by Knight, Evie
By dinner, Ariel knew everyone by name. She still hadn’t reconnected with Colin as he’d been immersed in conversation with his uncle Raphael and others. Stefanie’s birthday party turned into a welcome back Colin affair.
Ariel sat between Logan and Gérard, and stole glances at Colin, meeting his eyes on and off.
“Sorry,” he said from across the table, sitting between his uncle Raphael and aunt Myrna.
Ariel smiled. “It’s all right,” she said back.
Conversation and wine flowed through dinner. Not once did she feel out of place. Everyone made her feel part of their family.
Stefanie stood at the front of the table and with her ring she rattled her wine glass, calling attention to her. “This wouldn’t be a true birthday without a toast, now, would it?”
Soft chuckles filled the room.
“This year’s celebration is special to me.” She held her wine glass with both hands and looked at Colin. “My son is back.” Her voice cracked. “I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present.” She turned to her. “Thank you, Ariel, for bringing my son back.” Stefanie raised her wine glass. “To family, with love. Cheers!”
Ariel didn’t know what to make of her toast. She didn’t think she’d been the one to bring Colin back. Perhaps she’d been the last straw and he’d given in so people left him alone at last. She toasted with everyone else, accepting Thank Yous she didn’t think she deserved.
****
Lost for words, Colin stood and hugged his mom, ready to leave. His mom’s spiel stirred something inside him. Perhaps guilt. He wasn’t sure. In his effort to hide from the world trying to heal his wounds at Valerie’s betrayal, he’d punished his family in the process. What a selfish ass he’d been. And now he had Ariel to consider.
When he met her, it never occurred to him he’d change his mind and accept the Philharmonic’s invitation he’d already declined. Ariel played a big part in his decision for a stage comeback. Fuck. He’d even started opening up to love. Colin watched her across the table, smiling and toasting with his friends.
Until a short time ago, he’d thought what he felt for Ariel was lust. He’d been wrong. Perhaps at the beginning it was, not anymore. Last night, when she fell asleep in his arms, Colin realized he’d made love to her. He’d been making love to her for some time now. Way before he introduced her to his mom as his girlfriend.
His family welcomed Ariel as if she’d always been one of them. Their easy acceptance of her confirmed it all for him. He’d closed himself off from the world for far too long. Not everyone got a second chance at many things, but he’d been lucky. He’d fallen for sweet little Ariel, and the only thing standing between them was whether she trusted him or not. They shared a bed but he wanted more than that.
“Go get her.” His mom kissed his cheek.
Colin left his mom’s side and made his way around the table until reaching the back of Ariel’s chair. He leaned down and whispered at her ear, “Ready to go?”
She turned, glancing up at him. “We can’t leave.”
“Ssh … let’s go.”
Ariel stood, looking in his mom’s direction and smiled when she waved her off. “Your mom…”
“Trust me. She won’t even notice we’re gone.” Colin grabbed her hand.
“Ariel, where—” Logan pressed his lips together and nodded at Colin.
Colin led her out of the room. All night, he’d caught glimpses of her. It’d been impossible to keep her by his side. Uncle Raphael inquired about his future plans, and Aunt Myrna didn’t waste any time scolding him for neglecting his family so long. All the while, Logan claimed Ariel’s full attention. She’d looked happy, sad, and happy again. Logan probably shared there weren’t new news about Tanner. It bothered Colin to see her go through the emotions. He hoped to resolve the issue of her brother soon. But tonight, he’d love her and make her truly his.
“Where are we going?” she asked, as she followed him out of the room.
Colin raised her hand and brushed his lips over her knuckles, guiding her to the elegant double staircase in the entrance hall. “To our bedroom.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, helping her up the stairwell.
Ariel turned to him when she reached the top of the stairs. “Colin—”
He covered her mouth with his and slid his hand up her back to her neck, curling his fingers on her nape. Colin broke the kiss and touched the tip of his nose to hers. “I’m going to make love to you tonight.”
