Chapter Seventeen

I have such a good feeling about this ten page spread. The readers are going to enjoy it and the true Rhys Ryan fans are going to absolutely love it! The photo editing peeps are impressed with the shots I have taken of him, especially the natural and unposed ones.

I believe that the interview itself reveals a far more lighter and intimate side to Rhys. It focuses less on his fame but more on who he is as a person. It's revealing a more personal and humorous side to him, a side that any avid Rhys Ryan devotee will eagerly digest. I honestly can't wait to see the entire thing laid out, ready to print. With a satisfied spring in my heeled steps, I make my way back to the main office. As soon as I enter the large and busy room, Jess practically runs towards me. "Rhys Ryan is here! In Dex's office." Her voice is verging on a shriek, a very excited shriek.

My eyes dart to Dex's office, and sure enough, Rhys is sat in the chair opposite him. They are obviously in the middle of a conversation, one that seems lively and light, judging by the reciprocated smiles and nods that pass between them. My delighted eyes soon rest back on Rhys, then my heart starts racing at the unexpected sight of him. "Why is he here?" I was only supposed to have asked that in my head, but my dazed question slips right out of my mouth without warning.

"I don't know, but damn, am I glad that he is!" Jess dreamily coos, going all gooey over him.

And I can see why. Wearing dark tapered jeans and a muscle fit crew neck jumper in a flattering shade of red and his hair sexily messed up—he looks good enough to eat.

From where I am, I stare and inwardly feel like an excited wreck. I can't believe Rhys is actually here, but worry why he is. He is supposed to be on a flight back to LA, not sat opposite my boss.

Do I approach Dex's office?

Do I go back to my desk?

As the entire office staff, male and female, try to get on with their work and ignore the presence of Rhys Ryan even being here, I silently argue with myself over what I should do. "You'd better go in, Clara. Dex told me to tell you to, once you were back." Jess and her bubbly voice promptly settles my inner argument that I've just been so stupidly having. Thanking her with a nervous smile, my apprehensive feet start moving towards Dex's office. My quiet anxiety has me twisting the only ring that I wear on my finger as I put one anxious foot in front of the other. Once at the glass door, both Dex and Rhys become aware that I am there. Not bothering to knock, I walk right in with my head held high and my excitement levels even higher.

"Clara, are you all done with the photo editors?" Dex asks, swivelling his chair slightly so that he is in my eye line.

Dubiously, I answer. "Yes, why?" That's when I look from Dex to Rhys, needing to say something to him. "Hey again." I smile across at him, my heart going like the clappers inside of me. God, it's so good to see him.

He smiles, so naturally warm and radiating. "Hey again." He sweetly repeats, returning the very same greeting.

"Rhys is just wanting to go over some of his interview questions with you. He's not quite sure how he'll come across in some of them, so would just like to have a good look at them before he returns to The States." Dex is talking, and I hear him, I'm just too busy losing myself to the sage eyes that are currently locked on only me. "Clara?" The sudden deepness to my bosses voice soon grabs my straying attention. "Is that okay?" Dex asks, suspiciously now blinking across at me.

With a slow nod and a sheepish smile, I finally feel able to answer. "Of course." Standing tall, I desperately try to retain some professional composure. "Is it okay to use the meeting room?" I ask, keeping my eyes firmly on Dex and not anywhere near Rhys.

Interrupting, Rhys dives right in with an alternative. "We can take a look at it together back at my hotel. I still have loads to get done before my flight, so it would be better if we could do it from there." He smiles at me from his seat, a little too triumphantly.

Trying not to react to his little white lie or his charming smile, I look back at Dex. "Would that be okay?" It's so hard to play down the elation that swirls around inside of me. It's even harder to look at my very serious boss without wearing a smile that will give away all of that inner elation.

Dex agrees with a quick smile. "Just do what you have to do." Is his suspecting and quick reply.

Rhys then addresses Dex. "You really don't mind me stealing her from you? I just thought it would be better to be sure about the interview whilst I was still here."

Dex looks at him from across his desk, shrugging softly. "I've had a look at it myself and I really think it's great, but if you're not 100% happy, then it's best we iron out any issues before I send it to the sub editors."

Rhys smiles, polite and charming as ever. "I'm sure Clara has done an awesome job on it, I just wanted to be sure before I leave, that's all." As valid as his explanation sounds to Dex, I know otherwise.

