Soulmate: Feel My Heart Beat Book 1

by Delmire Hart

  “It is interesting seeing them like this,” Ueda admitted slowly, still watching the pair bickering over the food. “I normally see them individually and not together. If they are together, it’s usually in public and they are more restrained. Although I guess after that near miss, it’s not surprising that neither of them want to hold back. Considering the time and money he puts into Daniel’s security force, you can easily tell that he doesn’t want to lose him. It’s just not until you see them interact that you realise the extent of their bond. I’ve never seen Mr Hunt with a smile unless it’s to do with Daniel—he’s always impassive. Gaze as cold and hard as granite. Although I remember Daniel mentioning once that Mr Hunt doesn’t wear his ‘mask’ around him. Seeing them like this…it makes them both seem far more human. More real and far more vulnerable.” He paused, searching for the right words. “It makes me want to protect them even more,” he admitted, turning to look at Anita who smiled softly at him.

  “I’m glad. I understand what you do, how you put your life on the life. I don’t expect you to change. I already lost my heart once but for Will, I would lose it again. Don’t be stupid, there’s no excuse for being slack or taking unnecessary risks but please, please protect them. Will has been through more than most people could even imagine. Ken does not think Will would survive Daniel if anything happened to him and honestly, I’m inclined to agree with him. So, we’ll both have to look after them, okay?”

  “Of course, Synnite is my family too and I’ll protect my family until my last breath.”

  “Good. In the meantime, you get the honour of becoming my midlife crisis.”

  Ueda blinked at her in surprise. “What—?”

  Anita reached over with a lascivious grin and squeezed his left bicep. “Oh yes, I think you’ll do perfectly.”

  Chapter Thirty-two: Release

  Having been in hospital for a full seven days, Daniel was itching to leave. William had wheeled him outside a few times so he could bask in the fresh air and sunshine but honestly Daniel wanted to go home. It didn’t help that Tony had been released into Nakahara’s care yesterday morning, leaving only the three of them in the ward together. Daniel had to admit that sharing the room was so much better than being by himself, though. They had a constant stream of visitors from the security team, both to visit them and to guard the room. He had also met some of Ueda’s and Kareem’s family members, all of whom were surprised to find out who Daniel was. Now he was caught up on all the movies and shows he wanted to watch and had even learnt a few new card games as well.

  But he was ready to go home.

  William sat on a chair beside his bed reading through a few work documents that Ken had dropped in earlier. As much as Daniel appreciated the time he spent with him in the hospital, it was not helping his boredom. It also gave him far too much time to think, and that wasn’t even including the stupid tugging feeling he still hadn’t told William about. He had a feeling if he mentioned it, Ken might be hard pressed to get William to leave the hospital at all. When he had mentioned it in passing in front of the guards, they all had been surprised.

  He had also caught them watching him and William together and smiling as though it was cute, which embarrassed him no end. Not that William seemed to care one bit. Daniel was surprised that William was sitting in the chair right now rather than coming up onto the bed. It had only taken Daniel a few times of wanting him close and inviting him onto the bed for William to take it as a given that each time he came to the hospital he had to cuddle with him. Although considering William’s normal touchy-feely levels, he had to wonder how much was for his sake and how much for William’s own assurance. Not that he would admit to it of course.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Daniel blinked and focused back on William’s concerned face. He must have zoned out in thought and his sore lip told him he had been chewing on it again, like he did when worried.

  “Ah, nothing. I was just thinking…”

  “About?”

  “Stuff.” William raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with his answer. “I’ve just had too much time to think and feel lately. I want to go home.”

  “Feel?”

  Daniel internally winced. He really wasn’t keen on admitting to feeling The Pull to William directly, he was sure he would have trouble gaining his freedom after this event without admitting to missing the damn man.

  “I was just…just thinking about some things Stefan said.” He almost groaned out loud when he realised what he had said. Great, he avoided talking about one topic and instead blurted out something even worse. He quickly kept talking to clarify what he meant. “All he wanted was your attention and in the end, he technically got it. I dunno, it just doesn’t sit well with me. Like, after all that, he got what he was after.”

  “He didn’t,” William replied quietly.

  “But at the end, I don’t think it mattered to him how he got your attention, only that he did. And it worked,” he pointed out. “You went there to deal with him yourself.”

  William remained quiet for a few moments and he seemed to choose his words carefully, his face blanking over. “I was in the same room as him for barely five minutes. He didn’t get what he was after.”

  Daniel reached out and slapped his soulmate’s arm gently. William looked at him in surprise. “Mask.” Was all Daniel said in explanation. There was a small flicker of understanding across his face before he visibly took a breath and forced himself to relax. “I didn’t mean to bring it up and make you uncomfortable, but it’s been bothering me a bit.”

  “It’s fine, it doesn’t affect me at all, I’m far more concerned about you.”

  “The very fact that you immediately put on a mask says differently,” Daniel said with a snort but changed the subject. “I want to go home already, I’m sick of being here.”

