Chapter 48: Changing of the tide

After hearing the suggestion proposed by Bull, Nate sat quiet for a moment before agreeing.

"It is settled then." , Bull stated. "You will continue your training as well as move into a position of helping to protect Charlotte along with us formally."

Looking up to meet Bull's eyes, Nate had pride on his face. 'I have earned my place in this new family', he thought. 'I will protect her with my life. Just to be close to her is enough. I will make up for the pain I had caused her in the past and insure that she will not have to experience anything like that ever again.'

The movie started and the guys sat ready to tear it apart as they always did, however Axel surprised them with a Jackie Chan movie. The silence that took over as they watched all the scenes proceeding to be engrossed. Charlotte slept through the entire movie. The guys sat waiting for the credits so they could see all the outtakes from the movie showing all the stunts that he had done himself.

They each commented, "He is a Legend!" "See that is how it should be done!" "Did you see him slide down the side of the building?!!!" "I would take him on any mission without a second though!"

Nate listened to the endless complements and admiration.

With the movie complete and Charlotte remaining asleep they each sat talking about the laser tag game and worked out the plans for target practice the following day.

Soon all plans were set in place and arranged.

The guys each took a look at each other and had a silent conversation between each other with eye movements and facial expressions. Nate did not see any of this happening as he began to doze off himself.

Awakened by a hand landing on his shoulder, Nate lifted his eyes to see Alan whom motioned with his chin toward Charlotte. "She needs to be taken back to her apartment. Your finger print has been entered into the system. Carry her up and lay her on her bed, Don't wake her.", Alan said quietly. "Come back here when you are done. There is no reason for you to try to head back to the dorm tonight. Tomorrow we are going to target practice anyway."

Nate nodded his head and stood up yawning and forcing himself to wake up. Blinking hard a few times to clear his vision he made his way over to Charlotte. Leaving the blanket over her and bending to slide one arm under her knees and the other behind her, he lifted her with ease.

His new muscle mass made her light weight in his arms.

'She feels like a cloud of cotton candy', he said as she leaned into him snuggling into his neck.

Freezing he did not move and looked at the guys for help. They each were quietly laughing while attempting to not wake Charlotte.

Nate pleaded with his eyes to the guys which only made the situation more hilarious to them.

Walking over to the door, Alan held it open for him and motioned with his chin for Nate to go.

Taking a deep breath and turning for the door, he walked gently as to not wake her. Once exiting, the door closed and laughter irrupted from inside. Nate frowned at the door knitting his brows. Nate pouted like a baby before turning for the elevator.

Stepping into the elevator and leaning forward to hit the button for Charlotte's floor, Nate then took a step back.

The movement made Charlotte stir in her slumber. Wrapping her arms around his neck she nestled her face into his neck. Her nose caressing his neck with warmth causing his heartrate to speed up. His heart pounding loudly in his ears, feeling sure that she must hear it. Nate froze allowing her to fall back to sleep once she had inhaled his scent deep into her lungs.

Sliding her hand down onto his chest where it rested comfortably.

Not being able to see her face at this angle, he focused on holding her gently allowing her to stay comfortable as she wished. His mission is to take her back to her room without waking her.

The doors opened to her floor slowly as Nate stepped out of the elevator smoothly. Walking to her door he placed his thumb onto the key pad gaining entry to her room.

Carefully he entered slipping off his shoes as to not dirty her floor. Making his steps soft as he crept in his socks all the way to her bed.

A sadness fell over him as he looked at her bed and remembered that night. Standing still for a moment and feeling the guilt that had not yet left him.

He gently lay her on the bed and slipped off her shoes. Pulling a throw blanket off one of the bean bag chairs, he covered her with care. He then placed he shoes on the shoe rack on the way out and left the apartment.

As the door pulled to a close, Charlotte opened her eyes. She had woken up when he lifted her from the couch and chose not to let him know.

Feeling the warmth from his chest she did not want to part from him. In the elevator she had heard his heart through his shirt and needed to feel closer to him.

His scent filled her and created a stir within. Running her nose along his neck she breathed him in deeply as he allowed this under the assumption that she had been asleep.

Running her hand down his chest and feeling his quick breathing along with his heart pounding.

Within herself she could feel herself changing. She is aware of this feeling.........she wanted.........him. His scent lingered on her and she wanted it to. The stir within was intense and hard to control.

Knowing he was a few floors below her did not help the situation.

Unsure of her next move, she only knew that she would need to figure out how to move forward with Evan or break things where they are.

Her feelings were confusing and judgement clouded.

Thinking about her situation she came to the conclusion that she will need to speak with Bull for advice. 'Maybe after target practice', she thought to herself.

Not being able to await Evan's return to the apartment, Charlotte fell fast asleep into a restless sleep. She began to dream about the elevator and all the details of what happened. In the dream however Nate leaned down into her neck and began to kiss her neck. Working his way up her jawline to her lips he captured them with force causing her to take a quick breath. Gripping a handful of his hair she pulled him further into the kiss sharing his breath. Clutching onto him, her stomach began to swirl so deeply, she became hot, she gripped onto him deepening the kiss. 'More', she thought. 'I want MORE'.

Holding fiercely onto him she could not resist her need.

Suddenly the dream ended. She was being shaken awake.

"Are you okay? You were whimpering and your face is red.", Evan asked with concern.

Charlotte sat right up in bed feeling her face, "I am fine."

Scurrying to the bathroom quickly she washed her face with cold water. Leaning against the sink she looked into the mirror remembering the dream. Shaking her head to remove the pictures of the elevator scene from her thoughts. She took a deep breath and headed back to the bedroom.

Finding Evan sitting on the side of the bed waiting for her, she quicky changed the subject. "How did the meeting with your Dad go?"

"It went well. He is ready for me to take over the business however I want to continue my studies for a while longer.", he said calmly.

"Does your Dad agree?", she asked curiously.

"He does. I will think about the matter and look at the timeline to decide what will benefit the organization the best as well as my future.", he said as he peered up at her upon saying the last word.

Feeling uncomfortable at this point she quickly said, "I am sure that your Dad looks forward to your decision."

Quickly she made her way back to the bathroom with her pajamas to take a shower before going to sleep for the night.

Tomorrow will be a good time to speak with Bull about her situation as well as let off some steam through target practice.

Smiling to herself she entered the shower and began washing up.