“One…two…three…go!”

Paxton gripped my hand even tighter as he darted out my front door. I clamored down the steps behind him, praying the lock on my townhouse actually caught because we weren’t taking the time to make sure.

He made a beeline for a car parked across the lot. My huge suitcase he wheeled behind him with the opposite hand barely slowed us down.

I’m sure we made quite the sight.

What, with our heads down and our feet pounding across the pavement as if we were making a break for it.

We were.

And it was all caught on tape.

Of course, it was because the vultures had gone nowhere. They’d only gathered. As if they’d smelled blood and were circling overhead, just waiting for the right moment to dive in and take a good bite.

Oh wait, that was actually a helicopter.

Voices shouted, a slew of them vying to be the one to grab our attention. To get that one picture that would completely make their day.

As if this wasn’t enough.

Lights flashed.

Click. Click. Click.

Paxton Myles!

Paxton!

Mr. Myles, can you confirm your relationship with Kaylee Rose Burton?

Kaylee…over here…is it true you’re starring with Paxton in his next film that begins filming next month?

Were they serious right now? That alone was almost enough to make me stop and set things straight, but Paxton had given me strict instructions before we’d made our getaway.

Don’t look up.

Don’t answer.

RUN.

Paxton pressed a button on his key fob, and the trunk to a black car with even darker windows bounced open. He tossed in my suitcase and shut it just as fast. He moved even faster when he ran me around to the passenger side and hurried me in.

I’d barely blinked by the time he was sliding into the front seat and slamming shut his door. Frantic, he pressed a button to click the locks.

The sound of them engaging had us both breathing a sigh of relief, but adrenaline was still pounding through my veins.

Over the console, he looked across at me, his ridiculously handsome face cut in concern. Silence washed over us, his hands kneading on the leather of the steering wheel.

Our eyes met. Intense. Relieved. Searching for an answer for what in the hell we thought we were doing.

Then we both busted out laughing.

“Well, then,” he said as he started the car, threw it in reverse, and backed out. He barely slowed as the paparazzi scattered, cameras pressing close to the windows to try to capture a blurry image.

“So, I’m totally getting the smoked-out windows now.”

He chuckled, shifting into drive, the vantage definitely giving the scavengers the shot they were aiming for. “It’s kind of a requirement for my line of work.”

I seriously didn’t know how any person could tolerate this kind of life. It was bad enough when I attended parties with Elle, the intrusiveness of the lenses. But even Elle was able to go back to her daily life without worrying someone was capturing something private.

I couldn’t imagine dealing with this every single day.

Tires squealed when he hit the street, and he accelerated quickly, the whine of the engine loud as he gunned it, shifting gears faster than I could make sense of it

Clearly, he’d mastered the whole escape artist thing because he was weaving in and out of traffic, leaving no chance we’d been followed.

I sat back in the seat, finally allowing myself to take in my surroundings. My fingertips traced over the red stitching on the red and black leather, all the luxury and flash. “This car is ridiculous.”

Those brown eyes brimmed with mischief when he glanced my way. “What…you don’t like my Maserati? We can stop back at the house and grab a different car if it’s not to your liking.”

“Of course, we can,” I mumbled under my breath.

He laughed. “You are a hard woman to please, Kaylee Rose. Here I was, being nothing but a considerate gentleman when I picked the one car in my garage I thought maybe was as pretty as you.”

I swatted at his shoulder. “Oh, the charmer as always, Mr. Myles, rushing over to the castle of the damsel in distress to rescue her from certain demise.”

A grin split his face. “At your service, ma’am.”

I swatted him again. “You’re not allowed to do that.”

“Do what,” he defended innocently, but there was absolutely nothing innocent about what was playing out in his eyes.

“Oh, don’t do what me, mister. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” I waved an overindulgent hand his way. “The accent…the face…the smile. Don’t act like you don’t use them to your benefit.”

He shrugged, grinned as he changed lanes again and accelerated as he took to the freeway. “What? A smart man uses any resources he has in his arsenal.”

A pout pulled at my mouth. “Which is completely unfair if your opponent has absolutely nothing to stand up against them.”

My mouth dropped open when he reached out and cupped my face. Tingles spread beneath his touch, and my stomach did about fifteen backflips. Of course, it had to settle right into the nausea from earlier, humiliation and defeat rising to the surface.

My voice dropped. “What are we doing, Paxton?”

I’d just been fired from my job that had been my entire life, had been hounded by paparazzi, and had been publicly shamed and ridiculed.

And now I was running off to Europe with the man who was the root of the problem.

A Greek god who owned the screen and commanded every audience. One who was sought after and adored.

