Soul Mates Page 3

  She sighed. “I know you don’t believe, but remember I told you about him when we were just kids.”

  Erinae nodded. “Trey Brandauer. And does he have the same name and look the same?”

  She knew Erinae was humoring her, but she answered anyway. “His name is still the same, but he looks different. He was just a boy when we knew each other before. He’s a man now. His hair is silver instead of that wonderful honey-golden blond I used to dream of running my fingers through and he’s well-built instead of being so lanky, but his eyes are the same.”

  “You only think it’s him because he has blue eyes and told you his name.”

  She took another sip of her cooling coffee. “No. I knew his name before he told me. I know this probably sounds crazy to you, but when I looked in his eyes, I knew it was him, Nae.”

  “How?”

  “I don’t know how I knew. I just did.”

  Erinae frowned. “What about him? Did he recognize you?”

  Carlee tightened her fingers around her cup, fighting back tears. “No!” She sucked in an angry, hurt breath. “He doesn’t remember me, Nae! I don’t know how, but he’s completely forgotten me.”

  Erinae sighed. “What are you going to do to make him remember?”

  The question surprised her. “You almost sound as if you finally believe me, Nae.”

  “I don’t know what I believe, but I do know you believe it. So what are you going to do about it?”

  She shook her head. “There’s nothing I can do except forget him for good this time.”

  Erinae nodded. “That’s sounds like a plan. How are you going to do it?”

  “I’m leaving.”

  “Lee!”

  “Oh, I’ll stay until Monday and then I have to leave. I know you were looking forward to these ten days, Nae, but I can’t stay knowing he’s here but doesn’t remember me.” She sucked in a deep, painful breath. “I can’t bear it, Nae.”

  Erinae gave an impatient shake of her head. “It’s all right, Lee. We’ll both leave and we won’t wait until Monday either. We’ll leave today.”

  She smiled, her eyes misting with tears. “You always come through when I need you to, Nae.”

  “That’s what friends are for. So we’d better think about packing.”

  “No. We can stay until Monday.”

  “I have no problem leaving right now, Lee.”

  “I know, but I’ll take a long, solitary walk and come back as good as new. We’ll stay for the weekend.”

  “You’ve been talking about this guy for a long time. I think it’s going to take more than a walk to get him out of your head for good.”

  Carlee lifted her chin. “I’ll be fine. I don’t intend to spend another second talking or thinking about someone I mean so little to.”

  Erinae sighed. “I’d better get my sneaks on and go with you.”

  She shook her head. “No. I need to be alone to think. Okay?”

  Erinae gave her an uncertain look. “I have your word you’ll be okay?”

  “Of course I’ll be okay. Remember, Nae, this isn’t the first time I’ve lost him.”

  “I don’t know, Lee. Maybe I’d better go with you.”

  “I need to be alone, Nae, but I’ll be fine. I promise.”

  “Okay, but—” Erinae paused and looked over Carlee’s shoulder. “Blue eyes and silver hair and mouth wateringly gorgeous? Lee, I think he’s coming this way!”

  Carlee glanced over her shoulder.

  Trey strolled purposefully across the dining room towards their table.

  She turned back in her seat, her mouth dry. “That’s him,” she said flatly.

  “Oh, Lee, he’s gorgeous!”

  She swallowed slowly and then tensed when he paused at her side.

  “Good morning, ladies.”

  She cast a brief glance up at him. “Good morning.”

  Erinae gave him a long, unblinking stare. “So you’re Trey. I’m Erinae.”

  “Nice to meet you, Erinae. May I join you?”

  “I’m just leaving, but you can keep Lee company.”

  Carlee gave Erinae a quick look, shaking her head.

  Erinae shook her own head as she rose, kissed Carlee’s cheek, and quickly left.

  Carlee waited until Trey sat opposite her before she spoke. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”

  “Didn’t you? Why not?”

  “We said good-bye last night.”

  He shook his head. “You said good-bye. I said good night.”

  “Why are you here?”

  He looked directly into her eyes. “I wanted to see you again.”

  “Why? I’m sure you must think I’m nuts.”

  “Just because I don’t believe I’ve lived before doesn’t mean I think you’re nuts.”

  “I have lived before and so have you. When we did, we were in love.”

  A brief smile touched his lips. “If I had lived before I can well believe I might have been in love with you,” he said quietly.

  His admission was cold comfort. She sighed. “It doesn’t matter now.”

  He glanced at her unused plate and then cast a quick look at the buffet tables along the back wall of the room. “I haven’t eaten. Have you?”

  “No.”

  “Have breakfast with me?”

  She stared at her cooling coffee. “I don’t eat breakfast, but I could use another cup of coffee.”

  He rose. “How do you take it?”

  “One sugar, no cream.” She gave him a pointed look. “I like it strong and dark…black in fact.”

  His gaze narrowed slightly. “Are you trying to send me a message, Carlee?”

  She lifted her chin. “What if I am?”

  “If you are, you should know we have something in common.”

  “Such as?”

  “I like my coffee strong, sweet, and dark…black in fact.”

  Their gazes locked briefly.

