Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) (17 page)

“Are you serious? This car is mine?!” I was staring at a brand new, red Mustang GT. I was suddenly struggling to regulate my breathing. Levi

caught me before I hit the pavement.

“Charity, baby, are you al right? Answer me!” I was slowly regaining my awareness, looking up into Levi’s worried eyes.
Had I just fainted?

More importantly, did my husband just give me a car?!

“I’m okay,” I said, stil feeling groggy but letting him help me to my feet. “I was just a little overwhelmed, that’s al . I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. I guess I just can’t believe you bought me a car. This is so amazing. No one’s ever bought me a car before. Thank you, Levi. I don’t

know what to say. I love you so much.” I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed.

“You’re welcome.” He laughed. “I knew you’d love it.”

“Wel , of course I love it. It’s something I always pictured my dad doing. He would’ve loved to give me a car for my graduation.” To my

surprise and disappointment, I began to cry.

First fainting and then crying—what’s up with me tonight anyway
?
It’s not my time of the month.

“Oh, kitten, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He took me in his arms and held me tight.

“Is everything okay?” Ashley asked. “I heard you got an amazing graduation present. Care to share it?” She smiled.

I looked up at Levi and wiped my tears. “Do you mind?”

He peered down at me, amusement in his deep blue eyes. “The car’s yours. You can do with it what you want.” He reached up to wipe the

tear I missed.

“You’re the best.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, at the same time, snatching the keys from his hand and dashing to the door. “Come

on, Ash, let’s go! We’l meet you guys at the restaurant!” I yel ed out before squealing out of the parking lot. I gave Levi one last glance before disappearing. He was covering his eyes while shaking his head.
Does he have no faith in me at all? Ha—who cares—I have a new car!!!

We were having a blast, speeding, blaring loud music, and laughing uncontrol ably—that is until I spotted blue lights flashing in my rearview

mirror. Uh oh!

“Um, hel o, Officer. How are you today?”

He didn’t smile, but I noticed how he was checking out my long, bare legs.

I smiled.

“It’s about time you guys made it back,” Josh said as Ash and I exited the car.

I shot Ashley a warning look.

“Wel , we had to make sure the car was in working order,” she reluctantly answered.

That’s my girl.

“How’s it run?” Levi asked.

I approached him, smiling mischievously. “Like something out of a dream. An intense, sexy dream.” I put my arms around his neck and

kissed him.

“Maybe we should ditch this party,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around me.

I laughed and turned to walk into the restaurant.

“Tease!”

I walked in through the door and froze, my mouth fal ing open in surprise. “Was the whole blasted town invited to this event?” I asked Levi.

“I think some people just showed up. But does it real y matter? Everyone we love is here, including Raven.”

“Hey, Rover, I don’t like your tone.”

“Oh, good grief,” he said, squeezing the bridge of his nose.

I spotted Grandmammy conversing with some of the younger pack members. She had a tight hold on her big, heavy, flower garden purse,

and I instantly found myself wondering what she was hiding in that purse, and had a bad feeling about Mrs. Goodfeeling.

I spent some time socializing with the gang from school before taking my seat beside Levi.

After dinner, I was making my way to the ladies room when I spotted a couple making out in a dark corner.
Hey, why hadn’t I thought of that
?

As I stepped closer, however, I realized it wasn’t a couple, it was Raven and a woman from our pack, Teresa I think her name was. Levi had made it

a mandate that al pack members were accessible to Raven whenever he needed blood. He had helped save our pack after al . It wasn’t safe

anymore for him to feed outside of the protection of the pack. Not with the vampires looking for him. We found it worked better for everyone if we

set up a schedule, and roughly every seven days a volunteer showed up to feed him. No surprise that the volunteers were al female. Truthful y, he

loved it. He said it himself, werewolf blood is more appealing to vampires than human blood.

For some reason I found myself intrigued and inching closer. He was holding her in his arms and it looked as if he was kissing her neck, but

as I drew closer I was able to make out the act of feeding. There was no blood visible.

