Undone by the Star by Stephanie Browning

“offices” or trailers, for that matter, that he had ever worked in – quiet and professional. Someone, and he had a sneaky feeling he knew who it was, had anticipated his every need from equipment to pastries. A non-stop reminder that Alexis Kirkwood was just down the hall, breathing the same air, maybe even nibbling the same croissants.
    Enough.
    He had a lot riding on this project, and the day wasn’t over yet.
    Reaching for his mobile phone, Marc thumbed through his contacts. As director and producer he was learning firsthand just how complicated the back end of the business could be. He started with his wardrobe designer. After confirming that she was in touch with his expert in period costume at Oxford, he called his location scout, and then his casting agent.
    Laying his phone back down, Marc scrubbed his face. Between worrying about the production and his endless yearning for Alex, he hadn’t been sleeping well.
    He had been working at The Sadler for three days now, and other than an echo of Alex’s voice and a glimpse of her disappearing down a corridor, he had yet to lay eyes on her. Work distracted him, but the long evenings as he rattled around his empty flat were punctuated by endless images of her, the scent of her, the feel of her body melding into his own. He had hoped she would seek him out, but she hadn’t. From Jeremy, he knew that she was incredibly busy.
    But he wasn’t about to wait any longer.
    Instinct told him he had to make the next move. To show Alex that he was willing to compromise, to support her in any way he could. Perhaps then she would respond to him as she had the other evening before the weight of responsibility had scared her away.
    Leaving the boardroom, Marc headed toward the hotel’s executive offices. The door to Alex’s office was ajar. Marc paused on the threshold, determined, but not wanting to intrude.
    Alex was not alone. An older woman stood by Alex’s desk, holding a file and shaking her head. “I haven’t been able to contact him. He’s not answering calls.”
    “We’ve been calling him ‘Hector the obstinate’ since I was a kid,” Alex muttered. “Always difficult, always causing grief…. ”
    “He still is,” Clare replied. “I’ve left several messages.”
    Interesting, thought Marc. If someone was upsetting Alex, he wanted to know who it was. He rapped his knuckles against the door.
    The two women turned to look in his direction.
    “I apologize if I’m interrupting,” said Marc as he stepped into the room, “but I heard Miss Sadler was home, and I wanted to ask how she was. I can come back later.” He cocked his head. “Should that be more convenient.”
    He was rewarded with a wide smile from Alex. “No, please stay. We were just finishing.” She turned to the secretary. “Let’s send a registered letter, and we’ll follow up in a couple of days.” Clare nodded, gave Marc a tentative smile, and then slipped out of the office.
    Alex rose from the desk and came over to Marc, eyes searching his face. She looked pale to him, and the circles under her eyes had deepened. He had the distinct impression that she could really use a friend right now. Once again his desire to fold her into his arms nearly overpowered him…but if it was a friend she needed, it was a friend she would get.
    “How’s Miss Sadler?” he asked. He wouldn’t step closer, wouldn’t reach out to caress the soft curve of her cheek.
    But he swore she knew exactly what he was thinking by the rise and fall of her chest. Her breath hitched, and then suddenly she was glowing with happiness. Whether it was because of him or her grandmother’s return to health, Marc wasn’t sure. He just knew he was happy to be with Alex and to see the light return to her eyes. “I was on my way up to her suite right now,” she said, “if you’d like to come along?”
    “I’d love to, if you’re sure she won’t mind.”
    Alex laughed. “My grandmother? Nothing cheers her up more