Page 87 of The Fate Factor

Finally, the card beeps and I push through, leaving him there with a promising kiss. I close myself in the bathroom to freshen up, and while I splash my cheeks with water, I hear Jamie opening drawers and see the light flip on. I hear the sound of the television booting up, snippets of sitcoms and sportscasters before it lands on soft music. My reflection grins back at me.

His casual romance is so damn sexy. I’ve thought so since he plucked a hops flower from the vine and rubbed it on my pulse point like an expensive perfume. I could tell from the quick look I got on the way to the bathroom that this room isn’t a business trip room. There were flowers on the end table, and behind me in the en-suite is a jetted tub.

Matching fluffy white robes hang on the back door. I strip out of my clothes and wrap myself in one, then pad barefoot back to him. Jamie’s eyes flare with the same anticipation I feel in my belly, and I think of what I confessed to Kate.I can’t get enough of him.

“Cute,” he says, lifting the tie on the robe. His eyes have gone hazy, skipping over me like a rock on water, and his tongue swipes his bottom lip before he pulls it between his teeth. I want it between mine. “Gimme two minutes to shower, and I’ll be back to take that off.”

He disappears into the bathroom, and I drop onto the bed, sliding my legs over the duvet to build some warmth while I check out more of the room.

It’s fancy like I thought. Huge bay window, TV over the fireplace. I reach for the remote to adjust the volume, and a blip of recognition freezes my hand before my brain catches up with it.

The fireplace.

A blanket of pebbles covers my skin as I climb off the bed and cross the room, pressing a hand to the faux stone veneer. Jamie only turned on the bedside lamp, and the switch for the overhead is on the wall by the mantel. I flip it, turning over my shoulder toward an overstuffed chair in the opposite corner. Sure enough, the art hung behind it makes my breath catch.

My hand flies to my mouth. I might be getting used to these pieces of the future coming true, butthisis a huge one. The bed I was just lying on—bright white comforter, heavy wooden headboard, navy blue blanket folded at the bottom—It’sthebed. I found it.

The memory pours down my spine, making my hair stand on end. This is where we were. Jamie and I. This is the room from the vision. His T-shirt, the cobblestone street, now this. These visions are like Tetris pieces falling into place, complete with music and explosions, and a weird sense of accomplishment. I remember Kate’s words—Universe Achievement unlocked—and stifle a giggle. “This is insane.”

“Do you like it?” Jamie steps out of the bathroom in just his boxers as I’m peeking through the heavy curtains, marveling at the view I knew I’d see. The mountains, snow only at their tips.

I turn to him with my fingers pressed to my lips. “What?”

“Do you like the room?”

“Yes.” I step into his arms, pressing myself into hot, bare skin. “I like it very much. Have you been here before?”

“Nope,” he says. “First time.”

My blood rushes so quickly, I’m lightheaded, and when I speak again there’s an emotion in my voice that I can’t hide. “Thank you for taking me here.”

“You’re welcome, baby.” His brow furrows, a hint of worry at how serious I sound, until I catch his chin between my fingers, and stretch to kiss his mouth, anotherthank you,and anI can’tbelieve this is real, and something so much more whispered in the silence of my lips lingering on his.

When I pull away, his expression has shifted from sweetness to raw hunger, an eyebrow arched in challenge to see if I’ll match it. I step backward, my fingers trailing between my breasts, down to the plush tie on the robe. It’s barely a tug to get it to fall open, hanging loose and oversized off of my shoulders. Cool air washes over my front, followed by a trail of heat where Jamie’s watching me. His lips are parted, eyes as dark as the starless sky outside of this fated hotel room.

“Get on the bed, Noe.”

“You have a bossy side.” I laugh. “I think I like it.”

“I have some other things in mind that you might like.” His grin hitches up on one side, playful and cocky, and then his arm sweeps around my waist and my feet leave the ground entirely. I’m dropped onto the mattress with a bounce and a girlish laugh that quickly turns breathless when I’m pushed to my back by his big, looming body.

“Have I mentioned how much I like ending my day with you?”

I stretch my arms above my head like a cat. “Me too. Sleeping alone makes me sad now.”

“Same. I like you tucked against me.” He kisses my collarbone, my shoulder. “I want to keep you warm.” His knee notches between my thighs, and his lips suck at my neck. “I like how you keep me still.”

I laugh lightly. He’s a terrible sleeper. I’ve taken to draping myself over his chest like a human weighted blanket. “A perfect fit?”

“Yeah.” Jamie pulls back, a lock of wet hair flopped onto his forehead and a mischievous grin on his lips.

“What is that look?”

“I can’t decide if I want to worship you or do dirty things to you.”

Excitement pops in my blood like fireworks. “You can do whatever you want. Have whatever you want.”

Because I want it too, and I think… I think the universe just told me it’s mine.

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