by Knight, Evie
Chapter Fifteen
It’d been a few days since she’d been hiding in her borrowed bedroom. Logan stopped by each day to check in on her assuring her not to worry about anything. During her solo time, Ariel did a lot of thinking, and though she hadn’t finished organizing her thoughts, leaving was next on her list. Ready or not, good or bad, she’d face the world again.
Ariel glanced at the time then went in search of Logan. She found him in the family room watching a game of soccer. “Hi there.”
He looked up at her with a smile. “Ariel, hey, it’s good you decided to come out of your cave.” Logan grabbed the TV remote control, and pressed the mute button.
“It’s a pretty cave,” she said.
Logan patted the seat next to him. “Care to join me? Cook is on her way with a turkey sandwich, chips, veggies and some fruit.”
“Wow. I didn’t know you ate like a bear.” She walked to the couch and took the seat on the opposite end, leaving a place between them.
“Sweetheart, I’m a man who appreciates food.”
His words stole a soft laugh from her. “I’m having a bit of trouble believing you.”
“That’s because I work out every calorie I ingest. Else, I’d be as big as the bear you mentioned.” They both laughed, and she felt a little more comfortable.
Still smiling, he stared at her. “How are you feeling?”
Ariel shifted her body on the couch to face him, clutching her hands on her lap. “I’m doing better.” She cast her gaze downward. “I’m leaving.”
“Why?” he asked.
“I think it’s time I left. Unless you have another position for me away from here, I don’t think I can continue being Colin’s assistant. No matter the bribe,” she said. Just the mention of his name hurt her in places she never knew she’d hurt. Ariel needed distance—thousands of miles to be exact—between them to heal her wounds. Not having any new news of her brother still worried her. Ariel planned to fly and meet him as soon as she learned his location in Brazil. Meanwhile, she’d take care of herself.
“You can still help Marissa with other stuff. You know, I represent several other artists.” He paused when his chef entered the room with a tray full of food and set it on the chocolate brown ottoman across from them. Logan waited until they were alone again before continuing.
“Listen, I promised to help you find your brother and I’ll do it. In the meantime, you can continue to work for me. I’ll talk to Marissa and ask her to have you work on something else.”
“Logan…”
He put his hand up. “It’s non-negotiable. Come on, let’s eat, shall we?”
Ariel took half the sandwich he offered and dug in. Logan turned the volume on the TV. She settled to watch the game with him even though she didn’t care much for soccer. Ariel didn’t understand any of it. But his enthusiasm every time his team missed a goal or someone got a foul captivated her attention enough for her to stay engaged. She enjoyed seeing this fun side of Logan. It was such a complete contrast with the business man in him. Too bad none of it got the thoughts of Colin out of her mind. Did he even miss her?
“Have you seen Colin?” Ariel heard herself ask when the game ended.
Logan turned the TV off. He eased back in his side of the couch and looked at her. “No. He hasn’t been to rehearsal in days. He won’t pick up my calls or Gérard’s. Colin won’t even answer Julianne’s calls. I went to see him, but his housekeeper didn’t even let me past the front door. She said I better leave if I didn’t want a broken nose.” He frowned in thought. “What happened that night? You never did tell me.”
“You also never told me why you came back to get me.”
“His housekeeper rang my cell and asked me to go get you. She didn’t tell me much else. I figured you’d tell me when you were up to it. Tell me now. Why did you leave?”
Her chest tightened when her heart threatened to jump out. She hated missing Colin, and hoped he hurt as much as she did. “He threw me out,” she said.
Logan jerked his head. “He did what?”
She closed her eyes. “Colin asked me to leave and said he never wanted to see me again.” Ariel took a deep breath and looked at him, fighting the tears pushing at the back of her eyes.
“Why?” He raised a brow.
Ariel shrugged and related the events of that dreadful night after he dropped her off at Colin’s home.
