The Price of Fame

by Gower, Hazel

  “Do you have a relationship going on with James? Should I back off?”

  Her eyes grew wide, and she chuckled. “No. You don’t have to worry about James. He’s my best friend. I would…” She gave a dramatic shiver. “We’re friends. That’s all. I would never sleep with him.” She shook her head and got out of the car. “If you can’t handle him being my friend, then I don’t…” Her eyes narrowed on him for a moment in an angry glare before she shook her head and continued. “Thanks for taking me to the Reptile Park. I had fun. Are you coming tonight?”

  He debated on whether to go, but knew he had to phone his family. He’d discovered Sunday nights were best. “I can’t. Sunday I chat with my family. Thanks much for the great day. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning.”

  He could tell he’d said something wrong. She looked eager to leave. Markus wanted to pull her in and kiss her, but he didn’t want to push his luck. She nodded and ran to her door, unlocked it, and walked inside.

  Great. This was going to be harder than he’d thought. He’d never had to chase a woman before. They usually fell at his feet. It was one of the perks of being a famous singer.

  Chapter 3

  Two weeks of morning walks, weekend dancing, and showing him some of the close-by sights. They’d even driven to Sydney and spent a full day in Darling Harbor. But tonight she’d agreed to go on a date. Markus organized dinner and a movie, trying to keep it simple. He needed public places so he didn’t throw her over his shoulder and take her back to his place and ravish her. As much as Markus wanted to do that, he knew in his heart Kylie was the one, and he wasn’t going to treat her like one of his groupies or a fling. He wanted Kylie forever.

  Feeling like a teenage boy going on his first date, he sat in front of Kylie’s house in his car, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans. “Keep it together, Markus. Be yourself. She likes you for you. She has no idea you’re a superstar.” He said it out loud, hoping it would help his current terrified state.

  He walked to her door telling himself he could do this. If he could perform in front of thousands of people, he could get through one date without ravishing her. She deserved better, and Markus wanted their first time together to be special.

  Before he could knock, Kylie opened the door. She had dressed in a simple pink and white dress with swirling patterns and black flat sandals. She wore no makeup, and her hair was in a messy bun. She looked adorable.

  “Hi. I’m ready to go.” Kylie grabbed his hand and shut her door with the other. He smiled down at her as they walked to his car.

  Markus couldn’t get over how different she was compared with all the other women he’d dated. She was so fresh and easygoing. Kylie didn’t complain when he’d told her what he’d organized, or that the restaurant wasn’t the best or the most popular place.

  After getting in his car, they drove to the restaurant, which was close to the cinemas. They found a spot to park between the two and walked hand in hand to the restaurant. Markus listened as she talked about her day and what she and her friend Gemma had gotten up to the night before. She asked his opinion on what she should do with her art work, if she should get a new car, and even about what she should cook. He loved that she asked his opinion on things that affected her life and asked about how his own day went.

  Markus didn’t talk about his work with her, scared he would say something to give away his identity. He told her just enough to keep her happy. She must have realized that his work was a no-go zone. At the restaurant they were seated immediately and ordered their meals. Once the waitress left, they sat in silence for the first time since the start of the date.

  *

  Kylie stared at the brightest, clearest blue eyes she had ever seen. They mesmerized her, and she wondered how many times in the last two weeks she had drowned in them. Kylie had painted and drawn them again and again. She took her time, adding in his strong, masculine, olive-skinned face.

  Markus was beyond beautiful.

  He was her dream and all she thought about. Her body acted as though it had awoken from hibernation and gone into overdrive. Every time he touched her, a fire started and continued to build. After seeing him in the mornings, she always retired to her room to let off some steam with the ladyfinger vibrator Gemma had bought her as a joke for her last birthday. She still needed a cold shower afterward as her body craved the real thing, something she found odd because she’d never had the real thing.

