Fated Read Online Free PDF Page A

behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. It felt good. He felt good, all warm and solid, his woodsy smell arousing every one of her senses.
    He cuddled her against him like she belonged there, and warning bells went off in her brain. “Why did you bring me here?” she asked, her breath coming in uneven spurts.
    “Isn’t that obvious?”
    He settled his chin on her shoulder and kissed her neck.
    A delicious shiver rippled through her. “I’m beginning to see that you’re a detail-oriented kind of guy.”
    “Mmm-hmm.” The sound vibrated against her skin. “I leave nothing to chance. Especially when I want something. And Kate, I want you .”
    She sighed and forced herself to turn around and meet his gaze. This had the unfortunate effect of aligning their bodies and proving his words to her in full and thick detail. Her body weakened, melted, and a rush of moisture dampened her underwear.
    How was she supposed to think straight let alone keep her distance when he acted so sweet? “Nick—”
    “Don’t say a word.” He brushed her hair off her shoulder. “We’re going to eat dinner and enjoy each other’s company. Give me that, at least.”
    She sighed. “Do I have a choice? You had Faith kidnap me, remember?” Which, now that she was over the shock, she had to admit was kind of sexy.
    His cheeks highlighted with color. “You always have a choice. If you don’t want to be here I can’t make you stay.” For the first time she sensed maybe this wasn’t any easier for him than it was for her.
    “When is Faith coming back for me?” Kate asked, not answering him directly, at least not yet. But he was getting to her—from the effort he’d put into getting her here, to the sincerity in his tone and the fact that she really wanted to be here. Kate was a goner.
    “She’s not. But I’ll take you home if that’s what you really want.” He met her gaze, the swirling dark depths pulling her in.
    “It’s not. I mean, I want to stay.”
    She wanted to have this night with him and know what she’d been both dreaming of and pushing away. She’d pull herself together afterward. She had no other choice.

Five
    Nick had planned to pull out all the stops and convince Kate he meant business. But as they ate in silence, Kate devouring first the Manhattan clam chowder his mom had made for him, and then the steaks he’d broiled, he was beginning to doubt his ability to win her over. She was wary and uneasy, two things he didn’t want her to feel around him.
    “You asked me about my long-term relationships,” he said into the silence. “Now it’s time to talk about yours. How many have you had?” He threw her question back in her lap.
    Her spoon clattered against the table and she picked it up again. “Why?”
    “Because I want to get to know you.”
    “I’m not all that exciting. Especially my dating history.” Her cheeks flushed pink.
    “Uh-uh,” he said, waving his spoon at her. “I didn’t ask about dating. I asked about relationships.”
    Her scowl was so fierce, he was surprised she didn’t stick her tongue out at him too. “You know I didn’t go out with anyone in high school.”
    And he pretty much knew she barely dated here in Serendipity, unless there were guys from other towns he didn’t know about. There had to be. He couldn’t see a beautiful woman like Kate going without male company completely, he thought, doing his best not to scowl at the thought.
    “That leaves college.” She’d gone to a local university but he knew the place attracted out of staters too. He raised an eyebrow and waited for her to answer.
    “Fine. College. I dated a couple of guys there and then I met someone I thought was special.” Her eyes glazed at the memory.
    Nick’s stomach cramped at the notion of Kate with feelings for someone else, suddenly understanding her reaction to his twisted situation with Faith. He filed that away to deal with later. “What happened?”
    “His name was Scott and