As We Are

Page

A Totally Bound Publication

As We Are

ISBN # 978-1-78430-264-1

©Copyright Willa Okati 2014

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright October 2014

Edited by Rebecca Douglas

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2014 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Sizzling and a Sexometer of 1.

Soulmarked

AS WE ARE

Willa Okati

Book four in the Soulmarked series

Can the rebels with a cause change their ways, or will they miss their chance?

Wild, rebellious, and rakish, Cade’s been a bad boy since the day he was born. Don’t get him wrong—he’s as aware of his faults as he is his virtues, and he thinks he’d be better off without a mate of his own. He’d be a hell of a handful to keep up with.

Then a chance encounter brings Cade into Dennis’ path. Blind since birth, Dennis prides himself on being plainspoken and knowing how to have a good time. He isn’t looking for a soulmate either, but after meeting Cade he’s tempted to change his mind.

Can the rebels with a cause change their ways, or will they miss their chance?

Dedication

For Kimberly Starrett, with special thanks.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Mustang: Ford Motor Company

iPod: Apple, Inc.

Don’t Fear the Reaper: Buck Dharma

Guinness: Diageo plc

One Ring: J.R.R. Tolkien

Love Shack: The B-52’s, Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland & Cindy Wilson

Milk-Bone: Del Monte Foods

Twister: Milton Bradley Company

U-Haul: U-Haul International, Inc.

Chapter One

Cade? Catch!

A jingling ring of keys sailed in an arc over the hood of Cade’s old Mustang, well-loved, ridden hard, and looking like it. Cade caught the keys neatly in one hand and held them up, scowling. Not again.

Afraid so. You’ve been walking around with your head in the clouds for days. I mean, if I didn’t know you, I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, but…

Funny guy.

Cade’s baby brother Nathaniel—not so much a baby these days as a twenty-one-year-old with disturbingly high levels of independence—took the slow way around the car. He juggled three bags of ice, slippery and already drippy in the muggy city evening heat. I try. One of these days you really are going to lock yourself in—or out—and then what will you do?

Do I have a lifeline? Can I phone a friend? Cade mussed Nathaniel’s hair good and proper, enjoying his mini scowl of patient disapproval. Such were the rights and privileges of an older brother.

Nathaniel rolled his eyes. That depends. Did you remember to bring your phone with you?

In this hypothetical situation where I’ve locked myself out of my car? Let’s say yes. And in that case, I’d call you because you’re a sensible kind of guy, and mostly soft-hearted enough not to mock me for the mess I’ve gotten myself into. Here, give me one of those before you drop them all, would you?

Cade snagged two of the bags. Heavy, but manageable. He’d scored a decent parking space, less than a block away from the Eclipse party Nathaniel’s friend from the library was hosting. Though Cade hadn’t been personally invited and didn’t mean to stay, Nathaniel had needed a ride and Cade had had nothing better to do than lend a hand and a wheel.

Why are we bringing ice, again? Did they run out?

Questions, questions, Nathaniel chided. He knocked shoulders with Cade gently, letting him know he didn’t mind. Nathaniel could be a sweetheart that way, and very different to their stoic, gruff elder brother Robbie.

Whereas Cade… Well, Cade was the middle child and everyone knew it. Cheeky, restless, and addicted to cracking wise. A handful and a half. God help the poor bastard who might be his soulmate one day. Cade wasn’t sure anyone deserved that fate.

He shot a narrow stare at Nathaniel’s upper arm, where he had—just once—spotted a soulmark coming through, a cocoa-brown design on his pale skin.

You still don’t have X-ray vision, Nathaniel said in his quiet, contented way. You’ll see it when I’m ready for you to see it. And no one called me about the ice. It’s just a thing. Everyone runs out of ice at every party. I thought I’d bring some and save Dennis the trouble of sending out for more.

Cade couldn’t say he was surprised. Very nearly too sweet to live, Nathaniel was. Cade saw it as his mission in life to find, corner, and instill the fear of God, man, and rifles into any man who dared to think himself good enough for Nathaniel.

He hadn’t had much luck so far, but Cade preferred to see that as a challenge, not a failure. He’d get there in the end. For Nathaniel’s own good. Nothing to do with curiosity at all, nope, no sir.

Though he was fairly certain at least half the reason Nathaniel wouldn’t ’fess up about the identity of his soulmate was because he knew suspense drove Cade insane.

Even so…

Cade slowed his usual long-legged lope to let Nathaniel keep pace at his side. Why you haven’t told me to go play in traffic, I have no idea, he said honestly. I wouldn’t put up with someone as nosy as me.

Yes, you would. Nathaniel chuckled. I’m biding my time, big brother, that’s all. One of these days it’s going to be your turn. Some enchanted evening, you’ll look across a crowded room and lock eyes with a stranger, and you’ll know what it feels like to find your soulmate.

You watch too many chick flicks. Cade wrinkled his nose. And I’m not cut out for relationships.

You might be. Don’t sell yourself short. Also, they’re not ‘chick flicks’. They’re romantic comedies, Nathaniel corrected him. Which you’re well aware of, since you watch them with me. I know all your secrets.

Shouldn’t that call for a quid pro quo? No? Hmm. Cade side-eyed him, then the street number posted above a high-rise with an awning and a doorman. Just remember that with great power comes great responsibility. I’m in no rush to find a soulmate, little brother. That day can take its time and I’ll be fine, as long as I have friendly company in the meantime. I’d be equally happy—maybe happier—if I stayed single.

So you don’t mind not having gotten laid in weeks? Nathaniel offered him a sunny smile.

Cade grumbled under his breath. So he’d had a bit of a dry spell. Nothing permanent. Only just enough to make him very aware of a need to get back into the groove. Come to think of it, maybe he should do something about that sooner rather than later. Maybe even tonight. Hmm. Could happen. Is this the building we want?

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