  “And when you come home, you will be resting and not able to walk for at least five weeks. It’s not going to be much different to now.”

  Daniel flushed at the way William said home. He had been talking about his home, his apartment but it was clear that William was referring to the penthouse as their home. The very thought made him feel a little fluttery. It was an odd feeling, and he cursed himself for getting all giddy like a school girl.

  “Oh? Why are you blushing, kitten?”

  Daniel groaned at the smug tone of voice and tried to bury himself back into the blankets. The endeavour proved futile due to the cast and brace limiting his movement and he gave up with a huff. William chuckled at his plight and they both settled back to what they were doing before. Which meant Daniel was bored while William worked but thankfully he was saved when his friends bounded in to visit him again. They had already stopped by a few times with candy and games for him.

  “Dan!” Rafael sing-songed as he virtually bounced through the doors. Marcus trailed behind him at a more sedate pace, smiling at the antics of his soulmate. “Oh, hi, William.”

  William nodded in greeting and turned to Daniel, “I have to make a few calls for work and this is as good a time as any. I’ll leave you to it.” He put away the papers into his briefcase and strode out of the room with his phone in hand, nodding to Marcus on the way past. Rafael sat in the newly vacated chair and practically vibrated in his seat.

  “I got a date with the cute barista!” Rafael blurted out at almost a shout.

  “Oh, that’s awesome!” Daniel grinned at his friend while Marcus took a seat and shushed Rafael.

  “Not so loud, this is a hospital, remember?”

  “Sorry, sorry.” Rafael ducked his head but still bounced in place. “He’s really cute and seems nice and I’m so nervous and excited and oh my god what do I do?!”

  Daniel laughed. It was nice to see his friend so happy and excited. Rafael had a string of short, failed relationships so he hoped this time might be better. “You’ll be fine. What’s the plan?”

  “We’re going out for coffee at a different place, not the place he works at, and w
e’ll get food and chat. We’re going next weekend but I’m so nervous now, how am I going to cope as it gets closer and closer?!”

  “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this,” Marcus mused, “Usually you aren’t so affected. It’s good, though. I should have said something sooner so you could have figured it out earlier but I honestly thought you knew.”

  Rafael huffed. “I told you, I never thought about it. I assumed I should be dating girls. But guys are okay too. I mean, he’s super cute and all.” He flushed a little at the knowing grins being thrown his way.

  They teased Rafael and chatted for a while. It was nice having his friends around to visit, they helped liven up the atmosphere and Daniel spent the whole time smiling and laughing. Especially when Marcus handed over a large pack of chocolate for him. He really had the best friends. The only brief interruption was when Anita bustled in with lunch boxes for the three of them. She was only doing a fly-by visit this time purely for lunch and Ken would gather the containers to return to her later. She had been stopping in with handmade lunch for all of them ever since the first day. Daniel was sure she just wanted to make sure Ueda was eating right and was well looked after while he was injured. Anita included them because it was just as easy to make three as it was to make one. He was not complaining, however; the food was delicious and far better than any hospital fare.

  He was even more excited when the doctor came in a little later to inform him that provided his last set of tests came back good and nothing else happened during that night’s observation, he would be released in the morning. He was looking forward to getting back on his feet again, hopefully quite literally.

  ***

  Daniel was ecstatic to be back at the penthouse. William would still be around a lot, choosing to spend more time working from home for a few weeks and his security team would be around more to help out physically as well. He was still stuck being wheelchaired around for the next few weeks but at least he wasn’t stuck in a hospital bed. William was wheeling him past the spare room when he noticed something familiar through the door from the corner of his eye.

  “Wait. Hold up, what’s in that room now?” William stopped in place but didn’t respond. Daniel craned his head around to stare up at his soulmate only to be met with a blank face. Highly suspicious. “William, what’s in that room?” Still no answer. “Wheel me back.”

  The man seemed to weigh up his options before reluctantly pulling him back so they were beside the door after he asked a second time. Daniel reached out to push the door open fully.

  Inside was filled with boxes but also a few things he recognised from his apartment.

  “Did you…did you move me in? William, I never agreed to move in with you yet!”

  The man in question was staring back at him with a stubborn glint in his eye. “And just when do you think you will be able to get back there? You can’t walk unassisted for at least another five weeks and after that it will be months of physical therapy before you’re back to normal. No high impact exercise for at least three months and that’s only if you heal quickly and do the strengthening exercises like you’re supposed to,” he reminded him. “So you’re without work for at least two months. How do you expect to pay your bills? You’ll also need help with cooking and cleaning. There’s no point keeping your apartment.”

  “That’s not the point!” Daniel exploded. “You asked but I never said yes. You’re not supposed to do things like this on your own just because you decided to. I’m not going to be kept, dammit.”

  “I’m not saying you are,” William gritted out and Daniel felt tears threatening as the impassive mask slipped back in place. He reached around awkwardly with his right arm and grabbed a section of his shirt in his fist.

  “Tell me the real reason!”

  “I am.”