Dex stands to shake Rhys's hand. "As I said before, I want you to be 100% happy with it." Looking at me, he then says. "I'll see you tomorrow, Clara." His smile is a knowing smile, one that suggests he isn't stupid to what is happening here. "Look after my top girl." His eyes are now back on Rhys as he's tapping the top of his arm in a friendly manner.

Looking at me with unsaid affection, Rhys answers Dex. "Thanks, I will."

This is where I need to get my act together, I can't go all gooey in front of Dex. Gooey is definitely not good! "Right, I'll just grab my things, then." My voice is lighter than light, my mood lighter still.

I honestly cannot believe that Rhys is here and has managed to charm Dex into letting me leave with him. I should be cross with him for showing up in the way that he has, and for fibbing about the interview, but I'm not. I didn't think we were going to see each other again for quite some time, so his cunning interview ploy is one that I will gladly let slide today.

With the entire office watching us, we leave side by side. Once safely inside the lift, I smirk sideways at Rhys. "What are you really doing here?"

He grins, deliciously slow. "I'm here because you are."

Facing forward, my smirk just grows and grows. "I'm glad that you are."

Taking a delicate hold of my hand, Rhys pulls me closer to his side. "I decided to have one extra day here and I want to spend the rest of my British hours with you."

With joy reaching every part of my face, I say nothing but enjoy the feeling of his hand sweetly holding mine. The joy was brief, but worth every single second. As soon as the lift doors slowly opened, our hands reluctantly separated as we stepped out of it and into full view of all the reception staff. Waiting not far from the lift, was one of Rhys's burly bodyguards. He escorted us both to the car that was waiting outside and it was only once we were safely seated inside of it, did our hands joyfully join again. "I've missed you." Rhys tells me, giving my fingers a pleasant little squeeze.

My delight sits on my face as I snuggle in closer against him. "That's good to know because I've been missing you, too."

Kissing the top of my head, I just know that he's smiling. "You're not mad, then?"

I know exactly what he means, sitting up straighter, I begin to reel off all the possible reasons why I might be mad at him. "You turn up at my work, lie to my boss and cause a womb explosion." I say them all in jest, smiling across at him with teasing teal eyes.

Rhys frowns with confusion. "A womb explosion?"

Laughing, I snuggle up against him again. "Yes, a womb explosion."

"I am still confused, what does it mean?" He squeezes my hand, grinning down at me.

Laughing lightly, I put him out of his confused misery. "You're hot. One of my colleagues thinks you're really hot. You're so hot, you cause womb explosions."

Laughing hard, Rhys brings his arms right around me. "Jeez, I've heard it all, now!" His American accent sounds so cutely American, I just love how his voice always manages to bring a smile to my face.

Laughing and cuddled up close, I notice that we are driving away from the city of London and not back into the centre of it. "Aren't you at The Hyde anymore?" I inquisitively ask, thinking that he might be temporarily checked in at the airport hotel now.

"I'm still at The Hyde. Everyone is packing everything up." He is purposely winding me up by being so casually vague, I can hear it in his cute as hell voice.

With my chin playfully upon his shoulder, I try to get a better answer from him. "Why aren't we going there, then?"

"Because we are going somewhere else."

"Where?"

He throws me a sneaky sideways glance. "It's a surprise."

Smirking back at him, I say. "I don't like surprises."

He returns my playful smirk with a cocky grin. "You'll like this one."

"Why will I?"

"Because you will."

"But why?"

Rhys laughs, shaking his head over and over. "Do you ever stop asking questions?"

Grinning, with my chin still upon his shoulder, I quickly reply. "No, it's my job."

Pulling on my silk shirt, Rhys pulls me across him. "Maybe this will shut you up?" His mouth crashes into mine, harder and more hurried than any of his previous kisses. This one is desirously deeper, feverishly firmer. My fingers find themselves within the back of his hair, passionately raking their way through it as his mouth is indelicately locked on mine. This isn't just a kiss, this is him showing me that we are right together. Our bodies are reacting to one another's, rebelliously and gloriously reacting. Before this moment gets any hotter than it already is, Rhys suddenly draws back, breathless and dishevelled with eyes darkly dilated with growing arousal. "We need to stop." He needs to adjust himself in his seat, running a flustered hand through his messed up dirty blond hair as he tries to slow down his aroused breaths. Turning his head slightly to look at me, he is full of apology. "Sorry, I got carried away." Lacing his fingers through mine, he takes hold of my hand. "I want to do things differently with you, Clara. I want to do things right." With his other hand, he strokes my cheek with his loving thumb. "You're making my already complicated life even more complicated, but you're a complication that I'm happy to have." Leaning in to kiss my nose, he smiles. "You're a beautiful complication, Clara Thorn."

