Something True

by Malia Mallory

Liam took a step back. “That you are ready to tour. Ready for the pressures of a tour.”

  “Where the hell is this coming from?” Rob demanded.

  “Don’t get upset. You just came out of rehab. It’s only natural that there would be questions.” Liam exhaled, searching for the right words that would take the sting out of the situation for Rob.

  “You’ve been to rehab.” Rob stabbed his finger in Liam’s direction.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t just get out. Plus, you’ve been partying pretty hard since you got out.”

  “There is no way we’re pushing off this tour. I need the money, man. I could lose my house.” Rob flopped back on the sofa.

  “How is that possible? No, wait. I don’t want to know.” Rob had blown eight figures on a ten bedroom house, which he’d promptly turned into a huge man cave.

  “I’m depending on the money. I got guys I have to pay.”

  “Guys? Rob …”

  Rob held up his hand. “Don’t push me. I don’t want to talk about it. We didn’t all get to make a successful solo album.”

  Liam rubbed his forehead. Rob still hadn’t let go of his resentment over Liam making an album by himself. “Rob, we’re letting you know. I know you’re good.”

  “You’re letting me know. Sean hasn’t said a damn thing. Sean?”

  Sean shrugged. “The stuff about the tracks is BS. We all know it. The suits are trying to exert control. As for the other, I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know?” Rob snapped.

  Sean took a swig of his beer. “That’s what I said. I don’t know.”

  “I don’t need this shit.” Rob moved toward the door.

  Liam swore. “Don’t go. That’s exactly the kind of thing that makes people nervous, man. You fly off the handle and no one knows what’s going to happen.”

  Rob turned toward Liam. “You want me to go, don’t you? You guys want to replace me.”

  “No. We don’t. Dude, just stop. Pull yourself together. Show everyone they’re wrong. Do that.”

  Rob straightened. “Fine. I will.”

  Chapter 7

  His neck itched and Liam ran his finger under the collar of his shirt. His attorney insisted on suit and tie. She said it would look better and score points with the judge.

  “All rise.”

  Liam’s mind wandered as preliminaries about the case were hashed out. His attorney touched his arm and he looked up.

  “So, Mr. Smith. Your attorney submits that you reached a settlement with the restaurant owner and it’s been paid. Is that correct?” The judge looked right down her nose at him, her disapproval was palpable.

  “Yes, Your Honor.” Shit. Had David been right? Was he in bigger trouble than he thought?

  The judge tapped the paper in front of her. “I see you’ve also been engaged in charitable work?”

  “Yes, KC’s Kidz is a charity which brings music to kids in the hospital.”

  “All right. Tests show you were free of alcohol and drugs at the time of the accident. Cause appears to be excessive speed. Is that correct?”

  Liam hesitated and his attorney nodded. “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “I see you also wrecked a very nice car. A Porsche. I imagine that hurt. You’re lucky, Mr. Smith, that you didn’t seriously injure yourself or anyone else. I’m happy to see you were clean but quite unhappy to see you using the streets of Los Angeles inappropriately.”

  The judge cleared her throat. “Here’s what’s going to happen. Restitution has been made. That’s a plus. I’m extending your probation by a year, including the drug testing.”

  Liam’s attorney lifted her hand. “Your Honor, if I may offer—”

  “You may not. One year additional probation plus drug testing, continuing from the previous offense. One hundred hours of community service to be completed by the end of the probationary term. And the most important part,” the judge looked at Liam over her glasses,” I don’t want to see you in here again. You get so much as a parking ticket, we might be talking. No speeding. No moving violations. You need to keep out of trouble, period. You do that and complete your community service? We’ll be out of each other’s hair in fourteen months. Do you understand?”

  “I do, ma’am.” Liam was determined to make this work. He didn’t want to be one of those guys called into court repeatedly. He wanted this over.

  “Counselor, be sure to impress upon your client how lenient I’m being. The fact that he was clean at the time of the accident weighed heavily in his favor. Let’s keep it that way.” The judge picked up the gavel and thumped it on her desk.

  Liam’s attorney gathered her papers off the tabletop. “Let’s go.”

