Page 20 of True Stars Collide
“Agree with Liam and Zoe. The song’s awesome as written.” Ben folded his arms across his chest.
“Me too. We’re unanimous and it’s our decision. We want to do Shine the way Zoe intended.” André had crossed the room and stood behind her and Liam.
Warmth filled her––Liam had stood up for her. The guys had backed her up too––maybe they truly were becoming a group.
Ian’s nostrils flared and his voice was controlled. “Fine. But I think you’re making a mistake. No offense, Zoe, it’s a good song, I just wanted to make it great.”
Zoe managed not to tell Ian to go fuck himself––very mature of her. “Duly noted.”
Liam brushed her shoulder and smiled down at her, his green eyes gleaming. “It’s a great song so let’s play the hell out of it. Guys?”
Ben and André high-fived and returned to their spots. They would record the instrumentals first and then she’d lay down the vocals. She strolled over to the refreshments table and poured herself a cup of tea and added a generous dollop of honey. Her throat was parched from all the difficult conversations, but she’d be ready to sing her song. Her way.
Liam believed in her and hadn’t hesitated to stand up to Ian on her behalf. Not that she couldn’t fight her own battles––she’d been doing it her whole life––but her heart was full. She wasn’t accustomed to people having her back, especially not someone like Liam. Underneath his gruff exterior, Liam was a good guy.
Yeah, his comment about their relationship being complicated was the simple truth. Because her feelings for the cocky Brit were becoming more complex each day.
CHAPTER 10
“Water or champagne?” Or me?
“Let’s finish the bubbles first. Because we’ve got the house to ourselves, finally.” Liam lounged against the black granite topped island in the center of his massive chef’s kitchen. He looked delicious in faded black jeans and a snug Iggy Pop t-shirt.
“Excellent choice.” She grabbed the bottle from the ice bucket and topped off their glasses.
Her fingers brushed against his and every nerve ending in her body sprang to life. She retreated a step and sipped the crisp liquid. Over the last week, the tension between them had escalated second by second. Working with him in the studio had been stimulating and illuminating. His focus, his talent, his determination to ensure every single song was the best the band could produce revealed the depth of his dedication.
They’d worked sixteen hours a day with minimal breaks to wolf down a quick meal. The rest of the band and the production crew were staying at Liam’s Spanish-style mansion and believed their marriage was fake. When she and Liam finally collapsed into bed at night, they stayed in their separate bedrooms. But tonight, everyone needed some space and the rest of the guys had gone out.
Now it was only her and Liam.
Alone.
Despite the sheer physical and mental exhaustion, her fascination with Liam had grown exponentially. Beneath his brusque exterior, he was clever, passionate, intense, yet fair. He’d stated he didn’t talk to his family––were they the reason he kept most people at arm’s length? When he was making music, his guard was down, and she’d never been so attracted to a person in her life.
More than the physical, she actually liked Liam.
Plus, the way he’d insisted the band would record her song without the changes Ian tried to push, touched her heart. He’d not only seen her vision––he saw her. He believed in her. He'd fought for her.
“Thank you again for standing up for me with Shine. It means a lot.”
He angled toward her; his emerald eyes gleaming in the light. “The song is perfect how you wrote it. It’s a bit of a departure from our usual sound but we want that. We need your influence to show the band is evolving.”
Had he realized he’d referred to the band as ‘ours?’
Her heart knocked against her ribs and heat blossomed low in her belly. “Liam, kiss me.”
His eyes hooded and he pounced. With one swift move, he picked her up and placed her on the smooth countertop and stepped between her legs. She wrapped her legs around his lean waist and tingles blazed along her spine at the hard, hot feel of him.
He fisted one hand in her hair and tugged her head back, then lowered his lips to the hollow of her throat. She moaned. He nibbled up the sensitive skin on her neck and, with a growl, slanted his mouth across hers. Their tongues danced, and stroked, and she savored the tart flavor from the champagne on his warm breath.
“You taste like heaven,” he murmured against her mouth. He slid one hand up and cupped her breast, brushing his thumb across her taut nipple.
Her back bowed and she braced her hands on the cold granite counter, giving him access. With a growl, he lowered his head and raked his teeth across her nipple through the whisper thin silk of her tank top. Goosebumps danced along her skin and fire coursed through her veins. “Liam, oh my god.”
He tugged the fabric aside and his mouth captured her breast. She dug her hands into his soft hair, holding him in place. “Oh yes, so good.”
He cupped her through her jeans, and she rocked into his hand. Needing more.