Page 12 of True Stars Collide

Talk about anticlimactic. She stared out the tinted glass window as the chauffeur navigated out of the Tunnel of Love back to their hotel. Yeah, she’d been used to draconian contracts stealing her freedom, but this was next level.

And the rest of their lives.

Or the next six months, whichever came first.

CHAPTER 6

Liam knew he was being a hypocritical asshole. Here he’d been condescending to Zoe about her choices, and he’d just fucking gotten married in some spot called the Tunnel of Love. And he couldn’t squash the thoughts crowding his brain and the uneasiness roiling through his gut.

Was the band worth all the sacrifice? What if the fans didn’t care? If it was all too late?

Well, at least Nevada law had broad annulment rules. If he ended up lumped together with fucking Britney Spears under short-lived Vegas marriages, he’d personally ring Ian’s neck.

The limo purred to a stop in front of the hotel. Show time. The chauffer opened the door and Zoe stepped out first, and waited for him, their marriage certificate clutched in one hand. The overhead lights bounced off her diamond ring, almost blinding him. Holy hell, the thing must’ve cost a cool million.

“You ready for our grand entrance, wife?”

Her whiskey eyes widened. “We’re making a grand entrance? I thought you just wanted to get back to the room.”

“Oh I do. But we’ve come this far, so we may as well go all in. Tradition dictates I carry you over the threshold, right?” Fuck it, if his career was exploding into flames, he’d make it good.

Her pink lips formed an “O” and she gasped.

Before she could utter a sound, he swept up her curvy little body into his arms. Her full breasts smashed against him, and he held her tight. She pressed one small hand against his chest and tilted her head up at him. “You’re crazy.”

He leaned down and murmured against her lips. “It’s showtime, love. Let’s show everyone here just how crazy we are for each other. Hold on tight and make sure to flash that ring so everyone can see it.”

Her fingers grabbed a fistful of his shirt, and she wiggled her perfect ass against him. He went hard instantly. Again. Between her intoxicating jasmine scent and her satiny skin, the clanging bells and too-bright lights faded away.

He strode toward the elevators. Maybe this idea had been smarter in theory than in practice because all he was doing was getting turned on. Not good when their relationship was for public consumption only. Even though he’d had one of the most fun afternoons of his life with her “acting” like a couple. Zoe Hastings was a fascinating woman, and her creative mind and resilience drew him to her.

In private, he needed to keep his distance because obviously, their explosive chemistry could only spell trouble. Sex would complicate the next year way too much. But for the walk to their suite, he’d torture himself with the feel of her. Yeah, he was a masochistic idiot.

The murmurs morphed into catcalls and by the time they reached the elevators, recognition had kicked in. “Liam. Liam. Liam Jones, ohmygod, she’s got a ring on. Is he married?”

“Who’s the woman? Who is your bride, Liam? Tell us. Tell us.” The crowds surged toward them and by the time he’d stabbed the elevator button, they were surrounded.

Zoe pulled his head down for a kiss, then turned to the throngs around them as the elevator doors opened. “You can call me Mrs. Jones, Zoe Hastings Jones.”

Casino security appeared, working to disperse the crowd. Cheers and congratulations filled the air as they backed into the elevator, ready to escape. As the doors slid shut, Liam’s gaze snagged on a platinum blonde shooting daggers at them with her eyes. Marissa. Well, now the shark reporter had her scoop, and the story would be everywhere.

Yeah, the band’s managers would be thrilled. Maybe he’d killed two birds with one stone. Gotten that woman off his ass finally and shared the marriage immediately.

“You can let me down now, it’s just us.” Zoe pressed her hands against his chest.

He shook his head. “No can do, darling. There are cameras in the elevators and I’m carrying you over the threshold.” And maybe he loved the feeling of her in his arms.

She struggled against him. “Put me down.” Her eyes were golden halos around huge pupils, and her cheeks were flushed.

“Impatient, aren’t you? We’re almost there.” Yeah, he should put her down, but his hands refused to comply. Being this close to her scrambled his brain and all the reasons to maintain a safe distance from her fell away.

“Fine, have it your way.” She grabbed his face in her hands and nipped at his lower lip.

He hesitated, then backed her up against the elevator wall. One hand slid up to fist in her hair and he cupped her ass with the other. She shifted and wrapped her legs around him, her sharp heels digging into his back. The heat from her center burned against him.

The elevator bell dinged, but damned if he wanted to stop.

Damn if he could stop. Not with her eager response.

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