I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update guys! Been a little busy and totally forgot!:S Forgiven?
Anyway, Part 3! Enjoy! And yes, it is still long...Sorry!:Sxx
Disclaimer: All characters (apart from charlie) Belong to Rachel Caine!:D x
Chapter 3
The next morning Charlie awoke to the sound of her cell phone vibrating on her bed side table. She grabbed it off the dresser and flipped it open, bleary eyed. It was Myrnin.
"Hello?"
"Charlotte?"
"What do you want Myrnin?"
"Come to the lab." He hung up. Charlie sighed and rolled onto her back, officially irritated. "Ass," she murmmered and checked the time on her phone. It was seven AM and she was pissed. Her phone chimed again and she answered it angrily.
"What?!"
"Now." And he hung up again. Charlie grunted and stood up running a hand through her messy hair. She made her way to the bathroom and had a quick shower. She got dressed in a pale blue top that clung in all the right places. She slipped on some black trousers, a denim jacket and finished it off with a pair of battered converse. She put on some blue eyeshadow, mascara and some clear lip gloss. She didn't bother drying her hair, not wanting to wake anyone.
She jogged down the stairs with her back pack in hand and silently left the house. She was feeling a little giddy but also annoyed for having to be there that early. She stored her stuff in the back and swung her leg over her beautiful bike. The sun was low in the sky. She didn't have to worry about the vamps, being one her self...Kinda.
She didn't bother with a helmet, deciding to dry her hair in the breeze. She pulled out of the space and made her way down Lott Street. Morganville was eerily quiet at this time in the morning but it also felt kind of nice to ride on her bike through the deserted town.
When she pulled up outside of the alley her hair was almost dry and she felt a lot better after the non-interruptive ride. She retrieved her bag from the back and made her way down the creepy alley. She opened the door of the shack and jogged down the stairs into the lab. Myrnin was frowning infront of a book shelf.
He was wearing a purple vest with no shirt underneath, black puffy trousers and pirate boots. He had a long black coat over the top that billowed out at the bottom when he walked. "Myrnin! Why did you want me in this early?" She asked, her eyes lingering a little too long on his pale bare chest.
Myrnin smiled broadly and strode over to her. He folded her in a hug and she gasped, surprised. She finally patted him awkwardly on the back and he pulled away still smiling. "I'm glad your here," he said, walking back to the book shelf. "And why did you want me this early?" She asked again. Myrnin looked deep in concentration then turned to her, a manic gleam in his eye. "I don't remember," he said simply.
Charlie sighed and dropped into a chair near the book case Myrnin was staring at. "What are you looking for?" She said. She leant on the arm of her chair, her head closer to Myrnin. He put his hands on his hips. "A book," he huffed. Charlie rolled her eyes smiling and sat back right in her chair.
She didn't care that she got woken up anymore, she was just happy to be here with Myrnin. "Do you really need me here today?" She asked. Myrnin turned and looked her in the eyes. The manic was still there but there was something else too. Something...Different. He shrugged slightly his eyes trailing along to...to stare at her neck.
"Myrnin," she said calmly standing up. "You don't want to hurt me." Her pulse quickened and she felt the fear bubbling up inside of her. She couldn't let him know she was afraid. She had to stay calm. She had remembered what happened last time. She was nearly killed.
Myrnin stalked towards her, not listening to her at all, his face blank. A low snarl escaped his lips and she backed away slowly. She could have maybe out run him but she wanted to show him that she wasn't the same little kid she used to be. She'd grown up.
She straightened up, defiantly, still slowly backing away. Myrnin stood in a predatory stance, his eyes slowly turning crimson. Why he was like this now, she didn't know.
"Myrnin don't!" She said sternly. Her back collided with the wall and Myrnin let out a slow, chilling chuckle. "Myrnin it's me, Charlie. You do this and you'll regret it I promise you that," she said, keeping her voice suprisingly strong.
Her heart thumped hard in her chest and she started to doubt herself...And Myrnin. He came closer to her and she could feel his cool breath on her face. She swallowed a lump in her throat. She couldn't win against Myrnin. She wasn't strong enough and he knew it.
Myrnin lowered his head to her neck and breathed in deeply. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to keep her breathing under control. She couldn't believe what was happening. She didn't think he had gotten so bad.