“Ooh, you’re making love to me tonight.”
He tightened his hold on her nape. “Yes. We’re going to make love.” He kissed her once more. Ariel slid her hands around his waist, molding her body to his.
“I thought your patience was running thin.” Julianne’s voice drifted to them from below the stairs.
“Will you ever let me explain, Jules?” Gérard asked.
Colin stiffened at hearing his sister’s argument. He let go of Ariel’s neck and took hold of her wrists, casting a glance down to the reception hall. Julianne and Gérard stood in the middle of the room, too caught up in their argument to notice they weren’t alone. What the bloody hell was going on between those two? They’d been at each other’s throats since childhood, lately it’d gotten out of control.
“No.” Julianne said.
“You’re making a mistake.”
Julianne gestured at Gérard. “I’m not. You did.”
Gérard approached her. “Jules, listen to me.”
Colin stepped back from Ariel, her hand closed around his arm. “Don’t,” Ariel said.
“Didn’t you hear them? I want to know what the hell is going on,” he said.
“I don’t think tonight is the night for you to find out. They’ll tell you when they’re ready.”
Colin studied her and took another step back. He spun on his heel, placing his hand on the stair rail. “She’s my sister, Ariel.”
“I thought you were going to make love to me tonight. Guess you’re all talk and no game. Good night, Colin.” Ariel turned around and walked down the hallway.
Hell. He tightened his hold on the rail and cast his gaze down at his sister. The two argued in hushed tones, making it hard to make out what they said anymore. Colin hesitated taking the first step down the stairs, and looked back to the empty hallway. He’d put his life on hold for too long and this was his chance at taking it all back. He took another glance at Julianne and Gérard. He turned around and went in search of Ariel, resolved to take his life back.
Colin walked into his bedroom. “Ariel.” He pitched his voice low.
She stood at the end of the bed, her hand on the bed trunk as she removed her heels. “You got it all sorted out?”
He closed the distance and gripped her waist, turning her around to face him. “I will now.” Colin closed his mouth over hers and kissed her, possessiveness filling his chest. Ariel dragged her hands up his arms until reaching his neck. She clung to him, her soft breasts pressed against his chest.
Colin dropped his hands to her ass and pulled her closer to him, letting her feel his rigid cock. He untangled himself from her and grabbed her hands, guiding her to the standing mirror. He stood in back of her. “Tonight will be different, Ariel.”
She parted her lips and looked at his reflection in the mirror. “How?”
Colin raised his hands to her hair and dropped one by one the pins holding it up. Locks of hair tumbled to her shoulders one at a time, her familiar violet essence teasing his nostrils.
“Tonight it’s all about you,” he said, inhaling deeply as he trailed his fingertips down her neck to her arms. “Tell me something, gorgeous.” Colin glanced at the mirror, locking her eyes with his. “Does my past bother you?”
Through heavy lids, she said, “N-no. Of course, not.”
His hands closed on her waist then he trailed them up to cup her breasts. Ariel moaned, throwing her head back, resting it on his shoulder.
His lips brushed her temple. �
��You don’t believe the rumors are true? It doesn’t bother you in the least to be seen, to be known as the girlfriend of a possible murderer?” Colin squeezed her breasts.
Her back tensed at his last words. Ariel tried to move away from him, but he held her in place. “No. If I did, I wouldn’t be here, Colin.” She stared back at him in the mirror.
The gleam in her eyes and the confidence in her voice told him what he needed to know—for now. Ariel was his to keep. Colin unzipped her gown, letting it pool at her feet. He pulled her in his arms, looked directly into her eyes for a moment, and then turned her to the mirror again.
“Tonight, I want you to be mine.” Colin slid his hand to her pussy. He groaned at the wetness seeping through her thong.
“I’m already yours.” She sounded breathless.
“No, I meant for you to be mine, completely.” Colin slipped his fingers inside her thong and parted her folds, his thumb circling her bud. “There’s no turning back after tonight, darling,” he said increasing his pace on her clit and stroked her breast with his other hand.
