Traces Of Me

by Nikki Summers

“Is this seat taken?” a familiar voice asks. She opens her eyes and slowly turns to him.

  “I must be dreaming,” she whispers, opening and closing her eyes quickly, expecting him to vanish at any moment. His lips curl into a grin and she reaches her hand over to his face. When her fingers land on his cheek her body shudders. She startles him when she jumps out of her seat and straddles him. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her closer to him. His kiss feels heavenly. His hands caressing her back excite her. She runs her fingers through his hair, hungrily kissing him back. She knows he shouldn't have followed her but she’s so happy he did.

  “I couldn't let you leave me and I don't just think, I know that I love you Charlotte Olivia Bellamy,” he confesses to her.

  “I know I love you Joshua Martin,” she acknowledged to him and to herself, kissing him again. His lips felt so sweet and all her coldness vanished as he held her in his arms.

  “I don't know how I'm going to explain this to my parents but I don't care. All I want is to be with you,” he tells her, his bright blue eyes staring into hers.

  “You are not leaving me ever again,” he insisted.

  “Are you sure, I mean-” she tries to ask but he kisses her so hard she can't speak. She’s left gasping for air as she remains on top of him. She wants him so much. His eyes cloud a little as he turns off the light above them and shuts the curtain. He kisses her as his hands slide down to her hips. He pulls her shirt up, finding the top of her leggings. She quietly moans as his fingers find her. He grins, as she tries not to laugh. His lips land softly on hers again as she slowly unzips his jeans. He wraps the blanket around them as she pulls her leggings down enough to feel him against her. He hands her a condom and she grins wickedly as she puts it on him. He feels so hot beneath her touch. She leans forward in the seat as he slides into her. She moans into his chest, breathing heavy against his neck. She slowly and quietly rocks on top of him. He stifles her cries with his mouth, kissing her, his tongue searching her mouth, consuming her. She closes her eyes, moaning softly as her body shudders on top of him. She feels him tremble below her, muffled gasps escaping his lips.

  She smiles as she slides off him, quickly fixing her clothes as he does the same before they speak again. She holds a few tissues out to him and he quickly disposes of the evidence. Just as she gets comfortable leaning against his shoulder, the flight attendant opens the curtain a little and asks them if they need anything. Charlotte stifles a giggle as Josh asks for two glasses of champagne. The woman smiles at them and closes the curtain again. Josh laughs as he pulls her closer to him.

  “That was lucky,” she whispered.

  “Yes, I am lucky,” he beamed.

  “What about that deal you told me about?” she asked, worried he's in trouble because of her.

  “Don't worry about my business. You have enough to focus on. I'm going to make a few calls when we land. I work for my father. It's a family business. I'm sure they can cover for me for a few weeks. I'm hoping by then I'll have seduced you sufficiently that you'll be my love slave, I'll imprison you in my apartment that you love so much and we will live happily ever after,” he explains with a wicked grin.

  “I think I'd like that,” she smiles, kissing him again. She can't keep her hands off him. She felt dead inside without him.

  When they land Charlotte is surprised that Josh has already hired a driver to pick them up from the airport.

  “I have a room booked. Should I cancel it or do you want to stay with me?” she asks, feeling uncertain as to where they go from here. She was expecting to be alone when she landed. She’s never traveled with anyone else except Jay before.

  “I'll stay with you. How long do you have it booked for?” he asked.

  “Just for four days. I was hoping it would give me time to find something else,” she explained.

  “Is it downtown Paris?” he inquired.

  “Yes, here,” she said, handing him her print out of the reservation. He smiled as he stared at her, ignoring the paper she placed in his hands.

  “Anywhere with you is perfect,” he said, wrapping her in his arms. He kisses her as though they are alone, not surrounded by a thousand people walking in and out of a busy international airport.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ~

  Paris

  He keeps her hand in his the entire drive to the room she's booked. He’s surprised he isn't more anxious about this than he thought he would be. He's always made his own travel plans and booked his own rooms. He likes being in charge, but when he's with her it's like nothing else really matters except her hand in his, her lips against his and her body close to him. He knows he's fallen hard, too hard.

