Written By Fate

by K Larsen

  “I can remedy that tonight,” he grins. “By the way, I’m sticking to your no-touching policy for the remainder of your stay.”

  “What?” I snort.

  “I think you were onto something. If you’re going to trust me we need to slow down. Take things as they come. I need to earn your trust, Clara,” he says, brushing my hair over one shoulder. The contact makes me shiver. Dom notices and grins devilishly at me. Two can play this game.

  “Okay,” I say innocently and glance up at him through my lashes before gently biting my lip and brushing against him. He groans low and deep while ushering me to the car.

  “I’m taking you somewhere. We’ll be flying. Wednesday morning I’ll have you flown back Virginia,” he says cryptically.

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise,” he answers, taking my hand in his and lacing our fingers together. I look at the hold he has on my hand and narrow my eyes at him.

  “What are you doing?” I quip playfully.

  “Ah, no touching means we sleep in separate beds, our lips do not touch and we definitely do not have sex,” he retorts quickly. “Hand holding, hugging, and snuggling are all acceptable.”

  “Well it sounds as though someone has really given this some thought,” I chuckle at him.

  “Clara, I’d like to do this the right way this time.” His voice is serious and sincere and I don't know what to say so I don't say anything at all.

  We quietly chat during the short drive to the plane. It’s comfortable and pleasant and there isn't any tension, which is new for us. The plane ride is about four hours long and as I look out the window I wonder where the hell we are. There is a dirt runway in the middle of the forest and it looks as though that’s where we are landing. Glancing nervously at Dom I ask, “Uh, is everything all right?”

  “Yes. That’s my runway,” he chuckles at me. With my panic subsiding, I look back out the window. Deep green forest covers the surrounding land. Near the end of the runway is a lake or pond that glistens in the sun and at the far side of the lake sits a gorgeous cabin. A golf cart awaits us as we deplane and I narrow my eyes at Dom.

  “A golf cart?” I ask, sniggering.

  “Shh,” he whispers. “I’m not pomp and circumstance all the time. I’m prepared to show you the real Dominic Napoli but you have to keep quiet. I can’t have my reputation slandered.” He laughs. This should be interesting. Is this all for show or does he really have a laidback side?

  “Well, I promise not to tarnish your ostentatious reputation,” I say with snark as he straps our bags to the back of the cart. He pats the seat next to him. “Hop in princess.” His grin reaches from ear to ear and is infectious. Climbing in next to him, the backs of my thighs stick to the sun-warmed leather seats.

  “Let’s go.” I clap and give him my best “I’m super excited” face. He chuckles at me and puts the golf cart in gear and starts buzzing along a well-worn path. The further we drive the more the trees open up, revealing a stunning mountain cabin that sits on a lake. “Welcome to my retreat,” he says, pulling up to the side of the house. He grabs our bags and nods for me to follow him inside.

  The large great room has a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace adjacent to a wall of windows that offer a breath-taking view of the private lake. There are three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and the master bathroom has a corner soaking tub and a view to kill for.

  There’s a full cook's kitchen, and a dining room and living room with wood-burning fireplaces. A large flat-screen TV hangs on the wall above the fireplace, and built-in shelving houses hundreds of books, board games, and decks of cards. The kitchen is fully equipped with a stainless steel refrigerator, microwave, stove, coffee maker, and toaster. The furniture looks comfortable and worn in, giving everything a homey feel. The great room boasts a baby grand piano my fingers itch to play. It’s nothing like the suite in Boston that I saw or his luxurious yacht. I move past him as he follows me around to the sliding doors overlooking the lake. Sliding it open and stepping out, there are four Adirondack chairs, a table, and a gorgeous built-in grill. “Holy shit, Dom. This is amazing,” I breathe while taking it all in. “Where are we?”

  He sneaks up behind me as I look out over the railing of the deck and wraps his arms around my shoulders. “We’re only forty-five minutes north of Blacksburg, actually. I had this built three years ago. Contrary to what the rags publish, I spend most of my time here. This is my home.” I spin around in his embrace to face him.

