The Price of Fame

by Gower, Hazel

  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 did 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.

  Chapter 8

  Kylie sat in first class, amazed at the luxury and space. She had her iPod on, learning Greek as she stared out the window and thought of all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. She had called her friends and work to tell them where she was going. Her work had been great, very understanding. They’d said they would have told her not to come in anyway, as they were getting bombarded with media trying to find out info on her.

  Gemma had gone nuts with excitement for her, telling her not to worry about anything. She would look after Buddha as if he was her own. When she’d told Gemma that Markus had asked her to marry him, the squeal had been deafening.

  Kylie flexed her left hand, feeling the weight of the diamond and sapphire engagement ring. It was stunning and, she thought, way too expensive. But silly her, she had slipped by pointing it out when she saw it and fallen in love, although when she’d seen the price tag, she fell out of love pretty quickly. Of course it was too late. He’d seen her face and her first reaction and bought it, even with her insisting he not.

  James was another matter altogether. He didn’t take her calls, resulting in Kylie and Markus’ first real argument. She’d been about to pop out to see James when Markus had asked where she was going, and of course, she’d answered. “I’m going to go have a talk with James.”

  “No, you are not, not unless I go with you. And, if that happens, you might not like the outcome.”

  She shot a glare at him and tried to reason with him. “Come on, he’s been my best friend for years. I’m perfectly safe.”

  “Best friends don’t confess they’re in love with you and kiss you.”

  He had a point, but she still felt bad. “He won’t do it again. I—” She didn’t get to finish.

  “I know he won’t do it again because you won’t be going to see him without me.”

  Kylie had stared open-mouthed at the change in Markus as he turned into an alpha male, clenching her teeth and fists as her body stiffened because he thought he could tell her whom to see. “I have to go and talk to him. I can’t leave it like I did last night. We’re leaving tonight. I can’t go and not tell him.”

  “Yes, you can. I’m not having my fiancée going to a man’s house alone, especially a man who’s confessed his love for her and made out with her, knowing she’s in a relationship. No, not happening.”

  Letting out a frustrated scream, she stomped to the front doo
r, yelling, “I’m going. You need to trust me. I am not letting my friend learn about our engagement through other people or the friggin’ media.”

  She had marched out of the house, only to realize she didn’t have her car. As she paused to figure out what to do, familiar hands grabbed her, and she was thrown over a muscular shoulder.

  She squealed. “Put me down now, Markus Pegios. I’m going. You don’t get to tell me who I see. What has gotten into you? You were never this bossy before.”

  He chuckled and swatted her bottom. “Yeah, I do get to tell you who to see, especially if that man is in love with you. And I was this bossy before. You just never got to see it.”

  He kept her distracted until they were almost ready to leave. Kylie bit her tongue as images of what he’d done flashed through her mind, sending tingles down her spine and straight to her sensitive pussy. She shot a glare at Markus, who was staring at her.

  “What? Is something wrong? Why are you staring at me?” She knew her voice was clipped and sharp, but she was still angry at him about the fiasco over James the night before.

  “You still angry at me?” Markus asked.

  Lowering her voice so the other passengers wouldn’t hear, she whispered, “You know I am. That was a dirty trick you pulled most of yesterday.”

  He raised his eyebrow at her words, and she felt her cheeks flush with heat.

  “You know what I mean. I’m an idiot because I can’t resist you.”

  A huge grin spread over his face, and he captured her left hand, bringing her fingers up to his face as he played with her engagement ring. “I love knowing I can have you whenever I want, that all I have to do is kiss you and you melt into me, or that I can throw you over my shoulder and go all cave man on you. You like that, don’t you, omorphoula?”

  Kylie let out a moan and looked around first class, praying no one could hear him. From what she could see of the couple of rows around her, most of the other passengers were relaxing, talking, or sleeping, but a few were staring at them, well, staring at Markus. “Stop talking about stuff like that here. People are staring.”

  He shrugged. “Let them stare.” He moved his hands up to her face, leaned down, and brushed her lips with his.

  She closed her eyes as his hands slowly moved down her face, leaving a trail of fire, which only he could do to her.

  “I want everyone to know what you are to me. I can’t wait to take you home and show you off.”

  Giving in and not caring anymore, she kissed him back until finally they pulled apart slightly, panting.

  “So, I’m forgiven?”

  She looked into his gorgeous face and sighed. “All right, you are forgiven, but next time, trust me. I could have handled going over to see James.”

  “It was never you I didn’t trust. It was him. Next time something like that happens, I’ll try not to go all bossy cave man on you.”

  Kylie let out a huff. “Nothing like that will happen again. And I don’t mind a little bit of the cave man. He’s hot.”

  He laughed, and she snuggled as best she could into him, feeling better and happy they had survived their first fight.

  * * * *

  Markus had never been the nervous type, even when performing in front of thousands. Right now, though, he was so nervous he felt sick. Looking down at the woman who held everything of his in her small hands, he hoped Kylie could handle the media frenzy he knew would be waiting for them.

  They’d waited until last to get off the plane. Turning, he took a deep breath, slowly letting it go as they walked off the plane.

  Markus felt Kylie buzzing with excitement. “I’ve never been anywhere besides New Zealand, and that was for only three days with my parents. I can’t wait for you to take me to all the temples, Athens, oh, Mount Olympus, and Santorini. Did I say that right?”

