. “Oh, God, honey, it’s been so long.”

  She slipped her legs over his thighs, lifting her hips against his. “Too long. Make love to me.”

  He bit her ear. “That’ll have to wait for another time. Tonight, I’m going to fuck you until you’re raw.”

  She suspected it was her mention of Sam that changed his mood from tender to raunchy. Not that it mattered. She loved sex with him. She stroked her hands down his back, rotating her hips against his. “However, you want sex is fine with me, Trey. I’ll always be yours.”

  “Damn straight!” He nibbled at her neck, held her tight, and fucked her so hard that tendrils of pain and pleasure shot through her. She came quickly. He fucked her hard twice, driving his cock deep into her pussy with a ruthless hunger before he flooded her with his seed. Then he rolled off her to lie on his side, his back to her.

  She turned onto her side so they lay back to back. After a moment, she shook her head. After fucking without a condom, it was crazy to let anything come between them. She turned and scooted close to him. Throwing an arm over his body, she pressed her lips against his nape. “I love you.”

  He sighed and turned to pull her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have rutted into you like that.”

  “It’s not the first time you’ve used sex to…”

  “Hurt you?” His arms tightened. He spoke against her ear after a brief silence. “I know, but I promise if you forgive me, it will not happen again.”

  “We’ve been through a lot on our path back to each other, Trey. I can’t think of anything that would be important enough to separate us. Can you?”

  “No.”

  She sighed. “Then nothing matters except how we feel about each other.”

  “Do you believe that love covers all sin or mistakes?”

  Why were they talking of sins? “Yes. Don’t you?”

  “No. I think some things are unforgivable.”

  She shivered, pressing closer in his arms. God forbid if she ever made a mistake for which he couldn’t or wouldn’t forgive her.

  * * * * *

  Trey kissed her awake the next morning. She linked her arms around his neck, smiling up at him. “I see someone is happy to see me.”

  “Very happy.” He bent his arms, lowering his weight onto her body. He brushed his lips against hers. “But unfortunately I have to go after walking Danny.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Five-thirty.”

  “That’s time enough for a quickie.”

  “After last night, our next time is not going to be a quickie.” He kissed her and rolled away.

  She sat up, making no effort to cover her breasts. “I enjoyed last night.”

  He paused on his way to the bathroom. “Sure you did.”

  “I did.” She tossed the spread covering her legs aside.

  He held up a hand. “Stay in bed and cover up, please. I have an early meeting I can’t afford to miss.”

  She sank against the pillow, pulling the cover over her breasts. “When are you coming back?”

  He yawned. “Tonight after work.”

  “Trey, you can’t!”

  “Don’t you want to see me?”

  “You know I do, but you can’t drive back here after working all day. I’ll pack an overnight bag and spend the night with you.”

  “Then you’d have to get up two hours early in the morning and what about Danny?”

  “I’ll bring him with me. You don’t mind?”

  “His coming? No, but I do mind your driving two hours.”

  “Oh, you mind, huh? Well, tough. I’ll be there around seven-thirty. I expect to find you rested, naked, and with dinner waiting in the oven.”

  “Carlee—”

  “I’m not delicate, Trey. I can manage a two-hour drive easily when I know you’ll be waiting at the end of it. Okay?”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  “Then you’d better go back to sleep. I’ll reset your alarm.”

  They spent the next three weeks alternatively driving between their respective houses.

  “Aren’t you tired, Lee?” Erinae asked as they sat over coffee one morning.

  Carlee shook her head. “The weekends I spent with Trey more than make up for all the commuting. Everything’s fine.” Everything would continue to be fine—as long as her growing suspicions about the consequences of having slept with Sam without protection proved unfounded.

  “I guess so because you look radiant, Lee.”

  She smiled. “I never thought I’d be so happy, Nae. I am so in love with him.” She yawned and sipped her coffee. She had spent the weekend at Trey’s place. Since she had to take Danny home before going to work, she’d arisen at five o’clock. “What about you? What’s going on with you and Mick?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing? I thought you two spent the weekend together.”

  “We did.”

  “You’ve been seeing each other for about two months.”

  “We’ve been fucking for that long. There’s a difference and although the sex is as great as ever, there’s no spark between us, Nae. We said our good-byes this weekend.”

  “You’re not seeing him anymore?”

  “Oh, don’t look so upset. Lust can only carry a relationship so far and we’ve gone about as far as we can on lust alone.”

  “So it’s over?”

  She shrugged. “We may occasionally hop in the sack for a quickie now and again, but yes, it’s over.” Erinae smiled. “Don’t look so sad. My heart is completely intact and so is his. And I am so pleased things are working out for you and Trey.”

