Ariel's Song (In Bed with the Enemy) (12 page)

Logan tapped his fingers on the table. “Did
he assume his responsibilities as expected?”

Ariel considered his question, trying to recall what her brother
had done. “No. My uncle remained the head of the company for the past five years, and Tanner showed up for important meetings and stuff.”

He
frowned. “That explains it.” The waiter came back with their food.

“Explains what?”
What did Logan mean? His news didn’t sound so great after all. Ariel wished her brother well, wherever he was.

Logan grabbed his fork. “
From what my guy told me, your brother signed some paperwork your uncle gave him. What he signed implicated him in a financial fraud. Unfortunately, Tanner found out too late. He’s wanted for embezzlement. It makes me wonder how he managed to flee the country undetected.”

Her jaw dropped. What? Embezzlement?
Ariel couldn’t believe their one and only family turned on her and her brother. Finally she understood why she hadn’t heard from her uncle.

“Where is he?” She
had enough funds now to get her to Tanner.

“
My investigator got a reliable lead. Tanner is in Brazil.”

“Where in Brazil?”

Logan raised his brows. “The investigator doesn’t know where exactly. What’s more important is he believes your brother was setup. His partner flew to São Paulo with a couple of her team members to look for him.”

Ariel furrowed her brow. “Wait.
You’ve got a team of people looking for Tanner?”

Logan placed
his fork on the plate. “Yes. The P.I. has a partner, and she’s fed up with all the resources it’s taking to find your brother.” He took a drink. “She’s decided to look for him herself while the rest of their staff gathers all the details to prevent Tanner from going to jail.”

Did he say jail?
Oh, she felt sick. Ariel took deep breaths, controlling her nerves and the urge to throw up. Tanner couldn’t go to jail, be prosecuted for something he didn’t do. How were they supposed to think their own uncle capable of doing something so devious? Now, thousands of miles separated her from her only real family.

Think positive thoughts, Ariel.
She’d see Tanner soon. Still, she couldn’t get past what Logan revealed. Ariel barely touched her dinner, and the couple of bites she managed to swallow scratched her throat. Today had been one of the worst days she’d ever had. First Penelope, then Colin, now Tanner.

Silen
ce settled between her and Logan on the drive back. Ariel felt relieved Logan hadn’t asked her why she’d been crying earlier. He probably knew better than to ask. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase the picture of Penelope on top of Colin. Tonight, Ariel planned to go straight to her old bedroom and cry her heart out. Tomorrow, with a clear head she’d decide what to do.

Logan parked right in front of the entrance steps and got out of the car. He
went to her side to help her out. “How are things with Colin? Is everything with you two all right?” He held her hand in his.

W
hy did he have to ask now? He didn’t know better after all. Tears pooled in her eyes at the mention of Colin’s name. Her lips quivered and her nostrils hurt every time she tried to breath.
I won’t cry. Not here. Not here.
A tear slid on her cheek.

“Sweetheart, is there anything you need?”
Logan touched her face, his thumb caressing her cheek.

Ariel couldn’t hold it anymore.
He closed his arms around her, pulling her to him, placing his chin on top of her head. Between sobs, she blurted out what happened before he’d arrived earlier.

Logan
cursed under his breath. He stepped back and looked her in the eyes, holding her to him. “If you need a place to stay, you know you can come to mine.”

Ariel
clasped her arms around his neck. “Thank you.” She dropped her hold on him.

Logan
held her by her waist, his gaze searching her face. He closed the short space and kissed her. She remained motionless for a moment, unsettled by his kiss. His soft lips on hers felt so wrong.

Ariel pushed him away from her. “Logan.”

He let go of her. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kiss you.”

“I value your friendship and what you’re doing for me
, but it stops there.”

“
I’m sorry, Ariel,” Logan said once again.

Ariel glanced around their surroundings, need
ing to sit. She ran her hands through her hair then looked at Logan. “Let’s not bring this up ever again, okay?”