  His father was disappointed when he told him he had to leave for Europe all of a sudden. He told him a very close friend was in trouble and needed him. He had no choice but to catch the next flight out. He emailed him the details of the deal and gave him the contact information he had. He knew the company could handle it, his father just didn't like how last minute it was. Josh felt bad for that, but in all the years he's worked for him he's never been irresponsible like his older brother Evan has and he had always gotten away with it. Before he hung up his father asked if he could help at all. Josh appreciated the offer but he wasn’t about to put his family in danger too. He realized then just how strong Charlotte was, willing to go all alone rather than put someone she loved in danger.

  “Thanks dad, I think I got this but if I need you or my plans change I'll give you a call. Again, I'm truly sorry, but I have to go,” he explained.

  “I understand Josh. We take care of those close to us. Any chance this friend is female?” he asked. Josh could tell he was fishing for details. He usually kept a low profile of the women he’s dated and hasn't brought one home for them to meet since college. He sighed as he thought of bringing Charlotte home to meet his family. He was surprised by how much he wanted to. His pause answered his father’s question for him.

  “Don't worry about things here, just travel safely and get back when you can Josh,” his father told him, sensing Josh’s stress.

  “Thanks, I will dad,” he said, then hung up.

  Once downtown, their driver found the Inn Charlotte had booked a room with. They stopped out front a large old house. He thought it was quaint but he would never have booked a place like this himself. They met the owner and checked in. A very nice but abrupt French speaking older woman showed them to their room. She addressed them as Mr. And Mrs. Blue. They didn't correct her. Charlotte only catches a few of her words but Josh carries on the conversation with the lady, impressing her. As soon as the door closes Josh grabs her hips, pulling her body against his.

  “Come here Mrs. Blue,” he jokes, kissing her. She moans as his hands slide over her hips towards her back.

  “I’m afraid that I have to keep a low profile at least for a few days. It’s one of Jay’s rules,” Charlotte told Josh, knowing she had to remember the routine.

  “Who is Jay?” he asked, confused.

  “Jay is my agent. I’ve known him since I was fifteen. He’s the one that comes to get me when my monster has found me and he settles me into new locations. He’s also been my only true friend since the murders. I trust him with my life.” Charlotte surprised herself by being so honest about Jay. She knew Josh would eventually meet him.

  Josh watched her, sensing there may have been more to this relationship than protection but he knew it didn’t matter now, she was his.

  “I told you before that I insist on being with you and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. If it means being locked in a bedroom in Paris for a few days with the prettiest girl I have ever seen then I’ll endure this. I think I can come up with a few things to keep myself preoccupied.” His eyes looking her over as his lips formed a sexy grin. She felt her knees give up a little, her body heating as his fingers slowly traced down her neck to her chest.

  Josh spoils her as much as possible while they are in seclusion. He orders in meals
from five star restaurants. Desserts are sent over from the finest bakeries. They make love numerous times a day, the other patrons in the Inn over hearing on occasion. When they joined them in the dining room for breakfast on the third morning, they received numerous smiles and smirks as they were asked how they were enjoying their honeymoon. Charlotte takes great joy in this assumption, playing it out. The only thing missing is the ring, which she explained was at the jewelers in America getting re-sized.

  At the end of the fourth day, Josh is relieved to be leaving, saying goodbye quickly to the innkeeper and paying their tab. He had reserved a room in a beautiful hotel in downtown Paris. Charlotte was shocked when the cab drove up to the front doors of the most luxurious hotel she has ever seen. She keeps her mouth shut and her hands to herself as Josh checks in. She waits until the valet has put down their luggage and closed the door before she glares at Josh. She exhales and takes in another deep breath as she looks over the opulence in the suite.

  “I don't need your money Josh. I have my own. I know it doesn't look like it when you see how I live, but financially I'm fine. Trust me on that. You don't have to spoil me like this. All I want is you,” she tried to explain to him. He could tell she was telling the truth. Material possessions didn’t seem to impress her. He stared at her, feeling even more infatuated with her. She's so different from the other girls he's dated. They loved spending his money. Always demanding to stay in the best hotels and shop in the priciest stores. He usually obliged until their shallowness bored him too much and he dismissed them. He wondered at times if he would ever find a girl that wanted just him and not his family's fortune more. As he stares into her green eyes, he knows he’s found her.

  “I'm sorry Charlotte. I guess I just wanted to impress you,” he said, at a loss for words.

  “You already do, you already have,” she said, standing in front of him. Her hands reached for his waist, she ran her fingers up his strong chest then wrapped her arms around his neck. He leaned towards her, his lips finding hers.

  “I would be perfectly happy in a tent, snuggled in a sleeping bag with you in the middle of the woods,” she said, smiling as he picked her up.

  “Well, I don't have a tent but I think I can make a sleeping bag out of the blankets,” he grinned. She laughed as she kicked her legs, excited to be so carefree and playful. Josh smiled as he carried her to the bedroom. He dropped her down on the soft bed and slowly crawled on top of her. He quickly wrapped the blanket around them, grinning the whole time. She gripped her hands on his shoulders and wrapped her legs around him, giggling in anticipation.

  “Hold on baby,” he said, as he rolled them over, taking the blanket with them.

  “It's perfect,” she said laughing as she tried to move her arms.

  “It's just a little snug,” he said, kissing her neck.

  Jay was beyond livid when she finally called him after being out of touch for over a week. He tried to control his temper, not wanting her to hang up on him until he knew she was okay and where she was staying.

  “Tell me where you are?” he demanded. Josh heard her sigh as she walked out to the terrace with her phone. She had told him that she needed to call Jay. He understood when she had said that she's always had his protection and now she's living without him for the first time. It scared her. He could tell by the way her voice caught on his name that she was nervous without him. He questioned the hold this agent had on her but he decided not to confront her on this yet.

  “Where are you staying?” Jay asked again, needing to know the name of the hotel she was staying at. He planned on sending over the local authorities to watch her until he arrived.

  “Jay, I'm in Paris. I told you I was flying to Europe,” she whispered.

  “What hotel are you staying at?” he asked again, ignoring her vague response.

  “I'm at the hotel Le Bristol,” she told him. She could never keep anything from Jay. He was all she had before Josh. When he didn't reply, she assumed he was Googling the hotel and booking his flight.

  "This isn't your style, what are you doing there?" he snapped and Charlotte flinched. She had never heard him sound so mad. She should have known he would question her. He was good at his job, too observant on details.

  "I saw it and I liked it, that's all," she said, glancing nervously at Josh as he looked up from his laptop, sensing her unease.

  "Why don't you tell me what's really going on? I know you Charlie and this is not you. Who are you with?” he demanded, his hand holding the phone began to shake. As far as he knew, she wasn't dating anyone in New York. She wasn't there that long. He couldn't believe she would be so careless as to travel with a stranger. He could be a rapist or a killer.

  “No one, I'm alone,” she lied, knowing she couldn't keep this up, not with Jay but she had to try.

  “Tell me his name Charlie, you know he'll need protection if Parker has seen you with him,” Jay said, making Charlotte shudder. She looked at Josh, wondering if she should tell him. She worried they would both need protection if he stayed with her much longer. She walked further out onto the balcony, feeling her hand tremble as she held the phone.

  “Please Charlie who are you with?” he asked again in a calmer voice but Charlotte knew him well. She heard the tension in his tone.

  “I can't tell you who I'm traveling with. I don't want him involved in my dark life. I am happy when I'm with him Jay. You know how lonely I've been, I need this. I need him, don’t take me away from him,” she begged, her voice faltering. Jay wasn't about to say anything to make her even more upset now. He decided he would talk reason with her when he arrived in Paris. He just didn't want her to run from him anymore. He had to remain calm, no matter how hard it was to control his temper.

