Loving David (6 page)

His cheeks turned bright red, and he looked like he wished he could take it back. He resumed drying a fistful of silverware.

Charlotte put down the glass she was washing and leaned against the sink, intrigued. She decided to have a little fun with him. “Well, David, how old do you think I am?” a Cheshire cat grin stretched across her face.

“Thirty-two.”

Charlotte stifled a chuckle and shook her head. “Nope, but thanks,” she said, still toying with him.

“No?” he asked.

“Forty-four…a week from Saturday,” she said nonchalantly.

He paused and smiled. “You don’t look it.”

“Charming. Are you this way with every woman you meet?”

David wiped the counters, moving around her as she finished the dishes. “You may not believe this, Charlotte…but I’m really not great around women. I’m always wondering if they’re spending time with me because they’re truly interested in me or hanging out with me because, well, I’m David King. You know what I mean?”

“I’ve never thought about what that must be like. I’m sure a lot of women you meet are just looking for their fifteen minutes. It must be frustrating.” She handed him one last dish to dry. “Do you date a lot? Or is that too personal of a question?” She smirked.

David grinned. “I used to. Date a lot, that is. It got boring after a while. I was always meeting the same type of girl; shallow, plastic bimbos with more matter in their breasts than their brains. When I do red carpets I like going with someone, but even that got old, so now if I do go, I go alone.”

Charlotte drained the sink of dishwater and realized that for a thirty-year-old, David had a whole slew of problems she’d never had to deal with. It was true; you never knew what other people were going through. Charlotte reminded herself that David was here to relax, not get wound up over his problems. A change of subject was in order.

“Hey, would you please look at the schedule on the fridge and see if I have cooking duty for breakfast tomorrow?”

David took a quick glance and nodded. “Yes we do. What time do we start?” he asked.

Charlotte grinned at the ‘
we’
. “So you’re going to help me? Do you even know how to cook?”

“I can scramble an egg and use a toaster.”

“Well, that’s two things more than me.” Charlotte gave the area around the sink one last swipe with the sponge. “We should plan to get in here around seven.” She turned to look at David and wiped a few drops of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. “I usually go for a walk around the lake about now. Want to join me?”

David hung the now-wet dishtowel over the faucet. “I’d love to.”

They headed toward the lake, the sun dancing on the smooth sheet of blue glass. Neither of them spoke; the sound of chirping birds was the only soundtrack to their stroll. David broke the silence. “I’d like to read one of your books. Do you have any copies here?”

Charlotte burst out laughing. “Trust me when I say this; you don’t want to read my books. Read Karen’s or Hendra’s. Not mine. They wouldn’t interest you.”

David touched Charlotte’s arm, stopping her. “Why? You said you write romance novels, right?”

“Yes.”

David shaded his eyes with his hand. “Have you ever seen any of my movies? Okay, yes, I have made a few action films, but I’ve done more love stories than anything.”

“Yeah, well, there are love stories and there are
love
stories.”

“Oh, come on Charlotte--- I want to read one!” David pouted, demand bubbling up in his voice.

Charlotte resumed walking and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t have any copies here. If you really want one…well, you can go back into town and get one!” she grinned and gave him a wink. “Although- I’d like to see you try, considering I have the car keys.”

David nodded his head, impressed by this worthy competitor. “So it’s like that, eh? Alright then; go into town and get me one.”

“Yeah, like I’m going to walk into the local bookstore, where everyone knows me by name and buy my own book. I don’t think so.”

David let out a low whistle. “Well, I’m sure I could convince one of the ladies to give me a lift into town.” He snapped his fingers. “You know, come to think of it, I
am
running out of toothpaste.”

Charlotte gasped. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“
Hmm
. Maybe not. But you know that as soon as I leave here; I’ll read them all,” he teased. David turned to look at Charlotte, those green eyes affixed to her mouth. Charlotte licked her lips, nervous. “Have you ever seen any of my movies?” he asked; his voice husky.

Charlotte shoved her hands in her pockets, a chill slicing over her in spite of the sun’s warmth.

“A few.” She looked down at her feet. “Only one that I liked, though.”

