Twin Flames by Lexi Ander Read Free Book Online

the core of my body.
    It took some effort, but I was able to get Ushna to the pickup truck and back to the hotel room. Between my injuries and half carrying Ushna, who was six inches taller and fifty pounds heavier, I was exhausted. Ushna was in a daze. I was just happy he followed instructions or I would've had more problems than I did trying to get him in and out of the truck.
    Inside the warm hotel room, I realized how chilled and covered in blood, dirt, and grime we both were. As much as I wanted to crawl into bed and become comatose, there was still much I needed to do. With Ushna's arm over my shoulder, I got him into the bathroom and sat him on the toilet lid. Kneeling in front of him, I saw his eyes were dull and spacey. I didn't know what he was seeing, but he looked so sad and forlorn. My chest was tight as I cupped his face between my bruised and bloody hands. I softly called his name until he actually looked at me.
    "I need you to undress and shower before we can lie down." I wasn't encouraged when he didn't immediately respond. Okay, Plan B.
    Gingerly, I took off my wet clothes. I put them in the sink so they wouldn't drip on the floor. I was starting to stiffen up and I knew it would be worse tomorrow. I pushed the thought away. I needed to take care of Ushna.
    For so long, it'd been him caring for me. In some ways I felt I'd taken advantage of that. He'd taken care of me when he could've been out finding his Flame, building a home and a family. Instead, he'd safeguarded a wrecked shell of a man.
    Because of my decision, it was possible I would roam my next incarnations alone, half of what I could be with no Bashert, no destiny. I'd known this when I'd asked for the clean break all those years ago. I hadn't known my friend would follow me into this solitary life. He was a good man and deserved so much more.
    The thought of Ushna leaving me, of losing him to a real life with his Twin Flame, as selfish as it was, almost broke me anew. He was the only one who kept me tethered to the world. Without him, I'd be utterly lost. I relied on him for so much but even though it pained me, I knew I couldn't be everything he needed. After this incident, I realized I'd do whatever was required to keep from losing him to the Lupe. Becoming an animal with no knowledge of one's self was unimaginable. I'd rather lose him to someone else, knowing he was leading a good and happy life, even if I wasn't a part of it.
    After I undressed, I removed Ushna's clothes. Other than some lacerations and bruising to his hands and forearms, he was, thankfully, unmarked. After I got him to step out of his pants and boxers, I reached over and turned on the water. I cringed as he stepped dazedly into the shower and I heard the squish from the shredded remains of his socks. I twisted down and removed the soggy cloth and tossed them in the trash. I finally climbed in the tub after him and gently pushed him so he stood under the warm spray. He raised his head to face the stinging water. He stood there until I grabbed the soap and pulled him out of the spray.
    I'd seen my friend naked many times before we'd run together on moonlit nights and lived in the same housebut this felt different to me. More intimate. I noticed everything about him; the scars, the softness of the hair on his chest and how it tapered to a thin line leading down to his groin. I blinked. Good Lord, I was ogling my best friend. I quickly made him turn around while I washed his back and buttocks, refusing to think I was lingering over his round firm butt for any other reason than to get him clean. I washed his legs and turned him back around so I could finish, which put me face to face with what I'd been gawking at just a short time ago.
    He was beautiful, all of him. I struggled with myself because I wanted to bury my face at the intersection of his thigh and groin. I wanted to breathe him in. It had been so long since I'd felt any kind of desire. I was shocked and embarrassed that