22. Charlie
22
Charlie
M y desperation, my obsession with Ana seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.
I knew it was illogical to be jealous of everyone, of anyone, who had her attention. But I couldn’t stop it. Miles, the new bodyguard, Sloane, Callan, even her fucking publicist calling her—it all drove me insane. This relentless need to consume her, to keep her entirely to myself, plagued my every thought.
Even when I was inside her, it wasn’t enough. Even when I tasted her blood and she tasted mine, it only dulled the edge momentarily. But the anxiety bubbling in my stomach refused to subside. The fear that she’d leave, that she’d finally see too much of my darkness, gnawed at me. My perverted fantasies. My need to be controlled. The extreme lengths I’d gone to keep her safe.
She may have been right—there wasn’t any actual danger. But knowing that didn’t ease the growing anxiety inside me.
We hadn’t left the apartment in days, still recovering from the intensity of that night together. I was waiting, restless, for her to fulfill her promise to fuck me the way she said she would. I was ready to beg for it, to drop to my knees if that’s what it took.
And yet, the world outside was pulling at me. The tour loomed closer. It was just weeks until the first show at Madison Square Garden. Everyone was ready except for me. I didn’t want it. I didn’t want any of it. All I wanted was to stay here, in this apartment, keeping Ana close, filling her with every inch of me, drowning in her.
I could feel her walls breaking down, see her giving up all her preconceived hesitations. And while that pulled me closer, it also fed my obsession. I needed more. I needed to prove to her that I was the only one who could make her happy.
So I hired the guy who stalked Jake to stalk Callan. That wanker tried to rip us apart and I wasn’t going to let him get away with it. He was in Sloane’s ear, filling her head with shit that spilled over to Ana. I had to put a stop to it.
At first, there was nothing. Callan was clean, annoyingly so. Days passed with no results.
And then, finally…something.
I was sitting on the couch, mindlessly scrolling through my phone while Ana got ready for a Zoom meeting when the text came through.
Got something. Corner Chevron on La Brea and Beverly, near their house. Callan stops there every so often. Clerk remembers him. Said he bought a small bottle of vodka a few days ago. Paid cash.
Holy shit. A recovering alcoholic buying vodka? It wasn’t enough proof, but now we had somewhere to dig.
“I’ll just be an hour or so, baby,” Ana said, startling me as she appeared in the living room.
I looked up, locking my phone quickly, and gave her a smile as I stood, taking her hands in mine.
“You sure you don’t want me on my knees in front of you, pleasuring you while you try to keep your composure?” I teased, flashing the grin I knew she couldn’t resist.
She smiled, shaking her head with a soft laugh. “No, Charlie. I need to get things done. I haven’t worked in what feels like weeks,” she said, almost apologetically.
But my mind was already racing. Who would be on that Zoom meeting? Who would be talking to her when I wasn’t there to watch?
“Okay,” I said, keeping my voice light, though I wasn’t sure how well I hid the jealousy that began to simmer. “I’ll be here waiting.”
Her expression softened as she placed her hand on my cheek, her touch lingering. I turned into it, kissing her palm.
She hesitated before finally letting go and walking to the other room.
As she disappeared into her office, I sat back on the couch, my thoughts spinning between Callan’s secret and the idea of Ana on that Zoom call, laughing, talking, giving someone else her attention.
I was about to check my phone again when it buzzed in my hand. Reese .
I let out a sigh and answered. “What?”
“Good to hear your voice, too,” Reese said dryly. “Listen, we need to talk about the tour. You’re cutting it close, man. You’ve barely been responding to anything and the team’s starting to freak out.”
“I told you, I’m handling it,” I snapped, walking out to the terrace where the cool breeze bit my cheeks.
“Are you, though?” Reese pressed. “We’re weeks away from Madison Square Garden, Charlie. Weeks . You haven’t approved the final setlist, the lighting cues are still a mess, wardrobe is freaking out, and don’t even fucking get me started on the promo shoots you’ve skipped. People are noticing.”
“Reese, I said I’ll handle it,” I growled, though anxiety burst through my chest.
“Look, I know you’ve got…whatever’s going on,” Reese continued, hesitating. “But this is the biggest tour of your career. You can’t just ignore it because—”
“Because what?” I cut in sharply.
Reese sighed. “Because you’re holed up with Ana. I get it, man, but you’ve got responsibilities. People are counting on you. Just—try to keep your head in the game, okay?”
I clenched my jaw, ready to hurl my phone off the terrace. “I’ll call you later.”
“Charlie—”
I ended the call, walking back inside and tossing my phone onto the couch.
