Contracted For Love: Famous Love Series (9 page)

“For my mother, really!”

“Five minutes, girls, but that’s it.” Charlotte announced, amused to note one of the girls looking her up and down, wondering who she was to be deciding how long Jack could give them. After the time was up, Charlotte hurried them along and they set off up the street, chattering at each other again.

“Okay, Jack?”

“All okay, Char.”

“Alrighty. Are you ready for day two of being a normal couple?” Charlotte was dressed and ready to go, when Jack stepped from the bathroom. She’d pressured him to skip breakfast so they could find some French pastries on the street.

“I am. Yesterday was a pleasant surprise.”

“I had a great day, and the Tower was beautiful. I had no idea there were lights that came on at night—I’ll never forget it.”

“Where are you dragging me today?”

“Today, we hit the Louvre. The Mona Lisa awaits.”

“You know, I’ve been to Paris several times, and I’ve never seen the Mona Lisa?”

“Well, you’re in luck, because Tour Guide Charlotte is here. I bet you’d normally get a private tour if you were going to the Louvre?”

“I would, actually. I don’t like the way you say that, though, as if it’s a crime to do some things in private.”

She bit her lip as she watched him tie his shoes. “It’s not that you shouldn’t be able to do that—it’s that you appear to take that road on every occasion.” She chose her words carefully, not wanting to offend him, since they were having such a nice holiday. “I mean, it’s fair enough if you’re in Paris for one day with the band and can get an exclusive showing of a place you want to see. I don’t think that should be the only way you ever see the world, though. It should be the exception for emergencies or special occasions.” She stepped toward him and smoothed his collar at the back. “You run the risk of being out of touch with real people, otherwise. That can’t be a benefit for your acting or music career, since both of those need to touch people here.” She tapped his chest over his heart.

He surprised her by grabbing her hand. “How are you so normal? Yesterday showed that you’re more famous in Australia than I realised.”

She snorted and pushed his chest. “I have some degree of fame, I guess. My sister is quite famous in Australia, but she has no desire to come to Hollywood. She’s older and very well-known, so I decided to step out of her shadow—I’d hate to only get roles because of her.” Charlotte pulled her hand away and collected her bag before turning to him. “Australia is not like other places. I told you: you need to come home with me, sometime. You’ll be so relaxed that you might not want to ever come to Vegas.”

“I’ve been thinking about that, actually.” He said as he opened their door and ushered her toward the elevators. “Would you like to visit home sometime soon?”

She stopped and turned to him with enormous eyes. “You mean it?”

Jack laughed. “Of course I mean it. My treat,” she rolled her eyes at his mention of money. “How would you like to go as soon as your movie’s finished shooting? That’s just a few weeks away; I can spare two weeks out of rehearsals. Once we get started, I’ll be on the road and there won’t be any time to come with you.” The elevator arrived and they stepped in. “Unless you want to go by yourself.”

As they reached the ground floor and the doors opened, Charlotte took his hand and tugged him toward the street. “Why the hell would I want to go by myself, instead of with you? I’m looking forward to giving my sister a heart attack and making you drink common tap water!”

***

They spent another pleasant day among the common people, as Charlotte had taken to calling the public to rile Jack up. After the Louvre, they strolled down the Tuileries and ate ice cream as they swatted away the bees around their cones. Only one person stopped them and asked for an autograph from Jack.

As the afternoon sun crept lower in the sky, they walked along the Seine and watched enormous boats cruise up and down it. Artists sold their goods on the street, and there were so many vendors selling old records and rare books that Jack had to eventually drag Charlotte away and forbid her from stopping at another stand. She got her revenge by insisting they take selfies along the river, and she made him buy her another pastry for the walk back to the hotel. She put one of their selfies on Facebook just to annoy him.

“I hope your privacy settings are locked down.”

“Nope. I don’t put anything on Facebook I wouldn’t be happy for people to see.”

“You mean anyone can read your wall and see your details?”

“Yep. That’s where I plan to post my sex tape, when I release it.” She nudged him as they walked along and watched as his face turned serious.

“No sex tape jokes,” he bit out.

“What’s with you and the legendary sex tape, anyway? Why does it annoy you so much when I mention it?”

Jack sighed. “I have no secrets with you, do I? Always asking questions. Are you sure you’re not actually a reporter?”

She laughed, “If I was a reporter, you’d know, because I’d have published all your dirty secrets, by now. I’m sure the common people would be pretty interested to know what type of coffee machine you have at home.” Charlotte nudged him again. “Come on, fess up. Why all the fuss?”

“My mother made a sex tape back in the nineties. It got out and occasionally I see a mention of it.”

“Ooh, really?” Charlotte laughed out loud at the expression on his face. “Why does that upset you so much? It’s not even
your
tape.”

