Page 6 of Finding my Shifter Soulmate

Sabrina.

Her name is Sabrina. It's an ordinary name, but somehow, attached to her, it sounds incredible. Unique. Lovely. When I first caught her scent, her presence thrilled me, though not half as much as getting to see her close up. There is an allurement, a magnetism to her even though I've just met her. Is it because of the way she moves her body? The way she smiles when she's lost in thought, completely unaware that I’m staring at her right now from a table inside my favorite cafe? It could be her laughter, which is the sweetest sound I've ever heard. Perhaps it's the way she talks with her hands, eager, even demanding.

It's all of those things and more, I suspect.

In truth, I'm not usually so forward when talking to humans, but I needed a way to see her again. I wasn't sure she would show up this morning. Who could blame her if she hadn’t? A strange man approaches her out of nowhere, says he has special knowledge of the island, and invites her on a private, personal tour.

I saw how she responded to me. There was fear mixed with excitement, but also, Sabrina wanted to trust me. She was struggling with herself. I could feel it. And ultimately, she was willing to allow me the opportunity to become her guide.

I watch her now on the street looking for me. She's wearing a soft yellow sundress with a pink floral pattern along the straps and bodice, and the flowing fabric whips around her thighs with each gust of tropical wind. Her feet are protected with floral-patterned canvas slip-ons, and she sashay down the sidewalk like she belongs here.

Her brown hair flows around her face as she turns her head. Every now and then, the sunlight catches the other colors in her complex locks. Streaks of honey blond. A mix of nutmeg and umber, all highlighted with natural tones of caramel. The array is extraordinary. Though she isn't wearing any makeup, her skin has a dewy glow to it.

Now that I'm certain she's here and ready for our adventure, I leap out of my seat to greet her.

"Sabrina," I call to her. "Good morning."

"Gede!" She twists to get a better look at me. "I didn't realize you were here. I thought maybe you'd ditched me."

"No," I assure her. I would never. She would have to lock herself up inside a vault to escape my attention. "I was just finish my breakfast while I was waiting."

"Did you really want to take me out, or were you just being polite yesterday? I'm sure you have a million things you'd rather be doing."

"I do want to show you the unique charms of Bali. At least, those that I can share with you."

She quirks a brow. "Are you hinting that there is something on this island you can't show me?"

I smile and stuff my hands into my pockets as we walk down the road. "Perhaps. How long are you staying in Bali?"

"I'm here for a week. Yesterday was my first day here.

"I'd like to help you make your stay memorable," I say, moving a palm frond out of her way. Her hand lightly touches my forearm in thanks, and the electricity pulses in a circular wave from the point of impact. I watch her respond to the electrical current, stilling and stretching her back as she takes in a sharp breath. The contact was brief, but it lit me up inside.

She must feel it too.

"Well, it would be so incredible to learn more about this area," she tells me. "My friend Jean has been here. She's the one who convinced me to come."

"Thank Jean for me, then. I'm happy she sent you to my home."

We reach my bike, a royal blue Kawasaki moped. I loaded up the front basket with fresh fruits and bottled drinks. "After you." I hand her a helmet, and she gives me an unsure, sideways look. "We can start with the outskirts and make our way back. Does that work for you?"

"Sure. I think," she answers. "You're the tour guide. You lead, I'll follow."

When she tosses a leg over the seat and pushes herself forward, I climb on in front of her. She's timid at first, but then, when her full body is pushed against mine, she relaxes. Sabrina loops her hands around me, resting her fingers just below my chest, and I think I'm about to lose my mind.

With a flip of my wrist, the moped roars, and we begin to move. The breeze hits my face, and her breasts push into my back as we wind through the narrow, curvy roads. She lets out a nervous giggle every now and then when I take a corner withoutslowing, and it makes my heart soar. We drive for miles until I reach an outcropping of land high above a lush, green hillside.

There are ancient monoliths scattered everywhere around us, and in the distance, there's a local marketplace. White pebble pathways crisscross all over, leading to different shops and restaurants, and numerous gigantic, exotic Buddhas watch over the scene.

"This is a place with deep Balinese history," I explain to her. I get off my bike and move to help her as well. "The locals rarely call it by its western name, The Valley of The Balinese Kings. we call it Gunung Kawi. These stones are the burial sites of kings who ruled this area centuries ago."

"Holy cow," she whispers, tucking a wayward curl behind her ear. "How many steps are there?"

"Over three hundred. Shall we?"

"Absolutely!"

"Oh! I almost forgot." I pull my satchel over my neck and dig inside. "Because it's a sacred site, you must wear a sarong before you can go inside. Though it's a bit long for you, it will do." I hold up the beige colored fabric. "May I?"

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