11. Ana
11
Ana
T hree days. That’s all it took for the world to know that Charlie and I were together. There wasn’t any official confirmation, but you could tell—you could see it in the photos, in the way we walked together, closely and intimately. The way his hand rested on my back, the way we leaned into each other, almost unconsciously. It was all there, plain as day, for anyone looking closely enough.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Part of me wanted to crawl back into my safe, private bubble, but the other part…the other part liked it. I liked being seen with him even if I wasn’t ready to admit that yet. He was so goddamn handsome, and we looked so good together. You couldn’t even tell there was a twelve-year age difference, not that it mattered. None of it mattered anymore.
I realized that I didn’t care if he was too much, if he was overwhelming. The truth was, it was beyond my control now. The way he looked at me, the way he held onto me, I was drawn to it, to him . And now I realized I didn’t want to let go. I was finally giving in, no longer resisting. I craved his unwavering obsession with me, the way he reassured me over and over again that he was in love with me. It wasn’t just about the way he touched me or the way he looked at me like I was his entire world. It was the way he made me feel seen and wanted. His devotion was intoxicating, and no matter how complicated it made things, I couldn’t resist it.
But even with those pictures out, I didn’t want to leave the bubble we created in my apartment. He hadn’t left since he arrived days ago; he had someone deliver clothes and everything else he needed. I didn’t bother telling him he could leave, that he could go get what he wanted and come back, because I knew he’d refuse. He clung to me for dear life, and deep down, I liked it. The way he stayed, refusing to be anywhere else, filled me with a strange sense of comfort.
When Sloane called to say she and Callan would be in town for the weekend, panic set in. The bubble I had built with Charlie felt fragile, ready to burst. I hadn’t prepared for anyone, especially my daughter, to witness what was happening between us. I raised her to be self-sufficient, to rely on no one for happiness, to stand strong on her own. And here I was, wrapped up in someone else, the complete opposite of everything I taught her. The thought of Sloane seeing me like this…it terrified me in so many ways.
When the news first broke, Sloane had called, teasing me in that way only she could.
“So, Mom.” She laughed. “I thought I’d be the first to know if this turned into something!”
I brushed it off at the time, but now, with their visit looming, reality was sinking in. How was I supposed to explain this…whatever this was?
Charlie didn’t seem excited when he learned about their visit, even though he didn’t say anything outright. His face fell just a bit, the usual easygoing attitude slipping away for a moment. I could tell he wasn’t thrilled about the idea of us having company and the thought worried me. Was he trying to keep me only to himself? Did he want me to block out the rest of the world for him? The questions raced in my mind and I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that maybe this was more than just discomfort about my daughter’s visit, about meeting her for the first time. Was he trying to pull me further into this bubble we had created, away from everyone else?
As much as I craved his obsession, the thought of him isolating us left a pit in my stomach. I had to figure out how to balance this, how to keep a hold of my own life, without losing myself entirely in him.
And then I thought of something, a way to keep control of this situation. I would use my hold over him. The way he needed my attention and approval—I’d use it to my advantage. He was always desperate to prove himself, to make sure I was happy, and now I’d turn that desperation into leverage.
I told him, carefully, as if I were revealing a vulnerable truth. “I’m afraid of losing my daughter’s respect if she knew how much I needed you.” The words came out soft, but I knew exactly what I was doing. I could see the way his face softened, his protectiveness flaring up instantly.
He wanted to reassure me, to prove that he could be what I needed. And I knew I had him.
It didn’t feel good manipulating him. The guilt of it sat heavy in my chest, but I needed to know that I still had control, some semblance of power in all this chaos. I needed to remind myself that I had a say in this, even though I knew better.
He was already so wrapped up in me, so eager to please, that it almost felt too easy to pull the strings. But still, I hated that I was doing it. I hated that I was using his need for my attention to steer things in my favor. And I hated that I had to do it in the first place. It was alarming, but as always, I pushed that aside.
