Meeting Mr Write: Mr Write Trilogy Book One (7 page)

We played, and ate lunch with the children. Read stories, painted pictures and watched, as Jackson handed out toys and treats from the duffle bag. He’s a regular Santa Claus.

I’m sitting on the floor with two young twin girls. Jean tells me that they have just turned three. They’re playing with the Barbie dolls that Jackson has just given to them and it strikes me that, regardless of the differences in our lives, they’re doing exactly the same as I was doing at that age. I watch them lost in their own little world, and feel calmer than I have in a long while.

Jackson surprises me, leaning down from behind me and softly whispering in my ear, so that he doesn’t disturb the twins. His breath on my skin raises goose bumps all over my body.

“I want to show you something, come on.”

He holds out his hand to help me up, but doesn’t let go as he leads me into a room to the left of the garden. There’s a charge between us that I can’t deny, but he scares me, I know it’s going to end in tears.

We enter the room and I notice that there are six cribs lined up against the back wall. An older Thai lady is sitting in a rocking chair at the opposite end to where we stand, feeding a young baby, she smiles at us as we walk further into the room. Jackson leads me by the hand that he is still holding and takes me over to the cribs.

“They’re so young.” I gasp.

I love babies, I always have. I feel so sad that these young lives are starting here, without family. Then I remember what Jackson said, this place offers a better chance at a good life. I smile as a baby girl wraps her tiny hand around my finger, Jackson has let go of my hand and is now standing at the next crib. He leans in and picks up a young baby boy, who can’t be more than a few days old.

“You look like you’ve done that before.”

I am surprised, pleasantly. Men are normally terrified of new born babies.

“I told you, I love kids.” He is cradling the boy and rocking him back and forth. My ovaries ache!

“Do you have any?” Oh Rosie! I mentally scold myself…Why the hell did I say that?

“No Rosie, I’m always careful. I love kids, but I’m not Dad material.”

He looks almost disappointed as he looks down at the tiny baby in his arms. I pick up the girl and mirror him. We stand for a while, quiet but for the creak of the rocking chair.

The snap of Pippa’s camera pulls me from my peaceful daze; I hadn’t even heard her come in. She’s in photographer mode, serious and determined. She is as maternal as me and I can see that she is passionate about the images that she is capturing here. Jackson lays the boy down and I follow suit with the girl. He smiles at the lady in the chair and leaves the room. Pippa looks at me and shrugs her shoulders before we both follow Jackson out into the garden.

While Jackson says his goodbyes to Jean and the children, Pippa, Steve and I wait in the car.

“Well, that was weird. First he seems over the moon to be around the kids and then when I took that photo of him with the baby, his mood completely changed!” Pippa is worried that she’s upset Jackson in some way.

Steve looks at Pippa in the rear view mirror, “Don’t worry about it gorgeous. JJ isn’t the hard man he likes to pretend he is and you saw a glimpse of that, he just probably feels a bit vulnerable.”

Jackson gets into the car and turns around to smile at me.
It’s an embarrassed smile, rather than his usual grin, but it’s a smile nonetheless. I return the gesture.

On the way back to Ao Nang, Jackson asks Steve to drop us at the beach to watch the sunset. Pippa has made plans so wants to go back to the hotel, but I decide to go with Jackson. I am so intrigued by the difference in him today.

We walk peacefully along the beach and stop in a quiet spot. Jackson sits and pats the sand for me to sit next to him,

“Thank you, today was really lovely.” I say as I look out to sea.

“I love that place, it reminds me how small the world really is.” He looks blankly ahead as he says the words.

“Jackson, you’re a natural with children…Why don’t you want to be a Dad?” He glances towards me,

“I just don’t want children, I don’t want a family. I told you Rosie, I don’t do commitment.”

“At some point though, you might change your mind. You’re young, free and single now but…”

“Stop pushing this Rosie!” He interrupts abruptly.

“…but, don’t you want someone to grow old with?” I ask quietly, knowing that I’m pushing my luck.

He stands quickly, brushing the sand off his hands and looking at me, his eyes look cold, angry.

“Why are you saying that? What did Steve say to you?”

He’s almost shouting down at me like I’ve accused him of murder, or something equally as terrible. I’m so confused. What does Steve know that could have made me ask that?

“What? Nothing, I don’t know...” I look up at him, desperate for him to calm down, not sure what I’ve said to offend him so much.

“No Rosie!” He snaps, “I don’t want someone to grow old with. If I’m alone I can’t hurt anyone, or get hurt. I don’t believe that there’s someone for everyone, and those that do are idiots!”

“So you’re calling me an idiot?” Offended, I stand and look into his eyes, I can’t figure out the emotion that I see in them.

