Chasing Charli (9 page)

I lean my head back against the wall and close my eyes, enjoying all the pleasures running through every inch of my body. I hold on to his firm arms and I can feel the muscles tightening beneath his skin as he holds me up.

I’m panting and breathless and I hug myself closer against him as my body tingles with all the sensations.

I feel him throb inside me and squeeze my thighs against his waist as I start to come around him. He growls and pushes a few more times before he follows right along with me on this crazy, intense roller coaster that is us.

After a while he puts my feet back on the ground and holds me close against him, the water falling against us but I barely notice. He’s resting his cheek against my forehead and I lightly brush my fingers against his smooth skin, following the patterns of his tattoos.

He’d always had them covered up when we were back home but now that we’ve crossed the boundary of professionalism he hardly ever covers them up. I have to admit, I certainly do enjoy staring at him and marvelling at all the artwork covering his body.

I trace my finger across his shoulder and down his arm where there’s a combination of tattoos blended together into an intricate piece that covers majority of his arm.

He pulls his head back and watches me as I continue my exploration of his body.

“What made you want to get all this?” I finally ask and slowly drag my finger back up his arm and tap my finger against his chest, right above his heart.

He shrugs and smirks, showing his dimple before finally answering, “I guess it was a spur of the moment thing when my buddies and I were in boot camp. The eagle was kind of representing the freedom and the rest I guess I just thought fit in with it. Why…don’t you like the ink?”

“Oh no…I like it” I say and flatten my palm against his chest as I lean up and give him a soft kiss on the lips.

“Your mum know you got a tattoo?” he asks as he skims his hands down my sides and stops on my hips, then lightly taps his fingers on my hip where my feather is.

I look up at him with what I’m sure is a guilty expression.

“No, was my way of being more myself I guess and thanks for not telling her” I say and laugh.

“You think I was going to jump straight on the phone after getting you in my bed and tell her I saw you naked?”

“No…I know you were following me the day I got it, so thanks for not telling anyone.”

“Oh…jesus I sound like a stalker.”

“Well you are a stalker, but you’re my stalker; I like knowing you’re around…even if I can’t see you, I feel safer” I shrug and he just smiles at me before letting me go and turning off the water.

“Let’s go out and do something different for a change. I feel bad for you having no life.”

“I have a life” he complains as he wraps a towel around his waist and passes me the other one.

I quirk my eyebrow up at him and stand with my hand on my hip.

“Okay well maybe I don’t do anything but doesn’t mean I don’t have a life.”

“Well I’m taking you out, get a few drinks into you. You’re not a mean drunk are you?”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea” he says as he steps out of the bathroom and starts rummaging through his wardrobe for clothes.

I ignore his arguing and continue as if he hadn’t said anything.

“I’m usually a hungry drunk or a really friendly drunk” I grin at him as he pulls on some black briefs and throws his towel in the wash basket.

“Friendly hey, maybe I should get you drunk then?”

“No, I think you need to loosen up a little, you’re too…stressed.”

“I can think of a few better ways to get rid of my stress” he says and takes a step towards the bed where I sit, wrapped up in my towel.

I put my palm out to stop him coming any closer.

“Nope I’ve made up my mind. You have to go wherever I go anyway so we are going out.”

I stand up, walk over to the drawers and start rummaging through them to find a sexy pair of underwear. I slip them on and then finally let the towel drop to the floor, knowing his eyes are on me the whole time.

I peek over my shoulder at him and see his eyes  drifting down my bare legs and then he finally looks up again.

He shakes his head at me before finally getting dressed beside me. I chose a comfy pair of skinny jeans, loose blouse and my wedge boots.

I put on a few coats of mascara and quickly rake my fingers through my hair while I give it a quick dry, leaving it natural and wavy.

He's sitting on the couch waiting for me, spinning the keys on his finger when I finally come out of the bedroom.

“You ready?” I ask as his gaze roams down my body, taking in my figure hugging outfit.

He clears his throat and stands, twisting the keys around his finger again before wrapping an arm around me securely.

Jackson

The bar we're at is only a couple streets away from our apartment, but I’m still on high alert and keeping my eyes suspiciously on everyone that enters.

We played a few rounds of 8 ball before retreating back to the bar. I've been nursing my one and only beer the entire time in hopes that she'll think I'm letting loose and drinking with her. I can't seem to drop the nagging feeling like something's wrong, like we're being followed or watched.

There's been a few people come and go after a few drinks and a few that have been here the entire time but I try to watch the crowd surreptitiously without freaking Charli out.

"You know, I'm not as stupid as you think Jax" she says pulling my gaze back to her and I realise I hadn't been listening to what she was saying.

"What?"

"I know you've been drinking that same beer the entire time, which is now probably so warm and disgusting" she says and slips the bottle out of my grasp and places it back on the bar.

I'm about to complain but she cuts me off.

"Don't even start Jax, we came out here so you could have a night off from, well...being you. So have a shot and relax, please?" she says and looks up at me with the most innocent face.

