Page 31 of Connected By Souls

“Yes, let me get it for you.” I grab a bowl out of the cabinet and hand it to him.

“Thanks,” he says, taking the bowl. I watch him remove the pipe and put it back together with the new piece in place. “There, that should do it.” He turns the water back on and checks for leaks. Standing up, he puts his tools away before looking at me. His eyes roam my body before meeting mine. I can feel the sexual tension coming off of him in heated waves.

Looking down, I notice my white tank top is drenched, and I don’t have a bra on. I may as well be naked. I quickly cross my arms over my chest as he walks toward me like a wolf who has eyes on its next meal. I back up until my butt hits the counter. Amusement fills his eyes when he notices I’m trapped. He’s enjoying the way he’s making me feel all flustered.

“I think,” he says, putting a piece of my hair back that fell in my eyes, “that you need a reminder of how good that last kiss was. I waited all weekend for you to call, so I think you may have forgotten.” His blue eyes burn into mine. I swallow as his hands come up to cup my face. I part my lips as he slowly bends down before capturing his lips with mine. He starts slowly, savoring my taste before our need quickly overtakes us.

Moaning, he grabs me by the waist and sets me on the counter as we hungrily feed off each other. I reach up and run my fingers in his hair, needing to feel him. His tongue dances with mine as we take what we need. I feel his hands slide up my thighs as he steps closer, pressing his hardness right where I crave him and showing me how much he wants me. I wrap my legs around him, moaning at the sensation. I’ve never felt more alive than I do right now. I feel him lightly bite my lip before tracing it with his tongue and pulling away. Panting, we look at each other, both of us struggling to come to terms with what we’re feeling.

“Maybe that kiss will make you see that neither of us has a choice to walk away. This kind of connection doesn’t happen every day. Is it scary? Hell, yes, it’s scary, but it’s more scary to walk away from it and never feel this way again. All we have in this lifetime is this present moment, and we’ll never find anything more beautiful, more soul-consuming than what we have when we’re together.” He lightly traces my bottom lip with his thumb before turning and picking up his tool bag. “Don’t be scared to take a chance on us, Em. You can’t fight something that’s destined to be,” he says softly before turning and walking away. I hear his truck start up and leave as my heart pounds in my chest.

I sit there and try to compose myself. I eventually slide off the counter with shaky legs and pick up my phone. Not caring that it’s only three in the afternoon, I grab a glass of wine and head to the back deck. Needing someone to talk to about all of these feelings, I dial Skye’s number.

Picking up on the first ring, I smile as I hear her voice. “Emma! I’m so glad you called. I was just telling Cole the other day that I needed to hear your voice. I know we’ve been texting every day, but it’s not the same.”

“I agree. I needed to hear your voice, too, and advice, which is why I’m calling. Do you have a minute?”

“I’m just about to leave school for the day and head home, so it’s perfect timing. We can talk while I drive. Is everything okay? Did something happen?”

Hearing the worry in her voice, I immediately reassure her. “No, nothing happened, well, something did, but I’m ok, at least, I think I’m ok. It’s all just a jumbled mess right now with my emotions. This isn’t coming out right. I take a deep breath, knowing she’s going to freak out in a good way. “I met someone,” I tell her softly.

“Oh my God,” she shrieks as I pull my phone away from my ear so I don’t blow an eardrum. “Tell me everything, and don’t leave anything out.”

Starting from the moment I opened the door to Noah to what happened a few minutes ago, I tell her everything as she listens quietly to every detail. I hear the silence on the other end of the phone when I’m finished. “Well, are you going to say anything?” I ask, laughing softly.

“Wow. I’m at a loss for words. That was…intense.” I don’t think Skye has ever been at a loss for words.

“You’re telling me. My head and heart are battling this constant battle, and my body isn’t cooperating whatsoever. It’s like I’m being pulled in different directions but unable to resist him, no matter how scared I am. It’s gotten me completely worked up and emotional. When I finally picked myself up off the floor after losing my parents along with Tyler’s betrayal, I vowed never to put myself in a position where I could feel a loss like that again. I barely survived last time.”

