Page 19 of Stalked By the Pilot

“Kate,” Marily begins, but Kate slices her hand through the air.

“Save it, Marilyn. You’re fired. You’re just like everyone else. You think I’m too dumb to make my own decisions.”

“But,” Marilyn begins, but I step in front of Kate.

“You heard her,” my voice is a low growl. “You’re done here.”

Marilyn turns and leaves, and I turn back to Kate.

There are tears in her eyes, and I hate that our relationship has wrecked such havoc in her life.

I tilt her chin up so our eyes lock. "Kate, listen to me. I love you. There's no protection needed from that."

"You love me?" Her voice trembles like a leaf caught in a storm, and her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

"Yes." I pull her close, savoring the feel of her against me. "I’ve always loved you."

"Ben, I'm so tired of it all," she whispers against my chest.

"Me too, baby. But we'll navigate these waters side by side." I tilt her face up to mine, urgency laced with every word. "You and me, Kate. We're stronger than the storms."

"Strong enough to handle...everything?" Doubt shadows her face, a flicker of the fame that clings to her like a second skin.

"Everything," I confirm, sealing my promise with a kiss that brands us together.

"Even if it means sacrifices?" Her voice is small but fierce.

"Even then." My thumb caresses her cheek. "I'd give up flying high to walk on solid ground with you."

"Ben..."

"Shh." I press a finger to her lips. "We're going to face this head-on, remember? Just you and me."

"Us against the world?" she asks, the hint of a challenge sparking in her gaze.

"Always," I assure her, and we seal it with a kiss that's more than just lips meeting—it's hearts syncing, fates entwining, and souls whispering silent vows that nothing, not even scandal, can break.

The hotel suite morphs into our makeshift war room, the setting sun casting long shadows over us. "We need to control the narrative," I say, my voice steady despite the nerves jangling like live wires under my skin.

"Agreed," Kate nods, her fingers drumming an anxious rhythm on the glass table. "Let's call a press conference."

"Are you sure?" The weight of her decision hangs between us, thick and palpable.

"Absolutely." She lifts her chin, the determination in her luminous green eyes more dazzling than any camera flash. "I won't hide, Ben. Not anymore."

"Then we face this head-on, together." My hand finds hers, our fingers interlocking with silent strength.

"Us against the rumor mill." A wry smile dances on her ruby lips, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Sounds like a twisted rom-com plot."

"Without the canned laughter," I quip, tension easing just a fraction.

"Or the predictable happy ending." Her grip tightens. "But with lots of explicit scenes."

"Hey now, those are just for us," I tease, leaning in closer, breathing in the scent that is purely Kate—sweet and heady, like courage mixed with fear and a dash of Chanel No. 5.

Her laugh is a melody that momentarily drowns out the chaos. "I'll have my publicist set it up for tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow then." I pull her close, savoring the feel of her body pressed against mine. "Whatever happens, I'm not going anywhere. You've got me, Kate. All in."

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