“Oh, yeah? Which one?”

Charlotte cocked her head to the side. “The one where you and the girl are stuck in a snow-storm and have to screw all night to stay warm.” She paused. “Personally, I thought it was Oscar-worthy,” Charlotte said, her face quivering with corked laughter.

“Well, that does it then. I’m finding a way into town--- even if I have to hitchhike and getting a book.” David tapped Charlotte’s arm. “I’m sure you must have a chapter or two where your characters need to
stay warm.
” David stopped. “Wait. That’s the
only
one you liked?”

Charlotte laughed. He didn’t need to know that not only had she’d seen all of his movies---some twice--- but she also thought he was amazing in all of them. Now back in front of their cabin, Charlotte looked at her watch and saw that her first activity of the day was starting in ten minutes.

Charlotte grabbed a book and a pad of paper out of her purse while David flopped on the couch. “Listen; I’ve got to head over to one of the other cabins for a few hours. You’re sure you can entertain yourself?”

“I’ve actually got a script that William has been bugging me to read, so I’m going to do that, and no matter how brilliant it is I’m going to tell him it was dreadful.” David winked. “William’s a rather easy mark.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes and opened the door. “Well… have fun with that.”

#

A famished and spent Charlotte made her way back to the cabin that afternoon. She’d just gotten out of the book club meeting, which was discussing
Madame Bovary
. The conversations had become rather rousing; while they could all agree she was amoral, the group couldn’t come to consensus on whether her foolish, fumbling husband, Charles had driven actions or if she would have wreaked the havoc she had, no matter whom she had married. All Charlotte wanted to do for the next few minutes was spend some quality time with a Twinkie.

And David. David. She said his name softly and in spite of herself was thrilled at the thought of finding him waiting for her. Charlotte smoothed back her hair and took a few deep breaths before she opened the door.

She found David in the chair across from the couch, laptop in hand, his feet propped up on the linen trunk that he had pulled over from underneath the window. He was in a trance, his lips moving in silence along with whatever he was reading on the screen. Charlotte closed the door, and David never even flinched. She jangled her keys a bit and made a show of setting her book and papers down on the coffee table. Still nothing. She stood for a moment, hands on hips, watching him, before she tapped him on the foot. He looked up startled and then smiled.

“Oh, hello! Sorry I didn’t hear you come in. I was rather engrossed in this.” David brought his feet to the floor and placed the laptop on the trunk. “How is everyone?”

Charlotte kicked off her shoes and sat on the couch across from him.

“Good.” She placed her head in the palm of her hands.

“Must be some script,” she said, dying to know if she’d get a peek at the next David King blockbuster.

“Oh. Oh that. I finished that an hour ago,” David cast his eyes down and looked up at her through his eyelashes, a wicked smirk on his face. Charlotte wondered how many times he used that look to seduce the panties off women.

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed to slits, knowing something was up and also weary from his constant teasing. “Okay, what is it--- what’s with the face?”

“Nothing,” he said in a sing-song voice before he leaned toward her, that playful leer dancing on his lips. “Did you know you can download books on the Internet?” Charlotte’s face fell as she realized what he was driving at. “And, more important, did you know that you can download
your
books on the Internet?” He batted his eyes at her like a ten- year-old trying to charm his way into the cookie jar.

Charlotte turned crimson. “Which one?” she asked, afraid of the answer.

David leaned against the chair and folded his hands in his lap, pleased with his handiwork. “Well, I thought I’d start from the beginning of your series, ‘
Hot Cabo Nights’
and then move on to ‘
Parisian Pleasure
,’ ” he said, unable to contain his rich, throaty laughter.

Charlotte popped up from the couch and headed to the kitchen, beyond embarrassed. “I hope you’re enjoying yourself,” she squeaked. “Can I review your movies now?”

“You already did!” he gasped with laughter. “Oscar-worthy---- remember?” He was now doubled, practically hyperventilating. Embarrassed, Charlotte fumbled through the cabinets in search of a Twinkie, but couldn’t locate them. Now of all times to not be able to find a Twinkie…

“Charlotte, my dear, you are one naughty girl.”

