Yesterday, after sneaking out through the kitchen of the hotel and into the waiting car, successfully avoiding the paps, we had gone to dinner and spent some time with Cassidy and Ev, as friends, not colleagues, at one of my favorite restaurants. It was small, far off the beaten path, and private, and I knew the owner well. He always put me in the back room so I could enjoy peace while I ate. The four of us laughed and talked, feeling relaxed. Cassidy and Everett made a good couple—him exuberant and funny, while her quieter, more serious personality kept him level. I enjoyed watching Shelby and Everett interact—the love between them plain to see. She obviously doted on her little brother, and he cherished her. They shared stories of growing up, each trying to outdo the other, making Cassidy and me chuckle several times. It turned into a great evening, and I loved spending time with Shelby, simply being us.
Sunday, we spent alone, Shelby helping me pack and get ready to leave on Tuesday. She knew I didn’t want to go but kept the packing and prepping lighthearted, even promising to pack some cookies in at the last minute for me. I pouted, trying for cupcakes, but she patiently explained how smashed they would be when I arrived. I managed to refrain from telling her I would happily still eat them, no doubt even lick the container clean, since I wasn’t sure how she would feel about that confession. Instead, I kissed her warmly for the cookies. Any excuse to feel her mouth underneath mine was good with me.
After the packing and organizing were done, we spent the rest of the day together and blissfully alone. We cuddled on the sofa, I chased her around the kitchen, shagging her senseless when I caught her, and generally enjoyed the day together. She made my favorite dinner, we watched Indiana Jones movies until late in the night, and I made her laugh when I pinned her on the sofa, attempting to discover her “hidden treasures” with my “mighty pickaxe.” I tried not to be too insulted by her amusement.
I ran my hand down my chest, landing on my morning wood, stroking my erection slowly. It would seem a part of me was on the go and ready. Sadly, my dick was no longer satisfied with my own hand. It wanted Shelby. Her hand, her sweet pussy, or God…her mouth. Her talented, wicked mouth.
Or even better, all three. I was sure I would never get enough of any of them. Or how I was going to do without her over the next week—OJ was not gonna be happy with my hand as her replacement.
Jesus… I needed her. Now.
I threw back the covers, intent on finding Shelby and bringing her back to bed, then fucking her until she screamed my name. I loved hearing my quiet Shelby become loud and vocal. I loved how her pussy felt, clenching and squeezing my cock as she came around me. Grabbing my sleep pants, I jogged down the stairs, confused at hearing the sound of voices. I could hear both Everett and Cassidy talking, and I grimaced. I didn’t want company this early in the morning. What the hell were they doing here? We didn’t have a meeting planned until later today. I was leaving the next day, and I wanted this final morning alone with Shelby. Glancing down, I knew I couldn’t walk into the kitchen right now either. I might scare someone.
Seriously, scar them for life.
Shelby knew what wonders my pants kept secret, but Everett might not like it and Cassidy might rethink what she was doing with him once she saw the heat I was packing.
As I neared the kitchen, I heard Shelby’s worried voice. “Liam is not going to be happy. Can we hide this?”
Shit. The other day. The paps. The yelling. The pictures of Shelby and me. They had found out who she was.
Those bloody bastards had posted pictures of her. With, no doubt, some ridiculous story to go along with them. She would be terribly upset.
That killed my erection. Fast.
I burst through the door. “What the fuck have those tossers done?”
Like a unit, three bodies turned toward me, blocking Shelby’s monitor.
“What?” I growled. “Are they saying shit about you, Beaker? I told you not to look at that crap! It’s garbage! Meaningless!”
Everett held up his hand. “Try to remember that, Liam.”
I reached for Shelby and pulled her close, wanting to offer her comfort. “It’s okay, Shelby. It’s all shit. Remember, we talked about this. We’ll ignore it.”
Her eyes were wide, and she bit her lip. But her eyes weren’t upset; they were almost mischievous. Was she trying…not to laugh?
