I led them down the stairs so I could turn the alarm off once again.

“Jason, thank you so much for all your help. I truly appreciate it.”

“No problem.” Jason smiled back at me. “I’m glad to see it all worked out for him.” He motioned his head back to Ryan.

As the boys left, I could see a few police officers moving everyone along. I was thankful that the police made the vans across the street move

too. They were at metered parking spots; unfortunately after six p.m., the parking meters were no longer valid.

I returned to my laundry detail; Ryan helped fold some of his clothes. I moved the shirts he picked out of the boxes from the washer to the dryer.

“Taryn, we need to talk,” he said, leading me back to the bedroom.

I had no idea what he wanted to talk about. He sat me down on the bed.

“I was wondering how you felt about me staying here. Wherever I am, that follows.” He tilted his head towards the living room. “I’m worried about

how it affects you and, well, your business.”

I shrugged his comment off. I was more concerned about his safety than mine.

“Ryan, I’m fine with you staying here. I guess I just overreacted a bit when I saw how your fans terrorize you. It angered me. At least when you’re

here, I can protect you.

“To be honest, I love having your arms around me at night and waking up next to you in the morning. After all, isn’t that what it’s about anyway -

two people, in love, together?”

He picked my hand up in his and smiled. “Yeah, it is! But unfortunately the fans and the paparazzi - they follow,” he reminded.

“I know, and I don’t care. I do care about you though.” I looked directly into his eyes.

“Hmm,” he lightly purred, apparently pleased by my comment. “So you’re okay with this?”

“Yeah!” I smiled and nodded.

He took a deep breath. “Then how would you feel if I told you I wanted to stay here more? Maybe even every night?”

I swallowed while the exhilaration from his question flooded my heart and circled confusion in my brain.

“What?” I breathed out. “Are you saying you want to move in with me?” My sheer surprise came out as a whisper.

“Well, I was just thinking that when I’m done working, instead of going to the hotel, I could come here. This is where I want to be anyway. What

do you think?” he asked hesitantly, biting his bottom lip.

I took a deep breath, gathering my words before I spoke. Was he even allowed to do something like this while under contract to film? I had to

ask. “I think…”

His cell phone rang on the nightstand. “Shit, hold that thought…” He looked at the number and took the call.

“David, hey. I’m doing great! Yeah, I have a minute.” Ryan covered his phone with his hand. “My manager,” he whispered to me.

His face morphed from an elated smile to a look of disgust in an instant.

“No, I didn’t move out of the hotel. I don’t know why they called you. I just had all my things retrieved so I could wash my clothes, that’s all,” he

sighed.

I watched Ryan start to rub his forehead. He walked out of the bedroom but he didn’t go far; I could still hear every word clearly.

“I’ve been staying at Taryn’s,” I heard him confess.

Apparently his manager knew about me.

“I’ll take my chances. You know, David, I just don’t give a shit anymore. I am so sick and tired of hiding and having every fucking detail of my life

become public knowledge.” Ryan’s voice became louder, distressed.

“I’m done with being locked up in some hotel like a prisoner. I’m sick of it! It’s been like this for over two years. I’m going out of my mind! I want

to have a normal relationship with someone for once.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’m no longer allowed to have a personal life,” he responded defensively. “I wish someone would have told me that

I’m not allowed to have a fucking life at all because I sure don’t remember seeing that clause in any of my contracts!”

I stood there, motionless, listening to him shout in the hallway. My pulse quickened and my hands started to tremble, knowing I was the reason

for his defensiveness.

“Fine, then if that’s the case, inform the studio that I’ll pay for my own security. Do that, ‘cause I’m not living in lockdown anymore. I can’t… deal

with it.”

He sighed. “Why? So I can have more of my clothes mysteriously disappear? I’ll do my own laundry. I don’t want strangers touching my clothing -

it creeps me out.

“I’m pretty sure she knows what she’s gotten herself into. The paparazzi have been onto her for weeks and that was before we were seen

together publicly.

“I don’t care what the media says about me. The only person I’m worried about, the only person I care about is Taryn.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m staying focused. They’re getting a quality performance.” Ryan was irritated. “I’ve seen all the dailies – they look

great. Kenneth hasn’t said a word to me about it; I would hope the director would tell me if he had concerns!

“Are you kidding me? If they want to discuss things with me, then they can come here. No, you listen to me, David. I’ll fucking walk away before I

let anyone dictate my life. I’m pretty sure I can live quite comfortably on the twenty million I already have in the bank.

“I’m the one trying to be a professional here! She’s probably pissed that she can’t just knock on my hotel room door to get my attention

anymore.

“If the third movie sucks then I suggest they start pointing their finger in the proper direction. I’m regretting ever signing on for this project. Yeah, I

know David. All right.”

I dumped the clean load of white laundry onto the bed – a reflex to make it look like I wasn’t listening intently. He stopped in the doorway and

leaned on the frame with his arms folded across his chest.

I didn’t say anything. I knew he was upset. I think he sensed I was too. How else could I be?

“I know you heard my conversation,” he said softly.

“I’m making things difficult for you,” I whispered, fighting back my tears of guilt.

“No,” he said, shaking his head to disagree. “You’re the only thing that’s keeping me sane.”

“I don’t see how that’s possible,” I said somberly, diverting my attention to separating the laundry.

Ryan stepped to my side and took his socks out of my clenched hands.

“Do you love me?” he asked emphatically, his eyes piercing. His fingers lifted my chin. “I mean really love me?”

“Yes! Yes I do,” I stated, looking directly into his eyes. “With all of my heart.”

A smile touched his lips.

“You know that my life is anything but normal. So I’m going to ask you one more time. Are you sure you’re okay with this – me staying here with

you?”

“Are you allowed to stay here?” I half expected him to say no. “Will they allow it?”

“I’m a grown man. I’ll do what I want.” He rubbed my arms.

“You’re breaching your contract,” I said, assuming it was in the fine print somewhere.

“They are required to pay me and assure my safety and comfort. I’m not going to let them own me. Taryn, I want to be with you, if you’ll have me.”

His mesmerizing blue eyes stared straight into my soul, searching for my reaction.

“I’ll make some room so you have a place for your things.” I kept my tone low.

“Taryn, that’s not what I asked.” He snatched me gently by the wrist.

Overwhelming guilt was rolling in on me now.

“Ryan, I want you here more than you can ever imagine. But I also know that there are reasons why you are kept hidden and guarded in your

hotel room. I’m afraid that if you stay here, then everything the studio has arranged for you will be jeopardized. You already have enough stress

because of me.”

“Because of you? Are you serious? Why do you keep saying that?”