The Lost Soul

by Jen Talty

  “You’re just saying that so I seem a little more creepy than you.”

  He held her gaze for a long moment. “I don’t find any of this strange at all anymore. We’re supposed to be together, and I, for one, have no problem with that concept. Honestly, now that we’re in the same space, I can’t imagine my life without you in it.” He pressed his mouth against hers in a tender kiss. “Before it gets too late, we should find out who that man was and send the information to Brett and Chad.”

  “And we should send it to Willow. She’s about as good as anyone at finding people.” Alexis bit down on her lower lip.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Would you think I’m way too forward if I ask you to sleep in here tonight?”

  He coughed on his own breath. Pounding on his chest, he cleared his throat. “I hope you won’t think poorly of me for saying yes to the offer.”

  “Nope.” She jumped off his lap and raced to the desk, flipping open her laptop. “This should only take a few minutes.”

  Hunter blinked. A bundle of nerves bounced about in his gut. It had been a long time since he’d been with a woman.

  Perhaps too long.

  6

  The excitement of the hunt had been replaced with the deflation of a flat tire. Alexis eased into the chair in front of her computer. Hunter rubbed her shoulders, but it did nothing to subdue the tension.

  “The Elite Brotherhood had to have killed him.” She stared at the image of Roger Edwards, the man who had been arrested in front of her school her senior year.

  “We don’t know that,” Hunter said, but his flat tone indicated he agreed.

  “Who else would want him dead?” She rolled her neck, tipping her head back until it rested against Hunter’s powerful muscles. He was a lean man, but well-defined. He radiated the kind of quiet confidence depicted in men in the movies. The kind of men women wanted to love. “Edwards was found dead in his cell two weeks after being arrested,” she said.

  “Yes, but the cause of death was suicide.” Hunter pulled her rolling chair from the desk, spinning it until she faced him.

  “We both know he was most likely murdered.” The last word made her stomach gurgle with bile. “And since he was in jail, it wouldn’t have been the good guys.”

  Hunter kneeled with an arched brow. “There are such things as sanctioned and unsanctioned hits. I wouldn’t put it past Mallard to have him killed if he was after you and Willow.”

  She shook her head. “Remember what Riley said in her letter. They couldn’t go about changing the things that had to happen in order for all of us to be together.”

  “I honestly don’t buy it. If that were true, then they could just sit back and let it happen and that’s the exact opposite of what Mallard did. We’re missing a huge piece of the puzzle.”

  “That I agree with.” She tilted her head. “Have you ever killed anyone?” She swallowed a gasp. What a horrible question to ask him, especially when she planned on taking him to bed. Not very romantic pillow talk, to say the least.

  He nodded. “I have in combat. Never a sanctioned hit, which is something this government doesn’t like to admit exists. But I know Mallard well enough to know he’s the kind of man that bends rules and will do anything to complete the mission.”

  “But this isn’t a mission.”

  “It’s his mission,” Hunter said.

  “Regardless, we’re back at square one.”

  “No, we’re not.” He stood, lifting her from the chair. He pulled his cell phone from his back pocket and tapped his fingers against the screen. “We have a name we can research and see if he connects to Karl Homer, Caleb Snow, Theo Knox, or any other member of the Elite Brotherhood. I’m sending this to my brothers…” he paused, blinking… “It’s so strange to say that and not feel weird about it. Like it’s normal.”

  She ran her hands up his firm biceps, squeezing gently. “It’s a lot to absorb all at once.”

  “It’s as if I’ve known them… you… my entire life.”

  Her cheeks heated as a broad smile eased across her face. She’d been known as the quiet Raven sister. She never had a lot of friends growing up, but not because she wasn’t friendly. She just didn’t have room for a lot of people in her life while in medical school. And it certainly wasn’t because she was shy. Far from it.

  She just had goals that put finding the right man on the back burner.

  Besides, her sisters were her best friends. What more could she need?