The irritation continued to grow. I knew Reese was right; I couldn’t ignore the tour forever.
I glanced towards her office door, the faint sound of her voice drifting through. My world had narrowed to her, and the idea of stepping outside of it, of focusing on anything else, sent a spike of dread through me. She was going with me, but it wouldn’t be just the two of us anymore.
I knew Reese wouldn’t let up, and the clock was ticking. I had to figure this out, because Ana was now my only priority.
* * *
I managed to get Ana and myself out of the apartment the next day for a meeting about the tour. The media hadn’t let up on our whirlwind romance, and there was always a camera or five waiting to catch a glimpse of us.
As we stepped onto the concrete, heading to the waiting car that Miles drove, someone snapped a picture. The click of the shutter sent a spike of irritation through me and I snapped.
“Get the fuck out of her face!” I barked as Ana slid into the backseat.
“Hey, man, I’m just doing my job!” the paparazzo shot back, unfazed.
“Yeah, fuck off,” I muttered under my breath, getting into the seat beside her and slamming the door harder than necessary.
“You’re so tense, baby,” Ana said softly, reaching over to take my hand.
“I’m just not looking forward to any of this,” I admitted, turning to meet her gaze.
“I know,” she said with a nod. She understood—I shared my anxiety about stepping outside our bubble. Though I knew she felt the same, she was the one pushing us along, being the more responsible of us two. “But I have a surprise for you when we get back home.”
She gave me a slow, teasing smile. I knew exactly what she meant.
“What is it?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart pounded wildly in my chest.
“You’ll have to wait and see,” she teased.
She’s going to fuck me. Fuck. Yes.
“Well, now I don’t want to go,” I said, grinning as I took her hand and pressed it against my instantly hard cock. “Let’s go back and you can show me.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “No. You have to get through your meeting and then you’ll be rewarded,” she said, her voice sultry and confident.
I let out an exaggerated groan, leaning back in the seat. “I’ve been waiting so long for this, mi diosa. And I’ve been so good,” I added with a grin.
“I know you have, mi vida. That’s what’s going to make it even better,” she replied, her smile promising everything I had been craving.
I could barely concentrate during the meeting. My thoughts were divided, torn between the anticipation of what awaited us back at the apartment and the simmering jealousy that flared when Ana left with Miles for “errands.” He was a tall, good-looking chap, and I didn’t want her seen with anyone but me.
The conference room buzzed with energy that felt stifling to me. A projector displayed a timeline for the tour—weeks of relentless shows, press, and travel—and yet, I could barely focus. My knee bounced under the table, my hands trembling as I counted the minutes until I could leave and get back to Ana.
“We’ll need to finalize the press strategy before rehearsals ramp up,” Reese said, glancing around the table. “There’s already a lot of media attention on the two of you, Charlie. We need to decide how much of that narrative we’re leaning into.”
I tensed, my gaze snapping to Reese. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means…” Reese continued carefully. “It means your relationship with Ana is dominating headlines. It’s not a bad thing—it’s keeping you relevant. But we need to control the story. Maybe let a photographer in for a staged shoot? A few well-timed comments in interviews?”
“No,” I said flatly.
Reese sighed. “Look, I’m not saying we exploit it, but the fans are eating this up. It’s good for ticket sales, for merch—”
“I said no.” My voice came out sharper and louder, making heads turn.
“Alright,” Reese relented, raising his hands defensively. “But that brings us to the next point: rehearsals. We’ve only got a couple of weeks before Madison Square Garden and we’re behind schedule. We need to hit the ground running, and that means full-day rehearsals starting tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there,” I muttered, already deciding Ana would be with me the entire time, even if it meant she just sat at the side of the stage—as long as she was there.
“Will you?” someone piped up from across the table. It was Trevor, one of the members of the band I had known for years but never truly liked. “Because you’re not very reliable lately.”
My eyes narrowed. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Trevor leaned back in his chair. “It means we’ve all been picking up the slack while you’ve been playing house with your hot cougar. We’re busting our asses to get ready for this tour and you’re too busy chasing Ana around to care.”
The room went silent, and I suddenly saw red.
“You don’t get to talk about her,” I growled, my voice low, feeling a burning rage.
Trevor shrugged, unfazed. “Just saying what everyone’s thinking.”
I shot up from my chair, the scrape of the legs against the floor echoing in the room. “Say one more word about her, and I swear to God—”
“Charlie,” Reese interrupted loudly. “Sit down, man.”
I stood there, chest heaving, ready to fight. My mind was already racing—Trevor’s words, the endless schedule, the thought of Ana with Miles somewhere outside this building. It was too much.
