The Price of Fame

by Gower, Hazel

  Wrapping the towel around herself, she shot a glare at Marcus. “I’d like to make it out for my walk today before lunch please. My poor Buddha is probably crazy lonely.” She let out a groan as he stared at the towel she gripped, as though if he looked long enough, it would magically disappear. “Stop that. We had lots of going-away sex last night. It’s all we’ve done the last couple of days. You’re turning me into a sex-crazed woman.”

  He got out of the shower, not even bothering with a towel. She let out a sigh as the water droplets slid down his perfect six-pack abs. Maybe she should dry him; she was kind of thirsty. He laughed, coming to her and picking her up. Markus plastered her back against the bathroom door, and she wrapped her legs around him.

  “Omorphoula, that’s the way I like you, ready for me always.”

  The towel fell from her grip, and he lined his penis up with her wet pussy and thrust home.

  “Yep, just the way I like it. “ Her head fell back against the wall as he pulled his cock out before slamming home. “Tell me you’ll miss me.”

  Capturing his face between her hands, she panted. “I suppose I’ll miss this.”

  He gave a mock growl and covered her lips with his. His hands caressed her breasts, and he slipped out of her, hovering at her entrance. Markus’ tongue tangled with hers as they fought to get more of each other.

  “Tell me I’m the only one for you.”

  She tried to push herself back down on his dick.

  “Tell me you believe me when I say you’re mine always and forever.” She looked into his sky-blue eyes, watching as they darkened with his lust and something else she couldn’t quite describe, love maybe. Markus’ hand came up to caress her cheek. “I knew the moment you touched me that you were my woman. The only one for me.”

  She closed her eyes at the intensity of his words and stare, feeling terrified. She tried to stop her racing heart and her body from shaking. She thought of their short time together and slowly opened her eyes. “Yes, I’ll miss you, and you are my only.”

  The smile that spread over his face was breathtaking, and he moved his hand to her waist as he thrust back home. Moaning when the sensations came crashing back, igniting the fire and building her passion up again until she was ready to explode into an orgasm again.

  “I’m going to miss you, my omorphoula. How will I sleep without you holding me? What will I do without all my morning exercise?”

  She gave a huff and whispered, “Think of all the extra energy you’ll have.”

  He bit her shoulder, and she gripped onto him, digging her nails in as the fire they’d built exploded, and she felt her pussy quiver.

  “Markus, oh Maarrkus.” She screamed as he slammed into her pussy one final time.

  He murmured Greek against her skin as she felt his warm cum splash into her. They stayed that way for a few moments, leaning against the wall, trying to catch their breaths.

  “I love the way you make me feel,” she whispered.

  He kissed her forehead and unwrapped her legs from around his waist. “Come on. Let’s get dressed and go get your dog before I decide we should spend the day in bed.”

  * * * *

  Their last day had been wonderful. They’d played at the beach for the rest of the morning, taking silly photos of each other and getting people who passed by to take shots. Kylie was happy she would have some more photos of the two of them together. She’d been working on a painting of him, a couple actually, and a lot of the pictures would be perfect for her work.

  She was going to keep herself busy, hoping that it would stop her thinking about Markus too much. Because, already, she missed him.

  It was now Thursday night, which left only four more nights of sleeping alone until Tuesday afternoon when she would go pick him up from the airport. Sitting on her sofa, she tried to watch the movie she’d put on to relax, but her mind was full of ideas. Giving up, she went to her art room, turning on all the lights, and let her muse take her.

  * * * *

  “You should really answer your phone or your door.”

  She jumped, screaming as James came up beside her.

  “What have I told you about coming into my painting room?”

  He stared, with his mouth agape, around her room. “Holy shit, Kylie, you do know what day it is?”

  Kylie bit her lip as she counted back her days.

  Jamie sighed and shook his head. “It’s Saturday afternoon. I’m here to take you to dinner before our dance class.” He pulled her to him. “You’re covered in paint.” James brushed hair off her face and rubbed her nose. “When was the last time you ate?”

  She tried to remember. “I went to the bathroom. Fed Buddha, let him in, grabbed some chips and a bottle of water. I think earlier this morning.”

  He pulled her slowly away from her room. “Come on. Let’s get you showered, and then we can go eat. Lucky I came early so we could have some time together.”

  She nodded as he walked her to the bathroom and turned the shower taps on.

  “Shower. I’ll wait for you.”

  As soon as the water hit her, she started to wake and come together. She had been on a roll. The inspiration bug had hit her, and she couldn’t stop painting. Getting out of the shower, she turned it off, wrapped a towel around her, and walked into her room. After drying, Kylie dressed and met James in her living room, where he was talking to Buddha.

  “How much longer do you reckon she’s going to be? I think she’ll take a while. She was covered in paint. What do you think she’d do to me if I went in and made sure she gets it all?”

  “I would probably kill you.”

  He turned to her, holding his chest as though she’d startled him.

  “Come on, James, I’m starving. Let’s go.”

  He looked her up and down, and his eyes widened. “When did you get that dress?”

  She looked down at one of the new dresses she’d bought while shopping with Gemma. It was tight to her waist, and then it flared out. She loved how the colors blended together, cream and blue with black lace trim.

