Wish of the Heart (10 page)
Authors: Malia Mallory
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Contemporary, #New Adult & College, #Romantic Suspense, #Mystery & Suspense, #Suspense
He tilted his head. “Shelley?”
He sounded just as she knew he would, deep, smooth with a hint of Irish. The warm resonance of his voice washed over her, more compelling in person than she imagined was possible. The radio simply didn’t do him justice.
An involuntary tingle settled low in her belly, and she finally understood why women went so wild for Liam. Glossy black hair swept over his forehead above luminous emerald eyes, reminiscent of the verdant green pastures of Ireland, where he’d grown to a man. He was long and lean, but his navy shirt clung to the manly muscles underneath. His bare forearms were roped with matching tattoos.
Shelley shook herself free of his unexpected spell. “I’m Shelley.”
“I’m Liam Smith.” He reached out to shake her hand.
Shelley accepted the handshake automatically.
Did anyone not know who Liam Smith was?
She supposed that might be true in some deep hidden pocket of the world. “Vera told me to expect you.”
“Vera would be your agent then?” The corner of his mouth curled into a lopsided smile.
“Yes, she assured me that your interest in helping KC’s Kidz is genuine.” Her voice held the hint of doubt.
A wide grin split his face. Shelley was a sucker for a great smile and his was a killer.
Wasn’t she well past the stage where a handsome face would turn her head?
Apparently not, if Liam’s was anything to go by.
Liam moved out of the doorway. “It is.”
“Extra hands are always welcome. There’s plenty to do.” Shelley tried to convey a no nonsense attitude.
“Just tell me when and where.” Liam rocked on his feet, seemingly ready to pounce into action.
Shelley blinked, confused. “You’re here now?”
Liam pointed out the window. “I’ve got a guitar in the car. I’m ready to go.”
“Ready to go where?” Shelley shuffled through some papers and put them in a stack to the side.
“To play. You know.” Liam mimicked strumming a guitar. “Isn’t that what you do? Play music for kids?”
“That’s one thing we do.” KC’s Kidz also required endless fund-raising, grant writing and organization.
“Well, that’s what I’m here for,” he said as if it were all obvious.
Shelley’s lips thinned. “I don’t just send someone on over to the hospital. It doesn’t work that way.”
“What could be so complicated about it?” For the first time since he walked into the office, a crack appeared in his friendly demeanor.
“Some of these children have special challenges. It can be difficult to engage them. It’s unlikely you’d walk in right off the street and have a successful appearance.”
Liam smoothed his expression. “I don’t mean to sound arrogant.”
“You’re right. I’m sure the kids would go wild over a big star like you. However, I’m not sending over someone from KC’s Kidz unless they’ve been trained and I trust them to handle things.”
Liam took a deep breath. “Fine. Where do I start?”
“We have toy donations to sort.” It was true. Shelley had been too busy to attend to the toy donations and most of the other volunteers were busy with preparations for their annual fund-raising dinner, which was coming up soon.
“Sort toys?” Liam didn’t hide his confusion.
“Yes,” Shelley replied.
“Do you think that is a good use of my time?” Liam asked.
“It’s something that needs to be done and you said you wanted to help.” Shelley tamped down her irritation. This is why she hadn’t wanted to agree to this arrangement in the first place. Sometimes volunteers thought it was all concerts and celebrities and didn’t stick around when they found out otherwise.
Liam laughed. “Fine. Show me the toys.” The hint of impatience melted away.
Shelley hid her smile and rose to her feet. She was almost tempted to direct him to something he would find even more distasteful. Maybe she should tell him the toilets needed cleaning. Her lips twitched as she imagined his reaction.
She approached the door, but Liam didn’t immediately move to let her pass. He was close. Too close. Her blood rushed through her veins and her breath caught. She saw Liam’s pupils contract as their eyes locked. Irritation rose within her. She didn’t plan on turning into some kind of teenage groupie. She brushed past him and her elbow burned where it bumped his bare forearm.
~ * ~ * ~
Something True
can be previewed and purchased at major retailers.
Something True
also appears in
Crazy About Curves
.
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Malia Mallory lives in Hawaii with her husband and daughter. She's been working with words since alphabet blocks rolled into her crib, not only writing her own work but copy editing and proofreading the work of others. She has loved to read about relationships since she first sneaked off with her mother's Harlequin. Her books are available at all major eBook retailers.
For a free copy of
B is for Beach
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The ABCs of Erotica
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Complete List of Titles
Something True
Wish of the Heart (Fountain of Love Series)
Dominating BDSM Billionaires Series
His Need, Her Desire
His Desire, Her Surrender
Her Wish, His Command
His Passion, Her Temptation
The ABCs of Erotica Series
A is for Amorous (retitled)
B is for Beach
C is for Carnal (retitled)
Volume 1: A - C
D is for Domination
G is for Gigolo
R is for Revenge
Short Stories
Mia's Cop Craving
Mia's Cop Craving 2
Santa's Backdoor Baby
Anthologies
Crazy About Curves
The Alpha’s Touch
For a list of current and upcoming titles, please
visit my website
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What Readers Are Saying
5 Stars. "It was intimate and the characters were both realistic and likeable...oh, and of course the sex was hot!" D.C. McMillen - Author, reviewing The ABCs of Erotica
"It's pure pleasure on my Kindle." Chastity - Goodreads Reviewer, regarding Mia's Cop Craving
"Malia Mallory is an author that writes hot, sexy erotica." Lisa - Online Reviewer
"For bite-sized erotic stories, you can't get much better than Malia Mallory's ABCs of Erotica. Highly recommended." Willfully Inappropriate
"Mallory is a really good erotica writer . . . the language is spot on, little naughty, little risky." Niina - For the Love of Reading
"Well-written and hot, I was right there with the characters. So much so that I felt like a voyeur." Naughty Reader's Boudoir, regarding Mia's Cop Craving
"It was very sensual and sexy and left me breathless." Julianne - Two Lips Reviews, regarding Mia's Cop Craving 2
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
