Sorrow's Muse by Shyla Colt Read Free Book Online

inside of her cheek. Her sister might have lacked tact, but her
concerns were very real. What if this didn’t go the way she’d envisioned?
    I’ll just have to make
sure that doesn’t happen.

 
     
     
    CHAPTER
SIX
     
    J ulian
rang the doorbell to Colette’s condo. He tried not to fidget as he waited for
her to answer.Somehow, their daily conversation yesterday had led him
to coming here now. The woman had him breaking all the rules he’d set in place
to keep what was left of his heart intact.
    I think her voice has the
power to cast spells, at least over me. What is so special about this girl?
    She seemed sweet enough.
Her humor made him laugh and her skill inspired creativity. It should’ve been a
win-win situation, but it made him wary. He’d be a fool to get caught up in his
crush and think she wanted to be anything more than friends.
    How did I get myself into
this?
     
    *
* * *
     
    “What other passions do
you have, other than painting?” Julian asked.
    “As cliché as this is
going to sound, music. It’s such an amazing venue for really expressing what
you’ve been through—in this universal format everyone can understand. Songs and
albums have captured everything, from moments in time to heartache and reaching
rock bottom. To me, music that comes from the gut, the soul is like an oral
history.”
    “Exactly...” he
whispered. “That’s why I do what I do. What kind of music do you like?”
    “All kinds, as long as it
moves me in some way.”
    “Good answer.”
    “I actually have a vinyl
record collection. Maybe you could stop by and see it sometime.”
    He knew his eyes must be
bugging out. Is this Be Kind to the Weird Neighbor Week ? Someone should
have told him. “Oh, I wouldn’t want to bother you.”
    “It could never be a
bother. Time spent with a fellow music lover is a privilege. Besides, aren’t
you supposed to make friends with your neighbors when you move to a new place?”
    He smiled. She had him
there.
    “If you’re sure, I’d love
to.”
    “Good. I should get back
to painting now, but I wondered if this Friday would work for the vinyl
records.”
    “Sure, I’m free.”
    “Around noon?” she asked.
    “I’ll see you there,
Colette.”
    “Wonderful! I’ll see you
then.”
    “Bye.”
     
    *
* * *
     
    The door swung open and
he was pulled out of his memory and inside the condo by a grinning Colette.
    “I’m so glad you’re
here.”
    She hooked her arm in his
and guided him inside her place. Her breast brushed against the side of his arm
and his desire grew. The aloofness he’d planned to invoke was shot to hell.
Even if this is a pity friendship, he would enjoy it while it lasted.
    God, I’m sad. But she’s
so enchanting and sincere. She radiated warmth and compassion.
If being too close to her singed him in the end, it would be worth it. Other
than his sham of a relationship with Beth in high school, the only thing he’d
ever had with women were casual friendships, or fumbling hands and unsatisfying
sex in the dark. It felt good when he found his release, but it never went any
further than that. This has the potential to be so much more. Even bitter, he
recognized that. They got each other on a level that wasn’t easy to come by.It sounded great in theory, but the idea of opening himself up made him
balk. Keep it light and casual, so this won’t steamroll you when it all goes
to hell and crashes and burns. Soon, she’ll have other friends and you and
this...whatever it is will be a distant memory.
    He gave what he knew
might look like a strained smile and switched the direction of the
conversation. “So, where are those records?”
    “Up in my room, beneath
my record player. I like to keep the things that mean the most close to me.” She
glanced at him from beneath her lowered lids.
    Julian gulped. He cleared
his throat, uncomfortable with the strange vibe that permeated the area. “I can
understand that.”
    She rolled her eyes and
tugged him toward the