by Unknown
Liam conceded defeat with a wry grin. He jogged around and slid into the car. If he continued to press his point, Shelly would probably tell him to drive himself. Liam didn’t want that. He wanted to spend time with her. She was funny and interesting and it was a relief to be in the company of someone who wasn’t fawning over him all the time.
Shelley didn’t utter a word. She simply waited for Liam to fasten his belt before she eased the car out of the parking spot.
Liam’s hand moved toward the radio tuner.
“Nope.” She laughed as she slapped his hand away.
Liam placed his hands on his thighs, tapping his fingers to a beat in his head. “So … you’re taking the freeway?”
“Nope.” Shelley’s smile turned smug.
“Really? It’d probably be faster, wouldn’t it?” If he couldn’t drive, maybe they could at least get some speed going.
“We have plenty of time,” Shelley said in a patient voice.
“Hmmm.” That was what he wanted, wasn’t it? A few minutes alone with Shelley? Now that he had them, all coherent thought seemed to have fled. He reached into his thoughts for something to talk about. “Why children’s music?”
Shelley drove capably, albeit a little slow for Liam’s taste. “Why not? I double-majored in music and early childhood education. The pay was low, so I started doing music on the side. One thing led to another.”
“Ah.” College. She’d graduated college. Liam had left school before earning any credentials. As his music career took off, school attendance hadn’t seemed important anymore.
Usually it didn’t bother him. After all, life had given him an education. But now and again, he’d feel a bit less when the subject came up.
He fixed his trademark smile on her. “Don’t you want to know my story, then?”
“Is there anyone who doesn’t know your story? Musical talent apparent at a young age. Played all over Ireland until you hooked up with a band in Dublin. The rest is musical history, right?” Liam’s biography had been recited in dozens of articles written about his band.
“Hrrmph.” She’d summed up his life pretty well, as far as his fans knew, but it was never that simple. He’d kept pretty quiet about many things regarding his rise to the top, even with his mates. He’d learned the hard way that someone who was a friend one day might not be another.
“What about you?” Liam asked. Shelley struck him as the stereotypical raised in the suburbs type. He wondered if it were true.
“What about me?” Shelley responded.
“You have a family?” He imagined family dinners around a large wooden table, a steaming roast with potatoes and homemade pie for dessert.
“Yes, I have a family. Mother, father, sister.” Shelley spoke with affection.
“Sometimes I wished I had a brother or sister.” He often longed for company as a child—someone to share his thought with besides imaginary fairies and leprechauns.
“Your parents …,” Shelley faltered.
“Yeah, they’re gone.” Liam didn’t like to think about how it must have been that night on a dark, slippery stretch of road. The Garda blamed it on the rain, but Liam knew better. His father’s drinking was to blame.
“I’m sorry.” Shelley touched his arm briefly.
Liam shrugged. “What made you decide to found a charity?”
Shelley was quiet a long moment before she answered. “My sister. My other sister, Kayla, died when she was seven. She had cancer.”
“I didn’t mean to bring up something sad.” He tried to wrap his head around the alteration to his mental picture. Such an experience must have marked her in some way.
“It’s okay.” Shelley slowed the car as the light turned yellow. “She was sick for a few years before she died. In and out of hospitals. It was grim. I remember it as being grim. I wanted to help other kids in the same situation, I guess.”
He’d been wrong about her family being stereotypical. There was nothing stereotypical about a family fighting for a child with cancer. “The kids must love you.”
“What makes you say that?” Shelley accelerated as the light turned green, but slowed again when the traffic became congested.
“You seem like you’d be good with kids.” Shelley had a calming way about her, a genuine openness and honesty that kids would sense.
“Some are very hard to reach. They can be feeling unwell, in pain. It can be difficult. That’s why I’m careful about bringing people to the hospital.”
“It can’t be that bad.”
“Have you ever seen sick children before? Really sick ones?” Impatience crept into her voice. “Ones who might not recover? Children dragging around IV bags? Children in wheelchairs?”
Shelley was right. He hadn’t thought about it deeply, hadn’t thought about how it would be interacting with kids during such a tough time in their lives. “I won’t let you down,” Liam said with conviction.
“You’d better not.” Shelley smiled and the tension was broken.
Shelley turned into the visitor parking lot and parked in the first spot available. She popped open the trunk.
Liam sprung from the car and grabbed both guitars before she’d even shut the door. “I’ve got them.”
“Thanks.” Shelley locked the doors and turned toward the entrance.
“So, give me the low down.” He matched his lanky strides to hers.
“The nurses bring a group to the playroom. Sometimes the kids will make requests. I try to have them engage and interact. After that I visit a few kids in their rooms.”
“They don’t all come to the playroom?”
“Some are contagious. I don’t see those. Others are unable to be moved much or are feeling unwell. Others don’t want to come. It’s usually not many.”
“I bet it’s a bummer being in the hospital. Kids should be outside running and playing.” Kids, even healthy ones, seemed to spend more time indoors these days. As a child, Liam had much preferred being outside.
“It is, but they try to do what they can here. The food’s pretty good and that’s important.” Shelley waved at the security guard as they passed his desk, and the guard did a double-take as he spied Liam.