Suddenly he stopped.
Uh oh, he sensed my presence
. I knew I should leave, but I couldn’t seem to move. My curiosity held me there, frozen

in a state of fascination. At once he ushered Teresa away and held out his hand to me. Surprisingly, I took it. He pul ed me to him, backing me

against the wal .
Okay, he did save my life, and Levi did it, so why can’t I?

Something tugged at my mind, tel ing me that I probably shouldn’t, but I had no power to stop it. His hand grazed my skin as he pul ed my hair

to the side, exposing my neck to him. He tilted my head back and inched his mouth closer. When he bit down there was a sting and some pain, but

not as bad as I had anticipated. Somehow I knew he was being extra gentle with me, and not at al the same scene shared with Levi only weeks

before. Actual y it was rather pleasant, having a slightly sexy feel to it. He was holding me close and his hands, both pressed against my back, were tightening and releasing like a cat when he’s finding a comfy spot to rest.
I half expected him to start purring
.

I suddenly snapped out of my daze and was standing in front of the Ladies Room, wondering what had just happened. Had I just been

daydreaming? About what I didn’t know.
Weird.
I shook it off and went in to do my ‘thang’.

“You okay?” Levi asked once I was seated again.

“Um, I think so. Remind me to tel you something once I remember what it is.”

He laughed. “My sil y Charity.”

The evening was very enjoyable. Our gang sat around for hours tel ing funny stories of our last year together, and I seemed at the center of

most of them. Funny, but I hadn’t realized I was such a busy body before. When al of my human friends from school, along with my mother, final y

cleared out, the gang began to reminisce about their life since meeting me. Josh joked about how whipped Levi had been after only our first

meeting, and how even then he couldn’t function without me. How he would talk about me constantly and watch me from the woods behind my

house. Jared told about how Levi saved me from a fight with Jeffrey, who I only went out with to make him jealous, and how he saved me from being

crushed during a fight between our rival footbal players. Hector piped in and told of al the times I’ve tried to escape from him, once even hitting him over the head with a branch, knocking him unconscious. Jordan reminded me of when I cracked my rib when Ashley and I hid out in the clearing to

spy on Levi and then discovered they were al werewolves. They al recounted our horror struck faces that night and laughed.
Stinking werewolves
.

“Not to change the subject too badly,” I snapped, “but I seem to remember when I saved al your butts from a fight with Wesley’s pack. I also

saved your butts again when you were wrapped in chains and being beaten to death by vampires. Remember that? Not to mention the other day in

the clearing. And did I do that with my muscles or even my brains? No—I did it with a whistle and my strong vocal cords. So show some respect, wil

ya?”

I laughed at al their mouths hanging open.

“Hey,” Grandmammy said, “if this here Charlie did al that, maybe she ain’t human. We should have her checked out. You know ‘cause she

might be a werewolf after al .” Her face was so serious.

They al looked around at each other for a moment and then burst into laughter again.

Mom thought I was spending the night with Ashley, but in truth I fol owed Levi, in my new car, to the Drake House to spend the night there.

That was another reason I would be glad when Ashley and I got our apartment, I wouldn’t have to lie to her anymore. Okay, technical y I’d stil be lying just not as bad, if that makes any sense. I’ve lost count of al the times I’ve had to pray for forgiveness.

When I woke, Levi was lying on his side watching me. “Good morning, my sweet wife. I brought you breakfast in bed……and coffee.”

“Oh, Levi, that’s so sweet. What’s the occasion?”

“Wel , it’s our first real day together. We’ve graduated, and now we can be together al the time. Have I mentioned how much I love being

married to you, Mrs. Drake?”

“Aahh, I love the sound of that. I don’t think I’l ever get used to it.”

“I hope not, Mrs. Drake. Now, what are we gonna do today?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Levi, but Ash and I are gonna go apartment shopping today. I can’t put it off any longer. I’m so excited. As soon as we move

in, I can real y move in here. I don’t want to wait another day.”

He laughed. “Okay, kitten, you go and find your apartment. I’l find things to do here. Now, why don’t you eat your breakfast.”