I told myself it was necessary, that it was the only way to keep things from spiraling. I needed to make sure I didn’t lose myself entirely in him. It wasn’t just about controlling him —it was about controlling myself . It was about staying true to who I was, even as I felt myself slipping deeper into this strange, intoxicating world.
* * *
Charlie stood behind me in the kitchen, his hands wrapped around my waist as I prepared snacks for everyone. He seemed to savor every second of our closeness, like he was storing up all the affection he could before Sloane and Callan showed up.
I smiled when I heard the rapid tapping on the front door. As nervous as I was about having Charlie here during their visit, the excitement of seeing my daughter outweighed it. When Charlie slipped his hands from around me and stepped back, it almost felt like we’d been caught.
“I promise I’ll be good, mi diosa ,” he said with a playful smile, like the secret we shared was an exciting game to him. And if I was honest, it thrilled me too; no one knew just how deep our connection ran, and that secrecy only heightened the excitement.
“I know you will be,” I teased, giving him a quick kiss. I knew it was just enough to reassure him.
I made my way to the door, my heart full as I saw Callan and Sloane standing there. Sloane’s eyes gleamed with excitement and Callan seemed content, his arm wrapped around her waist.
“Mom,” Sloane greeted, flashing me a knowing smile before glancing past my shoulder, no doubt searching for Charlie.
“Hi, baby,” I said, widening my arms and melting into her embrace as she stepped forward.
After Sloane let go, I turned to Callan, hugging him warmly. A part of me wondered if Charlie would be jealous. I pushed the thought aside, because if that happened to be true, that would be an even bigger problem than I was ready to handle.
As I pulled away, I noticed Sloane already making her way over to Charlie, greeting him easily. Callan closed the door behind them as I followed, my heart already racing. I hated not knowing how this interaction would go.
“So nice to finally meet you, Sloane,” Charlie said, his dimpled grin sending familiar flutters through me. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” He glanced at me briefly, his gaze lingering just a moment before turning back to her.
“And I’ve heard plenty about you, Charlie,” Sloane teased, reaching for Callan’s hand.
Callan, setting their bags down, gave Charlie a friendly tap on the shoulder. “Good to see you, man.”
Charlie, as if on instinct, searched for my hand as I moved to stand beside him. And without thinking, I did the same, feeling his presence like a tether. My fingers wrapped around his, gripping tightly, and the familiar comfort settled over me. I couldn’t deny how much I needed that closeness too, especially in this moment.
I caught the briefest flicker of a smile on Charlie’s face as he squeezed my hand. For a second, I worried it might be too much, but Sloane seemed unfazed as she and Callan walked further into the living room.
“More plants, Mom? You’re worse than me now,” Sloane teased, eyeing the new plant Charlie brought me.
I laughed, shrugging lightly. “Blame Charlie. He got me that one,” I said, glancing at him with a playful smile.
Charlie chuckled softly, giving me a sideways glance. “What can I say? Gift giving is my love language,” he said, but his smile quickly faded, as if he’d said something wrong.
But I didn’t mind. In fact, I only wanted more of him—more of these little moments where he revealed pieces of himself so openly, despite my nervousness of this visit.
“Yeah? What’s yours then, Mom?” Sloane asked, her eyebrows raised, completely unfazed by the question.
Before I could answer, Charlie beat me to it, his voice low and sure. “Physical touch,” he said, his gaze still on me, a playful smile lingering on his lips as he bit down on his bottom one slightly.
My breath hitched for a moment. I glanced at Sloane, wondering if she noticed the true meaning behind his words.
“Gross,” Sloane said sarcastically as she turned and made her way towards the terrace. “What’s for dinner?”
Callan leaned casually against the couch with his arms crossed, his gaze following Sloane before shifting back to Charlie and me. He watched us observantly, though I barely noticed as Charlie’s hand slid down my arm.
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “Speaking of physical touch…” he whispered, his lips brushing just near my ear, sending goosebumps over my flesh. His thumb traced small patterns on my skin, the meaning behind his words clear.