Before I can try to reason with her a huge grin spreads across her face and she cheers.

"Yes! I knew you had it in you" she says as she grabs the attention of the guy behind the bar. He saunters over while still drying off a glass and looks down at her chest, making me clench my hands into fists.

"What can I get you gorgeous?" he asks and my jaw is clenched tight. What am I invisible? Do we not look like we would be together? Shit, are we even together?

"Geez why the sad face Jax? We need shots, lots of them please" she says as she turns back to the guy behind the bar.

He grabs a bottle of Jack Daniels and pours two shots evenly, probably since she didn't clarify what she wanted.

She picks up her shot and before drinking hers, she eyes me playfully before I finally pick mine up. I raise the shot glass up in silent salute and then bring it to my lips before letting the cool liquid slide down my throat, burning on the way down.

"Two beers please" I say to the guy behind the bar and before he can walk back to the fridge Charli signals him for two more shots.

"What...don't think you can handle it?" she smirks.

I groan and run a hand through my hair, "No I'm just being the responsible one; I need to keep an eye out."

"An eye out for what, the big bad wolf?" she jokes and it slightly irritates me that she's still not taking this seriously. I don't understand how she can be so calm while all this crap is going on; or maybe I'm just too uptight. Shit maybe I do need to relax and let loose for a little bit.

As soon as the shots are in front of us I pick mine up and throw it back then pick up my beer and take a sip before she even manages to have her shot.

"Yuck, Jack Daniels tastes like an ashtray" she coughs slightly after having her third or fourth shot for the night and wipes her mouth.

"Then why the fuck are we having shots of Jacks?"

"I don't know, thought you'd think I'm tougher if I drank the big girl stuff" she laughs a little and takes a sip of her beer.

"Oh I know you can handle the big girl stuff, no need to prove a point."

"Then stop acting like we're under attack and have some fun" she says and nudges me.

I slide off my stool and step between her legs, leaning in and whispering, "Baby, no need to alarm you but if I wasn't doing my job right now, I wouldn't have noticed the two guys on the other end of the bar sneaking us glances the entire time."

Probably because she's drunk she goes to turn her head in their direction but I catch her chin between my fingers and press my lips to hers softly.

"Don't look because it's too obvious I pointed them out. It's safer if we stay here for now so just stay put while I quickly check outside. Stay right here where everyone can see you and don't move a muscle so those guys don't approach you. Okay?"

I kiss her quickly on the forehead and sneak out through the crowd to scope the area.

Charli

I take in a few deep breaths and decide maybe he’s just being his usual paranoid self. I know I should be more alert but shit I've had way too much to drink. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I'm slightly irritated because the whole point of coming out to this town was to get away and hide out, not having to worry about who was watching me and keeping an eye over my shoulder the entire time.

We've been here no more than a month and they've already found me, trashing my apartment and doing nothing but pissing me off.

I risk a quick peek in the direction Jax mentioned these two guys were standing and automatically recognise one as the guy from the party that was staring at me from against the tree; probably just a pervert from campus, now getting Jax into protective work mode for no reason and making me more irritated.

I signal the bar guy for another shot, the whole time keeping a death glare on this annoying guy from campus. I slam the shot down, hand the bartender money and get off my stool. I wobble slightly and look around, no Jax in sight so I walk, maybe more drunk than I care to admit, straight up to this guy and jab my finger right into his chest.

"I don't know who you are, or what you think you're doing but you've got to cut this creepy hawk like staring shit and I mean it" I say drunkenly.

"Back the shit right off" I add as I jab him in the chest again with my finger for extra emphasis.

"Back the shit right off?" he asks and chuckles lightly.

"Whatever, I'm drunk" I shrug; as if that's reason enough and then realise I've gotten myself into some serious doodoo when he stands from his barstool. He's got firm looking arms crossed over his broad chest and either I'm too drunk but he could be exceptionally good looking if it weren't for the creepy and annoying attitude. His sandy blonde hair is messy and slightly wavy and his piercing blue eyes don't shift from me for even one second.

He towers over me and his friend stands up too, both towering over me.

"She giving you trouble?" asks his friend as though he needs help against me.

"No, no trouble with this one" he replies, while still keeping his gaze on me.

He leans in closer and whispers in my ear "Wanna head back to your place sweetheart?"

"No" is all I reply, "Just quit gawking at me like a pubesant teenager, hear me?"

"Oh I hear you loud and clear Charli" he says, making me freeze instantly at the sound of my name.

My mouth gapes open like a fish out of water and suddenly I look around the bar trying to find Jax. Where the hell did he go anyway? Shit why did I not listen to him for once and stay where I was. Here I go again, thinking I know what's going on and opening my big mouth. Hey at least I can admit I fucked up - again. That's like the first stage or whatever right? Admitting you have a problem. I guess my problem is not knowing when to stop and listen to someone who knows their shit.

