Soul Mates: Scent (The Soul Mates Series) (9 page)

You look very handsome, mon amour.

I looked over my shoulder to see Anna watching me. I sat back on my haunches and lifted my paw to her, gesturing toward the lake.
Wanna
swim?

I do not think we have time, Max. The sun will be up in a few minutes and you must shift back. I must too for that matter. We have school, remember?

Come
on,
just
one
quick
swim,
and
then
we
will
shift
back.
I turned and leapt into the water, enjoying the feel of the cool liquid as it stroked my fur. I leapt and bounded in and out of the water, feeling joyful and carefree.
Come
on
Anna,
just
for
a
minute?

Anna shook her head and leapt after me. Before I knew it she was tackling me, her paws on my chest as we played on the edge of the lake. She nuzzled my neck with her mouth, grazing her teeth over me, licking my face. I leapt up, knocking her off of me and tackling her back, returning the nuzzling and licking. I could hear her laughter in my head and it reminded me that I wanted to know more about how it all worked.

Later, mon amour. We must go back so we can shift forms.

All
right,
later.
I shook the water from my body and was amazed that it went flying in all directions.

Anna did the same, spraying me back with the water on her coat. I chuckled but it came out as a growl.

Race
you!
Anna said and off she went.

I followed close behind her, feeling slightly anxious at the thought of turning back to human form.

Do not worry, mon coeur. You will do fine.

We reached the edge of the woods and I lay down, my front paws crossed and put my head down.

Non, no sleeping Max. You have work to do still. You must shift and dress. Now, get up and turn around so you do not see me.

Hmmm,
but
if
I
watch
you
I
might
be
able
to
do
it
easier,
don
’
t
you
think?
I thought not really believing my own words, but hey if I could get the chance to see Anna without her clothes…

Max! You are too wicked, mon amour. Now do turn around.

I did as she asked and turned my back. It didn’t take her long to shift and get dressed. I would love to say that I didn’t peek, but well… I’m a guy. Of course I peeked. Didn’t see much though… Anna being a smart girl had hidden behind a tree when I wasn’t looking.

She laughed and walked over to me. “You really are beautiful, Max,” she said as she stroked my fur. I pushed my face into her hands and enjoyed the feel of her caressing me. Strange how great it felt. “Now, Max, you have to shift. Close your eyes and find that special place inside you that is human.”

I nodded and then closed my eyes. I could see the door and I padded toward it. I took a deep breath and I could feel the cool morning air on my skin. My very, very bare skin and I shivered.

“Oh Max, I had no idea…” Anna choked on a laugh as she spun around.

I turned to look at her, frowning. “You had no idea?” I asked, grabbing my jeans and holding them in front of myself.

I
had
no
idea
that
you
would
shift
so
quickly,
mon
amour.
She answered in my head, still giggling.

“Yeah well, just remember its freaking cold out here in the morning okay?” I said as I slid my legs into my jeans, feeling just a little annoyed with her. “And you weren’t supposed to be looking.”

Anna turned and looked at me, a blush gracing her cheeks. “Oh, Max, I didn’t look…
there!
I was teasing you, mon amour. Pardonnez-moi?” She asked coming into my arms and wrapping hers around me.

I looked down at her and smiled. “Forgiven for a kiss,” I said.

Anna’s eyes sparkled as she brushed her lips across mine. And then they drifted closed as I captured her lips in a more passionate kiss. My fingers sank into her hair, grasping and pulling her closer. I pushed my tongue between her teeth to the velvety softness beyond, relishing the taste of her as she stroked my tongue with hers. I felt her hands on my bare chest slide upwards and around my neck. She raised her leg and I lifted her up by her bottom so she could wrap her legs around my waist.

Her fingers were in my hair, pushing us together as though she too could not get enough, could not get close enough. We broke the kiss panting hotly as we pressed our foreheads together, trying to catch our breath again before connecting once more for a long and lingering kiss. I held her there, one arm wrapped around her back grasping her firm bottom, the other in her hair, keeping her close. I could have kissed her forever like that. If I hadn’t heard my name being called from in the house, I probably would have.

Your mother is calling you.

I
heard.
I thought, still kissing her, not wanting to break apart from her.

Max, really we should go. We do not want to be late.

I pulled back from her slightly. “We don’t?”

Anna laughed. “Of course we do not. Besides I am starving.”

“I am only starving for one thing Anna… you,” I whispered into her hair. I took a deep breath inhaling the scent of her, savoring it, wishing we could stay like that all day.

“Mmm, well your belly says otherwise, my Max,” Anna said with another giggle as my stomach gurgled.

“Hmmm, well maybe I am hungry. I’m not used to running round the woods at all hours of the night. Builds up an appetite.” I grinned at her. “Come on, join me for breakfast. Mom’s sure to have eggs and bacon cooking.”

“Max, mon amour, I am still in my clothes from yesterday. I must go home and change, see mon père, finish my homework…”

“Shit. I forgot to do my homework. I never forget to do my homework!” I kissed her quickly. “I gotta go! I’ll pick you up for school…”

“Max, you don’t know where…”

I laughed, “I’ll find you…just like last night…talk to me and I will find you, babe.” I jogged toward the house.

Love you mon amour.

Love you, babe.

