ONCE INSIDE THE car, the barrage of questions began.
“How did you meet Thane Allen?” her aunt asked, her tone excited and fluttery again. “Goodness, he’s just as gorgeous in person as he is on screen.”
Sydney secured her seat belt. “I accidentally got sent to the interview room when I was waiting for Lucy at the Ritz.”
“They were doing press there for the movie,” Lucy added.
“How did you accidentally get sent there?” Uncle Cary asked.
“Dad,” Lucy whined.
“Yeah, Dad,” Anson piped in. “I highly doubt anyone was trying to kidnap her.”
“Does that happen?” Sydney gasped. “I mean, I know kidnapping happens, but do people generally grab someone randomly from a hotel lobby like that? It’s the Ritz, not some seedy motel.”
“Tell me everything,” her uncle said.
Sydney broke down the events of the day, easy to do since they were burned into her brain, and her uncle seemed to relax.
“Well, please don’t do that again,” he said. “We have to keep security tight, love.”
“So, is there a problem if I go out with Thane tomorrow?” she asked.
“I’ll coordinate with him on security and go from there.”
Sydney slumped in her seat, once again confused by her uncle’s flip-flop. “Why do I feel like I’m suddenly five-years-old all over again?”
“It’s not forever, Sydney,” her aunt assured her. “Just until the police finalize your mum’s accident report.”
She sighed. “The guy was drunk and drove head-on into her car. I don’t understand why it’s taking so long.”
“I’ll ring the police on Monday,” Uncle Cary promised. “Maybe they’ll have an update.”
“Thanks.”
Lucy linked her arm with Sydney’s and gave her a bolstering smile, but Sydney didn’t feel particularly bolstered. She felt frustrated and powerless. She just wanted things settled so she could get on with her life.
Arriving home, she headed to her room and changed for bed, grateful her family left her alone for the most part. Lucy came in to say good night, but left quickly. Sydney tried to sleep but her mind was on overdrive.
Just when she thought she might need to resort to one of her sleeping pills, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She grabbed it and smiled down at the screen.
*Are you awake, beautiful?*
Thane’s message was incredibly sweet and Sydney bit her lip, debating on how to respond. She decided to try for funny.
*I’m sorry, who is this? I hope you’re not a stalker who lurks in movie theaters*
*I only lurk when the stalkee is trying to avoid me by hiding in the loo*
*You got me, darn you. But I’m not accustomed to big movie stars stalking me*
*I should bloody well hope not*
Before she could respond, the phone rang and Thane was calling her. She took a deep breath and answered, closing her eyes as his voice floated over the line. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she whispered. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”
He chuckled. “Who says I’m not?”
Sydney laid her hand on her chest in an effort to calm her heart. The thought of him in bed did something wicked to her. “How much longer did you stay?”
“About an hour after you left and then a few of us went out for a nightcap,” he said.
Sydney sank further into her pillows and smiled. “Sounds fun.”
“I’d rather have been anywhere else with you, but tomorrow will come, even if it takes forever.”
Her stomach fluttered. “About that.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“I... well, I’m not sure ominous is the right word.”
“Are you telling me we can’t go out tomorrow?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then what is it, love?” he asked. “Because your uncle and I have already spoken briefly about the security issue.”
“You have? When?”
“Just a few minutes ago.”
“Oh.”
“Tell me, love,” he pressed.
“I guess I just don’t get why me.” She shook her head. “And I’m not saying that in a woe-is-me kind of way. I’m just a little confused. We’re so different.”
“Because I’m Scottish and you’re American?”
“Cute.” She giggled. “You’re this mega-huge movie star and I’m just some girl from California who has no idea what she’s going to do with the rest of her life. I have a degree in communications, but right now, I have no desire to communicate anything to anyone.”
He chuckled. “Well, that might all be true, technically, but it doesn’t change who we are on the inside, and I’d love to get to know you.”
“I guess I can’t argue with that.”
