Fated by Carly Phillips Read Free Book Online Page A

didn’t want her neighbors overhearing her personal drama.
    He let her pull him into her place and shut the door behind him. He’d come right from a shower, his hair still slightly damp, razor stubble giving him a rougher than usual appearance.
    But the hurt in his eyes was unmistakable and guilt rode her hard. “Of course I owe you an explanation. In fact, I was about to finish getting ready and come over.”
    His gaze ran from her bare feet and legs to the short robe she’d hastily tied on. Male appreciation flared in his dark eyes before he pulled his attention off her body.
    Wariness settled in his gaze as he clearly refocused on the present. “I’m listening.”
    Her mouth grew dry. Thinking about telling him her feelings and actually doing it were two different things. He’d yet to lay it on the line in words, but he’d certainly begun with actions. Now it was her turn.
    She still held his hand and tugged him towards the couch. He sat down and she chose to sit right next to him, curling one leg beneath her.
    â€œWhen I woke up, I was disoriented at first. The only thing that registered was how warm and happy I was. How peaceful. I thought, wow, I could get used to waking up feeling like this.”
    His expression softened and she continued.
    â€œThen I opened my eyes and saw you there. Asleep. And I panicked.” She glanced down, embarrassed by her actions.
    Nick watched her closely. She seemed fragile and tense, every word drawn from the deepest places inside her. Which meant he was getting the truth. At last.
    â€œI realized I was in your bed and I’d just been linking you to all these intensely deep feelings that maybe you didn’t really want. So I did what I thought most men would want after a one-night stand.” She didn’t meet his gaze. “I left.”
    â€œOne night stand my ass,” he muttered, squeezing her hand. “As soon as I realized you were gone, I thought about how I should have laid my feelings out for you before I took you to bed.”
    She shook her head. “I’m not sure words would have done it,” she admitted. “I don’t think I was ready to hear it. I sure wouldn’t have let myself believe.”
    â€œWhy not?” he asked, more gently than she thought she deserved.
    â€œBecause I thought you liked the idea of a challenge. I mean, you haven’t been serious with anyone outside of Faith. You went through women like they were interchangeable. And I’d been hurt by someone who’d used me. So I couldn’t let myself believe you’d want me the way I wanted you.”
    Her open vulnerability struck him like an arrow in the heart. He’d never wanted her to doubt his intentions but he realized now the problem was more about her than him.
    â€œI can’t change my past, but do you want to know why I didn’t stick with any of those women?” he asked, tipping her chin up so he could look into her forest-green eyes.
    She moistened her lips and it was all he could do to stifle a groan. “Why?”
    â€œBecause they weren’t you.” He touched his forehead to hers. “It’s not about Faith. It’s never been about Faith. It’s been about me finding the right person who just . . . fit.” He shifted and sat up, looking her head on. “Yesterday you said Faith was
it
for me. And she was.”
    At his words, Kate visibly stiffened but he wouldn’t let her run, emotionally or otherwise.
    â€œFaith was it for me—in
high school
. And when she broke up with me, she bruised my ego. I guess she hurt my heart, but I was a guy and I didn’t want to give it much thought. I wasn’t about to believe a woman could hurt me, but she did. Then she left and went to college and I stayed and like you, I went to school here. I worked for my dad and learned the business. I dated but didn’t get serious about anyone. Just like you