Special - Ch 6
I drove for hours, finally ending up back home and fell solidly into bed, exhausted, but determined.
I slept peacefully despite the strange revelations of the day before and woke convinced I wanted to know more about this magical world that existed around me.
I showered, dressed, and drove the short distance to Charlotte’s place.
When I loped up the stairs, Buck’s apartment was silent. Drawing a deep breath, I knocked on her door.
“Coming!” Charlotte’s footsteps paused on the other side. A long moment later, the locks unbolted, and she cracked the door open. “Andy?”
“Hey.” She was wearing another brown tunic and slim jeans, but her hair was wound on top of her head in a whirl of black tresses. “I didn’t feed you after our trip to the arboretum yesterday, and I wondered if you were up for lunch with me?” Her eyes flicked to the door behind me. I nodded. “Buck told me who and,” I rubbed my chin, “what he is.”
She peered up at me. “And you’re okay with it? With what we are?”
I didn’t like the doubt in her voice and tread closer. “I am.”
Her face spread in a wide smile. “I’m glad.” She opened the door wider and gestured me inside.
This time the lingering scent in the air smoothed over my skin as if to welcome me back, and I sighed.
She covered a smile with her hand. “Let me put on some shoes, grab my purse, and we can go.”
Since it was Sunday, the restaurant was closed by the time we arrived, and instead I drove down to the river walk where a large street fair was still going on.
We laughed and shared a bowl of vegan chili from a woman with dreads, and odd yellow eyes that seemed to peer through me.
She smiled at Charlotte. “Well done, honey. He’s a keeper.”
Charlotte blushed and looked up at me. “Thank you, Josey. Time will tell.”
As we walked away, I shook my head. “Who was that?”
She glanced back with a shrug. “Josey is an old family friend.” Her eyes twinkled when she met mine again. “Would you believe she’s an elf?”
Three days ago, I wouldn’t have. “Sure.” I looked around. “Buck said the supernatural was everywhere. He wasn’t kidding was he?”
“Nope.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and bit her lip. Charlotte’s smile was mischievous again. We had wandered to the end of the pier and there weren’t many people around. The air was brisk coming off the water, and I pulled her closer when she shivered. She stared silently over the lake before meeting my eyes again.
“Buck said you like me.” Her cheeks pinked.
“I do.” I tipped her chin toward me and wrapped my other arm around her waist, drawing her slim body rest to against mine. Both of us shuddered at the contact, and her rich brown eyes dilated. My heart hammered in my chest, and I felt something brush against the forearm I had pressed into the curve of her lower back.
I watched in awe as her wings unfurled and spread behind her like a glimmering gold veil.
Nervously, I glanced down the pier. “Aren’t you worried someone will see them?”
“They can’t.”
I refocused on her beautiful face, curious. “Why not? I can.” I let my eyes travel over them as the breeze rippled across them.
“You’re special, Andy.” She gripped my bicep and rested a palm on my chest. “Mom thinks maybe you have some supernatural blood in you, or maybe…”
She trailed off and dropped her gaze.
“Maybe what?” I dipped my head trying to get her to look at me.
When she did, every cell in my body screamed to life. The desire in her eyes called to the same need inside me and I stared.
“I can’t explain it, Andy. No one can. You’re not like us, but you see us. You accept us.” Her brown irises swirled with emotions I couldn’t untangle. “Everyone I’ve talked to seems to think there is something drawing us together.” She shifted backwards, shaking her head. “It’s too soon. Too fast.”
I stopped her retreat, bending closer. “Maybe it is, but I’m willing to stick it out and see what happens.”
Her hand tightened on the sleeve of my shirt, and she whispered, “I like you too, Andy. A lot.”
A slow smile I couldn’t stop spread across my face and my voice dropped. “I’m glad, and I hope you don’t mind, but there’s something I’ve wanted to do for a week now.” Her lips parted and when her tongue wet them, every nerve in my body sang to life. Her eyes fell to my mouth and her hands slipped up to my shoulders. “Charlotte, may I kiss you?”
“Yes,” she breathed.
I leaned closer and brushed my lips across hers. Her chest constricted and a puff of breath escaped. I took advantage and swept my tongue across her lower lip, relishing the moment she melted against me. I supported her, my hand slipping behind her neck to control the kiss. The air around us softened and once again my every sense launched into overdrive.
Her lips were petal soft, and when her tongue slowly met mine she tasted like mint tea and honey. Our breathing was shallow as our chests rose and fell together.
I felt her wings tremble against my arm, and I deepened the kiss for a second before pulling back to look at her flushed face. I shifted to move my body back from hers, my growing reaction to her nearness making me self-conscious.
She looked stunned and adorably rumpled. I brushed my fingers down her jaw and let the arm at her waist slide against her wings. They were silky soft and heavier than I expected. As the back of my fingers brushed down one of the quills that supported them she groaned, and her head fell to my chest. “Don’t do that.”
“What?” I kissed the top of her head then leaned back, holding her shoulders. “Don’t do what?” Her whole body was shivering, and I grew concerned. “Are you alright?”
Her head bobbed, and she giggled but there was a husky edge to it. “We’re not to the point yet where you should pet my wings.”
“Why? Oh.” I slid my palms down her arms, blushing. “I didn’t know.”
Regaining her composure, she laughed and looked up at me with a tinge of color still clinging to her cheeks. “You wouldn’t have.”
We stared at each other for a long moment before I leaned in again and touched my lips to hers. “Think we should call it a night?”
Charlotte straightened and rested a hand on my chest. “Yes and thank you again.”
“For what?”
“For being my first date. And my first kiss.”
I gripped her wrist and brought her palm to my mouth, kissing it gently.
“You’re welcome.” It was far, far too soon to admit, but somewhere deep inside, I knew I also wanted to be her last.
'Special' is unpublished and unedited. Short stories may or may not be complete and may end on a cliffhanger. All works are the sole property of Michelle Bolanger and published through Risen Fiction. Copyright 2025 Michelle Bolanger. All rights reserved. No portion of this work may be copied or reproduced without written consent from the author.