Beat With Me: A With Me in Seattle Universe Novel

by Anna Edwards

  “Why the drums?”

  “Good question! I could give you the joke answer I tell most people—I play the drums because it shows I’m a good lover. You have to have rhythm to make love and to play the drums. But no, I’ll give you the honest one. My ancestry is Spanish in origin. My maternal grandparents came to America just before World War Two.” Liam pauses. “Do you know what that is?”

  I nod. “I saw it on a television show the other day. It broke my heart.”

  “My grandparents had a good life in Spain but wanted something different. They already had other family in America, so it was easy to get in. My mother was born here, and she married my father, an American of several generations whose family also originated from Spain. We lived in a poor area of Seattle. I was often picked on for being different. America is a multicultural nation, but just like other countries in the world, there’s always racial differences. I was falling behind in school because I didn’t want to go. My father saved up some money and bought me a drum set. I loved it and played it endlessly. It gave me focus. When I moved up to high school, I met Austin, and then we met Tate and Cameron. The rest is history. Drums saved me from going down the wrong path and ending up in trouble. I owe everything to them. Now I get to travel the world doing something I love.”

  I love Liam’s tale. It warms my heart and leaves me tearful. A strand of chestnut hair falls out of my tied-back hairstyle, and I push it behind my ear.

  “You look really pretty when you do that.” Liam reaches out and takes my hand again.

  Our main course arrives, and we both dig in before we can ask our third question.

  “My last question,” Liam states as he finishes his steak in no time at all. “If you could do anything with your life, what would it be?”

  I fall silent. It’s something I’ve never ever thought about before. I’ve been told all my life I’d be a wife and a mother and nothing else.

  “I honestly don’t know. When you’ve been led to believe you’ll be a certain thing all your life, you think that’s all you can be. I just always assumed I’d be a mother and look after my children, but I guess I can be anything I want now. I’ll need to explore. I still have a lot to learn. I’d like to get my General Education Diploma, though. Zoey was talking about it the other day, and I want to achieve that.”

  “Then we’ll make sure it happens, but you don’t need to decide on anything now. Eventually, you’ll work out what you want. Don’t force it.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Okay, what’s my last question?”

  I finish my food and put my cutlery down.

  “I don’t know if I have another question. I’m learning everything I need to know about you from watching you or having conversations with you.”

  “There must be something?”

  “All right, you and the band seem so close, and I know you have a family. What’s it like to be loved by them?”

  “Knowing my parents and brother are behind me and supporting me with everything is the best feeling in the world. As for the band, Yivi, you already know what it’s like to be loved by Saving Tate. They’ve embraced you just as I have. They’ll protect you as much as I will. You don’t ever have to fear that. You have my word.”

  Tears form in my eyes. I know exactly what he means, and it warms my soul.

  Liam calls the waitress over and pays the bill. He escorts me out of the restaurant, and we continue to chat, making small talk as we head back to the tour bus, which is parked up next to the stadium where the boys are performing tomorrow.

  When we arrive at the bus, Liam turns me around to face him. The area is quiet. There are no fans waiting to try and catch a glimpse of the band. It’s surprisingly strange after watching the large crowd in Las Vegas, but then the band weren’t supposed to arrive here until tomorrow, according to the schedule Zoey put out.

  “I had a really good time tonight.” Liam wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close to him. I stare into his eyes. The light of the moonlight shining down on us.

  “I did as well. Thank you.”

  “Yivi, may I kiss you?” Liam asks, and I can sense the urgent need in his voice. It matches my own. I want to feel the heat of his lips on mine again just like during the spin the bottle game.

  “Yes,” I reply, and Liam crushes his lips against mine.

  I lose myself in the sensation. My head feels dizzy with the growing attraction I feel for the man who’s already my husband. He pulls away.

  “When we’re both ready, we’ll do more, but for now, we’ll just continue to learn about each other.”

  I agree with a nod of my head as Liam drops his hand, and I grasp it. We walk back onto the bus hand in hand.

  For the first time in my life, I’m happy, and I don’t want this feeling to ever end.

  Chapter 11

  Liam

  #IThinkImInLove

  “We’re so excited to be back at our home stadium tonight. We’ve been coming here since young boys to watch the baseball, and now to be here playing for you all is beyond our wildest dreams,” Tate screams at the audience.

  He’s been hyped up all day. We all have. Especially as we have a little surprise for the fans later. Nash, Leo’s band, is going to be joining us on stage for a mash-up of their hits. I think I’m more excited about that part of the concert than doing our own songs. To have the guys we look up to performing with us is probably going to leave me a little in awe. I just hope I remember how to play the drums when they’re on. I don’t want to look like a complete dick.

  “Are you ready to rock?” Tate screams into his microphone, and the crowd goes wild.

  We launch into our first song—it’s well-known and got us our first number one. As always, I lose myself in the music and allow it to wrap itself around me in a cocoon of satisfaction. My arms flail wildly as I keep a perfect rhythm, note after note. This is what I was born to do. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. I love my job. If our world domination doesn’t continue forever, I’ll still be the guy in his seventies sitting at his drum set for a few hours each day, producing a steady beat. Hell, when I die I’m going to be buried with my drums.