“No, you can’t. So, what time am I picking you up tomorrow?”
“I think I should meet you.” Sydney picked at a feather making its way out of her comforter. “My uncle will insist on one of his guys driving me.”
“Like I said, we already discussed it. I have sent him my men’s dossiers and he’s doing a further check, but barring any issues, it’s already settled.”
Sydney chewed her bottom lip. “Okay, that works.”
“What are you worried about, love?”
“You think I’m worried?”
“Aye, lass, I do.”
“I guess I am, but how would you know that?” she whispered.
“I can feel it.” He sighed. “We’ll talk more tomorrow, but you can trust me, Sydney. If you need me, I’m here.”
“But I don’t know you.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Am I stupid if I do?”
“Do you think you’re stupid?” he challenged. “I don’t mean to double-talk you, but have you ever been a bad judge of character?”
“I’m not sure I’ve been alive long enough to know that definitively, but I’m typically pretty good at figuring out who isn’t honest. I get a vibe, I guess you could say.”
“And do you get a vibe with me?” he asked. “A bad one, I mean.”
“Honestly, no. But it’s easier to say that over the phone.”
“How do you mean?”
She picked at the feather again. “It’s dumb.”
“Tell me.”
“It’s just that when you touch me, I’m totally calm. I feel like myself and don’t feel nervous or like we’re different. I feel completely in sync with you. Almost like we’re meant to be together.” She groaned. “Oh, my word, I can’t believe I just said that out loud. I don’t mean we’re meant to be together in—”
“Sweetheart, it’s all right,” he interrupted with a chuckle. “I feel the same way.”
“You do?”
“Aye, lass, I do.”
“Oh, good.” She smiled. “So, you’re just as crazy as me, then.”
“No doubt in my mind.”
Sydney forced back a yawn somewhat unsuccessfully. “Sorry.”
“You should sleep, love.”
“I don’t really want to.”
“But you should all the same. I’ll ring your uncle tomorrow and we’ll get a game plan for security, okay?”
“Sounds good.” She suddenly felt a little sad that they were ending their phone call.
“Hey.”
“Hmm?” she whispered.
“Can’t wait for tomorrow.”
“Me neither.”
“Sleep, love.”
Sydney grinned. “I’ll try.”
“I’ll ring you tomorrow.”
“Okay. ’Bye.”
“’Bye, love.”
He hung up and Sydney snuggled under the covers, falling asleep almost immediately.
* * *
“So, how did a nice American girl end up in rainy old England?” Thane asked, after they’d been seated by the hostess.
Sydney smiled wistfully. Such an innocent question with so many complicated layers of emotion.
After Thane’s conversation with Uncle Cary, her uncle had given the green light for him to pick her up. Apparently, he was comfortable with Thane’s legion of bodyguards.
“Sorry, love. I didn’t mean to bring up something difficult.”
Sydney shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I guess I just haven’t had to tell anyone the story before.” She sighed. “I’m actually British. I was born here. Dad was American, though, and he had this brilliant opportunity to move to California to work for a tiny little company called Monarch.”
She knew Thane would have heard of Monarch—it had been acquired by the largest social media company in the world.
Thane let out a quiet whistle. “Wow, really?”
Sydney nodded. “He was employee number seven. And, yes, he made a stupid amount of money… not that it saved him.”
Thane laid his hand over hers, calming her.
She blinked back tears. “He died six years ago of lung cancer.”
“I’m so sorry, love.”
She gave him a sad smile. “Non-smoker, tragic story, pretty much sucked. Mom did her best to keep life going. I was still in high-school, so she decided not to move back here.” When Thane released her hand to reach for his handkerchief, she felt the heart-wrenching pain come fast and hard. “I’m sorry. I need a minute.”
