My Soul Keeper by Ker Dukey Page A

option; I have no choice but to take back the soul.
    Simone enters and kisses her sleeping brother and mom. When her phone starts ringing, she hurries to get it out of her jeans and puts it to her ear while she tiptoes from the bedroom.
    “Hey, that’s great, okay. I’ll be there then. One o' clock. Okay, bye.”

I’m sitting in my first class, one table over from Lucas and Amanda. I’m anxious to get out of here and go help Jacob. He’s being discharged and they’re leaving for their lake house tonight so I need to say goodbye.
    I feel the usual flush creep up my skin from Lucas’s eyes. I look over to him; his dark eyes roam my body like he’s seeing me naked and he’s hungry for flesh. He reaches for Amanda and devours her mouth. He rips open her blouse and lays her down on the table, taking his lips to her bare skin. I look around the room and no one’s paying attention. When I turn my eyes back to them, Amanda’s head is turned from me and Lucas has a devilish grin on his face. He yanks down her jeans. She gasps and turns to face me. I scream and fall back; the face looking at me is mine.
    I feel the chair fall behind me and I land on top of it, crumbling in a heap. My eyes close and I hear voices fade out around me. Heat burns up my arm and then my face. My eyes flutter open to Lucas’s dark ones and I realise I’m now in his lap; my body heats up and lust pours through me. Even though he scares me so much lately with his intensity, I still feel aroused by him. I don’t understand the effect he has on me; it’s like a spell. I can’t control the way he burns me up. I scurry off his lap and stand.
    “Simone, are you okay?” he asks.
    “What was that?” I ask, pointing to his table where Amanda is still sitting, looking bored. She’s fully dressed.
    Everyone stares at me.
    “You fell asleep, then fell off your chair, dude,” Lance informs me. I look to Lucas who shrugs his shoulders.
    “You went down before I could reach you. Are you okay? Are you injured?” Liam asks, rubbing his hands all over me, checking for injury. Worry creases his brow.
    “Touch her much?” Lance laughs.
    “Don’t be stupid. I wouldn’t do that,” Liam snaps.
    “Whoa, chill, dude.” Lance backs away.
    “What’s going on? I’m late once so you’re all out of your seats?” Mr Harris calls over the crowd, pushing through.
    “I need to leave, sorry,” I mutter, making my way out of the classroom, down the hall, and out the exit. I run across the field and straight to my tree. I lie down and let the sky soothe me. I send up a silent prayer to give me courage; I feel like I’m losing my mind.
    I feel his calming presence as he steps into my view, casting a shadow over my body. I feel desperate to be in his arms. I sit up and drop my face to my hands in my lap, tears spilling to my hands. He crouches down and tips my chin up.
    “Never look down, Simone. Your beauty should only ever look up.”
    I rush into his arms, knocking him backwards onto his ass. He lets out a whoosh of air from the impact. His arms wrap around me and the electric current ignites every cell in my body. He feels so familiar, so comforting. His hot breath hits my neck and I hear myself whimper as his hand runs along the bottom of my back and the other travels up my spine, into my hair.
    I turn my head so our lips are hovering in front of each other’s. His eyes captivate me; they look into my soul and own me. I close the gap, feeling bold and desperate to feel him on my lips. His soft lips caress mine with just as much need; his tongue grazes my bottom lip, asking for entry. I open my mouth and bring my tongue to dance with his. My legs fall to each side of his thighs and I find myself moving on him. I just want to be as close to him as possible.
    He moans into my mouth, causing the same response from me. I feel the storm building in my body, wanting release. His hand rubs down my neck and over my collarbone; his lips tiptoe along my jaw and