  “As many of you know, I have a new muse who preoccupies my thoughts and words,” Tate addresses the crowd again after a few more songs. “I’ve recently been inspired to write a new song, and I want to share it with you.”

  The lights go down, so the stage is pitch black. I count to ten, as rehearsed, and then lightly hit the main drum of my set. Slowly I build up the pace of the beat until Cameron and Austin start to play. Eventually Tate joins in, and the lights shine brightly down on us again.

  “In bed together at night,

  Watching,

  Beauty,

  Peace,

  Love,

  I breathe for you and you for me.

  My hearts flies high,

  With an affection so strong,

  It guides me to be a better man.

  And learn to live in a world of chaos,

  Because of you I know I’m alive.

  In bed together at night,

  Watching,

  Beauty,

  Peace,

  Love,

  I breathe for you and you for me.

  How can I be this lucky?

  To have you always at my side,

  Showering me with your tenderness,

  You complete me in the most perfect of ways,

  My soulmate for eternity and beyond.”

  Tate falls silent, and I know he’s thinking about Zoey. I see him look over to where she standing next to Yivi as I launch into a heartfelt drum solo. I shut my eyes, knowing on instinct where each note is I need to hit. The music flows through my body, a soulful melody of passion matching the words of devotion Tate’s written.

  When I finish my solo, Tate launches back into his words.

  “In bed together at night,

  Watching,

  Beauty,

  Peace,

&nbs
p; Love,

  I breathe for you and you for me.”

  I look over to Yivi, and when she looks back at me, she’s wearing the same expression as Zoey. It’s like a bolt of lightning to my heart. The attraction I feel for her is just as strong in reverse. There can be no denying it. I fall silent and stop playing. The overwhelming urge to get up from my drum set, pick her up, and carry her to the nearest bed to explore every inch of her body hits me. My cock thickens in my jeans at the thought. It’s uncomfortable in my seated position.

  Holy shit, I’m in big trouble.

  “Liam.” Cameron heads my way, a stern expression on his face.

  It’s only then I realize I should be playing the final beats of the song to bring it to a close as the lights begin to fade again.

  I quickly compose myself, and we end the song as intended.

  “You all right?” Cameron questions in the darkness.

  “I think I’ve just realized I’m in love with Yivi,” I reply, making sure I’m nowhere near my microphone.

  “Well, duh! What took you so long?”

  “What?”

  “You’ve got it bad man, and so has she. It’s an instant love story, and the way Saving Tate seems to be heading. Tate wanted in Zoey’s pants the second she walked onto the bus. Not happening to me, though.”

  I snort a laugh. “Never say never, Cameron. I didn’t believe it would happen to me, and now all I can think about is getting off stage and taking Yivi to the first available hotel.”

  “Hell will freeze over before I settle down. There are still far too many women out there who need to experience my dick inside them.”

  The lights go up ready for our next song while the crowd are still cheering the emotion of the last one.

  “Just take it slow with her. I know you’ve already taken her virginity but not being able to remember might make it a bit harder on her.”

  “I will.” I smile at him, knowing it’s sensible advice from a man who’s pretty much obsessed with sex.

  “It seems Cameron and Liam are having a mother’s meeting back here, rather than getting ready to play the next song. Should we ask them what they’re talking about?” Tate interrupts, a look of playful impatience on his face.

  “Yes, tell us?” Austin adds to the banter.

  “We were just wondering when you’re going to write the song about Zoey busting your balls when you leave the toilet seat up?” Cameron taunts our lead singer.

  “And when she throws your dirty underwear at you because you leave it lying around on the floor,” I add.

  “All part of what makes her perfect,” Tate blows us off and taps his foot.

  It’s the sign to launch into the next song, and when we do, Nash appear on stage.

  Chapter 12

  Yivi

  #YoureGoingToDoWhatToMe

  The emotion on Liam’s face when he looked at me after his solo told me everything I needed to know about the way he feels. I’m sure it’s the same way as I do. I barely know him, but I’m drawn to him. I want him in a way I’ve never felt before. I’m excited, but at the same time I’m terrified of what it means. I’m not a virgin anymore but to consider the act of sex with him again has me very confused.

  The concert ends, and Liam jumps up from his drums and heads straight toward me with a determined look on his face. He doesn’t say anything when he reaches me, just breathes deeply. A thin layer of sweat covers his body from performing for the last few hours. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.

  Tate approaches us. He pulls something out of his pocket and hands it to Liam. “I was going to treat Zoey tonight, but there’ll be other nights. I think you two need this more than we do. Go and talk. Be just the two of you for a while. I’ll deal with all the fans.”

  “Thanks, Tate,” Liam replies and takes my hand.

  As we walk away, I hear Zoey saying to Tate, “Did you just create more work for us and give away our room for the night?”

  “Sorry,” Tate apologizes.

  “Don’t be. It’s the reason I love you, Tate. You’ve got a massive heart.”

