Page 6 of Beautiful Soul

Lena nodded before sipping her tea. She began relaxing as the tasty tea warmed her from the inside out.

The conversation flowed through a variety of first date topics, and she found herself growing more enthralled with this man who seemed to answer her questions in ways that made him more and more attractive. They liked the same sorts of books and movies, had similar favorite foods, and even had similar political views, which surprised her because she was a nonconforming centrist who could appreciate both vastly different political views, though did not claim either.

As she sipped her tea and at her croissant with creamy butter and strawberry jam, she could feel the boulders she had been carrying around on her shoulders roll away. She could almost hear them hit the floor as her emotional burdens lightened and she grew even more relaxed. When she yawned for the third time in as many minutes, she blinked and realized her eyes had closed.

“I’m so sorry. I think I need to head home before I fall asleep right here.”

Kingsley gave her a look that she could not interpret, but made her feel like she had been wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket. “Close your eyes and rest, sweetling. I’ll make sure you stay safe.”

Lena found herself unable to argue. Lifting her arms to the table, she folded them and bent forward to rest her head. Her always busy brain clicked off and with one last deep breath, she slept.

****

Kingsley watched Lena sleep as he finished his tea. For the next few minutes, he waged an internal battle. Should he be a proper gentleman, wake Lena up, and send her home alone? Or follow his inner caveman, which demanded he carry her upstairs to his apartment to sleep in his arms?

While his head said she would be better off if he sent her home, his heart and cock demanded he take her home with him, where she would be safe. Safe from what, he did not yet know, but something bad was coming their way.

He let her sleep for a few more minutes as he packed his computer and paper files into his briefcase. Since it was nearly closing time, they were the last customers of the night. When Mystic arrived at the table and looked from Lena to him with a raised eyebrow, Kingsley handed her more than enough money for their repast and shooed her away with a wave of a hand.

Then he stood and rounded the table. Sending a thank you to the universe for the lack of witnesses, he lifted Lena into his arms bridal style. She lifted an arm and draped it over one shoulder while her head rested on the other, her face pressed into the side of his neck.

He figured she would wake up and fight him. Instead, she took a deep breath and relaxed fully in his arms. With a chin lift to Mystic who watched with amusement from behind the counter, Kingsley carried his sleeping woman across the café to the front door.

And she was his woman. Touching her had him thinking they were meant to be together. Holding her now, he was convinced their lives would be entwined from here until eternity.

All he had to do now was convince Lena of that fact—once she woke up.

With a wave of his right hand, the café’s front door opened as he approached. Once they were out into the alley, the door slowly swung closed again. Turning to the right, he walked to the next door down the alley. Another hand wave and this door unlocked and opened for them.

Sometimes, being a mage was good.

Kingsley entered the hall and walked to the elevator, which was waiting for him. A few minutes later, he carried Lena out of the elevator and once again used his magic to unlock and open the door to his apartment.

Carrying her inside, he whispered, “Welcome home, sweetling.”

Lights flicked on as they entered. He carried her through the great room, which included his living room, kitchen, and dining room, then down the hall, past what most would call his office, which doubled as his laboratory, and into his bedroom.

The bedside light came on as they entered, providing just enough light for Kingsley to work. A wave of his hand and the bedcovers pulled back, revealing black silk sheets.

Setting Lena on her feet, he whispered, “Stand up, sweetling, while I get you ready for bed.”

Lena made a disgruntled noise, but did not wake. Her knees locked and her legs held her up, but when he released her, she swayed wildly. He grabbed her before she could fall sideways, holding her sweet figure against him. Working one-handed, he stripped her clothes off. Gritting his teeth to keep himself from touching her intimately, he laid her on the bed then retrieved a t-shirt from the dresser. Pulling her into a sitting position, he got the shirt over her head before laying her down again. After pulling the covers up and tucking her in, he brushed a gentle kiss on her lips.

“Sleep well, sweetling. You’re fine and I’m here to keep you safe.”

Lena murmured something unintelligible and rolled to her side.

As the sun rose over the city, Kingsley folded her clothes and placed them on the dresser. He then stripped down to his boxer shorts and climbed into the other side of the bed. Settling near the center of the mattress, he gently pulled Lena back into his body before curling around her.

Lena was safe from whatever darkness he felt chasing her. In his bed, nothing would harm her. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled her scent of bright citrus, dark spices, and woman, and allowed himself to fall asleep with a smile on his lips.

Chapter Four

Lena inhaled a deep breath as she woke slowly. She then shifted and stretched without bothering to open her eyes. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she had no pain. No aching muscles, no creaking joints, no single lines of song lyrics repeating over and over in her head.

With the next heartbeat, she froze. Something or someone large, overly warm, and hairy was curled up behind her.

Opening her eyes, Lena frowned as she took in the strange room. Within her line of sight was a gleaming dark wood nightstand, a large, ornately carved wooden rocking chair, and what she thought was a matching dresser with her clothes folded and stacked on top of it.

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