Standing, she walked as quickly as she could without running, past the hostess desk and into the cold of early evening. Her cheeks froze almost immediately and she realized she was crying. She hadn’t cried since her mother died... at least, not in the sense of mourning her. Watching sappy movies and crying at Hallmark commercials didn’t count, in her opinion. The warmth of a coat settled over her shoulders and she wiped her cheeks quickly. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, love,” Thane said, and turned her face him. “We can go if you like.”
Sydney shook her head and blushed. “I feel like an idiot.”
“Why?”
She shrugged. “Because it’s our first date and I’m crying. I didn’t even cry when my mom died.”
“Shite, lass. Yer mum died too?” He frowned. “When?”
“One month, three days, and”—she checked her watch—“six hours ago, West Coast time.”
He pulled her into his arms and held her close. “How?”
“Drunk driver,” she rasped. “She was almost home and the guy crossed into her lane and hit her head-on. She was dead on impact.” She let out a sad chuckle. “I’m an orphan at twenty-four years old. How pathetic is that?”
“Och, sweetheart, it’s not pathetic at all.”
She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist. He was so incredibly warm, and not just in temperature. He made her feel instantly at ease, like she’d come home. “She wanted to come back here right after Dad died, but she refused to make me start all over again when I was enjoying high school so much. I should have made her come back. I would have been in school with my cousin. I shouldn’t have let her—”
“Shhh. If your mum was anything like you, I doubt you could have made her do anything, sweetheart.”
“But it’s my fault she died,” Sydney sobbed. She’d never said those words out loud before, but she’d felt them deeper than anyone could have guessed.
“It’s not,” Thane whispered.
“It feels like it is,” she whispered.
“I know.”
He stood and held her in the middle of the sidewalk in front of the busy restaurant. She didn’t know how long they stood there, but it was long enough to stop the incessant hiccupping that came with crying jags.
He lifted her face and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “It’s not your fault,” he stressed.
“I know that logically, but sometimes… I guess I just forget.”
“Happens to the best of us, love.” Thane smiled. “Do you want to go?”
“Not unless you want to.” She licked her lips “I’m actually starving. I want a steak as big as my head and at least one bottle of wine.”
He laughed. “Right, come on then.”
She took his hand and let him lead her back into the restaurant. He held her chair while she sat down and she removed his jacket and laid it across the back of her seat. “Thanks for that.”
“Better?” he asked, and sat down.
“Much.” Sydney managed a small smile and took his hand. “You know, I really didn’t cry.”
“When?”
“When Mom died. I did after Dad, but then the tears just kind of dried up.” She shook her head. “It’s silly.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s not silly, sweetheart.”
“I guess what I’m trying to say is, thank you.”
“Thank you for driving you to tears?”
“Yes, exactly.” She grinned. “I quite like you, Thane Allen.”
“I quite like you as well, Sydney Warren.”
The waiter stopped by and took their order, returning quickly with the wine. He poured it into their glasses and then left them.
“How long are you staying with your aunt and uncle? I take it with different last names, he’s your mum’s brother?”
Sydney nodded. “I’ll be staying with them until I figure out what to do, I suppose. Uncle Cary saved me in so many ways, so I’m in no rush to leave his protective bubble.”
“How did he save you?”
“I was so confused after Mom died. I still am, I guess. But I was also just kind of numb. They flew over immediately and went into ‘solve Sydney’s life problems’ mode.” She grimaced. “They took care of the memorial service, helped with the will and financial planning. My uncle organized everything and put it together on this lovely little flash drive that I can access anytime I need to. Lucy had been bugging me for years to come and live with them and doubled the effort after Mom’s death, so I did.”
“But?”
“But, I’m not used to the heightened security and the cloak and dagger stuff that comes with it. Uncle Cary says he wants security with me until the final police report comes back on Mom’s death, but he hasn’t really given me a reason why. Am I in danger? I’m shocked he let me go out with you tonight.”
Thane smiled and squeezed her hand. “Your uncle trusts that I will keep you safe, and my job is to make sure you have so much fun, you forget that you have security following you. I take my job very seriously.”
