Fates' Destiny Page 10

  “I love that.” She said sleepily.

  “What?” He couldn’t help asking.

  “The silver in your hair.” His body went rigid when he felt her fingertips gently brush the hair at his temple. That soft touch ignited something deep within him. Something he thought was long dead… Desire.

  “It makes you look so sophisticated.” She continued.

  He couldn’t respond. Hell, he could barely breathe. He wanted to glance over at her but he fought the urge for fear that if he did he would end up touching her and not stopping until the yearning he now felt was satisfied.

  “I’m sorry.” Her tone softer and full of regret. She must have felt his sudden tension. “I shouldn’t have done that. This medicine’s making me loopy.”

  He couldn’t keep himself from glancing over at her this time. She looked so troubled by her action. He couldn’t let her suffer like that.

  “It’s ok Destiny. Just close your eyes and I’ll have you home shortly.”

  The corner of her lips rose into a half smile.

  “Ok.”

  Chapter 20

  After Kenna finished the burger and fries she’d picked up on her way home from work she’d called Destiny only to hear her voicemail. She was going to call her right back but when she thought about it she decided to just call her tomorrow. Destiny was probably busy with the Fates children.

  With a glass of wine in hand she made her way to the sofa and plopped down. She propped up on a pillow, stretched her tired legs across the dark red material, and grabbed the controller to the flat screen TV mounted on the wall in front of her.

  As she flipped through the channels, hoping to find a good movie on, her cell phone vibrated atop the coffee table.

  Thinking it was Destiny she shot up and snatched the phone off the table. When she saw the local number that wasn’t programmed her brow drew together.

  Who would be calling her at this hour? It couldn’t possibly be a bill collector or anything like that. She didn’t owe any debts.

  Curiosity pushed her to accept the call and put the phone to her ear.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey Beautiful.”

  Her heart fluttered at the sound of Luke’s voice. She hadn’t heard from him all day even though he said he’d call once he landed. At first she was thinking he was busy. After all, he did say his trip to Miami was business. But as the day went on and turned to night she started to wonder if he’d just forgotten about her. She was thrilled he didn’t.

  “Hey!”She folded her legs under her and focused on the phone call. “How was your flight?”

  “Long.” He sighed. “I hate flying. I’m so sorry I didn’t call you. Things have been a little crazy for me today.”

  “Bad?” She asked.

  “Well, let’s put it this way. I’ve been at the police station most of the day.”

  Her eyes widened as panic tightened her chest. “What? Are you ok?” Was he mugged or something?

  “Oh yeah.” He chuckled. “I’m fine. We suspect the manager over our complexes here has been embezzling money from us.”

  “Really? How much?”

  When he said 4 million dollars Kenna choked on her sip of wine.

  “Are you shitting me? 4 million dollars?”

  “Nope. And Adam’s pretty pissed off. But I think he’s madder about his tenets being neglected than the money.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t imagine anyone not being mad over losing 4 million dollars. “How bad is that going to hurt the company?”

  “Not as bad as you would think.” He explained. “We’re going to feel it but we’ll bounce back. Now we just have to focus on the lawsuit.”

  “What are you guys going to do about that?”

  “Settle out of court and give them what they want. It’s only right. We’re going to meet with the lawyers when Adam gets here Monday.”

  She hoped she didn’t sound selfish or anything like that but she had to ask, “When will you be back?”

  “Awe.” He teased. “Do you miss me already?”

  “Yes.” She wasn’t going to deny it. Strange to think she missed a guy she’d only met yesterday but she did. She missed him a lot.

  “I miss you too Beautiful. I should be home by Wednesday. So be ready to have dinner with me Wednesday night.”

  She laughed at his teasing demand. “Ok. So, what are you doing right now?”

  “I’m sitting at the hotel’s restaurant… Alone… Wishing the beautiful woman I’m talking to on the phone was sitting across from me. What about you?”

  She giggled. Could the man be any sweeter?

  “I just got done with a burger and now I’m relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine.”

  “Wishing I was relaxing with you?” He asked; his voice full of hope.

  Again she giggled. “Yes.”

  She was shocked by her own words. Never in her life did she think she’d be so comfortable with a guy… Especially a guy she just met. But she was. She was very comfortable with him. She felt like they’ve known each other forever and she could tell him anything.

  “Cool. Now, how was your day?”

  “Uneventful.” She answered as she lifted her glass to her lips.

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “It was a typical day.” She shrugged. “Mud, creams, a few make-up tips. It was… boring.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Luke didn’t care how boring her day was. He still wanted to hear about it. Anything to hear the voice that he’s craved to hear all day.

  He listened to every word, every breath, as he finished his dinner. God, how he wished she was sitting across from him. He could just picture her relaxing on her sofa. Her beautiful dark hair down, falling all around her sun kissed face. Her blue eyes glittering in the light.

  As he listened to her chatter away about a woman who thought she could magically make her wrinkles disappear he wondered what this spell she had over him was.

  He’d never cared about how a woman spent her day or craved to hear her voice. Usually he just used women for his own gratification and that was that. He didn’t do relationships or dates or commitment. Giving a woman control over him was something he vowed he’d never do.

