Dealing with Faith zapped her energy. The fact that she was still standing said a lot, but the energy keeping her on her feet was dwindling fast. She couldn’t handle the tension between Dylan and Layne. While their energy had settled from anger-fueled thumps, both still held resentment toward the other.
Something had happened since their earlier surge of energy, the same surge that nearly took her to the ground. If she hadn’t been hell-bent on talking to Faith, she could have focused on their emotions to get the answer. She wanted the answer, because nothing she said or did got through to them. Yet something had this time, something strong enough to decrease their confrontational vibes. Too bad it wasn’t powerful enough to decrease the ache in their hearts.
Pushing the door closed, she held the knob in her hand and leaned back. The cold wood radiated through her sweater, but she didn’t mind the coolness. It helped soothe the heat consuming her body, heat she knew as Layne’s energy.
An array of emotions spun within him, like he couldn’t make up his mind on which one he felt most. Irritation monopolized most of his energy, but fear was gaining ground. Fear coupled with defensive waves, an indication that he felt the need to protect her. His Keeper instincts were alive and well, even if he didn’t want to be her friend anymore.
She shook her head, as if to dispel the thoughts from her mind. Yet the ones that replaced them weren’t much better. Faith’s voice rang inside her head. Each shaky syllable revealed the pain in her sister’s heart as she discussed her mystery man. How he was the main reason she’d come home. How he told her that he couldn’t leave his pregnant girlfriend, at least until his child was born.
Her sister refused to be his second choice. She’d sent him a goodbye text, switched her number, and left for home. This was the one place she knew he wouldn’t dare show his face, and even if he did, she had a clear view to the driveway. She swore she’d disappear before he made his first step toward the apartment. Unless he snuck up on her, like Heaven had.
So it wasn’t a foolproof plan. At least her sister had one, which was more than she could say for herself.
Regardless of the reasons that brought them home, both she and Faith sought refuge at the one place they felt safe. She couldn’t ask her to leave for Layne, though she did get Faith to agree to leave him alone. Besides, her sister was too focused on her own personal hell to worry about tormenting her ex.
So many men had come in and out of Faith’s life, all by her own choosing. She’d get tired of them after a while and move on to the next one. Knowing that alone made her current reactions confusing. Twice she’d cried over this man—on the day she confessed her indiscretions and less than thirty minutes ago. Heaven doubted they were the only instances, because everything about Faith’s behavior confirmed one thing, something she could never say about her sister before. Faith was in love with this man.
Unfortunately, their situation proved to be complicated. Of course it would be. Anything Faith did was half-assed or ass-backwards. It was hard for anyone to feel sympathetic to her problems, especially after her actions toward Layne. And even though it seemed that karma had caught up with Faith, she wasn’t paying for her sins alone.
Somehow, admitting that stirred another thought. Faith’s choices brought misery to all of them. Did that mean she was part of the unfortunate pair, the soulmates who would not stay together? If so, was Layne really her soulmate, or was this other man?
The question was fleeting to say the least. Quick thumps echoed outside the door, like someone had taken the porch steps by twos. She didn’t have time to step away before the door swung open, pushing her across the floor. The ground shifted beneath her as she lost her balance and tumbled toward the corner of the couch.
“Oh shit—” The words came out in a rush as rough fingers gripped her arm, jerking her back into a hard chest. “Are you okay?”
She didn’t have time to nod before her body shifted again. Broad shoulders filled her vision, broad shoulders that cradled her head as warm arms wrapped around her body. How amazing it felt to be cocooned in his embrace, to feel the comforting pulse of their connection. To know each time his heart thumped against her cheek, the beats were for her.
God, she loved him, loved the way he made her heart race, loved the way his touch sent thousands of jolts tingling through her body. Didn’t he sense that? Didn’t he feel how much she loved him, how much she needed and wanted him?
“Please, tell me what I’m feeling is real. Tell me you’re okay.”
She focused on his voice as she shut her eyes to the spinning room. “It’s real, Dylan. I’m okay.”
Pressure increased in her sides when he tightened his arms around her, crushing her chest to his. He pressed his face atop her head and released a shaky breath. “I didn’t know you were in front of the door. My God, if I’d pushed any harder, I could have hurt you, both of you.”
“We’re fine, Dylan.” She wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tighter, but it didn’t relieve the worry and guilt pulsing through their bond.
“I had this overwhelming feeling that you needed me, so I rushed outside to find you. When I stepped into the backyard, the pull came from the cottage instead of the apartment. I thought…” He shook his head as his emotions got the best of him. Whatever reason he had for not finishing his sentence, he didn’t want to discuss it. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I promise. You saved me, just like you always do.”
He cupped her face with both hands, tracing his thumbs over her skin. Silence resurfaced between them, yet she didn’t need his words, not when his eyes showed the emotions burning in his soul. They danced over her face as he thumbed the space beside her lips.
It felt like it took him forever, but he finally pressed his mouth to hers. Cinnamon rushed through her nose as she gave into the kiss. Each sweep of his lips grew hotter than the last, leaving her knees shaky. This was the side of him she needed. This side knew how to comfort her, how to protect her, how to diminish the ache in her soul. This side made her complete.