Being so wonderfully close to him in the light of day, I notice every contour, crease and freckle on the flawless face that tenderly looks back at me. Smiling, I acknowledge his honest words. "I don't plan on staying a complication, Rhys Ryan." Not looking away from him, I want to keep on staring at the face that is quickly becoming the only one who makes me feel truly happy. Kissing him softly and briefly, I quietly tell him what is on my mind. "I'm so glad that you're still wanting to give us a chance."

Holding my face possessively in his hands, Rhys frowns back at me. "I don't see it as wanting to give us a chance. I see it as making a damn good decision—the only decision." A little unsure, I look away but Rhys makes me look up again. "It's just the beginning for us, Clara. I know that one day, we will be properly together."

Shaking my head, I don't want him making promises that he might not be able to keep. That I might not be able to keep. "Don't, Rhys. Don't say things like that. Let's just see where the next few months will lead us, okay?"

He warily nods, reluctantly accepting that we just have to take each day as it comes. Letting go of my face but keeping the closeness between us with our closely seated bodies, he decides to change subject slightly. "Okay, but have you given any more thought to coming out to see me in The States? Could you get the time off?" This conversation seems to invigorate him, he turns slightly to look me right in the eye. "In a couple of weeks, I'm planning on going to my cabin in Echo Lake. Things will be winding down after the tour and I need some time out. I want to spend that time out with you. I can organise things for Maci before we go, I've already spoken with a new rehab, so as soon as I get back, I can sit her down and talk to her about it." His hand grips my hand tighter—tighter with so much hope attached to it. "Please say yes." His eyes almost become sad little pots of sage that I just know I will find it impossible to say no to. "Please?" A goofy grin soon reaches the far corners of his mouth, his brows rising with optimism.

I am smiling, already thinking that I have loads of holiday time left at work. I never usually use it up because I never go anywhere. I always prefer to work, taking only the odd day off here and there. Getting carried along with my excitement, I have images of me being very brave on a plane and flying to America. Getting carried further along with the same excitement, I also have images of me and Rhys sat beside a still and beautiful lake, and it's that insane and crazy excitement that makes me suddenly blurt out my thoughtless answer. "Yes!"

Rhys stills to my blurted out answer. "Really?"

Nodding, almost a little too manically, I tell him again. "Yes, I will."

That's when his strong arms excitedly engulf me. "You will love it!" He starts kissing my neck, tiny kisses of gratitude being softly peppered across my elated skin. "You'll bring the polka dot onesie, right?" His crooked smile can be felt against my neck, deliciously tickling me.

Giggling because of his touch and his silly comment, I happily reply. "For you, I most certainly will."

Covering my neck with even more of his playful kisses, Rhys enthusiastically says. "Awesome." Only stopping on account of his mobile phone starting to ring inside the pocket of his jeans. Shifting up to pull it out, he glances down at the lit up screen before answering it. "Cam, what's up?" He casually asks, taking hold of my hand again with a quick little smile thrown in for good and sweet measure. Although I can hear Cameron faintly talking, I don't hear what is being said. "Will has my guitar, right?" Rhys asks, now stroking my fingers with his. "Just make sure that everything is taken to the airport and I'll meet you guys there." He listens carefully to Cam, nodding along with their conversation. With thought, he frowns. "Uh, I should be done in a few hours, I should think." Rhys smiles in my direction because it's with me that he's spending those last few hours. "Sure, okay." He carries on talking with Cameron. "Don't forget to ask someone to grab Slammer's stuff as well, because he's with me, remember?" I can't help but smile to myself whenever Slammer's name is used. Apparently, he used to be a former WWE wrestler, hence the highly amusing name. "Yeah, I'll drop Clara home before meeting you guys." Now that comment, certainly gets my attention. I didn't know whether Rhys would actually tell anyone about us. We are trying to be discreet, I didn't know whether that included the Rhys Ryan entourage as well. "Cool, I'll see you later." He suddenly ends the call, seemingly happy about everything. "Sorry, everyone is about to leave The Hyde." He quickly explains. It's kind of sweet that he feels the need to apologise about his time being momentarily taken away from me.

That doesn't bother me at all, but Cameron knowing about Rhys being here with me right now—that sort of does bother me. "Have you told the guys about us?" I decide not to single out just Cam, that would only rouse suspicion from Rhys. He knows nothing about the conversation I had with Cameron. He knows nothing about Cameron asking me to fall for him, and not for Rhys. I think it's best that it remains that way.