"Your smell..." he whispered. "It's so...Familiar." Myrnin looked into her eyes. They where no longer predatory and he looked completely under control. That just made her panic more. Why was he being like this when he was in control of himself? Did he forget how close they used to be? Did he not want her around?
When Myrnin's lips pressed down on hers, her questions where answered. She made a small gasping sound and didn't immediately react. She was so shocked. Myrnin was kissing her. Myrnin! She had always dreamt of this day and it was exactly like she imagined, better in a weird and wonderful way.
Myrnin's mouth opened slowly and Charlie mimmicked his move. The kiss was hungry and sweet and full of unwoken passion. He pressed his body to hers, pushing her further against the wall. He was an amazing kisser.
His hands where around her waist and she insticntively wrapped her arms around his neck. Charlie slipped her tongue into his mouth and he carressed it with his causing her to shiver with pleasure. He held her off the ground, his hands holding her under her thighs and she wrapped her legs around his waist as the kiss deepened.
When they broke apart for some air they where both breathing hard and Myrnin's eyes where alive and wild. He slowly lowered her to the ground, keeping his hands around her waist. "I'm so very sorry," he murmmered, not making an effort to move. Charlie's heart was still pounding hard in her chest and she watched Myrnin with great intensity. He looked guilty but also satisfied.
"Why?" She asked. Myrnin cocked his head to the side. "What?" She clarified. "Why are you apologising?" Myrnin let out a low chuckle and rested his fore head against hers. "I shouldn't have...You know." Now it was her turn to laugh. "You do not know how long I have wanted you to do that," she whispered.
She put her palms flat onto his chest and felt the muscles tense where she touched. "Is this the only reason you wanted me to come today?" She asked raising her eyebrows. Myrnin actually looked embarrased for a second then he nodded. He cupped her face in his big strong hands and brought her lips to his. It was a gentle sweet kiss that made her tingle all over.
"When I saw you the other day I...I regret not doing this sooner. Maybe things would have been different if I'd-" Charlie silenced him with a soft kiss. "Don't. You where in love with another girl and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't compete with her. You can't blame yourself," she said. Myrnin's eyes turned solemn for a second before they returned to compassion.
"I am still so very sorry for what I did to you. It was wrong of me," He whispered, dropping his hands and looking at the ground. "Don't dwell on things that happened one hundred years ago." She clasped her hands around the back of his neck. "Now kiss me, you fool."
They kissed, slow and tender. Myrnin's lips where damp and warm and tasted delicious. Myrnin growled into her mouth and she smiled at the intense sound. He left a trail of little kisses along her jaw line and down her neck. She wasn't worried. His tongue gently carressed the spot and she surpressed a pleasured moan.
She tipped his head back up to face her and kissed him hard and wanting. They broke apart and Myrnin looked shameful. "I...I don't know what to do," he admitted. "I-I want to..." He took a giant step back and ran both hands through his hair. "I think you should go. I won't be needing you for today. I'll call you when I will need your assistance," he said, heading back to the book shelf.
Charlie stood there with her kiss smeared lips, stunned. He had just admitted he had feelings for her, kissed her like that, then acted like it didn't even happen. Anger bubbled up inside of her and all she wanted to do was get out of there. She stormed over to the chair she was sitting in and picked up her bag pack, striding out of the lab, her head held high. She didn't look back.
She rushed back to the Glass House and locked herself inside. She didn't know how to feel. She felt...nothing. She couldn't, it would hurt too much. She didn't know what to do for the rest of the day after that. Nothing else mattered at that point.
It was just after eight when she got back and Eve was already awake and was getting ready for an early shift at Common Grounds. "Charlie?" She called as Charlie entered the living room. Eve came through from the kitchen looking great. She was wearing plain black. A black clingy top, black jeans and what would you know? Black combat boots. Her hair was up in a simple pony tail.
"Hey Eve," Charlie murmmered, flopping onto the couch. "Oh no, what's wrong?" She asked, eyes wide. She came to sit next to Charlie and put a hand on her knee. Charlie shook her head and looked down. A tear drop fell onto the floor. She hadn't even realised that she was crying until then. Eve kneeled down infront of her. "Honey, what is it?" Eve really was worried. Charlie felt her heart crack. She decided she would tell Eve. It could't hurt and she had to tell someone. "Well. I have this friend. He's a vampire. I knew him before I left and we where really close." She paused and looked up at Eve. She still had a sympathetic expression and was listening intently. She continued. "Well and I told him that I...Well you know and I got completely rejected. He was in love with someone else and I'd accepted that. But when I went to see him today he...He kissed me." Eve's eyes widened and she squeezed Charlie's knee.
