Page 65 of Connected By Souls

“It’s because they’re your stories, too.” He gives me a small smile. Taking my hands in his, he continues. “When we first saw each other did you feel a connection? Not the kind where you’re just attracted to someone but a pull like you’ve never felt before. It’s so strong that it almost brings you to your knees. A familiarity you can’t explain but feel like you already know this person you just met.”

“I did feel it...I still do, but..”

“When you opened that door, and your familiar green eyes stared back at me, it took everything I had in me not to grab you and kiss you. I could tell you were just as surprised as I was with how intense the connection was, but I also knew you were afraid. I couldn’t take the chance that you would run, so I waited to tell you until you knew me better and trusted me.”

I get up and walk to the window needing some distance to think and try to make sense of all this. Staring out at the rain, I ask, “Why don’t I remember anything, and you do?”

“Most of the time, people don’t remember their past lives, but for some reason, I’m able to remember them all with you. I’m not sure I understand the why myself. Deep down, though, there are parts of you that remember. Even if your mind doesn’t remember deep down, your soul does.”

I think back to all the time we’ve spent together. The way his eyes were so familiar to me and how I felt like I knew him already even though we just met. I remember the dreams I’ve had lately about him and how intense they are. How my body wants him more than its next breath of air. He’s felt like home since the first moment I saw him. “This house,” I look around, “it’s the same design as the one in your book, isn’t it? That’s why I got a sense of deja vu when I first saw it.” I think to myself out loud.

“It is,” he says, grinning. “We had a house on the hill overlooking the water. When I saw this house, it reminded me of ours, so I tried to replicate it as best I could when I designed it. It’s one of my favorite memories with you. We even had a golden retriever in that house, just like Nala.”

Nala. No wonder I had a connection with her too. It’s all starting to make sense now. Without even thinking, I knew how he likes his coffee and all the other things we have in common. So many things felt familiar, but I didn’t know why. “It’s me. I’m the girl in your dreams.” I softly start to cry as emotions overcome me. Swiping at the tears, I know this to be true from the depths of my soul.

I hear him get up and come to stand behind me. “It’s always been you.” Looking at my reflection in the window, I hear him softly say, “I really am sorry I didn’t tell you all this sooner. I hate how that hurt you. You’ve gone through so much this past year, and I needed you to get to know the real me before I told you. I couldn’t take the chance that you would run or, worse, think that I’m a crazy madman.” He gives a small laugh.

“Yeah, I probably would have thought you were insane and ran.” A small smile plays on my lips. He puts his arms around me, and I breathe him in, both of us taking this moment to just be. We stare at the rain as it comes down, both lost in thought to our emotions. I hear him speak a few moments later.

“You know,” he says, moving my hair to the side to expose my neck. “There’s a very positive side to one of us remembering.” He stares at me through our reflection.

“What’s that?” I ask, finding it hard to breathe when he stares at me like that.

“Well, since I remember every lifetime we’ve had, I also remember exactly what you like. I know every inch of you already. Your body remembers me even though your mind hasn’t caught up yet. Like this spot here.” He touches me softly behind my ear. “I can just run my tongue along this spot, and it will drive you crazy.” He lowers his head as he traces the area with his tongue. I feel my body respond to him and sigh. “And this spot,” he trails his finger down to my collarbone. “This spot drives you crazy when I bite or suck it.” I take a sharp breath, never breaking eye contact with him. “And these,” he says, trailing his fingers lower until they find my breasts. Tracing my nipple through my tank, it responds immediately, hardening up for him. “You’re so sensitive here that I’ve made you cum before just by playing with them.” He pinches it, and I gasp.

I look at him through the glass as the wind and rain howl around us. I feel him hard against my backside. He’s just as turned on about this as I am. Moving his hand lower, he rubs his thumb over my sensitive area through my leggings. “And this,” he says, increasing his pressure and making me moan. “This is mine. I’ve waited for years to touch you like this, and I intend to keep touching you as long as I’m breathing.” Panting and so turned on by his words and what his hand is doing, I close my eyes to all the sensations.

“Open your eyes, Emma. I want you to watch.” Unable to deny him, I open my eyes to meet him in the reflection. He slides his hands into my waistband, slowly lowering my leggings and thong to the floor before I step out of them. Coming back up to meet me, I feel his hands slide up the back of my legs. I suck in a breath as his lips find my bottom biting it softly before placing a kiss over the spot he marked. Desire pools between my legs as he kisses and licks his way back up to standing.

