Page 29 of Fate

Of course, I never lost my love for him. It was the one single constant I could count on through my therapy and the mental anguish that followed a life-altering injury such as mine. At least I’d had love and lost it. Most people don’t even find it once. I figure I was lucky. I amlucky.

But what happensnow?

A ringing phone cuts off my silent musings.

Carson blinks his eyes open. I stay where I am, holding my breath, staring at the beautiful sight of him lying in my bed for the first time in years. He lifts his lips into a beautiful smile.

“Morning, Sweetcheeks,” he rumbles, tugging me around the waist and dragging me closer to his naked warmth.

The instant my bare legs touch his, the comforting warmth seeps deep into my bones. He didn’t bother to put any clothing on last night. Out of force of habit, I’d put on a long-sleeved nightshirt after our last round of lovemaking.

The phone stops ringing as Carson rubs his scruffy chin against my neck, sighs, and inhales my scent. The sound reverberates against my neck and flows down into mysoul.

Carson is in my bed. In the flesh. Holdingme.

I love you, Kathleen.

In my mind, I hear those words over and over. They give me the ability to snuggle into him and just breathe. Enjoy the moment for what it is. The morning after.

Only this time, it’s the morning after with the man Ilove.

I love you, Kathleen.

He’d said the words, and I believedhim.

The phone rings again, ruining my good vibes with its persistence.

Carson groans, scowls, and then turns flat on his back, digging around on the floor. He’s so tall and his arms so long, his reach is incredible.

He pulls the ringing phone up and glances at the display.

He frowns, narrows his gaze, and punches the “ignore” button.

I couldn’t be sure, but I think the name of the person calling was Michelle or Missy or Misty.

Then it hits me. What Chase said last week. That he didn’t think the woman Carson was with was right for him, or something of that nature. Honestly, I wasn’t paying too close attention, because if I had, I would’ve spent weeks hating myself all over again for letting himgo.

Carson’s body is rigid when he turns back to his side. The second his pretty eyes hit mine and that smile comes back, the phone rings a thirdtime.

He sits up, groaning and letting the sheet fall around his lap. God, he’s sexy, all tanned skin and tight brick-shaped abdominals. I want nothing more than to roll over and lick them to prove there is indeed an indented outline around eachone.

“Fucking hell!” He smashes the accept button and turns to the side of the bed, curling over to listen.

“I told you I’d call when I was ready.” His voice borders on angry.

Not exactly the happy-go-lucky man I am used to, especially after a night of smokin’-hot sex and reconnecting to lostlove.

Carson’s entire body visibly tightens, the muscles of his back bunching up and engaging.

“Jesus Christ. Is sheokay?”

Abruptly he stands, leans over, grabs his boxer briefs, and shimmies into them. If I weren’t so focused on the heightened breathing, the worry taking over his entire form, I’d have ogled him. Instead, I sit up and watch him silently pace. He pushes his hand into the mop of sleep-mussed hair and tugs. It is definitely a Davis male move. Chase does the same thing all the time. I’ve even seen Carson’s dad do it a time ortwo.

His face is a mask of irritation when he turns to pace toward the bed. “Uh-huh. You what? No, I’m not home.” His head flings up, eyes alert and on me. He cringes. “Nowhere.”

God, something must be really wrong.

“How is that even possible? No family? Friends?” He shakes his head, fumbles with his polo, and pulls it over his head in jerky movements. “Fuck. I’ll figure something out. I’ll be there in a halfhour.”

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