Free STAIN (My Soul To Wake Book 1) by Tara Oakes Page B

realized it was tensed until then.
    “My beast. Well, he’s really just a mutt… but don’t tell him that.” He laughs. I join in.
    I knew it! I knew he must have a dog! Something about him just screams dog lover. I spotted it a mile away.
    “I usually take him everywhere with me. Even to work. A friend stopped by to check on him at my place till I get back.”
    I can see the tall outline of the angular hotel coming into view. The closer we get, I find myself dreading it, and the goodbye that naturally comes with it.
    “I love dogs! What kind?” I angle my chin up to him.
    His eyes are playful, cheeks a bit reddened from the coolness around us. “Mostly shepherd, I think. Some lab maybe. I found him wandering around as a pup. No tags, no collar. I fed him and he never left my side after.”
    I sigh. “I always wanted a dog. My mom’s allergic. And once I moved on my own, I wasn’t home enough to take care of one.”
    “Me either, really. Moose comes to work with me every day. Sleeps in the bed of the truck. Runs around. Gets into trouble.” He shakes his head, no doubt thinking of some of the memories of that trouble he’s alluding to.
    The letters on the hotel awning are now readable.
    “I wish I could do that. I think the board of health would have a thing or two to say about it though.” I fantasize about bringing my own imaginary pet with me to the coffee shop. “Can I meet him?”
    Will smiles, flashing his beautifully white teeth. “Anytime you want. Maybe after the museum tomorrow?”
    I find myself beaming at the plan. “Great! I’ll get him a bone or a toy or something.” And out of nowhere, this comes out, “Unless your friend Liza has that covered.”
    Why the hell did I say that! I instantly regret it.
    I see him lick his lips nervously, although his hand doesn’t budge from its perch around my neck. “She’s an old friend. More like family. Moose isn’t a fan of hers, though.” He pauses as we step onto the sidewalk of the hotel. “Actually… she wants to meet you.”
    My eyes widen as we face each other. I can see him reading my expression.
    “I know you’re not here for long, and I’m sure we can think of better things to do, but deep down… she’s a good person.” That’s an interesting choice of words to describe a friend.
    “We’ll see.” I offer. “This place,” I look around at the bit of Salem before me, “is full of surprises.”
    I hear him clear his throat. He steps closer, and I feel the height difference as never before. I angle my chin to reach. He lowers his. The deep pools of dark honey in his eyes consume me. I struggle to hide the effect he’s having on me, doing my best to appear normal and in control.
    His lips.
    The plumpness of them now closer than ever, just in line with my sight. I feel my throat dry, my mouth next, and I beg myself to swallow but find that I can’t.
    “I had a really good time today, Leah.” His voice is husky. It rattles and vibrates through the air between us like a powerful engine.
    I can muster a whisper. “Me, too.”
    A billow of wind breaks against us, rushing through the space between our bodies, carrying my hair with it.
    He swipes at the tangled pile of locks strewn about my face and we laugh at the silliness of it. When the hair covering my eyes is swept aside, I meet with his again and our laughing takes on a teenaged nervous quality before quieting.
    I see a flash in his eyes, as if I’m reading his inward commands to his muscles, and I somehow know what they’ll do next. His arm wraps around to the small of my back, his palm so large it nearly covers the width of me. The muscles around his mouth twitch, preparing for the work they intend to do.
    A thin black line appears between his heavenly lips as they soften themselves and lower to sweep delicately over mine. I close my eyes and let the kiss consume me, killing whatever trace of chill I may have had.
    Our flesh presses together, molding to one another,