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I stared at her with amazement. “You’re incredible and fearless, Charlotte.”
“I have plenty of fears. Speaking of… I’ve been wondering why the heck you have a top-floor apartment when you’re terrified of heights.”
I chuckled. “I’m only terrified of heights when my feet aren’t secured on solid ground.”
“I detect a story here.” She folded her hands on my chest and rested her chin on them to gaze at me expectantly.
The interest in her eyes made me smile. I’d never shared the origin of my fear with anyone. “When I was eight, I had a friend over for the first time. We were feeling rather invincible after watching Tarzan.”
“Oh, no…” she moaned.
I grunted my amusement. “We gave the nanny and the other staff the slip and made it outside beyond the estate’s walls. My friend dared me to climb the tallest tree and swing from the limbs like Tarzan, and I accepted the challenge with bravado. Naturally, it didn’t end well for me. I ended up with a broken arm and a concussion. I woke up in the hospital to a pissed-off Dad.”
Charlotte winced.
“Falling into thin air with nothing to hold on to and nearly choking on the fear of possible death as I rushed to meet the ground was terrifying as fuck. The loss of control over my body and what felt like my entire existence wasn’t something I wanted to experience again.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
“Plus, Dad made me feel like the biggest idiot alive with his lecture about me being a Winchester, therefore, following my friends and fucking up wasn’t an option. I lost the privilege to have anyone else over after that. Hell, I wasn’t even allowed to have friends.” My eyebrows creased at the memory of what Dad said after that. “He asked me if it wasn’t enough that I killed my mother. He said I was a fool for trying to kill myself as well.”
“Oh, Jamie…” She sighed. “Why would he…? That was incredibly harsh to say to an eight-year-old.”
I shrugged. “I never allowed myself to lose control of any situation after that. I lost all desire for spontaneity. I became uptight really.” I gave her a wry smile. “And I prefer to not hover in the air by any means or method.”
She studied me through narrowed eyes. “So that’s why you distracted yourself with sex and then work while we flew from Oregon.”
“I hate flying. Unfortunately, I have to do it often for work. I mentally freak out a little every time.”
She stroked my cheek. “Thanks for telling me.”
I felt like I could tell her anything. I felt no fear. I forgot about my father’s expectations, Lincoln’s anger, and everything when I was with her. We talked some more, sharing things we never did with anyone else. I got to know Charlotte and I soaked up everything she told me.
We ended up having a late breakfast, and I decided to not go to the office. I wasn’t willing to spend a second of our limited time away from her.
29
CHARLOTTE
“Are you sure it isn’t too much for you to take off again?” Jamie asked.
I studied him on my phone screen. His hair was neatly cut and he wore one of his insanely expensive suits. He said he just got done with an important meeting. I liked that he kept me updated with his every movement. It made me feel as if our relationship could survive the distance between us.
We had been dating for over three months now. However, I only saw him in person a handful of times. After my last visit to Manhattan, he was the one who came to Kohala. Unfortunately, those visits were brief.
“I’m positive,” I said.
My job wasn’t one where I was restricted to a one-week vacation every year. I could take off as much as I wanted if I could afford it. Maybe I couldn’t really afford another two weeks off but I was desperate to be in the same room as Jamie. I missed him so much and two weeks with him sounded like heaven. Besides, he was taking care of my travel expenses, and I never spent a dime when I stayed with him in Manhattan.
“Good. I have lots of plans for your birthday.”
I beamed. “I’m happy to be spending it with you. I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.” He looked away from his phone when a knock sounded on his door.
I heard a female voice say, “Mr. Winchester, your one o’clock is here. He’s heading up from the lobby.”
“Thanks, Darcy.”
