Love's Dance Read Online Free

took a shower, and dressed in jeans and a black shirt. She'd decided before drifting off the night before that if she was going to keep Colin at a distance, to protect herself, she n eeded a barrier of unattractiveness. It sounded stupid, but...
    Sitting on the bed, pulling on her tennis shoes, Jaina stopped. What was she thinking?! If he was gay, he wouldn't be attracted to her, so there was no logic behind that. Of course, since he was such a nice guy, being not-nice would work a whole lot better.
    But she wanted to be nice. It was Colin!
    He's gay! the voice in her head told her. You don't want to repeat what happened with Jack!
    But... What happened with Jack wouldn't happened, because Colin wouldn't reciprocate if she...
    Jaina sighed and stood. Her sleep had been restless, full of disturbing dreams about Colin, Jack, and herself. Nothing sexual, just... strange. And frightening.
    Instead of bothering with dolling herself up like she'd done the day before, she ran a brush through her hair, put it up in a bun, and put on a thin coat of lip balm.
    It might not have made sense, but if it made her feel safer, she might as well try the ugly approach.
     
    ♥♥♥
     
    She was waiting on the curb when Colin's silver car pulled up to the curb. Jaina climbed in and wordlessly buckled her seatbelt.
    "You're quiet this morning," he mused, glancing over at her.
    "Didn't sleep well," Jaina mumbled.
    "That's a pity," he said sympathetically.
    Gruffly, Jaina demanded, "Why?"
    He was a little taken aback. "Because... Well, more sleep is healthier."
    "It really doesn't take a genius to figure that one out."
    Somebody was in a bad mood this morning. "That hurts."
    When Jaina didn't answer, he ventured, "Not a morning person? Or is this an anomaly?"
    "Not a morning person," she conceded reluctantly. "Should have picked a different career."
    He glanced at her, blue eyes considering. "If it's what you enjoy doing, it's worth it."
    "Sometimes," she murmured. "Makeup artists are so unappreciated sometimes."
    Then she sat up. " I am the one who makes everyone look the way people admire. But all the credit goes to the actors."
    "Hey, I can't do elf ears," Colin reasoned amiably.
    "Well... that's true."
    Seeing he'd managed to unruffle her fur a bit, he said, "And I agree with you."
    "You do?" She blinked.
    Colin nodded. "Makeup artists are completely under recognized. Sea Of Swords wouldn't have been the same without our makeup artists."
    "Yeah. It would have been guys running around with Band-Aids on their ears."
    He gave a small laugh. "Yeah, probably."
    "Still, I think seven in the morning to be on set is too early. Doesn't matter how much I like the work. Seven in the morning just shouldn't exist." Jaina looked at her annoyingly short, stubby fingernails that were in desperate need of a manicure.
    Colin smiled wryly. "I feel for people who have to get makeup put on at five AM."
    Jaina shuddered, squeezing her green eyes shut. "I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore. I had to be the one doing the makeup in Sydney, at five in the morning."
    "Well then, seven should be easy for you."
    "You'd think," she scoffed. "No, I'd prefer nine or ten."
    "Then get a regular nine-to-five that you won't enjoy." His voice was vaguely taunting, and she narrowed her eyes at him.
    "Hey, I'm perfectly happy working until ten at night. It's the seven in the morning I object to."
    "But you're also off at seven at night."
    "That's if it isn't a thirteen hour shoot, like Rachel said the average is."
    Caught in his lie, he grimaced.
    "Seven AM is too early," she stated once more, looking out the window to watch the passing buildings.
    Colin shook his head, smiling faintly. "Definitely not a morning person," he said softly.
    "What's that supposed to mean?" she growled, turning to look at him.
    "Nothing!" Colin exclaimed. With vast amounts of relief, he said, "Oh, look, we're here. Fancy that."
    "Could it be because you were speeding ?" she demanded