Chapter Nine #2
He had never really had a preference for a type of woman.
He didn’t care if they were blonde, brunette, tall, short, thin or curvy.
He’d had his fair share of dates and hook ups, and each time, something different attracted him.
He remained physically attracted to Charlie, but there was a deeper connection there.
Yes, they had Nate as a bond, but it was more than that.
He’d never felt this need to protect, cherish, or make a woman his with anyone else.
A knock at the door broke the silence.
“It’s just room service.” Donnie smiled and got up to let them in. Daniel wheeled in a trolley with two covered plates on it.
“I thought you worked bar?” Donnie said.
“I do. But the kitchen is busy, I offered to run this one up. Enjoy, my friends.”
“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.” Donnie pulled cash from his pocket and handed it to him.
“Thank you. If you two need anything else, you let me know.”
Donnie lifted the two plate covers to reveal burgers and fries. “Hungry?”
“When did you order that?” Charlie stared at the food.
“When you were in the bathroom. You need to eat.”
She stood up and picked a fry up off the plate. “Thank you.” She smiled the first genuine smile he’d seen since she knocked on his door. “I guess I don’t need to worry about the wedding dress fitting anymore.”
As they ate, they chatted about safer topics.
She told him more about her work and he told her a little about what he did.
They shared some memories of Nate and laughed over some of the good times.
They both steered clear of any conversation regarding Simon.
Suddenly, it was eleven o’clock and Charlie was yawning.
“I think it’s time I walked you back to your room,” he said, even though he didn’t want to.
“You don't have to walk me back. I can manage all by myself.”
“I know. But I want to.”
He thought she was going to protest, but she didn’t. Standing, she said, “Come on then, Mister Chivalrous. I need my bed.”
They walked side by side to the elevator. She looked lost and vulnerable. Donnie had to stop himself from reaching for her hand to reassure her she was going to get through this.
“Thank you for tonight, Donnie. I’m sorry our plans got messed up.”
“You’re welcome. I still got to spend time with you and have dinner. Are we still on for the CN Tower tomorrow? I’d understand if you’re not.”
“No. I’d like to go. Company would be good.”
She smiled at him as the elevator reached her floor, and they stepped off.
“Want to meet downstairs in the lobby for eight?” he asked.
“Um. Can we make it nine. I’ve had wine.”
“Of course. Later if you prefer.”
“No. You’re leaving tomorrow. Nine will be good. I want to make the most of the time we have left.”
Her words warmed him. They’d come a long way in a day.
They’d reached her door, and she slid her keycard in to open it, turning to face him.
“I might be leaving tomorrow, but I hope we can stay in touch.” he said.
“I’d like that.”
“Good. Go to bed and I’ll see you at nine tomorrow. If you need aspirin or anything, you let me know.”
He was rewarded with a small smile. “I’ll be fine. See you tomorrow.”
***
“COME ON, YOU CAN DO it.” Donnie held out his hand. He was standing on the glass floor at the top of the CN Tower. Charlie refused to step on it. He jumped up and down. “Look, it’s totally safe.” He grinned.
“Stop! Don’t do that!” Charlie was looking at him in horror and he laughed. He moved to the edge where Charlie stood.
Charlie had met him in the hotel lobby that morning looking tired, eyes red. He doubted she’d gotten much sleep. Yesterday, she’d been set to get married in a few weeks, her life mapped out. Now, she was single with no idea what came next.
Conversation at breakfast had been strained.
Donnie kept the conversation going as best he could, chatting about what they’d done so far in Toronto until gradually Charlie started to relax.
The thought of leaving her here alone filled him with dread.
But he couldn’t change that. His job meant he had to go when called.
He was lucky to have these extra two days.
He would make sure Charlie smiled today and had some fun before he said goodbye.
“Come on. Take my hand. You’re totally safe. I wouldn't let you step on it if I thought there was any risk.”
Charlie didn’t move. “I’m good right here.”
Two little kids came running past them onto the glass, laying down, waving their arms and legs making angels. Charlie looked at them in amazement.
“See. Nothing to fear.” He again held out his hand. Tentatively, she took it. Heat sizzled through his arm at the touch. Squeezing her hand gently, he said, “One step onto the edge, and see how you feel.”
She raised her head and met his eyes and then held out her other hand. He took it, his gaze never leaving hers as she placed her right foot on the glass. She stopped and bit her lip. The small action sent his blood soaring.
