Meeting Mr Write: Mr Write Trilogy Book One (6 page)

Seven

Rosie

“Hello?” I answer the phone in the hotel room.

“Miss...A man in reception for you.” The English is broken but understandable, certainly better than my Thai.

“A man...
For me?”

“Yes Miss. You come down.” I think that was a question but it sounds like an order.

“Yes ok.”

Oh god…oh god! It’s him I know it.

He’s just the right amount of arrogant to turn up at my hotel. How on earth did he know I was staying here? Oh god…I look a bloody mess!

I do the best that I can in just less than ten minutes, and head down to the lobby. I have on a short sundress, I’ve pulled my hair into a high pony tail and quickly applied some mascara, Vaseline and blusher, and I’m done…I think!

“Mr James, are you stalking me?” I try to sound calm but then he smiles, making my stomach and everything below it clench delightfully.

“I bumped into Pippa, and she said you were all alone. I thought you could use some company, and maybe some more of that inspiration that I’m so good at delivering?” He twists his mouth to the side in a cocky display of self-confidence. It’s hot!

“Presumptuous as ever Jackson,” I roll my eyes playfully. “What did you have in mind?” I think I’m appearing calm on the outside, but inside I feel like I’m burning up.

“Dinner? Unless you’ve already eaten that is.” His head is tilted and he’s looking up at me, almost as though he’s actually concerned that I might say no.

“I haven’t.” I smile, and for the first time, I relax slightly in his company.

“Good,” he looks up and grins like the Cheshire cat “You look good enough to eat by the way.”

I gasp and blush. I didn’t expect that, and find myself unable to respond. I think I may be panting! Jackson holds out his arm in his best Mr Darcy impression. Somehow I doubt he’s much of a gentleman, the wild child in me hopes that he isn’t!

“This place does the best Thai food in Ao Nang Rosie! Have you had much Thai since you’ve been here?” He is looking at me. It’s a genuine soft look, like he’s really interested in getting to know me.

“Some. I’ve never really eaten Thai at home, so never know what to order, papaya salad maybe?” I tilt my head to the side and smile, he knows that I’m reading his book and he laughs,

“Indeed Rosie, indeed! Let me order for you, anything you don’t like? Allergies?”

“Nope. I’m good to go.” I smile and look up at him through my eyelashes,

“I hope so,”

Oh my, that grin! He is seriously hot, and he’s flirting with me!

I tell myself, ‘
Do it Alvez, just do it, you really bloody need it.’

When the waiter comes over, Jackson orders what sounds like an incredible amount of food, without even looking at the menu…in Thai. There’s no hesitation on the words or it seems, the pleasantries as the waiter laughs, and saunters off to prepare our order. Oh Mr James, you know full well that impressed me. He looks thoroughly pleased with himself.

“So, Rosie, how’s the book coming along?”

“It’s not really. I’ve just been just playing with some ideas. Still, the juices are flowing.” I smile and bite my lip. I notice Jackson’s lips part slightly. He swigs his beer, keeping eye contact with me. Am I actually flirting?

The waiter arrives with a number of dishes. Papaya salad, of course, grilled red snapper, Pad Thai, sticky rice and more. It’s all to die for! The fragrances of Thai food are completely intoxicating.

“Wow, Jackson, this is really impressive!” I’m genuinely excited at the prospect of trying all these new flavours, Jackson James included.

“Wait till you try it Miss Alvez!” His eyes flare briefly at me and we’re both clear that we’re not talking about food.

Who would have thought I’d have such a great evening with Jackson James for company? But the fact is, he’s nice, he really nice!

We even exchanged phone numbers. He paid for dinner and he made me laugh, he even listened to my sob story about Michael. Why I brought that up I don’t know, but he listened and sympathised.  As obnoxious as Jackson can be, he actually seems like a nice guy.

He stands and holds out his hand for me to take, which I do, happily, and we walk back towards my hotel. As we get closer the conversation dies out, I’m so nervous. Am I really doing this?

