"But I'm not a stranger. We've met before, and we've shared an intimate premonition. Do you not remember?"
Her face heated. Damn. How could she forget so fast? It was too embarrassing.
"You're blushing," Daniel noted. "How cute. Is being with a man something new to you?"
Charlotte gave him the evil eye.
He laughed. "Delightful. Now that you know my intention, I will bring up my next point. It's about your gift-"
"Curse."
"What you have is a gift, Charlotte. Do you always get premonitions when you touch someone?"
She shook her head. "That only happened with you and my Grandmaman. When I touch a person, I usually get a flashback about that person's past, or I'll be dream-walking into it when I sleep. Never the future."
"Is that why you always avoid being touched?"
"People might think knowing what goes on inside a person's mind is fun, but trust me, it's not. Sometimes, it's downright disturbing."
"I have a theory that your intolerance to close contact can be neutralized."
Charlotte listened to him with great interest.
"As we know, humans are the sole owners of their bodies, while people like us share it with another host. In my case, I share mine with a lion spirit animal. For us to co-exist in harmony, I have to channel my feral self from time to time. I shift. I hunt. I groom myself in my lion form … "
The image of lion Daniel licking his paw popped into her mind. She found it amusing. Does he cough up hairballs too? Like a cat. After all, a lion is a feline.
"If I don't embrace and nurture it, the balance is disrupted, and it makes it harder to control my power. I could shift at inconvenient times. Imagine that I transformed in the middle of an important meeting. It's not only that I'd create panic, but also I'd jeopardize the safety of my family." Daniel paused. "In your case, I believe that since you rarely embrace your other side, your power is pent up and becomes very sensitive. A mere touch can make you intrude into others' dreams whether you want it or not. You should be the one who has control over your power, and you should never let your power take control of you."
It made sense. Everything he said was true. She'd never thought about it that way before. "What do you suggest?"
"Have a partner to release your excess power. Touch me. Let me absorb it. When you reach balance and harmony within you, I believe you should be able to live a normal life."
Charlotte frowned in deep thought.
Daniel titled his head slightly. "What do you say?"
"You make everything sound so simple."
"I offer you a solution that will benefit both of us."
"I'll think about it."
Daniel weighed her words and slowly shook his head. "Not good enough for me. You'll run and avoid me. I need your word and proof that you'll always stay by my side."
Charlotte frowned a bit. "What kind of proof do you need from me?"
He didn't answer her immediately. Brow arched, the look on his face told her that she already knew the answer.
She blinked. Her heartbeat raced.
That thing.
Sex?
Ah. She flustered like crazy.
A phone rang and broke the tension. It wasn't her phone. She'd left her cell in the guestroom.
"Excuse me." Daniel got up and answered the landline by the kitchen counter. "Daniel speaking." He paused. "I specifically instructed you that I shouldn't be bothered at this hour. Especially now." He listened some more then covered the mouthpiece. "Would you excuse me for a few minutes? I have an urgent call to tend to. Business."
"Oh. Don't worry. I'll just mosey around there." Charlotte pointed at the living room.
"It won't take long."
"Don't worry about it."
While Daniel returned to the caller, Charlotte got up and walked around the parts of Daniel's house she hadn't yet seen. While she was admiring the collection of paintings on the walls, she thought of what kind of answer she should give Daniel. She was tempted to say yes; she'd longed to live a normal life.
But did it have to be intimacy for her to take the first step toward healing?
She thought of Daniel's good looks, his wealth and his power.
Was it okay for a nobody like her to be with someone like him?
Is it really okay for a freak like me to date a man who shines like the sun?
She wished that Daniel would let her take small steps towards opening herself to him. Love and intimacy were things that she didn't even dare to dream about before she met Daniel. She didn't even realize how pathetic and lonely she was until just now.
One step.
It would only take one step for her to walk from the shade into the bright, fuzzy light.
