Starshine by Melody Winter (31)

I lay naked in Alex’s arms, my head resting on his chest, my leg entwined with his. The serenity that always came after we’d made love was even greater today. The birds that had chirped noisily this morning were quieter now, and I loved that glass doors were pulled back so that the outside became part of the bedroom. The muslin drapes floated in the breeze that drifted into the room carrying the heat of the midday. If I hadn’t been wrapped in Alex’s arms, I would have been relaxing outside, basking in the full strength of the sun.

My mind drifted as I ran through the events of the past few weeks. It wasn’t even three weeks since I turned up on the set of Starshine and met Alex. I’d heard of whirlwind romances, but never expected to have one myself. But this wasn’t just a romance, it was something much deeper. Could we really feel so strongly for each other after such a short amount of time?

The answer was a definite yes.

I loved his company. I loved talking to him, picking his brains and discussing absolutely anything with him. That was when we weren’t enjoying the more carnal side of our relationship. His body was everything I had ever imagined. He knew exactly how to touch me, caress me and make me come undone so easily with his actions. He was everything I wanted—and more.

I wriggled against him, sighing contentedly.

His arm tightened around my waist. “We should get up, you know. Perhaps we can sit around the pool. I’ll set the music up so it plays outside.”

“Sounds great,” I said, lifting my head and resting my chin on his chest.

Alex groaned as his mobile phone rang. “That’ll be Megan.”

I rolled off him, propping my head up on my elbow to watch his reactions to what she said.

He sat up and reached for the phone on his bedside table.

“Megan,” he said, holding the phone to his ear as he shuffled up the bed.

“We’re fine thanks. Yes, Ella’s impressed. She was like an excited child when we got here.” He nodded at something she was saying. “Yes, Felix looked well. Helen’s done us proud. The fridge is well stocked.”

He was silent as Megan spoke. I scrutinised his face, desperate for any clue as to what she was saying.

“Really? That’s unexpected. Hmmm . . . Well, that bit I did expect.”

I frowned, and he raised his eyebrows.

“Yes, I’ll get Ella to check that. Okay. Yes, call me tomorrow. I think it will be even more explosive.” He nodded again. “See you later, Megan. And thanks for sorting all the travel arrangements for me and Ella. We appreciate it.” He pulled the phone away from his ear and placed it back on his bedside table.

“That was quick,” I said. I’d expected him to be on the phone for a lot longer.

Lying back on the pillows, he turned to face me. “I told her before we left to just tell me the basics, make it short and sweet. I’d much prefer it if she didn’t call at all.”

“So, what’s the news?”

“It seems that the internet has gone crazy. All the sites that support me are up in arms over Amy’s scheming ways. Some of them feel sorry for Simon. It seems that Anthony kept to his word. He hasn’t printed anything about her being pregnant when we split up, or that she was seeing Simon behind my back. He seems to have concentrated more on her current pregnancy, and that her and me haven’t been together since the end of the first film.”

I observed him, trying to work out whether he wished the article had mentioned their ugly break up, and that she had also been unfaithful with Simon.

“It’s Simon’s side of things, remember,” I said quietly. “He’s hardly going to paint himself in a bad light by saying he was the reason you two originally split up.”

Alex offered a small smile. “There also seems to be a bit of hate for Rowan. Apparently, and the part that I’m surprised at, many fans are publishing video clips of me with Amy, and commenting that it was obvious we weren’t together. It seems strange that they never spotted it before if it’s so obvious to them now.”

“It’s an amazing thing, hindsight,” I added, knowing I had done the same when viewing clips of him with Amy after I’d found out the truth about their pretend relationship.

“The fans aren’t happy that the Starshine branding made us continue to act as a couple when we weren’t together. It seems my Lothario ways are now being looked at as a story that was also concocted by Amy and the Starshine team.”

“Well, they’re right. I think your real fans know you would never behave like that. They just hung in there with you because they always believed in you.”