“First off, Noah sounds amazing. You would be a fool not to pursue this. It’s like you two were meant to be—like soul mates finding each other. Second, you can’t let your past dictate your future. Your parents wouldn’t want you to never love again because you fear losing someone. You know that’s no way to live. Love is the biggest joy there is, and it’s always better to take the risk than never to experience it in the first place. Third, Noah is not Tyler. Just the little information you told me about Noah, I can tell they’re nothing alike, so don’t push him away because of Tyler’s dumb-ass mistakes.”

Hearing her talk, she’s basically mimicking everything Noah has said to me. I know they’re both right, but it’s easier said than done. “I just don’t know if I’m brave enough to take the risk. What if I fall madly in love with this guy and something happens to him like my parents?”

“What if you don’t take the risk and miss out on a lifetime of happiness? No one knows when it’s their time to go, but you have to live each day like it’s a gift. Like they always say,‘tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.”

“Geez, pulling out the Tennyson quotes. Why are you making so much sense?” I sigh.

“Because I’m just that smart,” she says, laughing. “But deep down, you know I’m right. This is your next step, babe. Take that step towards him, and don’t look back. I’ll be with you every step of the way. You’ve got this.”

“I don’t know what I would do without you, Skye. You saved me.” I tell her once again how much she means to me.

“You saved yourself. I was just there to walk alongside you. So, about this Noah, you really had a sex dream about him? He sounds super yummy, and it also sounds like you two are about to combust.” She laughs over the phone.

“I don’t know what it is about him, but I can’t control myself around him,” I giggle. “I’ve never felt this way before, and our connection is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. When I’m around him, I feel like…I’m home. He makes me feel safe. I don’t know why, but he feels so familiar to me—like I’ve known him for years. Hell, even his dog and house feel familiar to me. Maybe I’m just going crazy.” I laugh and take a sip of my wine.

“You’re not going crazy. It sounds like you’ve met your person. I feel the same way about Cole. Yes, the emotions are so intense at times that they scare the hell out of you, but what scares me the most is missing out on all the moments we could have in the future. You have to have faith that it’ll all work out like it’s supposed to. People are brought into our lives for a reason. Did you ever stop to think that maybe your parents had a hand in bringing Noah to you?”

Looking out into the ocean, I know my parents led me here. Could they have led me here because of Noah? “I’ve never looked at it that way. I’ve always thought they led me here because I loved the town so much. I never considered it might be a person who lives in the town. It does make sense, though. My mom always knew that Tyler was never good enough for me. She would love Noah.” I sigh, my voice going soft. I watch as a butterfly comes and lands on the flowers next to me. If that isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.Thanks, Mom.

After our conversation, I feel lighter about the whole situation. I make a promise to myself that I won’t let fear of the unknown control me anymore. I’m tired of carrying so much grief and unnecessary worry. Just being with Noah makes it easier to breathe. Vowing to be more present, I make the decision to see where this thing with Noah will go. Feeling like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I smile and touch my lips. He’s right—I won’t ever forget that kiss.

ChapterFifteen

Noah

I headdown the road with my windows open, letting the breeze flow through my truck. Even though it’s hot out, I still love to smell that ocean breeze when I can. My thoughts go to yesterday and Emma standing there in that see-through top. Nothing could have stopped me from touching her. It’s like a primal urge took over, and I was only focused on tasting her. I know the kiss affected her just as badly as it did me. I can tell she’s close to letting go of her worries and fears. She’s tired of fighting it, and I’m hoping that after our date on Saturday, the little bit of fear she has left will be gone.

With it being Tuesday, I have only four days left until we get to spend the whole day together. Just the thought of sharing my favorite spot with her brings a huge smile to my face. I’m hoping I can convince her to come to my parents’ house on Sunday too.

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