  Leaning into him, she let her fingers glide over his shoulders until they landed on the sides of his neck.

  He circled his arms around her waist, heaving her against his chest. His bright eyes turned a smoky blue as he tilted his head.

  She kept her gaze on his mouth as his tongue drifted over his lips.

  “This is kind of crazy,” he whispered.

  “Craziest thing you’ve ever done?” She arched a playful brow.

  “No. That would be going back to the park every time I came home to try to catch a glimpse of you.”

  “Flattery will get you far,” she said.

  “I’m counting on it.” His lips hovered over hers in an exotic dance.

  Their bodies pressed against each other as his hands roamed up and down her back, massaging gently, spreading warmth across her muscles. His gaze never shifted from her eyes, making it impossible for her to glance away.

  Not that she wanted to.

  But she did want things to progress a little quicker without scaring him off.

  An old-fashioned phone ring filled the air, and she jumped, taking a step back.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled. “It’s Brett.” He held his cell up.

  “You better take it.” She wondered why Brett hadn’t just projected. Then again, she’d been doing her best to keep the rest of the world out of her and Hunter’s alone time. Perhaps, he was doing that too.

  “Hunter here,” he said, hitting the speaker button.

  “We’ve got a tip on where Mallard might be. I’m sending Willow over to check on it,” Brett said.

  “Alone?” Alexis knew her younger sister didn’t need a babysitter. Willow had spent four years in the Navy and also had a black belt. Calling her a badass chick would be the understatement of the century. That said, Alexis didn’t like her sister being without backup, considering everything that had happened the last couple of weeks.

  “Not exactly alone. Savanah has already remote viewed the place,” Brett said. “And I’ll be joining her when I get off the phone. Willow is in constant contact with Hazel and Chad, so if anything goes sideways, we’ve got a plan. Just wanted you to know what is going on. We’ll see you in the morning.”

  Hunter turned, setting his phone on the nightstand. He stood with one hand on his hip while he raked his other one through his hair. The strands fell back in place with ease. “Maybe I should go—”

  “Are you trying to get out of spending the night with me?” She swallowed the fear that prickled in the back of her throat. She understood second thoughts, and she supposed she couldn’t blame him, but she realized she’d been waiting for him her whole life, and she wasn’t about to let him go now.

  “Far from it.” He took her by the hand. “I’m not used to sitting on the sidelines, and this affects us as much as it does them.”

  “I’m going to try to project to Willow and you at the same time.” Alexis closed her eyes and focused on the colors swirling around behind her eyelids. Red intertwined with blue until she could visualize Willow sitting in her car outside a house in Bethesda.

  “Holy shit,” Hunter mumbled. “Open your eyes.”

  “I can see my sister, and I don’t want to lose her. I’ve never been able to do this before, and it’s kind of cool.”

  He poked at her shoulder. “I can see her too. The only questions are is this happening in real time or are we seeing it slightly in the past?”

  Alexis blinked her eyes open and stared at the wall where a cloudy image of h
er sister appeared. “Willow? Can you hear me?”

  “Yep.” In the vision, her sister waved her hand in the air. “I can also hear your boyfriend breathing heavy.”

  “Good to see you again, Willow,” Hunter projected. “Can you see us?”

  “No. But I sense you staring at me, and that’s creepy. Since when can you both remote view?”

  “We can’t.” Alexis eased onto her bed, leaning against the headboard. She patted the pillow next to her and thankfully Hunter joined her, setting his hand on her thigh. “But I suppose this is like being able to.”

  “Have you gone inside?” Hunter asked.

  “No. I’m waiting to get the all clear from Brett, but so far it looks like a dead end,” Willow said.

  “It’s fading,” Hunter said as the cloudy image evaporated.

  “Willow, when will you be home?” Alexis slid down and turned to her side, draping her arm over his taut stomach.

  “It will be at least an hour,” Willow said. “But I’m going to stop by the Underwood’s.”

