by Knight, Evie
The question still remained. How long would this last? She didn’t wish to delve into it now. Not when her thoughts made a one-eighty degree turn a minute ago. She had to give a true relationship with Colin a try or she’d never know how far it’d go. Colin hadn’t asked her to stay in England. But if this girlfriend-boyfriend thing was real, she’d check the one valid reason for changing her decision to return after New York off her list.
If she stayed in England it didn’t mean she’d give up looking for her brother. She’d have to come up with other ways to find Tanner. Ariel expected Logan’s investigator to have news soon. His findings could lead her to her brother.
“We’d be happy to spend the weekend with you, mom,” Colin said. His hand curled around hers bringing her back to the present and out of her thoughts.
The conversation shifted on to other things. Ariel tried her best to control the current of nerves flooding her body. Stefanie was a loving mother and funny, too. The mischief dancing in her eyes let Ariel know, Stefanie, had been trouble, and probably still was.
After a while, Stefanie and Julianne said their goodbyes. “Ariel, thank you for what you’ve done to help my son.” Stefanie hugged her then turned to Colin.
Julianne threw her arms around Ariel. “Sweet pea, stay away from Penelope,” she said at Ariel’s ear. “She’s never meant well and never will.” Julianne spun away and left with her mom, not giving Ariel a chance to respond.
****
A few days ago, Colin caught Ariel by surprise introducing her to his mom as his girlfriend. For a moment he thought she’d run out of the room. He hadn’t known what to make of the expression on her face. What did Ariel expect him to introduce her as? Mom, this is Ariel. She’s my assistant of sorts. It sounded wrong in so many levels. Plus, Colin wanted everyone to know they were together. The time had come for him to give life a chance again.
After his family left, Ariel didn’t say anything else. He’d expected an interrogation. Hell, he’d imagined she’d push to have a conversation to explain what being his girlfriend meant. Women always did, not his Ariel. He’d feel better if she’d at least said something. Anything.
To add to his already perturbed state, since his conversation with Logan, there hadn’t been any new leads to her brother’s whereabouts. The bad news was the investigator and his team confirmed Ariel turned out to be a victim of an ugly scam and could very well pay for something she didn’t do. Colin knew the feeling well, and planned to do anything in his power to prevent her from going through such an ordeal. He hoped the investigator had news of Tanner for them soon.
Colin watched a sleeping Ariel from the corner of his eye. She’d been too tired to stay awake the full two hour drive to Nottingham. He was to blame for her tired state. He’d kept her up late last night then gotten her out of bed at the crack of dawn this morning.
He welcomed the distraction being away from his home for the next couple of days brought. It pleased him she didn’t seem to mind the prospect of spending the weekend with his family at Hoskins House.
This weekend would define the next turn in their relationship. He cared for Ariel, but moving on, giving life, and love a chance, required one thing. Trust. If Ariel couldn’t give it to him, then they had nothing.
Colin turned right onto a long and narrow gravel path. He looked at his watch. It was exactly nine o’clock. Enough time to settle in, and show her the grounds of his childhood home before his mom’s birthday party tonight.
“Are we here?” a sleepy Ariel asked.
“Yes.” His upper lip twitched into a lopsided smile. He drove for another mile along the azaleas lined path.
She rolled down the car window, the breeze brushing her long tresses. “Wow. I feel I’m in a fairy tale,” she said in awe.
A dazzling regency style manor sat amid acres of beautiful landscaped gardens surrounding the front and the back with far-reaching lawns on either side.
Colin was anxious to give Ariel a tour of the place. He steered the car onto a carriage style driveway, stopping in front of the steps to the double entrance door.
“Sir,” Smythe, his mom’s butler, greeted him.
“Smythe, it’s good to see you.” He patted his arm and walked to the other side of the car, finding another of his mom’s staff members helping Ariel out.
“Your room is ready. I’ll have the staff carry your luggage,” Smythe said.
“Great.”
“Miss Parks, Mary will show you to your room,” Smythe said.