Alex sighed. “Do you know, Ella, I’ve lived with everyone thinking I was a man whore for so long that sometimes I forget that I’m not that person.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Tomorrow will clear everything up.”

I hugged him tightly, kissing his chest.

“I hope so, Ella. I really do.”

* * *

When we eventually moved from the bedroom, Alex insisted I check my twitter account. I nervously logged on through my phone.

“Alex, I have over thirty thousand followers!” I exclaimed.

He came up behind me to look at my phone. “Check your time-line. What are they saying?”

I scrolled down my screen, seeing references to pictures of Alex with me, Alex with Amy, quotes from Simon’s interview, and links to video clips. As I scrolled further down the pages, there were many fans unleashing their full fury at Amy and how they knew Alex was always the innocent one. Several fans hoped that he had found true love with me, stating that he deserved it after Amy. Many said they were crying over the revelations that Alex had been told to pretend to still love Amy when she was seeing Simon. The general reaction was what I had expected, even though it was quite hateful at times. There were a few nasty comments directed at me, but nothing as vile as the things that were being said about Amy. In fact, most people hoped that I would be Alex’s real love. But there was one person who had really taken a dislike to me—a person called Sambams.

“Sam’s tweeting,” I said, shocked that he would be continuing his witch hunt after last week.

“Your ex, Sam?” Alex dipped his head to see the screen

“Yes.”

He took the phone from me and hit a few buttons. His expression grew angrier by the second.

“Sorry, Ella. I need to make a phone call.” He gave me back my phone before heading into the bedroom. I wandered into the kitchen to pour myself a drink, but I could hear his loud voice, laced with several swear words as he spoke to someone on his phone.

Sipping at the cold glass of orange juice, I slid open the large glass door that bordered one side of the pool. I ambled around the water’s edge, and closed my eyes as I tilted my face to the sun. This place was a haven. Private and quiet, although Alex’s voice was still loud enough to hear outside, it was a true getaway from the hustle and bustle back in London. There were no photographers waiting to capture us off-guard, no reporters hounding us for an interview. There was just us—Alex, and me.

I crouched next to the pool before sitting on the edge of it, my feet dangling in the cool water. The shorts that Megan had bought for me fit perfectly, although they were shorter than I would have normally worn. She had also packed two bikinis, another three pairs of very tiny shorts, a couple of sexy night-time outfits, t-shirts, and a long flowing skirt. The items contrasted dramatically with the sweater and jeans that she had also packed. All my toiletries were included, as was a small zip up bag that had contained fifty condoms. There was a note attached to the bag that had read, 'Use them all, Ella.' It seemed that Anthony had also had a say in what was packed.

“Damn, and blast that fucking idiot!” Alex shouted as he marched toward me, disturbing my peaceful thoughts.

“What’s wrong? Who did you call?”

“I called Megan. I want Sam sued for what he’s saying about you.”

“Alex, it’s best just to ignore him.”

“No, Ella. I want him sorted out. I’ve told Megan I want him stopped. He is nothing, was nothing, and he will remain a nothing!”

I hated that he was so angry about something that was best forgotten about. “He’s just tweeting. Unfortunately, it’s a free country—we can’t stop him.”

“Well, I’m gonna try.”

He sank down next to me at the edge of the pool, dipping his own feet in the water.

“Forget about him,” I encouraged. “The more you try to find ways to stop him talking, the more he’ll feel that he’s winning.”

“I don’t like it, Ella.”

I kicked my feet in the water.

“Alex, you are starting to piss me off. We came here to get away from all this, and you seem to want to sort everything out that is building around it. Please, can’t you just forget about it?”

He placed his arm around my waist. “Ella, it’s so hard. I want to protect you.”

“From Sam?”

“From everyone.”

“Well, you can’t.”

“But—”

“Alex, stop it. I don’t need protecting. I just need you to be here for me. And I think that, so far, you are doing a wonderful job.”

His head dipped. “I think I’m doing a lousy job.”

