Ariel's Song (In Bed with the Enemy) Read online

  Colin grabbed her arm, pulling her to him. The length of his warm body trapped hers fogging her thoughts.

  “Changed my mind,” he whispered. “I don’t want anybody else.” Colin looked into her eyes, the heat of his breath mingled with hers. “But, I understand if you’re no longer interested.”

  Her knees went weak. A thrill ran through her body, and she dragged her eyes to his lips. He gripped her chin and leaned forward, closing the almost non-existent distance as he captured her mouth in a hungry kiss.

  Her bag landed on the floor, the keys followed with a clatter. Ariel didn’t realize until then she’d been holding her breath. The hotness of his mouth combined with his scent, intoxicated her, drawing her into the kiss, into him even more. His scorching tongue explored her mouth, making her forget the reason she wanted to slap him earlier. He nibbled her upper lip, sucking it gently, yet with enough force letting her know he was in charge.

  Ariel raised her hand, closing her fingers around his wrist, wanting more.

  Colin broke the kiss, dropping his hand to her neck. He touched his forehead to hers, catching his own breath. “The job is yours. If you’re still interested, come see me tomorrow morning.” He paused. “I’ll warn you, I want more of this.” He kissed her once more, stepped back, turned around, and walked away without another word or a glance at her.

  Ariel stood motionless where he’d left her, processing the events from mere moments ago. Colin wanted more of what? Kissing? A shiver ran down her spine. She traced her swollen lips with her fingertips, shutting the door. Her body still trembled from the shock of his touch, of his mouth on hers. He exerted so much power over her with such little effort. His kiss proved it. If she took this job, she’d risk losing her mind over Colin.

  Ariel looked around her cozy cottage, weighing her options, and suppressed a laugh. What options? It was either take the job or be homeless. Her skin tingled with horror at the latter.

  ****

  What a recipe for disaster. What the hell had he been thinking? Bloody Gérard. Colin would’ve never left home for a stroll if his friend hadn’t come to mess with his inspiration.

  Without a destination in mind, he’d wandered around town. Then, curiosity got the best of him. It didn’t take him long to find her—a foreigner who looked like her was too easy to spot in a small village, thanks to the gossipmongers.

  Colin found his way to her cottage, talking himself into seeing if she truly was someone in need of a job or someone looking for gossip to sell. But the moment he’d seen her turn in his direction, her expression pained, his gut feeling told him he’d been wrong about her. He’d changed tactics on the fly, he’d tried to apologize. His throat went suddenly dry, making it impossible to utter the words. Her pale blue eyes paired with her midnight black hair made him forget everything, and what did he do? He offered her the job then kissed her.

  Such a bad idea. She’d felt so soft in his hands, her body fit his perfectly. Her sweet lips molded to his, lighting up a fire within him. It’d taken all his will power to let her go and when he did, he’d said he wanted more of it. What the fuck did he do?

  Colin strode into his music studio letting the door slam behind him. He didn’t want an assistant. He didn’t need one, yet he ended with one. He opened his violin case and extracted the one thing that’d never betrayed him, hoping Ariel decided not to show up tomorrow. It’d be the best thing for her to do. If she did, he’d already warned her. He wasn’t a monk and didn’t plan on keeping his hands off of her. It’d be too hard to do, not something he entertained or anticipated.

  Chapter Three

  The long narrow hallway looked as lush as everything else in his house. Ariel looked at the spotless dark wood floors lined by warm sand colored walls accentuated with expensive paintings. She bet all were originals.

  “Well, off you go.” The plump housekeeper motioned to the hallway. “He’s in his music studio.”

  Ariel bit the inside of her cheek, doubting her decision. Maybe it’d be best to ask the older woman to show her in. She turned to ask, finding the woman no longer stood next to her. Ariel looked around hoping to find her, realizing she stood in the middle of the room alone. She took a deep breath, glancing up at the vast arched ceiling, feeling it swallow her whole.

  All right, here goes nothing. Ariel adjusted the tote on her shoulder and walked down the hall, following the origin of the music, slowing down as she approached a half closed door from where the melody came. The notes to a Nirvana song filled her ears. She closed her eyes, allowing his music to hypnotize her how it always did. God. She loved his music.