  “No, you’re not!” Daniel held back his tears, there was no reason to cry over this dammit. But still, the mask hurt him every time he saw it. He thought they were moving past this. Looks like it would to take longer for William to open up than he had hoped. “Tell me why.”

  “You’re safer here.”

  A trace of fear flashed across William’s face as he spoke the words. It was gone as quickly as it came but the lingering vulnerability stayed behind. It felt like a douse of cold water washed over him. He never gave much thought to how this event would have affected William. His capture and the events at the stakeout gone wrong were like the events in which Amelia and Trey died. No wonder the man had been so clingy the last week. Daniel felt awful. He had been so wrapped up in his own healing and boredom at the hospital that he didn’t even consider what William was feeling after all that. He felt like such a kid, only thinking of himself. His thoughts must have shown on his face as his soulmate reached out to brush his thumb across his cheek. He was crying, he realised after a moment.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take you back to those times. Just when you’re starting to heal too.”

  “Daniel, look at me.” A gentle hand lifted his chin until he was blearily looking into soft golden eyes. “It’s not your fault and the bastard who did this is dead. It’s okay, there’s nothing to cry over.”

  He gave William a watery smile. “If I don’t cry over you, who will?”

  “You only need to focus on you until you are all better. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

  Daniel snorted in derision. “Like how you were fine before me and never talking about it? Hell no. You’re never allowed to shut me out again, you hear me? I’m still pissed off at you for moving me without asking but if you had told me what you wanted to do and why, I would have said yes.” William actually blinked in surprise. “Give me some credit. Although in terms of safety, you should give that security team you pay for more credit, I’m sure they make my apartment, well my old apartment now, just as safe as here.”

  “No. It’s nowhere near as safe as here. But this way you can be safe, have everything you need, and we can see each other more.”

  “Yeah, yeah. It’s too late for me to win this argument, my apartment probably already has another tenant,” he said pointedly. “But don’t think I’ll let you get away with something like this in future.” He brandished his finger threateningly at the man, who chuckled in response. William took hold of the wheelchair again and wheeled him through to the master bedroom, picking him up from the chair then depositing him on the bed.

  “Now, I was thinking my kitten might be feeling a little attention starved.”

  “Really? You’ve been forcibly cuddling with me all week.” Daniel’s tone was dry as he shuffled around to a more comfortable position. William crawled onto the bed and sat beside him.

  “That’s not what I had in mind.”

  “What-?” A large hand reached out and caressed his clothed groin before carefully wiggling his loose trouser pants down to the tops of his thighs. “Oh, that’s not necess…ary...oooh.” He trailed off into a moan as his briefs were moved down to give William access to his cock. The man palmed him, stroking gently and Daniel rapidly hardened under the attentions.

  “You don’t need to do anything, just let me take care of you.”

  Daniel couldn’t form the retort he wanted as he was lost in the feeling embarrassingly quickly. He supposed it had been over a week now, which was starting to be a long time for them. William really was turning him into a pervert. The man leaned over, the angle looking awkward considering he had to avoid putting any strain on Daniel’s leg, and took his length into his mouth. The warm, wet heat and skilful movements were enough to take him over the edge far too soon. He would have been embarrassed by it had William not seemed inordinately pleased with himself. He sat back licking his lips, looking a cat with cream. Daniel lay panting for a few minutes while William started carefully unbuckling the leg brace.

  “I’ll run you a bath and you can soak for a while, it might help ease the discomfort of having been lying down for so long.”

  “Oh, but what a
bout you?”

  William looked at him askance and he dropped his gaze down to the not inconsiderable bulge in his slacks. “You’re injured,” William pointed out. “The last thing I want to do it hurt you and with our size difference, reciprocation will be nothing short of awkward. I’ll take care of it myself later.”

  “You could sit on my face,” Daniel blurted out before he realised what he said. William’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline and he felt his face burn in embarrassment almost at once. “Or not. I mean, if you don’t want to.”

  “Oh no, since you offered such an intriguing solution, I would love to take you up on the offer.” The older man’s face settled into a very familiar smirk. “But who’s the pervert now, hmm, kitten?”

  Daniel groaned and covered his face with his good arm. His face was still getting redder, he could feel the burning heat intensifying. “It’s your fault. You made me like this.”

  William laughed at that. “Oh no, I merely brought out your inner desires. But I don’t see why you are getting so embarrassed over this. This is no worse than anything else we have done and you were the one to suggest it. I’m not about to laugh at you for your fantasies. I honestly doubt there is anything you would suggest that I wouldn’t do. We are quite matched in that regard.”

  Daniel removed his arm and stared at William suspiciously. The man only met his gaze, still with the smirk in place. “What about if I wanted to call you daddy or asked you to cross-dress for me?”

  “You could call me daddy if you want.” William gave him a lascivious smirk and Daniel pulled a face earning himself a laugh. “No? I wouldn’t mind.”

  “That’s not my thing. But what about something like cross-dressing? I really can’t see you agreeing to that.”