Resisting Fate (Predetermined) Read Free Page A

this…  “My purse is um…I mean was my late grandmother’s so I like to, uh, carry it around so I can have a little piece of her with me at all times.” I crossed my arms awkwardly, letting my purse dangle in front of my stomach.
    He perused me with his sky colored eyes. Damn him. What was he thinking? What did he want?
    I’ve never been the type of girl who could handle being caught off guard. In that moment, with him standing there all-delish and stuff, that was exactly how I felt, and I didn’t like it. At all.
    “Huh…so you’re telling me, Strawberry, that you have a piece of your dead grandma in that purse right there?” He smirked, pointing down at the object in question. My brows drew together at his cocky smile.
    Oh the nerve of this hot as hell asshole.
    Lifting my chin in defiance, I poked an accusing finger at him, intending to give it right back. There was no way I was going to put up with this bullshit. “Listen you asshole, you know that’s not what I—”
    “Jack! Get out of here, and leave Emmy alone. Now !” Mr. Martin’s fierce voice interrupted our almost battle, saving me from completely beating the crap out of the guy. Not that I could have taken him anyways…
    I harrumphed in irritation at the interruption instead of relief, tapping my foot against the floor as I stared back at Jack. Okay, so if I were five, then a ‘nanee nanee boo-boo’ would have easily fallen from my lips at Mr. Martin’s berating of his nephew. But I was seventeen, and could easily have taken care of myself, if need be. I didn’t need anyone to come to my rescue, and if I had five more minutes alone with this guy, then he wouldn’t have looked all that pretty anymore…
    “I was only saying hello Uncle Alan. Emmy was the one harassing me …” What the hell? Harassing? I couldn’t put one full sentence together when I was talking to him. How in the hell was that considered harassment?
    “Mr. Martin I’m sorry, but I didn’t—”
    I turned to face him—to explain myself—but he stopped me, raising his palm and pressing it outwards. I curled my upper lip in annoyance at the man I loved like a father. But no more words slipped from my mouth. Apparently my time at talking was done. Nice. I breathed in through my nose, and out through my mouth, trying hard to reign in my anger towards the man who was obviously trying to keep me safe.
    “I know Emmy; just grab your stuff so I can get you home. Jack was supposed to be getting something for Tammy out of the storage room. Obviously though, my nephew has some issues with following directions.”
    I glanced over at Jack again, curious as to what his response was. And instead of guilt, or regret, I saw humor playing out across his mouth. My jaw dropped. Man, this guy had a big time authority issue. Hell, even his eyes looked like they were smiling. Wow, what was his issue?
    “See ya soon, Strawberry…” Jack whispered.
    Mr. Martin wrapped an arm around my waist. I tried hard not to cringe at his all-controlling protection issue, and couldn’t help but glance back over my shoulder towards this boy—again. He was quickly becoming a magnet that I couldn’t resist looking at, even if he infuriated the hell out of me.
    The truth was, Jack Hartman affected me more in the last five minutes than any boy had ever done before.
    That scared me more than anything…
    My pulsed rocketed as our eyes met again. Then he smiled at me, that cocky bastard smile, as he threw me a little one fingered wave. And no, it wasn’t his pinky that he used either.
    Blood boiled in my veins like volcanic acid. He had me all riled up. I tightened my fingers into a fist with one hand, only to reciprocate the gesture with the other.
    Oh yeah, this boy had no idea what I was capable of.

 
    Chapter Two
    The ride home from work was scary intense. Mr. Martin was beyond quiet and that was almost freakier than the way he’d reacted at the store.
    Trust me, big bad boy Jack was not on my