I’d told Rowan that Alex was returning a day early and he insisted that I took the whole day off. We’d discussed my return for the final week of my work experience, and he’d left the decision with me. He was okay about whatever I decided.
To say I was excited about Alex’s return was an understatement.
I’d taken a taxi to the supermarket with Megan this morning, and we’d stocked up on food and wine for the forthcoming days. It seemed we both had the same idea about staying inside for the next few days with our men.
I’d explained to her that I wanted Alex to come back here and stay with me for a few days, not go to his. My flat was perfect—the lack of windows meant it was an amazing hideaway. I selfishly wanted him all to myself, and I had an unexplainable need to look after him. I also wanted to surprise him by meeting him at the airport.
Megan had screamed excitedly when I told her about wanting to meet Alex at the airport. She immediately got Anthony involved. Between them they had organised how to get me out of the house and to the airport without the paps getting hold of the information. As far as they all knew, he wasn’t due back until the following day.
I showered, let my hair dry naturally, and pinned it up into a high ponytail. I’d selected my hot pink underwear to wear under my floaty summer dress, wondering if Alex would remember when I’d last worn it—that fateful first day when we’d met on the set of Starshine. I slipped my feet into my chucks and headed out of my flat and down the stairs to call for Anthony.
His door opened just as I was about to knock.
“Ella, I was about to come and get you.”
He was ready to go, casually dressed, wearing jeans, trainers, and a t-shirt, saying, ‘save water, shower with me.’
Megan came to the door behind him. “You know that Anthony’s photos will be everywhere this evening?”
I’d agreed to Anthony taking photos of our reunion. I felt I owed him something for all the support he had given me over the last few days. And by the way his relationship with Megan was going, I suspected that he and Alex could end up related within a few years. Anthony was more a friend of the family now, not a reporter after a story.
“I know,” I said. “But I’m sure they’ll be others there anyway. Don’t they hide out at the airports just for a glimpse of someone famous these days?”
Anthony stretched his arms above his head. “Some of them live there.”
“Really? They’re that desperate for photos?”
“Yep, so I’m sure there’ll be a few loitering around.”
I’d hoped that Anthony would be the only one there. That he would get a little scoop on Alex and me.
Megan tutted. “I hope Alex doesn’t blow when he sees you, Dimples. Remember, you’re not his favourite person?”
“He’ll soon come around. And if he’s anything like his sister, he’ll be a very forgiving man” He sidled toward me. “Don’t worry though, I won’t expect him to give me a blow job like his sister did . . .” he whispered and then winked.
“What was that?” Megan demanded as I playfully hit Anthony.
“Nothing. I was just telling Ella that any photo I get of her and Alex will keep bitch queen Amy out of the papers.”
“Come on then,” I said. “I don’t want to be late and miss him.”
“Right then,” Anthony sprang into action. “Let’s get going. ‘Operation Airport Denton'’ under way.”
“Good luck!” Megan called as Anthony grabbed my hand and we headed to the door.
* * *
Anthony had been incredibly boisterous with the paps outside, who in turn were becoming more forceful in their approaches toward me. Maybe it was their numbers that spurred them on. Whatever it was, I had been grateful that Anthony had been there. He had made no apologies as he’d sheltered me from them, blocking their pushing and shoving as we’d made our way to the taxi.
The airport was quieter than I’d expected.
“We’ll keep out of sight in this cafe. Only move at the last possible moment,” Anthony directed. “Here, put this on.” He handed me a baseball cap which I plonked on my head.
I stared into my murky coffee. “You know, as soon as I put these stupid hats on, I think I draw even more attention to myself.”
“Maybe,” Anthony responded, although I sensed he wasn’t listening. He had his camera pointing at me, taking photos. I stuck my tongue out at him, and he laughed at my reaction.
“Naaa, you just look adorable in them.”
I glanced at the clock on the wall. My knees bounced under the table and my stomach was dancing its own merry jig.
“Don’t worry, Ella. He’ll love that you’re here. I know I would if it was Megan surprising me this way.”
I turned my attention to his relationship. I hoped it would pass the time a bit quicker, and I was intrigued as to how she had forgiven him so easily.
“So, you and Megan. How come she didn’t beat you to a pulp the other day after she left mine?”
