Soul Keeper

by Natalie Dae

Carrie lowered herself into the field. Hand on hips, she sucked in her tummy and pushed out her chest. “You coming in?”

  Rob hung the coat over his arm again, his mouth working to speak but no sound coming out. The streetlight at the far end of the narrow path cocooned him, lent his flushed cheeks a peach tinge. He blinked, eyes wide, and lifted one foot to the gate.

  He shook his head. “You are crazy. What have I got myself into?” He smiled and climbed over the gate, dropping to the other side. Coat held out once more, he coaxed, “Come on, sweetheart. Put this back on. Please. I don’t want you getting cold.”

  Carrie bent down to remove her shoes and sidestepped away from the gate.

  “Love,” he said, “there’s probably cow shit in here. And you’ve got bare feet!”

  An unstoppable giggle burst from her mouth, and she turned from him to run along the tree line. His sigh of defeat chased her on the breeze, and soon his footsteps followed. She swung around and ran in reverse, toes digging into the wet, mulch-ridden ground. Out of breath from the exhilaration flying through her, she slowed to a stop beside a huge oak. Its branches stretched over her, the leafless limbs useless in protecting them should it rain. Backing up, she rested her ass and shoulders against it, the bark damp on her skin, its mossy aroma sharp in her nose. She dropped her shoes.

  Rob caught up and stood a few feet in front of her, coat clutched in his fists. Carrie widened her legs, nestling her feet beside roots that jutted from the ground. The cold air a balm on her hot skin, she brought one hand to rest on her stomach, the other to her lips. She sucked her index finger then pulled it out, licking its length with deliberate slowness.

  “God, Carrie. Stop!” Rob peered through the trees to the main road. A car sailed by. “Someone will see us.”

  “No they won’t.” She stared at him, lowering her finger to one breast, circling the skin through the satin bra. She slid her other hand toward her crotch and cupped it, pressing the heel against her clit. “Come here.”

  He looked from her to the coat and held it up, glancing around for a place to put it.

  “Sling it on the ground and come and fuck me.”

  His head whipped back so he faced her and, too far gone to laugh, Carrie rocked her hand over her clit. With her other, she smoothed over her cleavage and slipped her fingers inside her bra, releasing her breast. Her nipple sprang up, the frosty air and desire licking it into rigidity. She pinched it between finger and thumb, rolled and pulled it. A sharp gasp left her, and Rob’s resigned groan dissipated into the night. Dropping the coat, he moved to stand directly before her, bracing his hands on the trunk either side of her head.

  Carrie stared up at him, still fondling, willing him out of his shyness. His breaths came out as stuttered pants, and he gazed back, eyes showing his amazement at her reckless behavior.

  “Touch me,” she whispered, letting go of her nipple and reaching up to clasp his wrist.

  She brought his hand down over her exposed breast and covered it with her own, their gazes still locked. Gently, she guided his fingers to her nipple and brushed them over it. His pained moan delighted her, and she jutted her hips up to meet his pelvis. While rubbing herself through the thong, Carrie bumped her knuckles against his hard cock.

  He leaned forward, still staring into her eyes, and pressed a light kiss to her lips. Bolder now, he thumbed her breast and took his other hand off the tree and nudged her hand away from her cunt. The touch of his fingers there gave her a jolt, and she rested her head back, closing her eyes.

  Warm lips peppered a line of kisses up her neck to her ear. Gentle fingers shifted her thong aside and stroked her.

  “You’re so beautiful,” Rob whispered. “So very beautiful.” His tongue traced her earlobe before he kissed her jawline, her neck, her collarbone. Lowering his head to her cleavage, he licked her swells, lightly pinching her nipple.

  She was so ready for him. Carrie pulled down his zipper and freed his cock, glancing down between them for her first sight of it. The closeness of their bodies prevented a clear image, not to mention them being in the darkness, so she took it into her hand. The length fitted in her palm perfectly. The soft skin, the rush of finally touching him, brought on a gasp of wonder, but Rob’s lips on hers staunched it. Her raging desire changed to a yearning for tenderness as he explored her mouth, her nipple, her cunt. She moved her hand up and down his cock, thumbing the tip on the upstroke. Pre-cum drizzled, and she marveled at her effect on him, of him on her.