  Seeing the gates up ahead, he prayed there weren’t too many paparazzi. They’d been through immigration and customs and were now walking to the exits. “Yes, you said it quite well.” He stopped as they reached security. “Kylie, you need to keep a tight hold of my hand. Don’t let go no matter what, and don’t answer any questions.”

  She bit her lip and glanced around them before nodding.

  A security guard came over to him with two others dressed in uniform. “Mr. Pegios, Miss Breal, stay between us at all times. I have everything else organized. I have men controlling the fans and media, but I still advise you to stay close. Your luggage is in the limo, ready and waiting to go.” He’d spoken English for Kylie’s benefit. Now he spoke into his walkie in Greek, telling people Markus and Kylie were coming.

  Kylie gripped his hand tighter the closer they got to the airport doors. Just as the doors opened, he said, “I love you.”

  Cameras flashed in his eyes, and fans and the media swarmed them. A flood of questions from journalists erupted.

  “Is this the woman from the video?”

  “Do you not like Greek women?”

  “Is it true you deliberately went elsewhere to fall in love?”

  “Is she pregnant?”

  “Are you going to move to Australia?”

  “Are you engaged? Is that her engagement ring?”

  “Is this all a stunt to prove you’re not gay?”

  On the last question, he felt Kylie shaking. He looked down at her to see her trying to stop herself from laughing. He wondered what she found so funny.

  Finally, the guards pushed their way through the crowd and to the limo. They got in, and as soon as the door was shut, he asked, “What is so funny?”

  She looked him up and down and raised her eyebrow. “Is there some gorgeous Greek man I’m going to have to watch out for?”

  It took him a moment to understand before he laughed, pulled her to him, and kissed her.

  She pulled away with a coy smile on her face. “You are way too good looking, and it’s always the hot ones who turn out to be gay.”

  He gave a growl and pulled her onto his lap. “I’m happy to prove to you that I’m not. We do have a bit of driving in traffic, and since we couldn’t join the Mile High Club, how about—”

  Kylie squealed as they were interrupted. Markus looked over to the far corner of the limo to see his manager, Gaelan, sitting with his laptop on his legs and phone in his ear as he stared at them.

  “I would rather not see that show,” he said in Greek.

  Markus shot a glare at Gaelan. “What the hell are you doing in here?”

  Kylie buried her head in his chest, mumbling, “Can you speak English? I don’t understand.” She turned up to him. “Who is he?”

  He looked at his manager, hoping he would see he was serious. “Speak English, please. Kylie is only just learning Greek.” Gaelan nodded.

  “Congratulations, you are number one in most countries. English and American producers are begging me to put you on their talk shows. Some even want the both of you.”

  Slowly, Kylie slid off him, only to shake her head. He knew she didn’t want to be in the limelight. She sat next to him, and he watched as his manager looked Kylie up and down, his gaze stopping on the engagement ring.

  Gaelan’s eyes widened for a moment before he spoke in rapid Greek. “You are engaged? When did this happen? Why didn’t you inform me? This changes a lot of things. She is not pregnant, is she? This should keep you at number one for a while. You two chat. I have to find a wedding planner and organize a place to have it all. I will call your mother and sister.”

  Kylie was studying Gaelan’s face as though he were a bug under a microscope. “Does he not know much English?”

  “He does, but in his excitement, he forgets to speak it. He’s sorry, aren’t you, Gaelan?” Gaelan looked to him, and then glanced at Kylie, nodding.

  “What did he say?”

  Markus debated what to say as he knew Kylie was already overwhelmed with everything. He didn’t want to scare her off.

  “He commented on your engagement ring and asked if my parents knew and what we plann
ed to do.”

  She studied his face for a moment before giving a slight nod. “Your parents don’t know. What if they don’t like me?”

  He reached for her hands, lifted them to his mouth, and kissed them. “They will love you. I have told them about you. They know how I feel and what you are to me. They want me to be happy. Don’t stress, omorphoula. They will love you. Just like I do.”

  She let out a sigh and shot a glance at Gaelan, who was talking on his phone.

  Kylie glanced out their window with an amazed expression on her face. “Where do you live?”

  “I live in Mykonos. I have a house overlooking the sea.”

  Her eyes widened, and she pounced in her seat as her lips turned up in a bright smile. “Oh, that was one of the places I hoped we would visit. It’s even better that you live there. You can show me all the cool places.”

  He gave her what he hoped passed for a smile because he didn’t want to tell her just yet that he didn’t go exploring often, as he usually got swarmed with fans and paparazzi.

  “Do your parents live there too?”

  He grinned as he thought of his family home in the country. “No, my family lives a couple of hours away in the country. We own an olive tree farm. I think that’s what you would call it. We produce olive oil and other things from it. My younger brothers run it now.”

  “Wow, I forgot there are more men who look like you.” Her hand went up to cover her mouth, and she turned bright pink.

  Not able to resist, he leaned down, pulling her hand from her mouth, and gently brushed her lips with his. “I have a little sister I told you about, and did I mention the two brothers are twins? They look like younger versions of me. At least we are told that all the time. Should I be worried? Are you thinking of trading me in for the younger models?”

  Her lips curled up in the corners, and her eyes took on a wicked gleam. “Ooohhh, that depends on what the younger model has to offer.” Her hands trailed up his shirt, and her mouth hovered over his ear. “Would a younger model be able to keep up with me all night long? Would he show me who’s boss? Would he know all the right spots?”