Soulmate

by Erin M. Leaf

  Guy couldn’t move. The man’s brown eyes seemed lit with some kind of knowledge Guy didn’t share. Slowly, as though he had to push through molasses, he raised his hand. Theo grasped it, and Guy sucked in a startled breath when static jumped over his skin. “That’s some power you have there,” he managed to say.

  Theo let go, looking just as startled. “It’s not my power. It’s yours.” He flexed his fingers. “You zapped me.”

  Guy frowned, not sure what to say. His Craft power wasn’t anything nearly so dramatic as that. Talent with wood was a quiet skill. No one would even know he had any abilities at all unless he told them. Rose’s intuition about his Crafting was an anomaly.

  “Did you finish filming the segment?” Rose asked, interrupting Guy’s thoughts.

  Theo turned to her, looking confused. “No. I felt something … odd. I thought you were upset. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  Rose pursed her lips. “I’m fine.” She glanced at Guy. “Theo, this is Guy Keaton. He said he used to use these trails a lot.”

  “Hello, Guy,” Theo said, and then he smiled.

  Guy almost stepped back, because it felt like he’d been punched in the chest. He sucked in a breath as his gaze met Theo’s. He’d swear the Delegate was peering right into Guy’s soul. He forced himself to look away, but his attention didn’t wander far, and his gaze landed on Theo’s hair. It was long for a politician: it just brushed his shoulders in soft waves. I bet it feels as soft as it looks, Guy thought, strangely fascinated.

  “So, you used to hike here often?” Theo asked. “Have you been going somewhere else lately?”

  Guy wrenched his attention back to the Delegate’s words. “No.” He cleared his throat. “I mean, I used to hike and run here all the time, and then, well…” He trailed off again. He had no idea how to tell people his wife was dead. He’d never been able to figure out how to explain the dramatic disaster of his life, and how Pamela’s death had changed everything for him. He doubted he’d ever feel comfortable explaining.

  Theo’s expression softened as if he knew exactly what was going on in Guy’s head. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry.”

  Is this what it’s like to be on the receiving end of an Empath? Guy drew in a deep breath and decided to just get it over with. “I used to come hiking here all the time before my wife passed away three years ago.” He shrugged. “Cancer.”

  Theo nodded as if he’d already expected that explanation. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” He glanced back at the cameraman for a moment. “I need to finish up the segment we’re filming, but I’d like it if you stuck around. I want to hike the rest of the trail, and it’d be nice to have company.”

  Guy saw Rose’s eyebrows lift, but her surprise barely registered. The thought of hiking with someone intrigued him. “Yeah, that would be cool,” he found himself saying before he could question his sudden desire to hang out with a complete stranger. He hadn’t really wanted to hang out with anyone in years.

  What the hell is wrong with me? he thought, running a hand over the back of his neck. His skin prickled, as if static was still running just under the surface.

  “Great. I’ll be done in a few minutes,” Theo said, and then he loped back towards the camera.

  “I have no idea what just happened,” Guy murmured, mostly to himself.

  Rose laughed. “You met Delegate Fraser. He has that kind of effect on some people.”

  Guy made a face. “I’m not some people. I’m just a guy. I’m ordinary.”

  Rose gave him a speculative look. “Hmm.”

  “Hmm? What does that mean?” Guy shifted his weight. His cock hung heavy and half-hard against his thigh. He wasn’t used to it. He wasn’t used to feeling much of anything, lately, except grief.

  Rose just shook her head. “Nothing. You’ll see.”

  Guy stared past her. The Delegate gestured to the woman holding the microphone, and the cameraman grinned. Theo began talking, but this time, Guy could tell there was something more there. Some sort of energy the Delegate hadn’t had before.

  “He’s a good guy,” Rose murmured, watching with a half-smile on her face. “You could do worse.”

  Guy frowned at her. “What?”

  She just shook her head. “You’ll see,” she repeated.

  I’ll see what? Guy wondered, but then the cameraman unshouldered his equipment, and Theo turned back down the trail. His dark eyes gleamed, even in the bright afternoon light. Guy nearly took a step back when their gazes caught and held. There’s nothing to fear, he told himself, as Theo started walking toward him. He’s just a man. A good man. Somehow, repeating those words in his head didn’t make him feel any better.

