Fated by Alexandra Anthony Read Free Book Online Page A

to the living room.  I pulled back the curtains to my patio and opened the door to head outside on my back deck.
    It was a beautiful morning, the sun was warm and I couldn't resist tilting my head back to enjoy the heat as it spread across my face and shoulders.  I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath of warm air.  I made short work of spreading out my mat, hoping that when all else failed, yoga and meditation would help make me feel more centered.  Right now, I'd try anything to make my brain stop over-thinking the events of the last 24 hours.
    I couldn't have been more wrong.  It was a struggle to clear my thoughts during meditation and I grew angry when my mind kept wandering back to the sleeping vampire in my bedroom.   Finally giving up on meditating, I began my yoga routine.  I was half way through when I could feel eyes watching my every move.  I was in the plow pose when he finally cleared his throat to get my attention.  Slowly lowering my legs, I fixed my gaze on him.
    “Yoga?” Stefan questioned curiously, leaning against the frame of the open door.  He was shirtless and his eyes were covered with sunglasses.  His body was pale in the sunlight and the fine blond hair on his chest and arms shined beautifully.   I shook my head to try to clear the thoughts about his arm and chest hair before I spent an hour waxing poetic about it.
    “I've been practicing yoga for three years.” I shrugged and rolled my yoga mat up.  I suddenly felt shy and self-conscious in his presence, my earlier excitement waning as my insecurities reared their ugly head.
    “It looks...interesting.  You are very flexible,” Stefan smirked, crossing his muscular arms under his chest.
    Ah, the confident Stefan was back this morning.  I could see his eyes through his sunglasses, raking down the length of my body and obviously enjoying my skimpy shorts and tank top.  I brushed past him to go back into the house and grabbed a bottle of water from the small refrigerator in the kitchen with Stefan following silently behind me.
    Sinking down onto the couch, I rested my head on the cushion behind me and closed my eyes.  I felt the couch move under his weight as he sat beside of me and I listened as his fingers drummed against his muscular thighs.
    Opening my eyes, I focused on his long fingers as they impatiently tapped away.  It was clear that Stefan was edgy and ready to talk.  I wasn't ready to discuss anything, despite my promise that we would.  His fingers stilled and he suddenly tensed beside of me, his head slightly turning to the side as if listening to something or someone.
    “Your friend is here to check on you,” Stefan whispered in a grudging voice.  How had he heard her?  I had to strain to make out the sounds of the key in the lock and the door opening quietly.
    “Knock, knock!”  Georgia shouted, closing the door behind her.  She bounced into the living room with her hands on her hips, quickly evaluating the situation in front of her.  It didn't take a psychic to know that Georgia was curious, relieved and wanted details in no particular order.
    “Georgia, you're as fucking subtle as a groin kick,” I grumbled and rolled my eyes in aggravation.  This day was getting better and better by the moment and it was still only morning.
    “Georgia Turner.  You came to check on Josephine.  As promised, she is in perfect condition,” Stefan said as he stood up, leaning in to kiss my forehead before heading down the hallway to the bedroom.  I watched as Georgia's eyes took in his retreating form and felt a small jolt of jealousy course through me as I could sense the lust radiating from her.  He returned to the living room with his shirt and flip flops in his hands, a grin tugging at the right side of his mouth.
    “Yes, I can see,” Georgia pursed her lips, trying to be discreet as her eyes traced over the muscles in his chest.  “Your ass is safe for now, big blond and sexy.”
    Stefan pulled the