Something True (7 page)

“I’m still a man, Shelley. Don’t make me into anything else.”

“Fair enough.” She paused. “My heart’s a little cracked,” Shelley explained.

“I’d be surprised if it weren’t. I’m sure others have tried to snatch you up, though they apparently failed.”

“I’m sure you could say the same.” Shelley knew the tabloids exaggerated, but Liam’s high profile relationships were news.

Liam’s lips thinned. “Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that my fame and money were more attractive than I was.”

Shelley touched his hand. “You know that’s not true.”

“I’d like to think it isn’t. I suppose I let a few of the wrong people into my life.”

“I have as well. I think everyone does at some point.”

“You’re a very forgiving type.”

“Maybe. But Liam, all that aside, I’m not sure I’m cut out for a fling like this. To be honest, I’m afraid of getting hurt.” Shelley didn’t see how an involvement with Liam would end any other way.

“I’ll never hurt you, Shelley.”

“I know you wouldn’t mean to. I live a more quiet life.”

“Have you seen me out partying every night since we met? I’m not saying I didn’t, because I did. But I’ve put that behind me. The hard partying, anyway. I don’t want it and I don’t want to go where it was leading me.”

“I’m not judging your choices, Liam. Our lives don’t mesh and it’s never going anywhere, so why should I set myself up like that when I know what’s going to happen?” Couldn’t he see it wasn’t worth starting something when you knew how it would end? Maybe not the specifics, but it would end and it would be painful.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I’m not really your type, Liam. It’s a novelty for you, a one off.”

“What the hell? How do you know what my type is? Are you saying I’m not good enough for you?”

“No, of course not. The opposite.”

“You’re not good enough for me? Where are you getting all these crazy ideas?”

“Liam, you could be with almost anyone you want. Models. Actresses.”

“Yeah, I did the models and actresses, thank you very much. Literally. Therefore, I should know better than anyone what works for me. I don’t get this. You’re a beautiful, talented woman. Why wouldn’t I want to be with you?”

“When you get to know me better, you’ll see that I’m not that special.” Shelley knew herself to be average and average wouldn’t satisfy a man like Liam Smith.

“Is this some kind of self-esteem bullshit? Who told you that you aren’t special?”

“I’ve had several boyfriends. They’ve made me aware of my shortcomings.”

“They must have been blind and dumb to let you slip away. Come. Let me show you how I see you.” He held out his hand.

Shelley took it.

Chapter 5

Shelley watched with wide eyes as Liam pulled off his shirt. Her fingers itched to touch his muscled chest, but she was frozen in place, mesmerized as Liam unfastened his jeans and pushed them to the floor. His erection tented the fabric of his boxer briefs and Shelley swallowed, her desire tempered with a touch of apprehension.

Liam’s eyes fixed on hers and Shelley read the desire in his gaze. Before she over thought it, Shelley grabbed the hem of her shirt and removed it.

Liam stepped closer and his eyes fastened on the creamy expanse of skin spilling out the top of her bra. “So beautiful. May I touch?”

Shelley nodded. Liam reached out and slipped his fingertip under the lacy edge. Shelley flushed as heat spread through her breasts and down her belly.

“Do you want to touch me, too?” There was no mistaking his ardor.

Shelley blushed and placed her palm against his chest. She felt the thump of his heart and the warmth of his skin. She skimmed her fingertips down his belly and over the fabric of his underwear.

Liam sucked in a breath as she touched him, encircled him with her fingers, nothing but cloth between. Liam pushed his underwear off and Shelley grasped him again, stroking his pulsing flesh as he stood naked before her.

“Oh, Shelley, that feels so good. I want to see you, too. Let me see all of you.”

Shelley reached behind her back and unhooked her bra. The cups loosened and the bra slid down her arms. Shelley tossed it on the floor and reached for the waistband of her panties. After a moment’s hesitation, she removed them.

Liam reached out and traced his fingertip from her waist, down her hip, and over to the coarse curls at the apex of her thighs. He parted her soft folds and stroked her, spreading her wetness. “Please tell me you want me as much as I want you.”

“I want you. I do, but I’m afraid.”

His head jerked up. “Afraid of what?”

“Not of you. Of disappointing you. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.”