  He tweaked her harder and slid his fingers up to her clit. Circling it, he kissed her more insistently, a desire-filled groan rumbling in his throat. Carrie lifted her hips and upped her pace on his cock, clutching his ass with her other hand.

  Rob pulled his mouth from hers, brushing his lips against her cheek.

  “I want you to come,” he said.

  His words must have been so difficult to say, owing to his shyness, and endeared him to her more. He applied pressure to her clit and rubbed quickly, dipping his head and taking her nipple into his mouth, clasping her waist with his free hand. His tongue flicked the tip, and she watched him tending to her needs. The sight brought her close to the edge, and she gripped his ass tighter, jerked his cock faster.

  Her orgasm began as a slow burn, spiraling from her clit to her core where it grew in intensity. He worked his fingers faster and sucked her, rearing his head a little. A sharp stab of pleasure-pain zipped from her breast to her clit, and she bucked her hips, wanting more friction, more pressure. He took her lead and grazed his teeth over her bud, capturing it between them and flicking his tongue over it. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

  Carrie matched his rhythm on her wet clit to hers on his cock, and he jerked his pelvis into her, his mouth pulling on her nipple so deliciously she let out a hoarse cry. Her orgasm ebbed and retreated, and she worked him faster, bringing on a stronger need to chase her orgasm and drown in it at its height.

  It hit, a wave of bliss so strong her knees gave way a little and her back scraped against the tree. She reveled in the pain and bit her lower lip, arching her back.

  Rob dug his fingers into her waist and rested his lips on hers, whispering, “Come. Let it go.”

  She moaned, riding on the crest, jerking her hand to send him further toward his release. He pressed his cheek to hers, and as she cried out, he lightly bit her shoulder, his breathy “Ah!” hot on her skin.

  His cock throbbed, and he slid his fingers inside her, thumb flicking over her clit.

  “Ah, fuck! I’m coming. Coming…” he said.

  Carrie moaned, his voice, what he’d said, echoing in her mind. Hot cum shot onto her stomach followed by another, less forceful spurt. Rob’s ragged exhalations warmed her shoulder, and she slowed her hand, milking the last from him, showing him she needed him to slow his hand too, the nerves in her clit sensitive, buzzing.

  As though in tune with her, Rob did as she’d silently asked and kissed her neck, her cheek, her nose tip. Resting his forehead on hers, he stared into her eyes, their shuddering breaths mixing as off-white clouds.

  “God, I love you,” he whispered. “Love you so much. Thank you.”

  “For what?” she asked, tears stinging.

  “For being you. For everything.”

  Chapter Two

  The Tub

  Rob swiped the hotel keycard then opened the door. Carrie stood in the hallway outside the room, barefoot on the burgundy-patterned carpet, her feet dirty with mud. Shoes in hand, she looked at Rob, who flicked on the light then held up his arm for her to enter first. His chivalry didn’t surprise her—it had shone through in his emails and his actions since they’d met.

  She stepped inside, Rob close behind her, and the click of the door closing prompted her stomach to turn over. A king-size bed dominated the room and her mind, and she imagined them on it, locked in an embrace. Her cunt clenched and heat rose to her cheeks. After so long waiting for their meeting, the anticipation of this day, she wanted him more than she’d w
anted anyone. A silent connection existed between them, as though an invisible string had bound them together since birth, growing shorter as destiny pushed them together. Now the string was only a meter long, and their time spent in this room would obliterate it forever as their souls fused into one.

  Carrie blushed further at her poetic musings. Did real love do that to a person? Did it give one a new perspective, a new leaning toward the romantic? She hadn’t felt like this with her ex-husband or with any man before him. God, she had missed out on so much.

  Rob’s hand on her back brought her out of her reverie, and she smiled up at him. He pulled her into his arms, their strength solid on her back, and she sighed against his chest. His scent wafted up, and she breathed it in, so content. Would she remember that smell when they parted? Could she conjure it up during the days between now and their next meeting if she closed her eyes to recall the curve of his chin, the feel of his lips? Tears spilled, and she cursed herself for thinking too far ahead.

  Enjoy the moment. Don’t look forward. Not yet.

