A low sigh of male satisfaction left his throat when Therin straightened and drew Kianti snug against his chest

Resting against the side of the piano, he deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue slowly yet unrelentingly.

Kianti’s hands kneaded his forearms and biceps, to test the strength beneath the dark fabric of his shirt. She moaned in the midst of suckling his tongue. Arching closer and rubbing herself against him in shameless abandon, she cursed the dress covering her skin.

Back off, Therin told himself, but he chose to set aside the order for a few seconds. He wanted longer to indulge in just a bit more of her. The serenity she radiated took on a more potent aura during their second kiss. He had no intention of stopping it.

The sound of her soft, helpless yet deliberate moans sent the strength right from his legs, causing him to lean more fully into the piano.

Kianti shuddered and snuggled deeper into the embrace as she assumed a more controlling role in the duel being fought between their tongues. She gripped his shirt as though it were her lifeline while inhaling the appealing scent of his cologne. There was that familiar voice in her head still singing its same old song. It told her to end this, but how could she when this was so sweet and so dearly missed….

ALTONYA WASHINGTON

wears many titles. Aside from Mom, her favorite is romance author. Crafting stories and characters that are sexy and engaging with a fair amount of mystery really keeps her busy. When AlTonya’s not writing, she works as a library assistant and as social secretary to an active son—a job that commands the bulk of her time.

Private Melody
AlTonya Washington

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To the teachers who care, listen and communicate.

You know who you are.

Dear Reader,

Thanks for adding Private Melody to your collection. For a while now, I’ve been thinking of crafting a story where the subplot involves education. If you know my work, you know I love mixing in a fair amount of suspense and danger in addition to steamy romance and cozy settings. I’m really excited by what this mix has created.

In addition to this intriguing mix, I also had thoughts of creating a heroine with health concerns. I didn’t want her to come across as a victim, but as a courageous woman surrounded by people who adore her, including an amazing man who is in awe of her. Of course she’d be fairly hardheaded, making her a challenge to her friends and irresistible to our sexy hero.

I hope you’ll enjoy the results. Thanks for taking time to settle in for a Private Melody.

Blessings,

AlTonya

www.lovealtonya.com

altonya@lovealtonya.com

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 1

Spokane, Washington

Provocative, Powerful, Pulsating… Therin Rucker thought he’d puke after reading the program and finding it riddled by a slew of Ps boasting of pianist Kianti Lawrence. He supposed the creators of the gold-edged publication thought it was all in good promoting. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. Perhaps it was simply the current state of his mood that lent to his opinion of the accolades aimed at the woman on the stage. Over the course of the last twenty minutes, however, his negative opinions had changed.

Fist propped to chin, Therin could feel his gaze narrowing as it focused more intently upon the gleaming hardwood stage set beneath the soft gold lighting. Uncontrolled, a low sound rose from his throat. Therin was aware that the sound was one of appreciation.

Whether that appreciation was in reference to the woman’s exquisite talent or her exquisite looks was something Therin refused to dwell on even for a moment.

Vaughn Burgess thought differently and slanted his best friend a glance while a smirk crinkled his gaze. Therin’s set expression was easy to read—for Vaughn, anyway. He’d seen the look often enough to know Therin was captivated—not so much by the music as by the woman performing it.

Therin switched his stance, propping his chin against the opposite fist. His crystalline hazel stare lost none of its intensity.

The charity concert for the Pacific Northwest political organization EYES—Educate Youth Encourage Success—was for a worthy cause and one close to Therin’s heart. However, he’d have much preferred diving right into the heart of the matter at hand instead of sitting through a piano recital. That was before he took his seat and had his attention and…other things captivated by the lovely artist in his midst.

The performance was nearing its conclusion. After the final stanza was complete, Therin lent his attention to the room. Despite the unexpected musical treat, he knew his evening wouldn’t end on a high note.

It was wildly rumored that the money funneled into the EYES organization could claim standing in the high nine figures. EYES was certainly a force to be reckoned with and it made good on its promises. While the EYES organization held the noblest intentions, there were those who would have preferred its influential members spend their time and considerable wealth on other endeavors.

