Trading for Love

16. Sly

Vincent POV

Three days. It had been three long agonizing days since my encounter with Charlotte in my office. That night I had been called into the city on emergency business. I had gotten word from one of my underbosses that my vendor was skimming product, creating himself a larger profit margin and screwing me in the long run. We had spent the last three days hunting the piece of s**t down and dispensing with him and his cronies and I couldn't be happier to be heading home.

I had left Charlotte back at the mansion with Evelyn, encouraging her to take the time to read the contract while I was gone. I had also programmed my number in her phone, telling her she could call or text if she needed anything. There had been radio silence from her the whole time and it was driving me batty. The whole time I was in the city I wanted nothing more than to text her, call her, ask her what she was doing, how everything was going, anything to hear from her. Every moment I wasn't tracking that low life thief had been filled with the thought of Charlottes lips on mine.

When she had slid onto my lap, her lips meeting mine, there was only a moment of shock before I became greedy. I knew in an instant that I wanted to kiss her everyday for the rest of my life. I knew there would be nobody else in the world that had the effect on me that she did.

After cleaning up our mess this morning, we all got a few hours sleep at the apartment before getting on the road to home. I'd hoped to be home by dinner but road construction killed that dream. It was almost midnight by the time we pulled into the drive. As we parked, Mitch opened the front door, flooding the driveway with light. He was dressed down in a pair of plaid pajama pants and a black hoodie. I was honestly surprised to see him awake but he wasn't the person I was looking for as I ducked past him heading for the steps. Charlotte was sure to be in bed but that didn't mean I couldn't check on her. Just seeing her would sedate my needs for now.

I was half way up the steps, taking them two at a time when I heard a dry chuckle from behind me. I glanced back to find Mitch leaning against the stair rail.

" You won't find her up there sir."

" Where is she at almost midnight then?" I grumbled turning to him.

" In the den," he said pointing his thumb over his shoulder to the side of the house that held the den, library, gym, and theater room.

I quickly turned on my heal, brushing past Mitch and Heath with their smug smiles before disappearing down the hall. I could make out the faint sound of the TV as I drew closer, its glow flashing in the hall through the open door. I had expected to find Charlotte watching some late night trash TV but I couldn't have been more wrong.

There was some kind of cartoon playing, flashing with colorful characters. There was a half empty popcorn bowl and cups scattered around the coffee table. Laying on half of the overstuffed sectional was Evelyn, a quilt wrapped around her, her head resting in Charlottes lap. Charlotte was asleep, her hand resting against Evelyn, her auburn curls spilling across the back of the sectional. She was slumped into the corner, her legs stretched out on the other half of the sectional. It was an adorable shock to see them there. It was such a normal thing but a completely abnormal feeling. I hadn't realized how happy it would make me to see them upon arriving home after such a short time away. I hadn't realized how much it would make my heart swell to see them spending time together.

Evelyn had never been one to open up to me but to see her cuddled up with Charlotte spoke volumes to the relationship that was forming between them. I could only hope that Charlotte would be what Evelyn needed to turn things around. Apparently my time away had been good for them.

I watched them for a moment, Mitch coming up beside me.

" They were having a movie night. They knocked out when I went for more popcorn," he chuckled.

" Help me get them upstairs? They can't be comfortable sleeping like that." I chuckled stepping into the den. Mitch reached down, gently scooping Evelyn into his arms, blanket and all. Just as he moved to lift her Charlottes hand shot out, knotting in the blanket.

" Evelyn," she croaked groggily as she shook her head.

" It's alright Charlotte, Mitch is just going to put her to bed." As I spoke, her hand dropped, falling back into her lap. She blinked slowly, her eyes gliding around the room until they came to rest on me. My heart was close to bursting as a sleepy smile formed on her lips. Her voice was a gently whisper as she spoke.

" Vincent."