Free Love Never Dies by Loren Lockner Page A

voice behind her and she turned and gaped at him. Seth was dressed only in faded blue jeans, his ebony hair brushed away from his forehead as his slate gray eyes ate her up.
    “Yes,” she managed. It didn’t matter how many times they had lain together, the impact of his physical being always profoundly affected her. After each time, Julia would swear that love-making could never get any better, but that was a lie. Each encounter was awesome in its intensity and passion, and she knew this time would be no different.
    Seth didn’t hesitate. “I want to give you my soul.” The soft words were shocking in their simplicity and directness and she dropped her forgotten carryall bag on the floor.
    “Alright.”
    Julia didn’t remember him moving, but suddenly Seth was so close she could smell the vanilla lotion he preferred as she gazed into his gray-flecked eyes. His head bent down, his sweet kiss removing any remaining doubts she might have had.
    Seth’s hands were slow and deliberate as they gently removed her white blouse and let it float to the floor. He propelled her to the dancing fire and in the flickering light of the hot flames he removed all her clothing and lowered her down among the rose petals.
    “I love you so much Julia. Please don’t be afraid because I’ll help you.”
    His reassuring words were followed by his lips trailing over her body and visiting those places he’d enjoyed so often before. His mouth lowered and she gasped, arching for him. He was almost lazy in his seduction and she wanted to beg, to cry out for him to hurry, but he was not to be rushed. His fingers and his mouth made sure she was ready and finally, an eon later he poised above her, suddenly taking her with sweet intensity.
    “Oh!” she cried out , and then begged him to never stop.
    “Never,” he whispered hoarsely, driving faster and then slowing, always staving off his climax as he waited for her, patiently anticipating the right moment. Finally she was close and Seth peered intently into her passion filled face.
    “Now!” he cried, “take my soul sweet love,” and Julia willed her life to him. A stabbing, heart-rending pain tore at her chest and she gasped in agony, vaguely aware that the same excruciating pain was mirrored upon his damp face.
    “Julia,” he gasped raggedly , as she whimpered. Then, as suddenly as it began, infusing warmth spread over her like an expensive brandy and soothed her torn heart. It flowed and surrounded the stricken muscle before refilling the empty space.
    “Ah,” she gasped in relief.
    “Much better,” Seth sighed, his powder gray eyes closing for a moment and savoring the encompassing warmth of her freely given soul. He opened them to find her dark green eyes gazing at him in wonder.
    “You’ ve given me half your soul,” she whispered.
    “It’s true my love. Our souls are intertwined now, mingled together for eternity and never to be parted until death. Thank you my sweet, sweet girl. Thank you for your unrestrained gift and because of it, love will never die. We will live inside each other forever.” He lowered his suddenly weak body gently upon her and she cradled his fatigued frame, kissing his hair before sinking powerlessly into a numbing, healing sleep.
    For two hours they lay thus, the fire ebbing as the room finally chilled. It was the creeping cold that finally awakened him and Seth moved from his soft cushion, pulling her into the confines of his arm. She stirred and murmured his name, nestling against him like a purring cat.
    “Are you awake , love?” he asked.
    “Yes, yes, I think so.”
    “Any pain?”
    “None at all,” she answered. “And you?”
    “Not now, though for a se cond I was certain I’d expire inside your arms, my heart torn out by some merciless unseen knife.”
    “So your father was right?”
    “I never once believe he lied, though others in my family often scoffed at his story.”
    Julia kissed his neck drowsily. “I suppose we should