“Yeah maybe I am. I mean, ‘your one, your only, your everything’ as you called him, left you standing there like a mug in a wedding dress!”

As the words leave his mouth he immediately looks like he regrets it but I am so angry. The sun is setting on a beautiful day and he’s being a complete prick and ruining it all. My mouth is open; shocked that he would use my heartbreak against me.

“How dare you Jackson!” I shake my head at him and walk away, leaving him standing alone on the sand,

“I’m sorry.” He says quietly.

I turn to face him but continue to walk backwards,

“Fuck you James, you’re out of order!” I turn around and pick up my pace, I am so angry.

“Rosie wait, please. I’m sorry, you’re right that was out of order.” He runs to catch me up and grabs my arm to stop me in my tracks.

“I don’t know why I thought you could be different Jackson. You’re fucking dead inside, I’m certain of it.” I’m standing directly in front of him, looking up into his eyes and he looks torn, like even he doesn’t know what he’s feeling.

“I’m just not the settling type Rosie. If you give all of yourself to someone, what’s left when they leave?” He smiles shyly as though he’s sure that he has it all figured out, but is embarrassed by it.

“What if they don’t leave?” I take a step back and he steps towards me, grabbing my wrists gently.

“Rosie, we’re in paradise. Let’s just enjoy this. Come and have a drink with me,” he pleads.

“Are you kidding Jackson? After what you just said, you’ve got no chance!” He places his hand in the small of my back and pulls me in close,

“Rosie, I apologise. Please let me make it up to you.” As he looks down into my eyes, the scent of his aftershave and the feel of his body pressed against mine make me consider it briefly.  Oh that bastard!  He really is bloody charming, but no way, what he said was really hurtful.

“No Jackson, I’m going to go. Enjoy your evening. Don’t follow me!”

I place my hands on his chest and push him away gently before walking away again.  He must realise that I’m serious because this time, he complies.

I’m angry and I’m upset, and I soon realise that I’m hungry. I head into the first restaurant that I see,

“Table for one.”

Eight

Jackson

“FUCK!”

I shout, standing alone on the beach.  How do I always manage to screw things up?

I’m standing here feeling like a complete moron. We had a brilliant day and I have to go and act like a complete dick and ruin it all. Rosie was right. I was completely out of order with what I said. It’s not her fault that some twat that she thought she could trust broke her heart, and she didn’t have to tell me about it, but she did, and I used it as some sort of weapon against her.

I need to find her and apologise. I call her, but her phone is switched off, so I leave a voicemail.

“Rosie, I know I’m a prick but I just want to apologise. I was bang out of order and I’m sorry. Call me, please.”

I walk up the sand and sit on the top step overlooking the beach, my mind is whirring. I don’t do commitment, I made that clear to her but she had to push me for a reason. I want to be angry at her, it’s none of her damn business…but I can’t. My outburst was far worse than her inquisitiveness and it’s me that I’m angry at.

I need a drink so I head towards Presley’s. I stop to cross the road and my attention is drawn to the red head, sitting alone at a small table at the front of a Chinese restaurant. I step inside and walk towards her.

“I’m sorry.” She looks up and me and I can’t tell if she’s upset, or angry, or both. “Rosie, I get defensive. People always joke about me being the perpetual bachelor and I laugh it off, but you were pushing and I don’t know, I just felt...” I shrug my shoulders; I don’t know what I felt.

“Like you needed to protect yourself?” She looks up at me with a straight face and her voice is monotone. I sit down opposite her and she shuffles as though she is not comfortable in my company.

“Look there’s something between us, I can’t deny that, but it freaks me out. I made my decision a long time ago that I wouldn’t ever settle down. And I have a great life. I travel the world and have had a lot of fun with a lot of beautiful women.”  She glares at me as if to say get to the point James! “I’m not ready for more Rosie, I just can’t do it.”

“Jackson, I didn’t ask you for more. I didn’t ask you for anything. You came on to me remember…you have made all of the moves. You made it clear where you stood on commitment and that was fine by me, to each their own Jackson. Just now, on the beach, I wasn’t asking you for more, I wasn’t asking for anything!”  Her voice is low and determined and I am embarrassed. She’s actually telling me off, in the middle of a Chinese restaurant.  “I was just making conversation based on what I saw today. For the record, I had already decided that nothing would happen between us, BECAUSE we want different things. You presume that because you’re gorgeous and charming, every woman that you meet will jump into your bed.”  I know that I shouldn’t but I can’t help but smile, she glares at me again.  “Why the fuck are you smiling?” She looks confused.