They entered the elevator and the doors closed behind them.
Shelley hit the button for their floor. “I’m sorry I made this such a big deal. I know the kids will love you.”
Liam smiled. “I think so, too.”
“You’re so modest.” Shelley crossed her arms.
“Humble to a fault. That’s me.”
Shelley shook her head. “That’s what I get for trying to help your nerves.”
“Nerves? What nerves?” Liam hoped he was long past getting nervous before a gig.
“You look nervous. Just around the edges.”
“I’m not nervous,” Liam protested.
“Then you’re lucky. I get nervous before every performance.”
“Okay, you got me. I might be a little bit nervous. Maybe.”
“The kids are pretty easy to please. Most of them. They’ll be thrilled to meet you.”
They stepped out of the elevator and Shelley gestured toward the large fish tank built into the wall. “The kids love that. I enjoy looking at it myself. It’s soothing.” She led him around the corner and through a doorway into what was obviously a large playroom. Shelving lined the walls, filled with books and colorful bins of toys. The space opened up toward the back into a carpeted area.
“Shelley!” A little girl with long brown hair bounced up and down, waving her arms.
“Hi, guys. I’ve brought a friend with me today. This is Liam.”
Several older girls squealed and one hid her face.
A smile tugged at Shelley’s mouth. “I think you’ve been recognized.”
Liam winked at the girls. “I might sing a song or two. I hope you like them.”
Excited chatter broke out. Several shouted assurances that they’d love anything he played.
“Why don’
t we do this? I’ll sing a few of our favorites and then Liam will play.” Shelley removed her guitar from its case and sat on a tiny, child-sized chair.
Liam looked dubiously at the chairs and then sat cross-legged on the floor, his guitar at the ready.
Shelley broke into song, and Liam strummed along with her. She didn’t hide her surprise as Liam joined in. She had no idea he knew anything about her music, let alone the lyrics.
As if reading her thoughts, he winked and turned his attention back to their young audience. Instead of the three song opening she’d planned, Shelley sang a few more and Liam was right there with her, word for word, note for note.
Shelley clapped her hands. “All right. I’ll bet you’re all ready for something from Liam, right?”
“Yes!” The children didn’t bother to hide their enthusiasm, especially the tween girls.
Shelley tapped the side of her guitar. She was familiar with Liam’s music, but nowhere near enough to perform with him.
Liam plucked a string, testing that it was in tune. “I’m going to start with an early song. Has anyone heard of Stars Rise?” The song had been the band’s first number one hit.
Two girls in the back hooted and screamed.
Liam laughed. “I think someone’s heard of it.” He strummed a few chords and sang, “I’m in the dark … I’m all alone …”
Shelley settled back to listen. Liam entwined emotion into his every word, and his voice wrapped itself around Shelley’s heart. Only a hint of lilt remained when he sang, filling the room with his smooth voice.
Liam closed his eyes as he reached the refrain. “But with your love, stars rise.”
Shelley glanced at the children. They were mesmerized. Liam certainly knew how to engage an audience. He wowed the children with a half dozen more songs before Shelley signaled they needed to wrap up. He took one request and then they were leaving in a flurry of hugs and demands to return soon.
Shelley blinked as the bright fluorescent lights in the hallway flickered. “There’s a stop we have to make.”
“Okay, sure.”
Shelley led Liam to Maddie’s room, pausing in the doorway to peek inside. The hanging curtain hid Maddie from view. She knocked on the doorjamb and entered, with Liam right on her heels.
Maddie sat cross-legged on the bed, staring out the window. Her hospital gown was askew and the remains of an uneaten meal lay on her bedside table.
“Hi, Maddie. I brought a friend with me today. His name is Liam,” Shelley said.
Maddie’s eyes narrowed. “Are you for real?”
Liam lips quirked. “What do you mean?”
“Are you the real Liam Smith?” Maddie asked.
“That I am,” Liam assured her.
“Why would you be here?”
Liam moved to Maddie’s bedside. “I’m here for the same reason as Shelley—to visit with patients like you.”
Maggie appeared unconvinced.
“How about a song? Would you like that?” Liam swung his guitar into position.
Maddie shrugged.
“I’d like to sing a few songs with Shelley and then maybe we’ll do one of mine.” Without waiting for a response, he strummed the opening notes of Dixie Dog and Shelley joined in.
Maddie sat unmoving on the bed, but her eyes kept darting to Liam. When he began to play a hit of his own, she didn’t pretend to ignore him anymore.
As the last note resonated within the guitar, Maddie said, “My mom liked that song.”
“I’m glad to hear that. It makes me happy to bring music to people.”
“My mom is dead.” Maddie looked away.
Liam winced. “I’m sorry, Maddie. My mum is dead as well.”
“She is?” She seemed to perk up at the thought of having something in common with Liam, even if it was something tragic.
“Yeah, it sucks, but I know my mum wanted me to be happy, and I imagine yours did, too.”
Maddie nodded.
Liam shook Maddie’s hand. “Thanks for letting us play for you today, Maddie.”
“Will you come again?”
