Creating Fate Excerpt

Dane had successfully snared them a ride to the closest drive-through town. It housed a café and a motel. Neither looked healthy enough to stay in or eat at, but that didn’t seem to bother him.

“Come on, we’ll room here tonight. I can use the payphone and one of Shady’s boys will pick us up in the morning.”

Chloe stopped halfway across the parking lot. As Lacey would say, this place was a shit hole. “Are you serious?”

He shoved his hands in his pocket and glanced at the motel, then back at her. “Ah, come on, I didn’t take you for the kind of girl who would mind a little hard living.”

Hard living was one thing, but this was ridiculous. “Whatever.”

They rushed inside the dingy motel together and met the night clerk’s quizzical glance—together.

Dane placed a hand on her stomach to still her. “We need a room.”

She glared at him then back at the clerk. “Two, please.”

“One.” Dane glared back.

The old clerk stood. “Well, which is it? One or Two?”

Dane slapped a hand over her mouth and rushed on, “One.” He glared at Chloe, daring her to say something and oh, she had plenty to say. “Don’t.”

The clerk shrugged before handing them an old fashioned key—no easy card swipes here— and muttered, “Room thirteen.”

Well, that was great. A number considered unlucky in this era sealed their fate. He grabbed her hand and tugged her back through the glass door. The way his fingers wrapped around hers kicked her heart rate up a notch and tightened things low in her stomach. He made her forget memories she wasn’t ready to give up.

“Dane,” she warned. “I don’t want to share a room with you.”

He flashed that grin at her—the one that made her girly bits grin back in anticipation. “I don’t bite—much.”

She stopped. If he thought he was getting anything other than a crap load of harping, he was so wrong. And she’d had centuries to learn how to nag with the best of them.

“Relax. I’m not going to touch you unless you want me to, and we both know you do.”

Did she? Sure the man could kiss better than anything she’d ever had, even her fiancé, which left a taste of bitter lemons in her mouth. But, had enough time really passed to have grieved for someone she was ready to commit a human lifetime to? And if it was, did that mean she didn’t love David as much as she’d thought?

David, I’m so sorry.

She ignored his comment and waited by their unlucky room. He slid the key in the lock and winked at her before shoving open the door. “Come on, I’m beat.”

“Good.” Maybe he wouldn’t have the energy to look so cute.

He smirked and shook his head. “You are a piece.”

“You’re not. Now move.” She shoved him inside and immediately claimed the small bathroom. 

They’d been running through the woods with only quick breaks for the necessities. She was ready for a shower and a toothbrush. The shower proved to be grimy and almost as dirty as her, but it was hot. She rolled the muscles in her neck, enjoying the soothing mist.

Dane banged on the door. His muffled voice carried beneath the door. “Want me to wash your back?”

She grinned. If he wasn’t into a life of crime, she’d actually enjoy his humor. “No, thank you.”

His chuckle made her giggle, but then he had to go and ruin it with his cocky flare. “I’m good.”

“I’ll bet you are.” She cut off the water and used the small towel to quickly dry off and wrap around her body. She washed her slacks, panties, bra and blouse in the sink and rinsed them before hanging them around the room. Making sure she had the towel secure, she said a quick prayer to the gods that it didn’t slip and turned the door handle. Dane had kicked off his shoes and was sprawled across the full size bed.

Chloe edged closer to him. “Dane.”

 
He didn’t stir. He really did need to get out of his dirty clothes. She leaned over him to unsnap his tight jeans and strong fingers clamped down on her wrist. “What are you doing?”