Ariel moaned swaying her hips against his hand.
“I don’t want any more barriers between us,” he whispered. His fingers played with her nipple. “I’m going to slide my cock in your pussy, feel you take it all in.” He kissed the curve of her neck. “You’re going to come.” Colin thrust two fingers in. “And when you think your orgasm is over,” he slid his fingers in and out of her. “You’ll clench your muscles around my cock when I come inside you, and I’ll make you come again.”
Ariel’s knees gave way as her muscles contracted around his fingers. Colin tightened his arm on her waist, keeping her on her feet while his fingers rode her orgasm with her. “Are you on the pill?”
Ariel nodded. “Yes.”
He wanted to mark her as his. “Ariel, I need to know you’re willing to take what we have to the next level.”
She panted.
Colin removed his hand from her pussy and cupped her chin with it, forcing her to look at him, in the mirror. “I’m clean. I hadn’t been with a woman until you, and I don’t want any more barriers between us. I want you to be mine. Do you trust me?”
She nodded.
He traced his wet fingers along her lips. “I need to hear you say it.”
“Y-yes. I trust you.”
“This will change everything. There’s no going back, gorgeous, because after I come in you tonight I’m not letting you go. Tell me you’re okay with that.”
Ariel darted her tongue out and licked his fingers. “I don’t want you to let me go.”
He didn’t plan to let her go. She’d be his. Mine to keep.
“Colin, please. Fuck me already.” She turned to him and undid his suit’s buttons, helping him rid of it.
He wound his arms around her waist, lifting her off her feet. “I said I’m not fucking you tonight.” Colin carried her to the bed and removed the rest of his clothes. He paused and looked at her naked form lying in the middle of his bed, waiting for him. He crawled on the bed, positioning himself between her legs, his cock at her entrance.
Ariel reached for his neck and pulled him down to kiss him. Colin closed his lips over hers, tongues colliding as they explored each other’s mouths. The heat of her body traveled the length of his, searing his skin with every kiss, every move, every caress. His cock ached with the anticipation of feeling her without barriers, all the tension, all the heat pooled in his balls.
She jerked her hips and he drove into her, sinking into her wetness. Colin broke the kiss and hovered over her, resting his body weight on his arms so he wouldn’t crash her. Their labored breaths mingled. He stared into her eyes as the heat of their bodies consumed him inside out. Colin closed his eyes for a few seconds, inhaling deeply, enjoying the feel of her warmth on his cock with no barriers between them. Ariel rocked her hips, securing her legs on his waist.
“Ariel…” Colin opened his eyes, and kissed her as he drove into her. He reached between them and played with her clit, not once faltering in his thrusts.
“Colin,” she whispered, matching his rhythm.
He increased his thumb’s pace and she tossed her head from side to side, splaying her hair on the pillows.
“Yes, gorgeous. Let go,” he said.
A loud cry left her lips as her body trembled underneath his. Colin claimed her mouth, keeping his pace until her breathing slowed down and her shudders faded. He broke the kiss and increased his pace, driving into her harder and deeper each time.
“Colin, I don’t think I can.”
He slid his hands under her shoulders, holding her in place as he thrust into her. “Yes, you can.” Her body shook with her orgasm and her muscles tightened around his cock. With one last hard lunge and a growl, Colin let go, filling her with his cum, thrusting his hips until the last wave of his own ecstasy left him.
“I’m never letting you go, Ariel.” Colin rolled off her and stretched his arm to open the drawer of the night stand next to the bed. He turned his attention to her, and pulled her to him, looking her in the eyes. “All I ask in return is your trust. If anything in my past bothers you, promise me you’ll come to me and ask. Promise you’ll trust me.”
Ariel raised her hand to his face and caressed his cheek. “I trust you. I promise.”