“I’ve no idea. I was waiting for her when she came down the stairs from yours. I thought she would attack me again, but when she saw me sitting on the floor outside my flat, she just stood and stared at me. When I stood up, she flew at me, but instead of hitting me, she kissed me! Boy, she was sooo hot. The things that woman can do with—”
“Enough!” I shrieked, covering my ears. I quickly changed my mind. I didn’t want to hear about his and Megan’s intimacies.
Anthony grinned, lifting his camera before taking a few more photos.
“Stop it,” I hissed.
“Just checking to make sure it’s working properly. I don’t want to miss this reunion. These pictures will be everywhere later today. My editor may, at long last, believe me when I say that I’ve got a huge story about to land on his desk.” He paused, and placed the camera down on the table. “You’re still sure that Alex will be willing to talk to me?”
“Yes. He’s more than ready to tell you everything that happened with Amy.”
“It’ll be perfect timing. My editor is holding the front page and everything for this.”
“I promise we’ll talk to you. Just give us a day to ourselves, huh? No interrupting and banging on my door.”
“I promise. But I need the article as soon as possible. We need it to hit the Sunday paper.”
“We’ll talk to you in plenty of time for you to sort it. Don’t worry.”
He nodded, smiling as if all his birthday’s and Christmas’s had come at once.
“Flights landed,” Anthony said. “Let’s give him ten minutes to grab his bags and clear passport control.”
“Ten minutes? It’ll take longer than that!” I recalled the horrendous wait for luggage and the queues with my passport that I’d had on my holidays.
Anthony shook his head. “He gets special treatment. Did you think he’ll be hanging around for his bags with all the other passengers?”
“I just presumed—”
“He travels first class, and gets priority service. He’ll be first off the plane, escorted to a private room where he’ll wait for his luggage to be brought to him. Then he’ll be escorted by the airport staff through passport control.”
“Unbelievable,” I muttered.
“They want him out of here just as quickly as he wants to be out. Celebrities cause airport security big problems.”
I sipped at the dregs of my coffee. Alex had promised that we would go away together at some point. Would I get to experience what Anthony had just told me?
His phone sounded out, and I looked up expectedly as he took the call.
“Shit!” he shouted as he put the phone back in his pocket, already rising from his seat. “Come on, Ella, it seems they've changed the exit for him. We need to run, or we’ll miss him!”
Anthony was already out of his seat, grabbing my hand as we charged out of the cafe.
“Good job I know this place like the back of my hand!” he shouted as we ran along a wide, long corridor.
Several minutes later we slowed down. Anthony turned to face me. “God, I love Megan,” he said. “She rang me to tell me about the change of exit. Apparently, they know her. She’s picked him up from the airport a few times. It seems Alex’s sister is privy to inside information.”
I also loved Megan at that moment. How would I have felt if I’d missed him?
We turned another corner, and were faced with a large empty waiting area.
“Seems nobody else is here,” Anthony said as we ambled toward glass doors at the side of the room. “Only me to catch the deliriously happy couple as they reunite. Hey, look, he’s already here.”
He nodded at the doors.
“Alex,” I whispered under my breath.
I viewed him through the glass doors, unable to look away. His baseball cap was currently obscuring his face, his hand was scratching at the back of his neck, scrunching up his dark grey t-shirt. His usual black jeans hung loosely on his hips.
As soon as he slung his holdall over his shoulder, the automatic doors opened. He strolled toward them, keeping his gaze on the floor.
I was frozen to the spot, suddenly feeling like I was in a strange dream, as if this was a scene I had witnessed a thousand times.
Anthony pushed me forward. “Go on, Ella. Go get your man.”
I suddenly came to life. This wasn’t a dream, it was real, and Alex Denton was my boyfriend. I called his name and he instantly looked up. His eyes locked with mine, and a huge smile spread across his face.
I ran toward him, covering the short distance in seconds. I threw my arms around his neck as I jumped at him, wrapping my legs around his hips. He steadied himself from my flying assault before grabbing my ass to hold me against him.
It was only a split second before his lips covered mine.
My hands knocked his cap off as I pushed my fingers into his hair, messing his dishevelled appearance even more. I didn’t care though. I didn’t care about the flash of a camera going off. I didn’t mind the wolf whistle that sounded out. I was too lost in Alex.
Our kiss was desperate, full of need, lust and unspoken promises. We had to get home. We needed privacy.
Alex smiled against my lips, ignoring my tongues request to allow me deeper access.
“Let’s get away from here,” he said as he placed me back on the floor. He kept a tight hold on my hand, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was all smiles and sparkling eyes full of mischief and passion.
Anthony suddenly appeared in front of us with two baseball caps in his hand.
Alex’s gaze switched to Anthony as he took his cap.
“Hi, Alex.” Anthony said. “I’m Anthony Edwards.”
“I know who you are,” Alex hissed quietly. “You’re the bloke fucking my sister.”
“Alex!” I scolded.
Anthony burst out laughing, not appearing in the slightest bit offended by Alex’s comment. I turned to Alex, desperate to not let his anger spoil this moment. His jaw twitched several times before he began laughing as well. He presented Anthony with his free hand before willingly shaking it.
“I want to thank you, Anthony,” Alex said, as we all started walking toward the exit doors.
“What for?”
“For looking after Ella whilst I was away. It seems you’ve supported her in a way that I should have done instead of being half way around the world.” His hand squeezed mine.
“Don’t mention it. She’s not all that difficult to look after. It’s just the paps outside that are driving her crazy.”
Alex sighed, and rested is head against mine. “I’m sorry about that. I’m sure my declaration in America didn’t help much. They’ll all want a picture of you.”
“It’s okay. I think Anthony knocked a few of them over when we left the house to come here today. He’s that big that he shelters me from them really well. I dread to think how I’d have managed if he wasn’t with me.”
“Seems I owe you,” Alex said.
I squinted as we stepped out of the airport and into the brightness of the summer sun.
Anthony headed toward a waiting car.
“You two get in. I’ll sort the luggage.”
Alex opened the car door for me, and I quickly shuffled along the seat to the far side.
“He’s not coming back with us, is he?” Alex said as he slipped onto the back seat next to me. “I know I said I’d speak to him, but seriously, he’s not crossing my doorway until I’ve had at least twenty-four hours alone with you.” His hand rested on my knee before gradually slipping under the hem of my dress.
“We’re not going to yours,” I said.
“Where are we going then?” Alex’s lips pressed against my neck while his hand moved higher under my dress. I near enough whimpered as he suckled lightly on the skin just below my ear, but stopped myself from moaning out loud by placing my hand over my mouth.
A knock on the window made Alex quickly remove his hand and turn sharply to see who wanted his attention.
“I’ll get in the front, shall I? Leave you two alone in the back?” Anthony winked at us before pulling the front door of the car open.
“Fuck, is he always like this?” Alex chuntered, placing his arm around my shoulders. I snuggled in to his hold on me, placing my hand on his thigh and swinging my leg over his.
“Yep, he’s always like this.”
“I’ll be glad when he drops us off then. He’s far too chirpy for me. I already feel stressed by his presence.”
I turned to kiss his neck, and tightened my hand on his thigh.
“Well, I’ll just have to see what I can do to help you de-stress, Mr Denton.” I breathed onto his neck.
“Mr Denton?” Alex said. “Can I ask where you’re taking me, Miss Summer? You didn’t answer me earlier.”
“Home,” I told him before kissing him.
“Home?” he spoke against my mouth as we continued kissing.
“Mine,” I confirmed as his mouth opened against the insistence of my own. I shifted my hand to the top of his thigh, and rested it quite happily on the hardening bulge in his jeans. Backing away from our kiss, I quickly explain the plan. “You are coming back to mine, and we are going to hide away for the rest of the week, if not longer.”
Alex nodded. His eyes were closed and his lips still puckered as if waiting for me to continue our kissing.
“Is that okay with you?” I asked, wondering whether he was happy with the arrangement I’d made. After all, I’d not bothered to ask him what he wanted, and I had no idea what his plans were for the rest of the week.
“Sounds perfect,” he said. “Maybe you can find the time to do something about my permanent state of desire. My own actions don’t seem to have quite the right affect. I’m never fully satisfied.”
I rubbed my hand purposely against him. “I’m sure I can take care of all your needs, Mr Denton.”
“Fuck, Ella. If you keep doing that, and calling me Mr Denton, I’m never gonna leave your flat.”
“Exactly,” I whispered as I moved in for another kiss.
“You two need to get a room,” Anthony said.
Alex pulled away from me, and sat up in his seat.
“Fuck,” he muttered. “I can’t cope with his loudness. He makes me all jittery.”
I patted the bulge in his jeans. “We be back soon. You just hang in there.”
I settled against his side, regretfully removing my hand from him as well. My mind was telling me to behave, to calm down, whilst my body was telling me to unzip his jeans, straddle him and climb aboard.
“I’m just wondering how quickly we can get undressed when we get back and lock the door behind us,” I said.
“Slowly,” Alex said.
“Slowly? Are you are kidding me? I’ll be ripping your clothes off you. I kind of hoped you’d be doing the same to me.”
“Ella, I have every intention of taking my time with you. I don’t want to rush it. Whether my plan will go completely out of the window when we are alone together, I have no idea. You deserve more than a quick fuck. I want to make love to you.”
I squirmed in my seat. I wouldn’t have complained if he had thrown me to the floor that very second and immediately had his way with me.
“We’ll have plenty of time for that later,” I said. “How about we just let our instincts take over and do what we both want, as quickly as we both want and need?” I stared into his eyes, seeing the indecision playing across them.
Alex shook his head. “You’re asking me to fuck you as soon as we get back to yours?” he whispered. “Rip your clothes from your body and pin you to the wall, the bed, the sofa?”
“Anywhere,” I gasped. I needed him, I needed the release, and from the state of the bulge in his trousers, he needed it as well. “Do you honestly expect to last long when you’re already in that state?” My hand shot to his groin again, and I squeezed him through his jeans. “We can take our time later. I intend to kiss, and lick every part of your body. I want to get to know you properly.”
His lips crashed onto mine as his body near enough covered me on the seat in the taxi.
“I’d like nothing better than to fuck you right here, Ella,” he breathed against my ear.
I curled my hands around the back of his neck up into his hair.
“I promise that I’ll worship every part of your body after our first time,” he said breathily.
I inwardly rejoiced that he’d dropped his promise of taking his time when we got back. Hot, urgent sex was exactly what we needed. The sensuous and erotic love making could come later.
“Ella, have you told Alex the plan for when we get back?” Anthony said. “Get him up to speed so he doesn’t freak out please.”
Alex kissed my lips before pulling us up into our former sitting positions. I snapped out of my lust infused haze.
“Tell me what’s going on Ella,” Alex said. “Take my mind off all the wonderful things I’m going to do to you. I can’t get out of the taxi in this state, so you need to think fast. Tell me what the plan is that Anthony thinks is going to freak me out.”
“Well, the plan isn’t just Anthony’s. Your sister had quite a bit to do with it,” I said.
“Great. You’ve mentioned my sister, I’m already calming.”
I playfully punched him.
“Seriously, Ella. Keep mentioning her. It’s impossible for me to have a hard-on when I think of Megan.”
“Alex. Stop it. She’s lovely.”
“Yes, she is. But she’s also my sister. Hard-ons and sisters just don’t go together.” He shook his head as he spoke. “I love her to death, but I also know her as my annoying sibling. I’ll leave the erotic images to Anthony where she’s concerned.”
“Dimples,” I told him. “Not Anthony.”
“Ella, do you seriously expect me to call him Dimples? I mean for fucks sake, the man’s a giant. I can’t call him Dimples.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Is it working?”
“What?”
“You’re erm . . . problem? Is it disappearing?” I glanced at his crotch.
He chuckled. “Keep talking, you’re doing wonderfully.”
His hand lifted to my face, catching a stray strand of my hair in his fingers. He played with it, twisting it several times before tucking it behind my ear. I was lost in watching his eyes as they in turn watched me. They were intense, dark, filled with a look of desire and need. I wondered if mine were the same.
“I’m waiting,” he said as a smile played on his lips.
“Anthony’s going to stop the car in the street behind where I live. It runs parallel to mine. Megan visited the old lady who lives in the house that backs onto the garden of mine. She’s going to let us in, and then we can climb over the wall and in through Anthony’s open window on the ground floor. The paps are all out front, so they won’t know we’ve come back.” I marvelled at the simplicity of the plan. It had been Anthony and Megan’s idea. They had treated the return of Alex and his subsequent hiding away with me with such ferocity that I had no option but to go along with what they had decided. I was impressed though. I thought it was a brilliant idea. “Anthony is then going to drive around to the front, and tell the reporters that you’re back in England and that we’ve gone to stay at your house. We’re hoping that most of them will go and camp out at yours.”
Alex stared at me, his mouth slightly open.
“Seriously?” he asked.
I nodded.
“It’s like something out of a fucking movie!” he exclaimed. “It’s brilliant!”
Anthony turned to face us and gave me the thumbs up. He turned back when his phone started ringing. I could hear exactly what he was saying to the person he was talking to, and I was aware that Alex was listening as well. I didn’t think that Alex trusted Anthony as much as I did—not yet.
“No, no, that’s fine.” Anthony nodded as he replied to whoever was on the phone. “I just need to grab my stuff. Yes, an hour from now will be fine.” He paused, nodding his head again. “Yes, I know where that is. There are a few quiet tables at the back. If you get there before me, grab one of them. It’ll be more private there.” Another pause. “Thank you. Sure. Yes, you can trust me. I’m in this far deeper than I had any intention of being. It’s not in my interest to upset anyone other than Amy, and even that’s a worry.” He was silent for several minutes, nodding his head, before he spoke. “Okay. Yes. I’ll see you then. Thanks. Bye.”
Alex and I waited expectantly for Anthony to turn and tell us who he had been talking to.
“Seems I have a story for Saturday whilst I hold the front page for you two on Sunday. That was Simon Hurst. He wants to talk about Amy.”
Alex’s eyes widened. “I never thought he’d do it. I hope he sticks the knife in. She’ll be exposed as the complete whore that she is. She might even bring Rowan down with her.”
“Rowan?” I queried.
“I don’t think Simon will keep quiet about his potential claim to be daddy, do you?”
Anthony was listening to Alex’s little rant. It seemed that he now had some inside information before he even met Simon.
“So, Amy is pregnant?” Anthony asked.
Alex nodded. “The question is: who’s the daddy? And before you even ask, it’s certainly not me. I’ve not been there for years. I can’t believe I ever wanted to be there.”
“Not like you feel with our Ella, then?”
“I’m not even answering that ridiculous question.”
I waved him away, wanting to speak to Alex about Rowan.
“Will Rowan’s career be ruined with all this?” I asked, concerned about how things would work out for him.
“Who cares?” Alex said flippantly. “He deserves all that’s coming his way. Have you forgotten how he helped the scheming witch to try and split us up?”
I shook my head. Whilst I didn’t care for anything that he had done to assist Amy, I still felt like he was a bit of an innocent party in all this.
“Stop thinking about it, Ella. He’s got to take responsibility for the potential mess he helped create. Nobody held a gun to his head forcing him to sleep with Amy. He decided to play with fire, let him deal with it.”
“I suppose—”
“No, Ella. Stop it. What will be, will be.”
“But what about the last film? Wasn’t he going to direct that?”
Alex nodded. “Yes, but I was never happy about it. Maybe it’s time to give someone else a chance. They’ll have to find another person to play the part of Evelyn, so why not find a new director whilst they’re at it?”
It made sense. Although I had no idea how Alex’s insistence that he wouldn’t act with Amy ever again, would be taken. Like he said, we just had to see what happened, and how things turned out.
“Are you two ready?” Anthony said. “We’re just about there. I’ll grab your bag, Alex. You just help Ella over the wall.”
“Help me over the wall?” I stared at Anthony. “Exactly how high is this wall?”
“It’s six-foot. You’ll have to get Alex to lift you up.”
“You’re kidding?”
“No, have you never seen out the back of the house?”
I shook my head. “No, I live in the roof. My bedroom window overlooks the side.” Even with Alex helping me, I had no idea how I’d get over a high wall.
The car stopped, and Anthony jumped out before opening the door for Alex and me.
“Ladies first,” Alex insisted.
Anthony marched up the path carrying Alex’s bag, and knocked on the door. He certainly wasn’t hanging around.
