Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Charlie
Things Get Serious
I stare down at the text, shocked and excited, to be hearing from Kip.
Charlie: You’re free?!
Kip: ;) u know it, sweetheart
Kip: Can u come 2nite?
Charlie: Uh, obviously!
Is it frowned upon to sneak out of work a few hours early? Now that I know Kip is back, everything in me is screaming to go to his apartment right this second. It’s as if the bond knows he’s accessible now too, because there’s an incessant tugging on my sternum, pulling me towards him.
But, Kip told me to meet him at seven. I don’t want to seem desperate, although I am very, very desperate to be as close to him as possible. Ugh, who am I? Wanting the contact of another person? Gross. Since meeting Kip, I’ve become a changed man.
In fact, Nancy commented on the smile that’s been on my face since I heard from Kip earlier.
“Who are you, and what have you done with Charlie?” She gasps, pretending to be stunned by the smile on my face as she leans around my cubicle to chat with me.
“Haha.” Woah, was that a real laugh? I didn’t even have to fake that shit! “What, can’t a guy be in a good mood?”
“Well, of course you can, silly. It’s just…well, you’ve been here for a few years now and I don’t think I’ve seen you genuinely smile one during that time. Are you sure you haven’t been body snatched?”
“You know what, Nance? Maybe I have been.” I shake my head, chuckling.
Nancy titters. “Ah, I see. Some lucky lady in your life then?”
My shoulders tense at the insinuation. I haven’t exactly come out at work.
I don’t see the need to. I honestly think it’s a ridiculous notion that gay people have to announce their gayness.
Straight people don’t have to go around announcing that they’re hetero, so why should gay people have to do that?
And why does everyone assume that hetero is the norm?
What, because I’m a man, I have to have a girlfriend?
My good mood sours a bit. Fucking boomers.
“Nope.” I reply curtly, shutting down this chat with Nancy.
“Oh, okay then…” She looks taken aback.
Good, maybe she’ll learn how to mind her own fucking business from now on.
“Anyway, Nancy. I’ve got a lot of work to do, so if you don’t mind.” I turn back around, slipping headphones over my ears and pretending to concentrate on my computer monitor. Guess I haven’t been body snatched after all.
My palms are sweaty, and my heart is in my throat as I stand outside of Kip’s apartment door. God, it feels like meeting him for the first time. And I know that’s not entirely true, although the amount of time we’ve spent together in person is less than we’ve spent in dreams.
Taking a deep breath, I try to pump myself up for this. Why am I so fucking nervous?
“Are you going to knock?” I hear Kip say from behind the door. “Or are you thinking of bailing?”
Kip’s voice startles a laugh out of me. My lips quirk as I raise my hand to gently knock on the door. “Not bailing.”
The door swings open, revealing Kip standing there wearing a huge smile. “Whew. I’m glad. You were staring at the door, biting your lip, for a long time and I thought for sure you would decide to leave.”
A blush creeps up my cheeks. “No I, uh…I’m just…”
“Nervous, huh? Me too. It seems weird to be so jittery, but I can’t help it.” Kip shrugs, stepping aside to let me into the apartment.
I breathe out a sigh. “It is kind of silly, isn’t it? I mean…we’ve kissed, it’s not like we’re strangers.”
“Yeah, and I did suck your dick once. We weren’t shy then.”
Now my face is in flames, remembering that night in my apartment. The heat in my face isn’t from embarrassment this time, but rather arousal. I have to press my palm to my dick as it fills and begins to ache, remember how Kip’s mouth felt around me.
“Mmmm…you’re thinking about it now too, aren’t you?” Kip’s voice turns husky, and his eyes become molten silver.
He steps towards me, forcing me to back up into the now closed apartment door. His arms cage me in, and my head tilts back to keep eye contact. I forgot how much bigger than me he is. All muscle and smooth, golden skin.
My dry throat clicks as I attempt to swallow. “Fuck.” My cock is like a steel bar in my jeans right now.
Before we can go further, I press my hands to Kip’s chest, holding him at bay. “We should…” I rasp as he nuzzles into my neck. “Hit pause…Remember, you said we should take it slow.”
Kip groans, resting his forehead to my shoulder. “Ugh. I know. I just…it’s hard to believe that I’m free, and you’re here, and I got carried away. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m not upset. Believe me, I want it just as bad…but also, I feel like this…us…we are important. I want to take my time with you.”
I feel Kip smile against my skin. “I want that too.” He whispers. “And also, that moment took away all the awkwardness, didn’t it?”
