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“Sometimes fate sucks though. How could she bring me hellhounds and a life on the run?” She fought the resentment on the daily, tired of running, missing her family.
“Destiny is not promised to be kind, Cass. It only exists.” Julian slid onto the ottoman directly in front of her and reached for her hand.
“What are you trying to say?”
“It’s just that sometimes we can’t control things. This thing that’s happening … all of it … for whatever reason, we were supposed to meet. I was supposed to save you that day. Then you came to warn me. And now? We’ll keep asking ‘round New Orleans. We’ll go to Idaho, too, if we can’t find answers here. We may even find an answer one of these days but it won’t change the fact that you and I meeting … this was meant to be. It’s not all bad.”
“Why is it when you tell me this I feel …” Cassia’s chest tightened. His power radiated through her skin. Her cheeks flushed as desire threaded through her. “It’s just sometimes … I feel like I’ve always known you. But it’s impossible.”
“Maybe on some level we have.” His eyes fell to her lips.
Cassia struggled to focus as the tip of his thumb brushed her palm. The Alpha tempted her like no other man she’d ever met. Fate. Destiny. What is he trying to tell me? A whisper in the back of her mind spoke to her. Mate.
“I believe in fate. It’s just … this thing … it’s unusual.” Cassia struggled to find her words. “But I can’t help thinking …”
“Maybe we need to stop thinking and just be.” Julian pressed his lips to her palm. “You know … there’s a beautiful sky tonight. Not yet a full moon, but not much light pollution here in the bayou. Logan mentioned there’s a hot tub out there.”
“I’m sorry, what?” She released a nervous laugh, relieved he’d changed the subject.
“I’ll grab some towels.”
“Are you serious?”
“Hell yeah, I’m serious. Rafe and Greyson are out doing whatever vampires do. Logan’s busy with his pack for a while.” Julian jumped up and peeked out the sliding glass door. “It’s private. A beautiful night.”
“You are serious.” She laughed. Jesus, it had been so long since she’d done something fun and spontaneous she’d nearly forgotten the feeling. “Yes.”
“Yes.” Julian clapped his hands together. “All right. I’ll turn the heat up on it and meet you out there. Look there.” The Alpha spied a basket full of rolled up towels. “See. It’s meant to be.”
“You’re sure it’s okay?”
“It’s better than okay … it’s perfect.”
* * *
Cassia stepped out into the cold air, a towel wrapped around her. What am I doing? You want to fuck him, is what you want. She took a deep breath and blew it out, determined to have just a tiny bit of fun. Death and demons were waiting for her tomorrow.
“It’s perfect. You’re going to love it.” Julian smiled at her from the hot tub. “Come in. I promise I won’t look.”
Cassia’s mouth dropped open as Julian rose like a Greek God from the hot tub, the water rippling down the hard planes of his chest. The light of the candles reflected off his washboard abs as he stood before her. They skated the v of his pelvis, never revealing below it.
What the? Oh my fucking God?—
“Cass? You okay?’ Julian shot her a flirty smile.
“Yeah, um, I’m …” She struggled not to stammer like a nervous schoolgirl, but she’d never seen a more delicious wolf. She laughed. “I’m good. It certainly looks, uh, hot.”
“Oh it’s hot, all right. Lots of steam.”
“Well, I bet it’s good for you, then. I’m sure it is. You certainly look healthy.” Sexy as fuck … like he’s been working out his entire life. Oh Goddess.
“Sure is. Do ya want to come in?” He laughed a bit.
“Sorry, yes, of course.” She recalled his kiss, his fingers between her legs and stared at him wearing a smile. Her eyes lit with amusement. Jesus Christ, Cass. Get it together girl. Just because you’re about to get naked again with a hot as fuck Alpha wolf … you got this. “Just um, a sec.”
“I’m not a prude by any means but I am a gentleman.” Julian turned around, giving her privacy.
“Oh, thank you, but I’m a shifter too. It’s cool.” Cassia tossed her towel onto the chair. Her nipples instantly stood at attention, the cool air blowing over her skin.