  Markus cleared his throat loudly and, in an almost growly voice, said, “If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be held responsible for picking you up and throwing you over my shoulder. Then I’ll take you back to my house and strip you naked.”

  She clenched her fists and squeezed her legs together as the image came to life in her head. “S-sorry, it’s just…” She shook her head to clear it.

  He nodded and looked away, giving her a chance to gather herself. Then he turned back and let his shoulders drop as he leaned back in his chair. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”

  “I’m working until seven. Covering for a friend. This is our first date. You might find out after tonight you just want to stay friends.”

  Markus let out a big belly laugh and leaned across to hold her hands. “Oh, omorphoula, there is no chance of that happening. I have been getting to know you for two weeks, and technically, this isn’t our first date as I took you to the Reptile Park, and we had that day in Sydney, and all the other times we’ve been together when you’ve shown me around.”

  She stared at him, open-mouthed. The corners of his lips curled in a wicked smile.

  “You are special to me.” He picked up her hand, kissing her knuckles, and then whispered some words in Greek.

  Slowly closing her mouth, she tried not to freak out over his words, but it was hard. She had been alone for two years, distancing herself from a lot of friends, scared of losing more people she loved. The only reason she wasn’t all alone was because James and Gemma had never taken no for an answer. Her other friends were more like acquaintances now.

  She listened as Markus told her about his brothers and sisters and their antics on his parents’ farm. Could she fall in love with this man? She groaned to herself as she realized she could easily love him. She probably had started to already.

  She told herself he would leave, and she needed to get out before he hurt her, but as she listened to him speak about his family with such love, Kylie knew she was a goner.

  * * * *

  She tried not to laugh as Markus sat through a sappy chick flick for her. He was probably the only straight guy in the whole cinema. She watched him as he rolled his eyes and huffed, speaking softly in Greek. She decided, in that moment, that tomorrow she would start learning Greek.

  When the movie finished, she giggled as he let out a loud sigh of relief. Leaning over, she brushed her lips against his. “Thanks for going through that torture for me.” She felt him smile as he pulled her mouth back to his, and this time his tongue tangled with hers while his hands trailed up and down her back.

  He pulled away, panting. “Anything for you. But I think you owe me.”

  She laughed and got up. “Come on, let’s go. Before they put it on again.”

  He jumped out of his seat, almost dragging her out of the theater.

  At the car, she thanked him again, standing up on tippy-toes as she let her mouth trail over his, licking the seam of his lips before seeking entry. Pressing her body to his, she rubbed against him, letting her hands smooth over his well-defined and muscular chest.

  Groaning into her mouth, he gripped her to him, palming her ass. A car horn startled them apart, each trying to catch their breath.

  “Thanks for taking me to the movies and sitting though the chick flick.”

  He watched her face and adjusted his jeans, his face scrunching in pain. Without another word, he opened her door. Once she was in, he got behind the wheel and drove away.

  Markus ground his jaw and focused on driving t
he whole way to her house. Worried she’d done something wrong, Kylie sat quietly, going over the evening in her mind, hoping she hadn’t ruined things.

  After parking in front of her house, he took a deep breath before he turned to her and gritted out, “I won’t walk you to the door because I don’t know how long I can be a gentleman.” He ran shaking fingers through his hair, and she let out a sigh of relief at his words. “Tomorrow?”

  Nodding, she got out of the car and almost skipped to the door. What did he have in store for her tomorrow?

  * * * *

  Kylie worried when she didn’t hear anything from him and walked to work, hoping the fresh air would clear her head. By the time she had finished her long shift at work, she was exhausted. Catching a friend’s brother shopping, she stalled, chatting and talking about silly things they had done as kids. Finally he offered her a ride home.

  Walking out of the shop’s front door with him, Kylie didn’t notice the man strolling toward her until he wrapped his arms around her. She squealed and spun to face Markus, who was staring daggers at the man behind her.