  But Kenna was different. She was so timid… so fragile. He felt like he needed to look after her, protect her, care for her. It was so strange but he didn’t fight it. He couldn’t. His pull to her was just too damn strong.

  Once she was done talking she let out a loud yawn.

  “Maybe I should let you go so you can get some sleep.” Even though he didn’t want to stop talking to her. He never wanted to stop talking to her.

  “Oh, no. I’m fine. I’m not ready to get off…” Another yawn interrupted. “the phone.”

  “Me neither but I don’t want you tired tomorrow.”

  “Ok.” She sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

  He laughed. “Don’t let my brother hear you say that. Telling me I’m right is an unforgivable sin in his mind.”

  Her laugh was like the sweetest song he’d ever heard.

  “Ok. So…” She hesitated for a moment. “Will you call me tomorrow?”

  Hell yeah he’ll call her tomorrow. “Every chance I get.”

  “K. Goodnight Luke.”

  “Goodnight Kenna.”

  He didn’t lower his phone until he heard the beep that she’d hung up. After that he paid the check, rose from his chair, and headed to his room with nothing but Kenna on his mind.

  Chapter 21

  The throbbing pain in Destiny’s chest woke her. The bright sun that shown through the opened blinds invaded her eyes, blinding her temporarily. She blinked a few times to adjust and then turned her head to her nightstand.

  She was relieved when she spotted the two white pills she hoped would be there waiting for her and a bottle of water.

  The pain increased as she slowly lifted and edged her way closer to the nightstand. As she reached for her pain medication she notice
d they were resting on a small piece of paper with writing on it…

  Take your meds and call me when you wake.

  Adam

  Her cell phone lay next to the water bottle.

  She did as he commanded and popped the two pills in her mouth and flushed them down with a long drink. Then she grabbed her phone, dialed up his number, and put it to her ear.

  “I’m on my way up with your breakfast.” He said and before she could tell him she would come to the kitchen he hung up.

  “Control freak.” She called him as she eased to the edge of her bed and dropped her legs over the side.

  She stood just as her bedroom door opened and Anna walked in. She pushed the door open wide and stepped to the side allowing Adam to walk in, carrying a loaded down tray.

  He smiled when he walked in but when he seen her on her feet it faded to a scowl.

  “Destiny, get your ass back in that bed.” He demanded.

  “No.” She snapped like a defiant child. “You’re not the boss of me.”

  “The hell I’m not.” He retorted as he sat the tray on the foot of the bed. “Last time I checked I signed your paycheck every week.”

  He had her there but…

  “You pay me to take care of your children. That doesn’t give you the right to tell me when to sit, stand, and lay down.”

  Her step toward the bathroom caused a sudden pain to shot through her and she hissed and wrapped her arm around her chest.

  “See.” He rounded the bed. “You need to rest.” He grabbed her shoulders to help her but she shook out of his grasp.

  “I need to pee.” She snapped.

  At first he was shocked by the unexpected announcement and then he relaxed.

  “Why didn’t you just say that?” He scooped her in his arms carefully and started toward the bathroom.

  “Oh you will NOT be going in the bathroom with me.” There was no way in hell.

  “I’m not.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m going to take you to the bathroom and then I’m going to step back out. You can call me when you’re done.”

  Ohmygod! This man was insufferable! “I can walk.”

  “Destiny,” He said on a frustrated sigh. “you’re really starting to irritate me. Please, just let me help you.”

  “Fine.” She gave in. After all, he was just trying to be nice.

  “Thank you.” His features relaxed as he lowered her to her feet in the middle of the bathroom. “Just call me when you’re done.”

  After she gave him a nod he walked out, closing the door behind him.

  She did her business and brushed her teeth. Once she was done she called out to him and he reappeared in a flash. He scooped her back up and took her back to her bed.

  Anna had gotten a few more pillows and had them all stacked against the headboard. Once Adam lowered her on the mound of softness Anna grabbed her blanket and pulled it to her waist.

  “Thank you Anna.”

  “You’re welcome.” The little girl crawled up the bed and sat next to Destiny with her legs folded under her.

  Adam retrieved the tray and gently sat it atop Destiny’s covered legs. A plate of eggs, bacon, and toast sat in the middle of the tray. Next to it was a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice. There was even a small white vase with a red rose sticking out of it. Destiny had to smile. This was very sweet of them.

  “Daddy,” Anna spoke. “made you eggs, bacon, and raisin toast. He also made you a cup of coffee but I thought you may want orange juice.”

  “Thank you Anna. I really do like orange juice.”

  Anna’s smile lit up the room. “See Daddy,” She looked up at him. “I told you she liked orange juice.”

  “So you did Squirt.” Adam laughed as he lowered to the edge of the bed just below her feet.

  “So Destiny,” The little girl turned her bright blue eyes back to her. “how are you feeling? Daddy said you were sick.”

  “I’m feeling better now.” She assured her as she lowered her glass of orange juice back to the tray. The cool tanginess was an interesting flavor combination with her toothpaste.

