Page 23 of Wish You Knew
“Scott? It’s me, Rosie. I…I’ve just been to a casting for a job and… well, Mark was there. He threatened me again and… I…I don’t know what to do. Can you call me back? Please?”
The way her voice cracked on the last word almost had me reaching through the phone to grab her and bring her here. What had that fucker done this time? Hadn’t I been clear he wasn’t to contact her again? I did as she asked and called.
She answered immediately. “Oh, thank God,” she said, her voice breathy.
“Where are you?” I demanded.
“Carnaby Street.Aspirehad a casting and I didn’t know they were going to do chemistry shots and when I went into the room it was him and I didn’t know how to react because I really wanted the job…”
“Shhh, calm down.” I cut her off as she babbled down the line at me. “Is he with you?”
“No, I left before he had a chance to follow me.”
“So you’re in a public place where he can’t find you?”
“Yes. I planned to head straight home.”
“Good. Do that.”
“Should I report him? God, what if I bump into him again?” Her voice went up an octave.
What possessed me to make the offer I did, I would never know. It seemed like the right thing to do. “You won’t. Pack a bag, get on a train and come join me here.”
“In Manchester?” she asked.
“I’m not at home, but I’ll tell you where I am. Gonna be here for the week to chill, and I want to start making new music.” I paused. “Sounds like you need to do something similar?”
The silence which met my suggestion was an answer in itself. She would turn me down gracefully, thanking me for the offer, and promise me she’d get Saff and Tris to look after her.
Never in a million years did I expect her to say, “Can you message me the details? And will you be at the station?”
My jaw dropped. It was a good thing we weren’t on a video call.
“You’d really come here? Rosie, are you sure?”
“Are you backtracking on your offer, Mr Lincoln?”
Her tone caused the hairs on the back of my neck to raise. “Never.”
“Then I’ll see you at the station.”
The line went dead. I stared at the blank screen unable to believe what had just happened.
Rosie Tatton was coming to spend the week with me.
First, to get cleaned up. I hauled my body out of bed and padded into the bathroom.
There was a huge shower in one corner, more than big enough for two, with a waterfall shower head. I turned the water on and let it cascade over my head. The flow and temperature soon soothed my bones.
What the hell was I going to do with Rosie for an entire week?
Several thoughts ran through my brain, causing my dick to harden. Tempting though it was to bring some much-needed relief, I resisted. If Rosie was up for some of our usual no-strings sex, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. There would be no pushing it though; she was still vulnerable after her latest encounter with that Mark guy.
Blasting the water to cold, I shivered for the last minute of my shower, before stepping out and towelling off to pull some clothes on.
For once, I made my bed, then went to check on one of the guest bedrooms. Smaller than mine, it still held a king-sized bed and the cool blue decor instilled a sense of calm. It should suit Rosie perfectly.
Downstairs in the kitchen, I opened the fridge and stared at the empty shelves. I wished I’d had the foresight to sort out an online shopping delivery. My stomach rumbled. I’d give my right arm for a bacon sandwich.
