17. Ana
17
Ana
C harlie and I sat together in a sleek black car, inching forward through LA traffic towards the party venue just a couple of miles away. I thought back to the last time I was in a black car like this, waiting to step into the fashion gala where I first met him. So much had changed since then. Now, Miles wasn’t the one behind the wheel—Charlie had convinced me to leave him back in New York. I assumed Callan would manage security here, but Charlie had mentioned he didn’t want family and work to mix. I wondered if that was his true reason…or if he simply didn’t want Callan anywhere near us.
I was a bundle of nerves as we neared the event, a familiar unease about what awaited us inside. Who would be there? Would the relentless bursts of camera flashes follow us like before? Though I knew I’d have to adapt all over again, it wasn’t the kind of thing you ever really got used to.
The car finally came to a halt and Charlie turned towards me, gently squeezing my hand. In a dark green suit and T-shirt, paired with dark brown oxfords, he looked effortlessly cool—the quintessential rock star. His messy hair fell perfectly, and the dimpled smile he gave me set off an inevitable flutter inside me.
“Are you ready, my love?” he asked, his voice soft yet confident. I loved that he knew exactly when to take charge, giving me the confidence I needed most in these moments.
I nodded, taking a steadying breath. “Yes.”
The car door swung open and a barrage of flashes erupted, instantly blinding me. Voices shouted my name and Charlie’s, blending into a chaotic, almost threatening roar. I watched as Charlie lifted a hand to shield us from the light, his grip on my hand tightening protectively as he led me up the steps to the entrance.
Finally, we slipped into the opulent venue and I released a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. The steady thump of music surrounded us, and Charlie’s arm slipped securely around my waist, anchoring me to him.
“You alright?” he murmured with concern.
I nodded, holding a calm, composed expression—the same one I wore at most public appearances. But beneath that mask, a prickle of anxiety twisted through me, and my heart raced relentlessly against my chest.
“Are you?” I asked, realizing he probably wasn’t used to being asked that in situations like this, or really any , with all the time he spent alone.
He looked down, a soft smile on his face. “With you, I’ll always be okay.”
Anyone else saying those words might have come off as too sweet, even insincere. But coming from Charlie, seeing the earnesty on his face, made my shoulders finally ease with his words.
“Come on. Let’s get a drink,” he said, taking my hand and leading me further into the venue. The room buzzed with energy, people gathered around the bar and mingling across the space. Overhead, a glass atrium opened up to the night sky, with disco balls scattering light like glistening stars throughout the room. In the center, a stage was set with drums, guitars, and microphones, ready for whatever performances the night held. Long, white couches lined the perimeter where a few guests sat, sipping their drinks and glancing our way as we passed.
“Charlie!” A voice called out from the side.
I turned to see a famous actress approaching us, her arms open for a hug. She was stunning, probably around Charlie’s age, and though I knew better, a faint pang of jealousy crept in. But Charlie held my hand firmly, giving her a quick, casual side hug before stepping back to stand close to me.
“Jennifer, this is Ana—my beautiful girlfriend,” Charlie introduced us, his gaze lingering on me with a look of pride. His words melted me; it was the first time I heard him call me his girlfriend.
“Oh my God, of course! Ana Martin, it’s so nice to meet you! I’m such a huge fan. Not, you know, because of your husband—I mean ex-husband—but I absolutely love–”
“It’s Del Rosario,” Charlie interjected smoothly. “Ashford someday, I hope.” He glanced my way, and while I was grateful he cut off Jennifer’s rambling, his casual mention of marriage sent a pang of sadness through me.
Jennifer’s face lit up, her blonde curls bouncing as she clapped her hands together. “Oh my God, that’s so exciting! You two are the absolute best-looking couple out there,” she gushed.
“Thanks. Nice to see you, Jennifer. We need to make our rounds,” Charlie replied, giving her shoulder a light tap before steering us further into the crowd, his grip still firm around my hand.
He leaned down, speaking softly into my ear, “Sorry about that. She’d go on forever if I didn’t stop her.” He led me into a sea of familiar and new faces—famous actors, musicians, icons I brushed shoulders with before, others I always wanted to meet, and a few I was glad to only pass by.
Charlie made a point of introducing me as his girlfriend to every single person we spoke to, his pride evident each time he said the words. Most people greeted us warmly, unfazed yet delighted by our presence.
“Let’s get you a drink, mi diosa, ” Charlie said in my ear once we circled through a handful of introductions. He ordered me a red wine and a shot of whiskey for himself, which made me raise an eyebrow. It was unusual for him to go straight for a shot; maybe he was nervous about performing tonight? But after a decade on stage, could that still be the case?
