Make Me a Match (The Soul Mate Tree Book 5)

by Mackenzie Lucas

  They faced each other in the small empty waiting room to her suite of offices. “Thank you,” she said.

  He inclined his head. “You are welcome. It’s the least I could do to make up for the way I bungled the situation with Daphne and started the bad press you received. I’m so sorry.”

  “Ssshhh.” She pressed a finger to his lips. “It’s done. Over.”

  “I hope so. With Capelli and Andrews backing you, you should be in the clear. And Gabby and Jamie are spearheading a rather successful PR campaign of their own on social media right now. I saw some of the positive feedback before I left to pick up the guys.”

  Her brow puckered. “Positive feedback?”

  “Yes, they tracked down several of your past clients and started blasting the different social media platforms with your success stories.”

  “Wow.”

  “Pretty powerful stuff.” He traced his finger down the side of her face. “With your new backing and the media campaign, you’ll be in the clear in no time.”

  She looked at him with adoration, a lopsided grin on her face. “How am I going to thank you?”

  “I think we can figure out something.”

  “Like?”

  “Meet me for dinner tonight.”

  “Where?”

  “Your place. A nosey teenager lives at my house.”

  “Okay.” She cupped his jaw. “Is this a date?”

  “You betcha.”

  She snickered. “You’re asking me out to my place?”

  “Yeah, kinda. I guess that wasn’t the best laid-out proposition, was it?”

  She shook her head. “No, it wasn’t.”

  “Hey, but I’m cooking.”

  “Mmmm. Deal. I can’t resist a man who cooks, you know that, right?”

  “No, I did not. If I had, this whole thing would have been a helluva lot easier. I would have wooed you with my culinary prowess from the first day you met me.”

  “You didn’t like me the first day you met me or probably the second or third.”

  It was his turn to sober. He stopped her. “No, I did not. But I was wrong.” He pressed a soft kiss onto her lush mouth. “So very wrong.”

  “How long do you need to make dinner?”

  “Give me two hours.”

  “Here’s my key. I’ll see you an hour and a half, big guy.”

  “Oooooh, a challenge. All right. You’re on, woman.” He palmed her neck, tugging her forward for a hard, swift, passionate kiss. He pulled back, both of them panting hard into the silence between them. Her eyes looked dreamy and just a little unfocused. He liked having such an effect on her. “And that’s my promise of everything to come later tonight.”

  “Damn, I can’t wait.”

  He raised a hand and saluted. “See you soon, sexy.”

  “Mmmm. That’s you.”

  He winked and strode away. “Don’t be late.”

  “As if.”

  Mark shifted into action mode. With a limited amount of time to execute his dinner plans, he had none to waste. And he planned to wow this woman because she really mattered to him. He needed her to know how much.

  And to prove just a little that he was a desired catch.

  Chapter 11

  Make Me The Perfect Match

  Later, after they’d consumed a dinner Mark had prepared of salad, bolognaise over spaghetti squash, bread, and a peach cobbler made with puff pastry, they retired to the rug in front of her fireplace. Mark sat with his back propped against the couch, his arm on his knee watching Athena pour the wine.

  He loved this woman. Unequivocally. When he’d first met her, he’d instantly disliked her. Partly because he thought she’d been seducing Jason. And in part because he’d been drawn to her even though he was convinced she’d been coming on to his best friend’s fiancé, which had been unacceptable to him. Attraction to a woman of loose morals wasn’t something he could tolerate.

  Now, he understood her. Knew differently. Recognized while beauty and fierce determination drove her, her moral compass was solid. She was beautiful both inside and out. Giving. Loving. She cared for her clients, helped them find love, and brought them into her circle. Adopted them as family. She was strong, confident, bold, and smart.

  He could get used to this. Loving Athena. Cooking for her. Living with her day in and day out.

  Every single day of his life.

  If she’d have him.

  Athena handed him a full glass and settled on the rug next to him, taking a sip of her pinot. “That was amazing. I think you’re a keeper, Mr. Cage.”

  His chest ached. He rubbed it, the experience new. Suddenly vulnerable, yet hopeful all at once. The emotion gave him the sensation as if he spun out of control. He wasn’t sure he liked it much. “Why, thank you. I’m so glad to hear you’re considering keeping me.”

  She cocked her head and studied him, then placed her wineglass on the coffee table they’d pushed aside.

  Athena came to her knees in front of him. “There is no considering, Mark Cage.”

  His heart ached harder.

  “I am definitely keeping you.”

  Relief flooded him and a lightness he hadn’t felt in a very long time consumed him. He hauled her into his lap, careful to get rid of his wineglass without disaster before she landed hard against his chest.

  Mark captured her face gently with two hands, one on either side. “I love you.”

  “I know.” She whispered the words. “You forget I know you here.” She placed her palm over his thumping heart.

  He paused, waiting for her to say something else. But when she didn’t, he pressed on. “I know it scares you and you want to run because your experience with men hasn’t been all that wonderful. But if you trust me, if you entrust me with your love, I will take good care of it. I promise I will cherish it.”

