Zayne Matthews is looking for someone to save him. His visions of a serial killer are pulling him deeper into a world of darkness he no longer has the strength to fight against. Detective Bodie Hale is looking for someone to save. His haunted past isolates him from the people who love and care about him, imprisoning his heart behind icy walls no one can break through.
Bodie stood and offered his hand as if it was the most natural thing to do.
"Come on. The aquarium staff is going home for the night. I'll walk you back to your car."
Zayne cocked his head sarcastically. "You don’t think I can take care of myself, detective?"
“It’s not that.”
“Oh, I get it. Porter and Harris told you to keep an eye on me.”
“Actually, they told me the opposite.”
“Then why are you doing all this? I mean, the ice cream, the aquarium, escorting me to my car.”
Zayne took a step closer to the young man still holding his hand. A burst of heat erupted in his chest. His skin felt like it was on fire. The scent of sandalwood swirling around him tempted him to give in to the undeniable need coursing through his body. Unable to resist, Zayne leaned even closer to the sexy detective.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say this was our first date, Detective Hale.”
Bodie’s expression remained unchanged, but he couldn’t hide the lovely shade of pink that was now coloring the tips of his ears.
Zayne's thumb drew slow, seductive circles on the back of Bodie's hand. He daringly slipped his long, elegant fingers between Bodie’s until their palms touched. When their grip tightened with a natural ease, his heart stuttered as Bodie's breathing quickened. Their intimately joined hands sent the most exquisite tremors rushing through his body.
"What are you doing?" Bodie whispered, his voice ragged.
"I don't know. But it feels right. Doesn't it?"
Zayne’s heart thrashed wildly inside his tight chest as Bodie lifted his free hand and cupped the side of his face. He could feel the calloused skin tenderly cradle the smooth skin of his cheek. Giving in to his body’s demands, he closed his eyes and nuzzled into Bodie’s warm hand.
"Zayne…we…we can't."
Zayne’s eyes shot open. He wrenched his hand free and took three quick steps back.
"I-I-I'm so sorry! I don't know what I..."
Bodie turned, heading for the exit, his head hung low. "It…It’s fine. Come on. Follow me."
Zayne couldn’t see the detective’s face. But he could read Bodie’s body language loud and clear.
What the hell came over him? Of course, Bodie would be disgusted. He’s a man, for god’s sake! A damn hot man who, even if he was gay, would never be interested in Zayne.
This is crazy! I’m not even gay! I’m not. At least, I’m pretty sure I’m not. I’m just tired, lonely, and fucking horny. I can’t even remember the last time I got laid. This is ridiculous. How am I going to look him in the eye after this? He probably hates my guts. He’ll probably tell the captain he can’t work with me anymore. Whatever. I didn’t want his help anyway.
“Are you coming?” Bodie asked.
But Zayne didn’t seem to hear him. He remained where he was, internally scolding himself for acting like a complete idiot. It wasn’t until he felt Bodie’s fingers threading through his that he snapped out of his bubble of self-loathing. He looked into the detective’s eyes, shocked to see a devilish satisfaction shadowed by a hint of hope in their golden depths.
“I’m not angry,” Bodie said softly, gently squeezing Zayne’s hand. “You’re tired and, just taking a guess here, hungry?”
Zayne nodded. Well, he may have read Bodie all wrong, but the detective knew exactly what he was feeling. It was nice—really nice—to finally be seen by someone. Granted, it was by a complete stranger, which was the damndest thing. Yet Bodie didn’t feel like a stranger. How was that possible? Had they met before?
“Alright then. We’ll stop for something on the way back to the station. But nothing greasy or spicy. You’ll have nightmares.”
Zayne gave Bodie a broken smile.
Oh, Detective Hale. You have no idea what a nightmare is. Trust me, junk food is the least of my worries.
Zayne could tell Bodie was trying to read his thoughts. The way a tiny wrinkle appeared between the detective’s brows and his pale eyes danced with questions had Zayne thinking hard about trusting this man with his secrets.
“Everything okay?” Bodie asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
“Well then, follow me.”
Zayne shook his head casually. “Not until you answer my question.”
“What question?”
“The one I asked earlier.”
“Ohhh. The one about why I’m doing all of this. That one?”
Giving Bodie an annoyed smile, Zayne replied, “Yes, that one. I mean, you’re a detective sent here to catch a serial killer. Shouldn’t you be out looking for clues or arresting suspects instead of buying me food and taking me to see fish?”
A smile borne from honesty lifted the corners of Bodie’s lips. “What can I say? I enjoy taking care of you. I like to see you smile. You should do it more often. It’s sexy.”
Eyes wide and heart racing, Zayne gulped down the words taking shape on his tongue. Bodie’s answer caught him off guard and left him wondering if he was dreaming.
“Come on,” Bodie whined, tugging on Zayne’s hand. “I won’t let you down. I promise.”
Of that simple fact, Zayne was now convinced.
“Where are we going?”
“Do you trust me?”
Zayne looked into Bodie’s unrelenting gaze and answered from his heart.
“Absolutely.”
The bond between Bodie Hale and Zayne Matthews is deepening into something more than just love. Both men are learning that the world hasn’t given up on them. With Zayne’s understanding and patience, Bodie will finally learn how to heal from a past he painfully misunderstood. And, with his detective’s guidance and persistence, Zayne will begin the difficult journey of learning to control his power. 
Feeling adrift and alone, Bodie Hale and Zayne Matthews are broken souls. The pain of their separation has left them empty and lost. Together, they were strong. Apart, they will have to be stronger. Bodie wants to put his past behind him and bring his musician home. But can he move past the horror of his childhood and let go of his memories of the dead? Zayne needs to reconnect with his past and master his gift to protect the man who holds his heart. But will he be seduced by the power inside him and the words of a killer whispering in his mind?Both men are waging a war to save the other. But every war has its casualties. They are soulmates trapped in a final battle where the only thing that will save them is A Soul’s Caress.
Caden Mitchell, a wolf shifter, thinks he’s on a mission to stop a deadly weapons exchange. What he finds instead is a pair of silver eyes and a body carved by sin. Erick Shaw is a struggling bartender whose scent has awakened Caden’s lonely heart and ignited a fire in his dying soul. Drawn together by an unknown and inexplicable familiarity, they will search for answers as to why humans want Erick dead and shifters wish to possess him.
When I was young, I read books to escape the small town I grew up in. College, work, and family took me away from the stories I loved. But in 2020, when everyone was isolated, my youngest daughter introduced me to Japanese anime, and I fell into a hole I never want to leave. Fan fiction showed me that anyone can create stories and share them with the world. Three encouraging words from my best friend gave me the courage to write my first fan fiction later that year. Not long after, I completed the series, A Soul's Caress, my first original story but not my last. At 55, I now understand the meaning of George Eliot's quote, "It's never too late to be what you might have been.”
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