  Some people frowned upon classical crossovers like Colin. Ariel bet he didn’t give a shit what anyone thought of his musical arrangements. He was an artist playing for the love of music and nothing else. He’d probably continue to mix classical with Pop, Rock, and Metallica for as long as he lived.

  She drummed her foot on the floor, her insides squealing. Her favorite musician played on the other side of the door. She bid her time, enjoying the music. As tempted as Ariel was to let him know she’d arrived for her first day of work, she didn’t want to interrupt.

  When Colin finished playing the Nirvana song, Ariel took a step forward ready to announce her presence. Then, the strings with the first notes to a gypsy song halted her mid-step. Ariel leaned on the wall, closing her eyes once more to hear him play. She resisted the impulse to remove her shoes and dance to the gypsy melody in his hall. Damn, he could play.

  “Are you going to come in or stand there all day?” he asked from inside the room.

  His voice startled her. Shit. She opened her eyes. How did he know she’d been there all along? Ariel cleared her throat and walked in. “Hi. I-I was waiting…” She motioned to his instrument. A palpable tension filled the air the moment her gaze met his, drawing her to him. His black T-shirt and jeans gave him a dark angel aura.

  He wore his hair down without a ponytail. Colin stood next to his music stand. His stubble denser, framing his face, giving his piercing eyes a darker caramel shade. Ariel cast her gaze to the large skull ring on his left pinky finger. The man was a hot rocker playing Mozart.

  “Let me make something clear to you.” He raked a hand through his hair, securing a strand behind his ear. “No one walks through that door when I’m in here practicing. Any questions?” Colin placed the bow on the stand and set his violin in its case.

  Ariel regained her composure. “No questions. However, I think we need to set some ground rules.” She crossed the room to the bay window opposite from him. “If I’m going to be your assistant, there are some things we can’t do.” She ran her index finger along the edge of the window then placed her tote on the side table next to it. “For starters—” She turned and bumped into his strong chest.

  “Enlighten me,” Colin said.

  Her heart skipped a beat as she lifted her gaze to him, lingering on his mouth before she met his eyes. Ariel fought the need to kiss him again. How would she ever pull this off when he looked at her with those eyes? Colin trapped her between the bay window and him. He hadn’t touched her yet, but the heat radiating from him being so close ensnared her all the same. Ariel shifted on her feet, trying to set an inch or two of distance between them.

  “For starters what, Ariel?” Colin placed a hand on either side of her, making it harder for her to escape. At her silence, he asked, “Are you going to answer me?”

  “This.” Ariel rested a hand on his chest, to push him away, his warmth burning her palm. “If we’re going to work together, there won’t be any touching.” Her fingertips tingled at the thrum of his heartbeat. Colin glanced at her hand on his chest. Shit. She curled her fingers into a fist. What was she doing feeling his hard muscles?

  “You mean you don’t want me to touch you like this?” He gripped her waist, and she jerked at the unexpected contact.

  The heat of his grasp on her waist seeped through the thin layer of her clothes, stirring her insides. “Yes.”
She shook her head. “No.”

  Colin angled his head, closing the distance. “What else?” he asked, his lips a breath away from hers.

  She closed her eyes. “There can’t be any more kiss—”

  He closed his mouth on hers, not demanding, just giving. Colin drew her in, teasing until she asked for more. Ariel didn’t have the willpower to resist him, not when he kissed her like this. Not when she’d fantasized about being in his arms for ages. Damned temptation. Nothing went as planned. She ran her hands up his arms, yearning to touch his hair, allowing herself the small pleasure. Ariel tangled her fingers in his hair, pressing her breasts against his chest.

  Colin groaned, opening his mouth wider, drawing her tongue in. He lifted her on top of the bay window seat, letting the décor pillows drop at his feet. He spread her legs apart until he stood between them.