  “Can you provide references?” The corner of her delicious pink mouth lifted.

  “I can, absolutely.”

  “In writing?”

  “If you need it in writing.”

  She studied him. “You know I’m kidding, right?”

  “Yes, I do. But I also know that you need reassurance I’m not going to hurt you. I will never hurt you.”

  “You can’t say that. The nature of love means we will sometimes get hurt. There’s nothing you can do about it. If we open our hearts to love, we are vulnerable to pain and hurt by that person.”

  He kissed her softly. “I will do everything in my power to never hurt you.”

  She started to speak.

  He stopped her with another kiss, this one deeper. When he pulled back, her eyes had taken on that aroused, slightly unfocused look he loved so much. “And if I do hurt you, I will be quick to fix the problem. Understood?”

  She gave him a beautiful smile that warmed him, turning his desire into a blazing inferno.

  “Yes, absolutely. Like you came to the rescue and fixed the situation with the rumors and the sudden demise of my business.”

  “Yeah, just like that. It was the least I could do after I caused the ruin and destruction in the first place.”

  “You’re pretty good at fixing things, and I think you’re hard-wired to be a knight riding in to the rescue.”

  Now he just felt bashful. He rolled his eyes.

  “I’m embarrassing you.” She giggled, apparently delighted with herself, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I like to see you blush. But it’s true, you know. That’s why you thought you wanted Daphne, because she needed saving.”

  “Not true.” His brows slammed down as he thought through her words. “She was sweet.”

  “You know, I don’t often need to be rescued. I would have rebuilt my business. I was prepared to
do it. Yes, I was initially devastated by what happened. While I was scared, I wasn’t leaving because of my business.”

  “I know.” It was Mark’s turn to echo her words back to her. “You were leaving because of me.”

  She rubbed her forehead. “I’m not usually a woman who lets a man keep me down. But you are different.”

  “Different how? You don’t need me to rescue you.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “You don’t need me for anything.”

  “I wouldn’t say that.” A purr sounded from her throat, turning him on like a blazing wildfire. “I can think of several things I need you for.”

  He rolled on the floor, so that she lay on top of him. “I am totally a man who lets a certain woman get me down and keep me down,” he teased.

  She giggled. “Now who’s being silly? We’re having a serious conversation here. Back to the rescuer complex. What are we going to do about that?”

  Because it was important to her, he pushed aside the lusty thoughts seizing him the moment his cock realized Athena was ready, willing, and able, and on top of him. He fought for rational thought. “Find out what you do need me to do?” Mark waggled his eyebrows at her. “I can think of a few things off the top of my head.”

  “Oh, is that so?” She looked away. “Good answer, though.”

  He couldn’t help the smirk that twitched at his mouth. Damn, he was good.

  She poked him in the ribs. “Don’t get smug. This is not a done deal yet.”

  It so was. Only he had to convince her.

  “First, you need me to cook for you so you eat right. Looking at your bare refrigerator and cupboards, I’d say you eat out way too much. You need a good man to take care of you by cooking for you.”

  Athena collapsed onto his chest and pressed the back of her wrist to her forehead. “Can you tell I’m swooning?” She looked up at him with an impish grin. “I do love that you cook. It’s so sexy.”

  He massaged the back of his neck and studied her. “Silly woman.” He thought about what else she needed from him. “You also need a good man to show you every single day he loves you and will be your equal partner in life. A soul mate. Who worships you. That’s what I provide.”

  Her eyes had widened and turned a little glassy. She blinked. A tear dropped to her cheek. “I’d like that.”

  He wiped it away with the pad of his thumb.

  “I love you, Athena. You are my soul mate. My perfect match. I know it here.” He slid his hand between them to cover his heart. “And I love you here.” He placed his hand over her heart. “Not because of your beauty, though you are hot.”

  She smacked him playfully.

  “Seriously, I love you because you are beautiful here.” His hand remained over her rapidly beating heart.

  She kissed him then. Not soft and tender, but hungry, like she’d never have enough of him.

  He rolled her, needing to show her exactly how much he loved her and how he’d worship her every single day from this day forward.

  Mark kept his mouth fused to hers in a hot, sultry kiss that knew no boundaries, as he slowly undressed her. Once they were both naked, he caressed her body. A slow hand from her face, down her breast, over her abdomen, until he found the core of her, wet and ready for him.

  He groaned. She sighed.

  Mark slipped inside her. Hard. Ready to go to war, and yet knowing he wanted to take her slowly, gently, to express the emotion that threatened to overwhelm him. He needed to make love to her. And that’s exactly what he did. Holding her, eyes locked with hers, watching for her every response, he made slow, passionate love to her, bringing her to orgasm twice before he gave in to his own pleasure. And when he did, Athena screamed in ecstasy as she came a third time, the last along with him.

  “I love you.” She panted the words, but he knew they were true and not just lust-driven this time.

