Having Eric walk me through the many steps of my new security system was exactly what I needed to get my mind off the last time I was in this apartment. But now… Now as I lay here in my bed, with Captain at my side, I have this creepy, foreign feeling. I know it’s safe. I know it’s safe. But like a kid with a closet door ajar, I can’t seem to trust it. I can’t let my guard down.
Eric checked every square inch of this place when we got here. He didn’t even let Mrs. Peterson inside when she returned Captain to me. After Eric sent her away I’d mistakenly made a joke about her planting a bug if he’d let her come in, and he had assured me that Vincent had the entire apartment swept for listening and video devices. I’m sure he said that thinking it would make me feel better, but I hadn’t even considered it as an option. Which was dumb of me since Randal is supposedly a tech genius. Needless to say, his little comment made me even more paranoid, and I keep checking the room for blinking red lights indicating a live camera feed.
With a shiver, I pull the blankets up to my chin, looking around at the dark corners of my ceiling.
“There’s nothing there.” I say out loud to myself, hoping it will stop my worrying.
It doesn’t. But it does cause Captain to lift his head and blink his sleepy cat eyes at me. I slip an arm out from under the blanket to scratch the spot he likes under his chin.
“I know I’m being foolish, Cap. But I can’t help it. I just wish someone was here with me.” Vincent’s handsome face flashes into my mind and I sigh. “I should have just stayed over there. It’s the chicken way, but at least with someone nearby I’d be able to fall asleep.” Captain looks towards my closed door. “You’re right. I should just go ask him.”
I’m still not sure what to think about Vincent’s declaration of wanting to go official. But I bet he’d run the other way if he saw me lying here talking to my cat. Either way, that’s a suitcase of baggage that I still can’t unload right now. First step: be able to sleep at home. Second step… deal with the rest of life’s problems.
Climbing out of bed, I grab my phone off the nightstand. Looking down at my outfit I debate if I should change, or put on a bra, but then discard the idea. There is nothing flattering, snug, nor sexy about my flannel Christmas pajamas. The long pants and long sleeves are a little warm for summer, but I needed max comfort. Both physical and mental.
Walking down the hall, I can see that the light above the stove has been left on, leaving the main room dimly lit. The quiet makes me hesitate; what if Eric is already asleep? I don’t want to bother him.
“Everything okay?” His voice sounds from the couch.
Clearly he’s awake, so I step out of the hallway.
“Yeah. Everything is fine.” My fingers fidget on my phone.
Eric is sitting on the couch. Blankets and pillows stacked next to him, just where I left them.
“Are you going to sleep?” I ask, walking over to one of the armchairs and sitting down.
Eric nods. “Eventually. What’s wrong?”
Crossing my arms, I break eye contact. “I can’t sleep.”
“Okay. Did you want to watch TV? I can get out of your way.” He offers.
“Oh, no. Thank you. It’s just…” How the hell am I supposed to ask this? I take a deep breath and force the words out. “I can’t sleep alone. I’m freaked out, and I know it’s dumb, but I want to know if I could sleep out here with you. Or maybe you could come sleep with me.”
Eric clears his throat and I realize how that sounded.
“Oh my god, that’s not what I meant!” My hands fly up to cover my face, and I smack my cheekbone with my phone, forgetting I was still holding it. “Shit!” Springing to my feet, I feel my face flame red. “Please forget this happened.”
I’m about to sprint to my room but the sound of Eric’s laugh has me freezing. It’s not just a laugh, it’s a full freaking belly laugh. I didn’t even think this man was capable of smiling. With my mouth hanging open I watch him lean forward, placing his elbows on his knees, as the laughter eventually dies off.
Glancing up at me, Eric has a genuine grin on his face. It makes him look like a whole new person. Like a real human rather than the combat robot he’s been acting like all day.
“Are you broken?” I choke out.
Eric shakes his head and lets out another huff of laughter. “No, ma’am.”
That has me rolling my eyes. “Okay. So, we agree that this never happened?”
“No, ma’am. We’ll get this sorted. And I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you.”
“Yes, you were.”
“Okay, I was. But not at you being scared. Just at you being flustered.” He waits a beat. “And hittin’ yourself in the face.”
I drop back into the chair. “Laugh it up, Chuckles.”
Gathering his composure, he sits up. “Let me call Mr. Mazzanti.”
“Oh, um, is that necessary?”
Eric nods. “He wanted me to check in once you went to sleep. I’m sure he’s about ready to call me anyways, but I was just waiting a bit. Making sure you were actually asleep.”
“Oh.” I feel torn. I want to talk to Vincent, but I also don’t want him to know how scared I am. I close my eyes. “Let me be the one to call him. Please.”
If Vincent really wants to have a relationship, then this is the exact sort of thing I would share with him. I know he won’t think of me as weak, or pathetic. But I do know he’ll want to sweep in and fix everything. If Eric is the one to call him, that’s exactly what will happen.