  “Hey,” Rob said, lifting her chin with his finger. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, feeling wretched that she had tainted their precious time, given him cause for concern. “It’s nothing. I’m just being silly, that’s all.”

  “Tell me,” he said, kissing her tears away. “We promised—no secrets.”

  Carrie sighed and her lower lip trembled. “I stupidly thought about tomorrow.”

  “Don’t,” Rob whispered. “It’s too painful. Just…just pretend for a while that this is forever, hmm? And it will be one day, when I sell up.” He tilted his head. “If you still want me, that is.”

  She widened her eyes and playfully slapped his chest. “I don’t have to answer that. You know the answer.”

  His chuckle warmed her to her toes, and he unbuttoned her coat then took it off before moving from her to hang it on the back of the door. With her body exposed to him under harsh lighting, she covered her belly with her arms, suddenly worried he wouldn’t find her attractive. Her self-confidence of earlier had decided to vanish on her.

  He walked back to her then held her wrists. “Don’t ever hide yourself from me. You’re beautiful. Believe it.”

  A lump expanded in her throat. “You’re so special.”

  He clasped the back of her head and pressed her cheek to his chest, kissing her hair, twining his fingers in it. His other hand rested warm between her shoulder blades, thumb brushing her skin. “Would you like me to run you a bath?”

  My God, this man is so…wonderful.

  She nodded, unable to speak, and he guided her to the bed then gently pushed her down to sit.

  “Wait here,” he said. “I won’t be long.”

  Rob turned and walked away, and she eyed the sway of his hips, the straight set of his shoulders. He disappeared through a door opposite, and it seemed as if the warmth left the room with him. Chilled, Carrie rubbed her arms and stood, feeling silly for following him but powerless to stop herself. She peeked around the door.

  Rob was bending over the double-size tub swirling the water. He stood upright and took a small bottle of rose-colored liquid from the bath edge. He pulled out the small cork stopper then poured the contents into the gush of water coming from the tap. She stepped fully into the room, and he glanced over his shoulder, a smile making the skin beside his eyes crinkle.

  “Hello, you,” he said, placing the bottle back down.

  Carrie hugged him from behind, smoothing her hands up and down his chest. He hung his head back a little, and she rose onto her tiptoes and pressed her cheek to his, the wonderful smell of him strong in the steam-filled room.

  He turned, slid his fingers into her hair and kissed her nose. “I love your hair.”

  Everything he said turned her on—the timbre of his voice, the lilt of his accent—and she clamped her thighs together. Her cunt ached, and she remembered the feel of his fingers there, wanting them there again. He trailed his hands up her back to unclasp her bra then drew the straps over her shoulders and down her arms. After dropping it to the floor, he cupped her breasts, weighing them, fingers splayed around the outer swells. Her nipples perked, and he caressed them with his thumbs, his gaze fixed on her face. With what seemed like reluctance, he set her free to shut off the water, dipping his hand into the tub to test the heat. He turned back to her and ran his wet fingers down her chest then over her nipple. Moving lower, he skated her belly, his hand coming to rest on her hip. Deft fingers slid beneath her thong waistband and drew it down, Rob descending to his knees. She lifted one dirty foot then the other, Rob removing her knickers and tossing them over by the door.

  He looked up at her, and her heart swelled with such tenderness and longing she wondered how she’d ever lived without him. Smooth, strong hands glided up her calves, fingertips swirling over the backs of her knees then rising up her thighs to her buttocks. He softly massaged them with circular motions, skimming her ass cleft. When his fingertips brushed lower, grazing between her legs, she gasped.

  Rob broke their gaze and dipped his head. His breath fanned her cunt, and she parted her legs a little more, wanting to thrust herself against his mouth, yet at the same time loving the slow and deliberate way he administered to her. He parted her cunt with his tongue, and her legs juddered at the contact. Hands still caressing her ass, he flattened his tongue and swept it from bottom to top, putting pressure on her clit. Then he guided it down, and she clutched his head so she didn’t fall backward in pure bliss. His tongue entered her, and a shock of pleasure zipped into her, pooling at the top of her slit then spreading to the pit of her stomach.

  He drew his tongue upward again to flick it back and forth across her clit. Her hips bucked, and she moved her hands from his hair onto his shoulders.

