Free Guardian Of Fate (Fate Series) by L.J. Kentowski Page A

trail in the winter months. It ran alongside a small creek for about a mile, ending in a park, with a loop-around to bring you back onto the path. It was a great two-mile jog that I used to run daily, but lately, school and work seemed to be my excuses not to go.
    Feeling the euphoria of the run about a half-mile into it, I vowed to make sure that I squeezed it back into my daily routine. With music in my ears, I reveled in the smell of morning, which always seemed to be so fresh, as if not yet tainted by the day. The trees off the path were hinting of fall, their colors promising bright reds and yellows before the world turned white. My mood easily blended in with my refreshingly bright surroundings, thinking of the pleasant things in my life, instead of the doom and gloom that had monopolized my thoughts lately. I wanted to make the most of this nostalgia.
    My mind wandered to Caleb. The familiar settings reminded me of our lunch in the park and sparked fresh feelings of my newfound interest in a man. I thought of the way he made me feel when he directed that gorgeous smile at me, and the flirtatious innuendoes. Coming from some men, it would have had me launching a physical attack, but coming from him sent little wings fluttering in my belly. I smiled to myself over the reaction I had to the flower he gave me; how its scent smelled so much stronger than any other flower I could remember.
    I was coming up on the loop in the park, still wrapped up tight in my own reverie, when suddenly my mind went blank, as if all of my thoughts were erased, and my focus jolted back to reality. Had I not been forced from my daydream, I would have collided right into Hunter. I stopped short in front of him, shock on my face, and breathing heavily. His calm demeanor seemed a complete contrast to my pounding heart. I got the feeling that Hunter didn't wear a lot of his reactions for everyone to see. He seemed like the kind of man to keep his emotions completely under control.
    "Cassandra, what a pleasure to see you here this morning," he said, as if he were here every morning and I just happened to show up one day.
    A smile brightened his face as his eyes roamed over my body. The heat had not yet set in on the day, but it suddenly felt as if the sun were high in the sky, shining its thermal rays directly on me. My running shorts and tank top clung to me, burning my skin, at the same time highlighting every curve. In a self-conscious gesture, I pulled the tank away from my breasts, only to have it land right back. All I managed to do was draw his attention directly at my breasts, which he shamelessly observed.
    If I had caught my breath, I might have said something about how rude he was, but my breathing only seemed to accelerate with his attention. He, on the other hand, appeared to be perfectly content standing there in his worn blue jeans, which hung casually from his waist, but perfectly hugged his hips. His lightweight, black T-shirt did little to cover the muscles in his chest and biceps underneath.
    "Cassandra, you look like you need to sit down. Are you okay?" One hand gently grabbed my elbow as his other arm wrapped around my waist. His touch made me flinch, and he withdrew his hand around my waist, but kept his hand at my elbow.
    Finally finding my voice, but still a little breathless, I managed, "Oh... no... Hunter, I'm fine, thanks. You just surprised me. I was kind of in a zone. What are you doing here?" I pulled my arm down, releasing his hold on my elbow.
    "I was just checking out the area. I'm contemplating getting an apartment in the complex that I saw you and Caleb at yesterday, and I wanted to see what the neighborhood was like. Here, come and sit for a second." He pulled at my wrist, leading me towards a bench off the path.
    I tried to pull back. "No, Hunter, I'm fine. Really. I have to get to—"
    "Cassandra, your heart is racing and you still can't seem to take a full breath. Sit." He pulled harder at my wrist, forcing me