  “You live here,” I state.

  “As much as I can. Yes,” he answers my non-question. My mind reels with conflicting thoughts. This is peaceful and although large for just one man, moderately normal. Not at all like the Dominic I know. “Let’s get lunch going, shall we?” he asks, breaking my train of thought.

  “Sure. I’m starved,” I agree. After showing me which cabinets house what, we move around the kitchen effortlessly together. I make a garden and pasta salad while he seasons fresh ground beef and shapes it into patties before bringing them to the grill. The late afternoon sun makes the lake shimmer and casts a warm glow over the trees at its banks.

  “Do you like what you do?” I ask after swallowing a bite of my burger. Dom gazes at me curiously before answering.

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “Because I want to know,” I retort playfully.

  “I suppose so. I’m good at what I do...at making money.”

  “That’s hardly an answer. Do you like it? Are you passionate about it?” I push, wanting to know more about this mystery man with a million different layers. He stares out over the water and sets his burger down.

  “No. I’m not passionate about it. I was groomed to be a leader. I followed suit in that regard. I love travelling. Hotels seemed like a natural fit. The club scene is just a bonus money maker, really. I like the benefits that come from the work I do,” he answers hesitantly.

  “If you didn't care about salary what would you do?”

  “I don't know. I’ve never really given it much thought,” he says honestly.

  “Okay, well, what are you passionate about?” I try.

  “You,” he answers without hesitation, making me laugh.

  “Besides me, stud.”

  “Hmm...I love music, although I can’t play a lick or sing. I love my motorcycle and taking long rides through the mountains. I love the way the human body works. Maybe in another life I would have been a personal trainer. I have a strange love affair with working out,” he chuckles.

  “Well it’s working for you so keep at it,” I flirt.

  “What about you, Clara?”

  “Isn’t that obvious? I love art, drawing, creating. I have my dream job. It doesn't make me millions and it’s far from traditional, especially as far as moms go, but it pays the bills and satisfies my creative side.” The words leave my mouth like a well-thought-out speech but it’s the honest-to-God truth. I adore my work.

  “You must be telling the truth. Your eyes light up when you talk about it. That’s a very lucky thing...not everyone gets to follow their dreams and make ends meet,” he says softly.

  “I’m not saying it was easy. It was incrementally harder having Allie to feed, too, but I managed. And then Sawyer came along and we managed together. Allie’s been hanging out in tattoo parlors since she was born. Sometimes the only way I could get her to stop crying was to turn on the gun. The sound of the buzz soothed her. I couldn't afford daycare so she just came with. I’m sure later down the round that will end up scarring her, but it is what it is,” I ramble, remembering how she used to sleep in a laundry basket next to my stool while I worked.

  “Allie seems to be just fine,” he says gently. “What exactly is the story with Sawyer?” he probes. I take a deep breath and decide to just shoot straight.

  “We met when Allie was four, and ended up dating. It fizzled out fast but he stuck around as a friend and we’ve been a threesome ever since. He’s all Allie knows of a dad. Going
home is going to be torture. Allie adores him. I don't want to hurt him and he adores us. I don't know what will happen when I tell him it’s over...like really over,” I lament, wondering if he’ll stay in the house or move out or if he’ll kick me out. This is going to be a giant shit show. How will we run the shop together? I rake a hand through my hair and sigh. I can feel a tension headache coming on just from thinking about what happens next. Dom appears at my side. “Don’t think about that right now,” he breathes in my ear and moves behind me. His hands come to my shoulders and he starts to knead the tension from my neck and upper back. It feels heavenly. I moan from the sheer pleasure his strong fingers are bringing and suddenly his hands are gone.

  “Don’t stop,” I whine and tilt my head back to look at him.

  “I can’t just rub your shoulders when you moan like that,” he says, looking a little sheepish. I can't help the laughter that rolls out of me as he takes his seat across from me again.

  “I had no idea I affected you so strongly,” I giggle. Jesus. I don't giggle, it’s lame. What is wrong with me?