The applause was deafening in the Hotel Currey’s concert hall. There were even chants for an encore. Kianti Lawrence laughed vibrantly while raising her hands to wave off the requests.

Therin didn’t leave his seat right away. Tugging at the crisp white cuffs peeking out from his tuxedo jacket sleeve, he merely observed the scene. The smile on his face then was more rueful than amused. If only the crowd there could come together in agreement over situations more prevalent….

No, the evening would not end on a high note. Many in that room held similar opinions on the way he spent his time, money…and resources. They thought it out of place for the young American ex-ambassador to Canada to hold such a topic as education as his passion. Therin’s dedication and his almost magical ability to sway influential friends to dedicate themselves toward the same purpose had earned him an almost equal number of enemies.

Kianti gave one last low curtsy and prayed that her legs wouldn’t give out from beneath her. Silently, she sent up other prayers of thanks that the audience couldn’t see her legs shaking beneath the floor-length hemline of her gown. She left the group with her customary double wave and almost sprinted from the stage.

She kept the smile pasted to her mouth until all other smiling faces were left behind. She only needed a moment—just a moment—to get herself together. Brody would have a pill down her throat fast if she didn’t make herself scarce. She didn’t need that. She never wanted to need that again.

“I need to go.” Therin said the words almost to himself.

Vaughn heard him clearly. “’Bout damn time you get your mind on somethin’ other than work.”

Therin shrugged and refused to make eye contact with his friend. “Calm down, V, just goin’ to the john.”

“Uh-huh.”

The guys stood in unison. Therin couldn’t maintain the pretense for long and grinned at Vaughn’s knowing glare. His stare had softened, although his light eyes began to scan the noisy room.

“Keep ’em off my back for five minutes, V.” He shook hands with Vaughn and moved on.

Kianti shivered, and not from the backstage breeze that kissed her shoulder through the black lacy sleeves of her gown. In her world, there were only small windows of chance to happen upon unclaimed spaces at concert halls. During the last seven years of her professional career, she’d been blessed to catch those “windows” open after almost every performance.

As the audience conversed among themselves—shuffling from their seats and remarking on the talent they’d just witnessed and how it compared to others— Kianti sought that time to collect herself and to catch her breath.

She never wanted to need that again….

Therin cursed Vaughn below his breath, but realized, in all fairness, the man was probably elsewhere working to give him his requested “five minutes.” Unfortunately, his chief of staff couldn’t be everywhere at once, Therin grudgingly admitted. He worked up a fake smile for the group of Capitol Hill policymakers who waited along his path.

“Heard it through the grapevine Therin—you’re thinking of arranging a week-long retreat at your Vancouver place,” Jonas Dessin commented once the group made quick work of handshakes and small talk. “Rumor has it, it’s another EYES fundraiser.”

Therin laughed, clapping Jonas’s arm. “Does your grapevine have any idea what EYES’s bottom line is? Last thing they need is another fundraiser.”

“Grapevine also says it’s a membership drive,” Susan Brunschwig noted once the laughter had settled over Therin’s last comment.

He shrugged, his demeanor cool in the face of the subtle yet pointed inquiries. It wasn’t difficult. He’d been playing politics since he was four.

Stepping closer to Susan, Therin kept his smile light even as hers broadened and the stiff set to her body softened. “Education is in a precarious state.” He spared the woman’s colleagues a fleeting glance but directed his remark to her. “It was in an even worse condition before EYES came on the scene. We have a damn hard battle to fight. The kids we’re fighting for will need every able body we can find to take on this battle. So yes, Susan, membership is always in need. Good night all.” He bid smoothly and walked on.

Jonas Dessin turned to follow Therin’s exit. “There goes a dangerous young man.”

Susan kept her eyes on Therin heading deeper into the crowd. “Why dangerous, Jonas?”

“That kind of money going toward education? Are you kidding me?” Jonas’s eyes crinkled at the corners.

“It may not be so far-fetched.”