Once the fear in his heart had eased, he parted his lips from hers. Hesitation played in his eyes as he struggled to speak. The longer they stared at each other, the harder it became to say anything, even for her. Words would ruin the moment. Words would remind them of what caused the fear and anger that had them clinging to each other.
The warmth of his lips returned to hers, setting them ablaze, again. She wanted to cling to him, wanted to forget everything else and focus on the love they shared. He wanted the same, needed the same. The more he fought to control the need, the more it consumed him. It came through with each swirl of his tongue, each grip of his hands, even the groan he made when he finally pulled away and held her to his chest.
“I’d love to show you how happy I am that you’re okay, but we’ll have company in a few minutes. Our parents volunteered to help Layne so we could go to sleep.”
And once again, reality came rushing back. The words she knew would ruin the moment did just that. They stole what little relief their intimacy had given them, replacing it with confusion.
The heat of his chest faded as she lifted her head and gazed up. “Help Layne with what?”
His head tilted toward the door. “They’re carrying in our luggage. Layne is getting his.”
“Does that mean he’s staying?”
He forced a smile and nodded. The news brought her a bit of relief, even though she knew Layne’s presence continued to bother him. “What changed his mind? He was determined to leave when I left to talk to Faith.”
Dylan shrugged his shoulders. “Your mom has a way of convincing people to stick around. She got through to him.”
His answer only raised more questions. How could her mother convince Layne to stay if she couldn’t? He was her Keeper. He was supposed to listen to her. Instead, he challenged her at every turn, like her decisions to come home, and their friendship, even the decision on where he would stay. If it weren’t for her body b
egging for sleep, she’d ask for an explanation. Right now, she needed sleep. They all did, including Layne.
“I’m glad he came to his senses, but he needs sleep as much as we do. We should help them carry in our stuff.” She broke their embrace and took a step past him only to be cut off a second later.
“You don’t need to lift anything. You’re exhausted, which means our baby is too.” The heat of his hands met the sides of her stomach as he stared at her. “I say we go lie down and worry about our stuff later. You need sleep, and I need to be close to you.”
She enjoyed the thought of crawling into bed, enjoyed even more the thought of him curling up beside her, holding her close like he did every night. But other thoughts wreaked havoc on her mind, thoughts that made every muscle in her body tense.
“I don’t think I can sleep.” She mumbled the response as she rubbed the stiffness in her neck.
“I take it this has something to do with Faith.”
He didn’t attempt to hide the irritation in his voice. While she didn’t want this conversation to turn into an argument, she couldn’t hide the way all this affected her. Nothing would ever get solved if she didn’t speak her mind.
“It’s Faith, it’s Layne, it’s—” She trailed her eyes down his body, lingering on the small space between her belly and his waist. “It’s you too, Dylan. I can’t take the friction between you and Layne. It’s causing too many problems between us.”
“I’m sorry, Heaven.”
The quiver in his voice constricted her chest. She knew he meant every word he uttered. The thrum of their connection vibrated with remorse. It pulled at her soul as much as the pain that accompanied it. No matter how much she wanted to be mad at him, the need to comfort him outweighed the anger.
“Don’t apologize.”
He shook his head and moved away when she stretched her hand toward his face. “You’re right. I shouldn’t. Apologies don’t mean anything if you keep making the same mistake. That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m hurting you and the baby because of my jealousy. What kind of man does that?”
His back remained to her as he peered down the hallway that led to the bedroom, the same room they would share. She wanted to be in that room, lying beside him in a peaceful sleep. But no amount of sleep would bring her peace. Until they stopped avoiding a certain conversation, the situation between him and Layne would get worse.
“We all have a lot on us, Dylan. Our relationship isn’t like normal ones, nor are our lives.”
“It doesn’t excuse my behavior.”
She detested the disgust she heard in his voice. Hating himself wouldn’t fix their issues, but forgiveness would. “Do you really want to make it up to me?” The moment he nodded, she moved across the floor, joining him in the archway. “Then end the tension between you and Layne. He’s my Keeper, Dylan. I need him.”
“I don’t know if I believe that anymore. He’s supposed to have these superpowers that will keep you safe, yet we’ve seen nothing substantial, short of burnt sheets and drumsticks.”
“Exactly. That’s all we’ve seen. That’s all he’s allowed us to see. There is more going on with him than what he’s sharing. You said the same before we left Jamaica.” Each shake of his head incited her more, but she kept her emotions under control. “Forget the fact that we have these reminders,” she said, pointing to the flame-shaped mark in her palm, “I feel it in my soul, Dylan. Layne is coming into his abilities. My God, he proved it this morning.”
His jaw flexed as he turned around, flashing her a set of folded brows. “What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you notice how hot it was inside my parents’ house? It wasn’t like that when we first got there. That’s why Dad started the fire.”
“So what?” He shrugged, turning back around. “The fire heated the room.”