My free card.

Funny, considering it’d cost me everything.

There wasn’t anything free about it.

His thumb brushed softly under the hollow of my eye, catching the moisture I hadn’t even realized had gathered there. “We’re stealing you away from all of this.”

I shook myself out of his hold and sat back in my seat. “That doesn’t mean it’s not all going to be waiting for me when I get back.”

“You’re right, Kaylee Rose. I’m not sure even I have the power to erase what happened this morning.” The seriousness in his tone shifted, and a smirk went skating onto his mouth. “But I’m sure as hell going to make sure it’s worth it.”

* * *

Bewildered, I stumbled along beside Paxton as he strode through the international terminal at LAX. My suitcase had been checked and his apparently had been handled.

Must be nice.

Okay, I had to admit this was a little bit nice. I’d be nothing but a liar if I said it didn’t feel nice with my hand firmly locked to his as we made our way down the long hall toward our gate.

“Right on time.” He flashed me a grin.

“Doesn’t the flight leave in like fifteen minutes?”

“Exactly. There’s no use getting here and having to sit around for two hours. That’s simply ridiculous.”

“Says the guy who walks into a building packed with people and the waters part for him. I’ve never made it through security that fast…ever…even when I was returning after visiting my aunt in Kentucky and there was one person in front of me. And this is an international flight.”

He lifted our entwined hands and brushed a soft kiss along the back of mine. A shiver tickled down my spine.

How did he manage that?

“Let’s just call them the perks of being famous.” He lifted a brow. Mischief danced in those warm brown eyes. “You witnessed some of the drawbacks back at your place today. What do you say we enjoy some of the advantages”

A short chuckle rolled up my throat. “That I did. I’m really not sure how you handle that part of this life.”

He shrugged. “You get used to it. After a little while, it’s little more than irritating.”

In his pocket, his phone rang again, just like it’d been doing the last hour it’d taken us to get here. And just like then, he merely ignored it and let it go to voicemail.

One second later, it pinged with yet another new message.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t answer that?”

This time both of his brows lifted, and his mouth quirked in a way that was so endearing I had the urge to pop up on my toes and press a kiss to his mouth. So I did.

A lick of fire.

His hand gripped the side of my waist, and he gave me a squeeze.

His phone pinged again.

“That is yet another drawback,” he said with an exasperated sigh. That accent. It slipped out on the last, this time genuine. This time it wasn’t used as a wicked tool to charm off my panties.

I figured the fact I was leaving the country with him pretty much guaranteed I was a sure thing.

God, I hoped so.

It rang again.

“It could be important,” I countered.

He laughed. Almost both incredulous and affectionate. “Oh, I’m sure in her mind she thinks it’s very important.”

It was instant, the bolt of unease that shocked through me.

She?

I wanted to ask. I had the right to, didn’t I? But I really had no clue what this trip really meant or what I was getting myself into.

I hadn’t even called my mother or my sisters. Even Elle didn’t know where I was.

What was I doing?

Paxton suddenly pushed me backward, edging me back two steps and against the wall. My back pressed into it as he pressed into me.

Hard.

All of him.

He buried his nose in my hair and inhaled a deep, sharp breath. A sound of approval rumbled in his chest. I trembled as he ran the tip of his nose down the slope of my neck, shivered as he ran it back up. He left a slow, seductive kiss behind my ear.

The smolder turned molten. Hot and heated. An ache pulsed between my thighs.

His voice was a whisper, “Are you trying to freak out on me right now, Kaylee Rose?”

“I…I…uh…” I stuttered and stammered, trying to regain my senses as his tongue flicked out for a taste.

Oh. God.

That did not help.

“Do you think I can’t see the panic written all over your face?” he murmured.

“I…”

“Are you thinking about bolting?”

“Um…”

I had completely lost the ability to form a coherent thought as he continued to lave kisses along my neck, as if we were on a secluded island rather than right out in the open at the airport.

People were probably taking pictures. Posting them to Instagram. Shaming me on Twitter.

#PaxtonMylesSlut

I didn’t even care.

“I really hope you don’t bolt on me, Kaylee Rose. Want to know why?”

“Mmmhmmmmm.” It was all an incoherent mumble beneath my breath.

What was that again?

“Because since the second I woke up and found my bed empty yesterday morning, all I’ve been thinking about is getting you back into it. Of ripping your clothes from this gorgeous body. Kissing you again. Tasting you again.”

A whimper.

“Don’t bolt, Kaylee…because when I get you to London, I’m going to fuck you. Hard then slow. Then I’m going to do it all over again. Don’t make me chase you down this terminal and throw you over my shoulder, because I will. Or maybe I should take you into the executive club and give you a reminder of just what you’d be missing? How’s that sound?”

