Bad Romeo Christmas: A Starcrossed Anthology (Starcrossed #4)(56)

"Liam, don't be ridiculous. I came of my own free will. You didn't force me. I knew what it would be like dating someone famous."

"That doesn’t make it right. However you look at this, it's my fault. This career was my choice, not yours. You would have still loved me if I'd stayed a construction worker, for God's sake. You don't care about the money or the fame. As nice as it is to be able to shower you with extravagant gifts, I'd give it all up to protect you."

"Give up what? Fame? That’s impossible. Even if you quit Hollywood tomorrow, you're still going to be recognized everywhere you go. You're the biggest movie star in the world, and people won't just forget that because you want them to."

"Liss, the whole world has seen you naked, for f*ck's sake! Don't you see how screwed up this is?"

"Of course! But there's nothing we can do. You're not a construction worker anymore. You're a star. And I love you enough to accept the consequences of what that entails."

"You say that now, but what about five years from now when you're paranoid to set foot outside the house in case you're followed? Or when you're mobbed by paps when you're trying to buy groceries? Or God forbid, when one of my crazy-ass fans physically attacks you because they're jealous of you being the woman I love? Will it be worth it, then?"

"So ... what are you saying? That you shouldn’t have told me about you and Angel? That you think I'd be happier living the rest of my life believing you didn't love me?"

"No, I just—" He takes a step forward. "This is just the beginning. Now that it's out we're together, every news agency and tabloid will dig up any information they can on you. Where you live. Who your friends are. They might not have a lot of information yet, but they'll get it, and when they do, all manner of unholy shit is going to rain down on you and everyone you care about. And by the time you realize what the hell it is you've gotten yourself into by being with me, it will be too damn late to do anything about it. If you want to avoid that, you have to act now."

A chill runs up my spine. I don't like where this conversation is heading. "What are you talking about. Do what?"

He stares at me, conflicted and tense, as if he can't bring himself to say it.

"Liam?" I take a step toward him. "What do you expect me to do?"

The muscles in his jaw clench. "Walk away. Go live a normal life with a regular guy. It's not too late."

I have no idea what's going through his head right now, but surely he can't be serious. "You think it's not too late for me to walk away from you?" I let out a short laugh, and I'm surprised I only sound half as incredulous as I feel. "You have to be f*cking kidding me. Of course it's too late! It was too late the night we met in Times Square, when you showed me your roof garden and told me about your brother and parents, and made me question everything I believed about true love." I walk toward him. "It was too late the first time you kissed me, tasting like cookies and cream while you ruined me for all other men." When I reach him, I put both hands on his chest. "And most of all, it was way too goddamn late the first time we made love, when my whole world tilted so far off its axis, I woke up to find it revolving around you."

I can tell by his expression he's trying to come up with arguments to convince me why I should go despite all that, but he won't find a single one that will stick.

"Liam, don't you understand? You can tell me to go and live my life all you want, but it's an impossible concept. My life is with you. Just like yours is with me. And no number of embarrassing pictures is going to change that."

He drops his head onto my shoulder and wraps his arms around me. "What happened to you today ... seeing you hurt and humiliated like that? It freaking killed me. I never wanted you to be dragged into this shit-show." He pulls back and looks into my eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. Am I upset my naked body has now been seen by half the world? Yes. Do I give two shits about what people are saying about my body? No. Am I going to let this, or anything else short of death come between us? Absolutely f*cking not."

I cup his face, and he looks deep into my eyes as I try to make him understand. "Don't you get it? Let the paps and the reporters and the rabid, maniacal fans throw whatever they like at me. It won't matter. I'd walk through fire to be with you, and I'd be grateful for the burns. Because you're it for me, forever, and if that means I have to endure a thousand naked pictures, or even a poorly shot sex tape titled ... oh, I don't know ... Giant Geyser of Stickiness, for example ... then that's what I'll do."

It takes a moment for my words to sink in, but when they do, he bursts out laughing and pulls me into his arms. "God, you're incredible. What the hell did I do to deserve you?"

"Well, for a start, you're really good looking. Then there's your body. And don't even get me started on your pretty cock."

He hugs me tighter. "Watch it, or I'll grab the video camera and make that porno a reality. We can get Giant Geyser of Stickiness filmed and edited before Alba and Luis get back in the morning. I dare you to get your porn face on."

"Oh, it's on," I say, rising on my toes so I can nuzzle his neck. "And when we're done we can upload it to the cloud, so hackers can find it."