A/N: Thank you for the reviews - they're much appreciated! :)
CHARLES
Charles had to admit he was impressed. Liza pretty much ran that meeting as he sat back and let her take point. She charmed the author and impressed him with her knowledge of him, making relevant references and name drops in her pitch. He wasn't sure how she knew so much about him, his music didn't really seem like her taste – but how much did Charles really know about her tastes? He guessed she'd spent the journey over here swatting up though, and as angry as he still was with her, for that he was grateful. The only time Charles felt like jumping into the conversation was when the guy's eyes strayed from Liza's face to other parts of her body and Charles felt his blood begin to boil. Liza seemed to sense his agitation though and before he'd had chance to open his mouth and potentially blow the deal, she shifted in her seat almost imperceptibly so that her leg brushed against his, wordlessly telling him not to worry.
The meeting couldn't have gone any better and Liza had been on top form, which is why Charles was surprised when the author shook their hands at the end and told them that he'd think about it as he had another meeting with a rival publisher tomorrow.
Liza seemed equally perplexed. "Did I miss something? That went well – right?"
Charles ran his hands through his hair in frustration as he stood up. "Yeah, it did. But I guess you can never really tell what's going on in someone's head". It wasn't really meant as a dig, but the hurt look on her face and how she averted her eyes told him she saw it as one. "Well I guess there's nothing else we can do tonight. I'll show you to your room". He picked her case up again and made his way to the elevator, hearing her follow behind him.
The elevator ride was spent in tense silence and although they only travelled two floors it felt like they were in there for hours. He stood aside, being the gentleman, to allow her to exit first but as she didn't know where she was going they walked side by side to her room. Ironically there was only one room left at such short notice and it just so happened to be opposite his. He didn't know what he would have done if there were no rooms left – there was no way he could handle sleeping in the same room as her, he was struggling to keep his distance as it was. He'd have had to have given her his room and he'd have gone and found another hotel.
Charles set her bag down in front of her room and handed her a key card. "This is you. I'll erm…I'll see you in the morning." He glanced at her eyes for a second then looked away, turning towards his own room. He didn't make it more than a step though before her desperate sounding voice calling his name stopped him in his tracks.
"Charles!"
Charles closed his eyes and inhaled before turning back to her, careful to maintain some distance between them.
"I don't know how much more of this I can take". The pained look on her face almost broke him – almost, but her next sentence reminded him why he was still angry with her. "When are you gunna trust me again?"
He didn't say anything, but the look on his face must have spoke volumes because she swallowed and seemed to realise that that probably wasn't the best question to ask. After a few seconds to compose himself he responded calmly, "If I didn't trust you, you wouldn't be here."
"I'm not talking about work and you know it."
Charles ground his teeth together in frustration. He couldn't deal with this right now – they were alone in a hotel together and he was stuck here until tomorrow. He'd dreamed about the two of them coming somewhere as beautiful as this together and all that could ensue, more times than he cared to admit. But everything was different now. "Liza" he sighed, "I told you you need to forget about it."
"I can't forget about it!" The strength in her assertion caused him to look up at her.
"And I can't do this" he turned away from her and started towards his own room, but her hand grasping his arm and the resulting electric shock that ran up it stopped him once more.
"No" she insisted, getting that stubborn look on her face that he'd always found endearing, but in the current situation he was finding frustrating. "You need to hear me out."
Charles sighed, "That's not a good idea"
"I'm not the monster you think I am." It was the desperation and sincerity in her voice that finally got him. She noticed his hesitance and internal debate and implored him to listen. "Please?"
He shook his head in resigned frustration and saw her smile in relief as she stood aside to let him into her room. This was going to be a long night!