  “You don’t like it? It’s new. I bought it while shopping with Gemma.”

  He scrunched his face, showing his dislike for her friend.

  “I seriously don’t get your beef with Gemma. Is it because she hasn’t fallen for your charms?”

  James gave a mock shudder as they headed for the door. “No. Let’s just say she’s not my type.”

  She laughed. “I didn’t know you had a type.”

  “Oh, I do. They just don’t know they’re my type yet.” Kylie raised her eyebrows at his cryptic answer as he grinned and got in his car.

  Chapter 6

  Markus sat in the studio. “I can’t. I’m leaving late Monday night.”

  Gaelan, his manager, raked his fingers through his graying hair. “You have to stay. The record label wants you there on Tuesday. It’s an awards show, Markus, where the public votes, and you’re nominated for two categories.”

  He knew he had to go to the awards show since he was already in town. He just missed Kylie and wanted to get back to her so he could convince her to come here with him. “Fine, call them and tell them I’ll be there.”

  His manager scurried off, and Markus reached for his phone. He dialed Kylie’s home, only to get voice mail. He called her mobile, and she answered just as he was going to hang up.

  “Hello, what are you up to?”

  He sank down in a seat, enjoying the sound of her voice.

  “I’m in the studio, and I’m missing you. I have some bad news. I won’t be coming back Tuesday. I’ve been delayed another week.”

  Silence greeted him on the other end. A minute or two that felt like an hour ticked by before he heard Kylie mumble, “Just give me a minute, and I’ll be right with you.”

  He groaned when he heard James’ voice in the background. “Okay, go find us a seat, and I’ll get your meal.”

  He gripped the phone tighter when she let out a loud sigh int
o the phone. She finally replied. “What’s holding you up? I can’t sleep without you anymore. I miss you singing my song to me.”

  He chuckled. “I have to go to an awards ceremony. I’m nominated twice.”

  “Oh, who will go with you?” He heard the worry in her voice.

  “Omorphoula, I’ll be going by myself, I promise, and I’m sending you a surprise. Check your email when you get home.”

  “Please tell me you’re coming back, that this isn’t some famous person’s game where you play with me, and then throw me away.”

  Clenching his fists in frustration because she was so far away, he tried to soothe her as best he could. “You, Kylie, are my one and only. My forever. I will be there Saturday night if I have to swim the ocean to get there. I did a little something for you. It should help you sleep. Check your e-mail when you get home, okay? Promise me.” He turned to his computer and sent the video clip he’d made of their song.

  He heard James in the background. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t cry. Say bye. You’re tired…”

  You have got to be fucking joking me. He punched the table, angry that he’d made her cry.

  She whispered, “Yep, I’ll check when I get home.” She hiccupped before she hung up on him.

  Screaming in frustration, he threw the phone, watching as it smashed into pieces on the floor.

  “I didn’t realize you were serious about the woman you were involved with on your holiday. I just thought she was some holiday muse.”

  Growling, he turned to his manager. “That woman is the woman I love. I’m going to marry her. I just have to convince her of both of those things.”

  He watched as his manager’s eyes widened for a moment before Gaelan returned to his serious-eyes-drawn-together, lips-pinched face.

  “Look, I need some fresh air. I’ll be back. Get me a new phone too. The SIM card should have survived that.”

  Markus got up and walked out of the studio, thinking about what he’d told his manager. He knew it was true. How could he not love her? She was the one thing he thought about before he went to sleep, and the only thing on his mind in the morning. She made him feel happier than he’d been since he was a boy.

  * * * *

  Markus had been busy the last two days, barely leaving the studio. His worry over leaving Kylie for the extra days eased when she’d rung him, raving about her surprise.

  “I love it, Markus. The pictures of us on the beach look fantastic. Buddha was barking at himself when I put the music video on to watch. It’s not as good as having you here with me, but it will do. Thanks for recording our song just for me.”

  He loved that she knew it was her song. It made what he paid for it to be done all worthwhile.

  Coming up for air for the first time in days, he checked his phone, only to see he had six missed calls from family. Worried that something had happened, he called his mother. “Mama, is everything okay? I have lots of messages from family.”

  “Congratulations, Markus, your new song is number one in our charts, and it’s top ten around the world. Everyone is calling to congratulate you and find out more about the woman in the video clip. You are obviously in love. ” He froze at his mother’s words and gripped his phone tighter, hoping what he thought had happened hadn’t.

  “Mama, I haven’t released a song. I’m working in the studio now.” An uneasy feeling settled over him. “Please tell me the song wasn’t called ‘My One and Only’.”

  “Yes, that’s what it’s called, very catchy. So when do I get to meet the girl? Is this the woman you met on your getaway?”

  Rubbing his hand over his face and feeling as though he needed to pull his hair out, he took a deep breath and gritted out, “With everything that’s just happened, I don’t know if you’ll ever meet her. Um, that song was just hers, Mama.”

  “Oh, Markus, I’m sure she’ll understand if she loves you, and from the video clip of you together and the way she looks at you, I’d say she does. She would be crazy not to. I’ll let you go and sort this out. Your father and I are very proud of you. Love you.”

