by Nikki Wild
“That’s hilarious, Rocket,” I gushed, turning away away from Liam.
Rocket flashed a toothy grin at me and then looked up at Liam.
“Hey, man,” Rocket nodded.
“What’s up?” Liam said. I felt the heat of his gaze but willed myself not to look up at him.
“Just chillin’ out, mate,” Rocket replied, followed by awkward silence. I looked up and saw Liam’s icy glare pointed in Rocket’s direction. To his credit, Rocket stuck out his chin and didn’t back down in their silent, manly, pissing contest.
I was amused, for sure, but I was determined not to get in the middle of it.
“Why don’t you move the fuck on, Rocket? I want to talk to Catherine.”
“Seems to me you lost your chance to do that earlier,” Rocket replied, gesturing to the three girls on the couch.
“Budge up, you twat!”
“No, Liam, we’re chattin’,” Rocket said, his voice getting firmer.
“She doesn’t want to talk to your beastly ass, are you barmy?” Liam said, leaning down and getting in Rocket’s face. “She’s here to do a story about me. Not your boring bullshit!”
“Actually, guys, I’m going to bed,” I said, quickly standing up between them. The last thing I needed was a fucking fight over me. Even if it was Liam and Rocket. Even if I was flattered, I didn’t want any part of that. I’d wanted to make him a little jealous, but not violently so.
I walked away, leaving them alone to sort it out between themselves.
A few minutes later, I found Rhone standing alone in the kitchen.
“Where’s Ian?” I asked.
“He went back to our room. He’s not much of a partier these days,” she replied.
“He’s younger than Liam right?”
“Yes, by a few years.”
“Seems like Liam got the younger spirit, I guess, because he seems to be all about the party.”
“You could say that,” she agreed.
“How do you do it?” I asked. “The partying every night, the constant traveling…”
“It is exhausting, but after a while you get used to it,” she shrugged.
“You and Ian seem like you have a great relationship,” I suggested.
“We do. It’d be a lot better, if it weren’t for Liam…” she hesitated before finishing her sentence.
“What do you mean?” I prodded.
“Well, Liam and Ian used to be really close. But I think the constant fighting now really gets to Ian. He keeps trying, but when you feel like you’re the only one trying in a relationship, it gets a little old.”
“So why does he keep doing it?”
“I don’t know really. I think he sees something in Liam that nobody else does. They went through hell when their little brother died. Their dad left, and thank god he did, because he was an abusive prick that had no business being a father. And afterwards, after Lennon died, their mom became a shell of who she once was. They were pretty much left to fend for themselves, and all they had was each other. Maybe Ian doesn’t want to let go of Liam because he’s the only family he has.”
“That makes sense,” I replied.
“I’m off to join my husband, Catherine. Good luck with your story. It’s not going to be easy to get Liam to open up.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” I said, smiling at her. She was a really nice woman, and I was glad she was here. “I’d love to have some time to talk to you and Ian sometime, too, for the story.”
“Sure, any time. See you tomorrow,” she said, leaving me alone in the kitchen.
A few minutes later, as I was leaving the bathroom I ran into Liam again, Rhone’s words still lingering in my head.
“Hello, luv,” he slurred, leaning into me. We were the only two in the hallway, and I leaned away from him, the wall behind my back. “I thought you left.”
“No, not yet. I was just about to, though.”
“What a pity, darling. Why don’t you stay? Or, better yet, why don’t you come to my room with me?” His blue eyes peering into mine as he reached up and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. My heart skipped as his fingers brushed my cheek. He was a hot mess, sure, and he was so drunk he was swaying a little, but that did nothing to take away from the pure fucking masculinity pouring off of him. He towered over me, his gaze sliding across my face before it focused squarely on my lips and I knew exactly what he was thinking. Because I was thinking the same thing.
