Page 83 of Soulmates

I moved forward, reaching out to brush his wet hair back from his face. “Is it always like that between you two?” I couldn’t imagine them working together for eleven years if this was their normal relationship.

Sam’s arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me close. “No. We used to get along fine. We’ve just come to a serious disagreement about something that’s very important to both of us.”

“And that something is me.”

“I’m not a selfless person, Siren. I’m not sweet or romantic, and I don’t care if your brother is right that I’m not good enough for you.”

“It’s not up to him.”

“You’re right. But he’s right too. I can’t give you everything you deserve, and if I were a better man, I would have stayed away, let you live your life without dragging you into mine.”

I let my head rest on his chest, over the thrum of his heart. “And do I get any say in what I deserve?”

His hand fisted in my hair. “Don’t defend me, Siren. Your brother is right about me. He isn’t saying anything I haven’t already said.”

“Then why are you here with me?”

“Because I can’t seem to stay away. Because I’m a selfish asshole who’s leaving it up to you to make the hard decisions.”

I slipped my hands under the hem of his shirt, feeling the heat of his skin covering all the hard muscles of his abs. He could say he was bad for me all he wanted, but it did nothing to change the way I felt when I was with him. Like I was complete. Like I was enough.

Twenty-One

Piper

It had beenone week since I lost my virginity to Sam, and so far it had been the best week of my life… other than the painful conversation I had with Freddie about not seeing us having a future. It wasn’t just about Sam—it was that something wasn’t quite there with Freddie. He was everything Ishouldhave wanted, but he didn’t make me feel the way I did when I was with Sam. I’d never felt more content and at peace, more right, like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. The number of orgasms Sam had given me in the past week might have helped too.

Tonight we were going out for drinks with Shawn and Thomas, the first time I’d seen either of them since before the pool game that changed everything. It was also my last evening with Sam before he went away for a two-week trip with Joriel. He was staying pretty silent about the details of what they’d be doing, and I didn’t want to push him. Sam and Joriel needed to take time together before Joriel ran out of time. Who was I to get in the way of that? I wasn’t even his official anything. He hadn’t made any promises other than to give me more orgasms.

“Are you coming home tonight?” Mamma asked as she ran a makeup brush over my eyelid. I was capable of doing my own makeup, but I was no Violetta Amato, and this was a special occasion. Sam and I were going out where there would be other people instead of hanging out alone in Sam’s apartment, my house, or one of the empty back rooms like we’d been doing since last weekend.

“I think so,” I said. “Sam’s leaving in the morning for his brother-bonding trip.”

I’d spent more nights at Sam’s apartment in the past week than I had at home. And the nights I did spend here, Sam always stayed with me. It was scary how used to him I’d gotten. I was honestly a little afraid of how the next couple of weeks were going to go.

“Hmm,” Papa said from his armchair by the unlit fireplace on the other side of the living room. “He seems awfully attached to you. Are you sure you two can manage two weeks apart?” he asked dryly.

“Stefan,” Mamma scolded. “You remember what it was like to be newly in love. Give them a break.”

“She’s my daughter. It’s my job to give her boyfriend grief.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I interjected, glancing toward the kitchen, where I’d last seen Sam. After spending almost every second with him the past week, I was starting to think agelessness wasn’t the only thing not quite normal about him. I wasn’t willing to bet he couldn’t hear this whole conversation. “We haven’t talked about labels at this point.”Beyond his claim that he couldn’t give me the life I wanted anyway.

“What’s he waiting for?” Papa asked. “I would have thought a man like him would stake a claim on what he wants and make sure every other man knows you’re taken.”

“A man like him?” I questioned.

“The ruthless, driven type who knows what they want and goes for it. That boy has a passion for winning, so what I don’t understand is why he isn’t claiming his prize for all the world to see. Giving you his class ring or putting it all over Facebook or whatever you kids do these days to announce you’re in a relationship.”

“We’re not in high school, Papa. This is a serious decision and there’s no need for us to rush.” I actually meant those words, but only because I was afraid rushing would mean getting to the end of us faster. If I thought I could keep him, I’d let him put a ring on my finger tomorrow. I’d been in love with Samuel since I was fifteen, and no matter where I looked or who I kissed, nothing had measured up to the memory of him. Nothing other than the reality of him anyway.

“Okay, you can open your eyes,” Mamma said. She reached for a container of blush. “Now suck your cheeks in for me.”

I obeyed even though it meant giving up my ability to debate with my father.

“Of course there’s a need to rush,” Papa said. “You’re a beautiful woman with a bright future and a kind heart. If that man isn’t serious about you, he’s going to lose you to someone who is.”

“Stefan Amato,” Mamma snapped. “Do not push her to grow up any faster than she already is.”