“That’s true—hence the young man being a danger. He’s rattling folks that would have the big amounts he woos from his…members go toward other endeavors—endeavors far removed from education. EYES boasts a powerful and prominent membership list and every one of those members loves that young man. Those un-sympathetic to his cause are threatened by that.” Jonas took a breather from his diatribe and helped himself to a drink off the tray of a passing waiter. “Like I said, there goes a dangerous young man.”

The serene backstage moment lasted longer than Kianti dared to hope it would. She even had time to kick up her heels. Literally. She’d pulled a chair closer to the one she occupied and propped up her feet. May as well make the most of it, she thought. Any minute the vultures would descend.

Kianti felt a smile emerge and quietly chastised herself. She loved her career and the madness that often came with it. Though there were varied aspects she could have done without, the greatest share of it had been a blessing.

Those who loved and followed her work had grown into a staggering number in the seven years since the start of her career. She was still in awe of it. She’d always been modest about her talents, even as a child, when she started playing the tune her mother hummed while preparing dinner one evening. It was a crude rendition of the melody banged out on Kianti’s pink toy piano, but it was enough to give her parents pause.

Not long after, the then four-year-old Kianti learned the word “prodigy.” Her parents and all the new teachers they brought in were talking about her when they said it. Those days had long passed, but even now she found it difficult to believe how taken aback people were when they discovered what she could do with a piano.

To herself, she would admit to succumbing to a bit of smugness over it. The more awestruck people were, the more she was allowed to do what she loved. In spite of the fact that she put her life at stake every time she did it.

Therin found her in a remote corner backstage. He sighed. It was not until then that he realized he’d been holding his breath. She’d been taking deep breaths as well, he noted, appreciating the fact that her eyes were closed. His presence was not yet noticed. No doubt she’d be unnerved and rightly agitated finding some stranger intruding on her private moment.

Her music was enchanting, but he wouldn’t lie that it was more than her talent that had him rushing backstage to find her. Part of him wondered if it was all about her looks, either. After all, he’d been seated too far away to focus in on every nuance of her very lovely face. He wasn’t surprised to find her as captivating at a distance as she was once that distance was closed.

Cinnamon-brown and fine-boned, she appeared doll-like and far too fragile to pound out the driving rhythms that she gave less than an hour ago. Her eyes appeared to tilt at the corners and he wondered at their color, but didn’t want her opening her eyes just yet. He needed more time to observe, and it was then that he recognized what he was seeking when he disappeared backstage to find her.

There was calm, a serenity that he’d swear was almost visible. It followed her and he wanted it or…at least a moment to enjoy whatever part of it she might unknowingly share.

He watched as she reached up to finger the glittering band that held her coarse dark hair away from her face. She opened her eyes then and looked right at him as if she’d been aware of his presence all along. Along with the cool expectancy in her bottomless dark stare, there was also the hint of curiosity.

“I’m sorry.”

His first words sparked a smile and a slight indentation along her left cheek that hinted at a dimple.

“What for?” she asked.

Therin took a moment, long brows rising slightly as he regarded his answer. He’d known the reason for the apology but when she asked, his mind went completely blank. What the hell was wrong with him? He prayed she hadn’t detected the frown he was trying to hide.

Kianti tilted her head and observed him. A lost tourist, perhaps? She’d detected a chord in the two words he’d spoken. Something old-world or, at the very least, regal, clung to his tone.

“I wanted to compliment your playing,” he said after a quick swallow and clearing of his throat. “Phenomenal.” He grimaced over the word choice.

Her nod was barely there, yet her smile was genuine. “Thank you.”

Therin risked a glance down the narrow corridor leading back toward the main stage. Hands hidden in the deep pockets of his black pants, he moved closer to where she lounged.

“The pamphlet they’re passing around mentioned that you play by ear.”

“It’s true.” She shrugged. “If I had a piano near, you could hum a tune and I’d prove it.”

Laughter rumbled easy and soft between them.

“Therin Rucker.” He extended one of the hidden hands he’d pulled from his pocket.

She accepted the shake. “Kianti Lawrence.”

His sleek brows rose again. “Like the wine?”

“Not quite.” She grinned. “Pronounced the same, but spelled differently. Many people tell me I’m much harder to take than the wine.”

