Colin’s frame was hard and broad, but he felt warm, like an electric blanket. A blanket she wanted very much to be wrapped up in. He smelled like soap—nautical, male. The scent reminded her of being in his bed.
He carried her up a staircase. Stepping through a door, he carried her into a lobby where a doorman was sitting behind a desk. The guard shot a smile in Colin’s direction and took a bite of the hamburger he was eating. The gray-haired man vanished as the doors to the elevator they stepped into shut behind them.
Julia lifted her head a moment later as Colin carried her down a long hall and through the door of what appeared to be an apartment. The kitchen struck her first. It was immaculate, much unlike her own. Its granite countertops shined. Whatever dishes were kept there had all been put away, leaving nothing in the middle of the room but an island with a black marble surface.
The family room was next to the kitchen, and it was even larger. Black leather couches served as a perfect contrast against a solid white carpet. Against the wall opposite them was an exceptionally large flat screen television.
It seemed there was nothing at all personal about the place. It was stuffy and cold, disguised only by the fact that it obviously cost an arm and a leg.
“It could do without the leather couches,” Julia said. “Fancy-schmancy never was my thing.”
“Perhaps I ought to invest in some of that vintage furniture from the ’60s,” Colin replied drily. “Then maybe you’d feel more at home.”
Steam rose in Julia’s throat. If it was going to be like this, she wasn’t sure she was going to make it through the night, let alone a few days or however long it was going to be. He was driving her out of her mind. She hadn’t been there five minutes.
Shaking her head, she turned her attention to the room to their left. The bedroom, perhaps? A dresser and mirror were visible through the crack in the door, but the opposite side of the room remained a mystery. It must have been where the bed was. She shivered as a flash of Colin pinning her down and kissing her in his bed came into her mind.
“It’s there,” he said, setting her against the ground.
“It?”
“The bed, naturally. I assume that’s what you were looking for when you were poking your head into my bedroom. We both know you’re good at finding it, don’t we, Julia?”
Julia’s blood pressure reached a boiling point. How dare he make insinuations about her as though she were some sort of oversexed streetwalker? She didn’t want him. Didn’t want anything to do with him! And if he thought she had any intention of keeping her so-called promise to him, the guy had another thing coming.
“It’ll sleep two,” he went on. “Though perhaps you would have preferred something smaller. Lessens the room between us. Makes it easier for you to press your body against mine.”
“That’s it!” She turned, storming to the door.
He caught her by the arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’d rather sleep on the street than here with you!”
“Knowing the risks, I seriously doubt that.”
“Let go of me!”
Colin hesitated. He released her then went to the door, securing the double bolt.
“Think I can’t undo that?” Julia said. She dove for the lock, but he grabbed her wrist, prying back her fingers.
He placed his hand over the lock. “We can play this game all night, Julia. But we’d do better to get some sleep so we’ll be ready to face whatever danger comes our way tomorrow morning.”
“You sleep, then. Unlike your bimbos, I won’t be sticking around for breakfast.”
“Perhaps I ought to just tie you to the bed.” Colin raised a thoughtful brow.
Heat flooded Julia’s cheeks. Just what would Colin do to her in such a compromising position? She recalled the way his lips had felt when they were kissing her neck and shoulder. She wondered how they would feel against her collarbone. Her breasts…
“You wouldn’t dare,” she said, taking a gigantic step backward.
“I carried you twelve blocks, and you think I wouldn’t tie your hands to a bedpost?”
Julia sucked in a painful breath. The threat was real, and his eyes worked in conjunction with his words.
Maybe Griffin hadn’t been exaggerating about this guy. Maybe Colin Westwood wasn’t someone she ought to be involved with. She pushed past him, snatching the lock between her fingers.
He pried back her hand. “We’re going to get something straight right here, right now, legs. Whether you want to be or not, you’re now in the middle of this. And in spite of the liability you pose, I have every intention of keeping that neck of yours in one piece. Frankly, I’m getting tired of your antics.”
“I’m not some damned prisoner you can keep here!”
Julia caught her breath. All her life, she’d called the shots. Except one time, but never again. What was stopping her from coming outright and telling Colin Westwood to go to hell? Beating the crap out of him, as she would any other man who was holding her against her will?
Determined to show Colin once and for all that she couldn’t be broken, she lunged for the doorknob. He grabbed her, pinning her arms behind her back.
She kicked at him, struggled against his hold. But his hands kept her in place.
Tears slid down her cheeks. It was no use. He could keep her there if he wanted to. Physically, he had the upper hand. But it ate her alive, knowing what an enormous kick he had to be getting out of it, an even larger ego boost than when she’d stumbled into his bed, for sure.
Her eyes widened as Colin shifted her against his torso. She turned, ready to strike. But to her astonishment, his palm came against her back.
Her gaze narrowed. She thought for sure he was going to throw her over his shoulder, but instead he stroked her. Rubbing up and down, he worked in slow circles, almost as if he were trying to calm her down.
Her posture eased. Unsure of what else to do, she remained in place, letting Colin’s hand trail up and down her spine. It was soothing, the gentle movement of his palm. She couldn’t help but feel relaxed and safe.
