Page 22 of The Price of Fame

Seven

MARKUS HAD GOTTEN ON A plane and barely stopped. He’d phoned on his six-hour plane layover and organized a car for when he arrived in Sydney. He had spoken to his record company, family, manager, and the awards ceremony organizers. As soon as he got off the plane in Sydney, he jumped in a car and drove as fast as he could to get to Kylie.

Arriving at her house, not even bothering to pop into his place to shower and change, he let himself in, pausing at the laughter. Moving closer to hear what was going on, he froze at the sight before him. James sat on the sofa, and Kylie sat snuggling up to him as they joked about their dancing stuff. It wasn’t what he expected to see when he’d rushed here, and his anger came back full force.

He stood unsure for a moment before he stalked toward them, fuming when James sat Kylie on his lap and kissed her. Markus saw Kylie pushing at James, trying to get away. He watched her struggle until she finally freed herself and slapped him, turning on him and yelling, only to freeze when she saw him.

“Markus.”

Markus saw her slowly take in his disheveled look, his clenched fists, and his rigid jaw. A slow smile spread across Kylie’s face as though she didn’t care what he looked like. She ran to him, jumping on him, kissing him all over.

All Markus’ anger disappeared as their lips touched, their tongues met, and he gripped her to him. Pulling away from her mouth, he panted. “Omorphoula, ékhasa pára polý. Anèsykhoýsa gia esás. Egô den ennoô gia to video gia na vgoyn. Eíkhe klapeí khòrís tè dikê moy ádeia.”

She frowned and cocked her head to the side. “I only understood the beautiful part because you were speaking too fast.” She trailed her fingers over his cheek.

Capturing her fingers and kissing each one, he repeated slowly in English, “Beautiful, I missed you so much. I was worried about you. I didn’t mean for the video to come out. It was stolen without my permission.”

A huff sounded behind them, and he turned to see James glaring at him. He let go of Kylie, thinking she would slide down off him as he walked toward James, but she clung to him.

“Don’t. Let’s go. He didn’t know how I felt about you. Leave him. He’s still my friend. Please.”

He glared at James, who still sat on the sofa staring at Kylie’s back with a look of longing. James must have felt his gaze because his eyes shot up to meet Markus’, and he stood, giving him a deadly stare. Taking a step toward him, angry that he’d kissed Kylie knowing she was in a relationship, Markus was stopped by small hands pushing at his chest.

Kylie’s eyes moved frantically between the two of them. “Please, please don’t fight.” She stroked his face. “Let’s go to your place. I want to welcome you properly.” Not letting him answer, she covered his mouth with hers and moved her hands under his shirt, stroking his chest.

Gripping her ass again, Markus couldn’t help glancing over at James, who stood with a look of longing and pain as he glared at Kylie’s back. James noticed him watching again, but this time, he just nodded and turned his back on them. Shrugging off the tiny bit of guilt, he pulled Kylie closer to him and walked out the door.

“Okay, omorphoula, let’s go to my place. I could use some help cleaning those hard-to-reach places.”

She chuckled as they walked out, ignoring the growl from behind them.

Showered, they lay on his bed. Kylie caressed his chest, and the talk they’d been putting off came to a head. “How’d they get it?”

“I’m having it looked into, but they think a technician or cleaning staff. It could have been anyone.”

She looked up at him and traced his lips. “What can you do? It’s too late to get it off the air, but could you change the clip?”

He kissed her palm, and then he let out a sigh as he thought out his answer. “I could, we could, only problem is that it would make it more popular. Everyone wants a copy of what they shouldn’t have. I’ll do it for you. It’s just…”

Kylie frowned and rolled off him. He tried to hold her to him, but she avoided him. She grabbed his shirt and walked out.

Markus lay for a moment, debating whether he should go after her, or stay and wait for her to come to him. Letting out a moan, he pulled boxers on and went searching.

Kylie was sitting on the balcony, looking out at the ocean. Markus picked her up, placing her on his lap as he sat in her spot. He stroked her hair, and she leaned into him.

“I’ll come to Greece this time if you want.”

He spun her so she straddled his lap, her knees resting on the chair as he gently brushed his lips against hers. “That would make me so happy.” He cupped her face so they looked into each other’s eyes. “I love you, Kylie.”

Her eyes widened, and he heard her breathing pick up.

“I want you to be with me forever. These last couple of days have made me realize what I want, and you are number one. Marry me?’ He captured her gasp with his mouth, slipping his tongue in to meet hers. His fingers trailed down her face and neck. Markus felt her hand slide up and grip his hair, holding him to her.

She pulled away and tried to catch her breath. “Yes. Yes, I love you, too, and will marry you.”

He laughed and pulled her to him. “S 'agapô. S 'agapô. Ékhete ékane o pio eytykhisménos ánthròpos ston kósmo. We’ll go ring shopping tomorrow, and we’ll get you organized to leave tomorrow night.”

She kissed both his cheeks before hovering over his lips. “Well, this will force me to learn Greek. Do you want to tell me what you said?”

He grinned. In his happiness, he had spoken in Greek first, then English. “I just said I love you, and you have made me the happiest man in the world.”

She smiled up at him. “How about you show me how happy you—”

He didn’t let her finish. He stood up and threw her over his shoulder. She squealed with laughter as he squeezed and then swatted her butt.

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