“Fine,” I spat, grabbing my phone off the table and heading for the door. “You want me at rehearsals? I’ll be there. But don’t anyone of you ever fucking bring her up again.”
Without waiting for a response, I stormed out of the room and immediately dialed Ana.
“Hi, baby. That was quick. I thought you’d be gone for a few hours,” she answered, her tone bubbly and light, a stark contrast to the anger brewing in me.
“I got out early. I need you, Ana. Where are you?” I muttered, the frustration still clear in my voice.
“I’m just out with Miles, running errands. We’re grabbing a few things for the apartment. Why? What’s wrong?” Her tone shifted, the concern creeping in.
I clenched my jaw. The thought of her with Miles only fueled the anger still pulsing from the meeting. “I don’t like that you’re with him,” I said, the words sharper than I meant them to be.
“Charlie…” she sighed softly, and I knew her patience was wearing thin. “We’ve talked about this. Miles is just doing his job. You trust me, don’t you?”
“It’s not you I don’t trust,” I shot back, pacing the floor outside the meeting. “It’s everyone else.”
“Baby,” she said gently, her voice soothing my nerves. “You have to stop this. You know I’m coming right back to you.”
“I know,” I muttered, exhaling a shaky breath. “It’s just…the meeting was shit. They’re all riding me about the tour.”
“Okay,” she said gently. “Meet me at the apartment? Or should we pick you up?”
The thought of her spending another second alone with Miles made my stomach churn. “Pick me up,” I said quickly.
“On our way,” she promised, and we hung up.
I shoved my phone into my pocket, trying to steady my breathing, but the sound of hurried footsteps snapped my attention back. Reese stormed out of the meeting room, his face full of frustration as he came down the hall towards me.
“Charlie!” he barked, his voice echoing in the hall. “What the fuck was that back there? You can’t keep walking out like this!”
I turned to face him, shaking my head. “I’m not doing this right now, Reese.”
“No, you are doing this right now,” he shot back sharply. “Do you even care about this tour? Because if you don’t, there are a hell of a lot of people wasting their time trying to make it happen.”
“I said, not now,” I growled, stepping closer, every nerve in my body on edge.
Reese didn’t even flinch. His arms crossed, his eyes full of disdain. “You think you can just coast on your name and your headlines with Ana? You’ve got a team depending on you. Grow up , man.”
The blood rushed to my ears, a low roar drowning out reason. I stalked forward, my voice dropping to a low rasp. “I told you to keep her name out of your fucking mouth.”
Reese smirked, taunting me. “God damn, Charlie. She’s got you so fucking whipped you can’t even focus on your career.”
My vision blurred with rage as I grabbed the front of his shirt, shoving him back against the wall. He was taller than me by a couple of inches, probably just as built, but I’d take the fucker on if he kept going.
“Don’t fucking test me, Reese!” I shouted, my voice echoing down the hallway.
Reese’s eyes widened briefly before he composed himself. “What are you gonna do, huh? Hit me? Fire me? Go ahead, Charlie. Burn it all down because you can’t keep it together.”
My grip tightened. “You think you can talk to me like this because we’re friends? Because I let you in? I’m the reason you have this fucking job, Reese. I can take it away just as easily.”
“You’ve lost it, man,” he said, his voice calmer now, more calculating. “You’re unraveling. You’re fucking unhinged and everyone sees it. You’re not even fighting for your music anymore. You’re just fighting for her, and it’s pathetic.”
I shoved him harder against the wall, my mind racing. “You don’t know shit. Don’t ever talk about her again. You got that?”
Reese’s expression was cold now. “Fine,” he muttered. “But you’re gonna wake up one day and realize you’ve got nothing left except that obsession of yours. And by then, it’ll be too late.”
I released him, stepping back as he straightened his shirt and glared at me. He didn’t say another word; he just shook his head and turned away, disappearing back into the meeting room.
My chest heaved as I ran a trembling hand through my hair. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I fumbled to pull it out, seeing Ana’s message.
We’re here.
I stormed towards the exit, the anger still boiling inside me. I was clinging onto the only thing keeping me from snapping entirely. Her .
* * *
I sat in the car, staring out the window, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. The tension in my chest wouldn’t ease, but I stayed quiet, afraid I’d burst if I let anything out.
By the time we walked into the apartment, the pressure had built to a breaking point. I walked in first, then turned around to face Ana, ready to unload everything—the meeting, Reese, my spiraling thoughts—but the words suddenly erased from my mind.
She stood by the door, her movements slow as her fingers were already undoing the buttons of her blouse.
