by Lacuna Reid
“Not only that, I’ve never felt like this about anyone – not even Cliff – and you remember how Gaga I was over him, at least at first.”
“Despite your better judgement.”
“Yes, but this connection is so deep, so compelling, it’s like it runs deeper than my skin and bone, right through…”
“To your soul?”
Lana has this sometimes annoying habit of taking the words right out of my mouth, or finding the right words when I can’t quite figure them out, but right now, I’m grateful for it.
“Yes, and I feel it with all four of them – like there’s this bond between us that has always been there, even before we met.”
“It’s definitely not fair that you have four gorgeous soul mates. I mean, nothing against Dave…”
I laugh. “Hey, I didn’t plan any of this. I never even believed in soulmates or past lives until now.”
“That’s true…” Lana smiles at me. “Welcome to the kooky-spiritual-beliefs club, we’re happy to have you.”
“Uhh, thanks.”
“But seriously, honey… I’m proud of you.”
“You are? Why?”
“Last time we talked you were about to high-tail it out of there like you always do, and yet you stayed and you confronted the guys and finally found out their big secret… and look at you, you’re still there!”
“I am… and it’s glorious,” I say, lying back on the bed.
“But you need to remember this for next time,” says Lana, her eyes flashing daggers at me, her voice stern.
“What?”
“Next time shit hits the fan, you remember this moment, and how good it feels, and how you need to stop running away.”
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” I say. “How could I possibly leave now?”
“Old habits die hard,” Lana says. “You may be blissed out now, but next time you freak out, remember you have a choice and you’re much stronger than you realise… and one day you might even be brave enough to confront the Devil himself,” Lana says, using one of her many pet-names for my ex, Cliff.
“Not this again,” I sigh.
“You know damn well that it’s inevitable. He’s not going to leave you alone until you put him in his place… and now, if you’ll excuse me, I better get back to my one boyfriend before I lose him to a gorgeous Argentinian dancer or something.”
“You do that.” I smile and hang up the phone, hoping like hell that Lana is dead wrong and that I never ever have to see my controlling ex again.
Chapter Two
I get dressed in my casual gold wrap dress and head towards Theo’s office. I figured, since I’ve pretty much accepted the “reincarnation” thing, I might as well borrow his books on the subject and do my research.
I knock on Theo’s office door and a cold shiver runs over me, prickling my skin. It’s probably nothing, but it reminds me of several other strange occurrences that all seem to revolve around this particular man.
“Come in,” Theo says. His voice is always so deep and rich and inviting.
“Hi,” I say, as I walk in.
“Mira.” Theo replies, his deep brown eyes locking on mine. I want to run to him, throw my arms around him, dive into him, but something holds me back.
“How can I help you?” he asks.
“I’m just wondering if I can borrow that book on reincarnation,” I say. “The one you suggested I take the other day.”
“Oh yes, of course.”
We both walk in the direction of the bookshelf, closer to each other with every step, walking in a kind of V that ultimately must meet. I spot the book and Theo reaches out for it at the same time, so that our hands touch. He pulls back, but I take his hand.
“Is everything alright?” I ask. We were so close, so intimate, especially after the mind-blowing sex, but he seems to have this tendency of aloofness and it’s driving me crazy.”
“Mira,” Theo says, looking into my eyes. “I want nothing more than to be with you, to pull you close, to claim every moment with you that I can…”
“But?” There is definitely a but here.
“I’m doing my best to respect you, to give you time and space to process.”
“I get that,” I say. “But you could also respect me by being present.”
…and by giving me what I want, all over your big wooden desk again and again…
“It’s hard for me…” Theo says.
“What is?”
“To resist you.” He lifts my hand to his mouth, kissing it, and then letting it fall again. My stomach flipflops.
I don’t know how to respond to that. Blood rushes to my head. I take a deep breath and turn back towards the bookshelf. “This one?” I say, picking up the book Theo had offered to lend me a few days ago called Old Souls.
“That’s a good place to start,” Theo says.
“Okay,” I say, but the conversation doesn’t feel over. I pause.
“Is there something else?” Theo asks.
We could start with what’s in your pants… but I’m far too restrained to say something like that. I just look into Theo’s eyes and lean closer, I can feel him softening, moving towards me. Then his lips lock on mine in a passionate kiss. His hands are in my hair and his tongue is in my mouth and I’m losing myself in the moment.
We are jolted apart by a loud bang. The door must have suddenly slammed closed…
“Theo?”
He’s not making eye contact again. He looks in my general direction and then looks away.
“I get the feeling there’s something you’re not telling me.”
“What do you mean?” he asks, and I take that to mean there are multiple things and he’s not sure which one I’m referring to.
“Why is it…” I say, “that almost every time we kiss there’s a cold breeze or a slamming door or something?”
“I apologise about the draft in here Mira. I will have it seen to.”
Theo walks over to his desk as though our conversation is over.
“Really?” I say, “You’re not going to tell me something else… like that alongside reincarnation, ghosts are also real and that we are being haunted.”