Charlie sighed and shook her head. "He acted like nothing happened after and asked me to leave. I can't believe I had been so stupid." Mascara was running down her face and she wiped it away with a shaking hand. "No, no honey! Don't do that to yourself! You don't deserve to be treated like that. This guy sounds like a jerk. If he really cared about you then he wouldn't have done that," Eve said, folding her into a fierce hug.
Charlie cried on Eve's shoulder, letting it all out. "Hey, Charlie, you ok?" Said Shane's voice from the stairs. Charlie wiped her eyes fiercely and pulled back from Eve. She plastered on a fake smile and turned to face Shane. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine." Shane obviously wasn't buying it because he jogged down the rest of the stairs and came to sit next to Charlie. He draped an arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I-"
"Shhh. Don't worry." Shane held her in his arms, not saying anything. Eve left silently after saying a quiet goodbye. Shane stroked her hair whilst she lay there crying silently.
After she had recovered she sat up and rubbed her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Shane chuckled lightly and rested his elbows on his knees loosely. "Don't be. I don't know what it is and I'm not going to ask but you must have a good reason. Whatever or whoever it is they don't deserve you," he said, studying her.
He knew it was a guy. She didn't know how he knew but he did and she liked that about him. What if she had been making a mistake? What if it's Shane she should be with and not Myrnin? Charlie threw herself into Shane's arms and hugged him tight. "Thank you Shane. Thank you so much." Shane stroked her hair and squeezed her tight. He pushed her back lightly and held her shoulders. He ran a hand down her cheek, wiping away her tears.
His hand was warm and she turned into his touch. "He really doesn't deserve you Charlie. You're funny, kind, beautiful..." Charlie's eyes connected with Shane's and she could see that he meant what he was saying. "Shane..." Charlie breathed, another tear escaping her eye. He smiled solemnly and ran a thumb across her cheek to wipe away the tear.
"Don't cry. He doesn't deserve your tears," Shane said. The tone of his voice was gentle and quiet. Charlie shook her head, a sob escaping her lips.
She didn't deserve Shane's kindness. He didn't know what she was and that just made her feel worse. If he knew...God if he found out about her he would never forgive her.
"I...I think I might go for a nap. I was up a little early," she said, trying to get away. She couldn't let herself get close to Shane because if he found out about her and didn't accept it, it would break her heart. Shane's hand retreated and he smiled and nodded. "Yeah, it might help you...Clear your head. I'll wake you in a couple of hours," he said. He leaned forward and kissed her fore head lightly and left the room to the kitchen.
She dropped her head into her hands and sighed. She had stopped crying for the time being and just felt...Broken. "Idiot," she murmured, walking up the stairs. She headed to her room and just fell onto her bed.
She woke up a few hours later to the sound of shouting down stairs. She heard two voices. One was Shane's and the other was...Myrnin's?
"You can't stop me from seeing her boy!" Myrnin's voice travelled up the stairs. He sounded irritated. Shane's voice was calmer but still sounded dangerous. "Look, Myrnin. I don't think she really wants to see you right now. She's sleeping and I suggest you just go home and leave her alone."
Charlie hopped out of her bed and ran to the end of the hall. From the top of the stairs she could see Myrnin with an annoyed expression and Shane's made her gasp. He looked deadly. Deadly enough to harm a vampire. "Myrnin, what are you doing here?"
Both of their heads snapped up to look at her. Their expressions softened a touch but she could tell they where both still on edge.
Charlie jogged down the stairs and stood next to Shane. Myrnin looked a little betrayed. Charlie lay a hand on Shane's arm and smiled at him. "It's fine Shane. Don't worry about it," she said. Shane put his hand on hers. "Are you sure?" He asked, eyes pleading. She nodded silently and Shane went into the kitchen. Now she turned to Myrnin.
"What do you want?" She snapped. Myrnin straightened up. "You weren't answering my calls." Charlie snorted and shook her head. "You really think I'd answer my phone after what happened today?" She asked infuriated.
