Not knowing how to respond, I walk past him and outside. The night air is cooler, and a slight breeze blows against my body. There is a moisture in the air and the scent of water. It's going to rain soon. It's weird how I pick up on things like that now the angel's breath is part of me.
The door shuts and there is a click as he locks the door. "Come on, let's get you home."
Home. That one word sounds amazing. I wait for him to catch up and we walk side by side to my apartment which is just up two flights of stairs and across the building.
It's odd because, in the past, the silence between us has been comfortable. This is not. Something is brewing between us and it's almost palpable. I want to break the awkwardness, but I'm not sure how.
Charlie keeps glancing at me from the corner of his eye and popping his fingers.
My apartment door comes into my view and I almost sigh in relief but catch myself in time. I don't want to hurt his feelings more than I already have. I may have screwed up worse than I realized by taking off. He's not acting the same, so I may have lost my best friend.
As we reach my door, I take out my keys. For some reason, my hands shake and tears spring to my eyes. Why am I becoming emotional right now? "Thanks for walking me over. Sorry for the inconvenience. I'll come get my car in the morning." It's a struggle, but I finally get my key in the lock.
"Chris, stop." He walks over to me and leans on the door frame.
The air heats up from his proximity and I find myself wanting to step toward him. However, that would be unwelcome, which causes my heart to ache. "No, it's fine. Thank you for walking me here." I've got to get inside and away from him before I lose it. I never even considered the possibility of losing him.
Needing to get away from him before I break down, I push the door open and rush into the apartment. I turn on the lights and stop in my tracks. My place is like I never left, which is not surprising, but what is, is my place is not dusty and the mail is stacked on the table. "Someone has been getting my mail?"
"Yeah, of course." A voice comes from behind me.
Shit, I didn't even hear Charlie come in. I turn around and brace myself. I'm not sure what to expect.
His eyes are guarded, and he stays close to the door. "Of course, I did. I knew you'd come back eventually, and I wanted it to be like you never left."
There is distance growing between us and I need to fix it. "I'm sorry. I left to protect everyone I love. Everyone was threatening my parents and it was only a matter of time before it was you. They had already started to allude to you."
A huge grin spreads across his face and he takes a few steps into the room. "So, you love me?"
My breath gets caught in my throat. Holy crap, I can't believe I let it slip out like that. I open my mouth to deny it but stop. It's like my world has flipped upside down. I am in love with him and can't lie to him about it. He deserves the truth, especially for everything he's done for me. I swallow and glance at the ground. He's grinning now, but he won't be soon. "Actually, I do."
Footsteps come toward me and his finger reaches under my chin, tilting my head up, forcing me to meet his gaze.
"Thank God." He runs his free hand through his hair then places it on my cheek. "I thought I was the only one feeling this way." He lowers his lips to mine and runs his fingers through my hair.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this moment would happen. I respond to his kiss increasing the pressure and taste his mint toothpaste. I'm not sure how long we stand like this, but I grow lightheaded from lack of sleep … or oxygen. I'm not sure and begin to tip over.
His arm wraps around my waist anchoring me to him, and his chest vibrates against me. "Where you going there? I mean, I know I'm a good kisser, but I didn't expect you to swoon like that."
"Don't even," I snort. "It's been a long day. I don't even know how I'm still standing to be honest. I'm assuming it's because I'm worried about Damien, Becca, and if my hair will really act as that artifact."
"I hate you left here." He tugs me close and kisses my lips, again. "I get why you did, I do. Everything was crazy with Brad and the council and you had just absorbed two powerful artifacts, but hell I missed you. I just always want to have your back, and I couldn’t. I had no clue where you ran off too. It kills me that demon visited you when you had no one there to have your back. What if he tried something? No one was there to stand in your corner."
It's a struggle, but I bite my tongue. He has a right to be frustrated. I keep trying to put myself in his shoes and I wouldn't be happy either. "I just needed some distance. I'm sorry." I should have known it wouldn't help. I won't make that mistake again. "But do you think Damien could help Becca?"
"First off, if you ever leave like that again. We," he says pointing back and forth between us, "go together. Secondly, you need to get it through your head that Becca is not Beth."
What the hell does that mean? "Of course, I know that."
"No, I don't think you do." Charlie huffs and takes a step back. He bites his lower lip and then straightens his shoulder. "Why did