The sound of voices growing nearer intruded on their second round of laughter. Kianti promptly eased her hand out of Therin’s grasp.

“Here she is, y’all!”

Kianti gave a short laugh as she often did when Cube David’s voice reached her ears. However, she’d hoped for just a few more moments with the mysterious music lover who’d just introduced himself.

Unfortunately, the three men following Cube made their presence known all too soon. Thankfully, they stifled any questions when they discovered her with “company.”

“Therin Rucker, Cube David—my bodyguard.” She made the introductions, still seated with her feet up. “Winton Terry—my business manager. Khan Choi is my stylist and this is Brody Parker my—uh—cook.”

Someone snickered and Brody’s mouth tightened.

Kianti didn’t attempt to hide her surprise or confusion when all four of her associates approached Therin for handshakes. They all grinned broadly and addressed her mysterious “music lover” as Mr. Ambassador, which roused a curious frown between her brows. She watched Therin chuckle as he engaged in light conversation with the guys.

She used the time to more closely observe him. She’d been trying like the devil not to gawk when she’d opened her eyes and found him standing there. Leanly muscular and quite tall, she doubted even the chic pumps she wore would prevent her from having to look up into his face. And what a face it was, every square inch of it drenched in a flawless cinnamon-brown. Then there were the long sideburns, which added a dangerous but nonetheless provocative appeal to his features. His hair was cut close and lay in waves of silky black over his head. She could have lost herself in the crystal appearance of his hazel gaze deep set beneath long, heavy brows.

“Well, we appreciate you attending tonight,” Khan was saying as the conversation began to taper off.

Winton chuckled. “Yeah, even if you are here to conduct top-secret political business.”

Contagious male laughter rumbled once more.

“Not so top secret,” Therin admitted while pressing a thumb to his eye to remove a laugh tear. “Anyway, I’m glad I attended, too.” His shimmering gaze focused on Kianti then. “Ms. Lawrence’s music is…quite powerful. It was nice meeting you.” His tone grew softer as he reached out to shake hands with the guys and say goodnight.

Alone with Kianti, the guys pulled chairs close. Brody claimed the closest spot and took her wrist for a pulse check.

“We leave you alone for a second and here you are meeting with royalty,” Khan noted while fluffing out her hair.

Kianti’s gaze and attention was still on the path Therin Rucker had taken when he made his exit.

Chapter 2

Therin woke early the next morning and was thoroughly agitated shortly afterward. The staff and their discussions that he had to shake off last night had descended upon his suite with their opinions of the previous evening.

“He stirred up a shitload of crap just by attending that thing,” Vaughn said while he helped himself to coffee from the breakfast cart.

“Put himself smack dab in the middle of some heavy hitters, that’s for sure,” Peter Stanson added while waving toward Vaughn for the carafe.

“Yeah, heavy hitters who either approve or oppose EYES and the ex-ambassador’s allegiance to it.” Chief of security, Morgan Felts, muttered a curse while stretching out on the cream sofa in the living area.

Therin predicted the conversation among his top three staff members would only grow more heated. For a change, he welcomed that. Hopefully, their discussion would keep his absence from being noticed for a while. He slipped out the suite without alerting their attention.

For a long while, he corrected himself upon arriving in the almost empty breakfast bistro located in the hotel mezzanine. Finding Kianti Lawrence there had him regretting that any shred of business had followed him along on the trip.

He thought back to the previous evening, recalling his loss of words when she’d first spoken to him. The sensible, less popular side of his demeanor told him to leave her alone. There was no need to grow more infatuated than he’d already become in the span of the ten-minute conversation with the woman. The only thing further “involvement” could result in was a one-night stand. That wouldn’t work for him—he knew that without question. Kianti Lawrence was a woman he was certain to want for more than one night.

He was surprised to find Kianti already having breakfast. Leaning against the arched doorway of the hotel’s eatery, he felt content watching her then as he had the night before. Almost. The same serenity and calm reached out to him from where she relaxed at the table across the dining room. He shook his head and smiled, taking note of her feet propped in the chair across from where she sat. He couldn’t help but admire her determination to relax wherever it suited her. Telling the sensible, less popular side of himself to go to hell, Therin pushed off the doorway and strolled toward her.