I nudged him with my shoulder. “Well, you’re not.” I kissed his cheek, and leaned against him.

“Ella, will you seriously think about our future together?”

“What?” Where had this come from? And what exactly did he mean?

“Well, for starters, when we get back to London, I’d like it if you moved in with me.” He moved his hand to the side of my face and cupped my cheek. “I think It’d be perfect.”

I wanted to scream 'yes' several times at the top of my voice, but was prevented from doing so as his lips pressed against mine. All I managed to do was mutter my agreement into his mouth as he continued to kiss me.

* * *

The whole day flew by as Alex and I relaxed. We alternated between swimming in the pool and reclining on the sun loungers, listening to music that Alex had selected. The whole villa was set up with speakers so that the music could be piped around every room, and outside.

After Alex’s dance in the kitchen this morning, albeit one he hadn’t realised I’d seen, I had decided to give him one of my own. I’d been calmly floating in the pool on my back whilst he had been sitting on his sun-lounger, reading one of the many scripts he’d brought with him, when an up-tempo track started playing through the speakers. I couldn’t help myself, and gradually crawled from the pool before dancing for him. I dripped water all over his scripts as my dance turned into an erotic form of a poolside wet lap dance.

We never made it back inside. We made love on Alex’s sun-lounger, fast and impatient, but the ensuing session in the Jacuzzi had been slow and sensual.

In the evening we had sat in the sunken lounge area, cuddled up on the floor in only our bath robes. Alex read a book out-loud as I listened to his dulcet tones. It was heaven. I never wanted to leave.

We’d gone to bed and cuddled, our first night of not indulging in sex of any kind. Not only were our bodies desperate for a night off, but we were both completely satiated.

We both woke earlier than normal the next day. Alex was worried about what reaction the public would unleash after reading his interview that was published today. He’d fidgeted all night, and even now, three hours after we’d woken up, he was rubbing his hands over his face, and unable to sit still. I wasn’t as worried as him, but I was anxious to read the interview that Anthony had handed over to his editor. I was more concerned that Amy would have some sort of counter attack planned with the other reporter, Michael. It would only be a matter of time before she hit us again with a bucketful of lies.

“I can’t bear it any longer,” Alex grumbled as he reached for his phone. We were both sitting in the kitchen, playing scrabble. I’d won every single time. He wasn’t concentrating, his mind was elsewhere.

I sat back in my chair, watching and waiting for his reaction.

“Morning, Megan,” he greeted. “Yes, I know you said you’d ring, but I’m going fucking crazy here. What’s the damage?”

I steadied myself, ready for him to blow. He was so fired up, like a fuse was lit within him and the charge was slowly heading toward the bomb.

“You’re fucking kidding me? Cute? People think we’re cute together?”

Alex nodded as Megan continued to talk.

“Yeah, well, I’m glad he did a good job of it all. What are the fans reactions? Any news from Bitchface, or is she keeping quiet?”

A smile gradually crept across his face.

“Yes. I’ll download it. Naaa, don’t keep a copy. Although, if the picture of Ella and me is a good one, I’d like a copy of that.”

I moved from my seat and headed to the kitchen. I didn’t know about Alex, but I fancied either a cup of tea or a very stiff drink. I thought that tea was the best option for ten o'clock in the morning.

“So, he’s sorting Sam?” Alex said.

My ears pricked up. Who was sorting Sam?

“Well, I suppose Anthony is pretty intimidating up close.” Alex chuckled before continuing. “If it doesn’t work, I need you to find another way Megan. I’m not putting up with his shit.”

I rolled my eyes. I just wished he’d forget about Sam.

“Have you cleared all of Amy’s shit out of my house like I asked you?”

I stared at Alex, surprised that he had made the decision to get rid of her things after all this time.

“Good, give it all to charity or dump it outside her house. I don’t care. I just want rid of it. See if Hazel will be prepared to help redesign it. Okay. Yes, I’ll look. I promise. And if what you say is all true, then I owe Anthony a huge thank you.” He laughed. “No, not my car, Megan. He’s already got my sister, he’s not having my fucking car as well.”

