Chapter 105
The impact knocked Anthony off balance for a moment. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her steady.
“Lottie
He looked down, taking in the sight of Charlotte clinging to his shoulder, her eyes glazed, her breathing heavy. His lips pressed into a firm line.
She was having another episode, but this time it felt different.
Charlotte’s breath came in short, uneven bursts. She was gripping him tightly, her body trembling.
“What happened? What scared you like this?”
Anthony froze, then carefully ran his hand through her hair. His voice dropped to a gentle whisper. “Don’t be scared. I’m right here.”
Her eyes were pink at the corners, tears glimmering as she looked up at him. She seemed so small, so lost, like the world had left her behind.
Anthony’s brows drew together. He brushed away a tear with his thumb, his tone soft and aching. “Let me take you back to bed, alright?”
He scooped her up carefully.
Charlotte’s arms never let go of his neck. She pressed her forehead to his skin, holding onto him like he was the only solid thing in the world.
He could feel the warmth of her touch, the soft hum of her breath. A tingling heat spread in his chest.
Anthony’s breath caught. He swallowed, feeling his throat go dry, and hurried back to her room.
He nudged the door open and tried to lay her down.
But Charlotte only clung tighter, one hand locked around his, the other wrapped stubbornly around him.
He propped himself up on the bed with one hand, hovering over her, keeping her safe.
“Lottie, let go.”
He knew better than to wake someone in her state, so he gently patted her back, his words barely above a whisper.
Still, the closeness made his heart pound. He could smell her faint, fresh scent, see her pale cheeks, her delicate nose, the soft pink of her lips…
For a split second, something in him slipped. He caught himself just in time.
What was he thinking? If Charlotte found out, she’d be scared off for sure.
Anthony drew in a shaky breath, fighting to calm down. A helpless smile flickered at his lips as he stroked her hair again.
After a minute or two, her breathing slowed. She seemed to have drifted off in his arms.
Only then did he gently pry her hands from his neck and tuck them under the
covers.
But as soon as he did, Charlotte
frowned in her sleep. She reachedet
out, searching the air, like she was
trying to find something shed løst.
Anthony’s gaze softened. Without thinking, he offered his hand.
Charlotte’s fingers wrapped around his, locking them tight. She pressed her cheek to his knuckles and finally relaxed, her features smoothing out as she slipped into a deeper sleep.
Anthony ended up sitting on the edge of the bed, his tall frame bent over, watching
her with a look that was equal parts gentle and amused.
He realized Charlotte had two habits when she was like this.
First, she liked to lace her fingers with his.
Second, she liked to hold onto him and stare at him like nothing else in the world existed.
He wondered, if she wasn’t living here, would she be holding someone else right now? Maybe some other guy?
The thought made his jaw clench. He brushed her forehead lightly and let out a rough, playful whisper.
“Lottie, now that you’ve held me, you’re not allowed to hold anyone else.”
He’d let her hold him forever if she wanted.
She slept right through until noon.
When Charlotte finally woke up, she felt completely out of it.
Usually, she needed meds to fall asleep. Ever since moving to Imperial Heights, she could get by without them, but she’d never slept this long before
She glanced at the chair by the door. It hadn’t moved at all. Frowning, she could
only chalk it up to some kind of miracle.