He leaned forward and kissed her. “Thank you,” he whispered on her lips. “I want you to have this.” A black obsidian necklace dangled from his hand, a violin pendant with a skull at the top and small diamonds encrusted in it hung from the middle of the chain.
She caught her breath. “Oh, it’s beautiful.”
“It’s perfect.”
Ariel shifted on the bed, adding a few inches of space between them. “When did you get this?”
“When you weren’t looking.” His lips curled into a smile.
“Don’t be a smart ass. I’m serious.”
“One day on my way back from rehearsal I took a detour. I wanted some time alone and ended up shopping for this.” He lifted his hand, the chain swinging from it.
“So, you buy diamonds when you’ve nothing better to do?” Ariel let out a soft laugh.
Colin shrugged. “Something like it. You can’t fault me for thinking of you.” He slid the chain around her neck and secured it.
Ariel touched his face, dragging her finger to fasten a loose strand of hair behind his ear. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He twisted his head and kissed her wrist, gliding his lips down her arm, leaving a trail of kisses along the arch of her shoulder and finding his way to her core. Colin parted her legs and gave her pussy one lick before moving back to her breasts, tracing his way back to her mouth. His hand closed around her neck.
“This marks the start of our relationship.” His eyes bore into her then he kissed her.
“I thought we already had a relationship.”
“It just got serious, gorgeous,” he said.
Chapter Fourteen
Ariel crossed the threshold of his study making her way to the large oak desk. She pulled the chair and sat down, crossing her leg. She traced her fingers over the necklace, recalling the events of last weekend. His request to take their relationship to the next level, making love without protection surprised her. Then he’d given her a violin, skull, and diamonds necklace, marking the start of their relationship. Colin didn’t say he loved her, but neither did she. For now, being with him, trusting him was enough.
Since they returned to his home, they fell back into their daily routine, though things were indeed different. Good different. Ariel didn’t always go with him to rehearsal. Logan’s assistant did a pretty darn good job keeping her busy with coordinating all the arrangements for Colin’s upcoming concert. No matter what, Ariel made it a point to have breakfast and dinner with him.
At night, he’d made it part of their routine to play a song for her. Colin hadn’t finished composing the one he’d played for her in his music studio a few weeks ago. Every time she asked, he
said it wasn’t ready yet.
Ariel shook her head and fixed her attention on her beeping inbox. She straightened on the chair and grabbed the papers sitting on the desk. Today, she’d stayed behind to take care of things. Her days became busier as the countdown to the concert began. Ariel didn’t have the energy to work, but if she didn’t she’d have nothing to do the rest of the afternoon. She didn’t expect Colin back from rehearsal for another few hours.
“Miss Parks?” the housekeeper said from the door.
Ariel looked up. “Yes, Lola?”
“That musician lady is at the door asking to see you. She says there’s an urgent matter regarding Mister Hoskins she needs to discuss with you,” Lola said.
Ariel didn’t need anyone to tell her who the musician lady was. She looked at the time on the laptop. What could be so urgent? Did something happen?
“Let her in, Lola.” Ariel placed the papers in her hand back on the desk.
“Oh, there you are.”
The hairs on the back of her neck stood at the sound of the familiar voice. “Penelope,” she said, glancing up at her unwanted guest. “Is rehearsal over?” Ariel tensed as Penelope approached her.
Penelope stood across from the desk and waved her hand in front of her. “I left after lunch. I wasn’t feeling well.”
Ariel eased back in her chair, taking in Penelope’s moves. “So, you know Colin isn’t here.”
A disparaging smile formed on Penelope’s face. “Yes, I know.” Penelope’s gaze zeroed in on Ariel. “I heard your good news. Congratulations. I’m happy for you both.”
A chill ran through Ariel’s body at the insincerity of Penelope’s words. She glanced at the door. The damned woman closed it all the way when she’d entered. The dark pools of Penelope’s eyes swallowed her whole with hatred.
“So, what’s this urgent matter you need to discuss?” Ariel asked.