He comes in and leads me to the elevator, not saying a word. I press the button for the third floor and as the doors close he steps towards me, pressing me back against the side of the car. I put my hands on his stomach and through his shirt I can clearly feel the definition of his abs. I’m ready, so ready. I want this.

“I would do very, very bad things to you Rosie Alvez…”   His voice is breathy as he leans into me. His right hand is on the wall above my head as his left skirts down my hip to the bare skin of my thigh. He looks intensely into my eyes, oh wow! I tingle and I’m ready.  “…But not tonight.”

WHAT!?

The elevator doors open and he takes my hand once more, we walk towards my room. I’m confused, and from somewhere I find my voice,

“Are you sure you don’t want to come in?”

“Miss Alvez, if I come in you will get no sleep, and exhaustion is bad for writer’s block.”  He leans towards me again with a hunger in his eyes. I’m frozen against the door of my room. “Soon Rosie, very soon!”

He kisses me on my forehead and takes a breath in through is nose, I might pass out. Jackson turns and heads back towards the elevator and I’m done for, I’m horny as hell and he left me, standing there, wanting.

I’m frustrated, in more ways than one, as I get into my pyjamas and try to forget the chemistry between us. My phone sounds to alert me to a text message, it’s Jackson,

‘
Soon x’

I climb into bed and reach for my kindle, I try to read but my mind is whirring. All I see in my head is him, sexy, beautiful, dangerous, Jackson James.

I’m exhausted and need to sleep, so I pull the pillow over my head in an attempt to block out his heart-stopping, mind-meltingly beautiful face, his voice, his lips…

***

“Why are you alone?” I wake with a start at the screeching from my friend.

“What?” I reach for my phone, it’s five fifteen am, and Pippa is only just getting back.

“Rosie, spill! Jackson James, where is he? I told him you were here in the hope that he’d come and relieve some of your tension!” She has her hands on her hips and is disappointedly staring at me alone in bed.

“Oh, he did, well he came here and caused actually more tension…then he left!” I blush, “Nothing happened Pip.”

“Oh.” she’s pouting.

“Anyway did you have a good night?” I ask through a yawn,

“Hmm, yes, a very, very good night,” She salutes as though she is doing her bit for world peace. “I conquered Sweden!”

We laugh and she falls dramatically onto her bed, I roll onto my back and thoughts of Jackson creep back into my mind. I need him and I will have him. I’ve made my mind up.

I wake to the sound of the hotel room phone ringing. The shrill chime vibrates through me, making me jump up to answer it.

“Hello?” I look at my phone. It’s only seven twenty am.

“Miss, that man here again.” The receptionist from last night is still there,

“Ok.”

I hang up…Oh my god what is he doing here?

I jump up. Pippa is sleeping off last night’s activities and looking at her, I don’t imagine she’ll be going far today.

Right Alvez, let’s do this. I shower quickly then pull on a coral bikini, denim shorts and a vest. I pull my hair into a loose side ponytail, brush my teeth and head downstairs.

Standing in the lobby, Jackson looks delicious. He has on low hanging, beige linen shorts, a white shirt and sandals, hot!

“Wake up call Mr James?” I question with a confident smile,

“I’m going out for the day and thought you might like to join me. Where’s Pippa?”

“Asleep.”

“The Swedes?” He asks and laughs, I laugh too and roll my eyes, nodding. “I’ll grab a coffee while you go and wake her, she’ll enjoy this too. Tell her not to forget her camera.”

Oh, there was me thinking it would just be the two of us.

Slightly disappointed, I head back up to the room to wake Pippa. After a bit of persuading, she’s up and dressed and we head back down to the lobby.

There’s a car waiting, and Jackson opens the door so that Pippa and I can enter. Steve is at the wheel and Jackson climbs into the passenger seat. I am sitting behind Steve, and Pippa behind Jackson.

