by J. A. Low
Fate’s Plan
JA Low
Contents
Fate’s Plan
1. Lilly
2. Lilly
3. Luca
4. Lilly
5. Luca
6. Lilly
7. Luca
8. Lilly
9. Luca
10. Lilly
11. Lilly
12. Luca
13. Luca
14. Lilly
15. Lilly
Epilogue
Epilogue
The End
Thanks
About the Author
Come follow her
JA Low’s Block
The Dirty Texas Series
The Bratva Jewels Series
Fate’s Plan
Copyright @ 2018 JA Low
All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this eBook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy.
Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Cover Design by Concierge Literary Designs & Photography, LLC
https://www.cldesignsky.com
Editor by Nicole Bailey at Proof before you publish.
https://proofbeforeyoupublish.com
Dedication
To my blockies this was your choice.
1
Lilly
It’s been years since I’ve seen snow; fluffy white flecks fall to the ground in front of my car, creating a blanket of white on everything it touches. The rock walls that line the narrow, winding, country roads. The farmers’ cottages that dot the usually emerald green hills now blend into stark white countryside, the swirling smoke from their chimneys the only way to see where each one is. Not much daylight filters through during these winter months, the last rays set over the area’s famous mountains “The Three Sisters of Glencoe” nestled in the tourist trail of the Scottish Highlands. My sister and I explored these mountains as children, running through the green fields, picking thistles and field flowers for Nan. Jumping through streams that cut into the land from the snowy peaks surrounding us, freezing your toes if you slipped and fell in. Our summers were spent helping around the farm; we fed the sheep, milked the cows and goats, picked up the eggs from the chicken coop. Scottie, Nan’s Scottish Terrier, would chase the chickens around the yard every time we would collect the eggs. It would have us in fits of giggles watching the feathers fly. A tear falls down my cheek remembering the old days, it’s been awhile since things have felt happy around here, it hasn’t been the same since Nan died. We loved visiting her every school holiday, enjoying our freedom, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of London where we normally resided. Our parents were world renowned surgeons, working for London’s elite at their famous Harley Street practice. Because of their dedication to medicine and pretty much everyone else, they didn’t have much time for us. Luckily, when we weren’t with Nan, we had an eccentric Italian nanny called Contessa. She wore bright, vibrant colors. She was a loud, passionate woman who taught us to cook and speak Italian, she immersed us into her culture, one that we still love to this day. She was obsessed with the British royal family, loved everything about it, so much so that she would wear a crown. She thought because her name means Countess in Italian, that she must have been switched at birth and actually been royal. She used to have us in fits of laughter with her made up tales of royal life. A sad smile falls across my weary face, remembering her. It was a shock when she passed at a young age; she may be gone, but never forgotten. I wipe the errant tears from my sleep deprived eyes.
“Oh, shit,” I scream, as the car skids across the road in the icy conditions. My heart is racing a hundred miles an hour, my adrenaline has gone into overdrive. I’ve been stuck in the African desert for far too long, I’ve forgotten how to drive in these treacherous conditions.
Thankfully, I rented a Range Rover 4WD so it will keep me safe in these hazardous conditions. If I had gone with the little hatchback the clerk was trying to push onto me, I would have ended up in some snowy ditch somewhere, then I would have to call Broden, the local mechanic, to come rescue me, which means Seonaid, his wife, would hear about my return to Glencoe by myself, and by morning the whole village would know and I would be getting sticky beaks popping in all day. If Broden had to tow me, I don’t think I would be able to show my face again in the pub. Wallace would make sure that nobody forgot the time Lilly ran off the road and needed help. They have long memories here; it would keep them entertained for years.
The snow’s falling heavier now, my car’s lights are the only stream of light stretching across the vast, dark, emptiness. A solitary beacon, winding its way through the valley’s treacherous bends. I slow down as I enter the village, which is quiet for this time of night, and with the weather closing in. The light on in the village is the pub, which never shuts. Wallace would never dare shut his doors to his fellow villagers. His family has owned this pub for two hundred years, something like that, and the doors have never been closed, not even when the English invaded. But I’m not really sure if the English ever got this far, it’s hard to tell when they are pulling your leg, the gullible victims. I pass the pub, which means I am not far from the cottage. Finally, home. Oh, how I’ve missed you, nearly two years away, longer when you count University, and my residence in London. I can’t wait to surprise my sister, Lauren. She was devastated when I told her I couldn’t get Christmas off this year. For sisters, we are pretty close. I think it’s because Mum and Dad were never around so we only had each other. But, little does she know that I was able to switch contracts with one of the other doctors, who had fallen in love with one of the peace keepers. She couldn’t extend her contract and, lucky for her, I still had six months left on mine, viola, contracts changed and I was on the next plane out of there. It’s funny how determined you are to not follow in your parents’ footsteps and here you are, years later, traveling in the exact same shoes. I decided not to pursue becoming a specialist like them, I wanted to use my skills to help people who really needed it. I wanted to make a difference. Well, that didn’t go over too well in our household.
