The Most Dangerous Kind of Love

Chapter Fifteen

The Most Dangerous Kind of Love 15

~Jason~

It didn't take me long to set up my new apartment. I had bought a few new pieces of furniture - that I had movers put in for me - as well as a few clothes I had from when Channing and I went shopping, a few random things like dishes and decorations for the place, and that was it. No, Channing's family didn't buy any of it. I did. I had quite a bit of money saved up from jobs previous I have completed, so it really wasn't a big deal. Money is no object for me.

I was immensely grateful for what Channing and her family have done for me over the past month, but I knew I had to get out of there. Alex and his friends won't let me stay off the hook that much longer once they figure out I'm alive, and when they do, they'll come after me, and I don't want people I care about around.

Channing has changed me for the better. She made me see that there is a different way to live other than the way I have lived my whole life. I've never known anything else, so it was a real eye-opener. She also managed to make me feel something towards someone, and I didn't know how to deal with it. I like her. I really do. But I attract danger. Alex and his gang are very dangerous, and I've already brought her into that world twice. I didn't plan on doing it again.

Yeah, I had feelings for her. Strong feelings, at that. But enough to know when she could be in potential danger, and I can't let that happen to her. Her safety is all that matters to me. The only way I know for her to stay out of harms way is to not have anything to do with me.

So that's what I was going to do. I would tell her that tomorrow when she comes over.

***

It took me all night and into the morning to plan what I was going to say to Channing. Quite honestly, I wasn't looking forward to that conversation at all.

She got to my apartment around noon the next day. I knew it was her because she lightly knocked on the door. She's a very soft spoken, gentle person, so that's how I knew it was her.

When I opened the front door for her, my breath nearly caught in my throat. Channing was standing there, looking as beautiful as ever. All she wore was a simple tank top and a pair of jean shorts, yet for some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. God, I'm such a girl.

"Hi," she said happily. "How are you?"

I cleared my throat. "Um, I'm good. You?"

"Great!"

"Awesome. Well, uh, come on in."

Channing pretty much pranced into my apartment, and I chuckled at her actions.

"I like how you set everything up," she commented.

"Thanks."

She went around from room to room just looking at everything. She actually helped me pick out the apartment, so she already knew what it looked like, but she hasn't seen it with furniture and everything else in it.

"I really like how everything turned out," she said, sitting down on a couch. "It suits you."

I sighed. I kept telling myself to not let her get to me, and that I had to make her stay away from me, but every rational thought I had flew out the window as soon as I laid eyes on her.

"Jason? You okay?" she asked, bringing me out of my thoughts. "You're really quiet..."

I stared at her for a long moment until I shook my head. "Channing, we need to talk."

The smile was instantly wiped off her face, making me regret opening my mouth. Her eyes filled with worry, and I couldn't tell if it was worry for her or me. Just the thought that she was worried for me for a reason still unknown to her made me second guess my decision.

'It's okay. You can do this, Jason,' I kept telling myself.

"Is everything okay?" she asked weakly. A look of pain was etched onto her face, making my chest hurt.

Fuck it, I can't do this. I can't lose her.

"It's nothing," I replied, hoping to change the subject.

"Obviously it's not nothing," she whispered. It's almost as if she knew where this conversation was going. "Just tell me, Jason."

"It's nothing-"

"Just tell me," she snapped.

Well then. "Okay, um, well..." I trailed off, not knowing how to start. "Channing, I really like you. I really do. And I've told you before, but I'm really dangerous. Alex and his gang will come after me when the figure out I'm alive. I don't want them to come after you, too."

"That's why I have you," she said as if that sentence alone solved every problem out there. "You'll protect me. You've done it before."

I shook my head. "The only way I can think of to protect you is for you to stay away from me."

This time, she was the one who shook her head. "Bullshit. That's not going to happen. You've tried that before. When I first got here, you told me the same thing. Look at us now. Look how far we've come. Look how much we've been through together."

"Channing-"

"No, Jason, you listen," she cut in. Her expression left no room for argument. What was up with her? "You can't get rid of me that easily. I understand that you're dangerous, but I also believe that if your brother knew you were alive, and me as well, he won't just leave me alone. He'll come after me even if you're not around me. So don't try to get rid of me."

I stared at this girl, mouth wide open. Damn, she really didn't want me to leave her alone. And she did make a good point...

"I'm not trying to make you have nothing to do with me," I found myself saying. It was as if my mouth had a mind of its own. I had no say in what was coming out now. "Actually, I'm glad you said what you said. Because it makes me ask this question much easier."

"What question?"

"I was wondering if you would like to make us an official couple?"

Her eyes grew wide. I'm sure mine did, too. I was tempted to slap my hand over my mouth as soon as those words slipped out. That's the opposite of what I needed to happen!

"Are you serious?" she asked me.

Once again, my mouth was moving on its own. "Yes."

It took a second, but her beautiful smile spread across her face. "So, you're asking me to be your girlfriend?"

I found myself nodding.

"I'd love to!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together, then throwing her arms around me in a hug.

When I wrapped my arms around her waist, I felt myself smiling as well. Just seeing her so happy made me happy.

Once again: I'm turning into a girl.

This conversation definitely didn't turn out how I expected it to, but I couldn't complain when I had the most beautiful girl in my arms right now. She was right when she said I could protect her. I can and I will.