Free Enchanter by Kristy Centeno Page B

as my
companions slept peacefully near me, I continued to flip through channels until
I found a late-night marathon of one of my favorite shows. I decided to watch
as many episodes as I could until it was either morning or I became too tired
to keep my eyes open.
    Whichever comes first!
    “Leah?” Matt shifted on the bed next to me. “You still
awake?”
    “Yeah, go back to sleep, Matt.”
    “You need it, too.”
    “I can’t sleep.”
    He watched me through sleep-hazed eyes, squinted as he tried
to get a better view of me.
    “Do you need anything?”
    “Yeah, the sun to come up.”
    He smiled briefly. “I can’t help you with that.”
    “I know. But you can help me by getting some rest.”
    Matt reached out for my hand, gave it a quick peck, and then
released it.
    “You should, too.”
    “I’m trying.”
    With that, he turned to the opposite direction and fell back
asleep.
    This is going to be a long night.
    It was well after three in the morning when my tired body
finally gave in and allowed for sleep to claim me.
     
    ****
     
    My Saturday morning resulted in being pampered by two
overprotective guys who were still very much concerned over what had happened
the previous night. Although I told them I was fine, they still were very
hesitant to leave me alone. So after Matt left for work a little after ten in
the morning, Xavier decided to stay and keep me company.
    For the rest of the morning, Xavier and I watched movies, played
a few rounds of some of our favorite board games, watched some reruns on TV, and
prepared lunch together.
    Aside from the discomfort of having a very sore back, I
actually had fun, and by that afternoon all thoughts of the attack and the
creepiness of my assailant had been completely forgotten. However, the more
hours passed by, the more my anxiety over my meeting with Brandon increased. When
the clock marked five o’clock and I left Xavier alone in the living room so
that I could take a quick shower, I was shaking so bad I thought my knees were
going to buckle with each step.
    The thought of being locked inside an apartment with Brandon
Morris was causing my nerves to betray me and my body to react in a way that
took me by complete surprise. Something about the idea of being alone with him
both scared and intrigued me. Even though I never paid any attention to him
before and had in fact gone about my life without noticing how handsome he had gotten
or how intense his pale blue eyes were, I was very aware of those facts now.
    Brandon Morris, weird? For some reason that seems very
unlikely now. Perhaps he may be different, but I don’t think he’s weird, at
least not anymore. Why do I have a feeling that I’m about to find out just how
different from others he is?
    With that thought, I hurried to get ready for my visit to
Brandon’s apartment.

Chapter Nine
     
     
    Frustration could not even begin to describe what I felt.
After being dropped off by Xavier at the address Brandon had provided for me a
few days before, I marched up the stairs to the second floor and knocked on what
should have been his apartment’s front door. When there was no immediate answer,
I assumed he was either busy or had not heard, so I continued knocking.
    Is this the right door?
    Just to be sure, I took the paper out of my purse, reread
it, and confirmed 2A was the right door. So, if I’m in the right place, how
come he’s not answering?
    Trying not to allow my growing impatience to get the best of
me, I continued knocking with no response. When I placed my ear on the door, I could
not hear any sounds that indicated there was someone inside, and the shades
along with the dark curtains covering the windows left no room for me to peek
inside.
    After about forty-five minutes of waiting, I assumed he had
blown me off.
    This is ridiculous! Damn him! He said six o’clock and
it’s almost seven, so where the hell is he? By this point I wanted to
scream at the top of my lungs and curse Brandon Morris straight