What right did he have? Turning up at her new home out of the blue after what had happened?
Myrnin shrugged, now looking bored. "I wanted to talk to you," he said. He grabbed her hand and dragged her towards the stairs. "Myrnin! What do you think you're doing?" She exclaimed. "Shh!" Myrnin hissed. He dragged her to the end of the hall and opened the secret door.
"I wanted to talk to you in private," he said once they where at the top of the stairs. "You could have just asked if I would come with you, you didn't have to drag me!" She said, pulling her arm free from Myrnin's grasp. Myrnin flopped down onto the chair and shrugged. "You wouldn't have come," he said simply. Charlie crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Myrnin.
She recalled the night before when her and Shane came up here. It had felt so nice.
Myrnin cocked his head to the side studying her. "I'm sorry," he finally said. Charlie folded her arms over her chest and snorted. Did he really think an apology was going to make it all better? "Are you kidding me Myrnin?!" She yelled. "You really think you can just come over here and apologize and think everything is g-"
He cut her off by kissing her. It was warm and wet and just Oh My God.
He pulled back, keeping his hands on her shoulder's. She was speechless. Myrnin smiled, obviously pleased with himself. "Better. You where giving me a head ache," he said dropping his arms to his sides. Charlie shook her self out of it and put her hands on her hips. "So you think you can just kiss me and think everything will be OK?" Myrnin shrugged and turned towards the chair. Charlie put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "What was that all about earlier? Today you...Kissed me then just acted like it never even happened. Why?" He stopped and sighed. She could only see half of his face but he didn't look angry or anything. More sad.
"Amelie," he whispered. "You're Amelie's daughter Charlotte. She would never allow it." Charlie could feel a smile threaten to show on her lips. Myrnin turned to her and frowned. "What?" He said. She put a hand on his cheek lightly. "I'm my own person Myrnin. Amelie doesn't make desicion's for me. Not anymore," she said, keeping her voice low and looking straight into his dark expressive eyes.
"Now," she said dropping her hand. "Are you going to kiss me or are you just going stand there?" Myrnin grabbed her around her waist and pulled her towards him vampire speed causing her to gasp. Myrnin flashed her a wicked dark smile and lowered his head to hers slowly.
Charlie got impatient and made a frustrated sound making Myrnin grin. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him in. She crushed her mouth to his and felt their connection. She loved the way his lips melted into hers like they belonged there.
She pushed Myrnin back onto the couch earning a surprised noise. He flipped her over onto her back, hovering over her with his hands on either side of her head, holding himself up. She pulled him back down so their lips met and wrapped her legs around his waist, getting as close to him as she could manage.
The kisses where soft and gentle at first but soon developed into fierce, passionate ones. She slid her tongue into his mouth and he growled approvingly. She surprised herself by moaning loudly into his mouth. She curved herself into him, savouring the feeling of his body on hers.
Myrnin's mouth trailed down to her neck and further to the beginning of her top. His hands slid slowly under her shirt, running along her hips, along her stomach. "Oh God..." She murmmered as Myrnin gently sucked the tender skin of her neck.
His mouth finally found hers and the kiss was long, sweet and amazing. When they pulled back Myrnin's eyes where wild and aroused. "You're such a temptation..." He muttered, tracing the features of her face. Charlie's cheeks where flushed and she felt full of light.
"I'm a temptation?" She retorted. "I wanna be with you," she said, looking deep into his eyes. "But, Amelie-"
"Forget Amelie. She doesn't control my life Myrnin. If I want to be with you then that's my choice. Understand?" Myrnin nodded silently and ran a hand down her side. "I don't want to hurt you Charlotte and I'm scared that I will. What happened with Ada...I couldn't bear to lose you," he admitted. "You have just returned to Morganville and I don't want you to be with someone that you are constantly at risk with."
Charlie smiled wickedly and pulled him further on top of her. "I like taking risks," she whispered seductively in his ear. She nibbled his ear gently and Myrnin moaned in pleasure. "But I'm serious Charlotte. I want you to be completely sure this is what you want. I want to be responsibe for once."