“I promise you, Julia,” he said. “I’m going to find your father and stop whoever’s behind this.”
He turned her around, giving her a smile, the first real smile he had since that afternoon ten years ago. She stared at him, and he released her, gesturing for her to follow. With a sigh, she stood and trailed behind him.
Colin led her down the hall and opened the door to the room she’d been eyeing. He flicked on the light switch, revealing an exceptionally large bedroom. In addition to the dresser and mirror, the space contained a large mahogany armoire. A vase stood on the ground beside it, and it was several feet tall.
On the opposite side of the room, positioned away from everything else was a king-size bed. It was covered in pillows, black ones, and decked with a golden bed frame. Shiny and ostentatious, the piece was complimented by two gigantic posts. Catching a glimpse of them, Julia fidgeted in her shoes. She turned her head abruptly.
Drawing an uneasy breath, she assured herself that there had to be something seriously wrong with her for thinking what she was. She closed her eyes, but the change in scenery did little to shift her focus. The suggestion Colin had made, where he’d said he would tie her hands to the bedpost, burned in her mind. Helplessly, she pictured it—her, powerless, Colin’s blue gaze emanating heat against her bare skin as he approached her.
Praying he couldn’t read her demented thoughts, Julia shook her head. She watched with bated breath as he opened one of the dresser drawers.
Colin shuffled through a few items of clothing, pushing whatever he apparently didn’t want out of his way. Taking something from amidst the pile, he revealed a piece of red satin lingerie. It had a lace robe, which wasn’t much larger than a washcloth, and it surrounded an even skimpier bodice. Stalking toward her, he placed it into her hands.
“Is this your idea of a joke?” she demanded.
“Pardon
?”
Julia opened the robe, revealing the teddy. It was even smaller than she’d imagined, with its spaghetti straps and torture-inducing underwire. The neckline, ridiculously low cut, was shaped like a V, and the bust was about three sizes too small. It had to be the tackiest piece of garbage she’d ever seen, not that she had any intention of putting it on. If this was her only choice, she’d just as well sleep in her clothes.
“If you think I’m going to wear something that was left here by some whore you slept with—” She shut her mouth. She sounded like some jealous ex-girlfriend. If she wasn’t careful, he was going to think she was jealous.
“It isn’t what you think,” he said with a coy smile.
“Right.” She rolled her eyes.
“My brother bought that for Lena. The tag’s still on it. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself.”
Julia fumbled through the material. She found the tag, which was located at the back of the neckline.
Apparently Colin was telling the truth. Moreover, the piece cost a small fortune. But that still didn’t mean she was wearing that little number, completely inappropriate for anything outside of pole dancing, in front of him.
“You actually think I’m going to wear this?”
“You’d rather not wear anything?”
“I’d rather not be here, like I told from the start!”
“If you want to ruin your clothing, that’s your choice.”
Which was probably exactly what he wanted, just so he could insult her about how frumpy she looked the next morning.
Julia sighed. What was she going to do? One evil was as bad as the other. Though the thought of sleeping in her clothes all night did sound particularly uncomfortable, especially after the ordeal they’d just been through.
“Does this thing”—she swallowed—“tie in the front?”
He grinned. “I believe it does.”
Not that that made a difference. Come the morning, she would have no dignity left at all. That was if she made it to the morning. She wasn’t entirely convinced the man who’d attacked them didn’t plan on tracking them down and killing them in their sleep.
“Fine, whatever,” she said, snapping off the tag. “Just get me a blanket and pillow so I can make up the couch.”
“The couch”—Colin stared her down—“would feel like a rock to you after ten minutes. You’re not sleeping there. The bed is plenty big enough for two. And this way, I won’t have to worry about you sneaking away from me in the middle of the night. “
A flash of the two of them came into Julia’s mind. God, the thought of Colin’s skin, his warm, wet kisses was almost too much. Imagining his musky male scent, his strong arms wrapped around her, she cleared her throat. “Guess you aren’t too worried about me kneeing you again.” She stormed from the room.
Colin followed her. Entering the living room, he sat on the sofa, draping his arm across its back. “Do you think that you’ll be comfortable here?”
She shrugged. “I’m used to roughing it.”
“Then I believe you’re in for a surprise.”
He came to his feet. Making his way across the room, he approached the patio door. He pulled a cord, moving the curtain it was attached to from his way. It revealed a stone balcony. Beyond it, the sky seemed to go on forever. There were white stars illuminating the atmosphere.
Standing beneath them, Julia said, “I guess the place isn’t horrible.”
“Come outside and look at the view. You can’t possibly appreciate the stars from behind a glass window.”
She followed him as he opened the door. Colin stepped back, allowing her to walk ahead of him onto a very wide terrace. It was long, and it extended several feet from the door. Placing her hands against the railing, she looked up into the night sky.
Staring, she couldn’t help admiring the glittering expanse. Everywhere she looked there were stars, shining against a blank canvas. It seemed to go on forever.
Colin stood beside her. Bracing his hands against the rail, he said, “There aren’t too many places in the City you can really see the sky from. Tonight is exceptionally clear.”
