Unplugged (Blue Phoenix, #3)(44)

“I want you in my life,” he says. “I have five months to make up for, Cerys, and I’m not leaving this any longer.”

“Wow, straight to the point.”

“Why bother with all the dancing around each other bullshit? We know each other already; I now want to get to know you better.”

“So do I.”

Liam leans toward me. “I feel as if I should be with you, that it’s the place I need to be. Does that sound crazy?”

“A little.” Or it would if he wasn’t reflecting how I feel. “A rock star feels he needs to be with a single mum?”

“No, Liam feels he needs to be around Cerys as much as he can. I understand your life’s complicated and that I’m sharing you with Ella, but I’m prepared to do that. I won’t come in and take over; I have commitments to work so I’m not around all the time. Is that okay with you?”

I laugh at him. “It’s like you’re making a business proposition, Liam.”

“I’m being straight with you; I thought you’d appreciate that.”

“I appreciate you making your intentions clear, Mr Oliver,” I say with a smirk.

Liam leans across and whispers. “I haven’t even begun to tell you about my intentions yet, Miss Edwards.”

The pink I’d managed to settle flares across my cheeks again, the darkened look in his emerald eyes is one I imagine he’s given a lot of girls over the last few years and I’m willing to bet few, if any, of them said no.

Attempting and failing to hide the effect this is having on me, I delve into my bag for my phone and check the time. “Sorry, you’ll have to tell me later. I need to collect Ella.” The attempt at nonchalance is spoilt by the crack in my voice.

Please, can somebody turn on the air-conditioning because I’m a sweaty mess after less than an hour alone with this man, and the oxygen levels definitely need adjusting in this room? The only solution is to disengage. I focus hard on fastening my handbag.

“Cerys, look at me.” I tip my head, hair covering some of my face and look to one of amusement on his. “Bottom line, I like you a hell of a lot and I want to get to know you better. Every part of you.”

“Good idea,” I say, clearing my throat. “I’d like to get to know you better, too.”

He cocks a brow. “Every part of me?”

I stand. “Stop teasing me, Liam.” Yes, a thousand times.

He stands, looking at me curiously and I’d kill to know what his exact thoughts are at this moment. “I’ll drop you at school and we can continue this conversation later. I mean every word though.”

Only time will tell if he’s serious, or whether this is his fantasy brought on by the disasters in his other world recently. In my heart, I’m sure the connection to Liam runs deeper, otherwise why would fate keep bringing us back together?

CHAPTER 19



CERYS



I apply lipstick with a shaking hand and end up with a pink smear halfway across my face. This is followed by stabbing myself in the eye with a mascara wand.

Yes, I want to see Liam but his idea of a date terrifies me. We had one coffee date the morning he surprised me by returning from LA early, but since then our relationship has continued by text while he works in London. I teased him, saying he was scared of Ella and that’s why he wouldn’t come back, even though behind the teasing, is genuine concern she might be the deal-breaker.

Because Liam knows my babysitting options are limited, he has the bright idea that a big night out would suit me. A big night out which includes Jem, Bryn, and an up and coming band. The band, Ruby Riot, has been adopted by Jem who has taken on a quasi-manager role, arranging gigs up and down the country for them, and tonight they’re in Cardiff. I wanted to suggest a quiet meal would be a good start but he insists. Liam isn’t lacking in powers of persuasion. I guess rock stars don’t often take no for an answer.

Ella was over the moon when I told her she was spending the night at Jordan’s house. After all, his garden is bigger and he has a dog. The ease with which Ella agreed scared me because that was my one ‘get out of going’ excuse gone.

I guess when going to Plan B, a local club with a mostly student population, what to wear isn’t a huge concern. From memory, black is good for students. I settle on dark skinny jeans and a sheer black top that floats just below my hips, and short-heeled boots. I want to look as far removed from Honey as possible. The mistake of the sheer top is apparent when Liam arrives and his look zones straight to my chest, before he catches himself and switches his attention to my face.

“Admiring my necklace again, are you?” I ask him.

“You look beautiful,” he says and leans in to kiss my cheek.

I smile at his compliment. “You’ve been reading that ‘How to Romance’ book again haven’t you?”

Liam frowns at me. “Don’t put yourself down. I’m telling the truth.”

The club is squashed between some boutique shops in the centre of town, Plan B painted in big blue letters on an illuminated sign above the door and the retro look extends to the interior. Tattered posters from the 80s and 90s line the black painted breeze block walls; and circular wooden tables are pushed into corners, surrounded by stools or facing bench seats. The space between the small stage and bar is cleared, leaving little room for tables. This is one of those places where if you’re not early, you’re standing all night. At 7 p.m., we’re early.