“You think I’m gorgeous and charming?” I grin,

“Oh my god!” She stands to leave, “You’re unbelievable.” She shakes her head.

“Rosie wait, please it was a joke!”

“You think everything is a joke Jackson, but I’m not. I won’t be made a fool of again, you’re not worth it.” She walks away; she’s really making a habit of this.

“Rosie, please.” I call after her and she stops but doesn’t face me. “Just have a drink with me, just one drink. Let me explain and apologise, and then if you still think I’m a dick, I’ll take you back to your hotel and you won’t hear from me again.” She turns and looks at me and blows out a deep breath.

“One drink…ONE!” She’s holding up one finger just to be clear.

“Ok.”

I smile as I call a tuk tuk over. If I only have one drink to impress her, I’m going to need the help of my view...

***

Rosie

Jackson leads me into the back of a tuk tuk and I sit, I’m so confused. He infuriates me so much but I can’t say no for some reason. This is just like me. I always fall for the wrong ones and end up getting hurt.

“You ok?” He asks on the way back to his hotel. His voice is quieter than usual, I can tell that he doesn’t know how this is going to go, neither do I.

“Not really, you’re so frustrating.” I look at him and he looks down “One minute you’re charming, then you’re arrogant, then you’re some sort of saint and then you’re a complete pig!” He looks at me and half smiles.

“I’m just not the settling down type Rosie. It doesn’t mean that I have no heart, or that I want to leave a trail of broken ones behind me. I just…” He exhales and leans his head back. “I don’t want to give my world to someone, and then lose them.”  He looks down to his hands, wringed together in his lap. “My parents were so in love Rosie, and so happy. They wanted nothing more than to raise their family and grow old together, but she’s gone now and he’s on his own.”

Wow, I didn’t expect this. “I’m sorry, but not every relationship breaks down Jackson.” I feel sympathy for him, but surely a man like him has seen enough of the world to know that everyone is different.

“It didn’t break down Rosie, she died!” He looks at me and just as quickly looks away again, “My Mum had cancer and it took her away from us before she was even fifty.”

I’m shocked, I feel guilty for the unkind thoughts that crossed my mind when he said she had gone.

“Jackson, I’m sorry.” There’s nothing more to say.

The tuk tuk comes to a stop. Jackson pays and takes my hand to help me out and lead me into the hotel. There’s a definite charge between us and I fear it may me to strong for me to resist.

The night receptionist smiles brightly, and wais as we walk through the lobby. I can’t help but wonder how many girls he has seen heading up to Mr James’ room.

Jackson’s penthouse is amazing. It has a view to die for and it is huge. He has a bar, a flat screen TV, and even a plunge pool…in his room!
 

There is a seating area near the balcony doors, cream leather sofas and a frosted glass and chrome coffee table in the middle.

“What can I get you?” Jackson is walking towards the bar.

“I’ll have a beer please, if you have any?” I decide to head for the balcony, “Do you mind if I go out?” I call over to him.

“No, of course not.”

I open the doors and admire the view; it’s quite simply stunning. I stand in the warm air looking out over the panorama and I am anxious, I shouldn’t be here. We want different things.  It will end in tears, my tears.

“Here,” Jackson joins me on the balcony with two bottles of cold Chang beer. “Look, I don’t know why the flood gates opened back there. You’re the first girl that’s ever really questioned the way I live, and it kind of messes with my head.”

I take the beer and sip.
 It’s just what I need right now.

“I’m sorry that I made you feel uncomfortable.”

“No please, don’t apologise. I need to be put in my place every now and again. Besides, it was sort of nice to admit that I’m kind of fucked up.”

I smile. Maybe we’ve had a breakthrough.

We stand in silence for a few moments, before Jackson walks back into the suite and sits on of the sofas.

“So Rosetta Penelope Alvez, there’s something that I wanted to ask you?”

“How the hell do you know my full name?” I smile. The sound of him using my full name makes me giddy, (yeah I said giddy!) Jackson points to the coffee table and I see my book. “You read my book?” I’m a little taken aback and then something clicks. “My one, my only, my everything…” I almost whisper as I nod and look down, realising where he had found those words that he used so venomously against me, only an hour ago. I shake it off. ‘
Give him the chance to apologise Rosie!
’

“I did. I actually enjoyed it, much to my surprise. As I’m sure you can believe, romance novels aren’t really my thing.” He grins, that grin “What I want to talk about though, is the sex!”

I look up at him, “What?”

“Well, the book is…well it’s kind of kinky Rosie! It’s quite hot to be honest.” He raises his eyebrow and looks at me, surprised. “Where did you get your
inspiration for that? I don’t imagine the sex life of an accountant to involve much role play and bondage.”