Oh, yes and please.

“Final boarding call for flight 6816 with direct service to London Heathrow Airport…”

The overhead speaker broke into our little PDA sesh. The wall barely kept me from falling to my weakened knees when Paxton stepped back and gave me one of those earth-shattering smiles. The one that owned the screens and the hearts of the millions of fans who adored him.

I was certain right then it was going to be the one that crushed mine.

“Come on, before we miss our flight.”

We scanned our boarding passes on our phones, and Paxton led me down the jetway. My heart beat erratically, with confusion and need and the internal whiplash this devastating man gave me.

A flight attendant greeted us at the door, and Paxton led me about four steps down the aisle to my seat.

First class.

Which was all kinds of ridiculous and luxurious and looked more like some kind of futuristic space pod than an airplane seat.

I settled down in the cozy space and stretched out my legs, accepted the flute of mimosa I was offered.

I allowed myself to sigh out a happy sigh.

After the insane day I’d had today, I was most definitely not going to complain.

“Is it to your liking, Ms. Burton?” he asked. Letting that southern charm come out to play, he exaggerated the words.

“Why yes, it is, kind, sir.” A giggle escaped, and I was leaning forward to retrieve his kiss. We both froze when a low, enraged voice hit us like daggers.

“What the fuck is she doing here?”

Shocked, I looked up to find a woman glaring at me with the fire of a thousand suns. She was out of breath, as if she’d had to run to make the flight. A long, dark bob bounced around her shoulders when she turned the heat of her anger on Paxton.

He simply laughed and leaned back in his seat. “Nice to see you, too, Kendall.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she hissed, leaning his direction so only he could hear. Oh, but I could. And maybe that’s what she intended. “I’ve been calling you for the last two hours and Not. A. Word. I drove back to your house in case you’d fallen asleep. I almost missed this flight because you were off picking this up? I’d think picking her up once was enough, don’t you?”

In horror, I looked over at Paxton for help. Who is this woman?

“Kaylee Rose, I’d like you to meet my favorite pain in the ass, the woman who thinks she’s keeper of my life, my publicist, Kendall Stone. He glanced at her. “Kendall, meet Kaylee.”

Kendall sneered at me without saying a word.

Great.

Yet another member of the #KayleeIsASlut fan club.

Apparently, I couldn’t win.

* * *

Paxton was fast asleep. He’d had his seat turned into a bed, and for a few moments I allowed myself to just look at him. That beautiful face was almost as peaceful as it’d been when I’d snuck from his room two mornings ago.

Pushing out a breath, I got up and headed toward the small lavatory since I’d given up on getting any rest.

The lights had been dimmed for the redeye, and the narrow aisles were lit up in a path of lights to guide the way, like their own miniature runway. Only a few overhead lamps dotted the first-class cabin, most of the passengers making use of the time to sleep.

Locking the door behind me, I wet my face and gave myself a moment to clear my head.

To make sense of the opposing feelings that tumbled within me.

Excitement.

Heartbreak.

So contrary. But they were there.

Huffing out a cleansing breath, I unlatched the door and stepped out into the dimness of the aisle.

I gasped at the figure standing there waiting for me.

Dark, pin-straight hair. Hardened jaw. Flashing eyes. Arms crossed over her chest.

I guess this #KayleeIsASlut fangirl was stalking me now.

Awesome.

I touched my chest and forced a smile. “You scared me, Kendall.”

Yeah, I called her by name even though I hadn’t shared a word with her before. The only introduction I’d gotten from her was a livid sneer before she’d made her way to her seat three rows behind us.

Red lips stretched in a smile that was pure scorn. “Don’t you dare stand there and give me the innocent act.”

I gulped around the knot that formed in my throat. “I don’t know what I did to you, but I can assure you—”

“What you did to me?” she interrupted. “Do you know what my job is, Kaylee Rose?” Her tone turned placating, as if I was dense and didn’t have the capacity to understand.

I blinked. “You’re Paxton’s publicist.”

“Right…that’s my title. But do you know what I actually do? I’m the trash keeper. The one who comes in behind him to clean up all his messes. Do you have any idea how many people try to get close to him? Take advantage of who he is? All the sluts and gold diggers and aspiring actresses who will do absolutely anything to get close to him? It’s my job to protect him from that. To keep him safe.”

“I would never—”

“Do you know how many of Paxton’s playthings I’ve dealt with? I let him have his fun, he gets his rocks off, and then I come in for the sweep. And let’s just say that job keeps me plenty busy. Paxton knows the game. Hell, he hired me for it. But every once in a while…someone slips through the cracks…someone who looks so innocent and sweet, Paxton doesn’t have the first clue what she’s really up to.”