“Well, for one thing, she didn’t make it with my dad. It was with a woman.”

Charlotte let out a shriek and doubled over laughing as Jack watched her in shock. She was gasping for breath and holding her sides when she stood upright again. “That’s the most hilarious story I’ve ever heard. Go Mum!” she giggled to herself as they walked down the street. Jack dropped her hand and walked a few steps ahead, so she had to run to catch up. “Hey, don’t get all huffy. You’re taking this way too seriously.”

“It’s a sore topic, so just leave it, okay?”

“Okay, okay. Let’s drop it and go to the Moulin Rouge. I’ve heard it’s not a great place to walk around at night, so I’ll even let you call a taxi when we’re done.”

They were up early the next day for the car to take them to the Palace of Versailles. As they stood in line to buy tickets, Charlotte squeezed Jack’s hand. He was still awkward and she marvelled at the fact that he normally had people to do this for him.

Imagine never lining up for anything again!

As they explored the grounds, Charlotte was mesmerised at the beauty around them. Jack pointed out some of the more interesting sights, since he’d been here once before. After several hours spent walking the gardens, they collapsed into chairs in the restaurant, ravenous from all the exercise.

“Every item on the menu sounds amazing.”

“That’s because you’re starving.”

“I know—I could eat a horse.”

“I’d definitely recommend a steak, but perhaps not horse,” he smiled at her.

“You can order for us in French, right?”

“Probably. How did you know that? I haven’t spoken French while we’ve been here.”

“You were reading the French newspaper the other day. I’m guessing even people who know basic high school French can’t read the newspaper, and you looked like you were doing more than looking at the pictures.”

He laughed at her assessment and nodded. “I studied French for six years—part of the beauty of alternative schooling for child stars.”

“Wow. What an opportunity.” She saw the waiter approaching them, “I’ll have the chicken. You order for us, so I can hear you.”

Jack obliged and ordered their lunch in perfect French. Charlotte was grinning crazily at him the whole time. “That’s amazing. Such a beautiful language. Do you speak any others?” He looked uncomfortable and she realised she was about to be amazed by whatever came out of his mouth. “How many, Jack?”

He sighed before he answered. “I speak French, English,” he inclined his head with a smile, “Spanish, and a tiny bit of German.”

She sat back in her chair. “Four languages? Are you some kind of genius?”

He laughed, “Definitely not. I just had a lot of time on my hands on set. My mother got me tutors who could teach me, and that was that.”

“Very cool.” Charlotte nodded toward his left shoulder, “Do you know that woman?”

“Oh God, another fan?”

“No, she seems different, like she’s trying to get your attention.” He turned slightly to see who she was talking about. To her surprise, he raised his hand and gave a little smile—all the encouragement the woman needed to leave her table and rush to theirs.

“Jack! I thought that was you. What a coincidence!”

“Cindy. It is a surprise.”

“What are you doing here?”

Ignoring her question, Jack took Charlotte’s hand, “Cindy Cade, please meet my girlfriend, Charlotte Shipton.” At her questioning look, he continued, “Cindy does the PR for the band.”

“Nice to meet you, Cindy,” Charlotte reached out her hand as the woman took it in her cold grasp. She knew she didn’t imagine the calculating look in Cindy’s eyes as she dropped her hand and turned her attention to Jack.

“So, what are you doing here? You’re a long way from home.”

“We’re having a romantic vacation in Paris.” He smiled at Charlotte, and she felt the edge of his foot touch her shoe under the table.

What’s he trying to tell me?

“But you never go on vacation, “ Cindy frowned.

“Of course I do.”

“What was the last vacation you took, Jack?” She pushed for an answer, not content with dropping the subject that was obviously annoying him. As the silence stretched, she snorted and said, “See, I told you. You never take vacations.”

He never took a holiday until now?

“Would you like to catch up for dinner tonight?” She wasn’t looking at Charlotte as she addressed Jack.

“We already have plans. Maybe some other time.” The look on Jack’s face said that he’d had enough and wanted Cindy to leave. She didn’t appear to be getting the hint, though, and it soon became obvious that she wanted to hang around.

“Can I sit with you guys?”

“No.”

“Jack, it’s okay,” Charlotte said quietly, touching his hand with her finger. His foot pressed harder into hers, and she didn’t say anything else.

“No, Charlotte, it’s not. I have plans for you later.” He turned his movie star smile on her and she felt her face flush. He’d never smiled at her like that before—it was dazzling.

“What kind of plans?” Cindy was still standing by their table, apparently unable to take the strongest of hints.

Jack sighed and looked up at her, raising his eyebrows and nodding his head to indicate she should return to her own table. “I can’t say, Cindy. It’s a surprise for Charlotte.”