Charlotte found the Twinkie box but couldn’t get it open. She heard David stand and walk over to her. “I need a cold shower!”

Charlotte ripped open the box and grabbed a snack cake, tearing into the cellophane wrap with her teeth. Her hands were shaking, and she felt like crawling in a hole.

“Hey, look at me,” David said as he tugged on Charlotte’s shoulder to get her to turn around and face him. Charlotte looked down, but David tilted her chin up and pulled her face toward his. “You are a damn fine writer. I read up on you, and you’re well loved by your readers. You should be proud of that.”

Charlotte sighed, still flustered over her sensitivity about her vocation. “I don’t write great American novels, but they pay the bills.” Charlotte felt the beginning of a tear rim one eye and looked up at the ceiling, hoping she could make it glide back to where it came from. David’s proximity wasn’t helping her frazzled state. He broke away from her and leaned against the counter.

“When did you write your first book?”

Charlotte sat down at the kitchen table, where David joined her. “Twenty-two; I was lucky and got published my first time out of the gate.”

“Twenty-two?” he yelped. “You could write that steamy stuff at twenty-two?”

Charlotte shrugged and shoved a finger into the squishy white cream of her Twinkie. “My mother always told me I had an active imagination. All I did was use it for good, not evil.”

David put his chin in his hand. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about Charlotte. I’ll give you this; you’re good with the written word... You ever thought about screenwriting?”

Charlotte shook her head.

”You might do okay. Of course, the suits would have to tone it down though, unless you don’t object to an X rating.”

Charlotte shot daggers in David’s direction, and he put his hand on her arm to calm her down. “Alright, alright; no more teasing.” He stared at her, a serious look on his face.

“Friends do tease each other though, Charlotte, and I consider you a friend.”

Charlotte’s tension slid away and she felt her breath release. She placed her hand over his, and the two gazed at each other for a moment before Charlotte cleared her throat and polished off the last of the Twinkie.

“Well, I’m glad you think of me as a friend. Now be my best friend and make me a drink.”

“More wine?”

“Ugh, no. No wine for a few days. Actually, my drink of choice is a Cape Cod.”

David crinkled his nose. “What’s that?”

“Vodka and cranberry juice with a twist of lime and lots of ice.”

David nodded and stood. “I think I can manage that.”

“Thanks.”

Charlotte stared out the window while she waited for David to finish making them drinks. He set one down in front of her and waited for her to try it.

“Does it pass inspection?”

Charlotte took a huge gulp and her eyes grew wide. “Whoa! Little on the strong side.” She coughed and plunked the glass down on the table. “Trying to get me drunk, huh?”

David frowned and picked up the glass. “Let me sip.” He took a swig and nearly choked. “Wow. Sorry. I don’t make my own very often; I am obviously not good at it.”

She took both their glasses. “Or too good at it,” she said as she went to the fridge to add a

little more ice and cranberry juice.

“You know, all the sex aside,
Cabo Nights
is a beautiful story. I’m rather looking forward to reading the next one. What a tragic ending though. Why do all the good love stories have to have such sad endings?”

Charlotte smiled a little, secretly pleased he enjoyed her book. She rejoined him at the table. “Not all of them do,” she said as she took a sip of her new drink and nodded her approval.

David looked at his watch. “So we’ve got about an hour before dinner. How about a game of cards?”

Charlotte ran her fingertip along the rim of her glass. “Can I ask you a question?”

”Do you think it will take an hour?”

Charlotte chuckled and shook her head. “No. I was just wondering. Where do you live? Do you have a house or homes? I guess, what I mean is, is there a place you call home?”

“Well, I don’t really have a home.” He leaned back and drained his drink. “I rented a beach house in L.A. for about a year while I was filming a movie. I haven’t had the time to really shop for a home, and honestly I don’t know where I would look.” David stood to make himself a fresh drink. “I split my time pretty evenly between L.A. and New York, with lots of storage units in between.” He sat back down at the table. “You mentioned L.A. earlier. Where in L.A. are you?”