Fated

Chapter 3

The car ride took them about 15 hours, despite the trip only needing to take 12. That's the price you pay with a seven, five, and three-year-old in the car, Alashia grumbled to herself. They had checked into the hotel and she was cleaning the boys up for bed while Chase brought their luggage to the room.

Five days and nights they would be here, so she was establishing bedding for everyone so that they would all sleep soundly. She had picked a hotel with a pool, specifically so the kids could burn any excess energy, but tonight, she told them no to swimming. They needed bed.

Once they were all settled and Chase had everything in the room, she unpacked and organized for the time they'd be there. It was her curse, she couldn't leave anything well enough alone, couldn't relax until everything was done.

Chase left her to it, deciding to go for a swim to stretch after the long journey.

Half an hour later, she was settled into the room, unpacked, and had ordered room service for her and Chase. The kids had eaten on the ride, but they had decided they would splurge a bit and try room service. While she waited, she put Pandora on her phone, listening to Three Days Grace as she filled the bathtub. All she really wanted was a pampered soak.

When she heard the door, she grabbed her robe and went to it, expecting room service. As she swung the door open, she saw Chase standing there, talking with another man. Was there an issue with their card? Did they need them to switch rooms? The panic in her mind went into overdrive, but instead of caving into her erratic heartbeat, she smiled. "Everything okay?"

Chase let out a laugh, "No need to be worried, I just want you to meet someone."

He turned to the man, and it was only then that she really saw him. Her heart stopped. She saw her husband's mouth move, but couldn't for the life of her hear what he was saying. Her mind and heart were screaming MINE as she looked at the man. He was easily a foot taller than her five feet and seven inches, and he was thick. Not fat, but more muscle that blended instead of bulging. He had dark hair and striking blue eyes.

"Alashia, are you okay?" Chase said, grabbing her shoulders.

Forcing her eyes from the man who was watching her intently, she looked at Chase, "I'm so sorry, I must be more tired than I thought. I didn't hear a word you were saying," inwardly she cringed, she never had that happen before, and it felt foreign.

"It's okay, I know today was hard for you. This is Asher. He apparently lives a few blocks from us, and happens to be at Niagra Falls for a vacation too."

"Hello," Asher said with a heavy British accent, reaching his hand out to take hers.

Involuntarily, Alashia took it, stifling a gasp as shocks ran up her arm from where his hand touched hers. "Hi," she demurred, breaking contact, and looking away. Something must be wrong with her to be so aroused by a handshake. "I hate to be rude, but I don't want my bath to get cold, and I'm woefully underdressed, so maybe we will see you at breakfast?" Alashia inquired, secretly hoping he wouldn't be there.

Asher nodded his head. "Chase invited me along for your day tomorrow, in an effort to be neighborly."

"Oh, I almost forgot! Where are those extra itineraries you made, hun?" Chase said, darting into the room, leaving her at the door alone with Asher. "On the desk," she whispered, noticing him taking a deep breath of air. His eyes almost seemed to flash red. She must be tired.

Chase darted back into the hallway, giving Asher one of her itineraries. Smiling, and nodding his thanks, he waved them off. "See you in the morning," he promised and disappeared down the hall.

"He is the nicest guy," Chase said, turning to her. "Why are you so weird?"

Alashia looked at her feet, and whispered, "Can I take my bath and we talk?"

"Of course."

She turned and went back into the bathroom, letting the robe fall to her feet.

"What is it?" Chase implored.

"I feel this weird connection to Asher. I don't think I've ever met him before, but it was like we knew one another... and I don't know why, but I got so aroused by shaking his hand," her confession had her blushing hard.

Chase stared at her for a moment, before bursting out laughing. "You MUST be tired." He kissed her forehead, before telling her to relax and get some sleep.

Embarrassed, she stared at her knees in the tub, feeling foolish. She really must need some sleep. Wrapping up her bath, she put on warm fuzzy pajamas before climbing into bed with her husband and falling asleep, their room service forgotten.