  “I won’t take you away from him, but you are my concern. I have to protect you Charlie. I miss you,” he stuttered, surprising himself with his openness. Charlotte sighed, she missed him too.

  “He's a friend I met in New York, Joshua Martin,” she said reluctantly. She knew he was Googling again. She hadn't even searched his name. It didn't matter to her who he was, only how he made her feel.

  “Do you know who he is?” Jay asked suddenly breaking the silence.

  “I know who he is with me and that is all I want to know. Don't tell me anything else,” she said, trying to hide her emotions.

  “He's high profile Charlotte. If your monster gets his sights on a picture of you with this Martin guy he will come after you both. Have you forgotten you are in hiding?” he seethed. He knew he was pushing her again.

  “You know I can never forget. No one has taken our picture,” she said in her defense, although she knew she couldn't say that for sure.

  “Have you been wearing your wig?” he inquired, already knowing her answer. She paused, knowing she'd let her guard down and felt ashamed to admit it to Jay.

  “I'm going to be there by the end of the week, we have to take drastic measures now,” he told her, not sounding like her friend anymore. He hung up, leaving her lost. How could he be so cold to her?

  Just stay calm, breath. She felt Josh’s hands on her shoulders, holding her steady. He heard her tell her agent that she didn't want to know about him. He understood even though he wanted her to know him, everything about him.

  She didn't want to think about any of it, slowly turning to Josh. She slid up onto the balcony railing. He gripped her afraid she'd fall. She wrapped her legs around him, wanting him right there on the balcony. He didn't think twice. The sun had just set, giving them a little privacy as he reached for the hem of her skirt, sliding it up her thighs. He ripped her lace thong off then spread her legs. He pushed his hard body against her, holding her tight. She felt his excitement against her.

  “Take me Josh, make me yours tonight,” she demanded. She wanted him as many times as she could before all of this came crashing down, which she knew now it was going to. One way or another, she knew she would be taken from Josh. She gasped as she felt him enter her. He gri
pped her thighs as he filled her. She wrapped her arms around him as he moved his hands to her ass. She wanted to be public and exposed. She wasn’t sure if it was her anger with Jay or her overwhelming need to stop hiding that made her behave so publicly, but she loved it. He pumped into her as she cried out his name, gasping as her body clenched and fell apart around him. He looked into her eyes as he released. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling protective, wanting to shield her from the world. He picked her up and carried her into the shower. He washed her then massaged her tense shoulders.

  “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” he asked. She tensed, afraid to tell him she had been so wrong.

  “I’m sorry Josh. I should never have gone to dinner with you. I have been so selfish. I just wanted you from the moment I first saw you, I wanted you to be mine. I wanted to be a normal girl falling in love with a beautiful boy, forgetting what I really was. I am so sorry,” she cried, the shower hiding her tears. He kissed her wet lips, holding her close to his warm, strong body. She loved touching his chest. She didn’t want to live if she couldn’t touch him anymore.

  “I’m not sorry Charlotte. I have never felt for anyone the way I feel for you. I’m only sorry that you feel like you have to keep running. I want to bring you back to New York and I will hire a team to track down this monster and put him away for good. I want a life with you,” he told her. She wished it could be that easy.

  The next morning a call came to the hotel room. Josh was in the bedroom so Charlotte answered.

  “Yes,” she said, knowing whoever it was would be looking for her. Josh received all his calls on his cell phone.

  “I'm here Charlie. Make an excuse to go out alone. Meet me in the restaurant on the main level,” he ordered before he hung up. Charlotte tried to control her breathing as she thought up an excuse to leave Josh's side.

  “Um, Josh. I think I'm going to go get a manicure if that's okay with you,” she asked, raising her eyebrows. He glanced at her, as he finished buttoning his dress shirt.