  Chapter Two

  Theo clamped down on his empathy with an iron control. He didn’t want to. He wanted to let loose and yell out to everyone that he’d found his soulmate, but his gift told him several things that prevented him from letting loose: his soulmate had no idea he was fated to Theo, and more importantly, his soulmate had no idea he could be paired with a man. Mr. Guy Keaton thought he was straight, and that meant Theo had to proceed very, very carefully.

  “Hey, you ready to hike?” he asked, giving Guy a friendly smile. He liked the man’s easy physicality. He also liked the touch of silver at Guy’s temples, and in his short beard. For a dude who looked like he was in his forties, he certainly was in fantastic shape. Theo let himself check out Guy’s muscles. The man had enough of them—muscles on top of muscles in his arms and chest. I know he has power, but I wonder what kind? Guy had to do something to make him so freaking strong. His empathy told him that Guy was a strong Crafter, and that just made him all the more intriguing.

  “I’m ready if you are,” Guy replied, returning his smile with a friendly one of his own. His eyes, though… His eyes were shuttered.

  Theo gave his assistant a “what did you do?” look. He knew she’d said something to Guy to make him wary.

  Rose lifted her hands as if to deny what Theo knew he sensed as she stepped back. “Guy here is a WoodCrafter,” she said.

  Huh. That explains why he’s built like a brick wall, Theo thought. And his wife dying explains the sadness I can feel in him. Theo’s talent allowed him to read people’s emotions, but most folks were messy, roiling bundles of conflicting priorities and wishes. Guy was simply sad. Theo hated that the man he was fated to bond with had to feel such pain, but then again, if his wife hadn’t died, Theo wouldn’t have had a chance with Guy. And he wanted that chance, more than anything. Theo wrestled with his eagerness to learn everything he could about Guy as fast as possible.

  Take it slow. He agreed to go hiking with you. He’s not going anywhere, Theo told himself. He smiled. He liked that Guy was a WoodCrafter. They were the only ones capable of creating the soulmate rings gifted couples wore. The rings bonded to them and to each other, and helped focus their Craft. They were rare, and the people who could make them were even rarer, because only a mated WoodCrafter had the ability to forge wood into a living ring.

  “Theo, we’re going to head back to the office,” Rose said, interrupting his internal monologue.

  Theo nodded, once again grateful that his best friend had agreed to become his assistant. She knew him well enough to understand what was happening, and she was already smoothing things over to give him time with Guy. “Thanks, Rose. You’ll reschedule this afternoon’s appointment for me?” It wasn’t an important meeting, and he wasn’t about to lose touch with his fated soulmate before he could at least get Guy’s number. He thought uneasily of the ominous undercurrents he’d been sensing since he’d started his term as a Delegate, but then he dismissed his worries. The problems with the Council weren’t going anywhere, but Guy might well disappear if Theo didn’t make an effort right now to get to know him. He could spare a few hours.

  “Of course,” Rose said, tapping her tablet. “I’ll see you later.” She glanced at Guy. “Or tomorrow.”

  Theo ignored her smirk. “Excellent. Th
anks, Rose.” He turned to the others. “Thanks for coming out,” he said to Arnold, the cameraman, and the man’s assistant tech, Sarah. He shook their hands, conscious of Guy watching him while he turned on the charm. He had to be good to people, because his job depended on it. Guy surely understood that, right? But some people believe all politicians are weasels, he thought, then immediately quashed the possibility that Guy would be one of them. He wanted Guy to be above such things.

  Arnold nodded, adjusting his equipment backpack. “I’ll be in touch. Give me a week or so to get the rough cut back to your office.”

  Theo nodded. “Sounds good.” He turned back to Guy as Arnold and Sarah headed toward the parking lot with Rose. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to get away to just hike in the woods. I’m looking forward to having a few hours to relax,” Theo said, deciding not to start right off with questions. There’d be enough time for him to draw Guy out, and ask about his wife. He gave his three bodyguards a quick gesture, and they widened the distance between them. John and Nick went behind him, while Julio loped ahead, but not before giving him a wink. Theo rolled his eyes.