“Nervous?” I asked over the beat of the music, leaning closer so he could hear.
He nodded, tossing back the shot and meeting my gaze with wide, vulnerable eyes. “Yes. Not about what they think…about what you think.” His need for my approval was stark, woven into every move he made tonight.
“I know I’ll love it, baby. I love everything you do,” I replied, offering him a reassuring smile.
A grin spread across his face and he squeezed my hand before leading me back into the crowd. With each introduction, he seemed intent on making it clear: I wasn’t just with him—I was his . His possessiveness was subtle but clear, at least to me.
Midway through a conversation with a Grammy-nominated singer, someone else approached—a pop icon, easily the biggest star in the world. I felt a flicker of awe just standing there, trying not to let my excitement show too much.
“Excuse me, love. I need to set up. Will you be okay?” Charlie murmured, his lips close to my ear. “Reese will bring you to the stage when we’re ready,” he added, gesturing to the man I’d heard so much about. Reese was tall, not much older than Charlie, and had a laid-back, hipster vibe that seemed to contrast with the rest of the room.
I nodded, though I was suddenly more anxious than before. Being left alone in a room full of people from an industry I didn’t belong to was unsettling. Charlie must have caught the hesitation in my expression, his brows lifting slightly before he nodded and slipped away into the crowd.
“You are so wonderful and elegant, Ana. I’ve been such a huge fan for years. I love what you did with…” The pop star leaned close enthusiastically, but her words quickly faded into the background. My heart pounded, tension buzzing under my skin as I realized just how much I disliked standing there without Charlie beside me. Somewhere along the way, I became dependent on him in a way I hadn’t expected.
The realization unsettled me, yet I couldn’t deny how much I wanted him near, how deeply I needed his presence. It was an unfamiliar feeling, but I found myself holding onto it as tightly as I held onto him.
“Check, one, two,” Charlie’s voice rang out through the speakers, and I barely registered Reese’s gentle interruption as he placed his hand on my arm and motioned for me to follow.
“This way,” he said, guiding me through the crowd. He led me to a seat just beside the stage, secluded from the rest of the audience but close enough that I was near Charlie. As I sat, I glanced up, catching his eyes as he adjusted the microphone stand. He smiled down at me, a look of nervousness mixed with excitement.
“Hello, everyone. Thanks for having me here,” he began, his voice filling the room. An assistant brought out an acoustic guitar and Charlie slipped the strap over his shoulder with the ease of someone born to perform. “I’m so grateful to have been nominated for Album of the Year. It’s…truly a dream come true.” He placed a hand over his heart and the crowd erupted in cheers, his humble expression making the moment even more endearing.
Then his gaze found mine, his dimpled grin growing as he took a deep breath. “Tonight, I wanted to share a little bit of my world with you,” he continued, his eyes still locked on mine. “I’ve got some new material—stuff you won’t hear anywhere else for a while. But tonight, I want to share it with a beautiful, wonderful, amazing woman—Ana Del Rosario.” He gestured towards me and as the crowd cheered, heat rose to my cheeks. The attention, the celebration of us, was overwhelming in the best way.
“I’ve written a few songs for Ana and I want to play a couple for her tonight.” His voice softened as he said, “I love you, Ana. More than I ever thought was possible.” His gaze held mine, and tears welled in my eyes as he began to strum his guitar.
His voice filled the room, singing about being swept off his feet, caught in an all-consuming love, wanting me more than anything else. Each lyric expressed his desire to worship, adore, and never leave my side, his smooth tone climbing into falsettos and dipping into raspy lows with emotion. Through every verse, his eyes stayed on me, making me feel as though we were the only two people in the room. My heart thundered in my chest, his declaration of love igniting a depth of longing within me I hadn’t anticipated from mere words.
As he finished, he transitioned into another ballad, this one about finding me in his darkest moments and how he couldn’t imagine breathing without me. His voice caressed each note, and hearing him sing mi diosa in the lyrics sent a rush of butterflies swirling in my stomach.
I felt intoxicated, as though his voice had seeped into my bloodstream, leaving me desperate for him. By the time he finished his final song, a wild desire took over me, an urge to pull him into the nearest private space and fuck him senseless.
As applause thundered, Charlie made his way off the stage and took my hand, leading me through the crowd. People reached out to congratulate him, to draw him into conversation, but he didn’t stop. Moments later, we slipped into a secluded room and he shut the door, locking it behind us before pressing me hard against the wall. His breathing was rough, his gaze dark and filled with intensity that was only for me.