Early rising wasn’t unusual for Kianti given her hectic life of tours and rehearsals. Still, she did make a point of treating herself to a few mornings of sleeping in when she traveled extensively.

Sadly, sleeping in now meant having to wake up to her doctor and a morning pill. An early breakfast meant she could convince Brody she’d already taken her meds. She only prayed he wouldn’t suspect she’d taken herself off them. At least not until she could prove she didn’t need them anymore. Her dark eyes were focused beyond the windows by her table. The gorgeous dewy morning rear view of the hotel landscape was heavenly, but the cologne drifting past her nose just then was to die for. She smiled up at Therin.

“Mr. Ambassador.” Her dark eyes widened just slightly when she took note of the shyness evident in his expression.

“Ex-ambassador,” he clarified, pressing a hand to the front of the sweatshirt emblazoned with the Knicks logo.

She simply shrugged. “But you never quite live it down, do you?”

Once again that morning, Therin felt his mouth turn into a grimace. “I’m realizing that more and more every day.” He sighed.

Kianti’s smile waned. She’d never really known a politician, but it was clear this one wasn’t missing his post all that much. She would have loved to have known why.

“You look pretty young to have been an ambassador.” She decided to keep the moment light.

“Guess I’ve got my dad to thank for that. May I?” He gestured toward the vacant chair next to the one she’d propped her feet on.

“Please.” She was about to move her feet when he brought a hand down over them. Kianti bit her lip and stilled.

The muscle flexed in Therin’s jaw at the contact. He moved his hand, hoping she’d not recognize his reluctance to do so.

“So your dad wanted you to be an ambassador?” She needed to bring conversation to the front of her mind instead of the unexpected agitating throbs that made her want to moan.

“My dad was a U.S. diplomat,” Therin obliged, needing the conversation, as well. “When I was a kid, watching Face The Nation was as commonplace as watching Sesame Street.”

“Fascinating,” Kianti breathed, shifting a bit to get more comfy at the table.

Therin must have feared she’d move her feet because he possessively dropped his hand across them. They were small, perfectly proportioned and covered only by a pair of sheer hose.

“I had a capacity for politics but not a passion,” he confided while absently applying a light massage to the tops of her feet. “I think they offered me the post because of my father.” He grunted. “I’d have never campaigned for it or anything else.”

“So the favorite son makes good.”

“Ha! More like the only son.”

“Well, well, pleased to meet another member of the Only Child Club.” Kianti offered him her hand to shake.

Therin played along. “So your parents didn’t want to try for another musical genius?”

“Nah.” Kianti fidgeted with the draping neckline of her walnut-brown sweater. “My mother didn’t have a—how did you put it?—a capacity for raising more than one. Besides, it wasn’t worth it to her—taking the chance of producing a normal kid.”

Therin’s bright eyes narrowed at her word choice, but there was no time to inquire.

“Please forgive the wait, Mr. Ambassador.” The waiter was flushed and out of breath.

“Not a problem. Just juice and whatever Ms. Lawrence is having.”

“Yes, sir.” The young man scribbled the order furiously. “Right away, sir.”

“I feel like such an idiot.” Kianti shook her head and watched the server sprint away. “Everyone knows who you are and I didn’t have a clue.”

“And you have no idea how pleased I am to hear that.” He cast a disinterested glance across his shoulder and smirked. “Besides, they school the staff on the so-called ‘big wigs.’ Better tips, you know?” He winked.

When she threw her head back to laugh, Therin decided he was in need of conversation to keep the moment from growing too charged. “So why do you consider yourself other than normal?” he asked.

“Well, prodigies aren’t exactly the norm, are they?” Kianti rested her chin to her palm.

He nodded, realizing her point. “Hard life?”

“I suppose.” She studied the pattern embroidered into the white tablecloth. “But what are you gonna do? It’s the only life I’ve ever known—didn’t know any better until I had something to compare it to.” She fixed him with a whimsical look. “Kids playing in the street while I’m in the house playing Bach.”

