Uniting the Souls (Souls of Chicago #6)(7)

“Volunteer? You mean you want to provide therapy for free?” Isaac asked.

“Yes, exactly.” I smiled at him and nodded my head.

“Why?” Matt asked. His head was tilted as he studied me through narrowed eyes. I could tell he was protective of the kids in his care and I respected the fact that he was choosing their future therapist carefully. I looked him directly in the eye as I gave him an honest answer.

“I grew up in this city and I know how rough its streets can be. I was fortunate to have been raised by a grandmother and an older sister who loved and accepted me no matter what, but I knew several kids who weren’t as lucky and I wished there’d been a place like this for them to turn to.” I looked at both men as I spoke.

“I think that Agape House is not only an amazing and inspiring place; it’s necessary. Our youth need to be shown love if they’re going to learn how to love themselves as well as others. I want to volunteer my time with your program because I believe in what you’re doing and I want to be a part of the positive changes you’re making for the next generation of the LGBTQA community.” It was quiet for a few seconds as Matt stared at me and then Isaac broke the silence.

“Wow! You should have been a politician,” he said. Matt and I turned our heads in his direction and I chuckled when I saw the look of awe on his face.

“No, thank you. I have no desire whatsoever to enter into politics.” I gave an exaggerated shudder and he and Matt both laughed. The previous tension in the air was gone as we smiled at each other. “In all seriousness, I would really like to volunteer at the center if you’ll have me.”

I had to fight to keep eye contact with Matt as he considered my offer because my attention kept getting pulled down to where he was working his bottom lip between his thumb and forefinger. He was much more serious than Isaac, but I found myself equally as interested in getting to know him as I was the younger man.

“I’m not sure how much time you have to devote to the program, but I was hoping to have a therapist available at the center at least two evenings a week as well as being on-call for any emergencies that may arise. It would be a big commitment,” Matt explained. I let my gaze drop back down to his mouth then slowly moved it back up to meet his gaze.

“That won’t be a problem. I’m available most evenings, given the fact that I’m single,” I informed him.

“Oh, I wasn’t…” Matt’s eyes widened and he began to shake his head.

“I know you weren’t, but I thought you should know. Both of you,” I said boldly, turning my head towards Isaac. He stared at me unblinking, as if he were trying to piece together my words, and I could see his pulse pounding at the hollow of his throat.

My hands fisted in my lap as I fought the urge to pull him towards me so I could press my lips to the pale flesh of his neck. His eyes darkened as they heated and I smirked at him. I loved the way he responded to me. We turned our attention to Matt who was watching us closely. I saw the flair of interest in his eyes, but it was gone a second later. He cleared his throat.

“I appreciate your offer…to work with the children,” he clarified quickly. “We’d be honored to have you as part of our team.” Matt went over the paperwork that I would need to have on file before I could begin and then stood and thrust his hand out in front of him, effectively calling an end to the meeting.

Isaac and I followed suit and I shook Matt’s hand, a zip of electricity flowing from his hand to mine and traveling up my arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake. Matt pulled his hand away quickly and his brows furrowed as if he couldn’t make sense of what he’d just felt. He glanced up at me with an almost pained expression and I wondered what had happened to put that look on his face.

I turned to Isaac who stuck his hand out with a shy grin. My lips pulled up as I looked at him and I felt the same shockwave as we shook hands. He looked up at me through thick lashes and my cock twitched inside my pants. I wouldn’t mind seeing him look up at me as I fed my cock through those full, pink lips. His pale skin flushed as if he had read my thoughts and I smirked at his reaction.

“I’ll be in touch as soon as I have my background check completed,” I told them. Matt nodded, but I noticed he wasn’t really paying attention because he was too busy staring at Isaac who was staring at me. I winked at Isaac and then stepped out of the office, closing the door behind me. I was still wearing a smile on my face as I made my way out of the building and to my car.





My legs felt shaky and I sat back down in my chair, afraid they were about to give out on me. The door shut behind Hudson and Isaac turned to me with a small smile. His cheeks looked flushed and his blue eyes looked brighter than usual. I felt the same strange fluttering sensation in my stomach that I’d been feeling lately whenever I looked at him and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“Well, it looks like we have a new therapist,” Isaac said excitedly.

“Yes, it does. That’s good…for the kids,” I replied quietly. Isaac tilted his head at me, the look on his face changing quickly to concern.

“Are you unsure about Hudson working with our kids? Because you need to be sure, Matt. Choosing a therapist is a big decision.” My chest felt warm when I heard Isaac refer to the kids at the center as our kids. I knew that what we were doing at the center was more than just a job to him. Isaac put his heart and soul into Agape House and he loved the teens that came to us for help, but it still meant a lot to know that he felt like they were his own, just as I did. I saw the worry in his eyes and I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea.