AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She lifted her head and smiled down at me. “I think you should do what makes you happy.”
I couldn’t help thinking that was exactly what I was doing here with her. I came to this island searching for a slice of happiness after a stressful four months on the set of my last movie. I didn’t expect to find a woman that got me so hot and bothered, someone that I was quickly becoming obsessed with. I couldn’t leave this place without knowing that we could continue seeing each other.
“Give me your phone number,” I said, picking up my cell phone off the nightstand. “I’ll send you a text so you have mine.”
As she rattled off the digits, I created a new contact in my phone and sent her a text with a smiley-face emoji. Setting it back down on the nightstand, I relaxed, content in knowing that I could reach her when I needed to. Any connection to Marlee was a good one.
With that done, I kissed her forehead and closed my eyes, ready to drift off to sleep with my girl in my arms.
* * *
It wasno surprise when I slept in the next morning. I was so comfortable with Marlee in my arms that it was hard to force myself to wake up. When I managed to open my eyes, I found myself staring at her face. I could remember thinking that she was pretty in an understated way when I met her, but the more I got to know her, the more gorgeous she was to me.
Even though she was still asleep, I could picture those big hazel eyes surrounded by dark eyelashes and the bright smile that lit up her whole face. Maybe it was crazy to think this so soon, but I felt like I could stare at her like this every morning from now on.
Slowly, I pulled my arm out from under her, careful not to wake her up. She turned over, letting out a small groan, but quickly settled back down with her face pressed against the pillow. Getting out of the bed, I went to the bathroom and relieved myself before slipping on the white micro-plush robe the hotel provided.
Going into the suite’s sitting room, I picked up the room service menu by the phone. It was almost eleven, so I was barely going to get my breakfast order in before they started serving lunch. I picked up the phone and called down to the hotel’s restaurant. I wasn’t sure what Marlee would like, so I ordered a variety of food: scrambled eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, and bagels, bacon, and sausage links. It was a lot, but I could afford it. I wanted to show Marlee that I would give her whatever she wanted, especially since I wanted to talk about the possibility of a real relationship with her over breakfast.
The man on the phone told me it would take about a half hour before the food was delivered, so I decided to let Marlee sleep a little longer. Sitting at the desk against the wall, I opened my laptop. I checked my email and saw that I had one from Sam. I was still annoyed with him, but I hoped that it was information about the movie I told him I wanted to be in.
But when I read his message, I found that it had nothing to do with the movie. He attached a link to an article about me, telling me that I was making headlines again, like it was a great thing. I opened the link and saw a picture of me and Marlee kissing next to the helicopter two days ago. Apparently, it had been taken by the group of people that took the island tour after us. The picture had been posted to social media yesterday and gone viral. Now, everyone wanted to know who the mystery woman was.
It was an even bigger story because of all the recent rumors that Stephanie and I were getting back together, which wasnevergoing to happen. I scanned the article, seeing that there was a lot of speculation about whether this brunette in the photo was “the other woman”, or if she’d stolen me away from Stephanie. It was all pointless drivel, clickbait for the website that knew nothing about what was really going on in my life.
I had just finished reading the article and was shaking my head at the ridiculousness of the whole thing when I heard the door to the bedroom open behind me. Turning, I saw Marlee standing there. She had put her dress from last night back on, but I knew that she wasn’t wearing panties underneath it since I had ripped them off her body. The thought made my cock twitch, and I contemplated whether or not we’d have time for another round between the sheets before breakfast got here. Or maybe we could shower together after we ate...
“Good morning,” she said, walking over to me on bare feet. She covered her mouth as she yawned, and I couldn’t help thinking that she was adorable.
“It really is,” I said, despite the article I’d just read. It was annoying that my every move was always under a microscope in the media, but I was used to it by now. Whatever they said didn’t matter to me.
“I can’t believe the wedding is tomorrow. This week is flying by. I’m supposed to help decorate for the ceremony and reception today.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m going to feed you before you have to go.”
Marlee flashed me a sweet smile. “What are you doing out here?” she asked as I pulled her into my lap. Her arms went around my neck, while I held her around the waist. “I didn’t expect to wake up alone.”
She pouted a little, and I nipped at her bottom lip, making her slap my chest even as heat flared in her eyes.
“I was just checking my email. Funny thing, my manager sent me an article about—”
I trailed off as Marlee gasped and stiffened in my arms. All traces of flirting and sexual heat between us evaporated in thin air. Her eyes were trained on the computer screen behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder to see that it was the picture of us that she was reacting to.
“What the fuck?”
She slid off my lap and grabbed the computer. Standing, she held it in her hands, her eyes still fixated on the screen. I watched her face as she read the short article, and I was completely confused by the look of horror transforming her features.
“It’s not a big deal, I promise,” I said, trying to smooth things over. “The whole thing will blow over in a couple days when some other celebrity goes to rehab or has an ugly breakup or whatever. The media has a short memory.”
I could see that my words didn’t provide her with any comfort, and I had the feeling that something I didn’t understand was going on here. Her breathing became heavy and when she looked at me again, there was unmistakable panic in her eyes. This reaction was more intense than the result of a non-celebrity being thrust into the spotlight by the media. That was something I could understand, but Marlee’s dismay was obviously rooted in something darker.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, getting to my feet. I took the laptop from her, set it back on the desk, then put my hands on her shoulders. “Marlee, talk to me.”
“Can you get that picture taken down? Is there anything you can do?” she asked desperately. “I don’t want them to find out who I am.”
“I don’t understand. What’s wrong?” I asked, completely confused by her reaction. “You’re not married or something, are you?”
“Of course not,” she said, stepping away from me and shaking her head wildly. “I can’t do this.”