  “Yes. I’m going to meet his parents and sister next week.”

  “Hey! He is serious, isn’t he?”

  She nodded. “Yes, he is.”

  “Ready to talk serious commitment?”

  “I am and I think he is too. That’s why he wants me to meet his family.”

  Erinae studied her face. “So why do I detect a hint of strain?”


  She sighed. “Because I bought another pregnancy kit this morning on the way to work.”

  “Another one?”

  Carlee nodded. “I bought one last week, but it was defective.”

  “Defective? How do you know that?”

  “It was positive.”

  “And the test this morning?”

  “That was defective too.”

  Erinae frowned. “I thought you’d be happy to be pregnant, Lee.”

  “I am, but this is a bad time for it and that’s not all.”

  Erinae stared at her. “Oh, my God, Lee! You don’t mean…how late are you?”

  “About five weeks.”

  “Five weeks? So that would mean… What are you going to do?”

  She shook her head. “The only thing I can do. I’m going to tell Trey the truth.”

  “Look, I know you don’t like lying, but do you really think you should? I mean you could…not tell him. You could let him think—”

  She shook her head. “No! I have to tell him the truth.”

  Erinae raked a hand through her hair. “I don’t really think that’s a good idea, Lee. Things are going so good for you two. Why risk messing up a good thing?”

  “It’s what I have to do.”

  “When are you going to tell him?”

  “Tonight.”

  “Okay. If you need to talk to me, I’ll be home.”

  “Thanks, but I won’t need that.”

  Erinae flashed her a brief smile. “Glad to hear it.”

  The look in Erinae’s eyes belied her words.

  After Erinae left, Carlee went back to work. She was working on a storyboard when her phone buzzed later that morning. She picked it up. “Yes?”

  “There’s a Phyllis Holland to see you,” Martha, the receptionist answered.

  “Who? I don’t know any Phyllis Holland. Does she have an appointment? I’m in the middle of something—”

  Martha lowered her voice. “She’s been crying and she says it’s important, Carlee. She’s Mr. Creekland’s sister.”

  Sam’s sister? Carlee’s heart raced. “Send her in.”

  Moments later, a tall, attractive woman with short, natural hair and beautiful ebony skin walked into her office. Carlee looked at her face and a lump of fear tightened her throat. She rose. “I’m Carlee Vanleer. You’re Sam’s sister?”

  The woman nodded, compressing her lips.

  “Please sit down.”

  “Thank you, but I can’t stay long. I’m in the middle of making arrangements.”

  “Arrangements?” Carlee tried to swallow a lump of dread.

  “Yes. I knew he would want you to know as soon as possible and I didn’t want to do it over the phone. When we talked last week, he spoke of you, as he often did.”

  Carlee took a deep breath, clenching her hand into a fist at her side. “What’s happened? Please don’t tell me Sam’s…”

  The woman nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. “He’s dead. Sam is dead!”

  “No!” Carlee’s legs buckled. She collapsed into her chair, her eyes filling with tears. She wrapped her arms around her body, afraid the ache in her chest would consume her. “No, no, no! God, please no!”

  Erinae appeared in the door and rushed across the room to her. “Lee? What is it?”

  She wrapped her arms around Erinae. “Nae! He’s dead, Nae! He’s dead!”

  “Who? Who’s dead?”

  “Sam!”

  “Oh, my God!”

  Later, Carlee couldn’t recall anything about the rest of the day. When she became aware of her surroundings again, she lay on her bed with her face buried against Danny’s side. Erinae lay on the other side of the bed, occasionally stroking her shoulder, whispering to her that everything would be all right.

  When the doorbell rang, Erinae bolted to her feet. “I’ll get it.”

  She grabbed Erinae’s hand. “I don’t want to see anyone.”

  “It’s probably Trey.”

  Carlee looked at her bedside clock. She blinked several times to clear her vision. “It’s only three o’clock.”

  “I know. I called him.”

  She bolted up, wiping her eyes. “Why?”

  “Why? Because you’re a wreck and you need him at your side.”

  “Oh, Nae, you shouldn’t have called him.”

  Erinae frowned. “Why not?”

  How could she admit her fear that her grief for Sam would annoy Trey? “I…”

  Erinae tilted her head as the bell rang again. “Shall I tell him you need to be alone?”

  That would not go over well with Trey. “No. Just give me a moment to wash my face.”

  “You’ve been sobbing all afternoon. You can’t wash away the evidence and you shouldn’t have to try. If you can’t call on the man you love when you’re hurting, he’s not worth having or loving.”