  He broke the kiss. “You should’ve never come today if you didn’t want me to kiss you again. I warned you yesterday.” He locked gazes with her. “If you don’t want me to touch you or kiss you, say it like you mean it. Don’t say it looking at me with sex hungry eyes.” He breathed in. “Ariel, I don’t just want to kiss you. I want to fuck you. Here and now. So tell me. Do you want me to stop?”

  No. Yes. No. Her chest tightened, heat rose from her feet up her body, her insides stirred. She couldn’t say it like she meant it because she didn’t, or not look at him without being entranced by the lust in his eyes. No. The answer was no and exactly what she’d feared. Not being able to walk away from the man she’d dreamt about for years. My fantasy come true.

  “Ariel?”

  An inexplicable force drew her to this strange music genius, her Aerosmith turned Mozart as she’d called him many times before in her dreams, and fighting it was off the list. “Kiss me.”

  Colin seized her mouth in another scorching kiss, his hands stroking her legs, bunching up her skirt at her waist. His fingers made lazy circles on her skin, slipping in her lace thong, thrusting into her entrance. He fondled her clit with his thumb as two fingers stretched her, driving in and out of her. Colin broke the kiss, taking a step back.

  She blinked. “W-what are y—”

  He held her gaze. “I don’t have any condoms here.”

  What? No. Ariel blinked then cast a glance at her tote. “There’s one in the small inside pocket of my bag.” She motioned to the table.

  Colin stared at her for a second too long. “Are you always this prepared?” he asked, picking up her bag.

  “Do you really want me to answer that?” Ariel hadn’t been with anyone in a while, but it didn’t mean she ever went out without her in-case-of-an-emergency protection.

  “No.” He pulled out the condom then unbuttoned his jeans. “Last chance, gorgeous.”

  Did he think she changed her mind? She was so turned on, her body ached. Ariel put her hands in back of her for support, enjoying the view of his large cock. “Last chance, Mozart.” She licked her lips.

  Colin sheathed himself then grabbed her by the waist, bringing her closer to him. He stilled, boring his eyes into hers.

  “Don’t stop,” she said.

  Colin pushed aside her thong and drove into her with one full plunge. Ariel locked her feet behind him for balance, wrapping her arms around his neck. He claimed her mouth. His kiss went from soft and teasing to demanding. Colin thrust in and out of her, his thumb massaged her clit in a circular motion, each time bringing her closer to the sweet edge. With a few more strokes he’d have her whimpering under him.

  “Is not having sex in your ground rules?” he said against her lips.

  Huh? Her body vibrated with the need for release. In her list of priorities thinking wasn’t listed, only feeling.

  “Answer me, gorgeous.” His thumb rubbed her clit faster, in rhythm with his thrusts.

  “Y-yes,” she said, as her orgasm broke through her, sending shivers down her body, making her toes curl.

  “Did you mean, yes, I’m coming or yes not having sex is on your list?” He drove into her harder, faster.

  Ariel threw her head back, shaking all over as his hot cock sank into her time and again. Damn his sexy accent, it drove her crazy. “Yes, to both,” she said between breaths, her muscles clenching his shaft.

  He entwined his fingers in her hair, his other hand slid around her waist, holding her in place as he thrust one more time. With a growl, he clasped her hips, pounding into her until the last of his orgasm left him.

  Colin stepped back, pulling her skirt down. “You’re right. We do need to set some ground rules.” He removed the condom and tossed it in a small trash can under the stand next to the window. “This will never happen again.” Colin zipped up his jeans, spinning on his heel. “You can go to my study. I left a long to-do list on top of my desk. Feel free to make yourself busy, just don’t bother me. If you need anything, talk to Logan, my agent. I left his business card on my desk,” he said over his shoulder.

  Ariel blinked. Anger, confusion, disbelief, and other emotions hit her in that moment. A slap would’ve been much more preferable to his harsh words. How could he be so hot and heavy one minute, yet so cold the next? Her fan girl lust blinded her. Ariel straightened her clothes. She hadn’t expected any promises or anything from him, other than a quick lay. Regardless, he didn’t have the right to treat her this way, discarding her as used goods. “Fuck you, Colin.”