A flush crept up my neck, but before I could respond, I felt Callan’s eyes still on us. I glanced up, catching the slight tension in his jaw. He definitely heard that. So what? His expression stayed neutral but the concern was there, unspoken but obvious to me.
Charlie didn’t seem to notice or care that Callan had picked up on the subtle, sexual exchange. He just kept his gaze on me, a slow smile forming as his fingers lingered.
Then I wondered if he was silently staking his claim, as if he would have to do that in front of Callan, my daughter’s fiance. Did his jealousy run that deep?
Callan, quiet but clearly uneasy, pushed off the couch and glanced towards the terrace. “I’ll go see what Sloane’s up to,” he said casually, but the tension in his voice gave him away.
I didn’t know what it was, but I knew Callan was thinking something, and he was going to let me know what it was, whether I wanted to hear it or not.
* * *
Dinner had gone smoothly, the conversation flowing easily enough between the four of us. But even as we ate, I couldn’t shake the tension from Callan from earlier. He had been quieter than usual, his focus drifting between Charlie and me, like he was working something out in his head.
After dinner we sat on the terrace, mingling amongst ourselves. When Sloane excused herself to take a phone call and Charlie went to grab something from the kitchen, Callan glanced at me. His demeanor had shifted from relaxed to something more serious, his arms crossed, as if he was guarding himself for what he was about to say.
“Ana,” he started, keeping his voice low. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you…about Charlie.”
My heart skipped a beat, but I tried to remain calm. “What do you mean?”
He hesitated, glancing towards the kitchen to make sure Charlie wasn’t nearby. “Look, I didn’t want to say anything before, but I’ve heard some things about him. Stuff that’s…unsettling.”
I furrowed my brow, feeling my stomach drop. “What do you mean?”
He sighed, lowering his voice even more. “Back when he dated someone a few years ago, that one actress, I heard he got…possessive. Really fucking intense. People talked about how he wouldn’t let her go anywhere without him, how he was always checking up on her.” His eyes darkened, concern clear on his face. “And when she broke up with him…apparently, he didn’t take it well. Tried to hurt himself. Some people said it was a cry for attention, others said it was serious. But…I thought you should know.”
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”
Callan shook his head. “After Sloane told me about his history, I looked into it. I wasn’t sure if it was true. People talk, you know? But seeing him today, I don’t know, Ana. He seems…”
“Intense?” I finished for him, my voice quiet.
Callan nodded. “I get that you care about him, but I’ve seen this before. I’ve seen guys like this get worse. Just…be careful. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
I nodded, a strange feeling creeping over me. The red flags were there, screaming at me to run. But I ignored them, clutching red flags of my own.
* * *
When Sloane and Callan settled into the guest room later, I couldn’t shake the conversation with Callan from my mind. His words kept echoing in my head, and no matter how hard I tried to ignore them, the weight of it all kept pressing down on me. I knew I couldn’t let it go.
Charlie must’ve sensed it too. He’d been watching me closely all evening, probably waiting for me to say something. Finally, when it was just the two of us in my room, he broke the silence.
“Ana, what’s going on? You’ve been quiet…more quiet than usual.” He pulled his shirt off over his head and I caught myself staring.
I swallowed, my heart racing. “Callan said something earlier…”
He froze, already defensive. “What did he say?”
I hesitated but I couldn’t keep it in any longer. “He was concerned after he heard some…stuff. He said you were possessive with your ex. That you wouldn’t let her have any space. And when she broke up with you…you tried to hurt yourself.”
Charlie’s face went pale and I knew right then that it was true. He didn’t even try to deny it. He sat at the edge of the bed and shook his head. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “That was a long time ago, Ana. I was in a really bad place.”
I shook my head, feeling the anger rise inside me. “You told me you were never like this with anyone else. You said it was different with me. That I was the only one you’ve ever been—”
His eyes flickered with confusion and hurt. “It is different with you. It wasn’t like that with her.”