He captured my mouth in a heated, fervent kiss, his hands roaming my body with urgency. I hitched my dress up, not caring about ruining it now, and wrapped my legs around him, feeling the warmth of his skin pressed firmly to mine. In a swift movement, he tore away my underwear, thrusting into me with a force that made me gasp. I pulled back from our kiss, burying my face in his neck as a moan escaped my lips, biting down to stifle the sound, though the sound of music outside covered any noise.
“I love you, mi diosa . I’m all yours. Everything about me is yours,” he murmured against my ear.
“Yes, baby. I’m yours, too. I love you,” I whispered back, the words spilling out as we clung to each other.
Charlie suddenly sank his teeth into my shoulder, the sharp sensation sending a shockwave through me, mingling pain and desire until they were indistinguishable. A gasp tore from my throat, followed by an unexpected, blinding rush of release.
“Hurt me, mi diosa . Make me feel it, make me feel your love, too,” he growled, his movements growing rougher, his fierce gaze locked on mine. A faint smear of blood stained his lips, his eyes wild and daring, and I felt a primal need surge within me.
I slid the suit jacket off his shoulders, leaning forward to bite him back hard, my teeth sinking into his skin as that same heat and aggression took over. He groaned deeply, his body responding with a fevered energy that matched my own. As I pulled back to meet his gaze, our bodies tensed and we came together, the intensity of our love-making leaving me breathless and deeply satisfied in a way words couldn’t touch.
* * *
We slipped out through a private exit and hurried into the same sleek black car that had brought us to the event. My body was spent, the adrenaline of the night and the intensity of what had happened at the party leaving me drained. Charlie rested his hand on my thigh, a satisfied smile on his lips as he leaned back, his head against the headrest.
“I didn’t get to ask you…” he began, his words trailing off, but I knew what he wanted to say. His eyes held a flicker of hesitation, a need for reassurance.
“Charlie,” I said, smiling softly. “That was the most amazing thing anyone’s ever done for me. I loved it.”
He exhaled, his grin widening and his teeth biting his bottom lip. He looked like he was about to say something when my phone vibrated in my hand. I glanced down, my heart dropping when I saw Jake’s name on the screen. When I looked up, I caught the shift in Charlie’s expression, his gaze flicking from my phone to my eyes, his jealousy and anger unmistakable.
“Why would he be calling you, Ana?” he asked, his voice low, almost accusatory.
I was immediately defensive. “I haven’t spoken to him in months, Charlie. It must be important. I’m answering it.” Before he could respond, I swiped right and lifted the phone to my ear.
“Jacob,” I greeted, not masking the irritation in my voice.
“Ana, hey…” he replied hesitantly. “I’ll just get straight to the point. Sarah was murdered in jail.”
My mouth dropped open as I turned to Charlie, his eyes widening.
“Are you serious?” I asked, my gaze locked on Charlie, searching his expression.
“Yeah. It happened about an hour ago. A group ganged up on her and…” Jake trailed off, a heavy sigh filling the silence. “I just thought you should know.”
A sudden unease crept over me. A thought struck—a suspicion that maybe… no, I can’t think that way .
I hung up slowly, my heart pounding with disbelief as Jake’s words echoed in my mind. Charlie’s gaze remained locked on me, his brows lifting slightly as he noticed my expression.
“What happened?” he asked, his voice soft with concern.
I swallowed hard, choosing my words carefully. “Jake just told me that…Sarah was killed in jail.”
For a brief moment, Charlie’s eyes widened in surprise, his lips slightly parted. But then, something changed. It was fleeting—a faint, almost imperceptible shift in his expression, a hint of something dark and satisfied that he couldn’t entirely hide.
“Wow,” he murmured, looking away as if to compose himself. “I mean…I know she did horrible things, but…that’s still a bit shocking.” His words sounded sincere enough, yet there was a glint in his eye, something cold and almost relieved that set off an uneasy feeling in my chest.
“Yeah, it is,” I replied, studying his face, feeling an inexplicable chill. “Jake said it happened an hour ago. She was attacked by a group in her cell.”
Charlie nodded slowly, his gaze still a little too intent. “Guess there’s some sense of justice in the world then. She can’t hurt you or anyone else anymore.”
I nodded, though my mind kept circling back to his reaction. His initial surprise had seemed genuine, but now…something felt off.
As silence settled between us, Charlie’s fingers brushed along my arm, his touch warm. “You know, you don’t have to worry about anyone ever hurting you again,” he murmured. “Not while I’m here.”
I leaned into him, feeling an unexpected tension build. I wanted to feel comforted, to let myself believe his words, but a tiny voice in the back of my mind kept whispering that maybe Charlie’s protective instincts ran deeper and darker than I ever realized.