  She walked out of the room and bumped into what felt like a steel wall. Ariel glanced up. A pair of smiling brown eyes staring down at her.

  “Hi there,” the man said.

  Oh, my God. Did he hear?

  Ariel sidestepped him, wishing the ground would open and swallow Colin for being a jerk. She made her way out of Colin’s house in no time, needing the comfort of her temporary home.

  ****

  His name should be asshole, not Colin. He didn’t know what got into him yesterday. Colin knew someone stood outside of his music studio, listening to him play. He hadn’t been surprised in the least to find Ariel.

  Before she arrived, Colin swore he wouldn’t touch her if she decided to show up, but his promise went out the door the moment he’d seen her walk in. Ariel looked so fresh, so feminine in her short floral dress. His body went on alert the moment she’d stepped in the room. Blood rushed to his balls, making him aware of his celibate state.

  Something else altogether replaced the hesitation in her expression the moment their eyes met. Then, when those words came out of her mouth, Colin wasn’t able to stop himself from showing her why having ground rules wouldn’t do. Plus, he’d warned her. The one thing he didn’t count on was the way she’d made him feel. He’d felt alive. Fuck. To feel something more than sweet release wasn’t supposed to be part of the deal of having sex with her.

  “Your name should be asshole.” Logan shoved his hands in his pockets. “How can you fuck your new assistant? There’s such a line between business and pleasure.”

  Yeah. Someone tell him something he didn’t already know. “I didn’t know you read minds.” Colin ran a fingertip down a string on his violin. He couldn’t blame Ariel from running out on him. Hell, everyone ran away from him all the time, afraid of the monster he’d become. The murderer the media painted him to be, which made him wonder why Ariel accepted his job. Well, she’d quit not even a day in. His gut told him she wasn’t a reporter looking for a story. Still, he pondered what business brought her to Bibury.

  “Your sarcasm becomes you.” Logan crossed his arms, reclining his shoulder on the wall next to the infamous bay window.

  Memories of how he’d taken her—no, how he’d fucked her, how her body trembled against his, rushed through his mind.

  “I’m talking to you as your friend, not as your agent. You’ve got to get yourself back together. I know what happened with Valerie was hard, but it’s time to move on.” Logan stared at him. “You never showed up at Gérard’s. He’s stuck entertaining half of your musicians. Colin, get your butt out of here. Join the rest of the w
orld again.” He pursed his lips as if considering his next words. “About the little girl.”

  “She’s twenty-four. A woman.” Colin took a seat. His full attention remained on the violin on his lap.

  “You know her age?” Logan asked, his voice filled with wonder.

  “In case you forgot, I did interview her.” He paused. “Have your folks run a background check on her. You know, the usual. Place of birth, relatives, education, financial status, work history, hobbies, friends.”

  “Why? You’re not going to hire her,” Logan said.

  Colin cursed under his breath. “Run the damn background check, all right? For my peace of mind, I’d like to know who’s been at my house. On your way out stop by my study and get her passport. It’s on my desk.”

  “Are you kicking me out?” Logan asked.

  “Yes. I’m done with you.”

  “Ariel, such a pretty name isn’t it?” Logan grinned.

  “I don’t want to hear what you have to say.” Colin gave him a warning glance. Idiot Gérard walked in on him after a pissed off Ariel ran out of his house yesterday. His timing couldn’t have been any more perfect if he’d planned it. Gérard heard every pant, moan, and growl. The grin hadn’t left his friend’s face all the while he’d been there. Now, Colin knew his dear friend Gérard wasn’t only an eavesdropper. He liked gossip, too.

  “Have it your way, but you better get your ass over to the manor for practice tomorrow or—”

  Colin let out a heavy breath. “Or what?”

  “I’ll bring them to you.” Logan left without giving him a chance to respond.

  Colin didn’t want to go out to play in public. He missed the stage, his fans, everything he used to be, but he refused to go back. He wasn’t yet ready. Though, considering his friends’ insistence, perhaps he’d make this comeback his last performance. He’d give it his best then disappear for good, closing out that phase of his life. The thought was worth considering even if it left a bittersweet taste in his mouth.