Soul Keeper (2 page)

“I love you,” he said. “Did right from the start.”

Tears filled her eyes again.

My God, he’s so perfect. Precious
.

With a wobbly smile, she crooked her arm in his and pulled him with her toward the exit beside the ticket office. Passengers milled around, awaiting the next train, and she inwardly giggled at the show they’d just given them. She didn’t care what they thought, liberated as she was by Rob’s declaration, by the certainty that he meant what he’d said. Happiness burgeoned, and she wanted to laugh out loud, to tell everyone that Rob was here. That he’d come to meet her, he loved her, and her life was now complete.

She looked up at him as they rounded the corner, and he smiled, his eyes bright. The feel of his erection still lingered on her pelvis, and a stout gust of wind wrapped his scent around her. The urge to stop and push him against the side of the ticket office gripped her, so she walked faster to stop herself. He’d confessed in an email that, although he could write his desires, in real life, he was self-conscious. Not wanting to risk getting caught and putting him to the test yet, she tugged his arm as they approached the path running behind the station.

“Shall we walk or get a taxi?” she asked, snaking her other hand under his biceps and holding his arm close to her chest. On tiptoes, she quickly kissed his cheek, the light stubble pricking her lips.

“It’s up to you, sweetheart. Is it far, though? I wouldn’t want you walking for too long in those shoes.”

Carrie scrunched her toes in her red stilettos. “It’s okay. It isn’t far. Come on, we’ll walk.”

She guided him down the path beside the main road that led to town, the streetlights casting an orange line that stretched far into the distance, reminding her of a runway at night. Their emails came to mind, the ones where they’d discussed taking a holiday, walking along the beach hand in hand by day and sex-filled nights upon cool, crisp sheets.

“So where will we go on holiday?” she asked, looking up at him.

He pried his arm free and rested it across her shoulders, squeezing her to him so hard she nearly stumbled. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to… It’s just…I love you so much I needed to…” He sighed. “I forget sometimes I can be heavy-handed.”

His smile and apology brought on a fresh wave of love for him.

“It’s okay,” she said. “Really. So where will we go, d’you think?”

Rob sighed contentedly. “Oh, I don’t know. Anywhere you like.”

The South of France, Spain, Italy, he’d visited them all, had told her about the art galleries and how Paris wasn’t as romantic as people made out. Venice, he said, that was the place to go, with its quaint side streets and the Grand Canal. They could take a gondola trip, pack a basket lunch, and he’d keep her safe beside him, owing to her fear of water.

“I’ll show you Ca’ d’Oro,” he said. “You’ll love it. I visited there while at university studying for my art degree. We can stand on the balconies overlooking the Grand Canal. You’ll love their amazing stone archways. Must have taken so long to carve.”

I could listen to him all day and never get bored. He knows so much, is so clever
.

How easily they got along. He was right—it was like they’d always known one another. She didn’t feel in the least self-conscious and supposed their phone calls of the past six months had helped ease them closer together so that their first meeting was a natural progression in their relationship.

While Rob chatted, his breath puffed out in gray clouds, and he kept his gaze on her, looking up every so often to the path ahead. Carrie took in every word, but her mind also whirled with his other words, those typed to ensure she grew hot and wet. Those she’d slowly coaxed him into penning, drawing him out of his shyness until he’d surprised her with the depth of his need.

She imagined him licking her juices then kissing her, sharing her essence. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she steered him down a short, narrow path to their right. A wide metal gate and fencing stood at the end, a sturdy chain and large gold padlock keeping the gate closed. Trees lined the rest of the way into town, their trunks broad, and an idea came to her.

“We have to walk across this field?” he asked, eyebrows raised.

Carrie nodded. “It’s quicker.”

Rob frowned and looked at her feet. “But your shoes…” He glanced into the field. “And there are
cows
in there!” He huffed out an uncertain laugh. “You’re
crazy
, you know that?”

She nodded again and cupped his face, fitting herself against him. “I told you I was.”

Pressing her lips to his, she searched for his tongue. Rob’s arms encircled her waist, and he massaged her ass through her coat. The fabric an annoying barrier, she brought her hands between them and undid the top two buttons. He lifted his hands to grip her wrists and broke the kiss.