  They walked out together. As they entered the hallway, Liam saw a few people lifting their phones to snap pictures, and he turned his face to the wall.

  “Ignore them. Say nothing. We’ll talk in the car.” Liam’s attorney made a quick call to the driver to inform him they were coming out.

  They pushed through the crowded hallways and eventually were on the street. A non-descript black sedan stopped at the curb and they hurried into the back. The car sped away as photographers loped down the sidewalk, hoping for a good shot.

  ~ * ~ * ~

  Liam took Shelley’s elbow as they entered the gallery. His touch infused her with confidence. A few cameras flashed, but she ignored them. When heads turned, all she felt was glad to be with Liam.

  Liam leaned in toward Shelley’s ear. “Have I told you that you look fabulous?”

  “No, I don’t believe you did.” Shelley licked the corner of her mouth.

  “Believe it, because you do.” Liam placed a ghost of a kiss on her earlobe.

  Liam’s fingers rubbed her arm and Shelley’s heart skipped. The fabric of her skirt swayed around her legs as she walked.

  Liam stopped a waiter, snagged two fluted glasses, and handed one to Shelley. “For you.”

  “Thanks.” Shelley sipped and the bubbly champagne tickled her throat. “Mmm, it’s good.”

  Liam stopped in front of a display of photographs. “Is all the work your sister’s?”

  “Yeah, a one woman show. She’s so excited.” Kate had been a shutterbug her whole life. Shelley admired her sister’s ability to see something in the world that wasn’t always obvious to others and share it.

  “I like these.” Liam gestured toward a grouping of five similar photographs of the roiling ocean.

  “She took them on the beach in San Francisco. You can almost feel the cold in the waves, can’t you?” Many of the photographs depicted natural landscapes, but a few portraits were mixed in.

  “She’s captured something.” Liam touched Shelley’s neck and trailed his fingers down her back.

  Shelley shivered in response. “Liam …”

  “Yes?” His hand stopped at her waist and he stroked her hip.

  Shelley sucked in a breath. “Perhaps you shouldn’t do that.”

  “Do what?” Liam led Shelley down the wall, his fingers lingering on the curve of her ass.

  “Touch me like that,” Shelley whispered. She glanced around. Was anyone watching?

  “Does it bother you?” His tone said that was exactly what he wanted—her, hot and bothered.

  “I wouldn’t say that exactly,” Shelley hedged.

  “What would you say … exactly?” Liam fiddled with the ends of her hair that curled down her back.

  Shelley leaned in close. “Are you trying to arouse me?” She kept her voice soft and low.

  “Am I succeeding?” He took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb over her palm.

  Shelley was saved from answering by her sister’s appearance.

  “Shelley, I’m so glad you came.” Kate kissed Shelley on the cheek and offered her hand to Liam. “I finally get to meet you.”

  Liam released Shelley’s hand to take Kate’s. “You’re as talented as your sister said you were. I think you’re a hit.”

  “People are looking. That’s the first
step.” Kate tapped her fingertips together.

  “Are Mom and Dad here yet?” Shelley asked.

  “Yeah,” Kate answered. “They’re over there talking to the gallery owner.

  Shelley followed Kate’s finger and saw a statuesque woman with pink-streaked hair standing next to her bewildered father. “Dad looks confused.”

  Kate laughed. “I know, right? Camilla is terrific, but you know Dad. He doesn’t get out much.”

  “Any sales yet?” Shelley wished she hadn’t asked the question as soon as it popped out. She didn’t want to put more pressure on Kate.

  Kate looked unconcerned. “No idea, but Camilla says people usually wait until later in the evening after they’ve had a chance to soak it all in. Oh, oh, gotta go. I see a critic walked in. We’ll talk more later.”

  “Of course.” Shelley gave Kate’s arm a squeeze.

  Liam reclaimed Shelley’s hand. “I like your sister.”

  “Yeah, she’s great.”

  “Maybe you can help me pick something out.”

  “To buy?”

  “Yes.”

  “Liam, you don’t have to buy anything. I don’t expect it.”

  “I know you don’t. I like your sister’s work. I need your help because it will be hard to choose.”