“Let me see.”
I bent close, scanning the screen.
“MAID” FOR EACH OTHER
—SHE NEEDED THE JOB—
HE NEEDED THE COVER
I frowned at the headline. I didn’t like this. Not one bit. My eyes widened as I read the article.
You better be sitting, ladies. Our sources have it that Liam Wright is now dating closer to home. His home. The mysterious Lady in Red, as she has been dubbed, is none other than his maid.
I glanced over at Shelby, reaching for her hand, squeezing it in comfort.
They’d figured it out fast. Bastards.
I went back to the badly written text.
Why his maid? You would think this leading man, the heartthrob of Hollywood, could have his choice of leading ladies to squire around town on his arm, rather than the person who shines his silver. Except, the information we have received tells us that is the only thing she does shine.
It seems that Peter Pan is a little too fond of those green tights.
Liam Wright, romantic leading man, is playing for the other team.
I read that twice.
Green tights? Playing for the other team? What other team? I looked at Shelby, scowling, but she was too busy biting her lip and not looking at me.
My eyes went back to the screen.
Rumor has it, Mr. Wright’s past dates got tired of being his cover. Tired of being nothing but arm candy and left with only a kiss on the cheek at the end of the night. If they were lucky.
But who could resist these lovely ladies? Why would a man even try?
Trusted sources say, only a gay man.
I blinked. I read it again.
They just said I was gay.
I stood abruptly.
“Gay?”
I looked at the three people staring at me. “They’re saying I’m…gay?”
Why did my voice sound so screechy?
Everett stepped forward. “Garbage, remember, Liam? Just bullshit.”
“But I’m not gay, Everett.” I waved my hand at the screen. “I don’t play for the other team. I’ve never had another man’s…bat in my hand! Or any bloody-where-else in my body.” I drew myself up to my full height and flexed my muscles. “Seriously, why would they say that?”
Everett shrugged and Cassidy grinned. “Well, you do rock the metrosexual look at times, Liam.”
Shelby smirked. “That one photo session you did—”
I gasped. “Piss off!” I started pacing. “This is low—even for them. I want this retracted and an apology issued. Call Samuels now and get him on it. Threaten to sue them if we have to.”
“They don’t come out—” Everett paused and chuckled at his choice of words “—and say you’re gay, Liam… They say it’s a rumor. You need to calm down. If we make a big deal of this, you’ll come across as homophobic.”
“I’m not homophobic, but these are lies. Pure lies.”
I pulled on my hair in anger. “Those fucking wankers! I love women! I’ve loved lots of women! Shagged them until they screamed my bloody name! And never once was it yelled in a goddamn baritone!”
Shelby turned to me, glaring. “Exactly how many women have you shagged and made scream your bloody name, Liam?”
My eyes widened as she stared, giving me the best bitch brow I had ever seen.
I swallowed heavily.
Bugger. This bad day just got a lot worse. She was right pissed about that statement.
“Um, just a figure of speech. Not many at all in the scheme of things. Really.”
She narrowed her eyes, and I gave her my best innocent face. “None of them meant anything. N
ot like you, Shelby.”
“Hmm.”
“I never told anyone else I loved them. Only you.”
Her face softened and I sighed. Crisis averted. That one anyway.
I threw up my hands. “The point is, none of them were men!”
Cassidy snorted. “Glad you’re showing Shelby how not to overreact there, Liam.”
“I’m not overreacting! I’m defending myself. I’ve never done any ball-handling!”
“Other than your own, you mean?” Everett guffawed.
“Get stuffed,” I growled at him, starting to pace again.
“I think that’s the point of this article,” Cassidy stated dryly.
Stopping mid-pace, I pointed my finger at Shelby. “Ask her—she’ll tell you. I shag her daily. I shagged her twice last night. In fact, I was so randy this morning, I was coming down here to find her and do it again. We probably wouldn’t have made it out of the kitchen!”