“Stop thinking,” she said softly. Her blouse slid off her shoulders, pooling at her feet, exposing her full tits in a lacy push-up bra. “Turn off your brain, take off your clothes, and do as I say.”
The weight in my chest shifted, the frustration melting into pure desire. My heart raced as I stared at her, my thoughts colliding in a chaotic swirl. She knew exactly how to pull me out of the darkness and center my focus entirely on her.
Without a word, I reached for the bottom of my shirt, pulling it over my head. I quickly unbuttoned my jeans and thumbed them along with my boxer briefs, pulling them down in a rush, my hard cock bobbing out.
She eyed me up and down with a satisfied smile. “On your knees.”
I knelt in front of her as she started walking towards me, her presence commanding the room without a word. Her hand cupped my cheek as she gave me a small smile.
“You’re everything to me, Charlie Ashford. Do you know that?” she asked, her voice softer than I expected, momentarily pausing our play to check on me.
“Yes, mi diosa . You’re everything to me,” I breathed, staring up at her, lost in the confidence of her hazel eyes.
Her smile widened and her hand slid away from my face as she moved past me. The clink of her heeled boots echoed in the silence until her sultry voice filled the air. “Stay.”
I remained on my knees, straining to hear what she was doing behind me down the hall. The anticipation was unbearable, every second stretching longer than the last. My heartbeat hammered in my chest as I sat back on my heels, my hands twitching with the urge to touch myself, though I wouldn’t dare without her permission. My eyes landed on a framed picture on the shelf. It was a selfie I had taken of us on the terrace just a couple of weeks ago. She looked radiant in the photo, the very embodiment of everything beautiful and good.
With that thought, the dark spiral began. I don’t deserve her. When is she going to see that?
The sound of her boots returning pulled me back to the present and desire pulsed through me as I caught sight of her from the corner of my eye. My goddess stood there in a black harness, a strap-on dildo hanging in place. She held my collar and leash in her hands, her confidence radiating.
“Oh, fuck,” I murmured, my cock throbbing, my body aching for her.
I looked up into Ana’s eyes, catching the faint smile on her lips before my gaze trailed downward, lingering on her perfect tits spilling out of her bra. This was it—this moment I had fantasized about for years but never thought I’d be brave enough to ask for.
“Are you ready, baby? Are you ready for tu diosa to fuck you like you deserve?” she asked, her voice low and teasing.
“Yes, mi diosa . Please,” I begged, my voice almost shaking.
“Tell me what you want,” she demanded.
“I want you to fuck me,” I replied quickly, the words tumbling out in my desperation.
“How?” she pressed, her brow arching.
I hesitated. She knew exactly what I wanted, but saying it out loud felt like jumping off a cliff, thrilling and terrifying all at once.
“Speak, Charlie,” she repeated, her tone commanding yet still soft.
“I—I want you to fuck my ass, mi diosa . Please,” I said, my voice faltering.
She tilted her head, her brows pulling together, unsatisfied. My heart leapt into my stomach as I panicked, my need to please her overwhelming.
“I want you to fuck my ass, mi diosa ,” I repeated, this time with a tone lower and more certain. “Please.”
She crouched down, setting the leash and collar aside, her hand reaching for my cheek. “You can tell me to stop if you don’t want this, Charlie,” she said softly. “If it’s not the right time, just say the word. I won’t be upset.”
Her confidence wavered for the briefest moment and I shook my head quickly.
“No, please. I want this, Ana. More than anything,” I admitted, my breath shaky. “But I’m scared. I’m scared you won’t like it. I’m scared you’ll think less of me if I do.”
Her hazel eyes softened as she leaned in closer, both of her hands now softly cupping my cheeks. “Baby, you don’t have to hide that part of yourself. I want this too. Do you have any idea how fucking hot this all is?” she asked, a smirk tugging at her lips.
She was pulling me back out of my darkness and back into that deep desire. “Fuck, I do, Ana. Seeing you like this…” My gaze scanned over her body. “Please.”
Her smile widened as she stood gracefully, clasping the collar around my neck and attaching the leash. With a gentle tug, she guided me to crawl after her into our bedroom. The view of her perfect ass, swaying with each confident step, was something I’d never tire of.
Inside the room, she had prepared everything: a towel neatly laid out on the bed, lube, a butt plug, and a smaller dildo arranged meticulously. My heart raced at the sight, my body trembling with anticipation.
Ana turned to me, the leash wrapped loosely in her hand. She gave a soft pull, bringing me to the edge of the bed.
“On the bed, baby. All fours,” she commanded, her voice a perfect balance of softness and authority.