Theo scoffs. “No, I most certainly am not going to tell you that. Poltergeists are a figment of the imagination. What you hold in your hand there, Mira, is documented evidence of reincarnation. I hope you find it as convincing as I do.” He looks at me and smiles, but it is the smile of someone being polite and really wanting to get back to other things. “Is there anything else I can help you with.”
“No thanks,” I say, feeling shut-out again. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
As I turn to leave a rush of anger fills me and I slam the door on my way out. Why does Theo have to be so infuriatingly distant?
I take the book back to my room, throw it on my bed, and collapse again. There are tears streaming down my face and I don’t know why.
Why am I crying?
Is it just Theo being so cold, shutting me out again, when our connection is so strong that it hurts?
Fuck him.
I’m not in the mood for reading and I almost resent the book now, even though it’s not its fault its owner is being such a dick.
Stop treating me like a stranger, when I’m your freaking soulmate…
Chapter Three
I decide to stop sulking over Theo’s emotional distance. I wash my face, put on some lippy, and go for a walk. I take a cloth bag with me, hoping to forage some more delicious fresh produce from the kitchen garden.
I walk through the forest for a bit first, secretly hoping to come across Helio… perhaps pick up where we left off in that lake – before I bailed on him for saying he missed me. At the time I was sure he was getting me confused with someone else. It made me paranoid that this was some kind of set up… like these guys lured women here and seduced them as a matter of course, or something, and I was just the latest victim, but now I understand what he meant. Helio was Teris, the delectable
master blacksmith in my memories of Ancient Greece. He missed me.
There’s no sign of Helio in the forest, or even at the lake that he led me to last time. I can’t hear any clanking sounds that signal him working somewhere, so I continue on my walk, back through the forest, to the far side of the El Cielo buildings.
The kitchen garden is looking even more lush than last time. I harvest three deep purple heirloom tomatoes, Black beauty, I recognise the variety as one we’d occasionally get in New York. Then I find a plump eggplant to go with them, along with a couple of baby courgettes and bright red peppers. I hum to myself as I harvest, enjoying the sunshine on my skin, as I pluck fragrant basil and thyme.
The herbs must love it here, they are growing to about double the size I’d usually expect; the basil leaves are half the size of my hand.
“This place is larger than life…” I mumble to myself.
“Is that right?” a voice sounds behind me. It startles me, but I smile as I turn towards the soft warm words that I recognise as belonging to Elias. He smiles back, like sunshine. There’s something about seeing him here, outside of the kitchen or the other El Cielo buildings, that sends a thrill through me. We are off-work. Anything is possible…
“I’ve been missing you lately,” he says, coming over to me. “Not enough work in the kitchen together.”
“You could set up a dinner party,” I say.
“I would, just to see you smile like that,” Elias says, his blue eyes sparkling in the sun.
“You know,” I say, taking a step towards him. “We don’t need to use the kitchen as an excuse to hang out together…”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” he says, coming towards me, opening his arms and wrapping me up into a long, slow embrace.
I practically melt into him. He’s so warm, and sweet, and strong, and drop-dead-gorgeous with his dark hair and sapphire eyes – this sensual Greek God with a sensitive side… he’s like honey and I’m Winnie the Pooh… I laugh at the random things my brain comes up with and Elias looks down at me, quizzically. “Nothing,” I say. “I’m just happy.”
Elias leans down, still holding me tight, and kisses my forehead. “So am I, Mira. I’m so happy you’re here with us. It’s a dream…”
We stand there, and I’m totally swept up in the moment…
The hum of insects around us rises into a kind of symphony, as if they are playing the background music to the movie of our lives. I can almost feel our souls connecting, as if threads of energy from each of us are wrapping around each-other, weaving together, becoming a single entity… even though I didn’t believe in souls twenty-four hours ago… something is definitely happenings – either that or I’m hallucinating, high on pheromones from being so close to this sexy God of a Man. Oh… my…
My body is responding to him, softening, moistening. I’m standing still but I want to press myself against him. I want to feel more than just his arms, his shoulders, his chest… I want all of him, naked, now.
…To find out what happens next order book 2
A Note from the author:
Thank you for reading my book! If you want to find out what happens next you can order the first book in my series here.
If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, you can sign up for my reader list.
Please consider reviewing a Taste of Spice and Splendor, even if it’s just a line or two. I always appreciate reviews and seeing what readers have to say!
I wanted to write the Circle of Souls series because I’ve had a lifelong interest in past lives and reincarnation.
I’ve read so many books about this topic that resonated with me, including some really compelling research!
If you’re interested in learning more about reincarnation and soul journeys I recommend looking up the work of Iain Stevenson, Michael Newton, Brian Weiss, and the Michael Teachings.
About the Author
Lacuna Reid writes both fantasy and contemporary romance with a paranormal twist. She lives in beautiful New Zealand, where she enjoys writing books over a cup of earl grey tea or a glass of rosé wine, and eating all the delicious foods! She loves learning and has studied herbalism and completed a diploma in hypnotherapy. She’s also a total astrology geek! Follow Lacuna on social media to see what she’s up to.