  “Why?” Alexis bolted upright. “When is Gabe’s birthday?”

  “I’ve already thought of that, and it matches. I just didn’t want to say anything, yet,” Willow projected.

  “Wait. Are we talking about Gabe Underwood?” Hunter cocked his head.

  “Yes. Why? Do you know him?” Willow asked.

  “I know a guy by that name. He left the military about a year ago and seemed to have disappeared,” Hunter said. “What do you want with him?”

  “I think he’s your other brother,” Willow said.

  “That makes perfect sense.” Alexis could feel her sister’s conflicted energy. Willow had been worried about Gabe since she ran into him about a year ago. She’d said he hadn’t shaved in a few weeks, and he’d been rude.

  Gabe had always been kind to Willow and despite the seven-year age difference, they had developed a special friendship. They often communicated with each other telepathically, but ever since that last encounter, Willow hadn’t mentioned his name once.

  Come to think of it, Willow hadn’t discussed Gabe since her days in the Navy, where she’d run into him a time or two.

  “I was hoping his parents might know where he is. I’ve tried reaching out to him, but I get nothing.”

  “Last I saw him was during a psychic training exercise under Mallard,” Hunter said. “Mallard called him into his office and next thing I knew, he was gone.”

  “I’d like to have a word with Mallard, alone,” Willow said. “Gotta run. Savanah and Chad are pushing their thoughts through, and it makes me crazy to hear that many people at once.”

  “Be safe, sister.”

  “Always.”

  “We need to make sure she doesn’t spend any time alone with Mallard.” Alexis stretched her leg over Hunter, straddling him.

  “I know I wouldn’t mind throwing a punch at the man, but then I remember he’s my biological father.” Hunter gathered her hair in his hand, brushing it to the side. “I don’t want to talk about my brothers, parents, or your sisters anymore. At least not for the next hour or so before Willow gets home.”

  Heat spread from her toes to her head as Hunter flipped her over, spreading his hard body on top of hers. She eased her legs open, gladly taking his weight.

  “I have a confession,” he said, his lips scant centimeters from her mouth.

  “What’s that?”

  “I looked up Ellen’s Facebook page. I needed to know she’d really moved on before I let this go any further.”

  “And what did you find?” She hooked her ankles together behind his ass. A slight tremble flowed through her system.

  “You’re not mad that I did that?”

  She smiled. “Why would I be? I actually think it’s sweet. I take it she’s made it clear she’s with someone else on her page?” She wondered what Hunter would do if he found out she’d done the exact same thing. She’d just wanted to know that Hunter’s heart didn’t belong somewhere else. It didn’t matter that she believed in the Collective Order and their role in it, but what kind of woman would she be if she’d not taken the time to make sure he’d been released?

  “Guy got her a ring the size of Texas. I’m sure she was thrilled with that. I’m looking forward to calling her and telling her she doesn’t have to put off the wedding anymore.”

  “I think we’ve talked enough about her.”

  He fanned her face, running his thumbs across her cheeks. His hot breath moistened her lips. “You’re beautiful.”

  She opened her mouth to respond, but he slipped his tongue inside, swirling it around in a hot, passionate kiss.

  He tasted like pumpkin spice and smelled like a freshly baked pie. His aura coated their bodies with a loving warmth that made her heart beat a little faster. He drizzled kisses down the side of her neck as he worked the buttons on her blouse with the skill of a magician.

  “You’re a little too good at this.” She yanked his shirt from his pants, tugging harshly toward his head.

  “Buttons are easy. Its bra hooks I struggle with.” He raised up, jerking his shirt over his head and tossing it to the floor. “Why don’t you save me the trouble?”

  She scooted to a sitting position, wiggling out of her blouse, enjoying the look on his face as she reached behind her back and let her white, lacy undergarment fall to the floor.

  “Oh my,” he whispered.

  “I take it you like what you see.” She’d never really thought of herself as sexy. Men noticed her, but usually she was the one who had to make the first move, and since she didn’t really want a relationship, she often opted to be alone.