Sydney giggled. “I’m picking up on that.”
“Will you let me distract you?”
“Don’t you have a home or job to go to?”
“I’m done with the promo tour for the movie and I haven’t committed to anything new, so I’m at your disposal for as long as you’ll have me.”
“What if it’s forever?”
He leaned forward and winked. “Then I’m at your disposal forever.”
She shivered and smiled. What a beautiful prospect.
“Excuse me?” a feminine voice asked.
Sydney glanced up at two teenage girls giggling and blushing as they stared at Thane. “Can we get a photo, please?”
“Do you mind, sweetheart?” he asked Sydney.
“Not at all,” she said. “Go right ahead.”
Thane took a few minutes to sign autographs and take photos, but his agreeing to do so for the girls meant they were inundated with requests from other diners.
Just when Sydney thought they’d never get the chance to eat, the restaurant manager shooed the fans away and ushered her and Thane into a private room overlooking the Thames.
“Thank you,” Thane said, and sat down after Sydney. “We probably should have done this at the beginning.”
“It’s okay,” Sydney said. “I know you were trying to make me feel comfortable by keeping me in a public place.”
He chuckled. “I suppose that’s true. I’m trying to shake my stalker reputation.”
“I thought I was the stalker.”
“I guess that’s closer to the truth, eh?”
The sound of Fallen Crown’s single for the new movie piped in and Thane shook his head. “Do you think they did that on purpose?” he mused.
Sydney giggled. “I think it’s a big possibility. It’s a great song.”
“Aye, love, ’tis.” He rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Dance with me.”
“Here?”
“Why not? We’re alone. No one will see us.”
She settled her hand in his. “So, twerking is on the table, then?”
“You can twerk on a table?”
“Honey, I can twerk upside down if required.”
Thane let out a roar of laughter as he pulled her to her feet. “Bloody hell, sweetheart, you’re funny.”
Sydney grinned and slid into his arms. He held her close and danced her around the room as the music played quietly.
Þú verður að vera min að eilífu.
“What does that mean?” she asked, a shiver sliding down her spine.
He leaned back slightly and smiled. “You will be mine forever.”
“You’re so sure of that, huh?”
Thane pulled her close again and kissed her hair. “Hopeful.”
“You need to stop being sweet, Thane. You’ll ruin your reputation.”
He chuckled. “It’ll be our secret.”
“What language was that?”
“Icelandic.”
“You speak Icelandic?”
“A little,” he said. “It’s part of my heritage.”
“Wow, that’s really cool.” She wove her fingers into his hair and stroked his neck. “Our heritage is all of the English-speaking variety. I wish I spoke another language.”
“Stick with me, baby, and I’ll translate the world for you.”
“Would that be the whole world, or just the world as I know it?”
“Whatever you want, Sydney. I’ll make it happen.”
“Big words, mister movie star.”
He chuckled. “Aye, lass, but true all the same.”
She closed her eyes, letting him hold her as they swayed gently to the music.
“Do you know how beautiful you are?” he whispered.
She smiled up at him. “Back atya.”
He stared at her for several seconds before leaning forward with a grin. As his lips covered hers, she gripped his waist, opening her mouth. She sighed as he stroked her neck and deepened the kiss. To say he rocked her world was an understatement.
The clearing of a throat and then a voice saying, “I apologize,” interrupted them.
Thane broke their connection but kept an arm around her waist. “No worries,” he said, and guided Sydney back to the table.
Even though her stomach rumbled, she was disappointed their moment was broken. She wanted to keep dancing and kissing... but mostly kissing. Good Lord, he could kiss.
They didn’t speak as the server set their food in front of them, but Thane kept hold of her hand and ran his thumb gently over her knuckles.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” the server asked.
“No. This is great,” Thane said. “Thank you.”
“Very good, sir.” He turned and walked out the door.
Thane stood with a grin. “Before we eat... one more kiss.”
