Forcing myself to get out of bed, I stand and head over to the closet. The first thing I should do is figure out how to fight Hell's creatures, seeing as they are going to be the one guarding the flame. I grab some workout pants, a sports bra, and workout shirt to change into. Worse case, I'm going to wind up at a gym. I've got to get in shape and fast.
After putting my pants on and as I'm pulling my shirt down, there is a loud knock at my door. I pause in my tracks. Shit, I bet that's Charlie. My limbs become heavy and I don't want to answer the door. What if he realizes he made a mistake last night or what if he changes his mind? What if he goes back to being cold and distant? Maybe, he was just tired and delirious there at the end.
Another knock, even louder than the first, pounds on the door, and his tone carries an edge of worry to it. "Chris, you there?"
All right. It's time for me to put my big girl panties on. He's not going to go away and only going to get more determined. "Yeah, I'm coming." I can handle it if he changed his mind, right?
Not wanting to delay the inevitable any longer, I open the door.
He's got his arm propped against the door frame and his blond hair glistens in the light. He shakes his head and pouts. "You can't worry me like that."
What is he talking about? "What did I do?"
"I didn't know if Damien came in there to sweep you away again." His face creases and his lips form a straight line. "After he found you in the diner and kind of threatened you, I was getting a little panicked."
It's crazy to think just a three months ago, we didn't get along. That's the only blessing that's come from this entire thing. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I was getting dressed and lost in thought."
"No, it's okay." He smiles and steps into my space walking into my apartment. The door shuts behind him and his arms wrap around my waist. "I just needed to see you." His lips lower to mine and capture them in a slow, burning kiss.
My hands wrap around his neck of their own accord and my lips part to let him enter. Damn, I don't know how I've gone this long without him.
After a few minutes, he pulls away and smirks. "Good morning. I hate to cut this short, but we have some important stuff we need to get done today."
Shit, he's right. I've got to keep my head in the game. "Yeah, you're right. I was thinking before you knocked I need to get trained on how to fight the minions of the underworld."
"As much as I hate it, you're right." He sighs and looks off as if he's in thought. "We need to find some kind of demon fighter or hunter."
"We're going to have a better chance of finding a hunter." There are several supernaturals that hunt demons, but the most successful are fae. Some travel to Earth to protect it from the demons that prefer to stay and visit here.
"Good thing my girlfriend can find who they need in their head." He winks at me and rubs a thumb across my cheek.
What the hell? Did he call me his girlfriend? Am I hearing things? And why am I focusing on that fact. My heart beats so fast it seems as if it might just burst from my chest. "Yeah, I can do that and see if anything pops up."
A shit-eating grin fills his face. "So, no arguing? We're finally done dancing around this?"
Now that I'm being honest with myself, I've had feelings for him for a very long time, but things always seemed to get in a way. Now we are finally at a place where we can happen, and do I want to risk not taking this chance? "I'm in, but we need to make sure we stay focused."
His eyes widen. "Of course. I know we both agreed to work together so we can find a way to get Beth back, but along the way things have changed. Yes, I want my sister back, but I can’t pretend that I don’t have feelings for you any longer. Your running away made things different. It put things in perspective for me."
It did for me as well. "I get it." I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his lips. "All right, let me see if I can get any hits on our hunter."
I go sit on the couch and close my eyes, wanting to get settled in. Here lately there is no telling what might happen if I locate someone. The last time I had a conversation with them.
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes. I try to empty it since it seems to be filled with images of Charlie and me kissing, Damien, Becca, and the council. It's filled with thoughts and images swirling around so fast trying to merge as one. After a few seconds of forced concentration, my mind is blank. I keep it that way for a few seconds longer and then a house pops up in my mind. It's right in the middle of the town a few blocks away from the library.
"Did you see anything?" He plops next to me and places his hand on my thigh.
My leg warms under his touch, but I force it from my mind. I have more important things to focus on. "I'm not sure why, but a house dowtown. I'm assuming whatever I