“No daughter of mine is going to Africa to work, she wasn't brought up like that.” Those were my father’s words when I told him I said no to a prestigious private hospital who offered me a very high paying job. I decided to follow love and accompany my fiancé to Africa, develop our life skills. In the end, that didn’t work out so well for me.
I wind my way up the long driveway to the cottage. It’s pitch black all around, tiny specks of light glow from the houses that dot the inky black surrounds. White smoke bellows out of the cottage’s chimney, twisting its way into the night sky. Oh, how I’ve missed the smell of a good fireplace. The smoky, woodsy scent of it, the crackling of the logs as they burn, nights spent sipping hot cocoa in front of its warmth, reading a good book in your flannel pajamas. Scottie curled up on his mat in front of it, snoring away; Nan, knitting us beanies and mittens, like she did every single year. My heart is bursting with excitement; I can’t wait
to do all those things with my sister this year. But secretly, I’m looking forward to a soft bed, comfy pillows and a huge, snuggly duvet.
Finally, here, I jump out of the car, quickly grab my bag. I only have the one, don’t need much when you live in an African refugee camp and wear scrubs all day. The cold air stings my face, shocking me. I’ve forgotten how cold winter is up here. Making a mad dash to the front door with my head down, protecting it from the howling wind. I turn the knob, knowing out here no one locks their doors, and push through. Instant warmth hits me, as I shake off the remnants of the frost from my coat. I drop my bag on the wooden floor of the foyer, then hang up my winter jacket onto the hook. Rubbing my hands together, my skin comes back to life, feeling has returned to my fingers. I close my eyes and take in the smell of the log fire, the smoke tickling my nose. I inhale, taking me back to a time when time wasn’t so damn complicated. My eyes open and I expect to see Lauren rush out and greet me. What I wasn’t expecting was him.
“Who the hell are you?” I ask, staring at the naked man standing in the middle of my cottage.
2
Lilly
“Who the hell are you?” His deeply accented voice echoes through the cottage, vibrating deep down into my bones. My eyes scan every inch of his amazing body, which I know is so wrong on so many levels, but I can’t seem to look away. There has been a man drought for a very long time and a tall drink of water is standing before me, what’s a desperate woman to do. Also, I’ll blame it on the stress, jet lag and shock of not finding my sister in his place.
Damn it, my eyes trail down his glistening, olive skinned chest, over taut abs, not romance novel cover abs, but normal, hot guy abs. He looks like he works out, but not religiously, but enough to look fine. Then down to that panty dropper line, the V. I follow the smattering of dark hair, down the happy trail, to what is happening between his legs.
Honestly, I don’t mean to stare but, holy shit on a stick, you can’t be waving that thing in front of a dick-deprived woman like me, that’s like waving a gourmet sausage in front of someone who’s just started a vegetarian diet. It is the most beautiful cock I have ever seen and we all know there are some ugly ones out there, but when you stumble upon a prized beast like this, you have to take your time to admire it. It deserves your admiration. I bet women make a sacrifice to the dick Gods when he unwraps himself. I am now, mentally, that is. It’s the perfect length. Not too big not too small, just the right amount of girth, too. Meaty enough to fill you up but not too much that you think you’re giving birth. There’s a nice even color tone as well, with the perfect amount of veinage. Even his balls are perfectly symmetrical. No one has fucking perfect balls, no one. And, of course, he manscapes, this man cares for his lady friends, he understands what happens when a stray makes an appearance. It doesn’t end good. Which reminds me, I have an Amazonian jungle covering my lady garden at the moment, I think it might be time for me to trim the hedges.
“Scusa.” He clears his throat “My eyes are up here.”
“I know; I was just enjoying the view.” My hands rush to my mouth, but the words are out before I realize. What the hell has gotten into me. The hot stranger’s mouth twitches with a smile, but he recovers, keeping his face neutral. Where the hell is Lauren? Why would she have a naked guy in her home? She didn’t break up with Alistair and I didn’t know about it? No, they were so good together, they have been dating forever.
“Who are you and where’s Lauren?” I’m looking around the room, hoping she will jump out and surprise me. He frowns at me.
“Lauren?” he questions me. His accent is killing me, Italian. I have a weakness for accents, I mean, who wouldn’t when there is a roman God standing in front of you. “I don’t know a Lauren.” Then who the hell is he?
“I’ll ask you again, who the hell are you? You better tell me or I am calling the cops and having you arrested for trespassing.”
“Are you serious?”
“Damn right I am, and heads up, I have a black belt. So I will kick your ass if you come anywhere near me.”
“Have you escaped the mental institution? Should I be worried?”
“I’m not crazy, you’re the one that has broken into my home.”
“No, I haven’t. I’m renting this place.”
“This is my house and I can assure you, I haven’t rented it out to anyone.”
“It’s in my phone, the details. Let me get it.” My eyes narrow on him, but he seems genuinely confused by the whole situation and my sister does have some hair brained schemes, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she has rented out my room to someone.