Everett grimaced, his head falling into his hands. “Oh God, that’s my sister you’re talking about. TMI, Liam. Too much fucking TMI!”
Shelby piped up, sounding far too happy for what was happening. “It’s true, though. He, um, shagged me so hard on Saturday, I could barely get off the table.”
Everett stood with a boom, the chair toppling over behind him as he spat out the coffee he’d been sipping all over me. “We eat at this table, for fuck’s sake!”
“Bloody hell, you just spewed coffee all over me, you git.” I wiped at my chest.
“Stop talking about shagging my sister!” he yelled.
Shelby giggled. “Well, according to the article, you’re used to men spewing liquid at you, Liam.”
I swung around, glaring at her. “You think this is funny? Not only are they saying I’m gay—even worse, they’re calling you a bloody maid!”
I hated that her role in my life had been described that way. Even before I fell in love with her, Shelby was never just that. Maid wasn’t the right word. I couldn’t even begin to think of a word that encompassed all she was to me.
“You’re so much more than that,” I informed her. “You always have been.”
She refused to be upset. “No hand service, though,” she quipped.
“Shelby!” I roared. “This is not amusing!”
“Maybe I should issue a statement saying you fuck me so much, I can barely walk. That should help quell the rumors,” Shelby mused.
I slammed my hand on the counter. “Yes! Bloody brilliant!”
“No! Stop this, both of you. No one is issuing statements about fucking,” Everett snarled, frantically pointing his finger between Shelby and me.
Cassidy, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly started to snicker again as she bent over, reading the computer screen.
Ev and I looked at her. “What?” Everett asked.
“Well, further into this riveting article, it indicates that, ah, you and Liam may be closer than just manager and client. And being your supportive sister is another reason Shelby is acting as Liam’s cover.”
Everett stormed over to the computer, swearing as he read the screen.
“Call Samuels,” he hissed. “We need to prepare a statement.”
I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest. “Oh, now it’s not so amusing when they think you’re my bitch, right, Everett?”
He turned, glaring. “Trust me, Liam. If we were in a relationship, I would not be your bitch. You’d be mine.”
“I doubt that, you overgrown pansy. You are not my type, mate.”
“Well, you’re not mine either, string bean. Trust me, by the time I was through with you, they’d be peeling you off the ceiling.”
“Whatever, you daft moron.” I sniffed. “I’ve got moves you’ve never seen before, wanker.”
He stepped forward, poking me in the chest as he yelled, “You’re the one who’s been wanking—”
The strangest sound came from behind me, interrupting Everett, and I turned to Shelby. She was standing against the counter, tears rolling down her face as the most Beaker-like sounds escaped her lips. Cassidy was standing beside her, biting her lip, and then the two of them started shrieking with amusement.
Startled, Ev and I stepped back.
Bugger. Shelby was so upset, she was hysterical. I shouldn’t have made that quip about all the shagging with other women. It probably sent her over the edge.
She gasped and tried to control herself as she pointed her finger between Everett and me. “This is the two of you ‘handling’ things and being calm?” Then she burst out laughing again, even harder, if it was possible. Beside her, Cassidy was cackling so hard, tears were streaming down her cheeks.
Everett and I traded glances. “I think we need to do something,” I muttered, indicating the two women losing it in front of us.
“What?”
I searched my brain, trying to remember what to do for hysterical people. “Um…slap them, I think?”
Everett waved his hand. “Be my guest, Liam.”
I looked at Shelby, who was still laughing so hard she actually snorted. Doing exactly what I told her to do. Ignoring the bullshit. Understanding dawned on me as I watched her reaction to the stupid article. She was right, as usual, and I was being the daft one. She was handling it properly, and I was overreacting.
I shook my head. “Not me. I’m a lover, not a fighter, Ev.” I nudged him with my elbow, realizing the humor myself. “You should know that—” I winked "—my lovah.”