  “I know, but—”

  “No buts, Lee. Either you can count on him or you can’t.”

  She sighed and nodded.

  Moments later, Trey rushed into the room and took her into his arms. “Oh, sweet, I’m so sorry!”

  She clung to him, trembling. “Oh, Trey! He’s dead! He was in the wrong place at the wrong time when someone blew himself up”

  He kissed her forehead. “I know, sweet, I know and I am so sorry.”

  He urged her over to the bed and stretched out with her. “It’s going to be all right. Cry if you need to.”

  Erinae leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’m going to take Danny for the night. Call me if you need anything. Okay?”

  She lifted her head and looked up at Erinae. “Okay. His favorite food is—”

  “I know what your spoiled doggie likes. He and I will take a long walk and then go to bed. I’ll take very good care of him.”

  “And I’ll take care of Carlee,” Trey said.

  “You’d better,” Erinae said.

  After Erinae left with Danny, Trey stripped them both to their underwear, made her a cup of hot tea, and climbed back into bed with her. He held the cup to her lips until she drained it. Then he slid down into the bed, pulling her with him. She curled her body close to his and allowed his whispered words of love and comfort to lure her to sleep.

  * * * * *

  When he was sure Carlee was asleep, Trey slid out of bed and walked out of the bedroom. In the living room, he called Mick.

  “Is she all right?”

  Trey sighed. “She’s asleep, but she’s pretty broken up. She was in love with him.”

  “I thought she was in love with you, Trey.”

  “She is, but she believes you can love two people at the same time.”

  “Does she? How are you?”

  “Me?” He shrugged. “I’m fine. I’m sorry she’s in pain, but he’s gone now and I no longer have to compete with him.”

  “I hope that’s right.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. I just think you need to tread slowly and gently.”

  “You don’t think I’m treating her properly?”

  “That’s not what I meant. I’ve never seen you so content.”

  “I’m beyond content. I’m happy, Mick.”

  “Yeah. Let’s keep it that way.”

  “What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “You and Erinae? That going anywhere?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “There’s nothing there beyond the sex. I like her, but when we’re not together, I don’t think about her like you do with Carlee. We’ve discussed it and decided to be friends.”

  “With benefits?”

  “No. She’s too nice to use for sex.”

  “You’re nice too.”

  He laughed. “I have my moments. Listen, if you need me to do anything, call me. And give Carlee a hug for me.”

  “Okay.”

  After his conversation with Mick, Trey returned to the bedroom. Carlee still slept and he was hu
ngry. He went to the kitchen. He checked the cabinets and refrigerator and decided to cook spaghetti, heat some frozen meatballs, and make garlic bread. As he finished slicing the bread, his hand slipped. The knife bit lightly into his left forefinger.

  “Damn!” He dropped the knife and put his finger against his lips. With his other hand he searched the utility drawer, which seemed to contain everything but Band-Aids ™. He returned to the bedroom and went into the bathroom.

  The bandages were in the medicine cabinet. He washed his finger, dried it, and applied the bandage. About to leave the bathroom, he realized he’d missed the trashcan. The wrapper had landed on the floor. He bent down to retrieve it and tossed it into the trashcan. It landed on top of a small box. He blinked and bent to lift the box. He sucked in a breath. The box had contained a pregnancy kit.

  He dropped the box in the trash and walked into the bedroom. Carlee still slept. He sat on the side of the bed, staring down at her. They had been back together for just over three weeks and she thought she was pregnant already? He lifted the light cover. She lay on her side. Her bent knees blocked his view of her stomach.

  Clearly she had reason to believe she was pregnant. A rush of pleasure suffused him. A smile tugged at his lips. He walked back to the living room and called Mick. “Mick! I think I’m going to be a father!”

  There was a short, tense pause before Mick spoke. “Really? Congratulations!”

  His smiled vanished and he raked a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry.”

  “About what?”

  “This must bring back memories of Kelly.”

  The silence that followed was longer. “I don’t think a parent ever gets over the loss of a child, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy for you. I am happy for you. So! Give me details.”

  He shook his head. “When it comes to Carlee, I’m an idiot. I can’t do anything right. I make goofy mistakes and I can’t think straight.”

  “You say that to say what?”

  “That I don’t know she is pregnant. I saw a pregnancy test kit in the bathroom trash and jumped to conclusions.”

  “But you like the idea?”

  “Of her having my baby? Yes. I can’t tell you how much I love her. I want to share everything with her. I know you don’t believe in past lives, but she and I really did have one. I can’t believe I forgot her and let her down. That won’t ever happen again.”