Laughter rose heartily then.

“So may I question your ‘only son’ remark?” she probed once the waiter had brought out Therin’s juice and topped off her decaf.

“Mmm.” He winced while taking a sip of the drink. “Was hoping you hadn’t caught that.”

“Come on, fess up.” She waved her hands in a beckoning manner. “It’s only fair. I rarely share my child prodigy stories.” Her gaze softened as she studied the pensive look on his very handsome face. “Did you regret not having brothers or sisters?”

“Maybe, but it’s the only life I’ve known—nothing to compare it to, as you said.”

“Touché.” Kianti sent him a mock salute.

Food arrived and soon the two were dining on over-easy eggs, steak strips and toast.

“Guess that’s why I took up the interests I have,” Therin said around a bite of steak.

Kianti nodded. “Politics.”

He smiled. “Education.”

She tilted her head at a cocky angle. “Now you’ve really got me interested. Talk, man!”

They dived into the incredible breakfast of fruit, seasoned browns and scrambled eggs. Seated next to an enviable view in a peaceful dining room they chatted like longtime acquaintances.

“Growing up…privy to dedicated teachers and fine schools made me naively think that was the norm,” he shared. “Then I realized that too many parents, and kids, for that matter, wouldn’t put dedicated teachers and fine schools together in the same book. It made me sick to my stomach.” He held his fork poised over the plate and glared out at the view. “No child should be denied a fine education, and no parent should feel it’s beyond their power to claim it for their child.”

Silently, Kianti marveled how there could be any education woes with a man like the one seated across from her as its champion.

Therin noticed her set expression and closed his eyes in playful regret. “Sorry about that.” He tapped the tip of the fork to the cleft in his chin. “I tend to get carried away.” His voice lowered an octave on the last word.

“That’s not it.” She waved off the excuse. “You’re very persuasive in your arguments. My guess is that you’re a fundraiser’s dream.”

“Hmph.” Therin returned his attention to breakfast and didn’t appear to appreciate the assessment. “So I’ve been told,” he grumbled.

“Did I offend you?”

“No, Kianti.” He tapped his fingers next to her plate and waited for her eyes to meet his. “No. I’ve just got a lot of friends and…acquaintances who tell me the same thing. Many times they don’t mean to flatter me with it.”

“Well, that’s crazy. What could be more admirable than taking up such a cause?”

He smiled at the innocence he’d once been a victim of. “Kianti, everything pales next to the cause of raking in obscene amounts of cash for the next war.”

“Ah.” Enlightenment dawned and she nodded. “So is that why you gave up your ambassadorship? To devote more time to your cause?” she asked, following several moments of easy silence.

“One of many reasons,” was his only reply. His thoughts drifted toward his parents. His involvement—er—obsession over his cause had cut short that relationship far too soon. At least, he had always suspected that was the case.

Kianti caught his grimace again and decided to call a halt to the Q&A.

“Someone once told me that with power comes the ability to make change in addition to suggestion,” he eventually added somewhat prophetically.

“I’ve always thought of ambassadors and such as figureheads. Sorry,” she said demurely before sipping her coffee. She was pleased to hear him chuckle.

“You’re not too far off.” He helped himself to his last forkful of eggs. “As ambassador, I found that I could suggest ’til the cows came home, but affecting change—” he brushed the back of his hand along a sideburn “—affecting change eluded me until I left my post.”

“You left your post yet you remain in Vancouver? No desire to return home to the States?” A teasing element made her eyes sparkle.

Therin shrugged. “Canada’s not so far away. I’m in the States off and on. But I really like where I am—many diplomats aren’t so lucky.”

Kianti added a bit more cream to her coffee. “It would seem you could do more for the cause on this side of the border, that’s all.”

“Well, that’s what’s so impressive about the organization.” Therin settled in more comfortably. “We’re everywhere. EYES members and branch offices across the country go a long way to give the impression that we’re a strong united group. Everyone works equally hard which is another reason we’re so successful.” He thanked the waiter who’d returned with a fresh glass of juice. “Education’s my passion, and while I’ve been labeled as the face of EYES, I’m not its leader. That’s a joint responsibility.”

