Soul to Shepherd by Linda Lamberson Read Free Book Online

don’t—” My voice was trembling, and I exhaled loudly, trying to find the right words to say. “The scars … they don’t bother you?”
    “Evie, you’ve never been more beautiful.”
    I turned around and looked into Quinn’s eyes—the eyes that now gave away all his secrets.
    “You really mean that, don’t you?” I whispered.
    “With all my heart.” Quinn placed his hand on my chest, knowing I could feel his heart beating within me.
    Tears of relief welled up in my eyes. I threw my arms around him with such force I sent us both toppling down onto the bed behind him, making us laugh. I stared into the sapphire blue windows to his soul and was overwhelmed by how much I suddenly understood about him—about his feelings for me. He, too, seemed lost in my eyes. We kissed, and for a moment it felt like we were no longer two separate people. I sat up and looked at him. Even in the candlelight, I could see his aura was lighter, brighter in hue, reminding me of the kiss we’d shared months ago after vowing to love each other absolutely and forever.
    “Did you feel that?” I asked.
    “Feel what?” he asked in confusion.
    “It’s just—I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think our souls might have connected for a second when we just kissed.”
    “Are you sure you’re not mistaking our ‘souls’ for something else?” he teased and tried to kiss me again.
    I resisted him. “Quinn, I’m serious. There’s this energy about us—this bond. And there’s something about your eyes. It’s like I know how you’re feeling just by looking into them.”
    “If that’s so, then how am I feeling right now?” he challenged me.
    I accepted the test and looked into his smoldering eyes, now almost black with desire; it was so raw, so pure—so fierce.
    “Oh,” was all I could manage as a wave of lust and hunger crashed down on me, drowning me in my own desire for him. As if Quinn was capable of reading my mind, he flipped me over and rolled on top of me.
    “Welcome home, Evie.” He crushed his mouth against mine, and the world around me soon faded away completely. All that was left was Quinn.
* * *
    I lay in bed, curled up in Quinn’s arms and watched the flame of a nearby candle as it flickered perilously on a wick, dancing like it was trying to escape the pool of hot wax collecting beneath it. I slowly exhaled and extinguished the flame, following the thin trail of smoke as it gracefully furled and twisted in the air, wafting up to the cave ceiling. The way the smoke dissipated reminded me of Ronald—and of Council Member Tara’s suggestion that I speak with him. I sighed heavily as the reality of Quinn’s and my predicament settled like a weight on my shoulders.
    “What are you thinking about?” Quinn asked as he wrapped a lock of my hair around his finger, only to release it and do it again.
    “Nothing fun,” I said soberly as I rolled over to face him.
    He traced my frown with his finger. “That good, huh?” He propped himself up on one elbow. “Care to share?”
    “I will.” I maneuvered myself on top of him. “But first, I was hoping we could extend my welcome home reception a little while longer.”
    Quinn exhaled loudly. I knew he was worried I was holding out on him.
    “Hey,” I began, “I haven’t forgotten we’re in this together. In fact, we are now officially a team.”
    “You and me—a team?” His derision cut through the air like a knife. “That’ll be the day.”
    “Well that day is here,” I announced. “I’m serious,” I added when Quinn looked at me like I was crazy. “My instructions are to work with you to figure out what’s going on and come up with a plan to keep you safe.”
    Quinn’s face remained expressionless, but I could see the satisfaction creeping into his eyes. He was now legitimately part of the loop, and he was privately gloating about it.
    “So, where were we?” I smiled as I traced my finger lightly down his chest.
    “You said