Every hour.
Every minute.
I would not waste another precious second.
“Do you want something to eat?”
Connor's question pulled me from my thoughts long enough to look at him. For the first time, I truly saw him. He was becoming my better half. He made me better than I was alone. Golden strands reached out from our imprints and twined together, uniting our souls into an unbreakable bond. Did others see knots as well as I could? Did Connor?
“Earth to Aylin.” He waved his hand in front of my face.
I shook my head. “Sorry, I was just thinking whether others can see the strands.” I pointed to the link between our imprints and smiled.
Connor tilted his head. “I see them. I never thought about it before. I know they can see the imprint, but this”—Connor moved his left hand, and the twine thinned as it stretched, but remained connected to my half moon imprint—“I think is just for us. It's our linked souls.”
“That's...” Strange, odd, different. I fumbled for the right words. The beautiful shades of gold, yellow, and white twining around the moons filled me with peace. My heart slowed and my tongue loosened. “Beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you. As us.”
Connor linked our hands and ran his other finger over our imprints. My body shivered. I wanted to feel more of his caresses, his love.
“I'm not sure about all of this. I didn't ask for it. A bonding of souls. Connor, I wasn't made for that.”
“I beg to differ.” He placed his hand on my heart, which beat faster. “I can feel you calling to me. Our souls are made for each other. This bond led us exactly to where we are supposed to be. You are meant to be mine and I am meant to be yours.”
“When did you become such a romantic?” I moved my hands up his chest, resting them on his shoulders. I backed him against the cabinet and my hand drifted down over his muscles. He quivered beneath my touch.
“For you, I'll be whatever you need me to be.” He leaned in and kissed me.
What do I need him to be?
My friend, my protector, my lover.
I lowered my hand and unfastened the button of his jeans. Tonight, I needed him to be mine.
Just mine.
He smiled and placed his hand over mine. “You know I can hear you, right?”
My face burned. Damn! I forgot about our telepathic connection. I looked into his eyes and saw raw desire. I melted. “So, what are you going do about it?”
I will be what you need me to be. His unspoken words weaved through my mind as he backed me against the countertop.
Your friend.
His strong body pressed against mine. Our bond ignited a fire that seared my soul and enflamed my heart. I let the feelings overtake me.
He kissed the side my cheek. Your protector.
His hands caressed the side of my neck, slid down my body as if memorizing every curve. When he reached the hem of my shirt, he tugged it upward and I lifted my arms. The fabric glided over my head. Cool air whispered across my bare skin, but the heat of his touch warmed me.
He grazed his lips down my face to the side of my neck.
Your lover.
He nibbled the sensitive spot. My knees weakened as he continued his onslaught.
Yours. Always.
His powerful kiss wiped all doubt from my mind. This man was mine. For tonight, tomorrow, and the days after that. I didn't want to deny my feelings any longer. The truth in his touch made me believe that I was his.
When we came up for air, I gasped. “Connor?” I wasn't sure if it was a question or a plea, but he took charge and lifted me on top of the counter.
Spreading my legs apart, he settled between them. “You sure?”
“Yes.” I didn't hesitate. Connor's scent hypnotized me. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him closer. “This is what I want.”
“Good.” He unfastened my bra and tossed it to the floor. “Because I think I would die if I had to stop.” The power of his words anchored me.
Our imprints danced in the fading light. I was surrounded and enthralled with the man before me. “Need you. Now.”
He suckled one of my nipples. I gasped. He moved to the other.
Pulling me into his arms, he stumbled toward the living room where we fell onto the couch. His weight pushed me into the cushions. Together, we found each other and became one, joining in the most intimate dance. Sealing our soulbond.
***
I drifted awake, content in Connor's arms. The night had been magical, but something was off. Not quite what I expected after spending hours in the arms of the man I loved. I glanced at Connor's sleeping form and prayed that he hadn't heard that part.
I wasn't ready to disclose my love for him just yet.
But I felt off.
As though my power had weakened. That wasn't supposed to happen with the soulbond. I was supposed to become stronger.
Bryn described the power as all-consuming to the point where she had to practice not being controlled by it. Right now, I envied her. I closed my eyes and tried to focus my mental abilities. I imagined speaking to Bryn, reading her thoughts. Nothing happened.
Maybe after a couple more hours of sleep, my power will return to full force.
Chapter Fourteen
Connor
My eyes flew open, my body tensed. A tingling sensation spread through me like wildfire. Although our bond was cemented, Aylin's presence within me was weak. Her essence seemed hidden behind fog, which didn't calm my nerves one bit.
“Aylin.” I shook her shoulder.
“Hmm... just a few more minutes.” She sighed and cuddled deeper into the covers.
I was being a fool. Maybe I couldn't sense her because she was asleep. I tugged her closer, enjoying the way she leaned against
