A thousand eyes…
A Revolution fic (No blackout Au): Sebastian (Bass) Monroe/Charlotte (Charlie) Matheson; Charloe.
Charlie is used to the limelight… as a daytime TV weather girl, she is used to being sent all over the world, talking about the weather in Chicago and the US while climbing mountains in Canada, snorkelling in the Bahamas, feeding pelicans in Tasmania, bungee jumping in New Zealand or swinging on a trapeze in Venezuela… Unfortunately, somewhere along the way she had acquired an obsessed and obviously very disturbed admirer. Her boss insists on hiring her a bodyguard, turning to the best in the business, her ex boyfriend and former Marine turned private security operative, Sebastian Monroe…
Rating M
Authors note: Thanks for reading – and for your lovely comments and reviews… I hope you enjoy this next bit! The title of this chapter is from a song by Chris De Burgh. Cheers, Magpie
A thousand eyes
Chapter 2. Don't pay the ferryman…
Penny brought their coffees in on a tray, going around the couch behind Bass to put Duncan's cup on the table in front of her, looking over the table at Charlie as she did, her eyes brimming with curiosity and excitement… Charlie couldn't say anything with Bass sitting there of course but she was dying to hear what her assistant thought about him - Penny had a way of seeing the truth inside people that was almost uncanny…
Then Bass totally surprised her by giving Penny a simple, genuinely friendly smile when the pretty PA put his coffee down on the table in front of him; Charlie tried not to stare, it made him look almost – nice - and incredibly hot, why hadn't he smiled at her like that…?
He picked the cup up and took a sip…'Thanks…Penny, isn't it? This is really good'
Penny nodded and grinned back just as naturally 'no problem at all Mr. Monroe…' she glanced over at Charlie, then back at Bass, her face suddenly intent…'and I'm really glad you're here…we were getting a bit worried about Charlie and…well, you know…'
Duncan smiled over at her…'I know you and the others keep an eye out for her when you're touring, Penny, I'm very glad you do…'
Penny flushed, grinning…
Bass studied the vibrant face for a moment…'I suppose it's pretty hard to keep things like this quiet around here… so what are people saying?'
Penny came back around the couch, put Charlie's cup down on the table and tucked the empty tray under her arm…'mostly it's just rumors and speculation… you know, stuff like that…' she shrugged…'but most of us think its got to be one of two things…either it's someone Charlie doesn't know, a real crazy guy who's got a thing for her, or it's someone she does know – and they've either gone crazy or they're pretending to be…'
Charlie twisted round so she could look at Penny…'I know everyone's talking about Jason but it couldn't be him, Penny… he wouldn't do something like this, I know he wouldn't… and as for Adam…?' she shrugged… 'Adam wouldn't have the imagination – or the balls…'
Penny chewed her bottom lip… 'But what about Jason's father, Charlie…?' she put her free hand on Charlie's shoulder and squeezed…'He came in one day remember? Weird guy…he really thought that Jason should have got your job - and he would have too if you weren't so good, you know that; so what if his dad's trying to scare you off, make you quit, so Jason can have another chance?'
Charlie shook her head…'That's crazy, and even if I did quit there's no guarantee that Jason would get the job, no matter what his parents want…'
Duncan leaned forward… 'Julia Neville is still one of the Directors of the Network, Charlie, I've been trying to get her voted off but each time she just comes back, stronger than ever… and I swear I've never met anyone more ruthless – or ambitious' she arched an elegant eyebrow…'and that woman is more than capable of doing whatever it takes if it means that she and Tom or her precious baby Jason get what they want - or what she thinks they deserve…'
Bass frowned… 'Are you talking about that insurance guy – the one with his smile plastered over half the buses in the city? That Tom Neville?'
Penny nodded…'that's him'
Bass looked down at the file in his lap…'A friend of mine owns a gym downtown, Tom Neville used to box there until he got banned for nearly killing another fighter; he had him on the ropes and beaten but Neville wouldn't - or couldn't - stop hitting him. The guy's still in hospital, probably won't talk again…' his frown deepened…' It all got hushed up somehow but since then no gym in the city's been willing to take him on…'
Charlie protested…'Jason isn't anything like his dad... Jason's…nice…'
'Sounds like you've got a bit of a soft spot for baby Neville, Charlie…' Bass turned his eyes on her, the blue gaze hard and shuttered again…'so did he drop you or did you drop him…?'
Charlie stiffened…'Not that it's any of your business, Sebastian, but Jason's gay…' and she jerked, startled, as his eyes seemed to flare with an intensity that tightened her belly and took her breath...