He pressed his lips together, nodding.
“My offer still stands. If you need some place to go, call me. My home is yours,” he said.

“Thanks for everything, Logan.”
Ariel walked up the stairs to the door.

****

Colin watched Ariel from one of the windows. What the hell? His blood boiled at seeing Logan, his dear friend, kiss her. Betrayal knocked on his door once more and louder than last time. Not again. Colin turned from the window and headed to the intercom on the wall. He dialed Lola’s extension.

“Mister Hoskins,”
Lola said.

“Lola, go to my bedroom and pack Ariel’s belongings. She’s leaving this house tonight.”

“Are you sure you want me to do that?” Lola asked.

“
If you value your job, don’t question me,” Colin said and pressed the button disconnecting the call. He’d been so bloody blind. Ariel had been seeing Logan behind his back all along. How did he miss it? She’d lied. What did she think to gain? He’d been such a fool. An idiot.

Colin
strode in his bedroom. “Did you get everything, Lola?”

“We’re almost done, sir.” Lola
walked out of the closet with a handful of Ariel’s dresses in hand, and directed a younger woman to the dresser.

Colin
watched the suitcases on the bed. He rather lay in a cold bed at night than sleep with a liar.

He
’d shared his bed with a liar before and it almost sent him to jail. Colin swore it’d never happen to him again. For two fucking years he’d stayed away from everything and everyone so he wouldn’t have to deal with this kind of shit. What for? Ariel showed up, he let his guard down and let her in. What did he get in return? Lies. Fuck.

“What
’s going on here?” Ariel asked from the door.

“I want you to leave.”
Colin turned to her. This time the pain of betrayal pierced through him, dissolving everything in him.

“Why?”

“Why?” He squeezed his eyes, raking a hand through his disheveled hair. “Leave, Ariel. I don’t ever want to see you again.” Valerie’s betrayal hurt. Ariel’s rocked every cell in his body. Colin glanced at her once more then walked out the room.

****

What a mess. From the moment Penelope paid her that visit, everything went downhill. Ariel understood Colin’s anger at her for going behind his back to look for answers. He thought she didn’t trust him, but she did. When she’d been ready to explain her actions, Ariel found him with Penelope. Her heart ached every time the picture of Penelope on top of Colin flashed in her mind.

If anyone had the right to
be upset, enraged at the events of the day, it should be Ariel. Not Colin. He’d humiliated her by throwing her out of his house. Too shocked to function, to react, her body went on auto-pilot to get out of his place as fast as possible. The housekeeper had already packed most of her belongings. Thankfully, she didn’t have much else to take with her. On her way out of the room, she dropped the necklace he’d given her on the nightstand.

She walked out of the house and
stopped mid-stride on the steps. A worried-looking Logan stared at her. His arms crossed, he leaned on his car’s passenger’s door. Ariel glanced back at the house. Framed in the doorway, the housekeeper shrugged. She didn’t know if to thank the elderly woman or be upset at her for getting involved in Ariel’s affairs. Since she had nowhere to go, or anyone else to call, Ariel allowed Logan to help her get in his car. He didn’t ask her anything as he drove straight to his place.

His house wasn’t large but
just as grand as Colin’s. He took her to a guest bedroom. “Please make yourself at home.”

Lost for words, she nodded her thanks. Pain and humiliation ran through her veins, eating her inside out. She looked around the room.
Ariel sat on the edge of the bed and covered her face with her hands. Her mind ran wild replaying the events, making sense of nothing.

She found
nothing logical to justify Colin’s behavior. Not that there’d be an acceptable explanation for the way he’d treated her, thrown her out. Not to forget how she’d found him in his studio. Her body shook with disgust, hurt, and Ariel didn’t know what else. The harsh truth of her reality dawned on her. She was alone, broken-hearted, and still more than half broke.

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 a
ll 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 gasp
ed 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 her
s 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 to 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.