  Shelley searched Liam’s face. “It’s hard to choose. You’re right about that. I know she has a group of haunting cityscapes here somewhere. Maybe something like that?”

  “Lead on.”

  They toured the gallery, stopping to nibble on artfully intricate canapés. Liam didn’t stop touching her. His hands and fingertips roamed her body slowly, right in front of the oblivious crowd.

  Eventually Shelley couldn’t take any more. She grasped his forearm. “We need to leave.”

  “Mmm? Already?”

  Shelley pulled him close and whispered, “I want to touch you. Really touch you. I can’t wait any longer.”

  “We’ll come back to buy something later.” Liam pulled her toward the exit.

  ~ * ~ * ~

  Liam pushed her dress off her shoulders. “I’ve been waiting all evening for this.”

  Shelley trembled and clutched his arms. “I love how you make me feel. I love …”

  Liam’s lips descended on hers, swallowing her words. His nimble fingers unzipped her dress and he pulled it off. “Red undies. Very sexy. Is that for me?”

  “I thought you might like them.” The silky red bra and panties had been a splurge she couldn’t resist.

  Shelley unbuttoned Liam’s shirt, eager to touch him. She rubbed her palms down his chest and stomach, pausing at the waistband of his pants. A wanton boldness possessed her, and she unfastened his pants, pushing them down with his underwear as she sank to her knees in front of him.

  She inhaled his heated, musky smell and touched her cheek to his erection. Her tongue snaked out and licked him, base to tip.

  Liam sucked in a breath and buried his fingers in her hair.

  Shelley nibbled back down his shaft, smiling as he jerked against her. “Tell me what you want, Liam.”

  “Oh yeah. Suck me. Do it,” his husky voice pleaded.

  And she did. Shelley took him into her mouth and flicked her tongue around the head of his cock. She focused her efforts on the underside, sweeping back and forth before sucking him fully inside.

  “That feels so good. You have no idea.” He groaned and closed his eyes.

  Shelley didn’t answer and she didn’t stop. Her hands grasped his ass and one fingertip wandered to the dark cleft between his cheeks.

  Shelley looked up. “As much as I’d like to continue, I think I want something else from you.”

  “Whatever you want, you can have it.” Liam’s sexy accent was pronounced.

  Feminine power flooded through her. She stood up and walked to the bedside table. Liam’s gaze followed the wiggle of her ass. She opened the drawer and fished out a condom. She walked back toward him, ripping open the packet. Gripping him firmly, she placed the latex ring around the head of his cock and unrolled it to the base.

  Shelley clutched his shoulders and pushed him onto the bed. “Get in the middle of the mattress.”

  Liam crawled backwards crab-style as Shelley followed him onto the bed. She straddled his hips and rubbed herself against him.

  Liam lifted his hands to touch her and she grasped his wrists, pinning them to the mattress. “Keep your hands right there.”

  “Are you going to have your way with me?” Liam chuckled.

  “Oh yeah.” She took his erection in her hand and guided him inside her. She flexed her hips until she felt the friction where she wanted it. She clenched him, tight, lifted off and then buried him within her depths again.

  “Shelley, you’re making me crazy, but don’t stop,” he pleaded, his voice husky.

  “That’s the general idea.” Shelley thrust against him again and again, driving herself toward climax. She cupped her breasts and squeezed her nipples.

  Liam groaned. “That’s so sexy. Touch yourself. Let me see you touch yourself.”

  Shelley slipped her hand between her legs and her finger zeroed in on the sensitive bundle of nerves she found there. She closed her eyes and surged against him, her finger rubbing her clit back and forth. Heat rose within her and she twitched around him once.

  Liam grasped her hips, unable to remain still. “Yes, don’t hold back.”

  Shelley’s eyes flew open and when she met Liam’s dark gaze, she reached the edge. Her head fell back and she pressed against him, holding him tightly inside as her orgasm rippled through her.

  Liam thrust up underneath her and growled as his orgasm claimed him.

  In the aftermath, Shelley slumped against him and Liam rolled so they lay side by side, still connected.