Charlie gave a long sigh and tore her gaze away from his. "Myrnin," she said quietly. "I have wanted this for a long, long time...But I know what you mean." She looked back up at him and his eyes where steady and in control. "Maybe we should wait a while. If I maybe date other people first and hopefully realise that you're the only one for me. You care about me and I can't tell you how amazing that is, how much it means to me. It's been a while since someone has been like this with me and maybe it would be best if we don't rush into things." She paused and smiled sadly. "But I will miss this though." Myrnin looked sad but he also looked like he knew what was going to happen. She had to clear her head. Work out her feelings. Of course she had wanted to be with Myrnin for as long as she can remember but then there was Shane. And she didn't want to realise she had strong feelings for Shane and hurt Myrnin. She had to work it all out. She was kind of glad Myrnin had suggested not being together right away.
"One for the road?" She asked. Myrnin cocked an eyebrow. "'One for the road'? What a curious expre-" Charlie kissed him one last time. It was warm and needy and she knew it was going to be their last one for a while and she was determined to make it count.
Myrnin obviously had the same thought because he slid his tongue into her mouth and grinded against her making Charlie moan out of surprise and pleasure. When they broke apart Charlie groaned and sighed. "Are you sure?" She asked sounding a little needy. Myrnin smiled darkly and pulled Charlie to her feet. "It won't be the last time my dear, I assure you," he said running a thumb across her cheek.
They left the secret room and made their way to the door. "Thank you," Charlie said just before Myrnin left. He shot her a confused look. "For explaining everything. I understand it all now." Myrnin took her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss it gently. "Thank you," he said and was gone.
Charlie sighed happily and closed the door to lean against it. She locked the door and made her way to the kitchen. Shane, Eve and Michael where sitting at the table drinking cans of coke. "Hey," Shane said standing up. "How did it go? You OK?" Charlie smiled at him and put a hand on his arm. "It's fine. He explained everything and it's all OK now. I've known him for a long time. Our friend ship can't be ruined that easily," she said and winked at him. They all let out a relieved sigh and Eve patted the space next to her for Charlie to sit.
"OK, so what are we having for dinner and before you say it, I am not eating chilli again," Eve said jabbing a finger in Shane's direction. "How about I go to the store and get stuff for tacos?" Charlie suggested. All eyes where on her and she shrugged. "It's getting dark, are you sure you wanna go to the store now?" Eve asked concerned. Charlie smiled and shrugged again. "I can handle it. I used to live here you know and I'm in the Founder's good books. She's like a mother to me, no one will bother me."
"No, I can't let you go by yourself," Michael said playing the big brother role. "OK, then, Shane." She turned to Shane and smiled sweetly. "Come with? That way I have a big tough guy to protect me," she said and winked. Shane looked at Michael for confirmation. "Come one Mikey, It'll be fine. Straight there and straight back." Michael threw his hands up in surrender and sat back. "Fine, fine, but if you're not back in the next twenty minutes I'm calling the cops."
"OK dad," Charlie joked, pushing in her chair. Shane followed her out of the kitchen and into the living room. "So, wanna take a ride on my motor cycle?" She asked, him bumping him. Shane considered it and smiled widely. "As long as you let me drive," he challenged. She thought about it for a second. It was Shane, what was the worst that could happen?
She slipped on a pair of boots and dug her keys out of her pocket. "Fine. But if you hurt my baby I'll hurt you," she warned, dropping the keys into Shane's waiting hand. "I'll treat her nice," Shane said winking. They stepped outside of the Glass House. It was a little chilly but not cold by any means. The sun had just set and the sky was an array of color. Blue, indigo, purple, It was beautiful.
She slipped her helmet over her head and clipped it under her chin. Shane made him self comfortable on the bike and nodded in approval. "Oh yeah," he muttered. Charlie hopped on behind him and held his middle section lightly as he started up the bike. He sped out of the parking space at top speed and Charlie had to wrap her arms around him to stop herself from falling off. She heard Shane chuckle lightly as they made their way down Lott Street.
When they arrived at the twenty-four hour grocery store they pulled into a parking space under a well light lamp post. "Ominous," Charlie murmmered, looking around. Shane snorted then burst into a fit of laughter. He was holding his sides and bending over laughing hard. She didn't know what was so funny but she wanted in on it.
