Fated(54)

“Yeah, yeah. Psychic human here, remember?” I grumbled, walking across the bathroom to turn on the water in the shower.

I suddenly had the urge to crawl back into bed with Stefan and pull the covers over our head, groaning as I thought about dealing with Anna and Georgia's curiosity and their never-ending questions. Add Lukas to the equation and it was the perfect storm of annoyance and frustration. I stomped my foot in anger before I could stop myself.

“Can't you make Lukas cancel the plans? You're kind of like his Dad, right?”

I could hear Stefan's loud laughter to my question from the other room. I was glad someone found this situation humorous.





Chapter 9


Letting out a deep sigh of frustration, I finished applying my makeup in the large mirror. I was still irritated that I had an evening planned out for me, even down to the small details of my clothing. I'd spoken to Anna earlier in the day about our dinner plans. The only thing that made this night bearable was knowing at some point in the evening Stefan and Lukas would meet up with us for drinks and dancing.

I rolled my eyes in the mirror as I thought of how excited Lukas was about going out as a group. He was as giddy as a school girl going on her first date, bouncing with enthusiasm as he picked through my closet, finding me the perfect outfit.

My thoughts drifted back to the events earlier in the day, my fingers absently running through the tousled waves of my hair.

A yoga mat was rolled out on the sunny patio and I was standing in the Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe pose, my breathing even and slow. Stefan's long body was stretched languidly in the lounge chair facing me and his sunglass covered eyes observed every movement of my body. We hadn't exchanged a word but the air was heavy with controlled lust. He never took his eyes off of me, his gaze heated as I moved from one pose to the next. More than once I'd seen him stroke himself through his shorts.

Lukas appeared on the patio beside of my mat. “So this is why Stefan can't stay away from you. I didn't think humans could be that flexible.”

“Lukas.” The solitary word coming from Stefan's lips resonated with quiet power. Lukas pursed his lips, impatiently putting his hands on his hips.

I glanced over to see Lukas and Stefan's eyes locked in a silent conversation. Lukas finally gave into him, rolling his eyes and sticking his tongue out at Stefan defiantly.

“Josie, are you finished doing your contortion routine? Will you come with me?” Lukas questioned, his voice going up an octave in his excitement. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet, his eyes gleaming. I knew I might as well get this over with instead of dragging it out.

“Go with him, vackra. Resistance is futile.”

My head snapped around to stare at Stefan, my eyebrows raising in surprise. “You're quoting Star Trek now?”

A quiet laugh shook his broad chest. He crossed his arms behind his head and reclined further in the chair, the muscles in his arms and chest rippling with the movement. A broad smirk broke across his chiseled face.

“There is much you do not know about me. I am a man of intrigue.”

Snorting, I lowered my leg to the ground. I bent over and rolled up the mat, placing it on a small table. I put my hands on my hips in mock annoyance and my mental voice was matter-of-fact when I sent him my thoughts.

“Technically you're not a 'man', Stefan. And I know enough about you to safely say you're full of smart-assed arrogance.”

Lukas was a blur of movement as he grabbed my arm, pulling me along with him as he led me quickly into the house. I was struggling to keep up with his speed and long strides as he dragged me along behind him.

He pushed me into Stefan's bedroom, his hands proudly gesturing to a pile of bags on the bed. An immense smile was spreading across his handsome, aristocratic face.

“You wanted to show me bags? Lukas...” I said, a frown darkening my face as I gave him a look of contempt. I wasn't in the mood to play games with him.

Lukas dramatically rolled his eyes at me and let out a deep sigh. “Not the bags, Josie. Let me show what's inside of the bags.”

Watching with wide eyes, my mouth dropped as Lucas began pulling clothes of varying color and style out of the bags. I lost track of the number of dresses, blouses and jeans he tossed on the bed, gasping as I watched him start to stack shoe boxes on the floor. My eyes took note that all of the tags and boxes were from expensive designers and stores.

“Lukas, what the hell is all of this?” I swept my hand, gesturing to the piles of clothing stacked on the bed. He was digging through yet another bag, stopping to glance up at me with a look of exasperation on his refined face.

“I was so excited yesterday that I went shopping with Anna. You need dressier clothing, Josie. You can't live in tank tops and yoga pants,” Lukas said pointedly, his eyes critically sweeping over my outfit.