“It’s a different outlook.” Kianti studied his very handsome face with unmasked appreciation. “Guess the opposition doesn’t quite know how to take you all.”

Therin chuckled, causing his provocative gaze to narrow. “I think that’d be the case no matter who we were. Politics is a nasty game. You have to be…creative to get things done.”

“I see…creative here being akin to corrupt?” she guessed.

He raised his juice glass. “Smart lady.”

Kianti shrugged. “Things aren’t much different in the music world.”

“Yet you remain a faithful contributor?”

It was her turn to mull over a response. “I feel an obligation to continue. There’re a lot of talented kids out there but this is not an easy business to break into. Instrumental performing—piano, orchestra, symphonies—there’s a fair amount of politics at play and getting your shot isn’t always as easy as knowing how to play the hell out of an instrument.” She smiled but there was little humor in the gesture. “Many kids have the raw talent,” she extended her hand, “and nowhere to cultivate it. No proper pedigree, if you get my meaning.”

Therin did.

“Portions of my CD sales go into a fund. I and many of my colleagues hope to open a school based on talent, financed by the artists who’ve made it instead of the ones trying to make it.”

“Admirable.” Therin leaned back in his chair. His smirk held tinges of regret though. “I wish it were so easy to get a group of politicians on the same page like that.”

The two would have delved back into the rest of their meals to further conversation. The laughter and easy mood, however, was interrupted when Vaughn Burgess approached the table.

“Accept my apologies…please.” Momentarily taken aback by Therin’s breakfast partner, Vaughn was undoubtedly captivated.

“Kianti Lawrence, my right arm, Vaughn Burgess.” Therin enjoyed the man’s mesmerized expression.

Vaughn, in fact, seemed to have forgotten all about Therin’s presence. He leaned close to take Kianti’s hand. “I enjoyed your playing very much,” he told her.

Kianti bowed her head graciously. “I appreciate you saying that. I thought I may have sounded a bit rushed last night.”

“Nonsense.” Vaughn’s entranced expression turned woeful. “I do apologize for the interruption. I’m gonna have to steal this guy.” He glanced toward Therin before smiling again at Kianti and stepping back to offer the couple privacy.

Therin took her hand next. “This was nice.”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“This must be important or else he wouldn’t be here. Always on my back for not relaxing more.” Therin spoke the last sentence a bit louder for Vaughn’s benefit.

Kianti bit her lip playfully to stifle her laughter. “It’s okay. I understand, really.”

“When do you leave?” he asked.

“This afternoon.”

He let her see his frown. “I’ll see you before you leave.”

She placed her hand across his. “Handle your business.”

“I promise,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze and standing as the waiter returned. “This is on me.” He tossed several bills to the table and pushed several more into the young man’s hand.

Kianti’s eyes followed Therin until he was gone from the dining room.

“This had better be damned good,” Therin growled to Vaughn as they rounded the corner.

Vaughn’s voice was uncharacteristically hollow. “It’s not. It’s not good at all.”

The weight which had lifted from Therin’s shoulders during the time spent with Kianti fell like an anvil when he and Vaughn returned to the suite. The conversation he’d escaped from earlier, and hoped would be over by the time he returned, seemed to have taken on new life. It wasn’t long before he discovered why.

“Dammit,” Therin growled upon viewing the file on one of his staff assistants, Ruby Loro.

Absolute silence settled in the suite for the first time that morning.

Therin Rucker’s calm demeanor was a constant that his staff respected and thrived in the midst of. Though he often preferred to step back and do more observing, Therin encouraged discussion and debate. He felt they were the greatest tools in running effective campaigns and encouraging loyalty. Witnessing a loss of temper from someone so focused and deliberate was as fascinating as it was disconcerting.

“This is bullshit.” Therin’s voice was a little more than a whisper. He massaged the back of his neck and slanted Vaughn a dark look.

“Agreed.” Vaughn raised his hands defensively. “But it’s still gonna have to be dealt with…on several levels.”

“I should talk to her.” Therin rifled through the file. “Has she seen this mess?”