“Do you mean the fire my dad almost gave up on building because it didn’t want to start? As soon as my mom told us about Faith, it was like someone dumped gasoline on the logs. Layne did that.” The more she tried to convince him of Layne’s abilities, the more he stood in silence, unmoved by her insinuations. Why did he have to be so stubborn? “I’ve been able to feel the heat of his energy since we became friends. No one else could until the day he killed Marco. That’s when you felt it, even if you didn’t realize it at the time.”
Flinging his hands in the air, he spun around to face her once more. “What’s your point?”
“He’s getting stronger, Dylan. The more time he spends with us, the stronger he gets. I think he would be a lot further along in his development if—” God, she didn’t want to bring this up. He was already struggling with the fact that Layne was her Keeper. Anything that increased their connection would cause him more pain.
“If what?”
The hardwood floor came into view as she averted her eyes. There wasn’t an easy way to put this, no matter how much she tried to reword it. “I think he’d be further along if he and I were closer. Our friendship, I mean.” The second she noticed his energy shift, she scrambled to explain her reasons. “He needs to be in sync with me. It’s his whole purpose. How else will he know when I need him if we aren’t in sync?
“I’m not stopping him from being your friend.”
The anger in his voice made her flinch, which annoyed her even more. “Maybe you aren’t saying anything, but any time he spends with me increases your hostility toward him. He suspects it. I sense it, and it’s all because of that stupid kiss.”
He parted his lips to say something but snapped them shut instead. A growl rumbled from his chest as he pushed off the wall. Each heavy step echoed down the hallway. Disbelief rocked her core with each one he took. She wanted to chase after him but the catch in her side had her taking a deep breath.
Once his steps faded, she ignored the cramps and rounded the corner. A slow procession took her down the same path as Dylan. She pressed her hand to her stomach, hoping to soothe the baby from the frustrations flowing within her. She didn’t want to go into labor, but she had to finish this conversation. Both of their lives depended on it.
Yet something in her heart warned this was about more than her safety. This was about exploring the mysterious connection she and Layne shared. There was more to their bond, a lot more. The lack of cooperation from Delia and her parents had her doubting she’d ever find out what it was.
Perhaps it would be better if she didn’t. The pull between them had increased, even if just a little. It was enough to confuse her on what it all meant, but no matter how much she fought the feelings beginning to form, she couldn’t deny her connection with Layne was changing. Part of her wanted to find out what it was, and she did her best to ignore that want, to bury it in a part of her that Dylan would never sense.
Reaching the end of the hall, she came to a stop just outside the bedroom. The door stood ajar, allowing her to see inside before she entered. Dylan faced the window overlooking the woods. His chest rose and fell with each breath he took, but no matter how serene he appeared, the pulse of his energy remained chaotic. He slammed his fist against the sill, then raked his fingers through his hair as he began to pace. “Damn it,” he grumbled. “Damn it, damn it, damn it.”
His internal conflict raged on, but she didn’t allow it to deter her from her mission. They would work this out. Somehow, some way, they would make it happen. They had to, because the alternative was too unbearable.
The moment her steps echoed through the room, he came to a halt. He kept his back to her, as if he could keep her from seeing how upset he was. Like she couldn’t feel it in their connection.
One quick push had the bedroom door closing. She hesitated near the dresser, waiting to see if he’d turn around. He didn’t. His body remained in a rigid stance.
“What is wrong with you?”
He released the tightness in his shoulders, slumping them as he hung his head. “Nothing. I’m just tired. I can’t think clearly.”
“You’re lying to me. The baby
might be blocking my emotions from you, but I feel every single one of yours.”
“I can’t help it!” The words rumbled through the air, accentuating the tension between them. He rushed toward her, pounding his chest with his fist. “I’m afraid, Heaven.”
“Of what? What are you so afraid of, Dylan?”
“Losing you. Okay?” The heat of his hands warmed her arms when he gripped them. “I’m going out of my mind at the thought of losing you. If death doesn’t take you from me, my jealousy will push you away. I’m going to push you right into his arms.”
“Who? Layne?” Guilt showed in his eyes as he dropped his head. “Why would you think that? We’re bound to each other, Dylan. We’re connected.”
“You have a connection with him, too.”
She tucked her finger under his chin, urging him to look up. He did so with reluctance because he didn’t want her to see the moisture in his eyes. The way he shook his head and looked away said as much.
“Yes. Layne and I share a connection, but you’re my soulmate.”
“That doesn’t guarantee you’ll always be mine.” Brushing his hair from his face, he gripped the side of his head and grimaced. “What if we’re the unfortunate pair?”
“We aren’t.”
Her reply didn’t appease him. Doubt wavered in his eyes as he stared at her. “Even if we aren’t, there’s still no guarantee that we’ll be together forever.”
“You don’t think so?” She placed her hand over his heart then guided his hand to hers. “Do you feel those beats, Dylan? Do you feel how strong they are, how they beat in rhythm with yours? That’s your guarantee.”
“I…I want to believe that, but…” He worked his mouth together as if he had something to say but couldn’t find the right words. His hand dropped back to his side then he backed away. “All we have are the stories our parents have fed us. I want to believe those stories, but I wish there was something else. Something that would prove we’re meant to be, that you’ll always be mine, no matter what life throws at us.”