“You’re taking your
coat
off?” he asked.

His widened eyes and the surprise in his voice pushed laughter from her, and she moved her hands down to the third button. He loosened his grip then glanced back up the path before returning his attention to her face. With shaking hands, he undid the fourth button then opened her coat. Rob sucked in some air.

“You only have
underwear
on? Jesus Christ, woman!”

She laughed again, throwing her head back, and his lips met her exposed neck. Shivers of delight wound their way up her spine, the heat of his breath and the cold winter air inciting a rash of goosebumps to pepper her skin again. He snaked his hands inside her coat, trailing his palms up and down her waist, smoothing his thumbs over her ribcage. Carrie lowered her head, watching him taking in the sight of her body, and fuck, she wanted him inside her now.

After shirking off her coat, she handed it to him. He draped it over one arm and, mouth wide open, stared at her as she walked backward to the gate.

“Come on,” she said, the thrill of being so wanton, so daring, spiking her need.

Carrie turned her back to him and raised one foot, placing it on a gate rung. His sharp inhalation made her want to laugh with the power she had over this shy, beautiful man. She hoisted her leg over then sat on the top rail, gripping it so she didn’t fall. She moved her head so she faced him, the cold metal heaven on her hot cunt.

“Are you game?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

“Aren’t you
cold
?” He stepped toward her, the coat held out so she could put it back on.

Carrie lowered herself into the field. Hand on hips, she sucked in her tummy and pushed out her chest. “You coming in?”

Rob hung the coat over his arm again, his mouth working to speak but no sound coming out. The streetlight at the far end of the narrow path cocooned him, lent his flushed cheeks a peach tinge. He blinked, eyes wide, and lifted one foot to the gate.

He shook his head. “You
are
crazy. What have I got myself into?” He smiled and climbed over the gate, dropping to the other side. Coat held out once more, he coaxed, “Come on, sweetheart. Put this back on. Please. I don’t want you getting cold.”

Carrie bent down to remove her shoes and sidestepped away from the gate.

“Love,” he said, “there’s probably cow shit in here. And you’ve got bare feet!”

An unstoppable giggle burst from her mouth, and she turned from him to run along the tree line. His sigh of defeat chased her on the breeze, and soon his footsteps followed. She swung around and ran in reverse, toes digging into the wet, mulch-ridden ground. Out of breath from the exhilaration flying through her, she slowed to a stop beside a huge oak. Its branches stretched over her, the leafless limbs useless in protecting them should it rain. Backing up, she rested her ass and shoulders against it, the bark damp on her skin, its mossy aroma sharp in her nose. She dropped her shoes.

Rob caught up and stood a few feet in front of her, coat clutched in his fists. Carrie widened her legs, nestling her feet beside roots that jutted from the ground. The cold air a balm on her hot skin, she brought one hand to rest on her stomach, the other to her lips. She sucked her index finger then pulled it out, licking its length with deliberate slowness.

“God, Carrie. Stop!” Rob peered through the trees to the main road. A car sailed by. “Someone will see us.”

“No they won’t.” She stared at him, lowering her finger to one breast, circling the skin through the satin bra. She slid her other hand toward her crotch and cupped it, pressing the heel against her clit. “Come here.”

He looked from her to the coat and held it up, glancing around for a place to put it.

“Sling it on the ground and come and fuck me.”

His head whipped back so he faced her and, too far gone to laugh, Carrie rocked her hand over her clit. With her other, she smoothed over her cleavage and slipped her fingers inside her bra, releasing her breast. Her nipple sprang up, the frosty air and desire licking it into rigidity. She pinched it between finger and thumb, rolled and pulled it. A sharp gasp left her, and Rob’s resigned groan dissipated into the night. Dropping the coat, he moved to stand directly before her, bracing his hands on the trunk either side of her head.

Carrie stared up at him, still fondling, willing him out of his shyness. His breaths came out as stuttered pants, and he gazed back, eyes showing his amazement at her reckless behavior.

“Touch me,” she whispered, letting go of her nipple and reaching up to clasp his wrist.

She brought his hand down over her exposed breast and covered it with her own, their gazes still locked. Gently, she guided his fingers to her nipple and brushed them over it. His pained moan delighted her, and she jutted her hips up to meet his pelvis. While rubbing herself through the thong, Carrie bumped her knuckles against his hard cock.

