Page 23 of Fate
With a half smile and an intense look in his eyes, Fate traced my just kissed lips with his finger and whispered, “Now I got a taste of you and all it did was spur me on. Are you worth fighting this prestige prejudice?” He nodded his head. “I think you are.”
I stared at him, my mind utterly blank. A full sixty seconds went by in a stunned silence…Then I woke up. “The hell you just kissed me?” I exclaimed. Yeah, it was a stupid thing to say because obviously, he did kiss me. But who gave him permission to do that? I tried to be angry, but my body still had a few leftovertrembles and I did feel a couple of side effects. Like it being way too warm in this room and him being way too close. I finally had enough sense to step out of his arms.
He stared into my eyes and said, “You cannot say that kiss did not affect you, Briget.”
I shook my head. “Doesn’t matter. I can’t take the chance.”
“You mean you refuse to give me a chance,” he accused.
“Why does it matter so much to you?” I asked.
He paused and reached over to gently smooth the back of his hand along my cheek. “I think this could be very serious.”
I stared at him and his touch did cause a tingle to run along my skin. “You can’t know that.”
“I do. I’ve dated, been around women. Hell, you described them and you know what? They were exactly as you described, too.” He chuckled. “A couple dates then I would never call them again. And you know what? I never wondered why they never lasted until I met you.”
I shook my head while feeling confused. “What the hell does that mean?” I asked.
“You are different and not only that you are unique. I cannot stop thinking about you. Whatever it is that you have against me?” He shrugged. “You will have to get past it. To me, this…” He pointed between the two of us. “...is worth it.”
“So it doesn’t matter if I say no,” I said as I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Say no?” He smiled at me. “I haven't even asked you yet.”
“Asked me what?” I felt so lost in this whirling conversation.
He leaned in again and whispered, “That’s the thing, right? You shut me down before I could even ask. So I’m gonna wait until you’re ready.”
I couldn’t understand what he was playing at. “Ready? For what?”
“The best day of your life.” He tapped my nose playfully with his index finger then went around me.
Turning, I watched him leave. I couldn’t seem to help but to take in his tall form and confident walk. Yeah, I already knew he was sexy but it shouldn’t matter. I needed to stay away from him in any case. I especially knew that now after that sweltering, mind blowing first kiss. What guy kisses like that? It was deep, passionate and wonderful. I let out a shaky sigh. Damnit, why couldn’t it have been mushy and uncomfortable? Just my luck, right? The guy knew how to kiss for sure, no handicap there.
I’d thought he would get the hint or even be mad at me for shutting him down like that when we were outside earlier, but no…He wasn’t mad at all. I had to come to the conclusion that he simply saw my turn down as a challenge and he decided to step up to the plate.
I narrowed my eyes as I thought about his confidence and that winning smile. If he wanted to be the strike out king then I could accommodate him.
Chapter Nine:Your Fate
Fate
Yeah, I know she stared at me as I walked away. I could feel her eyes on me all the way to the hall. I didn’t care. In fact, I hope she did keep looking at me. I vowed to be right next to her every chance I got. After she left us and went inside earlier, I sat back down in my lawn chair and thought about what she said. I knew something she went through had caused her to have these opinions. Belle didn’t deny it either. If this was true then I would need to get her to face whatever it was and make her realize it had nothing to do with me.
So when Liberty asked if I thought she was worth it…that was when it snapped for me. I knew instantly that she was. Yes, most guys in my place would have blown it off and saidfine, her loss. Nope, I had an inkling we could be great together and now that I kissed her, I felt sure of it.
“Hey, um Fate, right?”
Looking up, I stared at the man who’d spoken. “Yeah and you are Bones, Prez for the Rebel Saints.”
“Yeah,” he said as he stuck his hand out to me.
I reached over and shook it. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, it is actually what I can do for you. Talon sent me to let you know that I and two of my men will be your escorts when you leave. He told me it would be you, your brother Liberty, his girl, her friend and your little sister.”
“And me,” a voice chimed in.