Quick with his reply, Rhys looks at me. "Yeah, I did." His eyes study me, waiting for a reaction. "You don't mind, do you?"

Shaking my head, I placate him with a small smile. "Of course I don't. I'm just surprised that you did, that's all." Which is absolutely true.

Cocking his head to the side, his smile is naturally wide. "If we're wanting to keep things discreet for a while, I'm gonna need their help to do it." He confidently explains. "Besides, Will had kinda worked it out for himself. He thinks you're good for me." That's when he flashes me the sweetest and most proud smile of all. "I mean, I told him about the whole Walrus snoring thing as well, but he still thinks you're good for me." He knows his teasing is going to mean a big slap, because he hunches up as he waits for it.

Laughing yet scowling at him, I predictably whack his upper arm. "You had better be joking!" I warm him, trying not to laugh.

Pulling me in for a big cuddle, Rhys warmly answers me. "I think Will is right." Then he cuddles me tighter. "Jules thinks it's pretty cool, too. He agrees that it's best to keep a lid on things for a while, as well. Cameron, he has been pretty quiet about it all, but then he would, wouldn't he? He likes you himself."

Tensing up, I suddenly feel a little awkward. "You really knew?" I quietly ask, feeling the need to sit more upright so I can look directly at Rhys.

A small smile hovers around the edges of his mouth, telling me that he has indeed always known. "I told you, didn't I? But you didn't believe me when I did. How come you now know, has he said something?"

With his question hanging over us, I know I have to choose my words very wisely. I really don't want to cause any unnecessary friction between Rhys and Cameron. Completely playing things down, my reply is almost flippant. "No, he hasn't...a girl just kind of knows when a guy likes her." I smile back at him, hoping my answer is one that doesn't make him want to know more.

"So, if you knew that Cam liked you...did you know that I liked you?" He challenges me with a cocksure smile.

Looking just past his shoulder, I give it some thought. "Um, a little bit. But then again, Cam hadn't just had some leggy brunette roll from out of his hotel room the first time I met him." My eyes lock onto his. In turn, challenging him.

Any cockiness quickly leaves Rhys, he is staring at me in a dead serious way, holding my chin between his finger and thumb. "Listen to me, Clara. I'm not apologising for anything that has happened before I met you. I have a past, I can't change that. If we are doing this, we can only do this if we trust each other, right?" I say nothing, I just nod as his strong words slowly start to sink in. "Don't think about who I am and all that I've done, just think about why I am here. Don't think, Clara...feel." Bringing my hand nearer to his chest, he looks at me with eyes so full of the purest truth as he softly lays my palm against his beating heart. His powerful words feel like they are one of his songs, deeply touching me inside.

Everything about Rhys Ryan has touched me.

His voice. His smile. His singing. His eyes.

All that he's just said, is absolutely right. He wants me to be a part of his life, and I want him to be a part of mine. The past is in the past. He is here, trying to offer me a future. I can't let him leave today and not tell him how he truly makes me feel. This is my moment. A moment that I am going to grab with both hands. Cradling his face within my eager hands, my feelings start tumbling out of my mouth. "Rhys Ryan, making the decision to be here with you, scares the hell out of me. It scares me and fills me with far too many doubts. But making the decision to be here with you, also excites me. It makes me happy because I know that if this works out between us, there is so much more happiness to come. I trust you, because I am trusting myself. I am glad you want me to be a part of your life, because you're already a part of mine. When you get on that plane later today, that isn't going to change...you will safely be kept inside of here." I move his hand to rest upon my own beating heart, smiling as I do. "I feel you, Rhys Ryan." The gentle beats of my heart rhythmically confirm that to him. "I really do feel you."

Bringing his mouth closer to mine, he then whispers. "You really are my British beauty." Next comes his cherishing kiss, one that puts an assuring seal on each of our tender declarations. We only stop kissing because the car has also come to a stop. Rhys starts smiling, running his soft lips back and forth on mine. "We're here!" Sliding across the leather seat, he is keen to open the car door but Slammer beats him to it. "Thanks, Slam," says Rhys, who waits for me to now also get out of the car. With an outstretched hand, he grins as he helps me to emerge gracefully from the vehicle. "I wanted to share this with you before I left, so you'll remember it with a smile until we see each other again." I don't yet know what my surprise is, but it can't be any better than the wonderful surprise of Rhys Ryan himself.