He leaned forward, still staring into her eyes, and pressed a light kiss to her lips. Bolder now, he thumbed her breast and took his other hand off the tree and nudged her hand away from her cunt. The touch of his fingers there gave her a jolt, and she rested her head back, closing her eyes.

Warm lips peppered a line of kisses up her neck to her ear. Gentle fingers shifted her thong aside and stroked her.

“You’re so beautiful,” Rob whispered. “So very beautiful.” His tongue traced her earlobe before he kissed her jawline, her neck, her collarbone. Lowering his head to her cleavage, he licked her swells, lightly pinching her nipple.

She was so ready for him. Carrie pulled down his zipper and freed his cock, glancing down between them for her first sight of it. The closeness of their bodies prevented a clear image, not to mention them being in the darkness, so she took it into her hand. The length fitted in her palm perfectly. The soft skin, the rush of finally touching him, brought on a gasp of wonder, but Rob’s lips on hers staunched it. Her raging desire changed to a yearning for tenderness as he explored her mouth, her nipple, her cunt. She moved her hand up and down his cock, thumbing the tip on the upstroke. Pre-cum drizzled, and she marveled at her effect on him, of him on her.

He tweaked her harder and slid his fingers up to her clit. Circling it, he kissed her more insistently, a desire-filled groan rumbling in his throat. Carrie lifted her hips and upped her pace on his cock, clutching his ass with her other hand.

Rob pulled his mouth from hers, brushing his lips against her cheek.

“I want you to come,” he said.

His words must have been so difficult to say, owing to his shyness, and endeared him to her more. He applied pressure to her clit and rubbed quickly, dipping his head and taking her nipple into his mouth, clasping her waist with his free hand. His tongue flicked the tip, and she watched him tending to her needs. The sight brought her close to the edge, and she gripped his ass tighter, jerked his cock faster.

Her orgasm began as a slow burn, spiraling from her clit to her core where it grew in intensity. He worked his fingers faster and sucked her, rearing his head a little. A sharp stab of pleasure-pain zipped from her breast to her clit, and she bucked her hips, wanting more friction, more pressure. He took her lead and grazed his teeth over her bud, capturing it between them and flicking his tongue over it. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Carrie matched his rhythm on her wet clit to hers on his cock, and he jerked his pelvis into her, his mouth pulling on her nipple so deliciously she let out a hoarse cry. Her orgasm ebbed and retreated, and she worked him faster, bringing on a stronger need to chase her orgasm and drown in it at its height.

It hit, a wave of bliss so strong her knees gave way a little and her back scraped against the tree. She reveled in the pain and bit her lower lip, arching her back.

Rob dug his fingers into her waist and rested his lips on hers, whispering, “Come. Let it go.”

She moaned, riding on the crest, jerking her hand to send him further toward his release. He pressed his cheek to hers, and as she cried out, he lightly bit her shoulder, his breathy “Ah!” hot on her skin.

His cock throbbed, and he slid his fingers inside her, thumb flicking over her clit.

“Ah, fuck! I’m coming. Coming…” he said.

Carrie moaned, his voice, what he’d said, echoing in her mind. Hot cum shot onto her stomach followed by another, less forceful spurt. Rob’s ragged exhalations warmed her shoulder, and she slowed her hand, milking the last from him, showing him she needed him to slow his hand too, the nerves in her clit sensitive, buzzing.

As though in tune with her, Rob did as she’d silently asked and kissed her neck, her cheek, her nose tip. Resting his forehead on hers, he stared into her eyes, their shuddering breaths mixing as off-white clouds.

“God, I love you,” he whispered. “Love you so much. Thank you.”

“For what?” she asked, tears stinging.

“For being you. For everything.”

Chapter Two

The Tub

Rob swiped the hotel keycard then opened the door. Carrie stood in the hallway outside the room, barefoot on the burgundy-patterned carpet, her feet dirty with mud. Shoes in hand, she looked at Rob, who flicked on the light then held up his arm for her to enter first. His chivalry didn’t surprise her—it had shone through in his emails and his actions since they’d met.