Ariel nodded, smiling back.
“That won’t be necessary.” Colin waved a hand.
“I’m glad to see you back here.” Smythe looked at him, a gleam in his eyes, then nodded to the two staff members waiting for his instructions on the steps.
The staff members murmured their greetings as they walked by them to get their luggage out of the trunk.
Colin laced his fingers with Ariel’s. “Are you ready?”
She rose to her toes and brushed her lips over his. “I think so.”
Colin guided her up the steps through the double entrance door giving way to a light and spacious reception hall leading off to other areas of the house.
“Ariel!” his mom said, coming down the elegant staircase. She greeted Ariel with a hug and a kiss then did the same with Colin.
Why was everything so quiet? He’d anticipated people running from one side to another in a frenzy to get things ready for the guests tonight. “Where’s everyone?” he asked.
His mom waved her hands. “Ah, I decided to keep it small this time, just family and a few close friends. Honestly, I think I ought to stop having this party altogether. It’s no longer a celebration of my youth.”
Ariel placed her hand on his mom’s arm. “You’re a lovely woman, Stefanie.”
His mom looked at her, a warm smile on her face. “You’re such a sweet girl.”
“Is Julianne here yet?” Colin asked.
His mom stared out the distance for a moment. “Yes. She got here yesterday, so did Gérard. They went horse riding earlier this morning. You know how it is with those two. Julianne’s probably racing him to prove she can beat him.”
Colin didn’t like the vibe he got from his mom’s tone. He’d know more if he’d been around all this time. Now, he felt an outcast fighting to be let back in when he kicked himself out to begin with.
“You’re an idiot!” Julianne’s voice reached Colin’s ears.
His back stiffened at his sister’s shriek. Ah. There they are.
“You’re so stubborn. If you’d listened to me, your ass wouldn’t have ended up in a puddle of mud,” Gérard said from behind Colin.
Ariel brought her hand to her mouth to cover the laugh Colin swore she tried to swallow. He turned around to meet a muddied Julianne. “What the hell happened to you?” He couldn’t help the grin forming on his face.
“Ugh. For fuck’s sake, Colin. Why are you here so early?” Julianne asked.
“Julianne, please,” their mom said.
Julianne looked at their mother, a crease between her brows. “Mom, you know I’m no saint.” She turned to Ariel. “Sorry.” She shrugged.
“Why are you two always fighting?” Colin asked.
His sister glanced at Gérard, her eyes full of warning. While he found it humorous, Colin also knew Gérard’s ways and this was Jules, his little sister.
“We always fight. It’s nothing you don’t already know.” Julianne rolled her eyes.
“Why are you always together of late?” Colin folded his arms.
Gérard stepped forward. “Do you want me to answer that, Jules?”
“Sure. Go on. I’d love to hear what you have to say.” Julianne gripped her riding crop.
Gérard took two steps forward until he towered over her. “No. You wouldn’t.” He stared her down.
“Think what you will.” Julianne whirled around. Gérard struck her ass with his riding crop then spun on his heel.
Julianne flinch
ed. “You-you— You idiot man.” She flung her crop at his back.
“My patience is running thin, Jules,” Gérard said over his shoulder, walking the opposite way.
Ariel tugged Colin’s hand. “Why don’t you show me around?” She raised her brow.
Colin exchanged a silent look with his mother. He’d catch up with her later to learn more about his sister’s dealings with Gérard. He guided Ariel through another set of double doors onto the back of the house. He laced his fingers with hers and led her through a paved terrace overlooking the landscaped gardens.
“Is this where you grew up?”
“Yes.” He raised her hand to his mouth, his lips sweeping over her knuckles.
“Nice. When did you come here last?” she asked.
His jaw tightened. “It’s been a while.”
The last time he’d been there, his mom had surgery, and he’d visited for a few days. He’d come alone because Valerie stayed behind doing a photo shoot for her magazine. How were they supposed to know it’d be the last month of their lives together? Valerie never came. Something or other came up every time, making it impossible for her to go with him whenever he visited. To think of it, Colin never pressed her to try harder.
