Rewritten (Unwritten Book 2) (16 page)

“Charlie,” she looks away. “I told you… time…”

“Ok, but please stay. I won’t be long.”

“It’s ok. I actually need to go talk to Alex anyway. I’ll head down there and meet you back here later, ok?”

I lean in to kiss her, “Ok.”

I walk into the police station and am escorted back to Detective O’Brien’s office.

“Detective O’Brien? Hi, I’m Charlie Ashley.” I reach out to shake the Detective’s hand.

“Hi. Thank you for coming down. Please, sit,” he motions to me. “So, how did you know Jacquelyn Sanders?”

I’ve practiced what I should say but now that I’m here, nerves start to take over. “Um, we dated a few times.”

“So, how long have you known her?”

“Not long.”

“And now she’s pregnant with your baby? How do you feel about that?”

“I’m not sure if that matters in what you’re trying to accomplish here?” I snap back.

Detective O’Brien shakes his head, “Ok. So, where were you when she was shot?”

I shake my head, “That was a month ago, I don’t remember exactly what I was doing. I don’t even know what time of day she was shot.”

“Really, well, weren’t you dating her?”

“No, we ended a few days before she was shot.”

“Oh, really…?”

“Hey, it was no big deal. We only dated a few times. Never anything serious. She wanted more and I didn’t so we ended it. No big deal.”

“Yeah, you said that already. When did you find out she was shot?”

“Not until I was already in Paris.”

“So, a woman you dated, gets shot in her entryway and no one tells you?”

“No, sorry. We don’t have mutual friends and I live in the City so it’s not like I read a San Rafael paper or anything.”

“That reminds me. You do have a mutual friend, Diane Hayes. She’s the one that called you in Paris, right?”

“Yes, she did.”

“She’s the one that found Jacquelyn.”

“Um, ok…”

“And you two obviously know each other if she knew how to get a hold of you in Paris, so why didn’t she think you should know she was shot to begin with?”

“I don’t know? You’ll have to ask her. It’s not like I talk to her often. I told you. Jacquelyn and I only dated a few times. It was never anything big. That’s probably why she didn’t tell me.”

“So, how do you know Diane then?”

“We’re friends from the gym we attend in the City, Life Fitness. She introduced me to Jacquelyn there.”

“So, how did she know how to get a hold of you in Paris?”

“She knew I was there for a modeling gig. That’s why it took her so long to get a hold of me though, she had to contact the agency and get a hold of me that way.”

“Is that what you do for a living, modeling?”

“Well, um, trying to be. Really I’m a customer service rep for Livingston, Inc.”

I had this entire thing figured out in my head but I never thought the questioning would go to this. I’m thankful I’m able to think quickly but not sure if I’m digging myself a bigger hole. I just need to make sure Allison is not brought up.

“What modeling agency do you work for?”

“Not one in particular. I went knowing there would be work. That’s why it took her so long to find me. She had to ask around for someone who knew me.”

Detective O’Brien shakes his head and I have no clue if he is buying all of this.

After taking some notes he looks up at me, “Ok, I think that will do for now. I have your number so I’ll be in touch.”

I shake his hand and leave the police station with a big sigh of relief, feeling the meeting went well.

M
y hands start to tremble as I walk up to the building Alex’s studio is in. The memory of Jacquelyn forcing me into the car races through my mind as my stomach ties in knots and I fight the urge to throw up, or faint, or maybe both.

My face flushes and my palms sweat as I get the courage to walk up to the entrance. Trying to push the thought out of my head, I run into the building.

As I enter the studio Alex is standing in the reception area talking to the receptionist. I watch him light up as I walk in. “Allison! How are you?”

“I’m good,” I say though not very convincingly.

He walks up to me, “Hey, are you ok?”

I shake my head up and down saying, “I’m fine,” as tears fill my eyes.

“No you’re not. Here come back to my office.”

“No, no, it’s ok,” I stutter, gaining my composure. “I know you wanted me to check in with you so, here I am,” I try to smile and sound happy.

Alex smiles, “Ok, yes, come on back.”

We walk back to his office and I sit down, looking at the proofs sitting on his desk. “Wow, these look great.”

“Yes, they do. I present them to the client later today so let’s hope they will think so, too. So, I wanted to talk to you about what your plans were now that you’re graduated.”

“Well…” I start to answer and Alex interrupts me before I can say anything.

“Sorry, before you say anything, I want to offer you a position here, at my studio as my first assistant.”

I jump up, “Are you serious? That’s amazing. Thank you so much,” I wrap my arms around him, hugging him tightly.

Alex laughs, hugging me back lightly, “So, I take it you accept?”

“Oh, sorry,” I step back embarrassed. I can’t believe I just hugged him like that. “Yes, I accept. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

“Great. We have a photo shoot scheduled for tomorrow. Can you come in around ten?”

“Of course. Thank you again. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When I arrive back at Charlie’s place he is already home and I run in, yelling, “Charlie, are you home?”

“Yeah, what’s up, baby?” he comes out of the bedroom to greet me.

“Alex just offered me a job as his first assistant!” I jump up and down excitedly, running toward him.

Charlie runs up, grabbing me, swinging me around, saying, “Oh, Allison. That’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you.” Then he kisses me.

His kiss melts my insides, reminding me how much I love him and pushing the insecurities from before when I was reminded of the baby out of my mind.

Electricity runs through my body as he pulls back to look in my eyes. I know he feels it, too. He lightly kisses me again then smiles.

Wrapping his hand in my hair, he leans in, kissing me softly, slowly picking me up, he walks me into the bedroom whispering, “I’m the luckiest man in the world to have found you.”

“Charlie,” I whisper back, leaning up to kiss him again.

“I mean it Allison. My world didn’t make sense until I met you. You have saved me in more ways than I could ever explain.”

He doesn’t wait for my reply as he lays me down, kissing me softly. I’m filled with intense emotions that I can’t deny. His touch alone makes every thought in my mind disappear. No matter what is going through my head on a daily basis about Jacquelyn and the baby, all Charlie needs to do is kiss me, touch me, and I know I’m his forever.

I start to run my fingers through his hair, pulling him in closer, trying to show him how much I want him.

He pulls my shirt up then removes his own. The feeling of our skin touching makes us both moan as he kisses down my neck to my chest with his hands behind me, griping me tightly like he can’t hold me close enough.

After removing my pants, then his, he lays down, thrusting inside me. He kisses my lips softly, moving his body in and out.

Every touch, every motion lights me on fire. I can’t get enough and I match him thrust for thrust, curving my hips up, trying to get him inside me as far as he can go.

He flips me around so I’m on top and I grab the back of the bed while he leans up to suck on my nipple.

Holy shit!

I can’t take it anymore and I start to grind myself against him. Ridding him harder than I ever have before. Holding the headboard tightly before I lose it completely.

I start to beg. No, scream for my release to reach pure heaven. He gives me exactly what I’m looking for while he grunts his own release.

Afterward I lie on his chest, sighing my relaxation, asking, “Do men get the same feeling after sex that women do?”

Charlie laughs, “Um, not sure. What do you mean?”

“It’s this euphoria that engulfs your entire body with a sense of complete happiness and relaxation. I just want to lay here and enjoy it forever.”

“Really…?”

“It’s amazing. I can only imagine it’s the best feeling on earth. Better than any drug.”

“Wow. And it’s free. Well, for you at least,” he smirks.

I hit his chest shocked he just said that.

“What? Too soon?” he says laughing.

I can’t help but laugh at his joke though I’m not happy about it, “Yes, too soon.”