“Fine.”
He turns on his heel and runs down the hall. I take a look at his toned ass as he walks away. Nice, tanned buns. He must sun bathe naked to get an all over tan like that. Focus, Lilly. I grab my phone out of my purse and call Lauren. “Come on, pick up.” But, the phone just rings out. I send her a text asking her to call me ASAP.
The beautiful cocked man comes out in a long sleeved white t-shirt and grey sweat pants. Such a shame covering up a thing of beauty like that. Thankfully, I can still see the heavy outline against the material. He flicks through his phone, then turns it to me.
“The email is from Lolly.” My eyes scan down the email that says he’s booked into my home for the next month. I am going to kill my sister, where the hell is she?
“Lolly is my sister’s nickname, we’re Lilly and Lolly. Where the hell is my sister?” Handing his phone back to him, I continue, “I can’t believe she did this to me. This is my home. I… this was meant to be a surprise.” I sit down in one of the arm chairs beside the fire, feeling a little woozy with all this excitement.
“Lolly, is your sister?” I nod. “The email says she was going away.” I nod again but I’m not really listening to him. All I want is my bed, but it looks like he is staying in that room. Tears start to fall down my cheeks, the shock of everything going to custard kicks in. “Signora, please.” He sounds like he’s unsure what to do when a strange woman crashes his holiday, stares at you naked, then starts crying. I mean, surely this happens all the time, right?
“I’m sorry. I just …I’ve just flown in from Kenya.” He looks at me in shock. “I have nowhere to go… my sister was supposed to be here. It’s snowing badly outside.” I sniffle. “I’m sorry to ruin your holiday, I had no idea…she wouldn’t be here.” The handsome man keeps his distance, probably smart. “I’ll go in the morning, please just let me stay tonight.” He frowns a little but nods. “I’ll just go into the other room.” Pointing to the room across the hall. “That’s my sister’s.” He smiles but it doesn’t quite reach his dark, chocolatey eyes. I pick up my bag and walk into my sister’s room, the faint smell of her perfume lingers in the air. I fall onto the soft bed and scream into the pillow. Where the hell is she?
I must fall asleep at some point because I am woken by my phone ringing. Jumping up, I quickly grab it and see it’s Lauren calling. “Where the hell are you?” I scream into the phone.
“Um, where the hell are you?”
“Excuse me. I’m here in your bed and there is a fucking stranger in mine.” I raise my voice.
“What the hell are you doing there?”
“I’ve come home, it’s a long story, one that I want to tell you in person, not over the phone. Where are you?” Lauren bursts out laughing. I don’t think any of this is funny at all.
“Alistair and I decided to come and surprise you, in Kenya.” The world stops. Did she just say Kenya?
“You’re seriously not in Africa, are you?” My brain is computing the words she is saying but I’m not really understanding it because, seriously, this cannot be happening.
“Yeah, we are standing right here with Rob. He seems very confused that you have disappeared all of a sudden. What’s going on, Lil?” I shake my head, the tears falling instantly, thinking about that man.
“Lil. Come back.” I hear Rob call down the phone.
“Lolly. D
on’t hang out with Rob.”
“Hold on.” The voices in the background become fainter. “What’s going on?”
“He’s the reason I’m halfway across the world.” I try and hold in my tears.
“What the hell did he do?” My little sister is tiny, 5 foot 2 at best, but she is feisty, she always looked out for me, even though she is two years younger.
“I’ve caught him numerous times screwing around with the nurses.” Tears fall freely now; it feels good, finally telling someone.
“Oh, babe. I had no idea.”
“I just tried to keep it in, deal with it myself because I was stuck there. I had signed on for two years and you can’t break it, plus, I loved being there. I loved helping. Thankfully, one of the other doctors had fallen in love so we swapped. It was last minute and I didn’t have time to tell you. I just wanted to leave. I didn’t want Rob to know anything about it. I had to go.” Being stuck in the middle of nowhere, with a cheating partner, is hell. The first time I busted him, I had woken up because it was so hot that night I couldn’t sleep. I stumbled from my bed and out into the night, the slight breeze cooling me down ever so slightly. I heard some strange noises around the corner of my tent, and went to investigate, and that’s when I saw Rob screwing one of the nurses up against some boxes. She was this beautiful, sexy, French nurse, who had been flirting with Rob ever since we got there, but I never thought he would cheat on me. The diamond ring on my finger, I thought, gave me security, I was wrong. This is where I should have made a scene, screamed and yelled at him, told him what a horrible man he was, but I didn’t. I turned around and made my way to the food tent to grab a bottle of water. I sat and cried by myself. Then I trudged back to my tent and went to sleep. Pathetic, really. I pretended the next day as if nothing had happened, not because I thought it was okay, but because I was stuck. A couple of other times, late at night, I stumbled upon him and each time it chipped away at my soul, but I still never said anything, that good old English stiff upper lip coming in handy. I waited until I could get a chance to leave, and when I did, I took it.