  “Why do you have bodyguards? Most Delegates don’t.” Guy brushed his hands on the trees as he walked, almost as if he couldn’t help himself.

  He probably doesn’t even realize he’s doing it, Theo thought. “I’m gay, and I’ve received some death threats,” he said aloud. What he didn’t say was how frustrating he found being trailed by bodyguards. He’d received some hate mail, but he hadn’t had any close encounters with anyone meaning him harm. Council Head Brechek insisted on the bodyguards anyway, overriding Theo’s objections. As an Empath, he’d be able to sense if someone meant him harm. Brechek knew this, so the bodyguards were part of some deeper political maneuvering, possibly something to do with the secretive reports that he knew Brechek was hiding from him. Something was going on, but he hadn’t been able to get to the bottom of it, yet. Theo suspected that the bodyguards were meant to keep him in line, rather than protect him, but he had no proof, and the Council Head was crafty enough to hide his emotions from Theo. His bodyguards Julio and Nick were good men, but the third one, John, worried him. He couldn’t read the guy with his empathy at all. He’d asked for John to be dropped from his detail, but Brechek had refused, and Theo hadn’t wanted to start a fight so soon after becoming a Delegate.

  “Death threats? That’s terrible,” Guy said, shaking his head.

  “It is what it is,” Theo said. They walked for a while, neither man saying anything. Theo let himself enjoy Guy’s company, pushing aside the looming issues he faced in the Council. He’d deal with them when he had to. Theo glanced at Guy. Even though his emotions were sad, the man had a restful demeanor. Guy knew who he was, and his purpose in the world. His sense of self soothed Theo in a way no one else ever had. Then again, he is my soulmate, Theo thought, pausing to eye the trail ahead. “Lot of rocks coming up.”

  Guy grinned as he stretched out his arms. “Yeah. We might need to do some scrambling in this next section.”

  Damn, he’s hot, Theo thought as he rolled his shoulders, grateful that he’d kept up his workout routine even after he’d been chosen as a Delegate. He wanted to be able to keep up with his soulmate, and Guy was freaking built. He subtly adjusted himself, not keen on the idea of chafing his half-hard erection while climbing rocks. “You sound happy about that.”

  “I am,” Guy replied with a quick grin. “Climbing is good for the soul.”

  Theo smiled as they walked forward to where Julio waited for them at the foot of the slope.

  “Looks fine, but I’ll go up ahead anyway,” Julio said. Theo nodded his thanks.

  “Do you really think you need bodyguards out here?” Guy asked.

  Theo shrugged. “Protocol. I have no choice. They were assigned by the Council after I received threats at the office.”

  Guy frowned.

  “You get used to them,” Theo said, sensing Guy’s discomfort with the lack of privacy. He hoped Guy would be able to adjust to the idea, because Theo had no intention of giving up on his soulmate before he’d even tried to court him. Delegates didn’t have the luxury of a private life.

  “I’m used to being alone,” Guy murmured, watching Julio head up the trail.

  Theo pursed his lips, then decided he needed to know some more details about Guy, if only to avoid stumbling into something painful. “What do you do for a living? I assume something with wood.” He nodded to the small stick Guy had picked up somewhere. The man had been absently shaping it into a stylized rod as they walked. It looked like a decorative bookmark.

  “Hmm?” Guy looked down, then froze. “Oh, shit.” He stared at the stick in his hands.

  Theo smiled. “You had no idea you were doing that, did you?”

  Guy grinned sheepishly. “No.” He frowned, turning the stick around in his hands. “My Craft has been flaring up for some reason. Just in the past hour or so, actually.”

  Just since we met. Theo bit back the words he wanted to say. Guy really had no clue. Theo would think it was merely denial on the other man’s part, but he knew that only people with an empathic gift could really know for sure that they’d met their soulmate at first glance. He thought a lot of it had to do with natural selection: Empaths had a much lower survival rate unless they were mated. The stress of always feeling everyone else’s emotions took its toll on people with that particular Craft talent. He took a deep breath and reminded himself to move slowly. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Guy off. “Has it been a while since you’ve been in the forest?”