  She shrugged. “This conversation is pointless.”

  “Pointless? You can say that after telling me we used to be in love with each other?”

  “That was several lifetimes past and you don’t remember. So, yes, this conversation serves no useful purpose.”

  “I’ll get your coffee. Black, one sugar?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  She nodded and concentrated her gaze on her hands to avoid watching him walk away. Minutes later, he returned with a tray. As he sat a cup of coffee in front her, he inclined his head towards a plate he’d filled with eggs and potatoes. “Want to change your mind?”

  “No, thanks.” She sipped her coffee as he ate. She waited until he had nearly finished before she spoke. “I have plans for the day so I’ll say good-bye.”

  He lay his utensils down and looked at her. “No need. I’m coming with you.”

  She arched a brow. “You haven’t been invited.”

  “I’m sure my invite got lost in the mail.” He smiled suddenly. “Right?”

  Her heart raced and she wet her lips. He was so incredibly handsome and sexy. How could she deny him anything when she’d waited so long to be with him again?

  He took a sip of his coffee. “So how are we spending the day?”

  “I don’t know about you, but I need to be alone.”

  “Then we have a problem.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes because I need to be with you.”

  “I’m flattered, Trey, but—”

  His gaze locked with hers. “I think you should know I usually get what I want.”

  How many women could resist his charm and sex appeal? Of course he usually got what he wanted.

  “So where are we going, Carlee?”

  “Walking along the back trails.”

  “Great. I love walking.”

  “I know.” She smiled, leaning forward as a favorite memory surfaced. “We used to walk for hours. Do you remember the time we snuck off and…” She broke off abruptly, her face
burning.

  He leaned forward and covered her right hand with his. “There’s no need to stop. You can feel free to be yourself with me, Carlee. You can say and do anything you like without worrying about how it sounds. If you want to talk about our shared past, please do.”

  She stared at him. “You mean that,” she said, surprised.

  “Yes, I do.” He grinned, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “Aren’t I the sweet, sensitive one?”

  She laughed, feeling warm and happy because she was finally with him again. “You used to be.”

  “I still am.” He released her hand and rose. “I’m going to my room to change and get my backpack. I’ll come pick you up at your room in half an hour?”

  There was no point in playing games. He apparently wanted to spend the day with her as much as she wanted to spend it with him. “Okay.”

  He brushed the back of his hand along her cheek.

  A rush of heat danced up her neck at his touch. She lowered her eyelashes, uncertain what her gaze might reveal of her feelings.

  She waited until he left before she rose and went to the nearest phone to ask for more sandwiches from the kitchen. After all these years, nothing had changed for her. The thought of spending the entire day with Trey sent a tingle of anticipation through her just as it always had done. Only this time, she’d know better than to surrender her heart to him.

  Chapter Two

  Carlee sighed contentedly and turned her face against Trey’s shoulder. After spending two hours walking single file along the Pocono Mountains foot trails, she and Trey had spread out the thick blankets they’d both brought and stretched out on their backs. They had started out lying close together, but not quite touching. Somehow, without either of them saying a word, they had inched closer. When he stretched out an arm and drew her against him, she hadn’t protested.

  She had spent what felt like an eternity longing to be close to him again. Once she had known all his secrets and hopes for the future. Now, they were strangers. Her need to be close to a man she no longer knew ate at her like an endless hunger. As did her lack of knowledge of the man he’d become.

  “Have you ever been married, Trey?”

  He stroked a hand along her arm.

  Although she wore long sleeves, his touch sent a chill of heat and desire through her.

  “No.”

  “Why not? You must be at least…thirty. How old are you?”

  “I’m thirty-eight and I’ve never met a woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I’d never marry without that strong desire.”

  So, okay, Carlee. Don’t expect anything but what feels good at the moment from him, she told herself. Take whatever pleasure the next day or so brings and then leave. When you leave, you can’t afford to look back or wallow in regrets. “What have you got against marriage?”

  “I just happen to think it should be a very permanent thing so it’s not something I’d jump into without a lot of due deliberation.”

  “Due deliberation?” What about love?

  “Yes. Marriage, so I’m told, is a serious business.”

  So he viewed marriage as a business? No wonder he wasn’t married.

  He caressed her cheek. “What about you? Have you ever been married?”

  “I was waiting for you, remember?”

  “Well, here I am. I’m all yours.”

  She sighed. Lying against him left her feeling clingy and needy. Clingy and needy women ended up hurt and alone. Going that route again would hurt like hell. She drew away from him and sat up.

  He sat up too. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he reached around her body to clasp her hands in his. “What’s wrong, sweet?”

  The muscles in her stomach tightened at the ease with which he used the endearment. It probably meant nothing to him. She pulled back and turned to face him. “Do you have a special woman in your life, Trey?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “No?”

  He hesitated before he shrugged. “That’s not to say that I don’t date. I date regularly, but lately I’ve begun to think that…”

  “You’ve begun to think what?”

  “I don’t particularly enjoy sexual intimacy anymore.”

  She bit her lip. “You mean you can’t perform?”