“Come on, you two,” he shouted. “I’d have thought you’d be running to get inside and be alone.”
When the door opened, he was greeted by an old lady.
Alex took my hand, and we rushed toward Anthony. We were quickly guided through the house and out into the back garden. I was shocked by how beautiful it was. There was a neatly mowed lawn, a sunny patio area and beyond all that, heading to the wall that we needed to climb over, was an orchard of many different fruit trees.
Anthony handed Alex his bag before jumping up against the wall, and swinging his leg over the top. He sat straddling it, signalling for Alex to pass his bag up.
“I’ll sit up here, help you both over,” he announced catching the bag that Alex threw at him. He balanced it on the wall before turning back to us.
“Alex, you’re gonna have to help Ella. Once I reach her hand I can pull her up.”
Alex nodded and bent down creating a step with his hands. “Stand on my hands, Ella. I’ll lift you up to Anthony.”
I stared at his hands, and then the wall. I’d never climbed a wall in my life.
“Ella, come on,” Alex said. “The sooner you get over that wall, the sooner we’ll be back at yours. And you know what that means?”
I immediately placed my foot in Alex’s hands, and he lifted me easily. I wobbled slightly as I reached up for Anthony’s hand, but as soon as he had hold of me, I steadied. Anthony pulled me toward him as Alex found purchase on my ass and pushed me upward. Within seconds I was sitting astride the wall.
“Swing your leg over, Ella,” Anthony said. Taking my hands to steady me. “And then I can help you down.”
I slowly slid my leg from Alex’s side of the wall to the one where it needed to be. No sooner had I settled than Anthony pulled my hands. I screamed as I swung around from the wall and hung in mid-air. Anthony held me steady and then lowered me to the ground.
Alex soon followed. One of his hands appeared on top of the wall as Anthony pulled him up by his other. A few seconds later he had jumped down to join me. Anthony threw the black hold-all at Alex.
“Thanks, Anthony,” Alex offered.
“No problem. Get inside. Look, Megan is already waiting for you.”
Megan was leaning out of Anthony’s window, signalling for us to hurry up.
“I’ll see you in a few days. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” Anthony jumped off the wall and back into the old lady’s garden.
We made our way to the house and Alex hugged me to his side. “As much as I love my sister, I don’t want to spend much time talking to her.”
I nodded, completely understanding.
Alex helped me climb through the window to get inside. Megan pulled me through the small opening, hugging me before taking the bag off her brother and hugging him just as tightly.
“Oh gosh, don’t you two look so sweet together,” she said as we stood next to each other. Alex had his arm around my waist as if it was something he had done for years.
“Sweet, but frustrated,” he said. “Now, as much as I would like to stand here and talk, I want to get Ella upstairs and have some time alone with her, please.”
“Well then, what are you waiting for. Get out of here!” She opened the door and peered into the hallway. “All clear. I suggest you make yourselves scarce. I promise I’ll do my best to keep Anthony away.”
“Yeah, about Anthony,” Alex started.
“Not now,” I said, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the door. “Please, not now. This isn’t the time or the place.”
“Catch you later, sis,” he called as I continued to pull him across the hall.
“Have fun!” she shouted back.
We could have both climbed the stairs a lot easier if we had let go of each other’s hands, but I needed the connection. I was worried that if I let go of him, something or someone would rip him away from me—we’d never get safely hidden away and we’d never get to experience what we had promised each other. I needn’t have worried though, for as soon as my trembling hand had unlocked the door, and Alex had thrown his bag on the floor, he was on me.
I was pushed back against the door we had just come through as Alex’s lips locked with mine. His hands were everywhere. In my hair, on my neck, slipping down my sides and pushing up under the bottom of my dress as he gripped my ass, grinding himself against me. I gasped, surprised at the ferocity of his need, but it only spurred me on. My hands scrunched through his hair, my nails scrapped his back under his t-shirt, and my hips thrust against him in time with his own determined movements. Our tongues locked in a battle with each other’s. Our actions were raw, urgent, and certainly not gentle.
He suddenly backed away.
“Door. Lock it. Now,” he demanded.
I was breathing heavily, and tried to control the excitement that was pulsing through my body.
I slid the lock over the door, bolting it shut.
This was it.
We were alone.