'That's good to know… And just by the way...' his eyes narrowed and she had the strangest sensation that he got closer, or she got closer…something, then he swept her up and down with a look that burned…'If I'm to do my job properly, I decide what is my business and what isn't– so if there are any other Jason's or Adam's hidden away, gay or otherwise, that you haven't thought worth mentioning, then for fuck's sake tell me now…'
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out…her heart was beating so fast she was surprised it wasn't visible on the outside… 'You're delusional…' She turned to Duncan, her hair flying, her face an angry mask…'who the fuck does he think he is?'
Duncan shrugged…'Bass can't protect you if he doesn't have the right information Charlie…'
Charlie stared at her friend, feeling betrayed…. Duncan looked back at her… there was an almost apology there in her eyes but there was also determination and… impatience?
She looked away from both of them and took a deep, deep breath… letting it out slowly through her lips in a calming exercise she used before going on camera… Then she sat up straight and turned back to Bass, looking past his eyes, not letting him catch her this time… 'Adam is…was…my boyfriend until about three weeks ago, I dropped him, he was stupid enough to do some little naked selfies with one of the girls from the temp pool and she published them - on everything…' she shrugged a shoulder…'I don't think he cares too much though, the last I heard his agent scored him a part in a new show so he's in training to bulk up and eating everything in sight…' she turned her eyes a little until she met his, not expecting what she found… there was amusement, she'd expected that… but also sympathy…
'Thank you, Charlie… That must have been hard…'
'What - the bit about being made to look a complete fool in front of my friends and the whole world or the bit about having to tell you?' she hadn't realized how much seeing that stupid picture up there for everyone to see had hurt until just that moment…
He looked down...'Both…' his eyes came up again and met hers and he was giving her one of those lovely smiles and damn it why couldn't he have just kept on being a hard ass… 'Charlie…I need to find out who this creep is and stop him so that you can get on with your life without looking over your shoulder, waiting for him to jump out…'
She felt herself tearing up for some stupid reason and clenched her fists hard, digging her nails in to stop it…then she nodded…'Ok…'
He sat back… 'Penny?' the young woman had been standing absolutely still next to Charlie, carefully studying the carpet, she looked up…
"Yes, Mr. Monroe?'
He smiled that sweet smile again…'call me Bass, please...'
She nodded, flushing a little…'Ok…'
The fingers of his right hand started tapping on his thigh again… 'I need you to book two suites at a good hotel. Adjoining - with a connecting door, for tonight and tomorrow, in mine and Charlie's name… Then I need you to make reservations for myself and Charlie for 8pm tonight at a good table in a very good restaurant, preferably one where celebrities go to eat, not to be seen…'
She nodded again, her eyes widening…
'Then I want you to make sure that the people who matter know when and where we're going for dinner' he grinned….'and I'm pretty sure you'll know exactly who to tell so that word will get to the right people…'
Penny grinned back, her teeth very white against the red lip gloss; the multi colored strands of her hair swinging as she nodded enthusiastically…'Oh yeah…' she glanced over at Duncan, her eyes bright…'shall I put all this on the account, Duncan?'
Duncan lifted an eyebrow and her lips twisted in a little grimace...'Yes, I suppose so…but Penny…?'
'Yes ma'am…?'
'A good hotel… not the Presidential suite at the Ritz, ok?'
Penny grinned again…squeezed Charlie's shoulder once more and bent down so her lips were next to Charlie's ear…'he's amazing…' she whispered, then she turned and left the room at a dead run…
Charlie felt the world slipping sideways out of her control… she stared over at Bass…'Hotel? Why are we going to a hotel, what's wrong with my apartment…? And what if I don't want to go to a hotel or to dinner with you, what if I was already doing something else…?' she swiveled to look at Duncan… 'Duncan, I'm booked to leave for Glasgow the day after tomorrow, I need to get ready, I need to get my hair done – I need a leg wax… and I want a massage…'
Duncan shrugged again…'Darling, calm down…' she reached down for her coffee and took a leisurely sip…'Bass is a controlling, egotistical son of a bitch but he knows what he's doing… and I told you that already… So lets just do what he says...ok?'
Charlie turned back to the man in question, ready to argue… and met a steady, clear blue gaze, one eyebrow raised in a silent question… She crossed her arms and sat back in her seat, she could feel her lips pouting and damn she hadn't pouted for years… Shit… she heaved a sigh…'Ok, Ok…I'll do it…
His lips twitched…'Good…for a minute there I thought we were wasting my time and Duncan's money…'
She glared at him, furious again…
He chuckled… 'Oh Charlotte…has anyone told you that you're a hell of a lot like your Uncle?' he tipped his head and steepled his fingers under his chin…'So tell me, are you up for a challenge...?'