“I can 100% guarantee that I will not be disappointed. I’m going to make sure you aren’t, either.” He took a foil packet from his pocket and tossed it on the bed.

The conviction in his voice sent a shiver through Shelley.

Liam licked her wetness from his finger and urged her onto the mattress. He followed her down, covering her with his weight. “Am I too heavy for you?”

“No, it feels wonderful. You feel wonderful.”

Liam bent toward her breast and licked around each areola until her nipples pebbled tightly. He took her nipple into his mouth, sucking gently, and then with more force as Shelley arched against him and whimpered for more.

Shelley touched him everywhere—his shoulders, his neck, his back. She entwined her fingers in his hair and pulled his mouth to hers.

Liam gave her what she wanted, ravishing her lips with kisses as he nudged her legs apart. He ripped open the condom and unrolled it onto himself.

Shelley trembled as she spread her legs to make room for him. He settled against her, hot and hard.

Liam bit her earlobe and soothed it with his tongue. “I can feel how ready you are for me.”

Shelley squirmed underneath him. Any insecurity was buried beneath the inferno growing inside her. Only Liam could satisfy her burning ache.

Liam’s fingers explored her slick cleft and dipped inside before sliding back up to the sensitive nerve bundle hidden at the top.

“Yes, I want you, too. I’m ready. I’m so ready.”

Liam positioned himself between her thighs and groaned as he sank into her depths. He pulled back and plunged into her again and again, with slow, steady strokes.

Wanton cries escaped Shelley’s lips and she lifted against him, wanting more, needing more, needing everything. Her fingers dug into his buttocks, urging him faster, deeper.

Liam whispered earthy, sexual words into her ear and she shivered with delight.

“Liam … please …” Shelley begged, though she wasn’t sure what more he could give.

Liam lifted her legs onto his shoulders, thrusting deep, and Shelley unwound inside. Her skin burned and her muscles quivered. Pleasure surged into every cell of her body. She spasmed one last time as Liam cried out, and she gathered him close to her, stroking his back.

 
~ * ~ * ~

 
Liam sat at the piano and tested out a melody that’d been sticking in his head for days. It was catchy and ideas for lyrics began to form.

As Rob walked through the door, Liam rose from the piano bench. He embraced Rob with one arm while he thumped him on the back with the other.

“How you feeling, man?” Liam’s concern was genuine. This was Rob’s second stint in rehab in less than a year.

“That whole thing is bullshit, you know?” Rob twirled his drumsticks in his hands.

“Uh …” Having been in rehab, Liam knew it wasn’t a glorified vacation—at least not if you wanted to stay clean.

“The suits should be happy though, right? It’s all good for the tour.” Rob tapped out a short lick on the tabletop.

“So, you think you got a handle on things?” Neither Liam nor Sean, their other bandmate, did drugs, but Rob always seemed able to find plenty of trouble on his own.

“Absolutely. Gotta be more careful, that’s all.”

“Rob …” Liam had been through his wild phase, but put it behind him. He hoped Rob was able to do the same.

“Anyway, where’s Sean?” Rob paced the floor, twirling his drumsticks in his hands.

A tall, lanky man with sandy hair appeared in the doorway, carrying an instrument. “Did someone call my name?”

Rob spun a drumstick into the air and caught it. “About time you showed up, slacker. What’s the world coming to when I’m more prompt than you?”

“Hell in a hand basket, that’s for sure.” Sean placed his bass case on the floor.

Usually, Liam enjoyed the irreverence of his band mates, but today it rubbed him the wrong way. The release date for their album was set, but he still wasn’t happy with a few of the tracks. The record label was hounding them, and they had a tour to prepare for.

Liam bit back his thoughts. He didn’t want to spend all day smoothing things over. “I thought we’d practice and work out some rough spots today. Jared’s ready to come do the engineering whenever we’re ready.”

Rob rolled his eyes. “We don’t need a record company watch dog.”

Liam frowned at Rob’s characterization. “He’s not a watch dog. He’s an engineer and he’s good.” Jared had done most of the work on the tracks they’d already finalized.

Rob dismissed Liam’s statement with a wave. “Whatever. I say we find a few ladies and go for a sail. I called my guy and it’s all arranged. We just need the ladies.”

Sean snapped his fingers. “I think an ocean breeze is what I need to clear my mind.”

