Page 9 of True Stars Collide
They strutted through the restaurant’s weathered barn door and out to the garish world of Sin City. Maybe this fake relationship wouldn’t be so tough, after all.
CHAPTER 5
After shooting way too much tequila, she and Liam hit the Craps table. What better game to yell, scream, and make a scene? The drinking warmed her blood and Liam’s proximity heated every single cell in her body. Ever since the mind-blowing kiss at lunch, they’d been all over each other. His enormous hand skimming along her bare skin, his tempting kisses and casual caresses were escalating the tension between them. Each time she tossed the dice, he’d grip her hips and tug her against his obvious arousal.
The afternoon blurred into evening, with the cocktails flowing and the intimacy increasing. Fantasy blended with reality, and it was tough to discern what was real any longer. Around 9 p.m., she and Liam were once again at a casino bar and her phone buzzed. Krissy. She skimmed the message, grinned, and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“Well, babe, it appears we deserve Oscars in addition to the Grammys we’ll win.”
He cupped her jaw and captured her lips in a deep passionate kiss. “Gotta say, getting drunk with you is way more fun than I anticipated.”
“Hey.” She swatted his broad shoulder. “That’s a backhanded compliment. Why wouldn’t I be fun?”
He smirked. “Just thought you wouldn’t be such a naughty girl.”
And the way he purred “naughty girl” had her thighs clenching. “Well, you’re nicer than I thought you’d be, so there. Anyway, Krissy says all the entertainment sites are blowing up, along with all kinds of amateur fan videos. The driver will be outside in fifteen minutes to take us to the Marriage License Bureau. She wants us to call her from the car.”
And all of a sudden, her belly clenched. No, not from all the alcohol she’d consumed but from the reality check. Good thing she’d never been one of those little girls who’d dreamt of a big white wedding. Her dreams had been of a big spotlight. Who knew she’d have to sell her soul for the chance though.
Liam’s face shuttered, he dropped his hand, and shifted back onto his stool. She shivered, the casino’s air-conditioning chilling her skin––or was it the loss of heat from Liam?
When an uncomfortable silence replaced their banter, she inhaled a fortifying breath. Do whatever it takes, Zoe. “We’re one step closer to re-launching Black Velvet Machine. What we both wanted.”
He slammed the rest of his whiskey back and smacked the empty glass on the marble-topped bar. “Yeah. Never would’ve thought it would come to something like this but fuck it. You ready?” He didn’t meet her gaze. Great.
“I need to hit the ladies’ room first. Come with me, we still need to make a newsworthy exit, right babe?” For the first time in hours, the endearment felt forced. Bitter.
His chiseled lips twisted. “Yeah, let’s do it. At least we get a little break from this bullshit in the limo.”
And he was back to his asshole persona once again. He’d been having just as much fun as she had today. She caught his hand. “You’ve been a great actor all day, don’t lose steam now.”
He didn’t respond, just tugged her along out of the loud bar toward the restrooms and toward their sham wedding.
Once they tumbled into the limo, he sat at the far end, rifling through the crystal liquor decanters. All the warmth and laughter of the day had vanished into some black hole and now Liam was back behind that ice-cold demeanor.
Moody bastard.
She called Krissy and put her on speaker. “Hello, you two lovebirds. Fantastic job so far. You even had me fooled.”
Liam glowered at the phone, as if Krissy could see his murderous expression. “Yeah, well, this plan better fuckin’ work.”
Krissy’s tone chilled. “It’s working much better than the crap you pulled. You’re lucky Austin didn’t sue you for giving that interview, when you knew perfectly well he wasn’t returning. In fact, you’re lucky you’re getting a chance at all.”
Liam’s nostrils flared and his fingers tightened around the decanter.
God, she hated confrontation. “Now now, kids. Just a few more hours today and tomorrow we get to hide out in our suite, right? Don’t worry, Krissy, we’ve got this.”
“I knew I could count on you, Zoe. First, Harry Winston is staying open late just for you. Your rings are ready. You’ll pick those up and head to get the license, I finished up your online application. The press knows, so make it look real, like you’ve been doing all day. Then, onto A Little White Wedding Chapel. You’ll have to wait for the drive-through like everyone else. Any questions?”
Liam poured three fingers of whiskey and raised a brow. She nodded. The only way the rest of this night was happening was by getting good old-fashioned drunk. And they were well on their way. Although she’d been alternating glasses of water, so she didn’t pass out or puke before the big event.
“It’s crystal clear. And tomorrow and Saturday we lay low in the suite and meet up with the guys to rehearse for the show, yeah? All of that sorted too?” Liam handed her a full glass before crossing one foot over his knee.
“It is. The guys will arrive tomorrow afternoon and we’ve got studio space reserved for you. The limo will pick you two lovebirds up at 2 o’clock. Make sure to flash those rings on the way, but no need to talk to any of the reporters.”
Once they rang off, the adrenaline from the day dissolved and she melted into the buttery leather upholstery, like a deflated balloon. When they’d been in the moment, they’d had fun. Their chemistry was off the charts and kissing and touching Liam Jones was no hardship, as countless women were aware.
Now, she couldn’t wait until this charade was over. At least when they returned to their suite, they had separate bedrooms and she’d avoid him as much as possible until rehearsal. For the last two years, she’d had the freedom to be herself and not slap on her public persona. She’d forgotten how exhausting it was. And Liam wasn’t making it any easier with his attitude. Like somehow this whole charade had been her idea.