Ariel's Song (In Bed with the Enemy) Read Free Page A

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.
    S ome 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 squeal ing. 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.
    H e 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