Not only did the article in the paper seem to have had a great response for Alex, but he was organising for Megan to clear all of Amy’s junk out of his house, and Anthony was going to visit Sam.

Alex said his goodbyes to Megan before hanging up, and then turned to face me.

“It seems we have some celebrating to do. But first, I’m getting my laptop out, and we are going to have a look at this article. It seems to be having quite an amazing effect on people. Everyone is talking about it, and everyone is bowled over by us being together. I think it’s because you were on work experience when we met. It’s appealed to so many people. They love you, Ella. They really do.” He paused for a few seconds before adding. “But not as much as I love you. That’s just fucking impossible.”

* * *

I logged on to my twitter account whilst Alex sat opposite me, setting up his laptop.

“I thought you didn’t bring that with you,” I said as it whirred to life on the kitchen table.

“I didn’t. I keep this one here. It’s the same model as the one back home. God, I hope it’s safe at yours.”

“I think so. We have the best guard-dog around living in the downstairs flat, remember?”

“I hope you’re not referring to my sister?”

“I meant Anthony.”

Alex laughed. “Seriously, Ella, I think my sister’s bite it worse than Anthony’s.”

I reached across the table, and playfully punched him.

He rubbed his arm and then patted the chair next to him. “Come sit here,” he said. “We’ll look at this together.”

My twitter account was forgotten as the front page of the newspaper filled the screen.

The headline dominated the page, along with a large picture of Alex and myself. The photograph had been taken by Anthony after the interview. It was a relaxed pose, taken on the internal stairs that led up to my flat. I was seated between Alex’s legs, on one step lower than him, resting back onto his body. One of my hands was on his knee, with his hand on top of it, our fingers entwined. Alex’s other arm was wrapped protectively across my chest. We both looked happy and relaxed, smiling genuinely for the camera. Alex was lightly tanned, with three days of beard growth. I’d had no make-up on when the photo was taken, but my skin was luminous and flushed. I hoped no-one knew it was the way I looked after I’d had a lot of sex. The one thing I noticed more than anything else was that Alex looked happy—in fact we both did. I wondered if this was the picture that Megan had mentioned on the phone.

There were two other photographs. One of Alex and me from when I greeted him at the airport on Tuesday, and another of Alex and Amy at the Sunspark Premier. Anthony must have had a good search through old photos to find this one. Alex looked miserable and pissed off. Even though he had his hand on Amy’s waist, their upper bodies were leaning away from each other.

The article read as such:

Today – In Alex Denton’s exclusive interview to the press, he has agreed to talk about an event that has caused him a lot of grief over the past few years. He wants to tell people about the real Alex Denton. He wants people to know the truth.

It’s not often that I meet two people and instantly know how much in love they are with each other. It’s an incredibly rare thing in our world these days with so much happening around us. But when it’s staring you right in the face, it’s hard to ignore. And that’s exactly what I faced when I sat down with Alex Denton, and Ella Summer.

Alex Denton—famous actor, heart-throb and heart breaker, has found true love with Ella Summer, a student, who he met whilst on the set of Starshine. Ella was granted the prestigious place of a four-week work experience on the set of Starshine, working with Rowan Busby, renowned director of Starworld and Sunspark, the first two films in the Starshine saga.

Alex said that he knew from the moment he saw Ella, that she was special. “It just took me a while to sort everything out in my head,” he told me.

They constantly look to each other for reassurance throughout the interview, and it’s obvious how much support Ella gives Alex. He craves her affection. His mood lifts when she speaks, and their bodies seem to move in unison.

It all seems a million miles away from what he’s about to tell me. A story of young love, deceit and emotional cruelty that would create a movie in its own right—and the two central characters? Alex Denton and Amy Strickland.

“We fell in love on the set of Starworld. Amy was only seventeen and I was twenty-two.” Alex explained. “The acting threw our characters together. We were put in situations that forced us to have feelings for each other that I now realise were completely fabricated and untrue.”