“Hey Steve, it’s good to see you again.” Pippa smiles genuinely.

“Hey Whitney, Mariah, hope you’re well?”

Steve smiles and starts the engine. Pippa giggles and I smile, looking out of the window. I’m a little embarrassed by my performance at the karaoke bar.

“So, come on then Jackson, spill. Where are we going that’s so great you made me sacrifice my catch up sleep?”

“Wait and see. You’ll get some great shots though sweetie I promise.” Jackson turns and smiles at me.

We drive for about forty minutes and then pull into a long bumpy driveway. In front of us is a building that looks like it has seen better days, its painted blue and green. There are rubber trees at the front and two dogs lazing in the sun.

“Jackson, we’ve missed you.” A small English lady walks out of the building towards us, arms stretched out, calling Jackson in for a hug as he climbs out of the car.

“Jean, it’s great to be back. These are my friends, Steve you’ve met. This gorgeous creature is Pippa, and this…” He pauses and smiles, “This is Rosie.”

Jean hugs us all in turn. I’d say she’s in her early fifties, she seems very nice but I still don’t know why we’re here. There’s a sign on the building but it’s in Thai.

“It’s lovely to have you all here. Come on in then, they’re waiting.”

Jean looks excited to have visitors. Jackson smiles and retrieves a duffle bag from the boot of the car.

“Come on in then, they’re waiting.” He repeats Jean’s words with a smile as he walks backwards towards the building before turning around and heading in, and we follow.

As we get closer to the door I hear the noise from inside, singing and children laughing. Jackson is smiling the most genuinely happy smile that I have seen from him and as we walk through the door, he laughs and sweeps the little girl running towards him up into his arms. Jean comes over to where Pippa and I are standing slightly confused.

“It’s a nursery. We take care of children whose parents are too poor to feed, clothe and educate them. Jackson is a great supporter.”

I’m shocked. I watch as Jackson goes to sit cross legged on the floor with more children, they seem to know him very well and he looks really happy.  Pippa is inspired and heads in to take some photos. Jackson beckons me to join him.

“They’re great aren’t they?” He smiles while a little girl sits in his lap with a book.

“They’re lovely Jackson. I have to say I’m surprised. You don’t strike me as the paternal type.” He looks at me confused, I regret that comment immediately.

“I love kids, and I’m in a position to help.”

“Do they live here?” I look around. There are maybe fifty children here, from babies up to about thirteen.

“Some do, mostly it’s just a place where their parents know they’ll get a good meal and be well cared for while they work.” He lifts the small girl from his lap and stands. “They have a few kids here who don’t have homes, mostly the babies.”

We walk over towards a door at the back of the room and out into a garden. There are more children out here and I am stunned. I’m saddened that so many families are so poor, that they have to send their children here, just so that they can eat. I feel tears prick my eyes and Jackson notices.

“Hey, Rosie, don’t. Look how happy they are.” He smiles.

“Yeah but Jackson, they have nothing. It just doesn’t seem fair.” I manage to hold back the tears but the lump in my throat is going nowhere.

“They have food and water, great families, and the staff here are brilliant. They have clothes and shoes and toys, and smiles on their faces. Where we’re born is the luck of the draw Rosie, but it’s down to people like us to do our bit and try to even it out.”

A boy of about five calls Jackson by name. He’s holding a football and obviously wants to play. Jackson walks over and takes the ball from the boy. He says something and points at me, the boy then runs and takes my hand, pulling me over to the grassed area where Jackson is already showing off his ball skills.

“You ready to play Alvez?” He throws me the ball like he’s throwing down the gauntlet.

“Ahh! You may regret that James!”

I happen to love a kick around. I just hope everything Rafe taught me is still in there somewhere.

“Oh, have some skills do we?” He winks and grins that grin.

“Of course…I’m Spanish!”

I shrug my shoulders and laugh, as we’re joined by Steve and even more children wanting to play.