I glanced down and spotted my lip balm sitting on the tray in front of the steaming cup of coffee. I peered up into Levi’s sparkling eyes. “I love

you so much, Mr. Drake.”

“Oh baby, not as much as I love you.”

After Levi was gone, I got up, dressed, and rushed out of the room at record speed. After a few turns I was already tired. Why again had I

insisted on Levi and I having the bedroom on the opposite side of the facility? Oh yeah, for privacy. I was only halfway across when I ran into Raven.

“Why the urgency this morning, my queen?”

I bent over to catch my breath. “I’m supposed to meet Ashley in the parking garage so we can go apartment shopping, and I’m late.”

“Say no more.” He picked me up and began to run, and in less than ten seconds he set my feet down in the garage.”

I was stunned as I peered up at him. “Gee, thanks. Can you be handy every day?”

He laughed. “You have only to ask, my queen.”

“You know, come to think of it I think I’m supposed to be mad at you.”

“For what, may I ask?”

“Hmm—I’m not quite sure, but when I remember—look out sucker. Pun intended.” I laughed at my own joke, even snorting.
Hey—it was

funny
.

“You know, my queen, you truly amuse me.”

“Thanks. And I like the queen thing. Keep it up. Ashley, are you ready to take a ride in my speed machine?!”

“More than ready. What kept you? I’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes.”

“Hold the phone, Blondie! I had to find just the right clothes to wear for this day. I’ve been waiting a long time for this. Let’s go find an

apartment, shal we? Can you text Levi and tel him we’re leaving?”

“If you weren’t so technology stupid you could do it yourself.”

“But that’s what I have you for.”

We spent hours looking for just the right apartment, but it was worth it. The one we final y agreed on was amazing. And since Levi was

paying for it, which he insisted on by the way, we spared no expense. It had a great view of Windrake Mountain Park from the balcony.

By the time I arrived back at the Drake House I was feeling slightly rundown. I began making my way back to my room to lie down when I ran

into Grandmammy in the hal way.

“Hey, Charlie girl, are you al right? You don’t look so good.”

“Just a little tired, Grandmammy.”

She took my arm. “Come with me. I got some’m fix you right up. Cure anything from a cough to the flu, it wil .”

She led me into her room and over to a table where a tal bottle of something was waiting. “Um, Grandmammy, are you sure I should be

taking that? I’m not much of a drinker.”

“Don’t be sil y. Just a sip’l do ya.”

She poured about an inch into a smal glass and smiled with anticipation as I gulped down the strange smel ing liquid.

“So, whatcha think?”

“It’s good,” I choked. “What’s in it?” I choked again.

She laughed. “Honey, if I told you that I’d have to shoot ya ‘tween the eyes.”

I stumbled my way back to my room and col apsed on the bed. When I woke in the morning, I was in my nightgown and wrapped tightly in my

Snoopy blanket—Levi’s doing, I assumed. I stretched and found myself ful of amazing energy and ready to start a new day.

Levi came into the room with a tray of food and coffee. “Are you hungry, my beautiful wife?”

“Levi, you’re gonna spoil me doing this.”

He was pleased. “That’s my job, kitten.”

I applied my lip balm while pouring a most generous amount of Cinnabon creamer into my coffee until the taste resembled a sweet dessert

and nothing like coffee at al .

“You know,” Levi said, eyeing me in amusement. “Next time why don’t you just let me bring you a mug of creamer only.”

“Eeww!”

While most of our friends from school were at the beach celebrating our graduating, Ashley and I spent the day moving. I can’t believe

someone so little can have so much stuff, but Ashley was able to fil up a rental truck. Me—al I had was bedroom furniture. One thing for sure, we had the hottest moving crew alive or dead. Levi, Eli, Josh, Jordan, Jared, and Hector were al helping. We didn’t real y need six guys, but it was fun nonetheless. Cars were honking and girls were whistling. It was quite annoying. And to torture us even further, they removed their shirts while they worked. To see six gorgeous, young men shirtless was almost overwhelming, once I even became woozy.

Going down the steps, I almost slipped when I spotted Levi coming up, his arms ful of boxes. Smirking, I slapped him on the butt.