The Price of Fame by Hazel Gower Read Free Book Online

You have to come back, even if it’s just for a week. The paparazzi and media are starting to search for you. So if you want to keep where you are a secret, I would come back and make some appearances. Recording a song or two would be even better. It would keep the record company off my back.”
    Looking around him at his piece of paradise, he glanced back toward the bedroom. He wasn’t giving this up. Markus supposed he could go home to Greece for a couple of days. He would explain to Kylie. She would understand; he hoped. “Fine, hold them off for two more days, and I’ll be back, but not for long. Book a studio. I’ll ring tonight with details.”
    Hanging up, he turned to head back to Kylie to find her standing at the entry.
    “So you’re leaving in a couple of days?”
    Cursing his manager and his life, he watched Kylie straighten her shoulders and bite her lip.
    “I have no choice.” He took a step toward her, and she took two back, retreating. “Please, omorphoula .”
    Kylie let out a growl. “Don’t call me that.”
    Frustrated, he stalked toward her, grabbed her, and pulled her to him. She fought to get away.
    “Just hear me out.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “You’re mine now and forever. After I’ve explained, if you want me to quit or stop, I will, but only for you.”
    She turned her flashing brown eyes up at him and nodded.
    Leading her to the couch, he explained that he was a famous Greek model turned singer and that he’d come to Australia because no one knew him here. He could relax and have some peace before he went back to the mayhem.
    She nodded and seemed to take everything in. Taking a deep breath, he got to the hard part. He reached for her hands and gripped them, praying she felt something for him. “It was the best thing I ever did, choosing to come here, because I met you. As soon as I saw you, I knew you were special to me, and when I touched you, I was certain I was right.”
    Markus ran his shaking fingers through his hair, trying to calm himself. He took a deep breath and then continued. “I haven’t told you about who I am sooner because, at first, I didn’t want to scare you off. As I got to know you, I learned that you weren’t one for the spotlight, and I feared you’d leave me because you didn’t like stuff like that. It stopped me from telling you.” Holding her tighter, he kissed her forehead. “Why don’t you come with me? I would love that.”
    She sat quietly for a while, just staring out the window at the ocean. Finally, she murmured, “When will you be back?”
    He sighed in relief that she’d give him another chance. “Tops, eight days. I’ll call and talk to you anytime you want. I’ll stop what I’m doing, just for you.”
    She relaxed into him.
    “Are you sure you don’t want to come this time?”
    “Not this time. Maybe if things work out, I’ll come next time.”
    Turning her, he kissed her, putting all the love he felt into the kiss since he couldn’t say the words right now for fear of scaring her more.
    Pulling away, she tried to catch her breath. “Promise me one thing.”
    “Anything, omorphoula .”
    “Don’t release our song, my song, to the public, please. Let that be just mine.”
    He grinned and picked her up. “Okay, that song is only yours, just like me. How about we get a shower before we go get Buddha for his morning walk?”
    She hugged him back, and he felt tears hit his bare shoulder. “I love that you’re mine,” she whispered.
    She let out a squeal of laughter when he stood and flung her over his shoulder, smacking her ass.
    “Oh, omorphoula , I’m yours, just like you’re only mine.”
    She laughed again as he whacked her bottom and then whacked his chest.
    “Kylie mine.”
    She giggled. “Always.”
    * * * *
    Eight days without him was going to be tough. She’d gotten used to their morning walks. The last couple of days, Kylie had taken off work, and they had spent every moment together, but