She wanted to bask in the rays of morning light, but why was she scared of taking the first step?
Engrossed in deep thought, Charlotte didn't realize she'd meandered into the guestroom. She met a young man dressed from head to toe in black livery as she was about to enter.
"Good evening, Ms. Winters." The man inclined his head politely. "I've just finished carrying your luggage to your new room."
"My new room?" What the hell is he talking about? "Who are you?"
"Pardon me for not introducing myself. I'm Arthur. I'm Mr. Addington's butler."
Butler. Daniel had a butler. How freaking frou-frou. She shouldn't have been surprised.
Wait. What did he say? "I don't have any luggage. It's just my purse."
"Mr. Addington ordered me to pack your necessary belongings from your apartment and bring them here."
"Daniel did what?" A soft cluck sounded from a nearby table. She strode toward it to investigate. She found Silkie-her pet chicken-housed in a small wire cage with fresh hay bedding. "What's she doing in here?"
Arthur adjusted his glasses. "Mr. Addington instructed me to bring your pet as well. I had to stop at Petco to get a temporary cage. I wasn't sure what to get. I hope this is suitable to accommodate the bird for a few days. Once I've ordered the more appropriate one, I'll make the switch."
Charlotte pulled her hair in frustration. She wasn't a confrontational type of person, but she felt like she almost lost it with the butler. Arthur was only doing his job. It was Daniel whom she should direct her anger towards.
Without a word, she grabbed Silkie from her cage and then snatched her purse before she brushed past the butler, marching towards Daniel to give him a piece of her mind. Who does he think he is? Why does he think it is okay for him to do this kind of stuff, as if I've already agreed to become his woman?
Or would you rather go back into the dark corner again? a part of her reminded with a reproachful tone.
Charlotte stopped in her tracks.
It's easier to run than to face challenges.
So true.
But she wasn't ready. She needed more time, and she had to tell Daniel that.
Daniel was still talking on the phone when she got to the kitchen. Her irritation returned. That man had stolen a kiss from her, and now he'd moved her into his house as if she'd agreed to everything.
He glanced at her and his expression changed.
She was scowling.
He talked quickly and disconnected. He padded towards her.
"Mind explaining what's going on here?" Charlotte demanded.
"Ah." Daniel smiled at the chicken, totally ignoring her. "Hello, there. You are much prettier in person."
Silkie clucked as he stroked under her beak.
Charlotte's scowl deepened at her pet. "Why you little traitor … "
"Don't blame her. Silkie thinks I'm a friend. I'm good with animals." Daniel straightened his tall posture.
His powerful build intimidated her more than she could admit.
"We haven't finished our conversation. I was going to tell you that I'm taking the liberty of bringing your pet here because of our tight schedule."
"What schedule?" Charlotte asked suspiciously.
He spread a hand. "Why don't we talk more comfortably? Let's retire to the drawing room and continue our negotiation."
She found herself being herded obediently.
Wait, I'm supposed to be mad at him.
Daniel smiled charmingly and her defenses crumbled.
Damn. It's not fair. How could I not fall for that? Why does he have to be so good-looking?
Charlotte picked a seat at the end of a sofa. Daniel took his across by the fireplace. As soon as she put Silkie on her lap, the traitorous little chicken flapped her wings, hopped onto the coffee table and sprinted toward Daniel.
Gah! Charlotte muttered in silence. Even a chick couldn't resist his charms. No pun intended.
Silkie clucked softly when Daniel petted her.
"Where were we?" Daniel began, recollecting. "Right. You're about to give your word that you won't run from me. That you'll always stay by my side."
"And what do I get in return?" she asked.
"Everything your heart desires."
Charlotte was about to open her mouth, but Daniel cut her off.
"Except that," said Daniel.
"Do you even know what I'm going to say?"
Daniel tilted his head slightly. "You want me to stop pursuing you. Forgive me, I cannot do that. I will give you everything you want as long as it is within my power, except letting you go."