Liam glanced at Shelley. “If you’d like.”
A ghost of a smile passed over Maddie’s face.
Shelley was elated. This was the most responsive Maddie had ever been. “We’ll see you again soon, Maddie.”
~ * ~ * ~
After they settled into the car, Shelley turned to Liam. “I’ve been trying to reach Maddie a long time. You accomplished in one visit what I couldn’t.”
“Maddie’s a sweet girl.”
“Yes, she is. You’re good with kids. I’m ashamed to admit I wasn’t sure you would be.” The car coughed as Shelley turned the key.
“I want to help. I see what you mean about it being hard. It’s tough to see kids in that position.” Liam rolled down his window, letting the heat escape.
“Yes, but it’s worthwhile.” Shelley pulled out of the parking lot and turned on the AC.
Liam reached for the control and turned the air up to max. “So, where should we go for our second date?”
Shelley turned the AC back down and rolled up the window on Liam’s side. “Date? What are you talking about? How can we have a second date?”
Liam turned the air conditioning up one notch and aimed his vent at his face. “We had our first date already. The In-N-Out?”
Shelley adjusted the controls back. “Stop messing with the controls. That wasn’t a date.”
“I beg to differ. It was a date. I asked you out. You said yes. We ate food. That’s a date.” Liam tapped the dashboard for emphasis.
Shelley shook her head. “We shared a meal after a long day. As friends.”
“That we did, but it was still a date,” Liam insisted.
“Liam, we are not dating.” Shelley didn’t want to date anyone right now, especially someone who was likely to break her already bruised heart.
“We aren’t? Why not?”
“Because. Because we aren’t, that’s why,” Shelley sputtered.
“We could be.”
“Guys like you don’t date women like me.” There. She’d said it. He’d have to acknowledge she wasn’t his type.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He sounded truly confused.
“Isn’t there a supermodel somewhere waiting by the phone for you to call?”
“No.”
Shelley huffed with frustration. “Liam …”
“I’m a nice guy. You should give me a chance.”
“You are nice. You’re funny, too.” Liam had proved he was more than the image he projected to the world.
“See? You do like me,” Liam quipped.
Shelley snapped her mouth closed.
~ * ~ * ~
Liam followed Shelley into her office and closed the door. He reached for her shoulder and slowly turned her around, his eyes searching her face.
Shelley tilted her head up to meet Liam’s gaze. A soft, slow smile curled her lips. Was this happening? This was totally happening. Liam was going to kiss her. And she wanted him to—badly. In the second before his lips met hers, Shelley realized she’d been waiting for this. Her desire to taste Liam had been growing and growing since the first moment he flashed that cocky smile at her, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
His lips were firm against hers, and the tip of his tongue sought entrance into her mouth. Shelley parted her lips and pleasure flooded her as his tongue swept inside, the tip rubbing against hers.
She trembled and Liam moved closer. The hard muscles of his chest pressed against her breasts. Her nipples tightened and she clutched his shoulders for balance.
Liam kissed his way down her throat and pulled her shirt off her shoulder. He nipped her exposed skin with his teeth. “You’re so kissable. I want to kiss every inch of you.”
Liam returned to her mouth with a deep, drugging kiss. Shelley shivered, wanting nothing more than to sink right into him.
Liam’s hand found its way between her legs
and squeezed her thigh. He slid his fingers up and cupped her mound, catching Shelley’s sensual cry in his mouth. His hand scorched her through the fabric of her pants and his fingers searched out her most intimate secrets.
As if the fabric between their skin didn’t exist, he rubbed her, gently, then with increasing ardor. Shelley shook as a jolt of molten pleasure shot through her core.
“Liam, Liam,” Shelley whispered.
“Do you like that?” Liam concentrated his efforts in one spot, caressing her in a slow circle. “I know you do. I can tell.”
“Yessss …” The blaze turned to an inferno and Shelley fell over the edge, spasming inside. Heated pleasure loosened her muscles, and she held onto Liam, her anchor in the sensual storm. As she came back to herself, she rested against his chest.
Liam kissed her forehead. “I want to be inside you the next time that happens, but this probably isn’t the time or place.”
Shelley jerked up, whacking him in the chin with her head. “What are we doing? Anyone could walk in.”
Liam rubbed his jaw with his fingers. “Ouch. Is that the thanks I get?”
Shelley’s mouth opened and closed as confusion spun through her.
“I’m sorry, sorta, that things got a little out of hand.” Liam’s apology was at odds with the satisfied expression on his face.
“A little out of hand?” Shelley combed her fingers through her hair with jerky movements.
“You were right there with me, and I’m not sorry about that.”
“Yes.” Shelley blushed.
“Don’t be embarrassed.”
“I’m not embarrassed,” Shelley responded. “I’m trying to discourage you.”
“That didn’t seem much like discouragement.”
“I know.” Oh, did she know. This man knew just how to touch her to make her lose her head.
“Why over think it? Why not roll with it and see where it goes?”
“I’m not the roll with it type.” Shelley was a planner—organized to a fault. She arranged and scheduled, preferring to know what was coming.
“How about not shutting me out before we know what this is?”