"Hey, Why are you laughing?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips. Shane straightened up slowly still chuckling lightly. "'Ominous?'" He asked, stretching out the word. Now that she thought about it, it was pretty funny. "You are such a kid Shane," she said, striding into the small shop. Shane followed after her still silently laughing.
She loaded all the makings for tacos into a basket. Shane had walked off somewhere else so she went to find him. She finally found him-Where else?-in the snack isle. He had piles of stuff loaded in his arms and when he spotted Charlie he shot her a sexy lop sided grin and jerked his head for her to come over to him. He dumped the snacks into the basket and she rasied her eyebrows at him "Is all this really necessary Shane?" She asked, shaking her head. Shane cocked one eyebrow. "What do you think?" He asked.
They quickly paid and left the store side by side. The bike was exactly where they had left it and Charlie stowed the bag in the back and put her helmet on again. "Take me home biker boy," she murmmered, wrapping her arms around Shane's mid section. Shane chuckled lightly and revved up the bike. As he was leaving the parking lott, Charlie gripped Shane tighter and squeezed her thighs against him to keep herself upright. She hoped he didn't notice.
When they where about half way home Charlie saw black shapes in the shadows and she gasped. "Go faster and don't stop for anything," She whispered in his ear. Shane nodded and pushed the bike faster. Charlie had a small bottle of silver nitrate in her pocket and she edged it out, one hand still tight on Shane.
She held the small bottle in her first and leaned next to Shane's ear again. "When we stop take this bottle from my hand and cover me while I get the stuff from the back," she instructed, looking out for looming shadows. They where still there, she could feel it but they weren't in plain view.
When they pulled up outside of Lott Street Charlie pressed the bottle into Shane's hand and sweeped their surroundings. "Watch your back," she said quietly. She quickly got the stuff from the back. "Run," she said to Shane. He took off at a sprint up the walkway and flew in the door.
Charlie followed him but was stopped mid stride by a familliar face...Brandon. He shot her a slow sly grin. She heard Shane calling her name, about to come for her. She put up her hand and shook her head, still staring at Brandon. "Stay where you are Shane. Just stay in the house, I'll be fine. I know him." Shane stopped and shook his head. "Shit!" He muttered.
"Well if it isn't little miss Charlotte Greene," he said, circling her, intimidatingly. "Brandon. What a...Pleasant surprise," she spat. She didn't have a good history with Brandon. He had tried to kill her plenty of times and had also tried to get with her just as many.
"Brandon you bastard," Shane hissed. "You know him?" She asked, surprised. Shane nodded, a dangerous look in his eyes. Brandon slowly turned to Shane and smiled widely. "Oh, yes you're little Eve's friend aren't you?" He asked. Shane's eyes went hollow and distant.
"What did you do to Eve?" She asked, taking a step towards him. He smiled again. "I used to be her protector until she turned eighteen. She was...Delicious," he said, licking his lips. Charlie started to get really angry. "Shane. Close the door and lock it."
"Charlie-"
"Shane! If you want me to live, close the door and lock it!" She snapped. She didn't mean to sound so demanding but there was unresolved issues between her and Brandon and it was none that should be witnessed by humans. "Don't look outside at all. Not even the windows," she said. Shane made a frustrated noise and slammed the door closed.
She waited until she heard the door lock and made her move. She darted around to the back of Brandon and held him in a head lock. "You bastard! Who the hell do you think you are? You are weak Brandon, weak," She hissed. "What makes you think you can do this to me and my friends and get away with it. You. Are. Nothing." Brandon snarled and struggled to get away but Charlie was stronger.
"Well? Are you going to answer me or are you just going to hiss and spit like a kitten?" She chuckled darkly. "Wanted to see for my self if the Charlotte Greene was really back," he replied. She laughed again and tightened her grip around his neck. "Oh yeah? Well now you know. The bitch is back," she said and flexed her elbows, breaking Brandon's neck.
He would be fine later but for now he was unconscious and that was all she needed. She bolted up the path and knocked rapidly on the door. "Hey, it's me! Let me in!" She yelled. She heard the bolts unlock and when the last one was done she threw herself in the door, straight into Michael's arms. "Shane lock it!" Michael said and Shane quickly did.
She stayed in Michael's arms and took quick gasping breaths. Her heart was thudding hard in her chest and she hadn't realised how shaky she was until now. She wasn't scared of Brandon but she was surprised and it didn't stop her tremors.