  Now she never wanted Hunter to leave her side.

  He gently pressed his index finger in the center of her chest, gliding it down the space between her breasts. “Breathtakingly gorgeous.”

  Her skin tightened and tingled. “You’re not so bad yourself.” She heaved in a deep breath while he drew circles dangerously close to her nipples. All of her nerve endings sparked a fire deep in the pit of her gut. Her heart thumped like a drum solo.

  She ran her hands down his back, digging her fingers into his rock-hard muscles.

  His lips sizzled against her skin as he dotted her stomach with kisses, slipping his hands into her jeans.

  Gliding her fingers through his soft, blonde hair, she closed her eyes and let the moment take over. In all her fantasies about Hunter, not a single one came even close to being in his arms. The way he tenderly eased her jeans over her hips made her insides shiver with delight. It took all her energy to keep from yanking off his pants and skipping foreplay altogether.

  “How can something this small be considered panties?” He edged his thumb under the fabric.

  She raised up on her elbows and gasped as he tossed the flimsy thong across the room.

  He pushed himself from the bed. His piercing blue eyes cut right to her soul. Heat bristled between her legs as he unfastened his jeans.

  “Let me help you with that,” she managed with a raspy voice.

  A smile slowly spread across his face. He dropped his hands to the side. “That’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

  Licking her lips, she focused on the metal zipper. Her fingers trembled ever-so-slightly. She’d never done this with the light on before. Not that she cared one way or the other, but because it was Hunter, she wanted to see, touch, and taste every inch of his firm body.

  “Alexis,” he said with a low moan. “You don’t have…oh, my God.”

  She cracked a smile, looking up at him as her hands explored with a firm grip.

  He hissed when she darted her tongue between her lips, barely brushing against his soft skin. His fingers dug into her hair, pooling it on the top of her head.

  The air filled with positive energy. It swirled above them like the bright sun in a cloudless sky, heating the earth below. Her body hummed as if it were a purring kitten while his hands gently brushed her hair from her face. He ran his fingers lovingly
through the strands, letting them fall across her shoulders and down her back, only to repeat the motion.

  “Up here,” he said with a low, throaty moan. “Actually, lie down.”

  She pushed back, fluffing the pillow behind her head, letting her knees fall shamelessly to the sides.

  “Are you trying to kill me?” He lifted her foot and pressed his wet lips against her ankle.

  “Just wanted your heart to beat a tad faster.”

  “It’s racing wildly out of control.” He traced his tongue up the side of her calf, across her knee to her inner thigh.

  She bit down on her lip as she tossed her head back. Stars danced about in front of her eyes like a light show. A weightlessness took over her limbs as he gave her pleasure she’d only imagined. His velvet tongue teased her in ways she didn’t know were possible. Her lungs burned. Gripping the sheets, she dug her heels into his back. “Oh God, Hunter,” she managed between ragged breaths. Her muscles quivered. She stiffened, trying desperately not to let go, but it proved impossible as her body demanded release.

  “Alexis.”

  She blinked her eyes open as he situated his body between her legs. Her climax on the verge of exploding, she wiggled beneath him, begging for him to take her. She needed to feel him inside her. Making love to her.

  Becoming one with her.

  And he didn’t disappoint.

  Their bodies rocked in wicked unison. Her vision blurred, and she held him tighter with his face buried in her neck.

  “I’ve been waiting forever for you,” he whispered, nipping at her ear.

  She swallowed a guttural sob as another wave of pleasure washed across her from the tips of her toes through her midriff, to her mind where everything exploded at once. His words echoed in her brain.

  Cupping her face, he slowed his motions. His thumbs ran across the top of her cheekbones. His gaze locked with hers, reaching deep inside her spirit as only true love could do. They fit together like the moon and the stars.

  Her chest heaved up and down. Her lungs burning for oxygen. She sucked in a deep breath.