Rob pulled out his phone. “It’s settled then. I’ll make a few calls and find us some company.”

Liam held up his hands. “Whoa, guys. I’m all for down time, but we haven’t done any work yet. Why don’t we save the sail for a celebration after we finish?” This was ridiculous. Five minutes and Rob was proposing they knock off for a party.

“What are you? My grandma?” Rob’s attitude had never been good and rehab didn’t seem to have improved it.

Liam crossed his arms. “Seriously guys, we need to wrap this shit up.”

Rob stuck his drumsticks in his back pocket and scrolled through the contacts on his phone. “Sean and I are going for a sail. You going or not? Bring your freaking guitar with you. We’ll play on the boat. The girls will love it.”

Liam breathed in deep and exhaled through his mouth. Today was not the day to start something. “Fine. All right. It’s cool. We’ll practice on the boat.”

Liam loved his bandmates. He really did. They were the brothers he never had. But sometimes, just like real brothers, they drove him to distraction. This wasn’t the first time they’d butted heads and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

 
~ * ~ * ~

 
Liam walked down the gangplank with a loose, relaxed stride. He’d had his doubts about the boat trip, but they’d worked out a few of the kinks that had been causing them problems and even brainstormed on a new song. Both Sean and Rob managed to consume alcohol without getting drunk. He could have done without the groupies, but they mostly left him alone when he hadn’t shown any interest in them. Overall, he’d call it a success.

Liam slowed as he stepped onto the dock. The wood was wet and slippery.

“Don’t leave already, Liam,” a female voice shouted behind him. The gangplank shook as she ran down.

Liam turned and saw one of the women coming toward him. Rachel? Rochelle? He didn’t remember. She wore nothing but a bikini and her chest bounced along with her.

“Don’t let me stop the party, but I’ve got to be going.” Liam turned away.

“No way. Rob’s taking for us out for seafood, and we can go dancing later.” She did a little shimmy for his benefit.

Liam shook his head and transferred his guitar case to his other hand. “Yeah. No. I can’t.”

Before he could stop her, the woman wrapped her arms around him, plastering her body against his.

Liam almost dropped his guitar. “Hey, hey. I don’t mean to be rude, but can you let me go?”

She smacked a big kiss right on his lips. “Of course, sweetie, but you don’t know what you’re missing.” She turned and flounced away.

Liam hated it when people invaded his space. He enjoyed his fans but sometimes they got a little too enthusiastic. He hurried to his car and stowed his guitar in the passenger seat.

He couldn’t wait to see Shelley.

 
~ * ~ * ~

 
Shelley turned her phone over after it rang. She didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?”

“Hi, Shelley Taylor?” The female voice was brisk and clipped.

“Yes?” Apparently, it wasn’t a wrong number.

“Pinky Hopper from Glitz and Gossip. We’re running Liam on the cover and looking for a quote from you on the status of your relationship.”

“I beg your pardon?” Status of their relationship? What did that mean?

“You and Liam. Where do you stand?” The reporter paused, waiting for an answer.

“I don’t have any comment,” Shelley said firmly.

“You can stick with that, but I doubt you want to look pathetic when the photos break.”

Shelley jerked in her seat. “Pathetic?”

“I guess Liam hasn’t told you.” The journalist sounded almost gleeful.

“Told me what?”

“Uh huh. I see. How do you feel about Liam going on tour soon? Will you miss him?”

“I’m not talking to you. I have nothing to say.” Shelley ended the call. Her hands shook and she dropped her phone. How had that woman gotten her number? How did Liam put up with the constant hounding from fans and photographers? The invasion of privacy was unreal. Many of the fans were great, polite and respectful, but she knew some stepped over the line. Being photographed all the time was uncomfortable. Shelley wasn’t fond of photographs at the best of times. Being splashed across supermarket magazines would be intolerable.

Chapter 6

Liam crossed the restaurant, oblivious to the interested stares he attracted. Sean was already seated at the table with David, their agent.

“Hey, David. What’s this about?” David’s call that morning woke him out of a sound sleep.

Sean shook his head. “It’s obvious, isn’t it? It’s Rob. I’m guessing he wasn’t invited.”

David gestured toward the empty seat. “Liam.”