Page 37 of Treasured Secrets
"Ayla is staying, too. You may need her in case the atmosphere gets a little too crazy." Then she winked at Jay and mouthed "you're welcome." She turned to leave before he got the chance to silently thank her.
Jay smiled and winked at me as he walked out. McKee scowled angrily as he stormed off, defeated. Then Gear walked toward us.
"Promise me you won't do anything with my sister. Not tonight - preferably never -but especially not tonight. I need you to be alert and focused. Her life could depend on you." He had so much worry in his voice.
"I promise. I won't do anything inappropriate. I'm on a job and I trust myself to take it seriously. I'll stay with her as much as I can tomorrow, too."
Tallis also sounded very serious… too serious. Gear had officially ruined our hormonal buzz. Great.
Gear reached out and shook his hand. Then he took Olivia's hand and they ran out to start their search.
Jay and Ayla were in the room just two doors down. We could hear them giggling and whispering. I heard Ayla say something about her first time feeling excited. I rolled my eyes and then looked at Tallis who was sitting by my window, staring into the pitch black night.
"Why do we have to be so serious if they don't have to be?"
Tallis chuckled, still looking out the window.
"They just found each other. They’re soul mates. They can't help it. Everyone knew that, including Jay, which is why he said he couldn't do it alone. For the first few months after meeting your soul mate, you can't think, or focus, or do anything but lose yourself in that person. The only thing that can shake you from it is self defense. If there's a fight, he'll be ready. But other than that, he's going to be completely wrapped up in her for a while."
That statement disturbed me. I almost felt like crying. "So you know you're soul mates the instant you meet?"
He didn't seem to notice the pain in my voice. He continued speaking casually unaffected and staring out the window. "Yeah. It's too strong to deny and there's nothing like it."
"You have personal experience?" I could hear my voice choking up slightly as I asked that question.
He turned to face me. His voice was sincere. "No." He smiled at me. "My mom and dad explain it pretty well though."
I was still choking back my overwhelming urge to burst out into tears. "So I take it that I'm not your soul mate?"
I got sick. I couldn't believe I just sounded so whiny and devastated. I barely knew him.
His mood changed and he stepped away from the window before walking over to me. "I didn't say that. I don't know."
Now I felt like he was trying to spare my feelings. "You said you knew it instantly."
He shook his head, smiling. Oh his smile was so perfect. "When you're eternal. Not until then. So we won't know until you transform."
I sighed out in relief. "Do you think we're soul mates?"
Again, I was the whiny girl acting far too clingy. I couldn't stop myself though. There had to be a reason for the madness.
"I think we're talking about too much for one day, and I think you should sleep." He was avoiding answering my question. With too many tears wavering, I decided to drop it.
"Are you sleeping?"
He smiled and looked away. "Yeah. Aster is going to keep an eye out and wake me if I'm needed."
My stomach fluttered as he climbed into my bed and peeled off his shirt. I had changed into some cute silky pajamas - kind of a simple sexy. Thank goodness for Ash and Aster.
He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead, making me feel warm and safe. His lips were even softer than I had imagined. It made me want him even more.
I looked up and he was staring out the window. I laid my head on his chest and was asleep within seconds.
The next morning I woke up to see the sun shining brightly through the window. My alarm was buzzing in the usual annoying fashion. I looked around as I slapped it very hard, praying the vexing box would just break. Tallis was nowhere to be found.
I jumped up and ran downstairs. He wasn't there either. I walked back up the steps very disappointed and got ready for school. I grabbed my bag and headed toward the door. When I got outside, Tallis was waiting on me, propped up against his car.
His tone was as seductively tempting as it could possibly be. "Good morning, Aria." I smiled sheepishly as his smug grin sent chills up and down my spine.