“Max, where is your shirt? Are you trying to catch a cold?” Mom asked as I came in the back door.

“Sorry mom,” I said grabbing a piece of bacon and shoving it into my mouth. “Man, I’m starving.”

“Max, go get ready for school. Breakfast will be ready shortly. Did you get your homework finished?”

“No, but I’ll do it in homeroom. It’s not much,” I replied running up the stairs. I shut the bathroom door and stripped out of my jeans before jumping into the shower and scrubbing the smell of the lake off of me.

I was back in the kitchen within ten minutes scarfing down a big plate of bacon, ham and an egg. I took a big gulp of water, grabbed my backpack and called goodbye to my mom.

I shoved my
Verve
cd into the player and revved the engine of the Vette. I grinned as
Lucky
Man
came through the speakers.
Babe,
I
’
m
on
my
way.

Come
find
me,
mon
amour.
I heard her in my thoughts and I turned the vette toward her.
Better
hurry
Max,
we
only
have
half
an
hour
…

Workin
’
on
it
Babe.
I
’
ll
be
there
in
five.
I grinned, I knew where she was. It was out in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of a forest practically. The road was all gravel and I worried for a moment about the Vette. I winced as I heard the rocks hitting the under-carriage. I was going to have to have her washed after school. I pulled up in front of her house, a cabin really, like one of those old Lincoln log homes. It was cool.

“You must be Max.”

I turned as I stepped out of the vette to see a tall dark haired man looking me over, evaluating me. He had to be David Felidae, Anna’s father. “Yes sir. I’m here to pick up Anna.”

“Welcome. Anna tells me that you are a fast learner. You shifted on your first try,” he said. He held his hand out and I shook it.

“Is that unusual?” I asked.

“For one such as you, oui. Those that have been away, inter-married with humans usually have a harder time shifting. You have defied the normal pattern, Max. You are strong. Anna also tells me you picked up her thoughts almost immediately and that you can hear her miles away. Is this true?”

“I guess. I could hear her at my house while she was here. That’s about fifteen miles.” I shrugged, not realizing it was a big deal.

#“Max, only the strongest of us can talk to our mates and children over long distances. There are only a handful of us that I know of that can do it. Even I can only do so with my mate. I must come to Anna to speak to her. It is why I am here. I could not warn her from home.”

“So what does that mean? That I can talk to Anna over a long distance?”

“I do not know yet. We shall have to test it more. Not now, you need to stay close to Anna. I fear for her. The council is not happy. They wanted Frederick to marry my Anna. He is after her. The last I heard he picked up her trail in Kansas, it will not take him long to track her here.”

“I thought Freddy was after me, not Anna,” I said with a frown. Worry and anxiousness closed in around my heart. I had to protect Anna.

“He is after you, but it is Anna that he wants. He will do whatever he has to. Do not under estimate him Max.”

“I won’t.”

“Max, mon coeur, we need to go,” Anna said as she came out of the cabin dressed in a v-neck pink tee and tight black jeans.

“I will take good care of her, Mr. Felidae,” I called over my shoulder as I hurried to open the door for Anna.

“Merci, Max,” Anna said with a smile.

I grinned back at her and climbed in the driver’s seat. “Tired?” I asked as I saw her hide a yawn.

She laughed. “Only a little.”

“Good,” I said as I leaned over and kissed her smooth cheek. I wanted to pull the car over and give her a proper kiss, but I didn’t want us to be late.

Anna laughed as I turned onto the paved road and sped up. “We are not that late, mon coeur.”

I grinned and slowed the vette down below sixty. “True, but the faster we get there, the closer I get to kissing you.”

We arrived at school within minutes and hurried to class. We were making a habit of just beating the bell. I gave Anna a very quick kiss before we entered the room. As we passed by Steve’s desk I felt him reach out to me.

“Dude, did you finish that Algebra assignment?”

I glanced at my former best friend, I could feel the anger starting to burn my chest again, but I swallowed hard and clenched my teeth as I shook my head.

“Crap, I have it first period and I still have three more problems,” Steve replied. “Dude, you always have it done, you never slack on your homework, what the hell happened?” He grinned in a sly way. “Or let me guess… little Miss French accent is the reason you don’t have your work done… it’s cool…”

Max… don’t do it…. You’ll get suspended…

I squeezed my fist, and walked on to my seat. Anna slid in to the seat behind me. I set her books on her desk and pulled out my Algebra to finish it. I couldn’t concentrate very well, but it didn’t matter. I just copied the problems down and figured I could get them done in English. Anna would share her notes with me. I smiled then as her soft lilting voice drifted into my thoughts.

Of course Max. I will take good notes. You can work on the math.

So
…
when
are
you
going
to
tell
me
how
this
works?
Do
we
really
have
to
wait
till
Friday?
I thought with a grin.

Oui, we have much more to work on before we can work on the mind to mind. I know Friday seems a long way away, but really it is only a few more days Max.

Are
you
sure?
Cause
I
would
really
like
to
know
how
to
keep
Mom
out
of
my
thoughts
…
especially
certain
thoughts
…
I grinned.
And
perhaps
there
are
some
thoughts
that
you
shouldn
’
t
know
either
…
I let my mind drift to thoughts of her curvy body pressed up against mine and what I would love to do to every delicious curve of her.