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry.” Logan clenched his fist. “He used to be a man in love with women and music. Colin had plans, lots of them. He didn’t know limits. He did a crossover in music many musicians fear to do, and he made it his brand. Colin had a perfect life. It took one woman and a tragedy to ruin it all. You know the story.” He looked at her. “You made a difference when you came along, and we took advantage. I took advantage. Gérard and I thought finally, our friend was back. Guess we were wrong. I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess.”
****
It’d been almost two weeks since Ariel began staying at Logan’s place. After the night she’d watched the soccer game with him, things between them changed considerably. They’d become friends. Logan kept to his promise and Marissa contacted her with a new assignment.
Ariel also found a small place to lease for the remainder of her stay in England, which remained undetermined for the time being. She’d be moving in at the end of the month. Logan offered her his place for as long as she needed to stay, saying the house was too big for one person. After listing out all her reasons for declining his generous offer, he conceded to her moving out as long as she promised to continue working for him full time. Marissa needed her help coordinating events.
Saturday afternoon Logan asked her to accompany him to a private concert at some rich person’s place. Ariel looked down at her strapless cranberry print dress. She’d been undecided on wearing it, thinking it may not fit the occasion. Good thing she’d worn it anyway, the dress turned out perfect for the event.
While Logan attended to an impromptu meeting, she’d wondered inside the mansion making her way to the end of the hall on the third floor. She followed the tune of a song and walked inside a bedroom. Ariel crossed the threshold of the room to the wide open French doors giving access to a private balcony. She stepped on the veranda and placed her hand on the concrete rail.
From her position, no one saw her—how advantageous. She watched the affair taking place in the gardens below come alive with the music being played. The intimate gathering was large enough to be considered a private concert. A small stage sat at the end of the gardens, and white chairs were perfectly arranged in two halves in front of the platform.
With all seats taken, a few guests stood at the back, listening to a quartet play, a song she’d never heard. The melody flowing from their electronic violins and cellos, combined with drums and electronic programming, affected her with excitement. Ariel watched the magnolias and azaleas dance with the soft breeze to the rhythm of the music, and she allowed the notes of the song to draw her in.
“Exquisite, isn’t it?”
She gasped and tightened her grip on the rail, turning to see him. “Colin.” She locked gazes with him. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” Ariel looked back at the stage.
The heat of his body enveloped every inch of hers from head to toe. She’d tried to stop the hundreds of thoughts rushing through her mind, instead of keeping her guard up and letting him sneak up on her. Of all places, it hadn’t occurred to her he’d be there today. Did Logan know? Ariel doubted it. She trusted he’d have said something if he knew. Her heart worked double time, pumping the blood rushing through her veins. Colin brushed her hair to her right shoulder. She cast a glance down and watched as he slid the necklace he’d given her around her neck then secured it.
Ariel wasn’t over Colin yet. It’d be a long time before she’d be, if ever. But she wasn’t ready to see him this soon. In fact, she didn’t expect to see him at all. Colin said he never wanted to see her again the last time they spoke. According t
o Logan, he’d even locked himself up from the world and gone back to being the reclusive beast she’d first met.
He placed his hand next to hers on the railing, his body touching her this time. “I wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t for you,” Colin whispered at her ear and his words traveled throughout her body creating a pool of heat low on her belly.
“Why? I thought you never wanted to see me again.” What did he want? Did he have a change of heart? She shrugged in an effort to ignore his warmth caging her in.
“I was upset.”
“And how did you think I felt?” She fisted her hand on the rail, her nails biting into her palms. His heat made her tremble inside with longing. “How do you think I felt to see Penelope on top of you? Shit, Colin. If anyone had the right to throw a fit, it was me.” Ariel needed strength to control her emotions.
Colin inhaled. “I can explain. Penelope pushed Lola to get into the house. I asked her what the fuck she was doing there. Next thing I knew, she sat on me.”
She shook her head. “Save it. I’m not interested. You hurt me.”
“And you didn’t?” Colin struck his palm on the rail. “How the fuck do you think I felt knowing you lied to me? Knowing you don’t trust me.”
