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I can’t. She could feel his confusion. He honestly didn’t know why he could pick up her thoughts and feelings.If I could, I would, because it is what you want.

You expect me to believe that? You’d simply leave me alone because I wanted you to?

Yes. I have the greatest respect for your wishes. I always will.

I don’t intend for you toalwaysbe in my life, therefore I don’t care what you respect.

The second the thought entered her mind, she regretted it, but she wouldn’t take it back. If hurting his feelings drove him away, so much the better. It would make things easier in the long run.

You won’t even give me a chance to prove myself?

There’s nothing to prove. I don’t need any man in my life to be happy. I’ve had a soul’s mate and found it wasn’t as wonderful as everyone says. I’ll pass this time.

She could almost hear him sigh in resignation.As you wish.

And his presence was gone. She suspected he’d become fully awake and lost the thread instead of severing it himself. Blocking him was going to be difficult, but she’d manage.

?* * *

Taber couldn’t sleep. Every time he did, he managed to find Akahana. And not only in his dreams. He knew without question he was seeing into her mind, and it disturbed him. Not because he could do it -- that part was actually pretty cool. It upset him because she didn’t want him there, and he didn’t know how to accommodate her. It was the only way he could think of to earn her trust, and the only thing he couldn’t do for her.

She was the loveliest woman he’d ever seen. With her slender, delicate body, caramel-colored skin and white blonde hair, she looked like every Earth man’s dream of a California girl. A fine dusting of silky white hair graced her darker skin, giving her a “glow” that was ethereal in its beauty. White eyebrows arched elegantly above her green, almond-shaped eyes.

Christ! The more he thought about her, the more he wanted her! It was useless to deny himself, because he simply was unable to pull his mind from her. The only thing that kept him from fully indulging in the most erotic fantasy of his life was his fear that his thoughts would bleed over to Akahana. He didn’t know enough about his mind link with her to block his thoughts, as she seemed to be able to do.

There were times since she’d told him to leave her alone two days ago he was almost sure she was dead. It was only when his anxiety got so high he was on the verge of barging in on her physically that she would let her guard down. He wasn’t sure if she was taking pity on him, or simply afraid he’d breach her privacy.

He sighed. He needed advice.

A chime at the door drew his attention away from his troubled thoughts. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he stood. Damn, he was tired. “Enter,” he said. As the entry panel slid open, he was pleasantly surprised.

“Anna. Come in. Please.” He stood aside and gestured inside.

“It is good to see you again, Sergeant.” The smile she flashed at him warmed his heart. This woman’s wounds had healed.

“You look happy. I’m glad.”

“Things turned out quite differently than I expected.”

“So it would seem.” He offered her a seat on the sofa, and he took one in a nearby chair. “I assume you’re here to tell me about the Chamber of Souls?”

“Yes. I thought you could use some enlightenment.”

“Actually, that can wait.” He debated all of two seconds before taking his problem to Anna. “I need some advice.”

“Advice about what?”

“About this soul’s mate business. Akahana acknowledges she and I are supposed to be together, but she refuses to let me get close to her.” He stood and paced a few steps before turning back to Anna. “I don’t know what to do.”

“You do what you’ve been doing,” she said without hesitation. “You be there for her, you see to her needs. She probably won’t want you to do big things, but sometimes the little things are the ones that make the difference.”

“You want me to court her.” He made it a statement. No use looking too much like a dumbass.

“Exactly.” She crossed her legs and sat back comfortably. “You can’t make someone love you -- or even like you -- even if you are soul’s mates. Sometimes, you just have to do it the hard way. The old fashioned way.”

“Hell!” He plopped back down into the chair. “Running around inside someone else’s head is hard. I was born and raised in Georgia. Courting, I can do. But how do I stay out of her head? She doesn’t want me there, and every time I go to sleep, I either end up in her dream or pull her into mine.”

“She knows you can’t control that.” Anna sounded more confident than he felt. “She may fuss at you for being there, but she knows. She’s Gothe’maran. This is a part of everyday life for mates. Sometimes I can’t stay out of Khan’s dreams either. Especially if we’re apart for any length of time.”

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