I obeyed without hesitation, positioning myself on my hands and knees. My heart pounded in my chest, my muscles taut as she circled me, her gaze heavy, inspecting me like I was her prized possession.
She stopped behind me and kneeled down, her warm hands trailing up the backs of my thighs, over my ass, and along my lower back. “You look so good like this,” she murmured. “So fucking good, Charlie.”
Her words alone nearly unraveled me, my cock throbbing painfully as I lowered myself onto my elbows, pressing my forehead against the bed. My body tensed when her hands spread me open, leaving me completely vulnerable.
“Relax, baby,” she whispered. “We’ll go slow.”
I nodded, too breathless to speak. I heard the sound of the lube bottle clicking open in the quiet room, and I imagined her spreading it across her fingers. My body tensed instinctively, but her hands returned as she began to massage the tight ring of muscle.
“Breathe, Charlie,” she whispered. “Let me in.”
I exhaled shakily, focusing on the warmth of her touch, on the trust I felt in every word she said. Slowly, I relaxed as she worked me open, one finger sliding inside. She paused, letting me adjust, before adding another. The initial discomfort eased, replaced by a slow, growing pleasure.
“That’s it,” she murmured. “You’re doing so well for me, mi amor. ”
Her praise melted me, a groan escaping me as my body surrendered completely. Pleasure began to coil in my stomach, my cock twitching beneath me.
“Ana, fuck,” I breathed, my voice strained. “That feels…”
“Good?” she asked, her fingers pressing against a spot that made my whole body jerk. “Like this?”
“Yes,” I gasped. “Just like that.”
She chuckled softly, her free hand trailing up my spine. “I knew you’d love this. You just needed to trust yourself. And me.”
“I do,” I whispered. “I trust you with everything.”
Her fingers withdrew, leaving me achingly empty. My breath hitched as I heard the faint sound of her adjusting the harness, the slick of more lube, and then the warm press of the dildo against me.
“Do you want this, Charlie?” she asked gently.
“Yes, mi diosa. Please,” I begged, pushing back slightly, desperate for more.
She took her time, easing the tip inside. I sucked in a sharp breath at the stretch, but her hands on my hips steadied me.
“Good boy,” she praised, her voice like velvet. “You’re doing so well.”
Her words sent a flood of pleasure through me, overwhelming any discomfort. I moaned, pushing back to take more of her, needing to feel her completely.
“That’s it,” she encouraged, sliding deeper. “Take all of me, Charlie.”
I obeyed, trembling as she filled me, her hands stroking my back and sides. She paused to let me adjust. “Ready for more, baby?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
She began to move, her thrusts slow, her hands never leaving me. Each movement sent waves of pleasure through my body, building into something I couldn’t control. She began a rhythm that left me gasping, moaning, completely at her mercy.
“You’re mine,” she growled, her tone turning possessive. “Say it.”
“I’m yours,” I choked out. “Completely yours, mi diosa. ”
Her pace quickened, each thrust driving me closer to the edge. I moaned, raw and guttural, unable to hold back. She was perfect. This was perfect.
“ Such a good fucking boy, Charlie,” she purred.
“Fuck, Ana,” I gasped. “I can’t—I need to come.”
“Not yet,” she ordered, pulling out slowly. I groaned at the loss, but she guided me to lie on my back. “I want to see your face when you come.”
I followed her command, spreading my legs wide as she repositioned herself. The sight of her, the way her tits bounced as she thrust into me, her lips parted in concentration, pushed me even closer.
“ Ay , dios mío, ” she moaned. “You look so fucking good, baby.” Her pace quickened and she moaned as if she were going to come soon. “Now, Charlie. Come for me now .”
Her command sent me over the edge. My release surged through me, intense and overwhelming, spilling onto my chest as Ana slowed her movements. Her own deep moans filled the room as she gripped my thighs tightly.
There was no fear, no shame. Only trust, satisfaction, and deep fucking pleasure.
“Good boy,” she murmured, leaning down to lick the cum off my chest, making my cock instantly hard again. “I’m going to take this off, and you’re going to fuck my ass now.”
Holy fucking shit.
“Yes, mi diosa. ”
* * *
As I lay content, holding my perfect, sleeping goddess after fucking her ass like a wild animal, the buzz of my phone pulled me out of the moment. I glanced at the screen and saw the number from the private investigator. Careful not to wake Ana, I reached for my phone.
Callan purchased a large bottle of whiskey with cash at 10:45 a.m. Witnessed drinking alone in his parked car at 1:15 p.m. in a parking garage. Photos attached for confirmation.
I couldn’t help but feel a rush of victory. I got you, fucker.