“Oh, really,” she smiled, but the expression didn’t reach her eyes. She glanced at Charlotte before she finally moved away from them. “Aren’t you the lucky one?” she threw over her shoulder.

“She seems sweet,” Charlotte said, and he almost sprayed his wine across the table. “I’m assuming she’s the Cindy who Reid was referring to—the one who’s been trying to get in your pants for three years?”

“That’s the one.”

“Did you sleep with her?”

“What? Why are you asking me that?”

“Because I want to know. She seems quite possessive.”

“No, I didn’t sleep with her, not that it’s any of your business.”

“Oh, but it is my business. We’re getting engaged, remember?” He rolled his eyes at her tone and looked relieved as the waiter arrived with their meals.

As they ate in silence, Charlotte remembered his words. “What’s my surprise?”

“You’ll have to wait to find out.”

“Will I like it?”

“I hope so—wouldn’t be a very good surprise if you didn’t.”

She grinned at him as she chewed her chicken. “You know I won’t be able to stop thinking about it, now. Surprises are exciting.”

“Well, forget about it for a little while. I might not give it to you until tomorrow.”

“Oh no, that’s not fair. Do I have to wait longer, because we ran into Cindy?”

“Possibly. Knowing she’s there has definitely killed the mood for me. Just don’t mention it again. I’ll decide when it’s time for the surprise.” Jack was amused to see Charlotte glaring at Cindy for the rest of their meal.

***

After lunch, they set out to explore Marie Antoinette’s estate. The crowds had slowly waned during the afternoon, and they wandered around beautiful waterways and explored the charms of a long-dead country lifestyle. As they rounded a corner of the Queen’s house, they found themselves surrounded by flowers. Jack stopped dead, reached out and captured Charlotte’s hand, and tugged her toward him. She looked up at him, wondering why he was holding her hand here—there were no spectators to take pictures to perpetuate their fake relationship.

Before she could ask him what he was doing, he dropped down onto one knee and looked up at her, still holding her fingers lightly in his. Her eyes widened as he dipped a hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she watched him lick his lips and clear his throat.

Holy shit! He’s actually going to do this!

Jack’s eyes twinkled with merriment as he took in her shocked expression. Licking his lips again, he drew a deep breath and spoke up to her. “Charlotte, I know we don’t know each other that well. The more time we spend together, though, the more I feel like we’re meant to take this adventure together… and it’s sure to be one hell of an adventure with you. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

Even though she knew it wasn’t real, tears pricked her eyes. Even though they’d agreed to marry when they’d signed that secret contract, her heart leaped with excitement and longing. Even though she knew he didn’t love her and couldn’t possibly want to spend the rest of his life with her, she squealed and jumped into his arms, knocking him off his knee and onto the grass.

Overcome with the excitement of the occasion, she kissed him hard on the lips, on the cheek, and then on his forehead. He was laughing at her enthusiasm as she once again pressed her lips to his; suddenly, he stopped laughing and kissed her back. His arms tightened around her and their lips fused together, both of them lost in the moment. Jack licked her lip and pressed his tongue inside her mouth as she opened up for him. They stayed that way for several moments, before Charlotte rolled off Jack and lay on her back on the grass with her arms outstretched.

He struggled to catch his breath. “Wow. That was some reaction!”

She laughed and smacked him on the hand, which reminded him that he didn’t yet have her answer. He rolled up onto one elbow and pulled her toward him. “Is that a yes?”

“Oh, of course! That’s definitely a yes.”

“Phew. I thought maybe you were just going to avoid the question, altogether. Here,” he sat up and reached for her hand. “I chose this for you—I hope you don’t mind.”

Jack slipped the ring onto her finger and Charlotte held it up to the light. Her engagement ring held the biggest diamond she’d ever seen. “Oh my God, it’s beautiful. Thank you, Jack.” She looked up and met his eyes. They smouldered at her, and she was aware that she could still feel his lips on hers. As though he’d read her mind, he leaned forward and gently kissed her again.

“You’re welcome.”

***

The return trip to the hotel took around an hour, and they passed the time playing I Spy, much to Jack’s disgust. Charlotte chose obscure items that he had no chance of guessing.

“You’re really observant, you know that?”

“I am?”

“It might be that you see the world a little differently than everyone else.” He was holding her hand in the car—something he didn’t normally do. “You surprise me every day.”

“How?”

“I thought you’d be even more pretentious than me, honestly. I assumed you’d be high-maintenance and a thorn in my side every single second we were together.”

“And you’ve decided I’m not?”

“Well, the jury is still out. Let’s just say it appears that three years married to you will not be the worst three years of my life.”

Charlotte smiled at him and rested her head on his shoulder. “So far, these few weeks have been the best of mine.”