Page 22 of True Stars Collide

A surprised laugh escaped him, and he stroked his magic fingers down her spine and cupped her ass. “Yeah, maybe a tiny bit.”

They grinned at each other. “Hold on a minute and let me take care of this. I’ll be right back.”

She admired his chiseled physique as he strode to the bathroom. Wow, wow, wow. Their interlude was hands down the most incredible sex she’d ever experienced. With her husband. Gulp.

When he returned, he pulled her back against his front, and wrapped one sinewy arm possessively around her waist. Somehow, despite their height difference, they fit perfectly together. She relaxed her head against his strong shoulder and melted into his warm embrace.

Now they’d actually consummated their sham marriage. And it hadn’t felt like casual sex––it had been raw and emotional. Their pretend arrangement had become very, very real. Nevada’s annulment laws were lenient, but each day they spent together was one more day as a married couple. One more day falling under Liam’s spell.

She was a big girl. She could handle it, right?

CHAPTER 11

“And that’s a wrap,” Ian called from the sound booth.

André banged out a dramatic ba-da-bing on the cymbals, Ben pumped one fist in the air, and Zoe shouted, “Yes.”

Satisfaction filled Liam. The album was great. Fucking great. All of them could feel it. Zoe had stepped into her role as Black Velvet Machine’s lead singer with ease and style.

Time to celebrate––he strode across the room, caught Zoe’s gorgeous face in his hands, and slanted his mouth across hers. He needed to feel her delicious body against his. He’d become addicted to her jasmine scent, her soft skin, and their passionate lovemaking.

His guitar created an unnecessary barrier between them, so he whipped the strap off his shoulder and set it aside. She looped her arms around his neck and dove into his kiss.

Over the last few weeks, his perspective on Zoe––hell, on life––had altered dramatically. Their days were spent downstairs in his recording studio where the album had come together smoothly and swiftly. Their evenings were spent upstairs in his bedroom. Once everyone turned in, Zoe would tip-toe to his room and the secretiveness made their nights even hotter. The made-for-the-public marriage had morphed into something more.

Flames radiated down his spine and the room faded away. All that mattered was Zoe. He had been dead fucking wrong about her before—she was real. Not manufactured. The most genuine person he’d ever met.

Unlike his dishonest parents who’d never revealed the truth about his real father and probably never would have if he hadn’t overhead them, Zoe didn’t keep secrets.

Like she’d said before, her Baby Dolls image was purely for public consumption, and she’d kept her personal life private. She’d done what she had to do to take care of her mom and he respected her sacrifices.

“Whoa, no cameras in here, kids,” Ian said.

“Get a room!” Ben hooted.

Zoe recovered first and backed out of his arms “I can kiss my hubby if I want. Hell, I’ll give you all a kiss.”

She sashayed over to André and pressed a kiss on his cheek, then followed suit with Ben.

Liam’s eyes narrowed when Ben pulled Zoe in for a hug. What were his bassist’s hands doing so close to Zoe’s perfect ass? He wanted her by his side. He wanted her in his arms. Damn it, he wanted Zoe, period.

His heart kicked against his ribs and sweat prickled between his shoulder blades. Holy shit, was this what falling in love felt like? And where the hell was all this coming from?

She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Sorry Ian, no kiss for you.”

Ian barked out a laugh. “Zoe, your voice and your performance are all I need. You’re fantastic and this new album is going to relaunch the band into the stratosphere.”

Her cheeks pinkened. “Thanks, Ian. I feel honored to be a part of it all. So, we’re finished recording?”

“Yeah, like I said, that’s a wrap. It’s all in the mixing and editing now. You guys can take a break while we get started on that.”

Liam shook his head, needing to regain a sliver of self-control. “You know I’m always involved in the post-production and I’m sure Zoe wants a part, right?”

Her golden eyes warmed and she beamed at him. “It was never an option with my former group, and I’d love to participate.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. But all of you take a few days off. Maybe go out and celebrate somewhere tonight. Let the press see you all together, and you crazy kids just keep kissing for the cameras. Let’s keep building the hype.”

Zoe’s grin faltered, but she recovered quickly and glanced around the room. “Of course, it’s been a while since Vegas. I’m down for getting dressed up and hitting the town together.”

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