*** Read Part 7 HERE

Sage wakes the next morning feeling oddly light. The sun is shining through into her bedroom, the birds outside are chirping and the smell of coffee and bacon waft through the small crack under her door.

She smiles to herself as she sits up in her overly comfortable and fluffy bed, allowing herself to think about the night before and how good it felt to be in Charlie’s arms again.

Getting out of bed, she grabs a robe and a pair of slippers, courtesy of sed- swanky hotel.

She unlocks her door and opens it to find Charlie dressed in nothing more than a fluffy white towel.

“So…is clothing optional now? Clearly I missed the memo,” she says with a smile as she walks out of her room toward the bathroom.

Charlie laughs from the kitchen as he pours himself a cup of coffee.

“Clothes are in the wash.”

“Ah, lucky me. I guess I’ll just have to enjoy the view while I can.”

Charlie steps out to look at her, his eyebrow raises at her forward remark.

Sage smirks his way, matching his eyebrow raise before walking into the bathroom.

Charlie’s eyes stare after her, as he brings his cup to his lips, taking a sip.

Sage closes the door and leans against it.

“Damn,” she says smiling as she sets to brushing her teeth.

A few minutes later, Sage comes out to find a full room service breakfast spread upon the table.

To her dismay, Charlie is actually dressed.

“I knew I smelt bacon,” she says smiling as she walks over to Charlie, she leans up and kisses him sweetly on the lips. “Good Morning,” she says looking up at him.

Charlie smiles, surprised, “Good Morning,” he says looking at her, he kisses her once more.

“Coffee?” he says returning to reality.

“Always,” she says holding a mug out as he pours her a cup.

“Shall we eat?”

“Yes. This looks great,” she says joining him at the kitchen island for breakfast.

“Charlie, I just wanted to thank you for last night. The dream I had was…well it wasn’t exactly a dream but it was nice to have someone there to bring me back to the current moment. With you around, I actually feel like I could potentially put all this horrible stuff behind me one day.”

“I’m just glad I could help.”

Sage laughs and rolls her eyes.

“What?” he says confused.

“Are you really that self-less?”

“I don’t follow.”

“You’ve been saving my life since the day we met, and when I finally show you some long overdue gratitude…your response is literally just oh no biggy, glad I could help. Don’t you miss your freedom? God- I just feel like you’re doing all this to help me, and you’re not getting anything out of it.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

He looks at her, their eyes locking.

“What would you say?”

“Sage, let me try to get you to understand something, (he says folding his hands and leaning over the island, closer to her.) You’re not a burden to me, I don’t feel trapped. I like being with you. I like helping you. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I can tell that you are a good woman. I look at you and I think- I can’t believe I ever lived a life without you in it. I’m here because I want to be. I want to be with you. So that’s what I get out of it. Just getting to be near you, is enough for me, right now.”

Sage looks at him, her eyes watering.

She stands up and walking over to him, she pulls him into a hug. He smiles, tightening his grip, as he rubs her back.

“So…how’d you sleep the rest of night?” Charlie asks looking up at her from his sitting position.

“Ok,” she gives him a smile, as she cups his face, she then walks to the fridge for a bottle of water.

“Any more bad dreams?”

“Nope.”

“Good,” he smiles.

Sage walks back to the island and stands in front of Charlie, her glare shifts as she gets lost in thought.

Charlie notices.

“Hey, you okay?”

“Yea. I just- Charlie- It meant a lot to me that you cared enough to stop us last night, from-well- you know,” she laughs awkwardly.

 

“Oh, trust me that wasn’t exactly easy,” he laughs.

“Oh I know,” she smiles at him, as he smirks.

“I hope you understand how badly I wanted to-” he says looking at her.

“Oh I do. And I did to. Really badly,” she says laughing and avoiding his sexy glare.

“But you were right, it wasn’t the right time,” she says looking up at him.

Charlie smiles and nods in understanding.

“Look I get it. It’s ok. The way I see it is- we kind of rushed into having sex the first time. To the point where, it had you questioning my intentions. And that is something I never want to happen again. I didn’t intend to fall for you when I jumped in to help you, it just happened. It may have happened quickly, but it’s not something I’m taking lightly. The next time it happens between us. I want it to be when your ready. Completely ready.”

“Thank you,” Sage says, her smile simple and genuine.

Charlie smiles.

“So what’s on the agenda today?” Sage asks.

“I thought maybe you’d finally like to tell me the full story…I know there’s a lot your hiding from me, so much- that I’m wondering if you were even the one who committed the crime or if your just covering for someone.”

Sage looks at him stunned.

“Where did that come from?”

“You’re not a violent person, Sage. I’ve been on the receiving end of your touch, it’s not malicious. It never could be.”

“People can be completely out of character when put in a certain circumstance.”

“What kind of circumstance?”

“Look I get that falling for a murderer, might be freaking you out a little. But it’s the truth. Don’t push this Charlie. Please. I can’t change who I am, or what I’ve done,” she says avoiding his question.

Charlie looks her over and sighs, looking away.

“What?” she asks confused.

“You’re defensive. You won’t keep eye contact. You’re nervous.”

“Stop analyzing me. You’re not a cop anymore.”

“Just tell me the truth. I can help you and whoever else was involved.”

“I did tell you the truth.”

“Tell me the whole truth.”

“You know everything you need to know.”

Sage turns and storms out of the room.

Charlie rushes to follow her.

“Who are you protecting?”

“No one.”

“Sage-”

“I’m not doing this with you,” she says rushing toward the bathroom.

“Sage. Talk to me. Please. Sage. I love you.”

Sage stops in the door frame of the bathroom.

“Stop it.”

“I do. I love you,” he says walking toward her.

“Stop,” she says her eyes welling up as the tears spill over, she turns to be met by a strong embrace. Charlie holds her close.

“Talk to me. And I will protect you. I swear,” he whispers to her.

Sage pulls away from him.

“I can’t,” she says cupping his face and looking up at him through blurry vision.

Charlie sighs as he reaches up to wipe her tears away.

“It’s not that I don’t want to. I just. I can’t. I’m sorry. Please understand,” she says stroking his face, she leans up and kisses his lips sweetly before closing the door to the bathroom and starting the shower.

Charlie stands there dumbfounded.

As Sage stands in the shower, leaning against the cold tile, the warm water running over her. She hugs herself as the tears pour down her face.

 

To Be Continued….

I hope you’re enjoying! Please feel free to leave a comment down below.

-<3-

*I do not take credit for any images or gifs used in my edits or otherwise.*