I wanted him. I’d admitted it to myself hours ago, hell, I’d known it since I first laid eyes on him. I didn’t answer him, though. Fuck yes, I wanted to go to his room. I wanted to lick every fucking inch of him, I wanted to see that cock again, I wanted to feel him inside of me.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I whispered, licking my lips.
I don’t think he heard me, but if he did, he didn’t care. Instead, he lowered his head, pressing his lips against mine. I gasped, his lips hot and hungry as they came down on mine.
He tasted like whiskey. He tasted like sex. He tasted like temptation.
I kissed him back, and before I knew it we were tangled together in a passionate embrace, the world outside of the hallway melting away. His hands were everywhere all at once, his fingers sliding over my nipples, his hands grabbing my hips and pulling me closer. That cock that I had been thinking about seconds ago was now extremely hard and pressed against me in the most deliciously painful way.
He pulled away, his lips trailing down my neck, licking, gently nibbling, his breath hot on my skin. I threw my head back, moaning into the pleasure of his touch, his tongue darting out, scraping against my skin with electric shocks.
“I knew I’d have you writhing at my touch before the night was over,” he growled.
I froze.
Wait. This wasn’t the plan.
I was supposed to be playing hard to get. I was supposed to be the one in charge. I wasn’t supposed to play into his arrogance.
And now what was I doing? Practically shaggin’ the bastard in the hallway like an easy hussy!
I pushed him off of me and walked away without a word. I had no explanation for him, so I didn’t even try. I just marched out of the suite and ran to my own room as fast as I could, my heart pumping a million miles an hour and my panties so soaked that I had to remove them as soon as I entered the room.
Throwing the bolt on the door, I flung myself on the bed, a crumpled mess of unfulfilled yearning.
Chapter 12
LIAM
The light hit my head like a bloody hammer. Or maybe it was the incessant pounding. I dragged my ass from the bed and stumbled to the front door. Matt stood there, huffing and puffing, and looking down at his phone.
“Let me guess. Everyone is waiting for me?”
“Yes, Liam. Your brother sent me.”
“Right, of course he did. I’ll be right down.”
Story of my fuckin’ life. Everyone waiting for me while I tried to fuckin’ sleep. I looked around the room and was surprised to see it empty. I jumped in the shower and the events of last night unfolded in my head like a horror movie.
It had started out so bloody great, too. Kissing Catherine in the hallway was the highlight, her tight little body finally in my hands, just where I wanted it. She kissed me back like a ferocious little tiger and it only increased my hunger for her. But then, I’d opened my stupid mouth and said the wrong thing. Whatever that was. I was lost in the moment, so I can’t really remember what the words were exactly, but it was probably something arrogant and bastardy.
Whatever. It was probably good she left.
Because what followed was the ugly part. I’d gone back to the party, and gotten smashingly drunk, ended up in a row with Slade, over who knows what, and as the memory of a chair flying through the hotel window came crashing back into my consciousness, I winced.
I had a hard time suppressing my anger when I was drunk, what can I say?
I’d never hurt a fly, really. I kept my ravings
to words and when it did turn physical, I turned the violence towards the closest object I could smash that wasn’t a human face.
No doubt, everyone saw it, with Ian choosing that moment to come back down and tell us all to quieten down before the cops came, which caused he and I to get into it all over again.
What a vicious fuckin’ cycle.
So, now I’m forced to face them all. Walk out to our buses, performing my walk of shame in front of all of their angry accusing eyes.
I’ve half a mind to just blow it all, leave, take off all by myself and let someone else be the singer. I’m so fuckin’ tired of it. I’m tired of all of these fuckin’ people around me all the time. For fuck’s sake, I’d kill for some peace and quiet. Some fuckin’ solitude. A place to go where I wasn’t constantly surrounded by people who only needed something from me.
Catherine’s eyes haunted me as I made my way downstairs. Pissing her off was the only thing I truly regretted about last night. The rest of them could taking a flying leap.
Nevertheless, before I stepped off the elevator, I took a deep breath and vowed to try to be just a little bit less of an asshole today.
Chapter 13
CATHERINE
Liam sauntered out of the hotel like the arrogant bastard that he was, causing me to question if anything ever got to him. By now, I’d heard bits and pieces of his escapades at the party. When I’d joined the others this morning, after a surprisingly good night’s sleep, everyone was buzzing about how drunk he was.
“That fuckin’ twat. It’ll cost at least a grand to fix the fuckin’ window,” Ian muttered to himself. He was pacing up and down the sidewalk, ranting about his brother. Rhone sat across from me and shrugged. “Does anyone even know what started it this time?”
Rhys and Matt stood next to each other smoking and they shook their heads. Rocket looked over at me quickly, his eyes darting away just as fast. Had he seen us? I wondered. We’d been in the hallway alone when Liam kissed me and although I hadn’t seen anybody else, there was a brief moment when we wouldn’t have been aware of a bomb dropping beside us. The feel of his lips on mine had stayed with me all night. I bit my bottom lip now, as I watched him walk up, the intensity of the memory so strong I felt like I could still feel it.
I waited for him to look my way, but as soon as he appeared, Ian froze and they squared off in the middle of the sidewalk. I watched, as did everyone else, as Liam and Ian sized each other up.
“You’re a fuckin’ irresponsible child!” Ian spat.
If looks could kill, Liam and Ian’s glares would have made anyone drop dead. They seemed to hate each other so fiercely, it was almost difficult to remember they were brothers.
“Piss off, Ian, I’m in no mood for your bullshit!” Liam said, his voice calmer than the anger shooting from his blue eyes. His eyes narrowed as he stared Ian down, his brows furrowed, his energy electric. He’d never looked fucking sexier. My nipples hardened as I took a deep breath, drinking in the sight of him. As usual, his jeans and open shirt, a black one this time, did nothing but highlight the fact that he was barely dressed.
“It’s always about you, isn’t it, Liam?” Ian asked, his voice seething with anger. “You think we were in the mood for your shit last night? I don’t even know what set you off this time, but you were a fuckin’ royal prick!”
“You got something new to tell me?” Liam asked, his chin jutting forward defensively.
“Yeah, in fact I do,” Ian said. “You act like an asshole again like that and I fuckin’ quit. I’m not bloody lyin’ this time, Liam.”
“I asked you if you had something new to tell me, you fuckin’ bloke. You threaten to quit every week. Piss off!” he said, pushing his brother to the side and disappearing into his bus.
He’d never once met my eyes.
It was just as well. I wasn’t sure if I could handle what it would have done to me if he did.
It was best a little more time passed. We had an five and a half hour drive today. I’d leave him be for a bit, and then try to sneak in some interview time on the way there.
I needed to get this week over, get the story done, and get this man out of my sight and my thoughts as quickly as possible.
I knew what was good for me. And he wasn’t it.
My body seemed to have a completely different opinion about that, though. I boarded the bus and sat down. Liam had disappeared in the back, and I left him be, sitting in the front alone as the bus began to pull away from the curb. I shifted in my seat, crossing my legs tightly as ribbons of desire rippled through me. I tried to stop the quivering, but it was no use.
As much as I wanted to get far away from Liam, I knew I’d never get away unscathed.
Chapter 14
LIAM
“I’ll meet you at the hospital, Callum,” I said into the phone, just as I heard a light knock at the door of the lounge in the back of my bus. Catherine stood there, holding up a pen and a pad of paper, looking bloody beautiful as ever. I nodded to her and gestured for her to come in, making room for her on the couch. “See you there at five.”
I hung up the phone and turned to stare into the prettiest green eyes I’d seen in a long time. To my relief, she was smiling. I’d been afraid to look at her when I walked up earlier, afraid of what I’d see there, figuring it would be some painful mixture of anger and disgust.
Ian had given me enough of that, I didn’t want it from Catherine.