“Julianne and I used to have a blast here with Gérard and Logan when we were kids.” He escorted her through a path beyond the garden. “We used to hide from her, but Jules knew all our hiding spots.” He chuckled at the memory.
“Let me guess, she wanted you guys to play dolls with her.”
He laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“She didn’t play dolls. Jules could be another one of the boys if we let her. She loved spending time at the pond playing stone skipping. None of us wanted to play because she always won.” Colin put his hand in his pocket.
“Wait. You have a pond here?”
He turned to look at her. “Yes.”
“How big is it?” she asked, interest in her eyes.
“Big.” Colin hoped she wasn’t thinking of skinny dipping because she’d be in for a rude awakening.
“Um, can you swim in it?”
Ah, yes, she was. “You can try.”
“Where is it?” Excitement filled her voice.
“It’s up there.” He pointed past an old orchard.
“I’ll beat you there.” She let go of his hand, running down the path he’d pointed.
Colin laughed, running after her. “Wait, Ariel.”
She ran faster, discarding her clothes as she went.
“Ariel, listen to me, stop. You don’t want to go skinny dipping in this pond.” He slowed down his chase and picked up her clothes without taking his eyes off her.
Ariel ran into the water, stopping half way in. “Fuck, Colin, my ass froze.” She turned and crossed her arms over her breasts, walking out of the pond.
“Hey, don’t you give me that look. I tried to warn you but you wouldn’t listen.” He suppressed a laugh and pulled a shivering Ariel into his arms. “Come here, you.” Colin covered her back with her sweater. “I’m afraid your underwear will have to come off.” His hands slid on her back to her drenched panties and pulled them down.
He knelt and helped her step out of her thong. Colin couldn’t resist the sight of her pussy and leaned forward, licking it with the tip of his tongue. Her cold skin clashed with the warmth of his lips. He parted her folds. His tongue traced her entrance then lapped at her clit.
“Colin.” She threaded her fingers in his hair, rocking her hips against his mouth. He thrust two fingers in and his teeth grazed her clit. He gripped her hip with his other hand, holding her in place. A soft moan left her lips, her body shuddering, her hands tugging at his hair. He sucked her clit into his mouth, his fingers driving into her, until she stopped trembling.
Colin rose to his feet. He tangled his hand in her hair and gripped her nape, bringing her mouth to his. He kissed her long and hard. A promise of what was to come. Colin broke the kiss and slapped her ass.
“Let’s get you dressed before you catch a cold.” He dropped another kiss to her forehead and helped her get back in her clothes, less her panties.
Chapter Thirteen
“Ouch.” Ariel rubbed her arm at the sting she’d caused pinching herself. She wasn’t living in a dream, though it seemed like one. Everything changed for her since she’d set foot in Bibury. Things changed even more when she crossed paths with Colin, his friends, his family, and even further in the past week.
A few days ago she’d made a decision based on her list of pros and cons. Not only did she come to realize she loved Colin, but he’d overturned her decision when he introduced her as his girlfriend to his mom, shaking her to her core.
Ariel stood in shaky ground, she knew it. What else did she have left to lose? She’d already lost her parents, her inheritance, her brother, her so-called friends, and her heart. Yes, she’d lost her heart to Colin.
This bliss with Colin could last anywhere between one more day, a week, a month, a few months to a year—unless he steered them in a different direction. It’d be dumb of her to put much thought into it and imagine things. However long they were meant to last, Ariel hoped to find Tanner soon.
For now, she’d enjoy spending time with Colin this weekend. Ariel looked at her reflection in the standing mirror. She smoothed down a lose strand of hair, pinning it into place at the crown, leaving the ends free. She angled her head and patted the fall of curls clinging to her nape.
“You look stunning,” Colin said, stepping into their bedroom.
Ariel met his eyes on the mirror and a slow smile formed on her lips. “You look striking yourself.” He wore his hair back in a ponytail and sported a dark gray suit, which matched her floor-length silver one-shoulder gown to perfection.