  “Thanks, bye.” He hung up and debated who to call first, Kylie or his manager to find out what the hell was going on.

  The choice of his manager won. “Please tell me ‘My One and Only’ wasn’t released to the public.”

  “Fuck. I was trying to get it sorted out before you came up for air. It was leaked only hours after you sent it to your girlfriend. I was going to call you today. I have the record company telling me you’re going to perform it at the awards show. I have the awards show ringing and begging for you to do it. I’ve been fending off magazines and TV programs, all offering big bucks for you to go on their show. It’s in the top ten in America. I don’t think I can contain it. I’ve been trying.”

  Markus roared into the phone, picked up the closest thing to him, and threw it. “Get me a flight to Sydney, and pray she forgives me because, otherwise, you’re fired.” He heard his manager trying to interrupt. “If you mention the awards ceremony or anything else related to this industry, I will fire you right now. Get me a flight now!”

  Ending the call, he got in his car and drove to the airport, calling Kylie. Swearing when she didn’t answer either of her phones, he sped up, praying she would see him.

  * * * *

  Kylie sat in her house with all the blinds shut and her home and mobile phones both going to voice mail. She’d gotten home on Sunday from her dancing class and was still in the mood for music. So she’d turned on the TV to MTV and danced for a while, cleaning her floors and doing the washing up until a very familiar song came on. Not believing what she was hearing, she wandered out to stare at the TV, freezing at the sight before her. She triple checked to make sure her DVD player hadn’t been switched on.

  He’d lied to her. Tears slid down her cheeks, and she used the dishtowel to wipe her eyes. Her heart sank, and her body felt heavy at Markus’ betrayal. Kylie watched as snapshots of them together came up, along with the bad footage the old couple had taken for them. Starting to feel sick, she ran to her bathroom and emptied her stomach before she crawled to her bedroom, where she sat, feeling numb. She wouldn’t, couldn’t, move.

  Her brain went wild with crazy thoughts. Why would Markus do this? He knew she wasn’t one for attention. He knew she didn’t want that song released. It was supposed to be for her ears only.

  Kylie didn’t know how long she sat there in a trance-like state. She didn’t come around until Gemma and James both came in, arguing with each other.

  “She should get her passport and go to him.” Gemma glared at James, who snorted.

  “No way is she going wherever in hell that dickhead is. I got bombarded with media calls, and I know you did too. Kylie hates being in the spotlight.”

  “She does your charity gigs for you just fine.”

  “You don’t see her before she goes on. It takes hours to calm and soothe her.”

  She turned to face them and yelled, “Shut up, both of you!” They stared at her, both mumbling apologies.

  Gemma wrapped her arms around Kylie. “How about you go get a shower, and we’ll all go for a walk along the beach? I’ll even put up with that idiot over there for a while.”

  Staring at her two closest friends, she nodded and slowly walked to the bathroom.

  After her shower, she felt more herself and was surprised to find James and Gemma not arguing but opening her curtains and getting Buddha ready for his walk. James handed her a bottle of water, and they all walked out of her house. When they headed opposite the direction she usually went, she wondered what they were up to.

  After a couple of minutes, she figured out they were taking her to another beach. They were avoiding the beach that was now famous, thanks to Markus.

  Gemma finally broke the silence. “Maybe something happened, and it was leaked without his permission. It is a hot song.” Gemma nudged her and smiled. “Wow, I didn’t know he could sing like that. I love the accent.” Gemma stopped wh
en Kylie shot her a glare.

  James snarled. “Shut it, Gemma. He shouldn’t have done it in the first place.”

  This time Kylie shot the glare at James. “Look, just shut up about it, both of you.” She felt bad for snapping at them when they were trying to cheer her up. “Let’s go out tonight. I have to get out of the house. I need to not think about it all for a while.”

  Gemma let out a moan. “I wish I could, but I have to work. Crap, don’t worry, I’ll get out of it—”

  James butted in. “It’s okay. Go to work. I can go, Kylie. I just have to move things around, but it will be cool. Dinner, movie, sound good?”

  Kylie smiled at her friends, feeling better for the first time in days.

  * * * *

  Kylie was feeling human again. She’d been to dinner and gone to a movie and was now cuddling James on her sofa, laughing about stuff they’d done and the new gossip going around the dancing circuit.

  “I’ve been waiting for you to be ready to start dating again.”

  Her laughter died, and she sat up, moving to face James.

  “I didn’t think you were this serious with this guy. I haven’t seen anyone since you said you were interested in a man a few weeks ago.”

  She froze as he leaned in and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

  “There’s a reason I haven’t slept with anybody else. It’s because I’ve been waiting for you. I love you, Kylie.”

  James’ mouth came down on hers as she let out a shocked gasp. His tongue snuck in, and he moved her onto his lap, which spurred her into action. Pushing against his chest, she detached her mouth and slapped his face.

  She jumped up, yelling, “What the hell did you do that for, you idiot? Why would you ruin what we have? I’m in a relationship, and I love you like a broth—” Her words froze as she looked up to see a very angry man stalking towards them. “Markus.”

  Chapter 7

  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.