"How do you know my name?" is all that I manage to get out, while I take a step away from him.

"Oh I think everyone knows your name sweetheart" he winks at me and I panic. I push against his chest and turn to run, just as his hand wraps around my waist pulling me back against his side firmly.

He leans his head close to mine as I'm standing pressed against him, my back to his front and whispers into my ear, "just give me what I want and I'll leave you alone."

Is he talking about the memory stick, or is he still talking about heading back to my place for god knows what. Before I can answer with some insanely witty and drunk remark I hear Jax's calm voice from next to us.

"I'd suggest getting your hands off her before I break every single bone in your fucking hand" he says calmly. Strangely it seems more sinister as opposed to yelling and I have to admit I'm slightly scared myself.

His cold gaze lands on me and it doesn't soften. Jesus what did I do? Oh yeah, I'm an idiot like always that's what I did.

His eyes flicker back to the creep with his arms still around me who snickers before finally releasing me. He's still standing right behind me though, close enough for me to feel his soft breaths against the skin on my neck.

"Get your shit Charli and let's go" says Jax, his eyes never leaving the guy behind me.

I'm slightly stunned from whatever hell just happened and more drunk than I care to admit and it takes me a moment to move.

"Now" Jax says sharply and I practically jump away from the creepy gawker behind me.

"I...I don't have anything with me" I say, too scared that I'm going to get yelled at again for god knows what.

He turns to me with an annoyed expression as if to say now was not the time to argue; I wasn't arguing, just stating a fact.

He grabs my arm firmly and starts to walk us towards the exit of the bar. I risk a quick look behind me and see the two guys sit back down on their stools and wave towards us as we walk out the doors.

The cool air hits me straight away and I instantly regret not wearing something warmer. Considering we're in summer the air is exceptionally cool for a summer's night.

I'm too scared to speak in case Jax is still fuming mad, which he has every right to be. I realise he told me to stay where I was but that's only because he was freaking out about them being suspicious. Maybe I should tell him that the guy was at the party, but then again I might get yelled at for not sharing that piece of information with him earlier.

He snaps me out of my own thoughts and finally talks as we make our way back to the apartment. I realise now that he's keeping an eye out and making sure we're not being followed as well.

"Why were you talking to them Charli?" he says and sighs.

Me being remarkably drunk I speak before I can filter my thoughts, "Oh is that a hint of jealousy I detect Jax?"

"Jealous? You think I'm pissed off because that guy had his hands all over you?"

"I don't know...are you?"

"Slightly...but that's not why I'm pissed off."

"Then why are you pissed off...enlighten me, please Jax."

"Because I told you to stay where you were and after scoping the place I find you talking to the two very guys I warned you about, please clarify to me Charli...please make my job easier and instead of running right to the danger do as your told for once" he says and runs both his hands through his hair before dropping them down.

There he goes again, talking about his job. I'm his job; job this, job that; he can shove his job up his ass. Instead of agreeing that I screwed up like I have been in my head for the past few minutes, I decide to argue instead because a) I'm drunk, and b) He gets me so worked up that I can't help it.

"Do you have to do that every time something goes wrong? You don't have to remind me every fucking time I screw up that I'm a job. You don't have to rub it in my face that that's why you're here...with me" I huff out and keep walking since we stopped on the side walk to yell at each other.

This is so screwed up, all I seem to do is mess up and all he did was get angry at me. I should just make him quit or fire him and get it over and done with. If I'm not the job than he can leave and do whatever the hell he wants with his life without me being in the way. Oh my god I need to shut up, my brain is starting to piss even me off.

I hear his footsteps next to me and feel his warm fingers slide around my wrist to stop me from walking away.

"Charli...stop" he says softly, sounding exhausted, "please" he adds.

I stop and slowly turn towards him; his fingers slide down from my wrist and twist with my fingers. He gently tugs on my hand, pulling me closer against him and wraps his arms around my waist and just stands there holding me.

"I hate watching you walk away from me Charli" he says and gently pulls my face up to look at him.

I don't say anything, not knowing what to say without sounding drunk, stupid or remotely bitchy. It's all I seem to be doing lately.

"You know I didn't mean it like that. Yes my job is to protect you but I don't do it just because it's my job. Ever since I found out who was after you I've been more on edge, more alert about everything because I don't want anyone to take you away from me" he says and gently presses his cheek against mine.

"I'm sorry Jax, I wasn't thinking. I just recognised him from the party the other night and just went to yell at him for whatever stupid reason. I'm sorry...really."

"He was at the party?" he says as he pulls away slightly.

I look down to my feet and kick the pavement with my toe before finally answering.

"Yeah" – great answer Charli, very informative.

"Did he talk to you?"

"No. He just kind of stood there staring at me. When I saw him at the bar I just assumed he was friends with someone from campus since he was at the party."

"We have to get back to the apartment, and Charli...you have to tell me everything. I'm not referring to the party either but here is not the place" he says as he looks over his shoulder again.