  “You are bewitching, Clara,” he says seriously as his eyes beam lust at me. I suck in a sharp breath and look out over the water.

  “I’m a lot of things, Dom. Bewitching isn’t one of them.”

  “What are you then?” he asks.

  “I’m a bitch. I’m a liar, and I’m horribly selfish,” I admit.

  “I can see two of those things, but they aren't turn-offs for me. Explain the lying,” he pushes.

  “I can’t.” My defensive walls close in around my heart, violently urging me to shut the hell up and change the conversation. “What card games do you know? I saw a deck of cards, shall we play a drinking game?” I offer.

  “A drinking game, alone in a house with you? I’m not sure that's a great idea. How about a walk around the lake instead?” he offers.

  “That could work too, I suppose.”

  Dom shows me to the room he set my suitcase in. I change and pull my hair into a ponytail before heading back downstairs to meet him. When I get there he’s in board shorts and a tee shirt and looks delicious. This is going to be a long forty-eight hours. “Do I need a suit?” I ask, taking in the way his suit hangs from his hips.

  “You might want one,” he replies. I dart back up the steps, pull my clothes off, and slip into my bikini before redressing and meeting him at the kitchen door.

  “Okay. Ready,” I state as he opens the door for me. Dom leads us to a path that circles the lake. It’s dusk and getting dark out but I trust that he knows the way. Once we’re about twenty minutes into our trek he stops and strips off his shirt. Without a second thought he barrels towards the shore and cannonballs into the water. I stand gaping at the ripples that he left behind. Who is this guy? His head pops up and he beckons me to join him in the water. His abandon is contagious and I find myself stripping off my clothes.

  “Are you sure it’s not freezing?” I ask standing at the edge of the lake. Dom swims up eyeing me heatedly. I knew I liked this suit. “It’s fine. Get in,” he quips. I take a step back and jump into the water without further thought. The water is freezing as I plunge in. My head breaks through the surface and I sputter.

  “It’s freezing!” I squeal. His laughter booms from the shoreline. The jerk is already out of the water. I swim quickly to the edge and take his hand as he reaches it out to me. He tugs roughly and sends me flying onto the grass landing on top of him. Our slick skin slides against each other. He’s warm and soft and I want to do dirty things to him.

  “Uh...” is all I can manage before he rolls me to the side and helps me up.

  “So,” he says panting lightly. I tuck my knees under me, sitting next to him and watching the sunset on the water. “Who was your first love?” he asks.

  “Mine?” I say a little too highly-pitched.

  “Yup. Who was it?” he says, watching me.

  “Kellan O’Hare, tenth grade. We dated for a year and then he dumped me for no reason. I thought my world ended. I swear the way he said my name made my heart burst out of my chest.” I laugh at the memory.

  “Tenth grade huh? You sure it was love?” he teases.

  “We didn't sleep together. I lost it to a douche who didn't even know my last name just before we started dating,” I inform him.

  “Oh, really? Who would have thought?” he snickers at me.

  “Hey now. I’ve been with a total of six people and that includes you so shut it,” I say, irritated.

  “I didn't accuse you of anything, Clara, relax,” he snorts.

  “Sorry. I just...whatever.” I stop myself from digging my hole deeper. “How 'bout you?”

  “First love or number of partners?” he jokes and nudges my shoulder. “Shana Homes. Man, she was my world one summer. I was sixteen. She wrote me a note breaking it off as my Christmas present,” he finishes. I roll with laughter.

  “I’m sorry, it’s not funny, that is truly mean and heinous,” I snigger. “Who was next?” I ask curiously.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Who was your next love?” I clarify.

  “Oh... I don’t know...” he trails off.

  “You don't know?” I ask incredulously.

  “After that I got pretty serious about my studies, then came college and grad school and work,” he explains. My heart aches for him a little, knowing he’s given up a true personal life for his work. “What about you?”

  “I ah... I dated this guy Tucker and for a little bit. I thought it was love, but looking back I don't think it ever was. So I guess...Allie’s dad. I fell for him pretty hard,” I say distractedly.

  “Where is her dad?”