He gaped at me.
And then we were laughing—all of us.
17
Liam
Sitting around the table, all of us now composed, Cassidy spoke.
“Okay, Samuels will be contacting the magazine, threatening libel and slander. And as much as you hate to comment, Liam, I’ll issue a statement, confirming you are in a loving, committed relationship with a trusted member of your staff. It will also say that while you value any relationship built on love and trust, you are not now, nor have you been at any time in your life, gay.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being gay,” I insisted. “I have gay friends…” My voice trailed off as Cassidy held up her hand.
“You’re rambling again, Liam. Shut up. I have that covered.”
I nodded. “Right. Excellent suggestion. Thanks.”
Beside me, Shelby snickered. I pulled her close and nuzzled her head. She was calm, and it helped to calm me as well. Her way of seeing the humor of the whole situation was exactly what I needed.
Everett crossed his arms. “Well, it’s out now.” He grinned widely. “Or at least, Liam is.”
I shot him a withering glance. Shelby giggled again as Everett chuckled and Cassidy smacked him. He looked injured, then cleared his throat and became serious. “They know you’re a couple, and from now on, the scrutiny is going to get worse.” He turned to Shelby, his expression now one of concern. “Are you sure you’re up for this crap? You’re going to be followed and questioned. Your privacy is shot.”
I regarded her anxiously as she gave Everett’s words some thought.
“We knew this would happen,” she said quietly. “I knew Liam was too well-known for our relationship to remain private. It frightens me some, I admit.” Her hand squeezed mine. “But it can’t last forever—surely they’ll get tired of our relationship, and someone else will pique their interest. Right?”
I turned, pressing a kiss to her head. “Eventually, yes. But we don’t know when. This could last a while. Scrutiny is always the worst when I have a movie coming out. And the fucking studio almost encourages it. The paps will follow you. Shout at you to get a reaction. Crowd you. They’ll interrupt your day—even grocery shopping will be difficult.” I looked at Everett. “Should we hire someone to be with her?”
Shelby gasped beside me. “Like a bodyguard? I think that’s slightly excessive.”
Everett tapped the top of the table. “Shelby, you have no idea how intrusive these people can be. What happen
ed the other night is just a small glimpse of how they can act. Liam is right. Someone with you, who can run interference, is a good idea.”
For the first time today, she looked upset. “I don’t like the idea.”
“I don’t like the idea of you being subjected to the likes of these assholes,” I snapped, suddenly angry as the humor faded and reality set in. Why couldn’t she understand this? She knew how much I hated this part of my life. “They can be vicious, Shelby. It’s like nothing you’ve ever gone through.” I stood, pacing. “You are about to find out. And it’s not going to be fun.” I’d experienced it far too often, and now, because of me, Shelby would as well.
Until recently she had been in the shadows of my life—someone on the edge to whom they paid no attention. Now, she was front and center. A prime target. We’d discussed this already, but I had hoped we’d have a little more time before we had to deal with it. I stopped pacing and looked out of the window at the sun reflecting off the pool, the light shimmering on the surface, much like the panic that was now simmering below my skin. A shudder ran through me.
Could we handle this situation?
Could Shelby?
Arms draped around me, and Shelby’s warmth pressed into my back. Turning, I wrapped myself around her, and we stood together, drawing comfort from our quiet embrace.
I said my fear out loud. “It might make you change your mind about us.”
“Nothing can make me change my mind. If it makes you feel better for me to have security, I’ll do it,” she whispered. She tilted back her head, her eyes filled with worry.
“I have to keep you safe, Shelby. It’s only for a little while. Please understand that. I have to make sure you’re okay.”
She huffed a sigh. “I know. I don’t like it. But I do understand.” She cupped my cheek. “We’ll figure it all out. I’m not going anywhere, Liam.”
I pressed her against me, kissing her deeply.
Changing Roles Page 16