"Hey, hey, you OK?" Michael asked, putting his hands on her cheeks. She nodded and sighed. "What happened out there Charlie?" She heard Shane ask behind her. She shook her head. "I knew Brandon before. We didn't have a great friendship and I knew all his weaknesses," she lied. It wasn't totally a lie but it still tasted rotten in her mouth.
"I'm just glad he didn't hurt you sweetie," Eve said, draping an arm over Charlie's shoulders. Eve steered her towards the living room and sat her down on the couch. She was better now. The shock had worn off and she actually felt a little exhillerated.
"Coffee?" Eve offered. She nodded silently and smiled. Shane sat next to her and put an arm around her. "Why didn't you let me help?" He asked. She smiled and looked up at him. "Shane there wasn't much you could have done. And really I'm fine. He wouldn't have hurt me anyway because of Amelie. He knows who I am," she said and put a hand on his shoulder. He didn't look convinced. Not one bit. "Hey. I'm fine. look at me." She put a hand on his cheek so he would look her in the eyes. "Look, I'm fine. I can handle my self Shane. I grew up here." She winked at him and dropped her hand.
Eve came back through with a cup of coffee in her hand and gave it to Charlie. It was bitter and just perfect. She stood up. "Well I don't know about you guys but I'm starving. I'm making dinner," she said and entered the kitchen.
She took the stuff out of the bag and spread the ingredients across the counter top. She had just started chopping up lettuce when Shane came into the kitchen. "Want some help?" He asked no longer freaked out. She nodded and pointed towards the tomatoes. "Chop those up," she said. "Yes boss," he replied and gave a small lazy salute.
"You're being awfully helpfull," she said, shooting him a side long glance. He flashed her a crooked, sexy grin. "I'm just that kind of guy," he said and winked at her.
His smile just melted her making her feel mushy and dizzy. A sharp pain shot up her finger and she gasped. She had sliced the tip of her finger when she wasn't looking. "Shit," she hissed and hurried to the sink. She turned on the tap and stuck her finger underneath. "You OK?" He asked, standing behind her. She nodded and smiled. "Just a little cut, it's fine," she said. She dried her hand on a dish towel and turned to face him.
He was unusually close, she could feel the heat of his body near hers. She looked up into his dark eyes. "Are you OK?" She asked quietly. He nodded, not making any effort to move. All of a sudden she had a major urge to kiss him but she stopped herself. She couldn't kiss two guys in the same day.
"Maybe we should...Finish making dinner," she said. Shane nodded and stepped to the side slowly. She smiled shyly at him, heat creeping up her cheeks. She went back to the counter and picked up the bloody piece of lettuce. She put it under the faucet and watched as the small spatter of blood circled the drain and disappeared.
"So," Shane said suddenly, not looking up from the tomato he was chopping. "How long have you and Myrnin known eachother?" Charlie was surprised at his question. Why did he want to know that? "Um, well I've known him pretty much all my life. He's very dear to me. He has always tried to protect me as much as he could," she replied, smiling. Shane nodded silently and moved onto his second tomato.
They finished the dinner in a comfortable silence and once they where done started loading it all into taco shells. Michael and Eve entered the kitchen and Eve took up the space next to Charlie. "Smells great," she said grinning. Michael stole a piece of meat and popped it into his mouth. "Delicious," he mummbled. "Hey!" She exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips. "No stealing food. You wait! Bad!" She jabbed a finger in his direction and he plastered on an innocent expression.
They sat down at the dinner table and chatted about different things. Eve talked about her work and the more she did, the more Charlie worried. Eve didn't know about Oliver. She didn't know that he was a vampire never mind one so...Dangerous.
"Eve," Charlie interrupted, cutting Eve off mid sentence. "What do you know about Oliver?" Eve cocked her head to the side and frowned. "Well, not a lot I guess, but he's a really cool guy. I've known him for a while now," she replied, brightening up. "When did he move here?" Charlie asked. Eve thought about it for a second then replied. "Just a little longer than two years," she said and frowned again. "Why?" Charlie shook her head and smiled. "No reason, just curious."
When they finished dinner they decided to leave the washing up till the next day and made them selves comfortable in the living room infront of the TV. Michael played his guitar whilst the rest of them watched a stupid horror movie including zombies and that one smart girl that always lives.