  “Gone. I’m getting chilly...can we head back?” I ask. He nods and we tug our clothes back on and head back to the house.

  “Would you like a glass of wine?” he asks as we enter the house.

  “Sure. I’m going to change...I’ll meet you in the living room,” I answer. I head upstairs and quickly throw on my silk pajama shorts and matching top. When I get to the living room I can't help but check out the piano. I slide onto the bench and let my fingers graze the keys momentarily. Before I can stop myself my fingers drift over the keyboard and I let the music fill the room as the black and white keys depress and release. I haven't had a piano at my disposal, except for the school's, in a long time and it takes no time at all for me to get lost in the notes. I play the song from memory, closing my eyes and letting the notes fill the silence with ease. The last time I played for anyone outside of elementary students was a decade ago or more.

  “That’s beautiful.”

  Dom’s husky voice sends chills through me. Turning slightly I catch his dark eyes watching me heatedly. Without missing a beat I finish the song and let my hands rest gently on the keys for a moment afterward.

  “What was it?”

  “’With You, Friends’ by Skrillex,” I breathe.

  “I’ve never heard of it,” he says and I chuckle.

  “I’ll have to correct that sometime.”

  “I didn't know you played.” He sets my wine on the top of the piano.

  “I did...er, do, I guess. I play for the school at concerts but I don't have my own piano.”

  “I thought you taught chorus?” he asks, confused.

  “I do, but when the kids sing, I play the music,” I explain.

  “Woman of many talents. Will you sing for me?”

  “Oh no. I haven't really played and sung for a long time.”

  “Please, Clara.” There’s something in his voice that I can't resist.

  “I...all right, but no laughing,” I instruct before cracking my knuckles. “And remember, this is a piano version only...unless you can play some strings for me?”

  “No can do.”

  I turn to the keys, clear my throat, and close my eyes as I begin to play “Never Is a Promise” by the amazing Fiona Apple.

  “You'll never see

  The courage I know


  Its colors' richness won't

  Appear within your view

  I'll never glow

  The way that you glow

  Your presence dominates

  The judgments made on you

  But as the scenery grows

  I see in different lights

  The shades and shadows

  Undulate in my perception

  My feelings swell and stretch

  I see from greater heights

  I understand what I am still

  Too proud to mention

  To you...You'll say you understand

  But you don't understand

  You'll say you'd never

  Give up seeing eye to eye

  But never is a promise

  And you can't afford to lie...”

  I continue the song until it’s finished and suck in a sharp breath as I stop the music and let the silence permeate the air around us.

  “I don’t really do her justice but...”

  “You’re fantastic,” he interrupts, making me blush.

  “I’m decent,” I agree to a lesser term.

  “Clara. You’re full of talent. It’s amazing. I can’t carry a tune to save my life. I’m thoroughly impressed,” he gushes. I feel like I’m sixteen again and my crush just told me I’m pretty for the first time. It’s ridiculous.

  “Well,” I say picking up my wine glass and joining him on the couch, “I’m flattered that I could impress the great Dominic Napoli.” He shakes his head at me and pulls me into the crook of his arm.

  “Any interest in a movie?”

  “Sure. Whaddya got?” I quip.

  I end up falling asleep on the couch during the movie with Dominic. At some point I remember feeling him carrying me to my room, tucking me in and kissing me on the forehead. I’m pretty sure he mumbled something in my ear but I was just too tired to wake up enough to hear it. Needless to say the bed in my room is heavenly. Plush and warm and so comfortable I don't think there would ever be a reason to get out of it.

  I wake up to the smell of fresh coffee wafting up the stairs. I jackknife up to see the clock. It’s almost ten-thirty. I can't remember the last time I slept so late. Having coffee waiting in the kitchen when I arrived downstairs was nice but the true treat was the sausage, eggs, and toast being made for me. I slide onto one of the stools at the island and watch Dom as he works. Is it weird to be attracted to a guy's back? Because Dominic Napoli’s muscled back is a sight to be seen. Reaching over, I slide his iPad across the counter and flip through the news silently until Dom notices me.