My lips turn up in response. “Yeah, it sure did.” I laugh breathlessly. “Alright, should we start our official first date?”
“Oh my god, yes! I actually kind of forgot…” Kip jumps back from me, grabbing my hand to tug me through the entryway of my apartment.
I wince and hiss as Kip’s fingers squeeze my broken pointer finger. I went and got it splinted, but it still hurts. At least it was a clean break.
Kip stops short. “What happened to your finger?”
“I broke it. Well, it was broken. It’s no big deal, just be careful about holding my hand. I should get the splint off in six weeks or so.”
Kip turns around and raises my hand to inspect the offending digit. “I don’t like that. Why don’t I just heal you? You know, with my magic blood?”
“It’s no big deal, Kip.”
Kip rolls his eyes and scoffs. “Take my blood. Why suffer for six weeks when you could have it healed instantly, that’s just ridiculous.”
“Fine…if it’ll make you worry less.” I sigh. “I guess it’ll be nice to not worry about it.”
“Exactly.” Kip offers me his wrist, which he just bit.
It really is like magic. As soon as I swallow the proffered blood, I feel my bone click back into place.
“Thank you.” I blush, removing the splint.
“Anytime, sweetheart.” Kip grins, kissing my pointer finger. “Hmmm…I guess that means that you drinking my blood in that dream didn’t actually heal you in real life, huh? Good to know, I guess.”
He grabs my hand in his again, and continues to pull me through his apartment.
I take this moment following behind him to check him out, shamelessly.
He’s wearing dark blue jeans, a black long-sleeved henley.
Both garments hug his muscular frame, highlighting every dip and curve.
It’s almost sinful how good he looks, with his wavy blond hair that’s artfully tousled.
It honestly seems like he doesn’t even have to try to look good.
I bet he rolls out of bed and looks this effortless.
Looking from him, down to me, I wonder what he sees in me.
I’m not small, but compared to him I look tiny.
There’s no way my frame could house as much bulky muscle as his.
Kip is classically handsome, and very well could be a model.
Meanwhile, I’m a nerdy, lanky guy. I don’t get it.
But maybe I should just count my blessings?
He obviously sees something in me, so who am I to question it?
Kip pulls me into the combined dining and living area, revealing a completely transformed space. The lights are low, candles placed throughout the rooms. Soft music is playing from a speaker, and it looks super cozy.
He leads me to the dining table, gently pulling out a chair for me and plopping me down into it with a kiss on the head.
“It looks really nice in here, Kip. Can’t believe you did this all for me.”
Kip huffs. “Believe it, sweetheart. You’re worth it. I’d do this a thousand times over just to see that twinkle in your eye and the smile on your face. You’re fucking beautiful, Charlie.”
I shake my head. “I don’t get it.”
Kip uncorks a bottle of wine, pouring me a healthy glass. “What’s not to get?”
“What you see in me? Why you like me? Why you’re going to all this trouble? I must have really good blood, because that’s the only thing I can think of.” My fingers toy with the stem of my glass. Then, I feel the blood leave my face. “Or you’re only with me because the bond says you should be.”
Kip stands behind me, his fingers gripping my chin to tilt my head back to look at him.
“I see everything in you. I see my prickly little cactus, who has a tough shell to hide himself from the world, but lets it soft only for me. I see someone who is so beautiful it’s otherworldly, and that’s coming from someone who is literally a vampire.
I see someone who makes me feel safe, and really cared for, for the first time in my life.
Charlie, baby, you risked your life to come find me when I was imprisoned at Blood Rose.
No one else cared, but you did. Even after only knowing me for a couple of weeks.
I see my future in you. And it’s not because of the bond, it’s because of you and who you are inside. ”
My mouth is parted in shock, and I feel tears trickling down my cheeks. Kip leans down, planting a soft kiss against my lips. “I see you too, Kip.” I murmur as he pulls away.
“I know you do, baby. I know. That’s why it’s you that my heart chose. I may be dumb, but my heart isn’t.”
I scoff. “You aren’t dumb. Don’t call yourself that.”
Kip shrugs. “I’m stating a fact. Everyone knows I’m not the sharpest crayon in the box.
I mean, only a dummy would die by falling from a tree.
Or not realizing that his supposed ‘best friend’ was using him for blood.
I know my weaknesses, and my brain is one.
But that’s where you come in. You’re fucking brilliant, so we even each other out.
You use your brain muscles, and I’ll use my muscle muscles. ”
Snorting, I pat his hand as it rests on the table. “You do have me beat in the muscles department, that’s for sure.”