The Price of Fame Read Online Free Page A

started the car as her giggle turned into a laugh. “You sure did look scared when the ranger let me hold the blue tongue lizard. I think that’s the fastest and first time you’ve moved from me since I met you.”
    He muttered between clenched teeth, “You held a poisonous reptile.”
    Kylie grinned and nodded.
    On the drive home, she chatted away about the places she’d love to take him, and he learned that she only worked mornings until lunch on Monday and Wednesday, but on Thursday, she worked a full eight-hour workday.
    As they turned into her driveway, her mobile phone rang. She ignored it, but then it rang again.
    “Answer it. That’s the second time it’s rung.”
    “Are you sure?” He gave a nod and watched her rummage through her bag for it and then shove it against her ear. “Hello.”
    He strained to hear who it was but knew almost instantly. “No takeout food before practice. Mmm, out. Um, no one, I’m just out. Fine, James, I’ll see you at five. Yep, bye.”
    He gritted his teeth when she didn’t identify him and hung up. She smiled as she turned back to him. Kylie talked about him not noticing the women looking at him all the time, but she had no idea her friend was interested in her. If Markus went off the stares he’d received last night, and those James directed at Kylie, he would guess the guy was in love with her. “Am I intruding?”
    Her nose scrunched up, and her eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
    “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