Her body tensed. “I trust you. I merely tried to prove a point.”
“Snooping around my study isn’t trusting me or proving anything.”
“Well, I’m sorry for wanting to show the world the real you.” Her voice cracked with emotion. Ariel shifted her feet, ready to leave, but he held her in place with his other hand.
“Ariel,” he said in a low voice.
“Colin, stop. As I recall you never wanted to see me again. Why the change of heart? Why are you here?” His close proximity hurt twice as much as being away from him.
“I’m here to make it up to you and take you home.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Ariel touched his hand to free herself from his grip, but he laced his fingers with hers.
“I’ll change your mind.”
She flexed her fingers in his grasp. “I don’t see how.”
“Let me worry about that, yes?” he asked, his fingers made slow circles on her waist. “That quartet of musicians playing has a unique style.”
“I wouldn’t know.” Ariel’s body grew weaker with every one of his strokes.
Colin brushed his lips to her temple. “They play cinematic rock. Close your eyes and listen carefully to the song they’re playing now.”
Against her better judgment, she did as he instructed. He dragged his hands down her thighs until his hand curled around her calve. Something cold and smooth looped around her ankle. Colin secured it and stroked her leg as he stood to his full height. He slid his hand to her front and cupped her pussy.
“Your place is with me,” he said, kissing her nape. “Never take off anything I give you. Never again, Ariel.” Colin’s hand traveled down her thigh to the slit of her dress, finding its way inside between her legs. He circled her clit through the thin lace of her thong.
“Colin.” Ariel struggled for breath.
“Ssh … just feel. You hear that?” He slipped his fingers inside her thong and traced her folds, spreading her juices.
“I-I— Hear what?” She’d lost the fight with her inner self. Her weakness for Colin knew no boundaries.
He rubbed her clit and plunged two fingers in, her muscles contracted around them. “It’s a heavy metal and classical musical influences.” His fingers drove in and out, getting her closer to ecstasy. He groaned. “You’re so wet.”
Ariel couldn’t make out what he’d said. The fire invading her body consumed her whole. She shook her head. “Wh-what?”
Colin took her other hand and placed it on the rail. “Lean forward,” he said, pulling up her dress from behind, baring her ass.
“What are you doing?” In her sex daze, she angled her head to look at him.
“I’m going to fuck you to the song,” he said, moving her thong aside and putting his cock at her entrance.
“We can’t do this here. People will see.”
“Yes, we can. The door is locked and you know no one can see us from below.” Colin drove into her and she moaned. “Does he make you this wet?”
What? He couldn’t be serious. “C-Colin, what are you doing?”
“You know exactly what I’m doing, Ariel.”
“No. I don’t.” Hurt and desire consumed her. Not a good combination where it concerned Colin and her sanity.
“Does Logan lick your pussy?” He slid out of her, taking his time, and driving back in hard, making her take his full length. Her legs quivered as her muscles closed around his shaft.
“He hasn’t. Thanks for the idea. Maybe I’ll ask him to do it so I can compare who’s the better lover.” She struggled for breath.
Colin slipped his hand to her pussy and played with her bud as he plunged in and out of her. “No one but me will lick you or fuck you, do you understand?” He thrust hard and deep.
Heat crawled up her legs. “Stop playing games, Colin.”
“I’m not playing any games. The question is, are you?” He increased his pace.
“I’m not the one forcing someone to play a dirty game where anyone can hear or see.” One more caress, one more thrust, and she’d be shuddering and screaming her orgasm to the wind from the top of the balcony.
“I’m not forcing you. Do you want me to stop?” Colin slid his cock out of her one inch at a time.
Ariel wished to have the will power to tell him stop. “No. Don’t stop. Please.”
He thrust back in, remaining buried deep inside her. “When the drums play, and each cello joins one by one, I want you to come. I want you to scream your orgasm.”
She pushed her ass back, inviting him to move. “People will hear.”
Colin pushed his shaft deeper in her, and she whimpered. “No one will hear. Trust me. The music will be so loud your scream will drown in it.” He caressed her clit in a circular motion.
