Entwined Souls (Soul Sister Book 1)

by C. M. Youngren

  Walking back into the backyard, I found Embry. I was so thankful for my mom who’d been watching her and even though she was shaken up, she’d done well. Seeing her Auntie Summer like that was hard for her, but kids bounced back better than us adults most of the time.

  We put on our smiles, danced, got to talk to all our guests, eat more, and did what we could to enjoy the remainder of the party. As things began to wind down and all the guests started leaving, my parents had made new arrangements for Embry to stay with them and my little angel was excited at the thought of a sleepover with her grandparents. Once the last of the guests had left I sunk down onto the couch, my pretty white dress bunched up around me and sighed.

  Alley had called and said Summer was doing okay. They’d checked her out, there were no injuries when she fell, and since she had her medication, they were releasing her with orders to follow up with her doctor. Us girls would make sure that happened. They were headed home to rest and Gyth was going with them. I didn’t know what was going on there or why he was going to the house, but I was grateful for the extra person to watch over Summer for a while.

  And while I was still very worried about Summer, it was time to show my husband how much I adored being his wife. Brax had been sitting next to me just letting me decompress. Turning, I looked into those amazing eyes that saw so much.

  “You okay baby?” he asked me.

  “I will be if you take me to bed, “I told him.

  He stared at me for a moment and then asked, “You sure?” God, I loved how this man cared about me. He’d known I was thinking about Summer and would put his special time on hold if that’s what I needed.

  “Never been more sure in my life. Take me to bed, Mr. Hart. It’s time you had your wicked way with your wife and sealed the deal,” I said, teasingly.

  And that’s all it took before I was thrown over his shoulder, my head down the backside of him, taking in his gloriously fine ass—again.

  Damn, the view was fabulous.

  Braxton

  Making love with Jurnee for the first time as my wife was the greatest feeling of all time.

  I’d carried my woman up the stairs to our bedroom and slowly placed her down on the ground, her body sliding against mine all the way until her feet hit the hardwood floor. While it had felt good, my girl had way too many clothes on, and I hadn’t liked the barrier between us.

  “Dimples, I need you out of this dress like yesterday,” I told her.

  “Ooh, are you going to show me—” she started but didn’t get to finish when I sealed my mouth against hers, thrusting my tongue inside and taking what I desperately needed. I had a feeling I knew what she was gonna say and I wasn’t letting her. Or I should say I’d tried not to let her. My girl was resourceful when she’d wanted things her way.

  She nipped at my bottom lip, just as her hand slid between us where we still stood just inside our bedroom door. Grabbing hold of my cock through my slacks, she squeezed. It was enough to have me pulling my mouth from hers to say something, but she beat me to it.

  “Love Muscle,” she blurted quickly before I could stop her.

  “You just couldn’t not say it, could you?”

  “Nope, because it’s funny as hell that Alley came up with it, and since you know she writes smutty sex scenes in her books, you freak out,” she said, laughter bursting from her.

  It had been an awesome day, and then Summer’s seizure had happened and it undoubtedly worried Jurnee. She loved Summer and so the rest of the reception was a little strained. So if teasing me brought that smile and laughter to her now, I would probably let her say it over and over.

  “How about I get you out of this dress and we work all the muscles in our bodies as we make love as husband and wife?”

  Her eyes flared with passion and desire.

  “Good idea,” she said, turning her back to me. “Now unbutton me and hurry.”

  Demanding—that’s what my girl was. I didn’t mind one bit because her bossy way in the bedroom turned me on. After the last button had been undone, she turned back to face me. I held my breath waiting.

  Relieving her of her dress was like the best unveiling ever. The silky material caressed her skin intimately and seductively as it slid down her body until she was standing with her gown pooled at her feet and stood before me in just in her white lace panties and a strapless bra.

  It was a vision of beauty.

  Aroused beyond control, I rapidly discarded my clothes. Finesse be damned, I just needed inside my wife. “Baby, this one may be fast, but I promise to go slow on round two.”

  “Just how many rounds will there be?” she asked, suggestively.

  “A lifetime of them.” It was the truth. She was mine and I was never letting her go.

  I closed the small space between us and removed her undergarments, tossing those across the room. Brushing her hair behind her shoulder, I placed my hand on the side of her face, my thumb brushing across her tender lips. “Open for me, sweetheart,” I said as I swooped in and my lips punished and devoured hers.

  As my tongue played with hers, I picked her up so her legs were wrapped around my waist and carried her across the room where I’d deposited her sexy, bare ass on my mirrored dresser. Not taking my lips from hers, one hand came down reaching for my cock and I fitted it at her entrance. Pulling back from her delicious mouth, I looked into her beautiful brown eyes, and in one thrust, I sunk in deep.

  “You were made for me, Jurnee.” As I said these words, I began to pound into her, and we became two wild souls who couldn’t get enough of one another. I would never get enough. As we rocked together, I looked into the mirror behind her. The visual of our bodies coming together and her gorgeous back, with her hair laying against her soft skin, was hotter than hell.