“I never would have pegged you for a stargazer, Westwood.”
His pearly white teeth shined in the moonlight. Taking her hand, he aimed her pointer finger toward the sky. “Right there,” he said, moving her finger so it traced the dots. “See how that cluster of stars forms the shape of a swan?”
“No kidding,” she replied.
“It’s called Cygnus. According to the myth, Phaethon, son of Helios, got his father to let him agree to drive his sun chariot. But his reckless driving threatened to destroy the earth. So Zeus hurled a thunderbolt at Phaethon, and he fell into the Eridanus River. Phaethon’s friend, Cygnus, dove into the water in search of the body. That’s why Apollo took pity on Cygnus and changed him into a swan, placing him in the heavens.”
“Come on,” Julia said, warming at the realization that he was still holding her hand. “You don’t actually believe in all that mythical hooey, do you?”
“Personally, yes. I think we can learn a lot from mythology.”
“Well, if you ask me,” she said, taking a respectful step back, “Phaethon was lucky to have a friend as good as Cygnus. If the guy hadn’t been so irresponsible, Cygnus never would have had to come to his rescue.”
Colin’s hand grew cold around hers. “If you ask me, Phaethon’s only wrongdoing was wanting to be anything like his father.” He released her, striding to the end of the balcony.
Instantly, Julia felt the loss of his touch. She watched him walk away, getting the distinct feeling she’d struck a nerve. She was surprised the impenetrable Colin Westwood even had one. “I’ve always been partial to Hercules myself.”
“Hercules?”
“The guy who was assigned the twelve labors,” she explained, searching for the constellation so that she could point it out to him.
“I know who Hercules is,” Colin said. “I just thought I was the only geek who cared about the constellations.”
“You are,” she answered with a grin. “But it just so happens that I know a thing or two about them myself. My mother and I used to look at them together when I was little.”
He nodded. “The two of you must be close.”
Julia rubbed her chilly arms. Avoiding Colin’s eyes, she said, “My mom used to wear this bracelet my dad bought for her. It was made of diamonds, or at least, some imitation stones that looked like diamonds. She said they were like the stars, only better, because she could always keep them close to her. I told her I wanted a bracelet like hers.”
“Did she get it for you?”
Tears stung in Julia’s eyes. She blinked, fighting to keep them inside. “Actually, my dad did. He does always come through for me.”
“People tend to do that for someone they love,” Colin said thoughtfully.
Julia fought to keep back the bile that threatened to rise in her throat. Her dad had always been there for her. Even when her Mom had walked away, when she thought she would never be whole again. Now his life was in danger. She wasn’t sure if she would ever see him again.
She realized that Colin had placed a hand on her shoulder. He was smiling, urging her to open up to him.
She never would have believed the guy had a soft side. Or whatever this was. She took an uneasy breath. “Are you and my father close?”
He nodded. “You could say he’s my right arm.”
“In other words, you couldn’t get along without him?”
“Everyone needs someone they can depend on,” Colin said. “That’s how the strongest men survive.”
“Strongest, huh? And just how do you get to be one of those? Keeping those beneath you in line while they follow through on the dirty work surrounding your latest whim?”
“I didn’t bring you out here to take a stroll down memory lane,” Colin said, his handsome features darkening.
“I wasn’t asking you to.”
His
blue eyes turned to stone. He released her, striding to the end of the balcony. “The bedroom is yours tonight, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. I’m not about to consent to an interview, and I’m not someone you want to make friends with. Push me again, and I will hold you to your promise. One way or another, I will have you in my bed again, Julia.”
At the sound of his words, Julia shivered something fierce. She came back a step, looking away as Griffin’s words came into her mind. Colin Westwood isn’t someone you want to make friends with.
She clasped tightly to the railing. Other than the pieces Abigail had provided, she knew nothing whatsoever about Colin Westwood. Nothing, that was, except what he had shown her. The gentleman who talked about constellations. And the barbarian who’d forced her to stay with him against her will.
Night air settled around her. She rubbed her bare arms briskly.
With a wicked grin, Colin turned on his heel. He opened the door, stepping quickly past it. “Pleasant dreams, Ms. Dyson. Try not to lay awake thinking about me for too long.”
With that, he left her standing on the balcony.
Chapter 9
The morning light reflected against Colin’s half-awake eyelids. Sitting up, he clutched his stiff back, the compliment of a very long night on the couch.
When he’d offered Julia his bed, he’d thought only of putting an end to her prodding. In no way whatsoever had he considered his own comfort. Rubbing his sore muscles, he seriously regretted that decision.
With a yawn, he stood and walked around his living room. His efforts to ease the tension in his muscles didn’t help, and his lack of success only added to his frustration. That was, if he could be any more frustrated.
After several long moments the pain began in his back began to ease. And as irritable as he was feeling, he understood why he’d done what he had. Each moment that he and Julia spent together, every time she laid out the facts about their presumed arrangement she came that much closer to learning the truth. That Colin wasn’t FBI. That he was a crime boss, sole chief operator of one of the most profitable diamond smuggling operations across the globe. And her father was nothing but his pawn.
Dangerous Proposition Page 8
