Destiny's Touch by Liesbeth Assani Marrose (books to read in your 20s female .TXT) 📕

I grabbed my stuff & headed for the science building hoping to get there before the professor locked the door. “Charlie!” I turned & to see Riley running across the quad. “Riley? Is everything okay? What’s wrong?” He sucked on his lip, a sure sign that something was bothering him. Suddenly, the wind picked up, throwing my hair all over the place. Laughing, Riley helped me wrangle it in. "Jeez Char. If I didn't know you better, I would say you love having your hair on you face." "All right you’ve had your fun. Now tell me what’s going on Ri."

He grimaced, looking at his boots. "Riley. Look at me. Please.” He met my gaze. Worry was all I could see in his eyes. “Riley, you are scaring me. Please just spit it out already!” He brushed his hand through his hair showing off his rippling muscles. Damn, the boy's too hot for his own good. “Jared is back.”

If he were—“What did you just say?” “Jared Stone is back. I just saw him in my English Literature class.” The world started to spin & tilt. Jared is back. My heart leaps at the thought of Jared's arms wrapped around me. Running my fingers through his hair, relishing the silky texture. Hearing him whisper all sorts of things in my ear. “Charlie? Are you ok? You look a little pale.” Before I could answer, the world went black.

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I walked out of American History, too enveloped in my notes to watch where I was going. Before I knew I was plowed but what felt like a wall. I looked up from my spot on the floor to see Jared, more beautiful than ever looking down at me with a concerned gaze. Jeesh no wonder why my shoulder hurts. He is defiantly built like a wall. I rub it while I try to re-gather my bearings to where I am and how to get to my next class. “Caroline are you okay?” Groaning, I get up and try to head for the elevator, only to have a wave of dizziness hit me.

Swaying I lean against the wall for support and nearly end up on my butt again. Steading me, Jared wraps an arm around my waist and hauls me towards the elevator all the while he kept glancing concernedly back at me. “You can let go now Jared.” He grinned and shook his head. “What if you need me? I can’t possibly leave you alone in this condition. For all you know you might have a concussion.” I rolled my eyes and put his hand on my back. I glared at him, daring him to move his hand and find out the consequences.

A smile broke across his ridiculously sexy face at my, no doubt, prudish action. Heat burned through my cheeks. I glanced away, hopefully before he noticed the stain on my cheeks. The last thing I need is Jared realizing I still have feelings for him. Wait what? Feelings? Where did that come from? Shaking my head, I pressed the button on the elevator, trying to ignore his hand on my back.

May 29th 2018

He wasn’t at all what I had remembered. I guess after all these years I expected him to be the same. But now he’s 6’1 of solid muscle & even more hot at that. I snuck another glance at him. “Man he fits those jeans just right. Doesn’t he Charlie?” “Huh? What are you talking about Mikaela?” The curvaceous brunette laughed, her topaz eyes sparkling with mischief. “The guy sitting with Xavier. You have been mentally undressing them for the past thirty minutes. Not that I don’t blame you. He is hot.”

She grinned & looked at him. Suddenly, memories of that night hit me with the force of a sledgehammer. I bit my lip, forcing back the scream that tried to escape. “Charlie? Are you all right? You…” Mikaela looked at me then at Jared & then back at me, before understanding & sympathy filled her eyes. “That’s him isn’t? The bastard!” I nod & close my eyes, hoping that the flashbacks would stop. Mikaela glared in his direction before wrapping her arms around me.

I pressed my palms to my temple, trying to erase the memories. Shhh…Char. It’s just me...... “Hey Mikaela? I’m going to head back to the dorm. I’ll see you later.” “Do you want me to come with you?” I shook my head. “No. I want to be alone right now. She glared in Jared's direction before nodding. Quickly grabbing all my stuff, I hiked my bag over my shoulder & headed to the dorm quad.

I was almost to the dorm hall when a hand closed around my waist. “Caroline…” I jerked away so I could at least have a barrier of space between us. Jared leaned against a tree with his hands in his back pockets. “We need to talk hon.” I glared at him. "We don’t need to talk about anything. What we had is dead. So congrats! You had your fun playing with my heart. Now leave me alone!” Suddenly he was towering over me.

Instinctively I take a step back. “You think I used you? Caroline…” “Its Charlie now. I stopped using my full name awhile back. Actually right after you left.” “You will always be Caroline.” “Not even Char? The nickname you & the guys came up with?!” I glared at him, wanting him to leave so I could mourn what would never be alone. “Goddammit Caroline you are making this harder than it needs to be baby.” “What…”

My question was cut short by his lips on mine. Man I forgot how good the boy could kiss. Shit! Get a grip Caroline. Pull away! Now! Jerking my head back, I raised my hand to slap him. Instead, he just restrained both my wrist in a callused hand.

“Are you going to hit me again? Cause Charlie, I’m using all my self control not to just throw you over my shoulder & lock you in my room till you see reason.” I squirmed, trying not to show how much I wanted that. Jesus Caroline get a grip on yourself this is the guy you vowed never to love again!!! “Jared let me go. Please just let me go.” Tears welled up in my eyes. Damn-it! Don’t cry! He rested his other hand on my cheek.

“Caroline… Why does this bother you so much? You left me, remember?” I shake my head. Rage boiled up inside of me. You were the one who promised to write & you only wrote one letter that tore my heart out! Instead of saying that, I bit my lip trying to control my temper. “Go back to your whore Jared. She needs you more than I ever will. More than our children will need their father.”

Ignoring the shock & hurt on his face & the stab of pain in my chest. I yanked my hand out of his grip.

As I walk away, I suddenly realize the wetness sliding down my cheeks. Damn-it. I hope I wasn’t crying while I said that. “Charlie!” Oh, foreheaven sakes! Out of all the people on campus, it has to be Riley who sees me like this!! Quickening my pace, I try to outrun Riley. Something tugs on my backpack, sending me stumbling backwards into a wall of muscle.

“Charlie are you okay? I saw you talking to… Shit! You’re crying. What happened? What did he do?” I look up at Riley’ concerned face. He gently takes his shirttail & wipes my cheeks, which only makes me cry harder. “Ri-ley,” I hiccup his name as I try to take a deep breath to calm myself down. “I think I still love Jared.” The last few words rush out of my mouth. After a few tense moments, I peeked up at his face.

It was expressionless. “Are you mad?” He looked down at me, a forced grin on his face. “I can never be mad at you Charlie. I figured the two of you would hook up again.” I didn't need a mirror to know my face was bright red. I set my hand on his cheek. “Char, all I want is for you to be happy. If he makes you happy then I'm willing to let you go.” My eyes welled up with tears.

Throwing my arms around him, I bury my face in his chest. "I’ll always be here for you, Char. I’m yours.” He said, stroking my hair. “If you ever hurt her again, friends or not, I will kill you.” I turned around & see Jared in all of his magnificent glory. Concern was etched not only in his light ice blue eyes but also in his posture. He held out his hand & without thinking I escaped Riley’s embrace & took Jared’s hand. “I will treasure her for the rest of my life…I love her.” I stare at Jared with my mouth gaping open.

 Hey everyone so I know that I sent out an email and or posted on your wall saying that the next update would be next week. I was wrong and I apologize for the confusion. Due to some personal issues I will have to but Destiny's Touch on hold as of now. I will send/post when I update again.

Thanks for your understanding.

Liesbeth Assani Marrose

Publication Date: 12-06-2014

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
Thanks to all my friends and family who have supported me and been there when I needed a good dose of reality. Thanks to my one true love for being there supporting me, putting up with my unpredictable moods and for being my rock. I love you baby!