  Liam and I emerge out of a side door. It’s quiet and away from the fans. I’ve managed to stay hidden from them so far, having only been introduced to everyone as Zoey’s assistant. “Where are we going?” I ask Liam.

  He looks down at the object Tate handed him, and I realize it’s a key card to a hotel room.

  “Nice.” Liam smirks. “It’s the key for the presidential suite at the Four Seasons. It’s one of the best hotels in Seattle.

  I panic a little. “I don’t have any stuff with me.”

  “It’s okay, someone will bring it over later. We need to talk, Yivi. I’m not going to pressure you into anything you don’t want. I’m not that sort of man. But…” —He stops and looks at me. My back is now turned to the door of the sleek looking sports car waiting to take us to our destination— “I can’t get you out of my head. I want to explore every inch of your body like I’ve been discovering your mind. You entice me. You’ve captured me, and I think I’m falling in love with you.” He opens the car door, and I look inside. My eyes feel as though they have gone as wide as saucers. “Do you want to give our marriage a try? Do you have feelings for me, or am I being silly? Tate is giving us a chance to talk and discover what being together as man and wife could mean for us. I’m terrified about getting in the car, and I can see by your face you are as well, but I want to try. Say no, and I’ll forget it. Tell me you don’t want the same as I do, and we’ll go straight back to the bus.”

  “I do,” I reply almost immediately.

  I need to see where getting in this car takes me. I can’t be the scared little girl anymore. I’m a woman now, and I want to learn what that means in all contexts of the word.

  Liam helps me into the car and the driver speeds away from the venue of the concert and toward my destiny. I reach out and take Liam’s hand. He wraps his fingers around mine and squeezes. We don’t say anything the entire journey, simply sit in a comfortable silence with our hands joined together.

  When we arrive, Liam helps me out of the car, and we stride through a private entrance to the hotel and straight up to the top floor and the presidential suite. The décor takes my breath away when I see it. It’s vastly different from the hotel in Las Vegas. The walls are cream with hints of red and wooden panels in a grey color that make the room look luxurious. I could get used to staying in places like this.

  “I’m going to take a quick shower because I’m really sweaty after the concert. Why don’t you get a drink, and I’ll be back in a minute?” Liam makes his way toward a door leading to another area of the room I assume is the bathroom. There seems to be several different areas as far as I can tell, including a large lounge area, a dining area, and a closed door leading to the room that I suspect will get my pulse racing, the bedroom.

  “Okay,” I reply as he disappears into the bathroom.

  I look around for a mini-bar like the one they had in the other hotel. I don’t see anything like that, but I do find a bucket full of ice containing a bottle of wine, and next to it there’s a tray of strawberries covered in chocolate and two glasses. I feel instantly guilty. This was all laid out for Zoey and Tate, and we’ve taken over. I make a vow to let her have a day off soon and take on all the work so she and Tate can enjoy themselves.

  I remove the wine from the bucket and pour two glasses, one each for me and Liam. I take a sip of mine and enjoy the chilled, floral flavors as they slip down my throat. As well as loving chocolate, I decide I like wine. It feels sophisticated.

  I hear the shower turn on and an image of a naked Liam with rivulets of water cascading down his toned body flashes through my mind.

  I can’t be the scared little girl anymore.

  He’s my husband legally.

  I need to take what I want for myself.

  Slowly, I walk toward the bathroom with my wineglass in hand. I take a couple of sips for courage and push the door open.
Liam doesn’t see me at first through the steam clouding the shower door. Eventually, he must catch a glimpse of me standing here, and I watch as he uses his hand to wipe down the glass door. He stares directly at me, but it’s the hardening of his cock that draws my attention.

  He turns the water off and steps out of the shower. I don’t move, simply watch him as he pulls a towel from where it’s been warming on a heated rack and dries himself. I can feel my heart beating quicker as he slides the soft material over his body, removing the moisture. His cock is still hard, and he dries it carefully. My skin prickles with sexual heat.

  “I’m guessing the time for talking isn’t now,” Liam says, dropping the towel on the floor and leading me into the bedroom.

  He’s still naked, and I feel myself growing wet between my thighs as I watch his pert backside move. He turns around just as I lick my lips.

  “You like what you see, Yivi?” He chuckles, and I must flush bright red, for my cheeks feel as though they’re on fire.

  “It’s a really beautiful sight.” I eventually manage to get some words out.

  “Can I ask you something?” Liam reaches out and strokes my hair.

  “Of course,” I reply, staring up at him.

  “The cult taught you that marriage was for making babies and to give the man pleasure, but did they teach you about your own pleasure? Did they explain that having intercourse isn’t the goal all the time?”

  I shake my head. “No, I was told I had to lie on my back and take what my husband chose to give me.”

  “I’ve got so much to teach you.” Liam reaches to the hem of the band t-shirt I’m wearing and pulls it off, over my head, so I’m left in my bra. He reaches around to the back of my bra and unclips it. At first, I move my hands to keep my breasts covered, but the hooded look on Liam’s face tells me he desires to see all of me, and I want him to as well. I lower my arms to my side, and my bra falls to the floor.