  He could see the truth in her eyes, the soul connection there.

  Mark pressed his forehead to hers. “Damn, woman. I love you with all my heart. You couldn’t be more perfect for me. How did I ever think there was anyone else for me but you?”

  She gave him a weak smile. “I’m not sure. I told you.”

  “I should have listened to that damned tree when it said it sent me my soul mate.”

  “What are you talking about?” Confusion clouded her beautiful blue eyes. She glanced at his wineglass on the table across the room. “How much of that did you have?”

  “None.” Then, retrieving his jeans, he fished in the pocket to find the silver leaf. Holding it up, he studied her. “The Soul Mate Tree. Legend says it sends your soul mate to you. And it sent you to me.”

  An inquisitive light entered her eyes. “You’re telling me that a tree matched us up?”

  “Kind of.” He told her how he found the tree. The role of Sarah’s ghost. His drunken state. The second time he went back to the tree and his encounter.

  She didn’t mock him, only listened.

  After he finished his—even to him—outlandish tale, she pulled him close and kissed him softly. When she eased back, ending the kiss, she said, “I can work with this. What a perfect partner. A soul mate tree. My matchmaking success rate would be through the roof. No one would go without a match. Ever,” she teased. “Where did you say this tree is located?”

  “Not a chance, woman.” He rolled her over and started kissing a path down her body. “You do just fine without magic. I’d be scared as shit to see what you and that tree cooked up together.”

  “Awww, give a girl a chance.” She giggled, but sobered rapidly when his tongue found her core. “Mmmm.”

  “Promise me.” He licked at her clit. “No tree.”

  He blew on her wet lips.

  She moaned and lifted toward his mouth.

  “Promise.”

  “Anything. Yes.” She moved her head back and forth on the rug. “No. Whatever you want, just don’t stop. Ever.”

  He chuckled, then resumed his torture, showing her just how much he loved her, her body, and her response to him. And as far as he was concerned, he could take a lifetime to show her. “You’re my perfect match.”

  “Yes, and you are mine.”

  Thank you for reading Make Me a Match, by Mackenzie Lucas, Book Five in THE SOUL MATE TREE COLLECTIVE! If you enjoyed the read, please consider leaving a review on Amazon.

  The Collective continues with June’s release, A Promise Remembered, by Erin S. Riley:

  Two souls entangled in an eternal echo of true love . . .

  Rowan and James have been drawn together in every existence since the beginning of time. But love's sweet promise is cut short after an unthinkable tragedy strikes two young families, shattering the bond in this lifetime.

  Is love stronger than death? Can Rowan and James find another way to each other? Against all odds, a forgotten promise is remembered and kept, reuniting two souls destined to be together.

  LINKS FOR MACKENZIE LUCAS:

  Website: http://www.mackenzielucas.com/

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/MacLucas_writer

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MackenzieLucasAuthor

  https://www.facebook.com/MackenzieLucasFanPage

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6915570.Mackenzie_Lucas

  Instagram: mackenzielucas.writer

  Newsletter Signup: http://www.mackenzielucas.com/newsletter

  Also from Soul Mate Publishing and Mackenzie Lucas:

  ESSENCE

  All Haven Jameson ever wanted was to own a little piece of paradise. Now, she does, having established a successful luxury spa in St. Augustine, Florida. But when the property next door is sold to a mega developer and his pro-golf celebrity brother, who design trendy, bustling playgrounds for the rich and famous,
she fears her dream could slip away. Confronted by her late husband’s infidelity, Haven learns everything she believed about her marriage was a lie; so she finally sets aside her grief and opens her heart to loving the widowed pro-golfer who is her biggest professional competition. In the end, Haven discovers that living a safe, loveless life is far worse than embracing passion and taking a chance on a man who’s vowed never to love again. And that, sometimes, the best paradise of all can be found inside our own hearts.

  Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/l9eow4e

  COURTING CINDERELLA

  Courting Cinderella is a contemporary romance novella set in the village of Granite Falls, Colorado. When a small town is willing to protect the secret of its celebrity sports figure from the prying eyes of an exposé photographer, a wicked stepmother, and a long-forgotten ex, life gets interesting. Courting Cinderella is a contemporary retelling of Cinderella where a women’s Olympic volleyball player takes center stage and a hot exposé sports photographer becomes Prince Charming. True love triumphs in the best way possible, but only after a little sparring and a lot of sparks on and off the court as these two transform from enemies to lovers.

  Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/k2hagc9

  “The Dom of my Heart”

  part of Soul Mate’s HOT ENCOUNTERS Anthology

  Joely Cavanaugh learned a long time ago to stand up for herself, but when Gabriel Burnes, a true dominant who is powerful and sexy as hell, shows her kindness by hiring her after false accusations by her former boss, she can’t resist him. She agrees to work as his executive assistant to become an integral part of his revenge plot against the one man who has wronged her. Only when Gabe pushes her beyond all control does she realize that her heart is already totally his and that there are worse fates then submitting to a Dom.