Raine

When I was securely buckled up in my vehicle, I let out a tremendous sigh of relief and told the driver to take me home. I closed my eyes and focused on the engine's soft hum, thinking that it would calm my agitated state of mind.

I kept thinking about the strange things that had happened that evening. In an instant, I was nestled comfortably on the world's most cozy sofa, with a glass of wine in one hand and a steaming romance book in the other. The ideal way to cap off a day spent seeing Romania during my year-long sabbatical. And the next thing I knew, I was overcome with an unrelenting need to visit the club.

I was not fond of it. None at all.

That was how the whole journey had seemed like I was being pulled into some kind of destiny. I chuckled. It was too long since I'd been alone to entertain that kind of wild speculation. I couldn't deny that I had traveled halfway across the globe for something I pretended not to believe in, and this caused me to feel chagrined.

I had dressed modestly, in a simple red gown that fitted my contours, unable to resist the inexplicable pull. Just right—not too brief. I didn't feel like flashing my ass in case I needed to suddenly bend down at the waist. Once I was well-pampered, I had traveled to the unidentified location.

However, it had been agonizing to wait by yourself at the edge of the throng in the nightclub, waiting for Destiny to announce her big plan. I winced at the recollection. I seemed really frantic and might have easily passed for a sign pleading to be taken seriously. I was not at all interested in tackling the quirks and egos of the male mind right now, despite my seeming invitation to the contrary. But plenty of guys had taken advantage of my inadvertent bait, as men could always be relied upon to be men.

None of them felt right, however.

Up to him.

Just like that, my focus was drawn to a single man's face as he leaned comfortably against the bar. I had taken a quick breath, surprised at how I had responded. I had become interested in him! I never paid attention to anybody. It wasn't that I didn't have empathy for others in my vicinity. Except for him, I just didn't seem to notice them at all. As I searched for what made him unique, my heart began its own little race through my veins.

His strong arms and wide shoulders shouted strength and power as he towered almost a head above most of the guys surrounding him. He seemed at ease, carrying a drink in one hand and moving it lightly to his lips before returning it to the bar. However, there was something about his posture and his gaze that made me gasp a bit. His physique was prepared, his eyes calculated and concentrated.

His head had shifted gently toward me, his intelligent eyes locking on mine almost as if I had called his name. For a minute, I had stopped breathing as he assessed me. His look was so intense that there wasn't really any other way to put it. Suddenly, I had the impression that I was watching a nature program in which the lion was sizing up his victim before striking.

I may still be staring at Hayden if he hadn't been there to divert my focus from the tall, dark, and enigmatic guy. With a heavy sigh, I tried to focus on anything other than the jumble within my thoughts. While my driver skillfully maneuvered the luxurious town car up the twisting mountain roads, the lights of the city faded from recollection. After fifteen minutes, I was able to identify the gentle radiance on the celestial horizon.

Chalet Moirai.

How appropriate.

Moirai was the Greek mythological figure for the Three Fates. When I made the travel arrangements, I was well aware of that small piece of information. Even though I knew that, I booked it nevertheless, refusing to accept the fact that certain things were out of my control. Whenever I attempted to strike an angry fist in Destiny's direction, she would quickly slap me across the ass and remind me that I may not really be the captain of my own destiny, but rather only a passenger on her Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

This evening was a prime example.

Selfishly Torn from a peaceful evening in—and for what? to meet a guy who was obviously much older than me. If the stunning woman with black hair had anything to do with it, he may already be busy, as far as I was aware. What then was the purpose?

Even yet, the twitch of my heartbeat persisted as I recalled his elongated digits around my hips, securing me firmly to his frame, his breath on my throat. and his cheeky inquiries about what made me feel attracted to him. Warmth traced my cheeks. I was not going to disclose my sexual inclinations to a total stranger! Since I hadn't quite been that far with a guy yet, I had to acknowledge that I didn't really have any preferences. Not because I hadn't been given the chance. I just hadn't come across someone who sufficiently captivated my interest, and I wasn't interested in being someone's booty caller, particularly his.

I shuddered as my lower abdomen constricted at the vivid recollections. No other guy had addressed me with such audacity. He seemed so confident, and I was...

I mean, I didn't know what I was.

It was nice that I had never needed anybody since I had always been independent and self-sufficient—a natural result of being alone in this world. An excruciating agony that I was accustomed to pierced my eyes. I firmly closed them and forced my thoughts to stray from them.

My eyes immediately closed and a picture of Cage's flawless face began to dance in my head. His deep silver eyes perfectly framed his sculpted cheekbones and big lips, and his black hair gave the impression that he had passed his hand through it much too often, but he managed to reach the right state of disorder.

I was curious about the flavor of his lips.

Give up that absurdity!

I had to take control.

I knew Cage was dangerous and I was never going to see him again, so I didn't care what Fate or Destiny had to say. It was just not going to happen that I saw him again, as I was not planning on coming to the club anytime soon.

Nevertheless, it seems that Destiny had a sense of humor since I definitely saw him again.

And lastly, not at all where I anticipated...