If I Die Before I Wake by Liz McMullen

Author:Liz McMullen [McMullen, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780692232507
Amazon: 0692232508
Publisher: Liz\McMullen#Show, The
Published: 2014-06-22T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Faith stood in the middle of the living room, fatigue and worry marking her face, and for once she looked her own age, rather than the perennial teenager. “What now?”

Once the door was locked and bolted, Charlie reset the alarm. She leaned against the door, feeling like a wilted flower. “Sleep. I’m not sure how I’m still in an upright position.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Faith started to fix the couch to sleep on. Charlie walked to her side then rested her hand on Faith’s shoulder. “You don’t need to sleep on the couch, you know. I have a spare bedroom.”

Faith turned to face her. “I know, but I just feel more comfortable in here. This couch is cozy.” She played with a few strands of her long black hair. She wasn’t convincing anyone.

Charlie could tell that she wanted something entirely different and downscaled her plan at the last moment. “Please don’t hide from me. Tell me what you want.”

“I want…” Faith found the toe of her boot fascinating.

Charlie reached out and cupped her chin, slowly drawing her face up so they could see eye-to-eye. “Tell me.”

“I want to sleep with you.”

Charlie’s eyes grew so wide it was comical.

Faith laughed. “No, not that way.” There was an unspoken yet at the end of her sentence. “Valkyrie thinks Cole waits until you are alone to take you, so I figured if we were in the same place that it would keep you safer. And…”

Charlie waited. They were close enough that she could feel the heat flowing off Faith’s body. “And?”

“I’m just so exhausted and I don’t want to be alone right now. I want to let go and relax, and I don’t think that will be possible if I am worried about you.” Faith paused, as she gathered her courage. “I feel safe with you.”

“Come with me,” Charlie replied, offering her hand. She was avoiding the unspoken connection with Faith; she was just too tired to think of the implications or analyze her actions. Instead, she led Faith into the bedroom, offered her something to sleep in, then gave her some privacy to change.

Charlie went into the kitchen and grabbed two bottles of water, and when she returned, Faith was standing a few feet from the bed, looking incredibly vulnerable and lovely. Charlie sighed. She was too tired to fight the way that Faith made her feel. “Here, just in case you get thirsty.”

Faith's smile was like moonlight on the ocean. “Thank you.”

Charlie went to her side of the bed then lifted the covers to her left, inviting Faith into her bed. Faith lingered at the bedside then finally climbed in. She reached for Charlie’s hand and laced their fingers together.

“I know we don’t know each other very well, and you don’t have to if it would make you uncomfortable…” Faith rambled.

Charlie guessed her wish and opened her arms. “Come here.”

Faith moved quickly, as though if she didn’t act fast enough, Charlie would change her mind. She snuggled into her side, resting her head on Charlie’s shoulder.

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