  Clit throbbing, she whispered, “Stop. Not yet. Please.”

  He raised his head and looked up at her, his eyes questioning.

  “Come here,” she said and tilted her head.

  He stood, running his hands up her back, and Carrie palmed his face with one hand and fondled his cock through his trousers with the other. Rob kissed her, and she tasted herself—salty yet sweet. Drawing her hands up between them, she loosened his tie and pulled it free of his collar. She dropped it to the floor and kissed him deeper as he kneaded her shoulders then moved his hands down over her breasts. The thrill of his touch spurred her to slide her fingers beneath the fabric of his shirt to explore his chest. Coarse hairs tickled her, and she pushed her fingers through them. Excitement warmed her body, and a hot flush bloomed on her face. A needy whimper dissolved in her throat, and she wrenched her mouth from his to lower her lips to his chest.

  She sought out his nipple, shifting her hands down his sides then to his zipper. Licking the small, tight bud, she grazed her teeth over it. Rob groaned and wound her hair around his fingers. Carrie drew down his zipper and freed his cock, fisting it with smooth, even strokes. She raised her head and kissed along his jaw, remembering he’d once told her that if she ever sucked his earlobe, he’d be undone. With a smile she drew it into her mouth and dashed out her tongue, clasping the back of his head to keep him there.

  “Oh, fuck!” he whispered, gripping her hair tighter. “Don’t! Don’t…”

  Licking down his neck then along his collarbone, Carrie gained new speed and a faster rhythm on his cock. Rob pulled her hair, and she smiled, wondering how much courage it had taken for him to do that, pleased that he had granted one of her email requests even though he was shy and would have found it difficult. She released his cock and rested her hands on his chest, pushed lightly and stepped back. He dropped his hands from her hair to his sides, cock jutting proudly from his fly. Would he move them to cover it? Though his hands twitched, he didn’t hide himself, and to erase the awkwardness she sensed he felt, she took his hand in hers.

  She dipped one toe in the sudsy water, and he helped her into the tub, keeping hold of her hand until she’d lowered her body. The sce
nt of the bubble bath wafted around her, a soothing, calming aroma.

  Sliding her head beneath the water, she soaked her hair, then rose again and turned to Rob. “Undress for me?”

  A blush crept onto his cheeks, and he lifted his hands up only to drop them down again, shielding his cock. “I-I, uh… Sweetheart, I—”

  “Please? It’s only me here. Us.”

  His expression softened, and he shrugged out of his jacket and shirt, letting them fall to the floor. Black hairs covered his chest and stomach, growing further downward still, she imagined, until they merged with the tuft surrounding his cock. He undid his trouser button then eased them and his black boxers down his legs. He toed off his shoes. Slipped his socks off as he removed his pants, balanced first on one foot and then the other. Rob stood upright, and she took in the sight of him, a small smile playing about her lips that she’d been right about those hairs.

  His cock jerked as he studied her too, his gaze sliding from her face down to her breasts then across to one knee that poked out of the water. Bubbles hid the rest of her from view, yet nothing obscured him from hers. His physique screamed of someone who took care of his body. Toned stomach muscles lurked beneath those hairs, and she ached to touch them. Instead, she slid her hands between her legs, holding herself open with two fingers.

  Rob released a jagged breath and clenched his fists. His thigh muscles bunched as he scrunched his toes, and his balls lifted then relaxed. She ran her tongue over her lips, imagining them as his sac.

  “Ahh,” she breathed, wanting him inside her. Wanting to fuck him so hard his head spun. Deliberately making her hand break the water’s surface as she played, Carrie said, “Touch yourself?”

  Hesitant, Rob moved his hand to his cock.

  “That’s it. Show me how you like it.”

  His gaze on her face, he began a slow rhythm, languid strokes that fascinated her. His cock hardened further, the purple-hued head thick and wide. She recalled the feel of it in her hand, how it had burgeoned beneath her touch, and she sped up her movements on her clit. The water splashed, and she raised her pelvis, splaying her toes against the bottom of the bath. He flicked his attention to her hands and sucked in a breath, working his cock faster, harder. He bent his knees and thrust out his hips, his other hand braced on his thigh, fingers spread out.