  “That’s great.” She sparked. “Maybe now you can come to the competition.”

  Huh? She didn’t say anything about missing the competition.

  “Anna,” Adam’s voice was soft but stern. “I told you. Destiny needs to rest today.”

  Excuse me? Her eyes widened and then narrowed on him. “Are you saying that I’m not going today?”

  He nodded, returning her glare. “You need to rest.”

  Oh, no the hell he just did not. She took in a deep breath to keep her temper under control and turned back to Anna.

  “Anna, Honey, I wouldn’t miss your competition even if your father strapped me to this bed.”

  The girl’s smile grew. “I didn’t think you would.”

  “Anna,” Adam’s deep voice pulled both their attention to him. “Would you mind giving me and Destiny a moment to talk? Go ask Ali for some more napkins.”

  “Ok Daddy.” She gave Destiny a kiss on the cheek and headed out of the room.

  The moment the door closed she started before he could.

  “How dare you tell her I’m not going today?” The audacity. She was livid.

  “You’re not going today.” His voice held finality but she wasn’t giving up without a fight.

  “You can’t stop me.” She dared him.

  Her dare was met with a grin and a deviant glint in his dark eyes. “You wanna bet?”

  Yeah, sure. “There’s no way you can stop me. The moment you leave I’ll be in my car following right behind you.”

  “We’ll just see about that.”

  She watched him curiously as he slid his phone out of his back pocket, tapped the screen a couple of times, and lifted his eyes to her.

  “I think your mother should know you’re hurt.”

  Her eyes widened and then narrowed. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  Oh god. The horror of her mother being here while she’s injured. She wouldn’t be able to move. Hell, the last time she was hurt her mother spoon fed her. And the only thing wrong was a broken thumb.

  “Oh wouldn’t I.” His grin grew as he showed her Gracie Reece’s phone number on his screen. “I’m almost certain if she finds out you’re hurt and you won’t rest strapping you down would be a strong possibility.”

  Unfortunately he wasn’t joking. Her mother was just that type of overprotective, overbearing mother.

  “Adam,” He won this round. “I’ll make a deal with you. If you let me go today I promise I will rest.”

  One of his dark brows rose in question. “And stop arguing with me?”

  Really? “Uh, no.” She said sarcastically. “Arguing with you is entertaining. I will rest and that’s all you’re getting out of me.”

  “Very well.” He rose up off the bed. “Eat your breakfast. I’ll send Anna up to give you a hand getting dressed.”

  She was going to tell him that wasn’t necessary but she’d just be wasting her breath.

  Instead she said, “Will you please stop ordering me around?”

  He stopped his path to the door and turned back to her with a genuine smile.

  “Ordering you around is entertaining Destiny.”

  She had to laugh at his response as she watched him walk out the door, closing it behind him.

  Chapter 22

  The competition went great. Both girls placed third in their age groups and Destiny had never seen a prouder father.

  As for her, she was sore but it was tolerable thanks to the pain meds. Adam was so attentive to her at the gym Destiny started to get a little agitated with him. Finally, she had to tell him that if he asked her if she was ok again she was going to smack him with something heavy. She’d like to say he listened but he didn’t. Stubborn man.

  Once they were home Destiny kept her promise to rest. Only she didn’t want to be in her room away from everyone. To keep peace between them she suggested propping her up o
n the couch. He agreed without argument.

  After she was settled Adam told her he needed to call Luke so he was going to be in his office for a little while. When she told him she’d be fine he made his way to the door and down the stairs. She noted that he didn’t close the door at the top of the stairs nor did she hear his office door close.

  Ali went to her room. Jason surprised her by bringing her a cold soda and asking her if there was anything else he could get her. When she told him no he headed to his room to play on his computer.

  Anna made herself comfortable at the coffee table with her crayons and drawing tablet. Destiny told her she didn’t have to stay with her but Anna refused to leave.

  The world went quiet as Destiny lost herself in the book she’d been reading. Suddenly the doorbell rang.

  She rolled to get up but then she heard, “Don’t get off that couch.”

  Adam was already walking to the door.

  She rolled her eyes but settled back on her pillows. When Adam opened the door she heard a voice that made a lump of panic form in her throat.

  “Yes Mrs. Reece. She’s in here on the couch.”

  Oh god. Her mother was there. She needed to get up. She couldn’t let her see her lying on the couch, injured. There’s no telling what she’d do.

  “Oh god Destiny!”

  Shit! Too late. Gracie Reece had already spotted her and was at her side in a flash.

  “What happened, Baby?” She eased down on the edge of the sofa next to her daughter. “Are you hurt? Sick? What?”

  Before Destiny could say anything her mother’s panicked green eyes shot over her shoulder. “See Dave. I told you something was wrong with my baby.”

  Destiny glanced over her mother’s shoulder to see her dad’s tall, lean form hovering by the door.

  “Hi Daddy.” She smiled at him.

  “Hey Sweetheart.” The lines at the corners of his mouth and eyes deepened as he returned the smile.

  “Adam Fates.” Adam held out his hand to her father.