“See? You can do it. I got you,” he encouraged.
She moved her left foot, then stopped rigid in front of him, gripping his hands tightly.
“Can you look down?” he asked. Slowly, she lowered her head looking toward the streets some eleven hundred feet below.
“Oh, my God. This is so weird. It looks like toy town down there.” She looked back up at him with a small smile and he wanted to cheer.
“You OK?”
She nodded. “Yes. I am. Let’s do this. I want to walk across to the other side. But don’t let go.”
“I won’t.” He was more than happy to hold her hands for as long as she wanted. He moved carefully, walking backwards, mindful of other people on the glass. Halfway, he stopped.
“Can you crouch down?”
When she nodded, together they lowered themselves onto the glass. Letting go of one of her hands, Donnie reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. With his long arm, he held it out to get them both, and the glass floor in the picture.
“Come in a bit closer.” He tugged gently on her hand, and she leaned in, their heads almost touching.
The smell of her shampoo filled his nostrils.
Some kind of flowery scent. Beautiful. He took the photo, then turned his head.
Mouths inches apart, neither moved, gazes locked.
Damn, he wanted to kiss her. Feel those soft lips on his again.
Her gaze never left his. Her lips parted slightly, cheeks adorably pink. She was single now.
Dude. Stop thinking like that. She just ended her engagement.
He stood, breaking the moment.
“Ready to get off here?” He smiled.
“Yes. And I want to go to the next level, onto the viewing platform.”
Keeping hold of her hand, he guided her off the glass and then reluctantly let go.
“Let me get this straight. You didn't want to stand on the glass floor, but you want to
go to the highest point to look down?” he asked amused.
“Yes. It’s not the height. It’s the glass floor. Glass breaks.”
Donnie chuckled. “OK, then. Let’s go.” They made their way up to the skypod, another three hundred-plus feet higher.
They wandered around, admiring the panoramic view of the city through the floor to ceiling windows.
Donnie had to admit it was breathtaking.
Charlie stopped walking when they reached the side that looked out over Lake Ontario.
“It’s so beautiful. There’s something about the water that draws me. Do you like the water?” Her gaze remained on the view.
“In my job, I kind of have to.”
She glanced at him and let out a small laugh. “I guess you do. Do you live close to the ocean?”
“I do. Coronado has beautiful beaches. Have you ever been there?”
“No.” The way she said it made him look at her. Her smile had faded. “I think I’ve seen more of the rest of the world than I have America.”
“You’re welcome to come visit anytime. Happy to return the favor and be your tour guide,” he said softly. He’d love nothing more than to show her around.
“Maybe I will one day.” Her tone was almost wistful.
“Charlie?”
She looked at him. Those gorgeous blue eyes glistened with unshed tears. He guided her to a corner closer to the windows away from other people.
“Talk to me. Please.”
She shook her head and the tears spilled over.
“I’m so sorry you're hurting again.” He placed an arm around her shoulders and was surprised when she buried her head against his chest. Pulling her against him, he stroked her back.
His big frame shielded her from the people around them.
He imagined this was how she had been after Nate died and he left.
Guilt spread through him and he had to swallow down his own emotions.
This beautiful woman didn’t deserve this much anguish in her life.
They stood that way for several minutes. He felt her shift, laying her cheek on his chest to look out the window. He kissed the top of her head.
“Do you want to go?”
“In a minute,” she whispered. He kept his arm around her, loving the feel of her against him. The top of her head barely came to his collarbone in her flat shoes. He breathed in her smell and waited. Finally, she stepped back, wiping her face.
“Sorry.” Her sad gaze met his.
“What for?”
“I don't mean to keep blubbering all over you.”
“You can blubber over me anytime. That’s what friends are for.”
“Can we go back to the hotel?”
“Of course.” Forgetting about boundaries, he took her hand and led the way.
Back at the hotel, they headed straight for the elevators. Donnie hit the button for the twentieth floor and the doors closed on the two of them. Charlie was texting on her phone, so Donnie stayed quiet. She looked up, a small frown on her face.
“Everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes. I guess Maddie is sick. Dave said she’s still in bed.”
Which meant Charlie was going to have to wait longer to talk to her best friend.
“Then I’m glad she’s resting.”
“Yes. Of course. I just...” She trailed off as the doors opened on her floor. They stepped out.
“I meant what I said. You can talk to me,” he offered again.
They reached her room and she stopped, keycard poised in her hand.