Eve made her self comfortable on the floor, flipping through a magazine and Shane and Charlie curled up onto the couch together. Shane stayed far up on the left hand side and Charlie on the right. Eve yawned and stretched eyes half lidded.
Not long after Eve decided to go to bed early and Michael put his guitar away and relocated to the couch. Charlie moved next to Shane so she had Michael and Shane on both sides. She felt warm and nice. After the weird day she had it was nice to have a little normality.
Shane went into the kitchen and dumped a load of snacks on the tabe and a beer for himself and Michael. Charlie sipped happily on a coke, half paying attention to what was happening on screen. She felt really tired but she didn't want the day to end. She didn't want to leave Shane and she didn't want to leave Michael. She knew she wouldn't see Michael until the next night and that bothered her. She liked spending time with him.
She woke up, her head on Shane's chest and no Michael next to her. Her first thought was Oh My God, am I drooling? But that changed when she saw the look on Shane's face. He was looking down on her through half lidded eyes. He had an easy, sexy smile spread across his lips and his hand was running up and down her back.
"You're starting to make a habbit out of this," he said, his words not quite right. She saw the cause of his actions sitting on the table. There was a lot more bottles sitting from the last time she looked. Shane's hand was still trailing up and down her back, sending a pleasured shiver down her spine.
"Oh, uh, I'm sorry," she murmmered, making a move to sit up. "You seem cold. Stay," he said and flashed her an amazing grin. Her face flushed and she cleared her throat nervously. "Uh, are you sure?" She asked, flattening a hand on his chest. He nodded, still smiling and moved his hand down to her waist. She rested her head back onto his chest and let out a long sigh.
Michael came in from the kitchen, more snacks in hand. He cocked one eyebrow and gave them a long look. Charlie made no effort to move. She didn't have the strength, she was comfortable. Michael sat down without saying anything and threw a bag of chips to Shane. He caught it one handed and smiled. "Thanks," he murmmered, setting it down next to him.
The heat of Shane's body next to hers made her feel warm and relaxed. She listened to the steady thumping in his chest. It stirred the beast inside of her but she just told it to shut up and locked it's cage.
"I better go to bed," she muttered, eyes closed. Shane chuckled low in his chest and Charlie smiled at the sound. She felt worn out and she didn't want to move. "I'll take her to bed," Shane said quietly to Michael. She was only half paying attention to what was going on around her but when Shane's arms closed around her body, she opened her eyes and looked at his face. He winked and walked over to the stairs.
Charlie smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, closing her eyes again. "I'm glad I have you," she whispered, nuzzling into Shane's neck. It was silent until she felt her soft bed underneath her. Shane tucked her in and kissed her fore head softly. "Sleep well. I'll see you tomorrow," he said and turned to leave. Charlie caught his hand in hers before he left and he turned towards her eyes wide.
"Aren't you tired?" She asked, looking at Shane in the dim lighting. He shrugged and smiled. "You want to spend time with Michael right? Since he sleeps days? I understand that," she said giving his hand a squeeze. "I'm not gonna miss out on sleep because of that big shot," he joked. He always made jokes about it but Charlie could tell that it bothered him.
Charlie didn't want to be alone all of a sudden. She felt so alone and she had no idea why. Tears threatened to spill over her eyes and she squeezed them shut pushing them back. Shane knelt next to her bed, still holding her hand. "Hey, hey, what's wrong?" he asked, running a hand down her cheek. "I...I...Don't want to be alone," she admitted and immediately felt ashamed.
"Do you want me to stay?" He asked, his dark eyes searching her face. "No, no, you go spend some time with Michael," she said, sniffing, trying for a smile. He looked down and shook his head. "I can spend time with that goof anytime," he said. "Now move over." He kicked off his shoes and climbed in after she had moved over.
"Thank you," she whispered in to the dark. They where on their sides, face to face. Charlie laced her fingers with his and the warmth made the chill escape her. He ran a hand down her face, playing with a strand of loose hair.
She started to drift off to sleep but just before she slipped into unconsciesness she swore she heard Shane whisper, "God, you're beautiful."
Thank you for reading! Review and tell me what you think please! I need to know if I'm doing a good job! I might just stop...;-) xx