  “Braxton!” she screamed, her head thrown back, hands tightening on my shoulder, as her release exploded around my shaft warming me and sending my own orgasm skyrocketing. Her head then landed against my chest, as her breathing started to slow. I stroked her hair tenderly as I got my bearings. What this woman did to me was insane.

  “Hey, sweetheart, let me take you to the bed.” I didn’t wait forever for a response, just picked her up once again and moved toward it, laying her down softly and then following her down.

  “I love you, Brax, you make me so happy. But don’t think I forgot you need discipline for that remark on your vows and the cake in my face. I just got to regain my energy first,” she told me.

  “Damn, you're cute when you’re sassy. Bring it on, baby, “I said with a wink.

  It wasn’t long before our rest was over and round two took place. That one was slow, tender, and every part of our bodies was explored with no part left untouched. After, we laid in each other’s arms completely content.

  “Dimples, every minute that goes by I love you more and more. The four of us are going to be so happy together, and I will cherish my family always. Thank you for choosing me to spend the rest of your life with,” I said with so much emotion it clogged my throat.

  Then, I leaned down with my mouth almost pressed on my wife’s belly and whispered what I hoped our miracle would hear.

  “Hey, little one. Your momma is going to be the best mom around and you're going to have the greatest big sister too. We love you, baby Hart, and can’t wait for you to be here with us.” God, I was a blessed man with Jurnee by my side, Embry becoming ours, and a new baby on the way.

  Lifting back up toward Jurnee, I saw she had streams of tears running down both cheeks, but there was a smile on her face. I kissed her lips and said, “You make me the best man I could ever be. I love you, Dimples.”

  “Our family will be the luckiest because we have you Brax. You're my everything and I love you with all my heart, and our children will be blessed because they will have you as their father.”

  As we laid together, our bodies entwined with one another, my heart pounded, beating tenderly for this beautiful woman beside me. My wife, my soulmate, my b
est friend, and the love of my life.

  Epilogue

  Jurnee

  Christmas was all around us.

  Our first Christmas.

  The tree twinkled with glowing lights and the smell of the Noble Fir’s sharp, sweet, and refreshing scent flowed through the room. Colorful bows and wrapping paper were placed on piles of gifts that lay nestled under the bottom branches of the tree, while homemade popcorn strands, ornaments, and an angel topper were lovingly placed on it with care.

  Holiday decorations were all around the house, a fire burned in the fireplace where stockings hung from the mantle waiting for Santa the next morning. With the smell of food baking in the kitchen and the sounds of Christmas music filtering through the house, my husband, little girl, and me danced around laughing as we waited for all our friends and family to show up.

  Everyone had agreed to do Christmas Eve at our place, and I couldn’t wait to share the evening with each and every one of them. Embry was so excited and had never had a Christmas like this one. Brax and I were so happy to give that to her, along with her incredibly special gift.

  Almost four months of married bliss had passed, and every day got better with my husband, daughter, and our unborn child taking up residence in my rapidly growing stomach. It was crazy to think I got pregnant the first time Braxton and I’d been together, and now a baby was just a few months away. We had some special news for everyone coming this evening.

  I smiled as Braxton twirled Embry in circles as she admired her beautiful red Christmas dress, with the big white bow. My girl loved her party dresses. They’d be her pajamas if we’d let her use them as such. She was thriving at our house, still loved going to the center with me, and learning at home where I taught her was working out well.

  As the song ended Brax came over to me and pointed above my head where I stood. “You’re standing here on purpose just to keep getting all my kisses, aren’t you, Dimples?”

  “You are so full of yourself, Mr. Hart, but it is a tradition. So lay one on me,” I told him as I raised my mouth to his. Warmth hit my lips, his scent surrounded me, and I couldn’t get enough of his taste as he kissed me tenderly.

  Embry ran up and wrapped her tiny arms around our legs as far as they would reach, laughing at us and begging for her own attention. Breaking free of one another, Brax swung her up into his arms and we all hugged, loving the sweet moment. Then, the doorbell chimed, and Embry forgot all about us. Clapping and squealing with glee, she squirmed to get down and go greet the new arrivals.

  Little by little, all our guests started to arrive, and the house was hopping with people, filled with laughter, and love flowed freely all around us. Once everyone was there we sat down to dinner. Thankfully, we had an exceptionally large, gorgeous wood table for everyone to sit at.

  My parents, Summer, Alley, Gyth, Kace, Landon, and Gemma were all there. A few other friends that Braxton knew from high school and people from my work were stopping by later to say hi. We were truly blessed with our circle of people.

  As dinner wound down, Embry asked if it was time for presents once again and everyone chuckled. She had just turned five at the beginning of December and what kid at that age could wait for that part of Christmas? Especially when she hadn’t had one like this before. Not just the gifts, but family, fun, and the full experience.

  I remember exactly where I was at five, being left all alone and abandoned, but now I had everything I wanted, and I could give that to my angel now too. It was fitting that at this time in her life, she would get the gift that would always mean the most. I couldn’t wait to see her face when she got the news.