Colin sauntered over until he stood behind her. “Are you ready?” He swept his lips along the curve of her neck. His hands slid down her bare arms, the caress causing an electric wave of desire to spread throughout her body.
Ariel breathed in. “Yes.”
Colin stepped back. He reached for her hand and led her out the door.
****
Elegant high recessed chandeliers illuminated mahogany moldings with silver accents, creating an intimate atmosphere.
“This is beautiful.” Ariel followed him to the adjoining balcony overlooking the lit gardens.
“Colin,” an old man said as he approached him.
“Uncle Raphael.” He allowed the older man to hug him.
“You’ve been hiding from us, lad.” Uncle Raphael smiled affectionately.
Colin turned to Ariel. As it’d happened before, family members and close friends surrounded him. She shrugged and offered him a smile in return.
“Ariel, it’s great to see you here.” Logan stood next to her, catching her attention.
“Hi, Logan.” She glanced at him then at Colin. “Is this what Stefanie calls a small affair?”
Logan nodded. “According to Stefanie, yes, it is.”
Ariel looked around the room, estimating there were twenty people assembled between family members and close friends. Colin stayed away for so long he’d become some kind of a mystery to many of them. Though everyone appeared delighted to see him and interested in finding more about his future career plans. Good. Perhaps he’d pay attention to someone’s advice in this room. He needed to take back the reins and continue his successful career as a violin virtuoso.
Logan touched her arm. “Would you like a drink?”
Ariel nodded, allowing him to lead her to the bar on the other side of the room. It’d be a while before she’d get to Colin with all those people around him. In the meantime, she’d take advantage of her time with Logan. Perhaps he’d have news for her.
“Have you heard from the private investigator?” She sat on one of the stools at the bar.
“Two cabernets,” Logan said to the bartender. “Sorry, I didn’t ask you.”
Ariel shook her head. “It’s okay. I like re
d wine.”
He stood across from her and propped his arm on the bar. “We haven’t heard anything new.”
“We?”
Logan glanced in Colin’s direction. “Don’t tell me you didn’t think Colin would get involved after you told him about Tanner.”
She studied his face. “I didn’t think he’d care much.” Why hadn’t Colin mentioned anything to her?
“He does. Colin is pushing the P.I. and his team to their limit to find leads to your brother,” Logan said. “They’ve made progress in some things, but haven’t found new leads to Tanner.”
Ariel cast her gaze down. Tanner, where the hell are you?
“Hey, hey, Ariel.” Logan clutched her hand. “Sweetheart—” He nodded a thank you to the bartender. “I promised to help you. Trust me. We’ll find your brother.”
She blinked to stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks, and met Logan’s eyes. Ariel pursed her lips, swallowing back a sob. Maybe they’d hear from Tanner soon.
“What’s going on here?” Julianne asked standing next to her, her eyes fixed on their hands.
“Hey, Logan.” Gérard patted him on the back, stepping in between them and breaking Logan’s grasp on Ariel’s hand. Gérard reached for one of the glasses of wine the bartender left. “What are you two up to?” Gérard took a sip of wine.
Logan studied their new visitors. “Nothing you’d be interested in.”
Gérard shoved a hand in his pocket, holding the glass of wine with the other. “Humor me.” He smirked.
“Here are my favorite girls,” Stefanie said, stepping into their circle. “Julianne, sweet pea, you look beautiful.” Stefanie turned to Ariel. “Oh, Ariel.” She grabbed her hands and pulled her to her feet. “You’re exquisite.”
Heat crept up Ariel’s neck to her cheeks.
Stefanie’s eyes danced between her and Julianne. “You two are the princesses of this party.”
“Why not queens?” Logan asked.
“Why, there can only be one queen, and that is I,” Stefanie said, evoking a laugh from everyone in their small group. “Here, there are some people I want you to meet.” She steered Ariel through the crowd, stopping here and there, introducing her to family members and friends.
