Page 58 of Dreams That Bind Us
I’m in love with you.
How was it even possible that he felt that deeply in the short amount of time they’d known each other?
Because we're soulmates.
Her heart constricted in her chest and she absently rubbed the aching spot.
"Did you enjoy the dinner?" James asked, changing the subject.
Anna bobbed her head. "It was amazing. Their key lime pie might be the best I've ever had."
James grinned. "I'm told it's the chef's specialty. He's won awards across the globe. Was there anything else you wanted?"
"No, I’m stuffed." She lifted her cup. "This coffee is a perfect end to a lovely meal." She glanced at her aunt. "Did you get enough, Aunt Louise?"
Aunt Louise, in deep conversation with Carl, blinked at the interruption. "Oh, yes, dear. Thank you. Carl and I were just discussing travel."
"I have a villa in Tuscany that would inspire your creativity, Anna," Carl explained. "Some say the light is an artist's dream."
"I've always wanted to go to Italy." Aunt Louise sighed wistfully.
"Then we should go. I need to celebrate my latest windfall." He winked at James. "And the weather will be perfect there in another two weeks."
"Oh, Carl! I would love that," Aunt Louise gushed, snagging his hand with both of hers.
The old man preened. "Then it's settled. We'll leave for Tuscany in two weeks, and you'll be my guest."
"I can't wait!" Aunt Louise riffled through her purse and pulled out her tarot cards. "Carl, you simply must let me do a reading for you. I'm feeling a rush of positive energy coming from you right now."
"Go for it, Carl," James advised. "Her readings are amazingly accurate. Mine changed my life."
Aunt Louise's mouth curved into a pleased smile. "The fact we're here tonight celebrating your purchase of this resort is proof that your reading was correct." She shrugged one shoulder. "Well, that was only part of your reading. The rest is still to come. The universe is doing its best to get to you, James, but there will be turbulence first. You’ll be tested, and it won’t be easy. You must prepare yourself."
Phrased as they were, her aunt’s words were both a warning and a promise, making Anna’s stomach drop like a stone. There was no telling what it meant for them.
Based on her personal experience, Anna knew there was no use trying to prevent whatever it was that would happen. Sometimes you just had to have faith that everything would end up the way it was supposed to.
Anna glanced at James, noticing from his beetled brow that he didn’t care for the news any more than she did. He opened his mouth like he wanted to ask something, but no words came out.
Anna squeezed his thigh and winked when his gaze shot to hers, hoping to comfort him. Her aunt had a flair for the dramatic at times and people were either blindsided by hersubtle warnings or mocked her messages. James was the former, and only fools chose the latter.
Carl cleared his throat and gave Louise a little nudge. "Where would you like to do this?"
"Here is just fine, Carl."
Anna listened half-heartedly as Carl was led through his reading, but inside anxiety churned in her stomach like a storm. Aunt Louise was rarely wrong.
So how exactly would they be tested?
Chapter 15
Key West, One month later
Anna stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror and anchored her high ponytail, letting her curls fall around her face. Her cheeks were flushed from the soaking bath that had been a necessity this morning to work out all the soreness.
Her cheeks heated even more at the reason for the bath and of what James had pushed her to do last night. He'd been insatiable the last several weeks, usually taking her two to three times a day.
She shivered, remembering the intensity in his eyes when he'd turned to her over and over again last night. He'd been particularly creative, and she'd lost count the number of times he brought her to a climax. Which made the hot bath a requirement if she planned on getting any work done today.