“How am I going to know when it’ll happen?” Ariel closed her eyes.
“Because it’s happening now.” He leaned forward and nuzzled her neck, increasing his pace as the drums shook the place, followed by the cellos. “Come, gorgeous.” Colin drove in harder and deeper each time.
The melody ran in her bloodstream, pumping through her. Ariel clutched the handrail, letting out a scream. Her ecstasy rocketed through her and his body shook behind hers, letting his own orgasm take him. The loud sound of the song being played down below masked both their shouts. The beat of her heart thrummed in her ears.
When both their bodies stopped shaking, Colin stepped back and fixed her dress. Ariel turned to him as he adjusted his clothes, then glanced down to her foot and caught sight of the matching black obsidian skulls anklet he’d fastened on her ankle.
Colin closed the short distance, cupped her face, and brushed his lips over hers. “Let’s go home.” He broke the kiss and rubbed his thumb over her swollen lips.
She blinked, furrowing her brow. “Let’s go home? Is that all you have to say?” Ariel missed him, she wanted to be with him to make up for the time lost. In her weakness for him, somewhere in the past few minutes, she’d resolved on going home with him. But Colin didn’t say the two words she longed to hear, I’m sorry. It all crashed down on her.
Colin’s jaw tightened. “Yes. You’re coming home with me tonight,” he said, matter-of-factly.
Ariel gripped his wrists and stepped back. He didn’t bother to say sorry and he expected her to say yes because she always did? No. Not this time. He’d seduced her with his caresses, making her body throb with need, overtaking her senses. Colin knew how to manipulate her with sex. He did it all the time. This was their problem. Always resolving their disagreements with sex yet solving nothing at the end. Not anymore. Ariel wanted an apology. She deserved one.
Even if he apologized now, what guarantee did she have something wouldn’t set him off and he’d ask he
r to leave again? None. Heck, she still didn’t know the reason he’d asked her to leave.
She glanced up at him. “No. I’m not.”
Colin studied her, his expression one of confusion. “Why not?”
He didn’t get it.
Why can’t you say you’re sorry?
Ariel drew in breath, looked around the room then back at him. “If you can’t figure it out we have nothing to discuss.”
“Ariel.” Colin took a step forward.
She walked back and crossed her arms. “Goodbye, Colin.”
He opened and closed his mouth, pressing his lips in a straight line. Colin turned and headed to the door without another word.
Logan opened the door just when Colin reached it. He looked from Colin to Ariel and back.
“If you touch her, you’re a dead man,” Colin said and stepped out of the room.
Chapter Sixteen
He’d been an idiot. It’d been three weeks since Colin broke things up with Ariel and he only had himself to blame. He let Logan’s kiss get to his head and reacted in the worst possible way. So much good it did him, she went straight to his friend’s arms.
Jealousy blinded him and he didn’t think to apologize until sometime after Ariel refused to go home with him. He never said sorry. Colin lost his chance at the private concert last Saturday. When would he stop being such an ass? Sex wasn’t the answer to everything, but seeing her there, getting lost in the music, his hands itched to touch her.
He missed Ariel and she’d stood there with her long silky hair covering her back, looking as beautiful as always. What was Colin supposed to do when the sight of her reminded him of the warmth of her body against his? Of his yearning to trail kisses along her soft skin. Of how he wanted to feel her come around his cock. His desire blinded his good judgment.
When Ariel didn’t push him away and let him have his way with her, Colin took it as a good sign. He thought he’d leave the gathering with Ariel by his side, until those bloody words came out of her mouth. If you can’t figure it out we have nothing to discuss.
Colin looked at his car’s dashboard then focused his eyes back on the road. He must be desperate to drive in the middle of the night to Logan’s house. He needed Ariel back. She’d worked her way into his skin, got him out of his isolation, and showed him the way back to living his life. Colin wasn’t willing to lose what she’d given him. Things between them were too intense, too much of everything to let it all go easy.