Bobby completes what was supposed to be an easy first mission.
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Chapter 07
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Purged from Purgatory
Charlotte's blue-green eyes sparkled as she took me in. From the look she gave me, she was just as surprised as I was to be meeting again.
"Bobby!" Charlotte grinned and quickly stepped up to me. I expected her to stop and maybe offer her hand to shake, but instead, she pulled me into a tight hug. "Kind of surprised to find you here. I figured I drained your balls pretty good a few days ago. Must be the stamina of youth, huh?"
My cheeks burned at her blunt words. I glanced over her shoulder and saw the Asian woman looking at me speculatively. Thank God Adam wasn't out here to see this. I pulled back and worked to school my face to something approaching a smile.
"I'm just glad this meeting is starting out better than the last one," I told her, trying for levity as I gathered my wits. I remember how angry she'd been when I accidentally took her drink at the tavern.
So what's she doing here? She can't be the freak I came into contact with... Can she?
I felt my stomach twisting in knots, but I couldn't be sure if that was my anxiety or the pill to detect freaks.
Her laughter had a calming effect on me, and I found her smile infectious. I didn't remember her laugh being so musical, but I found it soothing. Of course, it helped that my guts decided to untangle, and the discomfort passed.
"As I recall, the night still ended up quite well for us," she said with a lascivious grin. "And the best part was that the world didn't end!"
I couldn't help but chuckle.
Charlotte couldn't be a freak. She was way too human that night. Isn't there supposed to be some devil's mark or something to identify them?
"The world is still going crazy, though," I said. "Between the bombings in Wyoming and the fr--island showing up in the Gulf of Mexico, things aren't looking pretty." I'd almost said the freaks showing up but remembered to watch my words. My stomach may have calmed down, but I was still on a mission.
"It's terrible what happened in both places. But, I hope the survivors can find solace and peace," she told me with a sad smile. Her sympathy was almost palpable, her voice and eyes conveying the most profound compassion for those who suffered.
After a moment, I saw her lips lift into a soft smile as she met my gaze, the sadness forgotten.
I can still remember the way they tasted as we
--I broke off that line of thinking, trying to remember Elly and Shayna waiting for me.
"But I'm sure you didn't come all the way out here just to discuss the fate of the world with my old bones." Charlotte's sparkling eyes told me exactly what she was thinking.
"I hear you fishing for compliments," I teased her, then took the bait anyway. "And you know damned well you're not that old. You proved that well enough Wednesday night."
Her returned smile showed I scored a hit. We looked at one another for a long moment, and I think I even saw her glance at my lips before returning to my eyes. Those eyes looked a little greener than I remembered, which I attributed to the lighting.
"Well, don't keep me in suspense," she mock-chided me. "Come, sit down, and let's see what my fine establishment can do for you." She indicated a cushioned bench as she walked over to it.
I followed and sat first, only to have her sit on my right close enough that her left leg touched mine. The bench was large enough for three to sit comfortably, and the black velvet was exceptionally soft.
"So, this is your place?" I asked, not wanting to discuss why I was really here. She looked great in her form-fitting black dress, and I was acutely aware of her smooth, bare leg touching mine.
"Is that a problem?" The way Charlotte quirked her eyebrow reminded me of her temper from Wednesday night. I still wasn't sure how I managed to smooth things over, much less ending up in that hotel room with her.
I met her gaze easily as I thought through my answer. "Are you asking if I have any issues with the woman who gave me mind-blowing sex running a brothel? Or are you asking if I have a problem with that woman slipping out without a proper goodbye before the next morning?"
I watched her stern expression crack and morph into a grin as I spoke. "I still can't read you. You seem older than your age would imply, and yet...."
I waited for her to finish the statement until I grew uncomfortable under her gaze. "Why did you leave?" I asked when the scrutiny became too much.
"I hate awkward goodbyes," she told me with ease. "And most men your age--and as drunk as you were--probably would have woken with regrets next to a woman as mature as me."
I failed at stopping the laugh that bubbled up at her words. "I admit I felt a little used, but not in a bad way. Now, as I recall, I wasn't the only one who was wasted. Are you sure you're not the one who would've had regrets?"
This time I'm sure her eyes dropped to my lips, then my crotch before she answered. "My only regret is that I didn't get your information before leaving, but not from a lack of trying. I tried to wake you, but you were pretty out of it. I had to leave early, and I didn't want you to--"
"If you're going to make another comment about your age or me regretting it, then stop," I told her, cutting her off with a bit of annoyance. She hadn't been this hung up on the age disparity at the tavern. "I don't regret that night."
Though I hope I didn't knock you up,
I added in my head.
Charlotte's blue-green eyes turned predatory. "Oh? Then how about we give Mana over there a demonstration of what we did?" Charlotte turned to the Asian receptionist and called out, "Mana, bring us a whiskey sour for both of us."
"Yes, ma'am," the petite woman gave a slight bow and walked away.