I watch as he removes his t-shirt before sliding a hand up my stomach, removing my tank top. Brushing his hands over my lace bra, I moan and push back into him, needing to ease this ache growing inside me. Keeping eye contact, he unfastens my bra and lets it drop to the floor. He captures my breasts with his hand, kneading and pinching my sensitive nipples. I arch my back and move against him, causing him to moan as he grabs my hips and presses deeper against me, watching me in the window. He releases me and pulls down his sweats, stepping out of them. I feel his smooth, hard length against my behind.

Reaching around, he cups me, finding me dripping wet for me. He moans as he slides his fingers through my wet folds. “Put your hands on the window,” he says. I place my hands on the window and watch him as he positions himself before slowly entering me. We both moan at the simple pleasure of him being inside of me. Grabbing my hips, he slowly moves in and out. The pleasure at this angle is so intense that I can barely hold myself up.

Pushing back, I meet his thrusts as he grips my hips tighter and increases the pace. I watch him through the reflection as he moves behind me, muscles straining against the movement. He’s so beautiful that it takes my breath away. The storm whips around in front of us as carnal need takes hold of us. “You are mine.” His voice strained. He pushes into me harder, filling me so deep that I don’t know where I end, and he begins. “I need to hear you say it,” he rasps out. “I need to know that you understand that no one else can have you like this.”

I feel the pressure building deep inside as the wind and rain slash against the windows. I’ve never felt this much before, and I know I’ll never find it with another. “I’m yours. I always have been,” I breathe as my body starts to clench around him. I hear him shout as I feel him release over and over inside me, bringing me over the edge with him. Panting against the window, we try and catch our breaths. The glass feels cool against my heated skin. I feel him slowly slide out of me before he wraps me tightly in his arms and carries me to the couch. He sets me down and grabs a throw, covering us both before cradling me in his lap. He puts his arms around me as I curl up against him, breathing him in and slowing my heart rate down.

“You’re right,” I say after a few moments. “My body does remember you, but so does my heart. You’ve had it from the first moment I saw you. I was just too scared to let you in. Then, when I finally did, I thought you betrayed me. I understand now why you couldn’t tell me at first. It all finally makes sense about why I feel the way I feel when I’m with you. Our souls recognize each other.” I remember what his Mimi said to me. I look up at him and see all my emotions mirroring back at me.

Nodding his head and unable to speak, he crushes me to his chest as he holds me again. “You’ve always had my heart, too,” he says hoarsely, filled with emotion. “I’m just thankful as fuck that we found each other again. Life without you is like a piece of me is missing, and I’ve spent too many days living half a life. I feel whole for the first time in years,” he chokes out.

“Me too,” I whisper as my tears fall on his chest. Listening to his steady heartbeat, I lay there wrapped up in his arms and silently thank my mom again for bringing me home.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Noah

We sitlike that for what seems like hours, just holding each other and watching the wind and rain outside, neither of us wanting to let go of the other. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders, knowing there is nothing between us now. I sigh as I kiss the top of her head. “I should look at the weather report and see if there’s any change.” I don’t want to let her go, but I also need to keep her safe.

“That’s probably a good idea.” She untangles herself from my arms and grabs her tank and panties, putting them on while I throw my sweats on. I take Nala out once more before it gets worse and wait for her to return. Rain pelts me in the face and chest as I stand there. Seeing her come running across the deck, I towel her off before heading into the kitchen. I grab the hand towel and dry my face and chest as I look at my phone. Emma brings me some water from the fridge and walks up to me, studying the radar reports with me. “What’s it look like?” She asks.

“The latest report shows it losing a bit of strength which is good. It’s likely to go down to a Cat 1 when it hits in a few hours. We may get some wind damage, but nothing major, thank God.”

“That’s great news! I was so worried that the town would see some major damage. Hopefully, it’ll be minimal from the wind.”

“Yeah, we might see some trees down and maybe lose power in some areas, but structures should be good.” Pulling her close, I put my hands around her waist, enjoying the feeling of her near me. “Are you hungry at all? It’s been a few hours since dinner. I could make us a midnight snack.”

Running her hands down my chest, she grins at me. “I’m hungry, but I don’t think food will help.” Her hands find my grey sweats.

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