  His face flushed under his tan and his eyes narrowed. “That’s not what I mean! I can and do perform! I meant that I don’t particularly enjoy sex anymore.”

  She blinked. “Why not? What’s wrong?”

  He sighed. “This isn’t something I want to talk about, Carlee.”

  She squeezed his hand. “We never used to have secrets, Trey.”

  “This is not something a man is comfortable discussing with a woman, Carlee. Besides, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem for much longer.”

  “Why not?”

  He lifted her hand to his lips and gently sucked at her fingertips. “Because I’ve met you, sweet.”

  The breath caught in her throat. She swallowed several times, unable to look away from him. “Ah…we should probably think about eating and then heading back.”

  He laughed, sucked at her fingers again, and gave her back her hand. “Or we could stay here and get reacquainted.”

  Her face burned. “By reacquainted…if you mean what I think you do—”

  He stroked a finger down her breasts. “Oh, I do. You know I do.”

  “We were separated when we were just teenagers.”

  “So?”

  “So we never made love, Trey.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “That’s an oversight we can easily remedy, right now, sweet.”

  A wave of heat engulfed her. She pushed against his shoulder, shaking her head. “Only people in love can make love, Trey. For everyone else it’s just sex.”

  He cupped a palm over her cheek. “Do you have something against sex?”

  “As a matter of fact, no, but I don’t do casual sex, Trey.”

  “When we do it, it won’t be casual, sweet. It will be very special and worth waiting for.”

  She wet her lips and stared into his eyes, aware that she was damp between her legs. “You’re very handsome. I’ll bet you’re used to women throwing themselves at you.”

  He shrugged. “I have my share of opportunities, but that’s all in the past now, Carlee. I have no desire to sleep with more than one woman at the same time. And you now have my complete and undivided attention.”

  But for how long? Admitting she didn’t care, she inched forward and pressed her face against his shoulder.

  He put his arms around her and kissed her cheek. “I won’t hurt you, Carlee,” he promised.

  She pressed closer and closed her eyes. “I don’t want to talk, Trey. Just hold me.”

  “Hold you how?”

  “Without strings.”

  “When you say without strings, I hope you don’t mean—”

  “No strings. Please, Trey.”

  “No strings, sweetheart. I promise.” Still holding her, he eased onto his back.

  She settled against him. This was how she had dreamed things would be for them once they were together again. “I was so in love with you, Trey.”

  He stroked a hand over her shoulders.

  His touch brought comfort and excitement.

  “I used to think I would die if you didn’t come for me.”

  His arm tightened around her waist. “Sweetheart—”

  She sucked in a breath. “I’m sorry. I know such a revelation must make you uncomfortable.”

  “Listening to you talk about your memories doesn’t make me uncomfortable. It just makes me sad.”

  “I don’t want you to be sad. So let’s not talk.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Talk if you want or need to.”

  The offer touched her. “Maybe later. Right now, I just want you to hold me with no strings attached.”

  “I can do that.”

  Feeling somewhat content, Carlee struggled to sta
y awake. The last thing she wanted was to have one of her frequent nightmares. Even in her sleep, she was aware that he held her. That made all the difference because she had never been afraid while with him. Her nap was nightmare free.

  When he woke her later with a kiss on her cheek, she felt refreshed.

  They didn’t talk as they ate lunch but each time she looked, up, she found his gaze trained on her face.

  “You’re staring again,” she told him.

  “You’re a pretty woman.”

  She smiled.

  After they ate, they packed up and slowly retraced their steps along the trail to the lodge. They didn’t talk much but it was a comfortable silence. Walking ahead, he glanced frequently over his shoulder to smile at her.

  She smiled back. Everything with him felt natural, yet strange and exciting.

  “So?” He asked when they stood outside her room door.

  She shook her head. “So what?”

  “So what time shall I pick you up for dinner?”

  She stroked her hands over his chest. “You’re assuming we’re having dinner.”

  He nodded. “Yes, I am. So what time?”

  Carlee hesitated. She wanted to lie in a hot bath reliving every moment of their day together. She also needed to decide just how far she was prepared to go with him in light of the fact that he was only interested in meaningless sex with her. “Ninety minutes.”

  He lifted her right hand from his chest and kissed her fingers.

  She loved when he did that. She laid a hand on his arm and kissed his cheek.

  “I’ll see you in ninety minutes, sweet. Make sure you’re ready or I’ll have to come in and help you dress,” he warned.

  “I might like that,” she told him and slipped inside before he could respond.

  Erinae, turned from the window to face her. “There you are, Lee. I was beginning to worry. Are you all right?”

  Leaning against the door, she smiled. “Yes. Oh, yes. I think I am.”

  “Had a good time with him, did you?”

  “Yes. Oh, yes. We walked for miles, ate, had a nap, and then walked for a few more miles. I had a great time.”

  Erinae studied her face. “Just walking and napping, huh? No good stuff?”

  “Nae! You know I don’t sleep around.”

  “Yes, I do know that, but you’ve been talking about this guy since we were eleven or twelve. And he’s one of the hottest hunks I’ve ever seen in person. I’d sleep around with him at the drop of a hat!”