Never Been Ready (Ready #2)(51)

He gave me a lopsided grin and leaned over to kiss my shoulder, which was very much looking forward to seeing the sun for the first time in months. While it wasn't hot in January in California, it definitely wasn't winter-coat weather. Declan had promised to take me to the beach and the Walk of Fame. He'd even said he would take me shopping in Beverly Hills. Dating a movie star definitely had its perks.

When the flight attendant came on the intercom and announced our final descent into LAX, I squealed like a schoolgirl. I'd never been to the West Coast. Hell, I'd barely made it out of Virginia. Staying across the country for a few days was definitely the most adventurous thing I had ever done.

"It's a shame you're not excited," Declan teased.

I stuck my tongue out at him, and he laughed.

"Shut up. Give me a moment, and I will go back to calm-and-collected Leah. I promise that I won't embarrass you when all your adoring fans meet us at the gate."

"I'm afraid TV and movies have lied to you a bit on that. For the most part, rabid fans and paparazzi don't hang out at the airport. It's a waste of time to sit around, hoping a celebrity will come in on a flight. They go where the tips are, so we should be able to cruise in without a problem."

"So, I get you all to myself for a little longer?"

"Yep," he answered, grinning.

"Good."

I leaned over and kissed him far too deeply for public, but I didn't care. Everyone in first class was either asleep or too wrapped up in his or her own business to pay attention to us. I wanted nothing more than to enjoy the feel of Declan's lips on mine.

A few minutes later, our plane landed smoothly, and we did the first thing everyone does nowadays when the wheels hit the pavement. We both reached down to our stowed bags under our seats and immediately turned on our phones. I looked around, and every single person was doing the same thing. Checking out from the world for several hours should seem like a present, but we'd all grabbed our phones like our lives depended on it, making sure the world was exactly the same as we'd left it.

My iPhone finished booting up, and I had a funny text from Clare and a few emails. Declan's phone beeped. I saw him pull up several text messages, and then he cursed.

"What is it?" I asked, concerned.

"Looks like I've been outed on the Internet by someone who saw us on the plane. My publicist says a few cameras are waiting for us at baggage claim. Sorry, babe. It's not quite the quiet introduction to Cali you were hoping for."

"It's okay. It was bound to happen anyway. Might as well dive right in. Do you want me to hang back and let you go first?" I asked, not knowing how this whole press thing worked.

I didn't know if he wanted us out or not. I was honestly fine with either. I didn't know the life he had to deal with, and I didn't want to cause further stress by forcing him into something.

"What are you talking about? You will walk with me, always with me. Got it?"

I nodded, watching him bring my hand to his lips in a sweet gesture, before we had to exit the plane. We made our way off the plane and through the gate. A few fans were waiting for him. Apparently, passengers from other flights had found out about Declan's arrival. He immediately wrapped his arm around me as he greeted them, making his taken status very obvious. Even when he leaned over to sign a few autographs, he still held my hand.

We made our way through the rest of the airport and down to baggage claim. Just as we were about to leave the security area, he gave me one final look.

"You ready for this?" he asked.

I nodded, and he grinned.

"Welcome to the jungle, babe."

He wasn't kidding. As soon as we were off the escalator, they were on us —three or four cameras with men shouting questions. Declan was as cool as a cucumber. With his arm around my waist, he greeted them politely and answered a few questions.

"Hey, Declan, welcome home. Who's the blonde?"

"Thanks, Eddie. This lovely lady would be my girlfriend, and it's her first trip to L.A., so I would appreciate you gentlemen giving us a bit of space while I try to show her a good time," he said with a wink.

They laughed and gave us some room as we grabbed our bags. We headed out the door, and they followed, of course, asking a few more questions and flashing pictures of us. The driver Declan had hired loaded the car, and I made my way inside.

"Hey, Declan, give us a kiss, will ya? Something for the papers?"

"Sorry, guys. I'm not pimping my woman out for your paycheck. Have a nice day."

He joined me in the car, and we were off.

"Oh my God, is that what this place is like for you all the time?"

"Hmmm...not all the time, but yeah, pretty much."

I was shocked, completely shocked. His life was totally different. In Virginia, he'd been recognized a number of times when we'd been out, but for the most part, we had just gone about our normal lives. He had even gone to the grocery store with me.

"And you were so calm about it," I said.

"I've had a lot of practice by now, but enough of that. You've gotten your first paparazzi mob out of the way now." He grinned. "What do you want to do now?"

"I want to go to the beach! No, wait! I want to see your house!"

"Well, you're in luck. I can grant both of those wishes in one stop."