I scoffed, jealousy rising within me again. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. I keep hearing that you’ve been crazy about these other women. And now suddenly I’m the only one you’re like this with?” I hated every word coming out of my mouth but I couldn’t stop them.
Charlie stood up and stepped towards me, his voice low. “No, Ana, you don’t understand. It’s not the same. What I feel for you…it’s deeper. Endless. I never felt this way with her.”
I shook my head, my heart pounding in my chest. “But you were still like that with her, Charlie. You said I was the only one. You lied .”
Charlie’s jaw clenched, his eyes pleading with me to understand. “I didn’t lie. It’s different with you, Ana—”
“Stop,” I interrupted. Tears stung the back of my eyes but I blinked them away. As much as I hated it, I was jealous—jealous that he’d been this way with someone else, and even I knew how crazy that sounded. I knew how toxic this thinking was, but it was there, gnawing at me.
“Ana, please,” Charlie’s voice softened, stepping closer. “I don’t want you to feel like this. What I feel for you is…it’s so much more. It scares me sometimes, how much I need you.”
I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to create some distance. “I know it’s not right to even think this way,” I admitted, my voice shaky. “But I can’t help it. You told me I was the only one and now I don’t know if I can believe anything you say.”
Everything I was saying felt so juvenile, so immature, but it was as if something else entirely took over me.
Charlie’s face fell and I saw the hurt in his eyes. “Ana, I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want to lose you. She’s been the furthest thing from my mind. Insignificant. What I feel for you…it’s so fucking different. It’s…it feels all-consuming.”
His words wrapped around me like a spell, intoxicating and magnetic, and I couldn’t pull away. Something inside me shifted—something dark and possessive. If he can be this way, why can’t I? I felt myself giving in. It was too late to turn back now. Because I loved him in a way that was not only deep—it was dangerous.
I didn’t just want him—I wanted to own him too. The thought was unsettling but thrilling.
“Maybe it’s not just you,” I said, my voice dropping. “Maybe it’s not just you that’s obsessive, Charlie. Maybe…I am too.”
Charlie’s eyes widened slightly, obviously caught off guard by the shift in my tone, and I saw the spark of excitement in his eyes. He was enjoying this. No, he was loving it.
“Ana…” His voice trembled slightly.
I pressed my body against his, my fingers tracing up his chest slowly. His breathing sped, his heart pounding beneath my touch as I leaned in to whisper against his ear. “You think I don’t feel the same? That I don’t think about how much I want you to need me, to crave me the way you do?”
Charlie let out a low, shaky breath, his hands instinctively pulling me closer. “Ana…fuck.”
“I want you to think about me constantly,” I continued, a rush of power surging through me. “I want you so obsessed with me that it drives you crazy. It drives you mad . Because I feel it too, Charlie. I don’t want you to ever leave. I want you right here, with me. Always.”
A low groan escaped his lips, his eyes darkening with lust as I spoke. “Fuck, mi diosa …I love this. I didn’t know you felt this way.”
I smiled, but I felt something dark, just like the pull I felt inside. “You didn’t think you were the only one who could be this way, did you?”
His eyes lit up with excitement, his breath growing heavier. “I love it,” he whispered, his voice thick with need. “I love it, Ana. I love you . It’s deeper than love. I want you to own me, possess me in every way.”
I reached up, gently cupping his face. “I’ll make sure of it, Charlie. I’ve never felt this way either. I’ve never been so desperate for someone before. So…so in love.”
His grip tightened on my hips desperately. “Fuck, mi diosa. You don’t know how much I needed to hear that.”
There was a deep ache in my chest, and I needed him more than ever. “You belong to me now. Just like I belong to you.”
Charlie groaned again, his hard cock pressing firmly against my body. “Yes,” he breathed, his lips brushing mine. “I’m yours, Ana. Completely. I love you, mi diosa .”
I could feel the heat between us, the way he responded to every word, every touch. It wasn’t just about his obsession anymore. Because now…it was mutual.