I smile and sit at the opposite end of the sofa to him.

“Oh, you’d be surprised Mr James!” No way am I admitting that most of it came from Pippa, I’ll let him think what he likes.

“Surprise me then!”

He slides towards me on the sofa and my heart leaps into my throat. He takes the bottle from my hand and puts it down on the table before standing and holding out his hand to me. I take it. I’m totally under his spell.

Jackson leads me towards the bedroom and turns to face me.

“You’re beautiful Rosetta, do you know that?”

Oh gosh, this is really happening!

I look down and smile, Jackson puts his hand under my chin and lifts it so that we’re gazing into each other’s eyes, he pulls me close and kisses me. There is so much chemistry between us that I feel like my knees will give way beneath me, I put my hands on Jackson’s chest and push him back, I need to get my breath.

“Jackson wait, I need a drink.” He looks surprised and a little confused but he smiles,

“Ok, you stay here, I’ll be back.” He backs away, keeping eye contact until it’s no longer possible. I take some deep breaths, this is really happening…

I sit on the edge of Jackson’s huge bed and try to get my head straight. If I do this, there is a good chance that I will get hurt, but if I don’t I’m always going to wonder what might have been.

He’s taking forever and the time to think is making me more nervous. Where is he? I wonder if I have scared him off, but just then he walks into the room with a tray, grinning from ear to ear.

“Tequila? Really?” I smile at him.

“What?” He shrugs “I like the effect it has on you.”

He winks and walks towards the bed, placing the tray in the middle and patting the mattress for me to sit.

“Ok Miss Alvez, let’s play a game.”

I sit cross legged on the bed and he is opposite mirroring me. He leans down to his bag at the side of the bed, and pulls out a pen and some Post It notes.

“We each write the name of a famous person and stick in on the other’s forehead. We take it in turns to ask a question to figure out who is on our head. We can only ask yes or no questions. If you ask anything else, you drink one finger. If you have an incorrect guess, you drink one shot, if you can’t get the person in five guesses, you drink two shots. Ok?”

I nod, he pours.

***

“Am I Mother Theresa?” I ask,

“No!” He smiles, “Drink.”

“Marie Curie?”

He laughs, “No, drink.”

“Oh god Jackson, I am too fuzzy to think straight…erm Florence Nightingale?

“Sorry Alvez, drink!”

We’ve been playing for about forty minutes and I’ve had so much fun. Watching each other slowly becoming more and more drunk, as we try and guess who is on the Post It is so funny. Watching Jackson’s frustration at not being able to figure out that he is currently Britney Spears is hilarious.

“Ok, ok I quit. I can’t think of my own name let alone someone else’s!”

He takes the Post It from his forehead and looks at it, he laughs and so do I. I flop down on the bed and Jackson moves the tray to the side table.

He looks at me and I inhale sharply, nervously. I can’t put this off any longer. The room is spinning but I can see Jackson clearly. He climbs back onto the bed beside me and brushes the hair from my face.

He is leaning up on his elbow next to me. He strokes his fingers down my face and across my lips. He is watching me like he’s drinking me in. My breathing is shallow as I try to contain myself.

“You’re gorgeous Rosie, I want you so much.”

He leans down and kisses me and I close my eyes. The mix of the alcohol and the hormones rushing through my bloodstream cause my head to spin. I push him back and sit up.

“Rosie, don’t keep pushing me away!”

I turn my head to look at him and smile, he comes in again for a kiss, but we clash teeth and I pull away shocked. Jackson is mortified and I burst out laughing. I push him back onto the bed and lean over him,

“I like my smile James, and I’d like to keep my teeth, so I think I’d better take control!”

Jackson smiles and I lean down to kiss him. I hook my right leg over his and he runs his hand up the back of my thigh. Before I know it, he pushes me over onto my back and he’s on top of me, kissing me and running his hand up and down my side.

We’re both drunk and clumsy. He places his hands at the side of my head so that he can push himself up,

“Ahh!” He pulls my hair by accident and I yelp,

“Shit, Rosie, I’m sorry!” He sits back on his heels so that he’s kneeling between my legs and laughs, shaking his head. “I’m normally a lot smoother than this you know.”

I grin and pull at his shirt so that he is on top of me again, we’re frenzied. He pushes against me while his tongue explores mine and I can feel that he’s hard, the thought of him inside me floods my mind and makes me crazy for him. I pull him to me even closer. Jackson pushes my top up and one side of my triangle bikini aside. The feeling is electric as he stops kissing me and takes my nipple into his mouth, I can’t help but moan and arch my back. I want more. The room is still spinning and my breathing is shallow and fast.