Luckily, she seemed to be perfectly normal. If she wanted to pretend the kiss didn’t happen, I could do that. For a few minutes, at least.
“I was hoping we could spend some time together and talk,” she said.
“Now?”
“Unless you’re busy?” she asked. “I heard you say something about a hospital, so if this is a bad time.”
“No, this is a fine time. I was talking to the head of our charity, Callum McGregor.”
“What kind of charity?” she asked. My cock shifted in my pants as I watched her lips move. I wanted to taste them again. I was determined to do just that. To do so, I knew I’d have to play it cool.
“It’s a cancer research charity, named after our little brother. Ian and I started it together this year, in honor of Lennon. We raise money to donate to the leading doctors and scientists who are working to find a cure.”
“That’s amazing,” she replied. “So you’re going to a hospital?”
“Every time Ian and I are in town, we visit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. They treated Lennon. The doctors there were incredible. We go back when we’re in town to visit with the kids there, give back a little.”
“That’s so nice of you two.”
“It’s good for us, actually. We spent a lot of time there during Lennon’s illness. I feel close to him when I’m there.”
“That must have been so hard for you,” she said softly.
“It was,” I said, the familiar wave of pain washing over my heart. The anguish of losing Lennon was the only pain I didn’t push away. I wanted to feel it. I was afraid if I didn’t feel it, his memory would fade. “He was only five when we lost him. It just wasn’t fuckin’ fair.”
“Cancer is never fair. Death isn’t fair,” her eyes clouded over.
“That’s bloody true,” I said. “You lost someone, too?”
“Yes,” she replied, her eyes filling with sadness. “My mother. She died of breast cancer when I was ten.”
“Ah, fuck. I’m sorry, luv,” I said. “Fucking cancer…”
“Yeah, I know…” she replied.
“Where’s your dad?” I asked.
“He died. After my mom died, he went downhill. He couldn’t handle it. His alcoholism caught up with him a few years later.”
“That’s too bad, luv, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you,” she said, her eyes filled with sadness. I wanted to pull her in my arms and comfort her, but she looked away.
“So, who runs your charity?” she asked.
&nb
sp; “It’s a big job. I needed someone I trusted, and well…it’s a long story, but I owed Callum McGregor. Putting him in charge was an attempt at paying a debt that can never really be paid.”
“What do you mean?”
“Callum and I go way back. We were friends in grade school. The three of us were thick as thieves, Ian and Callum and I. Callum had a younger sister. Her name was Ally,” I said. The crack in my heart pulsed with pain as I said her name. I hardly ever talked about her anymore. “Ally and I started dating in high school.”
“Oh? And how did that work out?”
“It didn’t. It was a bloody tragedy. We were so in love, though,” I replied, the memories washing over me. Her bright blue eyes and red hair shined so brightly in my memory, sometimes I felt like I could still reach out and touch her. “We were inseparable. She was amazing, actually - beautiful, smart, funny. The only girl I’ve ever loved. But then, a few years later, Ian and I got our first record contract. The record company decided a girlfriend was bad for my image, so we weren’t allowed to be seen together in public anymore. Within weeks, we were being shipped off all over the world, and Ally was left behind. When I did see her, it wasn’t for very long and we were forced to be hidden away from public view. It was ridiculous, and I shouldn’t have stood for it. But I did. I was so bloody young, and fuckin’ stupid in the way that only youth can make you stupid. The record deal was everything to me, and I let my relationship with Ally slip away.”
“That’s so sad,” Catherine said.
“It is. I wish that was all there was to the story, but it only gets worse. I was a fuckin’ cad, and I should have been more graceful about the break up, but instead I just let things fade away without ever really talking to her about it. She was left behind, and she started drinking. A lot. One rainy night, she was on her way home from a tavern, and she wrapped her car around a pole. She died instantly.”
Catherine gasped and her eyes filled with sympathy.