Insecurity bubbled in my chest, and I fisted my hands. “I’m not trying to take advantage of Pax. I don’t want anything from him.”

She scoffed. “Then what are you doing here?”

“Spending time with him.”

Low laughter rocked from her throat, and she edged forward. “Do you really think I’m that stupid? That clueless? Maybe Paxton is, but the truth of the matter is, he really doesn’t have to worry about any of that, now does he? He doesn’t have to deal with the consequences or the shit he leaves behind it. No. That’s my job. And I’m damned good at it.” She jabbed a red, manicured finger into my chest. “Don’t think for a second that’s going to change now.”

She turned on her heel and moved down the lit pathway toward her seat. My hand shot out to keep myself from falling, and I forced myself to pull in deep breaths as I fought against the heartbreak that came rushing in to blot out the excitement.

What the hell was I doing?

Did I really think this was a good idea?

That this would solve any of my problems?

So I liked Paxton.

Actually liked him.

That definitely didn’t change either of our circumstances.

Kendall’s words spun through me. Do you really think you’re any different?

Bitter laughter rushed up my throat. Maybe I had.

With my head held low, I shuffled back to my seat.

A small yelp left me when a hand snatched me around the wrist. Warmth spread, and I was hauled onto Paxton’s lap. He was sitting up, my legs straddling his waist, my chest beating against his.

His insanely handsome face was barely visible in the shadows, his voice rippling with the accent that made my knees weak. “What the fuck did she say to you?”

“I don’t… I don’t want to cause any trouble for you Pax. I should just—”

“Fuck her.” He cut me off. “Fuck her and whatever she told you or made you believe. Fuck her for making you question coming with me. I know she’s looking out for me, because that’s her job, but she doesn’t always know what’s best for me. She doesn’t always know what I want.”

My head shook. “You don’t even know me.”

The reality was, I could be one of those girls. The premiere could have been a total set up. An elaborate plan Elle and I had concocted to get me close to the world’s most sought-after bachelor.

But it wasn’t. Our meeting hadn’t been anything close to that.

Did that really matter to him or was this just another mess he was all too happy to leave Kendall to clean up?

He brushed the back of his fingers down my cheek, then cupped them in his big, strong hands. “No…you’re right, Kaylee Rose. I don’t. But I want to. These press junkets—the premieres and the parties—it gets so damned old, Kaylee. So old it blurs and becomes another part of the job. This is the first time I’ve been excited about one in years.” He squeezed my face in emphasis. “Years. That’s because of you. And I won’t let her take that away.”

“Pax.”

His name came out so soft. In relief. In need. In all the confusion that had become my life.

He edged forward. His words were nothing more than a breath whispered near my mouth. “I could make a call and have just about any woman waiting in London for me, Kaylee Rose. But there’s one I want. Only one I haven’t been able to get off my mind.”

He leaned in, his mouth murmuring against the sensitive flesh of my ear. “You.”

I panted. Actually damned panted at a single word. Or maybe I was panting because of his body. Because of his possessive grip or his cock that grew hard and thick between us.

Oh, God.

I rocked against him, suddenly overcome with the need for this man to touch me.

“Kaylee,” he murmured. His hands trailed down over my shoulders, tracing my ribs, before one hand was cupping my knee. He eased it up my thigh and under my skirt.

I inched up a fraction to make him room, and I bit down on my bottom lip when he dipped his fingers beneath my underwear and slicked his fingers through my folds. I buried a needy gasp in his neck when he brushed my clit.

He edged back to capture my attention. “I think you have the answer to every single one of those questions running through that pretty little head of yours right here, Kaylee Rose. Right here in this sweet pussy that is begging for more.”

He pushed two fingers inside me, and my breath caught.

“Tell me you want more,” he demanded.

“Yes.”

I wanted more. I wanted everything.

He kept us nose to nose, his breaths clouding my senses as he lifted me higher and higher. My fingers dug into his shoulders as pleasure gathered fast, and part of me couldn’t believe what I was doing.

On a plane.

But the part of me that’d agreed to follow him to London didn’t care.

She was too caught up. Taken by this man in a way she shouldn’t be.

And she was going to enjoy every second of it.

Pleasure rocketed through every inch of my body. I buried a scream in his shoulder when I came, riding wave after wave as he pressed a bunch of kisses to my forehead.

I shivered, and this gorgeous man smirked as he eased his fingers out of me, his sexy voice back to murmuring in my ear. “Let’s go ahead and call that another one of the perks.”