Trading for Love

17. Smile

Vincent POV

Her voice washed over me sending a shiver through me. An insane urge to kiss her rushed through me but I quickly forced it down. Kissing her when she was barely conscious wasn't the best of ideas.

As Mitch disappeared, I gently scooped Charlotte into my arms. As I lifted her she blinked up at me sleepily, using one hand to push against my chest.

" I can walk," she grumbled past a yawn. I tightened my grip on her, pressing her into my chest.

" And I can carry you." With an unintelligible grumble she settled back into my chest, to tired to argue with me. Before I had even started up the stairs, Charlotte was once again asleep, curled into my chest, her hand knotting in the front of my shirt. I couldn't help the smile that crept across my face. She was cute even when she was sleeping.

I shouldered open Charlottes door, taking a quick inventory as I walked. Her duffel was still thrown open on the couch, a few pieces of clothing scattered around it. There was a small stack of books on her bedside table and other than that, there had been no changes to the room. I made a mental note to take her shopping at the first oppurtunity so she could make the room more her own.

Gently, I laid Charlotte on the bed before pealing her fingers from the front of my shirt. She grumbled sleepily before nuzzling into her pillows. I gently tucked a stray curl behind her ear, lingering a moment to admire her. She looked so peaceful, her long lashes brushing her cheeks as she quietly snoozed. This close to her I could just barely make out a the light freckles scattered across her cheeks and nose.

I quickly turned away from her as the urge to kiss her freckles washed over me. I had never had the urge to kiss anyone sweep through me like that, let alone the fact it was over freckles. I quickly ducked out of her room, almost running head long into Heath carrying my luggage. He raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing as he headed for my room. He dropped the suitcase outside my door before turning to me. I nodded my thanks before ducking into my own room and locking the door behind me. I wasn't sure if I was attempting to keep someone out at this point of keep myself in. Rather than contemplate it, I dropped onto my bed, praying for sleep to come quickly.

* * * *

By five in the morning I had had enough tossing and turning and decided to get up. I dressed before heading downstairs for some much needed coffee, to my surprise though, I wasn't the first person awake.

I stopped short as I stepped into the kitchen. Charlotte stood at the stove, a spatula in hand as she flipped bacon. She was still in her pajamas from the night before, a set of earbuds shoved in her ears. She was humming along to whatever song was playing and swaying her hips to the music. Even in her pajama pants it was a magnificent sight to see her bottom bounce with each hip dip. I leaned against the door frame, enjoying the early morning show. As I watched,Charlotte air guitared her spatula and struck a pose as she threw her head back. It was all to much at that point. I laughed.

Charlotte POV

I jumped, dropping the spatula I had been using as a guitar. I spun to find Vincent standing in the doorway, doubled over as he shook with laughter. I quickly pulled my earbuds out, Shania Twain being replaced with the deep bass of Vincents laughter. I felt my cheeks flame red at the realization he had seen me dancing.

" How long have you been standing there?" I asked snatching up a new spatula to flip the bacon with.

" Long enough," Vincent managed to gasp through his laughter.

" I didn't think anyone would be up this early," I grumbled turning back to the stove.

" I'm glad I was. It's not often I find a beautiful girl dancing in the kitchen." My cheeks flamed again. I'd never been one to receive compliments but getting a compliment from Vincent filled my stomach with butterflies. Hearing him call me beautiful was the possibly the highlight of the year. In the back of my head though I could hear Lillians voice nagging me, telling me how I am overweight and no one would ever love me, telling me that I wear clothes that make me look frumpy, and so much more. I was quickly humbled by the voice in my head reminding me that we was probably only being kind and lying through his teeth to me.

I shook myself, quickly clearing my head from the giddiness that had been there only a moment ago.

" Would you like some breakfast?" I asked turning to the fridge and grabbing the eggs.

" As long as it comes with coffee," Vincent chuckled from behind me.

" That I can do."

I moved around the kitchen, loading the coffee pot, scrambling some eggs, and making toast. The whole time I could feel Vincents eyes following my every move. While he'd been away I had taken to making breakfast and it had never felt this intense. Vincent just seemed to ooze authority and having it radiate around me without a buffer set my nerves on edge.

As I continued cooking my thoughts strayed to Vincent and his job. He had mentioned breifly before leaving that he had been called into the city for business but beyond that there was no information given, no follow up when he returned, no additional information, nothing. I knew that he was part of the mafia, just how involved he was was yet to be determined. He definetly had a killer vibe to him but somehow I was finding it hard to believe that the man I had just seen laughing at my dance moves would be capable of ending a life.