My Soul Laid Bare: Book 4 (The Soul Keeper Series) Read Free

flecks of diamonds in it. It's short and strapless with a fluffy organza skirt.
    “ I love it. How do you have such good taste in fashion? And how...” I trail off finally remembering I'm only wearing a towel, and he is looking as sexy as I've ever seen him in an Armani navy blue suite, perfectly tailored to his body. His face is clean shaven, and his hair shines under a layer of product. Elijah is as polished as a diamond. Forget the dress. I'm ready to drop the towel. I blush just thinking about it. For a brief moment, I imagine the look that would spread over his features, the way he would explore me with his eyes.
    And we're waiting, we're waiting, my subconscious sings obnoxiously.
    “ I saw you eyeing it on page forty two of your prom magazine last year. So I picked it up for you,” he says like it was nothing. My head ticks back.
    “ That's cool, but did Cartier deliver my diamonds yet?” I tease, but secretly wonder to what extent he and the other Keepers can fabricate things out of thin air. When I met him, he drove a cool classic Mustang. Elena brought me home a Porsche that could buy half of this house. He raises his brow and holds out his hand over mine. His eyes are lit up with inner light reminiscent of ancient blue glacier. They twinkle like he’s got a secret he can’t keep.  I open my palm, and a sparkling necklace pools in my hand. An emerald tear drop encased in a wreath of diamonds hangs from the delicate gold chain. His dimples are firing like they’re about to launch rockets from their deep wells. It makes my stomach cinch, and I try hard to keep it together and not bounce on him like a lioness grabbing a quick meal.
    “ It's so pretty.” He takes it from my hand and puts it on my neck. His feather soft touch sends waves of butterflies swirling around inside of me. He lands a kiss on my neck, and it increases the flutters tenfold. I give a soft sigh. Elijah waits outside my door while I change. When I open my door, he comes around and takes me all in.
    “ You are stunning. Your beauty outshines every precious gem, because your heart is made of pure gold.”
    “ Thank you.”
    We enter the small ball room of the only place in town that has one, the old McNally mansion. I've heard about this place, but I've never been inside. The place was taken over by the socialites of Sandbridge. They restored the Civil War era estate to its original glory. A beautiful chandelier dripping with crystals hangs high in the center of the room. White paneled walls sit under gold damask wallpaper, making the place feel even more luxurious.
    “ Can I get you a glass of wine?”
    “ Please.” Elijah pulls out the chair from a nearby table. Each table holds eight guests, and the place is already almost packed. I don't see a single face in the crowd that I recognize, but I only care about one person tonight anyway. Elijah returns with two glasses of wine, and I recognize the taste on the first sip. It's the wine he gave me the night of the party. It’s the only time I've ever been remotely drunk. The feeling has held no appeal to me after that night.
    “ Can I have this dance?” He stands and holds out his hand. The other people at the table gush over what a gentleman he is and tell me I'd better hang on to him. I feel a pang of guilt for running Sam out of town tonight, and I try to push it to the back of my mind.
    The band is playing Sinatra's “The Way you Look Tonight,” with a man who sounds remarkably like the original singer, crooning over the microphone. Elijah's hand slides over my back and guides me around the floor. He fills my ear with whispers of sweet things the entire night. I feel lost in a fairy tale and fear any minute something will go completely wrong. It's my luck. Nothing is ever this perfect for me.
    But Elijah keeps telling me how much he loves me in one hundred different ways. Eventually, I let the ominous feelings melt away and embrace the pure joy I'm feeling right now. After the