Her smiles grew wider with each moment that passed. The light that had been hidden in the shadows was starting to come back into her eyes.
Her laughter—a sound he could listen to forever—was becoming more and more prevalent.
The changes were subtle, but with each new day, she was getting closer and closer to the Charlie he knew and loved.
She stirred beneath the thin covers. Her eyes opened, their drowsy gaze finding him through the darkness.
“Hey.” Her voice was scratchy from sleep. “You’re back.”
“You’re brunette.”
Looking adorable as she propped herself up on one elbow. “Yeah.” She smiled shyly. “Do you like it?”
Derek pushed himself away from the door and took a step closer to the bed. “You look beautiful.” Quickly, he added, “But, more importantly, doyoulike it?”
She nodded. “I love it.”
He smiled. “That’s all that matters.”
Charlie straightened herself up and leaned back against the headboard. “Did you find it?”
Not misunderstanding, he said, “I did.”
She glanced down at her sheet-covered lap. “Good.”
He wanted to go to her. To hold her and give her comfort, knowing all she’d been given in the past was pain. But his emotions were running at full-speed, and he didn’t know if he could control the urge to make her see what true love really felt like.
Soon. I’ll be able to show her soon.
“Did you”—she cleared her throat—“did you...look at it?”
“Parts,” he answered honestly.
She nodded. “I assumed you would. I just...” She bit her bottom lip. “I can only imagine what you must think of me.”
“We’ve been over this, Charlie.” Derek’s voice was stern. “You stayed because you didn’t think you had a choice. The only thing that journal did was prove once again how incredibly strong you are. I mean, Jesus.” He ran a hand through his hair and paced the tiny space. “Seeing what he’s done to you all these years? What you’ve endured? I can’t imagine the strength it took for you to stay.”
Derek stopped moving and faced her again. Rage toward Porter left him shaken, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
“The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do was walk away from that place.”
“Why?” she asked softly, her face scrunching with confusion.
“Why?” he asked incredulously. “I wanted to wait for that sonofabitch to come home so I could give him a taste of the pain and hell he’s put you through. But I knew it wouldn’t be enough to stop him.”
“Do you think my journal will be enough?” She crawled onto her knees.
Damn. She was wearing the same, silky cami from before. It was hard as fuck not to lower his gaze below her neckline, but that wasn’t the only thing becoming hard.
Focus, asshole.
Ignoring his body’s reaction, Derek walked over and sat down next to her. “Yes. I think it’s enough. But, darlin’, there’s something else I need to tell you.”
She looked back at him nervously. “What?”
Damn, he hated telling her this. “Grant found something else in the apartment. It was hidden in one of Caleb’s desk drawers.”
He could actually see Charlie steeling herself for the news. She straightened her spine and lifted her chin. “Okay. Whatever it is, just tell me.”
