Page 30 of The Price of Fame

Ten

MARKUS LAY IN BED TRYING to think of what he’d done. He thought of everything that had happened since they’d left the awards ceremony. He hadn’t wanted to go to the party in the first place. She’d been the one to convince him. Kylie had sat in the corner the whole time. At first he thought she just needed to get used to the atmosphere, but after half an hour, she still sat in the same spot watching everyone. He thought she would come over to him, but she didn’t until a woman named Brenna came over to congratulate him.

Getting out of bed, he grabbed his discarded clothing and checked the pockets for his phone. Cash and pieces of paper fell out. He stared at the items on the bed, looking at the numbers. Could she be angry that those women congratulated him by kissing him? He looked down at the numbers again, picked them up, and placed them on the bedside table along with his phone before he got back into bed and tried to sleep. Maybe if he slept, he would wake in the morning with a fresh view on the whole thing, and Kylie might be willing to talk to him.

Waking to the sound of his phone ringing, Markus reached for it and growled, “What?”

“You have an hour to get ready for the radio and TV interviews about your awards. I’ll be there in half an hour. The next three days are booked. Oh, and make sure that fiancée of yours is there being supportive. Everyone is talking about how she wasn’t there for your performance last night.” Gaelan hung up before Markus had a chance to respond.

Stumbling out of bed, he glanced at the bedside clock to see he’d had only three hours sleep, which meant Kylie wouldn’t have had much more than him. He decided to shower and get dressed before he went to wake and talk to Kylie.

He showered and dressed, and then he went in search of Kylie, hoping she would be willing to talk to him. Markus checked every room, and he started to get worried when he didn’t find her. Walking into the kitchen, he found a note leaning against a vase in the middle of the counter.

Markus, slept about three hours and couldn’t get back to sleep.

Have gone exploring and to get some food. Needed to get out of the house so I can think things over.

Kylie

PS Have phone with me if you need to contact me.

Markus read the note twice before he went to the drawer by the garage door and grabbed his keys. Shit! He’d known Kylie was angry with him, but to leave their home and wander around a strange city by herself was silly when she was new and didn’t know Greek. He shook his head. He would paddle her ass. No matter how upset she got with him, he would make sure she never went out by herself in a city she didn’t know again, especially with paparazzi ready to pounce if they saw her.

Markus jumped into his Lamborghini, and then drove off, heading toward the city and hoping Kylie didn’t get recognized by the paparazzi.

Kylie wandered the busy little streets of Mykonos in amazement. The exploring had done her a world of good. Her temper over what had happened with Markus had cooled down, and she was now ready to listen to him. Looking around the city, she’d seen that a lot of Greeks greeted each other with kisses.

She’d been walking for an hour and in that time bought herself some art supplies, which set her back a pretty penny, and she was now looking for a place to eat. Finding a lovely, quiet place overlooking the water, she sat out in the front and watched the view. A waiter came and took her order. When she spoke, he smiled and added in a very strong accent, “We don’t get many visitors this time of year this far over. It’s usually locals.”

She’d noticed there weren’t that many people about in this area of town. There was a couple behind her, an older gentleman in the opposite corner, two women chatting, and three men scattered about at the other tables.

Looking back at the waiter, she asked, “Do you want me to go find another place?”

The waiter’s eyebrows rose, and his accent got thicker as his words rushed out. “No, ma’am, I was just being—”

He was cut off as the older gentlemen from the corner rushed over.

“I’m sorry for Lukas, ma’am. He didn’t mean to make you feel unwelcome. He was just surprised to see a visitor so early and at this time of year.”

Kylie smiled at the man and at Lukas. “Nothing to apologize for. It was my mistake. I probably would have eaten farther down the waterfront, but this place looked too cute to pass up.”

The older man beamed down at her, holding out his hand. “Thank you, this is my little restaurant.”

“Well, from what I’ve seen so far, you have a beautiful little restaurant.”

He sat opposite her just as her phone vibrated in her shorts pocket. Pulling it out, she apologized for being rude as she answered. “Hello.”

“Where are you?” She let out a sigh as Markus growled into the phone.

“I’m at a cute little restaurant called…”

She glanced at the man opposite her, who said, “As Pháne.” She repeated what the place was called and where it was. She mouthed thank you to the owner as Markus muttered, “Good. I’m two minutes away.” Then he hung up.

Focusing her attention on the owner, she smiled at him as he seemed to study her.

“Sorry for being rude and answering that while you were talking, but I don’t want anyone to worry about me. I left this morning to explore, only leaving a note.”

“That’s fine. Should I order two of what you’re getting, or hold your order until your friend gets here?”

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