  We’d all gathered in the living room around the tree. Kace of course had to play Santa and hand out all the packages, being his usual silly self. Embry’s pile of gifts were bigger than she was, and her eyes were huge with excitement taking it all in. Once the packages were distributed, the opening began. My child tore through paper faster than the speed of sound, with such enthusiasm and pure joy. She ran around hugging and thanking everyone for her gifts not missing a beat during the process.

  The adults decided to give Embry presents, but for ourselves we drew names. Those were exchanged and opened and now we were down to just a few special ones. Braxton walked over and grabbed a pile of boxes and handed one small box out to everyone in the room. All eyes were curious as to what was going on, and why they all had another gift.

  Braxton did the talking.

  “Jurnee and I have something we want to tell you, and to give you each a special gift from us. You have been there for us through so much, supported us without hesitation, and all of you are a special part of our lives.” As he finished, he let them know to open the boxes together at the same time.

  As the lid to the boxes were pulled off, everyone cheered. Placed on the top were little chocolate candy bars, with personalized wrappers, that said, ‘It’s a boy!’ We had known for a while but decided to wait to tell everyone until tonight. Under the candy was a t-shirt for everyone. They were all a little different and we had them specially made. There were uncle shirts, auntie ones, grandma and grandpa and then Embry’s that said, ‘Best Big Sister Ever’.

  Congratulations and hugs were coming at us left and right. Then Embry spoke up, “Why is everyone so happy?” I had been standing as we watched everyone open their gift, but I sat back down, so I could get eye-level with my angel.

  “Honey, this shirt says, ‘Best Big Sister Ever’, and your little blue candies inside say, ‘It’s a boy’. You're going to have a baby brother, sweetie.”

  “A brother, really? Yay, we can play together all the time, but he just can’t get my dress dirty!” That got another laugh out of everyone.

  “Right, no getting your dress dirty, Angel.” As everyone talked, I pulled her on my lap and spoke once again. “We have one more gift. This one is for Embry.” Braxton grabbed an envelope and came to sit down beside us girls.

  Everyone had sat back down and were waiting patiently for one of us to talk. This time I did the honors. With tears already in my eyes, and my throat right with emotion, I began. “Hey, Angel, Braxton and I wanted to give you this.” Brax handed the paper envelope to her and helped her open it. As she pulled it out, I kept talking.” This paper…” I had to pause. I was so overcome with happiness I could barely speak. “It says that you, Embry Marie Hart, are officially our daughter and that you get to stay here forever and always.”

  Little sounds of joy could be heard around the room, but I didn’t look away from the little girl in my lap. When she seemed to be thinking and not saying anything, I’d looked over at Braxton with a worried look. So he asked her if she had understood what that meant and if that’s what she wanted.

  We had talked about this before finishing all the paperwork. Since the state was already in the process of relinquishing her dad's rights when we asked about the adoption process for her, then he was put in jail, everything had moved along rather quickly. We both thought it was what she wanted, but now I wasn’t sure.

  Then her little voice, small and timid, asked, “Does that mean I can call you Mommy and Daddy now?” Her baby blues, nervous for the answer to come, pleaded with us to say yes.

  “We would love it if you called us that. You're our little girl, and you plus your new little brother and us, are going to be one happy family.” Hugging her right to me, I looked over her head into my husband's eyes; he too had tears. My big strong man was so full of love. He was the best husband and father I could’ve asked for. He leaned over and wrapped his arms around us both and held us tight.

  Then I heard him whisper, “I love both my girls so much.”

  Embry squirmed out of our hold and turned to look at him. “We love you too, Daddy, don’t we, Mommy?” She glanced from me to Braxton.

  “More than all the stars in the sky, Angel,” I said to them.

  Another round of hugs had been doled out. As we stood there, I glanced over to see Summer in a deep conversation with Gyth. Over t
he last few months, she had been pretty hush-hush about everything that was going on with her, but I could tell that she still was not feeling great and it killed me. She and Gyth had been spending more time together since he took charge at the wedding and stayed with her at the hospital, but it looked like they were still fighting their feelings for one another. And yet he couldn’t stay away, and she didn’t make him.

  I looked up and saw exactly what they both might need to change things up. “Hey you two!” I shouted above the noise. “Look where you're standing!” I pointed up above their heads. The room went silent and waited while they realized what was going on. Then Gyth leaned in and claimed her mouth. I heard Summer gasp in shock, but she didn’t push him away. Maybe there was hope for those two yet.

  Grabbing Braxton's hand in one of mine and Embry’s in the other, I laid my head on my husband's shoulder. “Love you,” I whispered to him. He returned the words I would never tire of hearing for eternity.

  “Love you too, Dimples.”

  Knowing how lucky I was to have survived what I had in my life, and to be standing there with my dreams now a reality, I looked around the room at all our friends. I had so much love and happiness in my life, and I just wished that each of them would find exactly what I had.

  Time will tell…

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  C.M. Youngren

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  Sneak Peek: Unlikely Souls

  Prologue

  Summer