Chapter 38 - Closer

"I'm so glad to have you back," Charlotte lunged at him again once they were inside their home.

"Ha, ha, I'm glad to be home, too," Eric hugged her back.

"Didn't you two do enough of that already?" Timo rolled his eyes and walked past them.

"Do you understand how much time we lost?" Charlotte sighed. "If only I dealt with Dean properly the first time around, we wouldn't have been torn apart."

Eric cupped her face with both hands. "Please leave the past in the past. What matters now is that we're together, and it's not hidden from the world anymore. Not that we did a good job of hiding it in the first place," he chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Oh! I should probably settle things with my hotel and clear out what few things I had."

"No need; I've sent someone to retrieve your things and settle everything with the hotel."

"When did you have a chance to do that? I know Timo was too busy working with you for that..."

"I have many people who work for me these days in my ever-expanding network."

"You must've been pretty certain how things would turn out if you did that."

"It took a lot of work, but we had everything planned. And everything with Dean being out like that with evidence, it'll be harder for Mr. Belloff to turn people against me."

"Are things going to be harder on you because of me?"

"Not at all. If anything, I'm going to be in a better position than ever because I dealt with the sleazeballs from the past. I'm finally out from under their thumbs. It's so invigorating!" Charlotte thrust her fists into the air and twirled around.

"Wow, I'm not sure I've ever seen you so excited," Eric took a step back so she wouldn't run into him.

"Can you blame me?"

"I guess not." Eric took a deep breath and looked around. "I haven't lived here too long, but somehow, it still feels more like home than any place I've lived at. I guess... it's because you're here."

"This place always felt a bit too large and empty, but not since you got here."

"Quit flirting and get to bed. I don't want to hear complaints about how tired you two are when I get you up in the morning," Timo yelled over the railing at them and headed for his room. "I really need to go back to my home soon..."

"We should head to bed before he does something to make us regret it," Eric took her hand and led her upstairs to her room. "Goodnight, Char," he gave her a quick peck on the lips and stepped back.

"Um... I don't mean anything more than sleep for now, but how about you sleep in my room? I don't want to let go of you yet."

Might be a bit hard to keep my hands to myself, but if Char wants to... "Okay. Oh, wait! Will Timo have a problem with this?"

"If you make me late for anything, yes, otherwise, no. I know he's overprotective – although maybe has a reason to be – he's not that controlling. He does like keeping to schedules, though."

"As long as I'm not going to be injured or something because this is too early in the timeline—"

"Nope, now come," Charlotte pulled him into her room and closed the door behind him. "I should probably change first," Charlotte pulled her hair over her shoulder. "Mind helping me with the zipper?"

"I think I can manage that..." Eric's hand shook as he reached for the zipper. Her fruity, floral scent tickled his nose. "Ha..." he sighed as he unzipped her dress. "I'm probably not the best person to ask to do this, you know? Unless you're trying to seduce me..."

"I can't say my intentions are a hundred percent pure," Charlotte sighed and stepped away from him. "But I really only plan to sleep tonight." She turned to him as she held her dress up in the front.

Eric sighed again and loosened his tie. "Please don't tease me too much. I may be more mild-mannered than most men, but I am still a man who's in love with you, and desires you. So please, don't push too many of my buttons, or I'll have to leave to make sure I don't do something stupid. Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Hmm?" Charlotte's eyes had been on his neck as he loosened his tie. "I'm sorry; I guess I'm going too overboard with it, but the zipper on this is actually a bit sticky. Um..." she fanned herself.

"Are you okay?"

"Yup, but I think bringing you in here has backfired on me..."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Nope, not at all... Here," she handed him a set of guy's pyjamas she kept in her room after they got together, just in case.

"Thanks. I'll change in the bathroom," he rushed past her into the bathroom.

Geez, how am I supposed to make it through the night like this? Eric got changed and then looked at himself in the mirror. Calm down. Don't do anything stupid. We're just going to sleep. How bad could it be? He took a deep breath and knocked. "Are you done?"

"Yes," Charlotte said.

Eric opened the door and froze. Charlotte was standing by the bed in a silky purple chemise. He averted his gaze. "I thought you weren't going to keep teasing me."

Dammit.

"Is this too much? I actually like sleeping in these in general, but I guess it shows more than a little..."

"It's okay, Char; wear what you want."

Charlotte slipped into bed, leaving the blanket low on his side. "Come on in."

Eric gulped before approaching the bed and held his hand over his heart. "I promise not to do anything unbecoming."

"Eric, I know you won't; you're not like Dean." She reached out for his hand. "You're a good man that I love." She tugged on him until he got into the bed.

He laid back, and she automatically snuggled up close to him, using his arm as a pillow.

"Goodnight, Eric."

"Goodnight, Char."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, hoping to ignore his racing heart.

Geez, she can probably feel my heartbeat...

Her breathing slowed, and Eric peeked at her.

She's asleep already? I guess she must've been exhausted after working so hard to bring me back. I know how much Dean scared her, yet she stood up to him like that... I can't help but be proud of her.

Eric kissed her forehead and closed his eyes again.