  Guy nodded. “Yeah. That’s probably what’s going on.”

  Theo snorted softly to himself as Guy slipped the stick into a pocket of his cargo pants. He was ready to lay hands on the man and declare himself, but Guy’s emotions told Theo that he wasn’t even close to ready. “My Craft is stronger, too,” Theo said, instead, laying the foundation for Guy to put the puzzle pieces together. “I’m glad we’re somewhere there aren’t a lot of people.”

  “Your empathy is stronger?” Guy looked at him in surprise.

  Theo nodded.

  “Can you sense me right now?”

  Theo hesitated. Guy’s emotions had swelled from sadness to arousal to calm and then back to arousal in the last few minutes.

  Guy stared at him expectantly. Theo ran a hand over his hair. “Most people don’t like it when I tell them what they’re feeling,” he said instead of answering Guy directly. “Most Empaths learn to avoid doing that, so I’ve heard.” He smiled wryly. “It’s not like there are a lot of us out there.” In truth, Theo had never actually met another Empath.

  Guy pursed his lips, and then began climbing the rocks. “I’m not most people.”

  Theo followed him, enjoying the view of Guy’s backside and strong legs. “No, you’re certainly not,” he murmured, softly enough that Guy wouldn’t hear him.

  “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t feel comfortable sharing. I’m the last person in the world who would push someone into using their Craft.” Guy scrambled up a jumble of boulders as tall as he was. “There’s a great view just up ahead, if I’m remembering it right,” Guy said, pushing through some low hanging branches at the top of the rocks. “Careful. The footing here is iffy.”

  Theo had no trouble navigating the rocks, especially not when his soulmate waited at the top for him. “I’m right behind you.” When he cleared the trees, he whistled. The valley lay before them like something out of a postcard. Blue skies with puffy white clouds skidding across the horizon completed the scene. “Damn. That’s a hell of a view.” He carefully didn’t mention that he was mostly looking at Guy taking in the view, and not the view itself.

  “Nice, right?” Guy smiled, hands on his hips.

  Nice place to meet my soulmate, Theo thought, very privately. His cock swelled as he took in Guy’s quiet joy. He doesn’t even know why he’s suddenly feeling better.

  “I’m glad you joined me. It�
�s nice to share the view with someone,” Guy said.

  Theo smiled, suddenly feeling as if he could take on the whole world and win. His worries about the Council faded into the back of his head as he relaxed for what felt like the first time in months. “Hey, can I give you my private number? Maybe we can do this again sometime.” He waited, reading Guy’s surprise with his empathy, then plunged on ahead. “Maybe we could even have dinner or something.”

  Guy stared at him. “Um, I’m not gay. I thought you’d be able to tell.”

  “I know you’re bi,” Theo pointed out before he could stop himself. Shit. He knew Guy wasn’t ready to think about his sexuality, but the words were already spoken. “We don’t have to call it a date,” he added quickly. “I’d like to be your friend.” Theo waited, absorbing Guy’s shock, and then, unfortunately, anger. Too fast, you idiot, he told himself regretfully.

  “I’m not bi, either,” Guy said, frowning.

  Ah, and there’s the self-denial. Theo sighed quietly. At least he didn’t punch me. He read Guy’s emotions, and then he just raised one eyebrow, thankful that his bodyguards had the sense to give them some space. He didn’t want Guy to feel like he had an audience for this discussion. Guy’s anger had faded and given way to embarrassment. Theo wanted to kick himself for pushing things too fast.

  Guy flushed. “I met my wife in high school.” He looked away, out at the view. “We were together for over two decades.”

  “You were married a long time,” Theo said carefully, hoping he hadn’t screwed everything up. He waited a moment, then read Guy’s emotions again. Guy felt … ambivalent. That’s good, right? Theo knew that Guy didn’t want to think about his sexuality, but maybe his rash words weren’t all bad. At some point, you’re going to have to come to terms with what you’ve known all along, Guy, Theo thought, very privately.

  “I never dated anyone else.” Guy turned back to Theo. His light brown eyes were shadowed. “I don’t know if anyone can call themselves bisexual if they’ve never been with anyone except their wife.”