Page 49 of Live Like There's No Tomorrow
Chapter Fourteen
Ben opened his eyes. He’d thought that he wouldn’t sleep at all, not with Charlie lying next to him. Not now she was back in his arms after all these years. He wanted to lie awake and hold her and savor every moment. And yet it was morning; he remembered turning on his side and her snuggling into him. And then nothing. That was probably the best night’s sleep he’d had in sixteen years. Charlotte was still snuggled into his side, his arm still slung across her. He drew her closer and dropped a kiss on her hair. Her eyelids fluttered, but she didn’t wake. He was glad. He wanted to be able to watch her sleep. It was hard to believe that she was here, back in his arms, in his bed, in his life. At least, he hoped she was back in his life. It bothered him that she kept talking about Angel. He hoped that after last night she wouldn’t bring it up again. He was surprised, but in a good way, that she was looking out for him. She said she’d learned that love wasn’t selfish, and that she only wanted him to have the best. He knew there was some logic to her reasoning, too. They loved each other when they were kids, but even he wouldn’t claim that they’d been the ideal match.
He realized she was awake and looking up at him. He smiled. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning,” she mumbled. “I can’t believe it’s light. I didn’t think I’d sleep at all.”
“I didn’t either, but I only just woke up myself. It seems we both finally relaxed.”
She nodded. “I don’t suppose you’re relaxed enough to take the morning off with me?”
He smiled. “You know what? I think I am.” Why the hell not? It was Saturday, changeover day, but he had a well-trained staff. They could take care of things; they could run the place without him. If he’d let them. And if he was ever going to let them, today seemed like a good day to start.
Her eyes widened in surprise. “You’re serious?”
He laughed. “Yes, why, weren’t you?”
“I thought I was just pulling your leg. I didn’t think there was any way you’d say yes. But, since you have …”
They both looked up at the sound of a knock on the door. Who the hell might that be? Whoever it was, Ben didn’t want to answer it.
“Aren’t you going to get that?”
He shook his head with a smile and covered his face with a pillow. “I’m not here.”
Charlotte giggled. “Who are you, and what have you done with Ben? There is no way the Ben I knew would hide from his responsibilities on a Saturday morning.”
“Maybe I grew up a little too.” His voice was muffled by the pillow.
Charlotte lifted the edge of it and peered at him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, that I finally realized that work isn’t everything. And there are some responsibilities that are more important than work could ever be.”
The knock at the door was louder this time. All his instincts made him want to go answer it, but realistically it couldn’t be anything important enough to get him out of bed. Not while Charlotte was still in it. They lay there staring at each other and the knock came again, louder still.
“Ben, are you in there?” His heart sank. It was Angel.
Charlotte raised her eyebrows. “Is that her?”
He nodded. What the hell did she want?
“You should go to see her. I can hide in the bathroom or something if you like.”
“There’s no need to do that, Charlie! No need at all.”
“So, go answer it then. Otherwise either she or I will start thinking you have something to hide.”
Ben met her gaze. “You don’t mean that?”
She shook her head. “No, sorry, I don’t. But I can’t speak for her.”
Ben scrambled out of bed. “Well, she needs to know what’s going on. Perhaps then both you and she will know it’s you I want and not her.” Charlotte stared after him as he went to the front door and opened it. Angel was no longer there. She was halfway back down the stairs. She turned at the sound of the door opening.
“Oh, there you are. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
Ben shook his head, feeling a little self-conscious, standing in full view of the square, as he was. “What’s up? What do you need?”
“I just wanted to see if you were …” Her voice trailed off.