  Pissed at him for scaring the life out of her, never calling, and now acting all possessive, she whacked his chest just as Darren said, “Kylie, are you okay? This man isn’t bothering you, is he?”

  Elbowing Markus, she turned and pasted a smile on her face, ready to thank her friend when Markus butted in.

  “She is fine, aren’t you, omorphoula?”

  She rolled her eyes, still angry with him, but the bloody Greek got her every time. “No. He’s not bothering me. Thanks for the offer to take me home. It looks like I have a ride now.”

  Darren smirked as he looked behind her. “Isn’t he a little old, Kylie?”

  She laughed as Markus growled behind her, and Darren waved and walked away.

  Markus kissed her neck, and his stubble tickled her. “Do you think I’m too old for you?”

  Grinning, she turned in his arms, glancing at the almost empty parking lot. “Ooooh, I don’t know… Let’s see if you can keep up and catch me.”

  Maneuvering out of his arms, Kylie ran toward his car, laughing. Markus grabbed her around the waist before she was even halfway there and carried her the rest of the way.

  “I caught you. No challenge there. So does that mean I’m not too old, and you’ll keep me?”

  Brushing her lips over his, she murmured, “Only if you keep me.”

  Chapter 4

  After a week of dates and picking her up from work, Markus felt as though he couldn’t hold on any longer. He’d become sick of cold showers. He dreamed of holding Kylie at night and waking in the morning to see her beautiful face.

  It was Monday, and he’d organized a dinner at his house, putting all his phones on silent and hoping to make everything perfect to the last detail.

  The knock on his door left him nervous, like he’d never been on a date before and he wasn’t a thirty-three-year-old man. Markus opened the door and was rendered speechless. Kylie wore a little black dress, which hugged every curve, and high red shoes. She held a matching red clutch bag. She wore her hair falling around her shoulders, and he could tell she wore no bra. His mouth started to water. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ears, telling her in Greek she was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. If he hadn’t already been falling in love with her, he would have started after seeing her in this dress.

  She blushed a pretty pink as he tugged her inside, pulling her against him.

  “What did you just say? I really need to learn Greek.”

  As soon as the last word left her lips, he took her mouth. Her flavor exploded into his mouth. He sucked her tongue into his mouth, and then picked her up and walked to his room, not caring about his plan to wine and dine her and give her a gift.

  Kylie squealed into his mouth as he walked.

  Reaching his room, he gently placed her on the bed. She pulled off her shoes and tugged her dress down so he could hold, caress, and taste the rest of her body. Taking steps back, he slid the zipper down at the back and took the rest of the dress with him, dropping it to the floor. Markus paused to look at the woman he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about since he’d met her.

  Kylie breathed hard, her chest rising high and her nipples puckered. She looked perfect with her hair splayed over the pillows. There was no other word.

  Her heaving chest and breasts, with their round, berry-like nipples, tempted him. They begged for his mouth, but he wanted to see the rest of his prize first.

  He gazed at her tight, flat stomach and let his gaze drop to her black lace panties and smooth, muscled thighs. “Omorphoula.”

  Kylie hesitantly trailed her hands down his chest. “What did you just say?” She sighed.

  He captured her hand, brought it to his mouth, and then kissed each finger before placing a kiss on her palm. “I called you beautiful.”

  Her whole body turned a shade of pink, and a shy smile crept onto her face.

  He leaned down and whispered against her lips. “You are stunning, and I can’t wait to know every part of your perfect body.”

  His lips trailed down her body, licking and tasting every part of her. Kylie pulled at his shirt, and he paused a moment to look at her breasts before he yanked the shirt off. She used this time to undo his pants and slide them down. He kicked his shoes and pants off.

  Markus watched as her eyes widened. She looked down and backed up on the bed. “That won’t fit.”

  Markus sat on the bed, gently pulled her back to him, and glided her panties down and off, capturing her mouth and building the fire, which had been in her eyes before she saw his cock.

