Because You're Mine

CHAPTER FOUR

                                                        Beckett

I make sure to stop by The Daily Drip every morning. I'm either getting off of work or going in. Three weeks of seeing her. I haven't asked her out yet, just some harmless flirting. I'm sure she knows I come for her and not really the coffee. The coffee is great but the view is even better.

Here I am walking in after my overnight shift just so I can get a look at her before I go home to sleep. I can't even hide my disappointment when I walk in and her face isn't who greets me.
"Hey Beckett." Maggie walks up to the counter to greet me.

"How's it going Maggie?" I ask as I scan the area looking for my girl.

I don't even know if she replies. I try not to be rude as I'm looking everywhere but at her.

"She isn't working today, sick day. You can go on up to check on her if you want." she gestures to the back of the shop.

I didn't even know she lived here. I guess that makes sense considering I never see her pull into work. It's not like I can ask Tyson for her address for any surprise visits. I don't even have her phone number yet. I think I'm going to rectify that little problem today though."

"Am I that obvious?" I chuckle.

She huffs out a laugh, "Oh yeah."

She gestures to the back of the shop once more. "Go through that door back there and head up the staircase to your right."

I smile at her sheepishly, "Thank you."

I head up the stairs I assume is her apartment door and knock. I wait a few beats and listen for any movement.

Silence.

The officer in me tries not to immediately go to all the what ifs that play in the back of my mind. I twist the handle and it opens. We're going to have a talk about that.

Peaking my head through the door I call out her name. The only response I get is a muffled hmm. Taking a chance I walk into her apartment and shut and lock the door behind me.

Her apartment is homey. It's bright, much like her shop. It makes sense she likes natural light and open spaces. It matches her personality well. Her lavender scent floats through the air. I don't spend much time admiring her space before I head in the direction her voice drifted from.

I walk up to an opened door, which looks to be her bedroom. I poke my head in and see her laying in the middle of her bed with a blanket wrapped around her small body.

"You alright, sweetheart?"

"I'm fine, I just have a migraine. Wait, how did you get in." she uncovers her head to look at me.

"Maggie told me you were sick so I wanted to check on you. I did knock but you didn't answer. I was worried about you so I took a chance and turned the knob. It was unlocked, when you're better we are going to have to talk about that."

She replies with a snarky "yes sir."

"Were you looking for me Beckett?"

"Yeah sweetheart, I always look for you. Do you get these migraines a lot? What typically helps?"

"Not often, but sleep, always sleep."

I walk up to the side of her bed and undo my duty belt and sit it on the nightstand. I kick off my shoes and tell her to slide over.

"What are you doing?" She looks at me confused.

I give her a smile, "sleeping."

She doesn't kick me out, she slides over and flips the blanket so I can crawl in the bed. I reach over and pull her into my side. She burrows into my side with her head resting on my chest. I place a gentle kiss on her forehead and close my eyes.

"Get some sleep."

I slowly wake with a warm body pressed up against my side. I look down at Millie to see she is already awake staring at me.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Much, thank you for checking on me, and for staying."

"Since you're feeling better I would like to talk about the door situation." I hesitate because I don't want to sound like an asshole.

"The shop is always full of people. It wouldn't take anything for someone to wander up here and wait for you to close up shop, not to mention you can't hear anything up here. What if someone breaks in when the shop is closed and comes up here?" I don't want to scare her but I think she needs to understand the danger she puts herself in. "

"I know, I'm sorry, I'll do better."

I decided to leave the conversation at that. I don't want to sound like a possessive boyfriend when I'm barely a friend. I plan to change that soon.

" I have to leave soon. I have a shift in a bit and I need to get home and shower." I tell her with a yawn.

Reluctantly she hops up, " Come on I'll feed you before you leave as a thank you."

Getting up I follow her into the kitchen. She hands me a water while she gets some stuff together.

" I hope you like grilled cheese, that's about as much cooking as I can do." she laughs.

I prop up against her small island.

"That sounds good, sweetheart." I sip on my water while watching her move.

We make small talk while we eat.

"Thanks for dinner, probably the best grilled cheese I've ever had." I put my plate in the sink then turned back to her.

She giggles, " I'm sure it tasted like any other grilled cheese you've had. Thanks for the boost of confidence though."

I walk closer to her and place my hand on her waist. She looks up at me with those blue eyes and I almost forget what I was fixing to say.

"I want you to lock the door behind me, I'll stop by in the morning to see you." I lean down and press a gentle kiss on her lips.

Before heading out we exchange numbers, I plan to use that as much as she allows.