Sydney raised her head and Thane kissed her gently. “You’re really good at that,” she said.
He chuckled and took his seat again. “Back atya.”
“So, what’s your story?” she asked as they ate.
“That’s one I’d rather wait to tell you.”
“Oh? How come?”
“Because it’s long and in-depth and somewhat hard to believe.”
“Well, now I’m even more intrigued.”
He smiled. “Let’s get to know each other better, love, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”
“Wait.” She frowned. “Are you a criminal?”
“No,” he stressed. “Nothing nefarious, sweetheart.”
“Are you sure?”
“Aye, love, I’m sure.” He smiled. “What did your uncle find?”
“What do you mean?”
“When he did the background check.”
She cocked her head. “How did you know about his background check?”
“I didn’t until you just told me.”
Sydney gasped. “Seriously? Shit. I need to be better about that.”
“Honestly, I figured he’d do one. I would.”
She sipped her wine. “He didn’t find anything.”
He smiled.
“But you knew that already, didn’t you?” she challenged.
“Yes. He wouldn’t have been so agreeable if he’d found anything.”
Sydney sighed. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to all this cloak and dagger stuff.”
“I suppose it would feel a bit like that.” He squeezed her hand. “But you understand it’s a safety issue, right?”
“I get why you’d need security... women wanting to rip your clothes off and everything... but I’m just a girl from California who has no enemies... or admirers.” She grimaced. “At least, I don’t think I do.”
“I’m sure you don’t,” he agreed. “But this is something you’re going to have to get used to, especially being with me.”
“I have to get used to it,” she said rather than asked.
“Aye.”
“Which means you think we’ll be together long enough for me to get used to it.”
Thane grinned. “Aye, lass, I do.”
She shook her head. “You’re really intense.”
“Am I?” he asked, but he was still grinning.
“You know you are.”
“Am I frightening you?”
“Honestly?” Sydney rolled her eyes. “No. Which is weird, but I feel a connection to you that seems to defy logic.”
“Aye, lass, it does.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And you know why.”
Thane grinned. “Aye, lass, I do.”
“Are you going to explain?”
He nodded. “But not here.”
“Hmm, that sounds very mysterious. Are you an international spy?”
“Shhh, keep your voice down,” he whispered, a cheeky grin on his face. “They’ll find me.”
Sydney giggled. “We wouldn’t want that.”
“No, no, we wouldn’t.” He linked his fingers with hers. “I’ll explain everything in time. Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” She squeezed his hand. “As strange as that is, I do.”
“It’s not strange.”
“Crap!” she whispered when she caught sight of her watch. “I’m afraid I have to get home. I am Cinderella after all.”
“Right,” Thane said. “Sorry, love.”
“No, it’s okay. I appreciate you humoring my uncle, even if I feel like a teen on prom night. I hate having a curfew.”
“It won’t be forever.” Thane stood and helped Sydney with her jacket. He smiled and leaned down for a quick kiss. “Tomorrow I’ll take you up in the Eye.”
“No.”
“No?”
“Terrified of heights,” she admitted. “I’m happy to skip that attraction.”
He chuckled. “No problem. We’ll find something else to do.”
“Lucy wants me to meet her new man. Want to double?”
“That might work. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
Sydney nodded and followed him out of the restaurant. They were met by paparazzi and fans, but Thane made quick work of getting into the waiting car, and then they were off. The driver pulled up to her home twenty minutes later and Thane walked her to the door.
“I hate that we’re cutting this short, but if you need me, call me.”
She giggled. “I think I can survive a night without hearing your voice.”
“Okay, maybe I’ll call you, then.”
“Silly man.” Sydney kissed him quickly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Thane nodded and Sydney let herself inside, locking the door behind her. She waved out the side window and Thane headed to the car. As soon as he was inside, she climbed the stairs to her bedroom and flopped onto the bed. She was in love. As stupid as that sounded, it was true. She was in trouble.