  “We’ll fit, omorphoula. You were made for me. You are going to be mine forever.” Not giving her time to respond, he covered her mouth again and moved her so she straddled him in his sitting position. “Touch me. I want to feel your hands on me. I always want you to feel free to touch me.”

  Her hands slowly moved up his back.

  He sucked gently on her neck, and then nipped at her ear. Then she went wild as he leaned down to suck a berry nipple into his mouth. Kylie held his head to her, arching into him.

  “Oh, more, Markus.”

  Leisurely gliding his fingers down her body to reach his goal, he slid a finger into her soaked pussy as she begged him for more.

  Pulling away, he stood and laid her back on the bed. Draping himself over her, he slid down her body to rest between her thighs. “All I’ve thought of since the moment I met you is how I can’t wait to taste you.” He dove for her pussy as she let out a loud moan.

  She gripped his hair, groaning out her pleasure. “Ah, right there. Yes! Yes, ohhhh, Markus.”

  He moved his finger in her pussy in time with his licks.

  “Markus, I need… I need…”

  He hummed against her clit as he added a second finger, and she came undone, yelling his name and pushing down on his hand.

  He kissed his way up her body as her pussy wrapped tightly around his fingers. He tried to slow himself down and take his time, but his body was on fire, had been on fire for weeks. His cock begged him to dive into her warm, wet vagina. Markus had never been this turned on or on edge before. He removed his fingers and sucked them into his mouth as he watched her lust-filled brown eyes. He lined his cock up and slowly pushed into her.

  She was so tight, and he had to ease into her carefully.

  “Omorphoula, have you been with someone before?”

  She gave a hesitant shake of her head, and he paused with his dick halfway in her.

  Shocked, Markus rested his forehead against hers and fought for some control. He would be her first. He needed to be loving and considerate, and then he smiled because if he had any say, he was going to be her one and only. “Kylie, thank you for this gift.” He tried not to think of the pressure he was now under.

  He sat up, pulling her up again and wrapping her legs around him. “Slide down on me, omorphoula.”

  Kylie’s lips met his a
s she pushed down on his penis, wincing into his mouth. Her nails dug into his back as she gripped onto him.

  Once fully seated inside her, Markus caressed her breasts and played with her nub. Kylie kissed her way down his neck and sucked on his shoulder as she slowly moved up and down on him, finding her rhythm. He caressed her back as she rubbed herself against him.

  As she moved herself back up to kissing her way to his mouth, his control started to slip, and his body hummed, ready for its release. Carefully, at first, he picked up the pace, holding her waist and helping to lift her.

  Knowing he couldn’t hold out much longer, not with the effect she had on him, Markus unwrapped her legs and turned, laying her back down on the bed, and thrust back into her.

  Kylie screamed. “Again, yes.”

  Pistoning into her, he watched as she bucked against him, begging for release. Slamming home one last time, he sucked on her neck.

  She moaned his name. “I’m coming, Markus.” Kylie’s now slick core pulsed around him, squeezing him and milking him.

  Giving her pussy what it wanted, he pulled out and hammered back in, letting himself go. He shouted her name, confessing his love in Greek.

  Collapsing on top of her, he rolled them so she lay on top of him and hugged her close. He listened to her panting and stroked her back. This was what he wanted, Kylie, here with him from this moment on. He felt relaxed and sated for the first time in weeks, fighting to keep his eyes open so he could take in every detail of her, and then he closed his eyes for a moment.

  *

  Kylie leaned on Markus’ chest and watched as he fought to keep his eyes open. Once he fell asleep, she slid out of his hold, grabbed his shirt and put it on, and wandered around his room, noticing he had nothing personal out, not even a photo of the family he spoke of. Opening drawers, she still couldn’t find anything besides clothing and a passport.

  She started to feel guilty that maybe she’d gone too far when she read his passport. She saw he travelled quite a bit. This only piqued her curiosity as to what he did for a living. Putting everything back, she walked to the shower and turned the taps on.