She smiled tightly, her eyes glittering…'Bring it on, Sebastian…'
He laughed out loud…
…..
As soon as Penny had finished organizing the hotel and restaurant, Bass had gone straight to the Police station to look at the letters. He'd called in one of his staff to take Charlie and Penny to Charlie's apartment so she could pack what she needed and the guy, Jeremy, oddly charming, acidly sarcastic and obviously called away from somewhere he'd much rather be, had waited for them impatiently to finish at the apartment, loaded her bags into his shiny black SUV, dropped Penny back at the office then taken Charlie straight to the hotel…
She was happy with the suite, and the hotel… it was comfortable, smart and discreet and had an excellent in-house salon so she was feeling buffed and much happier after a wax and a massage on arrival - also arranged by Penny who totally deserved a raise… Jeremy had had to sit in the waiting room for over two hours and greeted her with a long-suffering look and a heavy sigh when she came out of the treatment rooms… She'd resisted a triumphant smirk, but only because she didn't want to spoil her good mood… Then, after shutting her front door, taking the spare key with him and warning her not to open the door to anyone without him - he had gone straight through the connecting door to watch the football on tv in the lounge room of the adjoining suite and she hadn't heard a peep from him since…
So, after unpacking what she needed for the next couple of days, Charlie put some music on and started to get ready for the night… The thought of meeting Bass Monroe for dinner and the even more interesting fact that he was going to be in the next room for the night put thoughts of a possibly dangerous stalker being after her right out of her mind. She'd decided to treat this like one of her assignments – although her assignments didn't usually involve someone who set her blood racing and her heart pounding, making her want to hit him one minute and fuck him the next... Adam was like a dormouse in comparison…
She wondered what had happened between Duncan and Bass, it was hard to imagine her elegant boss on the back of a bike, but still… everyone had a history. Duncan had warned her about him – warned her more than once - but Charlie didn't know if she could back away now, even if she wanted to, and she really didn't care if he only saw her as a job, she felt the pull of him like some huge magnet, and she was so going along for the ride…
She smoothed the bronze silk carefully down over her hips and twisted to look at her back view in the floor length mirrors set against the bedroom wall; glad of the years of pilates, ballet and martial arts that kept her body toned and smooth because the dress didn't leave much room for the imagination and even less for underwear…
The thick waves of her honey blond hair were caught in a messy up do that left little tendrils framing her face and falling down her nape drawing attention to the fine lines of her neck and shoulders…The bodice of the dress hung from spaghetti straps – the front grazing the tops of her high breasts just above her nipples… the back dipping below her shoulder blades, almost but not quite giving glimpses of the sides of her breasts as she moved… The rest of the fabric swung closely down, hugging her body, finishing around mid calf, cut on the bias so it clung to everything, a slit in one side giving little glimpses of a long, toned thigh and the lacy top of a stocking as she moved. It was classy but totally sexy… and the shoes, a slightly darker tone than the dress, high and slim heeled with straps that wrapped around her ankles made her legs look miles long... He must have asked Penny for her sizes because everything was just perfect…
The boxes containing the dress, a matching wrap and, incredibly, underwear had been on the coffee table in her suite when she floated in after her massage, right next to where the porter had put her own bags. No bra – thankfully she didn't need one - just a beautiful lacy thong and some garter topped, delicate stockings, the only things that would fit under the dress without spoiling the line. There had also been a note in what she knew could only be his handwriting, the letters were strong, hard edged but beautiful, just like him… She picked it up from the bed where she'd put it and read it again…
'Wear these. Jeremy will look after you at the hotel and take you to the restaurant. Don't try to lose him – he'll find you and he's not nearly as nice as me…'
She laughed softly, Duncan was absolutely right…. Bass was amazing, and dangerous, exciting and exasperating and she'd never met anyone like him… She'd almost decided not to wear the dress, she had some nice things of her own, but Duncan had told her to do what he said, hadn't she? That he knew what he was doing? So there must be a reason why he wanted her to wear it…
She read the rest, checking that she'd memorized his directions - there wouldn't be an auto prompt this time…
'At the restaurant go to the bar, sit on one of the stools… look a little anxious but not too much. I'll be there but you won't see me. If the creep's here in Chicago, I want to see if we can flush him out… Oh, and act like you're pleased to see me when I come over – it'll really piss him off… Bass'
She smiled, put the note back on the bed and leaned up close to the mirror to check her make-up, her golden M swinging and catching the light… She was almost ready and she was so looking forward to this… Was she up for a challenge? Was the moon round? She was a Matheson, and she'd show Bass Monroe what that meant… She checked her phone - again; she had ten minutes, Penny had sent a couple of texts making sure she was ok and letting her know that she'd spread the word… so she replied to those, avoiding the temptation to check her accounts – she'd avoided any social media since the Adam incident. She took a breath and put the phone down...
