26

Charlie

I got in the bed and laid down next to him. His bed was way more inviting than what I remembered. He opened up his arms for me to slide into and of course, I did. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in impossibly closer. "What are we watching?" I asked him as some random cartoon flashed on the TV screen before us. "I don't know actually." He laughed and so did I. He still had his shirt on from when I told him to put one back on. Now I was deeply regretting it. "Why the sudden change?" He asked me.

"Well, I don't know. I guess I just stopped comparing us to everyone else. I think that I was so caught up in how I was told mate relationships were supposed to go. That I was looking at ours and how things were between us and it didn't feel how I thought it was supposed to. If that makes sense?" I explained to him as best as I could but even then I think I sounded just as crazy.

"No, I understand, I found myself doing the same. But I realized that we are such different people. That what may work for other couples wouldn't have worked for us." A smile covered my face, I was happy that he and I were on the same page.

"I know what you mean. About Trey. Something is off. Same with Christina." I turned, even more, to look at him. But the way I positioned myself ended up with me having my legs intertwined with his and my face extremely close to his. "Okay good! I just thought maybe I was being crazy. But if you see the change too then maybe we should do something."

"I mean what could we do? I can't walk up to someone and be like 'I can tell you're unhappy' that's just rude." We both laughed at that and Damon playfully rolled his eyes at me.

"No, you're right. I don't know. I just feel like I have played a part in how bad things are for them." I looked deep into Damon's eyes and there was such sadness in them. I didn't realize how guilty he had felt towards that situation. A situation that happened because of me. "I don't know if I ever apologized but, truly I am so sorry for my actions. I shouldn't have been as upset as I was. It really was uncalled for."

"No! Don't apologize! Everything you did or said was valid. And still is. I knew what you had gone through with my brother and then Kenny, and I just ignored the fact you were hurting. And yeah I was being selfish. I should have gone to find you myself and then you wouldn't have had to deal with all of that shit my brother put you through. Please don't apologize."

Damon lifted his hand moved his finger and slowly caressed my face. The warm sparks flowed after where he touched leaving me paralyzed in soft pleasure. His eyes weren't filled with lust, though there was some slightly lingering. There was nothing but adoration and amazement as he stared back. I had never felt so important and so valued.

The air began to fill with tension. We were so close to each other that of course, the thought crossed my mind. Should I kiss him? Should I wait until he kisses me? But what if he doesn't make a move because he's waiting for me too? He said that I was in control but maybe this was way more control than I wanted.

But it was like he read my mind and just seconds later his lips were against mine. I had never felt so surrounded by safety. I never felt as warm as I did at that moment. His lips weren't as I remembered. They were soft and full. There was so much untapped power behind them, I could tell he was being as soft as possible to not 'scare me' away. Our lips moved like water against each other. Easy, smooth, and controlled.

His hands moved slowly up and down my waist, causing the fiery sparks to fill my body. It was magic. I loved it. I wanted more, ultimately do more. But now was not the time, but I had hardly any restraint to pull away. I was just hoping Damon does. And he did. Damn. Now I regret it. He pulled away from me and he looked me deep in my eyes. There was so much running through them, and I wanted to understand him. Know every thought he ever thinks.

"You were overthinking, there's no need for that anymore." He whispered softly against my lips. "I hope you know that I plan on spending the rest of my life calming your mind and freeing you of yourself. That little doubt monster in the back of your head. There's no need for that anymore. Because I am here for as long as you want me to be. Even if it's a day or forever. I'll cherish whatever it is you'll give me."

•••••

I don't remember falling asleep, all I knew was that I woke up to a wonderful smell hitting my nose. I got up and threw on one of Damons' sweatshirts. I had just experienced the best sleep in my life and now I don't think I'll be able to sleep without him in my bed again. I walked out the door and followed the smell through the familiar hallways. It still felt so foreign being here. I saw Damon in the kitchen and from what I could tell he was making omelets for us. "Good morning." He said with a giant smile on his face. "Hi," I said smiling back and taking a seat on the bar stools that surrounded the island.

"Thank you for making breakfast," I told him. "Of course." He turned around and set a plate in front of me and right beside me. He walked around and sat right next to me and we began to eat. "I got a call this morning from an Alpha friend I met during my traves." He said in between bites and I just listened. "There is a giant conference being held in Greece in a few days, and he asked me to be one of the keynote speakers. Now, I know it's short notice and you have a job and a life in the city, but I would love it if you would join me. But of course, you don't have to."

"How long would you be gone for?" I asked him. "It lasts about a week. But if you decide to come we could extend the trip for a few days and explore Athens, and the Mykonos." I could feel that he wanted me to say yes, he was basically pleading with me with his eyes. I guess I had been silent for too long he started to get nervous. "But I mean you can say no. If you think it's too soon I understand. And I also don't need an answer right now." Damon got up and started to move away but I grabbed his arm and pulled him to me. "When should I be packed by?" I asked him and a giant smile covered his face.

"Really?" He was still in disbelief and honestly I was in disbelief that I even said yes. "Yes, really. I would love to go to Greece with you. I just need to call Sarah and the school. They have plenty of other substitute teachers they can use." A genuine smile sat on my face as I looked at this happy boy's face. Now it was my life mission to make sure that I keep that look on his face for the rest of my life.

"Okay great! I can take you back to your apartment if you want to get some clothes." He suggested to me. "I mean you got me clothes to have here, I can just pack those up and be good," I told him. "Oh yeah! I have extra suitcases that you can use and if you don't have them I can get them for you. By chance do you have a passport?" Oh shit. "No, I don't. I didn't even think of that."

"Don't worry I'll get it taken care of for you today." He smiled and walked away from me. I got up and went to the room to get my phone. The phone rang a few times but there was finally an answer. "What?" Sarah yelled at me over the phone and I immediately rolled my eyes. I must have woken her up. "I was just calling to tell you that I won't be back for a few weeks."

"Why?" Her voice was always so rough in the mornings. "Because I am going to Greece with Damon." The giant gasp she let out proved that she was now wide awake. "What the hell just happened?"

"I will explain it all later. I'm about to eat breakfast." I tried to calm her down but it didn't work. It made her more upset. "No, you're telling me now. What the hell is going on? How did you go from not even being able to say his name to going on a romantic vacation?" She yelled at me.

"Look, I know everything is going by fast but I don't know. It just seems so natural. You know how this mate thing goes." I explained to her. "No, I don't. I'm the last person who would know." Oh shit, I'm a terrible friend. "I'm sorry, Sarah. I shouldn't have."

"It's fine. I'm fine. Everything is fine. I hope you enjoy your trip with your mate." I could feel the energy change, she was upset. Rightfully so. "Sarah-" She hung up the phone and I let out a huge sigh. This is a problem for another day, I can't solve it today.

A few moments later Damon walked into the room and he had just gotten off the phone too. "Well, your passport is on its way. You will have it by the end of the day." He smiled and came and sat next to me. "I have a question." He said and I turned to him and waited. "Dinner tonight? A date?"

"Of course. You don't even have to ask."

•

•

•

•

•