When I asked him if he meant that he now realised that he had never been in love with Amy, he responded with a strong reaction. “I now know that I never loved her. I don’t know what you could call what I felt for her, infatuation maybe, but it was never love, even if I thought it was at the time.”

There seems to be no love for Amy at all, and when I mentioned the interview that I’d had with Simon Hurst, his face tightened even more. He looked annoyed, confirming his anger when he spoke. “Let’s get this straight once and for all. I have no interest in Amy and the baby, or who the father is. I know I’m not the daddy, and that’s all I care about. She is nothing in my life, and never will be. What I want to say though, is that her and Simon practically ruined my life a couple of years ago.”

I had to push him for further details. Even though he obviously has reason enough to dislike Amy, he seems reluctant to share the information with me. “I was forced into a situation by the Starshine promoters to be labelled as the guilty one at the end of my relationship with Amy. I was made out to be a womaniser. I had to agree that the split was all my fault as I couldn’t remain faithful. None of that was true. Amy and I split up at the end of the first film, but they made us continue to pretend to be together. The truth is that Amy had found another man, Simon Hurst, and she had also been seeing him behind my back. It had gone on for four months before I found out. If anyone deserved the blame for our split—it was her.”

Not only was she seeing Simon behind Alex’s back though, he had even more shocking facts to tell me. “She told me she was pregnant a few days before I found out about Simon. The baby hadn’t been planned, and I was incredibly stunned about the news. But whatever our crazy world had thrown at us, I was prepared to support her and the baby. As I said earlier, I thought I loved her.”

I clarified the facts with him before asking how he found out about Simon.

“I came home one evening, and she was in the hall way with him. That was the first time I’d ever met him. Her bags were packed. She left me. She had no idea whether the baby was mine or Simons.”

Even after this bombshell had been dropped, Alex still wanted to support her. “I told her that it didn’t matter if the baby was Simons. I was prepared to bring the child up as my own. That all seems a bit crazy now. But back then, it was how I felt.”

The next fact will surprise many fans of Amy’s, and potentially cause the biggest upset, as a week later when filming started on Sunspark, Alex went to Amy’s dressing room to talk to her. “I’d tried calling her all week, but she had refused to answer her phone. When I saw her that morning, I wanted answers. I hoped she’d changed her mind. But she greeted me with the news that she’d aborted the baby. She didn’t want there to be any risk that the baby could be mine. It devastated me.”

Such a cruel way to treat a man who she claimed to have loved with all her heart. Many of you will remember the newspaper interviews that Amy gave several months later, when she claimed to be broken hearted over her split with Alex, but his womanising ways had proved too much for her to deal with any longer.

“There were no other women. I’m not the sort of guy who jumps from one relationship to another. I’ve always remained faithful in my relationships. It’s important I have that trust.”

I believe him.

I asked him about his recent stay in America when he spoke to Stella on her show, and his declaration of love for Ella on live television. It seemed so out of character for him, a man who fiercely protects his private life and those in it. “Hmmm, maybe I shouldn’t have done that. But hey, what can I say now to change the situation?” He kissed Ella on her cheek. Again, I am reminded of their affection for each other. His action leads me nicely into asking about the sex scenes that he also told Stella about.

I wanted to know how Ella found herself in bed with him on the set of Starshine, filming the eagerly anticipated sex scene.

“Amy rang in sick, and the scene needed to be completed that day. Initially, Ella didn’t want to do it, but I persuaded her.”

I asked him whether the scenes will be as explosive as everyone is anticipating.

“Oh yes. They’ll set the cinemas on fire! They’re so hot!”

So we have an amazing sex scene to look forward to, and hopefully many happy pictures of Alex and Ella out and about. I asked him if his opinion on love has changed at all.

“Oh, definitely. I know what love is now. I believe in love. And with Ella, I think I’ve finally found it.”

Just for the record. I think he has too.