Excitement began building again in her belly… She went to find Jeremy; he was going to miss the end of his game… too bad…
…..
The lights of downtown Chicago were beautiful and Charlie gazed out at them as they drove to the Restaurant… Jeremy sitting silent next to her, driving fast but legally… She smiled, he'd looked her up and down as she'd stood in the open doorway between the suites and nodded appreciatively but hadn't said much since, she got the feeling he didn't quite approve of something…
At the restaurant, Jeremy had walked her from the car into the reception area of the restaurant then he'd disappeared and she found herself alone – and suddenly feeling nervous, and very exposed… She took a deep breath and looked around, The bar area was just inside the open double glass doors leading into the restaurant from the foyer and was a curved richly wooden affair with high stools along its length, all of them empty. A softly textured, curved wall divided the bar from the rest of the room and created a warm, private space and a mirror set into the wall behind the bar displayed dimly reflected echoes of the crowded and colorful eating area beyond behind layered bottles of liqueurs, wines and assorted mixers… The décor, rich, modern and sleek, the lighting muted and discreet with the rise and fall of conversation, the careful, genteel clatter of cutlery and slow, sensual jazz music wafting through the doors along with the delicious aromas of good food…
There was the distinct possibility that she would be recognized, which was the whole idea really – and even though in the larger scheme of things she was popular but hardly on the A list, her face was well enough known that people would know she was someone, even if they couldn't remember exactly who…
She took a deep breath and put on her confident, onscreen smile…He'd said he'd be here and she had the distinct impression that Bass Monroe didn't make idle claims – or threats, so he would be here… She gathered the wrap and hung it casually over one arm, the fabric falling gently into folds, the same hand holding her pale leather clutch in a firm grip, then she walked calmly forwards and through the doors…
Inside she was met by one of the restaurant staff, a smiling Asian American woman, sleek in a discreet but luxurious black dress, tights and ballet flats, her hair like a glossy black helmet…who took Charlie's name, complimented her on her gown and escorted her to a stool at the end of the bar, partly in the shelter of the dividing wall, but still able to see and be seen, placing a crystal decanter of iced water and stemware in front of her then bowing slightly and withdrawing, leaving her alone again…
Charlie hitched her hip up and slid onto the stool, her heart pounding … She forgot all about the slit in the skirt of the dress until she looked down to adjust her wrap and realized that the fabric had fallen back, exposing the side of one slim leg and the lacy top of her stocking… She froze, afraid that if she moved too quickly to cover herself up she'd only draw attention to it, if anyone was watching…
Suddenly a hard hand snaked around her waist from the back, stroking down over her hip, gathering the soft fabric up, strong fingers pressing it against the flesh of her leg, she gasped and in a reflexive jerk leaned back against his firm chest, her back arching and her breasts rising, nipples showing clearly through the silky fabric of the bodice…
She felt lips close to her ear, the scruff of his beard scraping gently across the skin of her neck…
'Adam was a fucking fool…' his whisper seemed to set her blood on fire, goose bumps racing down her spine…
She slid off the stool, breath shuddering…his hands on her hips, steadying her, her insides suddenly gone to liquid…turning round to find him there, tall and broad, in black - of course - a gorgeous suit, the fabric smooth and cool against her skin… 'Where were you?'
His arms held her hard against him, his face in shadow, way above her, even in her sky-high shoes… 'Watching you, Charlotte…' His eyes seemed to catch all the available light…
She gazed up at him, excitement clenching in her belly, pooling between her legs…'so what do we do now…?'
He laughed low, catching his bottom lip in strong white teeth… 'We have dinner and wait for our little fish to take the bait…'
She snaked a hand up between them up and over the hard muscles of his chest, draping her hand around his neck… her nipple catching on the lapel of his jacket… He took a sharp breath in and she smiled up at him, her eyes slanting a challenge…'but I'm not very hungry…'
He moved his leg, slowly sliding it across so that it went between hers, the muscles of his thigh flexing against her clit… making her gasp and hold herself very still so she didn't writhe helplessly against him in front of the whole restaurant… Then he leaned down, swept his lips over her ear, his tongue gently leaving a trail of sensation behind it that had her panting in little sharp breaths… 'What makes you think you've got a choice…?'
…..
AN: I thought I'd pause there…. Hope you are enjoying it so far Magpie