Dangerous Proposition by Jessica Lauryn Page A

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