Catherine watched the gray sky from her spot on the bed, holding still and quiet while sprawled out on her back. She glanced at the woman cuddled up in her arms, whose naked flesh covered Catherine's own. A faint patch of daylight drifted down on their bodies. A long wave of silence hovered over their room.

Chloe's eyes were closed, but she looked quite bold, and Catherine couldn't tell if she was sleeping or not. She became fascinated by the girl's expression. During the past 12 months, she'd seen it before.

Chloe looked so confident, almost snobbish even, like she fully believed they were together for good. The difference in age didn't matter to Chloe, just as it wouldn't have mattered if she was seeing a man. She called this their 'destiny,' she called it their 'fate' — and Catherine couldn't help but wonder if Chloe was right.

Every time she tried to escape from Chloe, something always brought them back together, she noted.

Back when David had proposed to her, she'd been quite certain of what her future would hold. He was going to be her companion in life.

But their marriage had ended one year ago, and now she was cuddled with someone else — the girl she always came back to, it seemed.

Had fate really chosen this woman for her? Was Chloe truly her destiny?

Catherine closed her eyes, then cleared her thoughts.

Perhaps she and Chloe did belong together, but fate had nothing to do with it. Fate hadn't chosen. Catherine had.

She felt closer to Chloe than she'd felt to anyone in years. They shared a deep tenderness during their warmer moments, and a surprising passion when their bodies touched. Even before their first night in bed, she'd felt a part of her heart swaying in Chloe's direction. She just hadn't wanted to admit it back then.

Chloe shifted a bit, keeping her calm eyes closed. "I love you, Catherine," she quietly said.

Opening her eyes, Catherine brushed a hand over Chloe's hair, feeling a wave of warmth stirring in her chest. "I love you too, Chloe," she softly whispered.

Chloe flashed a smile within her lover's arms, lifting her thigh to stroke Catherine's own.

Both women held still in the other's embrace, basking in the love that they'd found together.