Page 24 of True Stars Collide

“Someone’s eager,” Zoe purred and snuggled in closer to his side.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Oh yeah, just you wait until I get you in the limo.”

They reached the door and she paused. “Kiss me.”

He turned her into his arms, slid his hands into her lush mane, and lowered his mouth to hers. She hummed deep in her throat and wound her arms around his neck. He sank into her soft curves, savoring the tartness from the margaritas melded with her sweet flavor.

Flashing lights exploded, followed by people screaming their names, and shouting questions. “Liam and Zoe!”

“Smile for the camera!”

“Zoe-am!”

“How’s married life, Li-oe?”

“You two just posing for the camera to convince the world you’re really together? What’s the real story?” A sharp female voice barked.

Zoe froze and they retreated into the lobby. “Text the driver to meet us in the back. Hurry.”

The manager ran up, apologizing profusely. “Please, go to the private exit. We’ll get rid of the paparazzi. I’m so sorry.”

Liam didn’t have time to waste on him and led Zoe to the other exit at a half-jog. A fine sheen of sweat covered her brow and her lips flattened into a tight line. Goddamn press.

Fortunately, Nobu was accustomed to celebrity clientele, and they managed to reach the limousine without further incident.

Zoe practically dove inside, and he slid in beside her. She dropped her head into her hands, her dark hair forming a curtain obscuring her face from him.

He stroked one hand down her back. “Sorry, love. I wasn’t thinking. We should’ve gone out the back.”

“Well, Ian and the team will be thrilled, I’m sure. They probably tipped them off we were there.” She sat up and her head dropped back against the seat.

He blew out a long exhale. “Yeah, I’m sure they did. It’s just me and you now.” Yeah, not exactly how he’d envisioned their ride home.

She tilted her head toward him, her caramel-colored eyes shadowed. “I’m not sure it’s ever going to be just us.”

He picked up her hand, drew it to his lips, and pressed a kiss to the center of her palm. “There’s always a new story. We’ll be forgotten soon.”

She frowned. “I know we signed up for this, but I didn’t realize it would be so hard. It was one thing to play a part for the Baby Dolls onstage because it wasn’t personal. This is our real life, you know? I’m having a really hard time keeping it all separate.”

A burst of protectiveness tugged at his heart. “Yeah, it is real, but it will be okay. We’ll be more careful. Once the album’s out and we’re on tour, the music will take center stage and they’ll let us be.”

“I don’t know, Liam. Me and you together is juicy news. I’m exhausted.” She withdrew her hand and interlaced her fingers together on her lap.

She closed her eyes, effectively shutting him out. All the thrill and excitement of the day disappeared. He wanted to comfort her and didn’t know how.

In another first, he didn’t know what to do at all.

CHAPTER 12

“I’m sorry, but I need to be alone tonight.” Zoe pressed one hand to her roiling belly. Margaritas, sushi, and paparazzi were not an ideal combination.

Something flared briefly in Liam’s green eyes. “If that’s what you want.”

“It’s not what I want,” Wasn’t that the truth? “It’s what I need. It’s all getting to me, and I just want to take a bath and sleep. Okay?”

And here she was patting herself on the back for being so honest. What she needed was Liam to hold her in his powerful arms and convince her it would all work out. For him to tell her he was falling in love with her too.

“You know where my room is if you change your mind.” His accent was clipped, all British aristocracy suddenly. He turned on his heel and strode away.

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