  Chapter 8

  Liam rubbed Shelley’s shoulder as he answered the phone. “What’s up?”

  “It’s Sean. Rob’s in the hospital.”

  “What?” Liam’s hand dropped to his side.

  “Yeah, it’s an OD, man.” Sean’s weary voice cracked.

  “Is he okay?” Liam asked.

  “No idea. David called. I’m on my way to the hospital now.”

  “Shit. Shit. Okay. I’m coming.” Liam threw the phone at the wall, swearing.

  Shelley touched Liam’s arm. “Liam? What’s happened?”

  “Fucking Rob. I’ve gotta go hospital.”

  “I’ll come with you.” Shelley picked up the phone from the floor.

  “No, you don’t have to. Damn, that fucker better not die.”

  “Liam, I know how much he means to you.”

  “Yeah. Yeah, he does. He’s a good guy, really. He’s been making shit choices. Some of the same shit choices I made, but I’m here and he’s in the hospital.”

  “Hey, it’s not your fault.”

  “I should have watched more carefully. I should have spent more time with him. Talked to him. Hell, I should have hired some kind of minder.”

  Shelley shook her head. “Rob’s an adult. I’m sorry for what’s happened, but you can’t watch him every minute. He wouldn’t allow it even if you wanted to.”

  “Yeah. Okay. Okay. Let’s go.” Liam didn’t bother to hide his impatience.

  “Do you want me to drive?” Shelley offered.

  “No. It’s okay. I’m good to drive.”

  Liam handled the car with extra care. The last thing they needed was an accident. The streets weren’t crowded and they made good time getting to the hospital.

  Liam held Shelley’s hand in a tight grasp as they headed for the hospital entrance. They were almost to the doors when two men appeared from the side, cameras in hand.

  Shelley held up a hand. “Hey, now’s not the time.”

  Without even a pause, they started firing questions at Liam as they took pictures. “Is it true that Rob overdosed? What did he overdose on? Is he expected to recover? What does this mean for your tour?”

  “Get the hell away fro
m me.” Liam’s hand knocked a camera lens, pushing it the side.

  “Hey man, we’ve got a job to do.” The man lifted the camera back to his face.

  “Do it somewhere else.” He’d never used such a cold, flat tone in Shelley’s presence before and it was jarring.

  “We can be here,” the man whined.

  Liam grasped the camera strap of the closest man and pulled hard.

  “Shit. Let go of me.” The photographer struggled to stay on his feet. The other cameraman kept shooting.

  Shelley tugged on his arm. “Liam, it’s not worth it. Let’s get inside.”

  With a last furious look, Liam acquiesced and they entered the hospital. They didn’t say a word on the way up to the ICU but Shelley squeezed his hand. They found Sean and David in the hallway, along with Rob’s sometime girlfriend, Gina.

  “What’s his status?” Liam grasped Shelley’s hand like a lifeline, bracing himself for the worst.

  David didn’t make him wait for the answer. “He’s lucky. He took over-the-counter stuff and drank alcohol. His blood work showed nothing illegal. He should be all right.”

  “Were you with him?” Liam asked Gina.

  Gina shook her head. “No, not exactly. I went by his place to speak with him and I found him. I called 911 and then I called David.”

  “So, it was an accident?” Liam asked.

  Sean nodded. “Near as we can tell.” Gina hung heavily on Sean and he guided her to a nearby chair.

  Liam spared them a long look before turning to David. “Do we need to delay things?”

  “Probably not. We’ll have to see how he does, but his doctor is saying he’ll be out in a few days, barring any complications.”

  The fear clawing Liam’s chest since the phone call eased a bit. “That’s a relief. Not about the tour. About him, I mean.”

  “We all need to keep a closer eye on him.” David pointed at each of them in turn.

  Sean didn’t look up. He simply said, “Yeah, okay.”

  Liam sat down and Shelley joined him. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For everything.”

  Chapter 9

  Shelley stepped out of the terminal and wrinkled her nose. New York sure didn’t smell like LA. Of course, LA didn’t always smell that great, either. She dragged her bag along the sidewalk and joined the taxi queue, which fortunately wasn’t that long.