“No, um…it was uh—stuck inside your complimentary copy of this morning’s USA TODAY,” Morgan Felts explained.

Therin began a pace of the suite’s living area. “Anybody contact the office to confirm that?”

“Ther, nobody’s heard a damn thing,” Gary Bryce chimed in.

Peter Stanson used the pen he held to gesture toward the file. “I think it’s safe to say that whoever left that crap meant for you to see it first and to decide how best to keep it quiet.”

“By keeping my damn mouth shut,” Therin guessed, walking past the table and swiping a stack of papers to the floor.

Vaughn took advantage of the clean area of the table and helped himself to a seat. “I don’t think it’s as much about keeping your mouth shut as it is about using it to promote other interests.”

“Screw that.” Therin’s voice was monotone.

The other four men in the room exchanged looks. They’d known Therin long enough to know that the flat tone of his voice signified his mood shifting into dark territory.

“Would it really be that much of an issue to throw a little chatter toward your other endeavors?” Peter asked.

Therin turned, pushing hands into the deep pockets of his sweats.

“The pockets you open…there’s enough to go around, right?” The look Peter received then had him swallowing uncomfortably while lifting his hands in submission.

Vaughn reached for the file and perused the lurid film shots. The webpage printouts showed covers of adult DVDs featuring Ruby Loro when she’d come to the U.S. illegally and willing to do anything to stay there.

“We suspected all along that these folks you’re rattling were sons of bitches. All of our research into what few leads we have proves their allegiance is to the manufacture of the weapons and military strength over the education of the nation’s kids,” Vaughn said while shaking his head at the damaging items inside the file. “What they’ve just done proves they’re willing to go to any lengths to draw you over to their side but this…” he groaned. “She’s a sweetheart, Ther. She doesn’t deserve to have this tossed up in her face. She’s not this woman anymore.”

“Hell, you don’t think I know that, V?” Therin’s mood had journeyed into an even darker abyss. “Get her on the phone, G.”

“What are you gonna do?” Peter asked, while Gary made the call.

Therin’s expression was unreadable. “I’ll know that when I talk to her.”

Chapter 3

Kianti’s shoulders slumped when she returned to her suite and found it filled with her travel companions. They each turned to fix her with unfriendly looks when she strolled into the room.

Cube even ceased his raid on the snack safe. “Well, well, look who decided to show up and let us know she wasn’t somewhere havin’ a heart attack!”

Winton was on the phone and only remarked with a slow shake of his head to illustrate his irritation. “Yeah…yeah we should be in by six,” he continued.

“Mmm-hmm.” Khan didn’t look up while he surfed channels. “No note or nothin’. Your cook wasn’t sure whether to start breakfast.” His slanted stare narrowed further when he and Cube dissolved into laughter over the dig at Brody.

Dr. Brody Parker simply leaned against the doorway to the bedroom, arms folded across his chest.

“Can’t I even eat breakfast on my own?” Kianti tossed aside her black tote.

“Ah, breakfast.” Brody pushed off the doorway. “You mean that stuff we practically have to force you to eat?”

“Can’t a person improve their eating habits?”

“Of course, but this is you we’re talkin’ about,” Brody countered.

Kianti threw up her hands. “I don’t want to waste time going back and forth over this.”

“Oh, we know that.” Khan chuckled. “Obviously you prefer spending your time with the ambassador.”

“Hmph.” She folded her arms over her sweater. “And did your spies tell you I was at the table long before he got there?”

“Maybe y’all planned it that way last night,” Cube chided with a sly wink and a mouthful of Skittles.

“Did you take your pill?”

“Yes!” Kianti snapped at Brody’s question.

“That’s funny since, according to my count it doesn’t look like you’ve taken one in over two weeks.”

Kianti stilled but for a moment. “You went through my stuff?” She exploded, her dark gaze more brilliant in the wake of anger.

Feathers unruffled, Brody merely shrugged. “Are you trying to kill yourself?”

“Yes. Yes, Brody, that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. Didn’t you see the coffin catalog on the nightstand when you were going through my things?”

The room quieted. Winton had finished his call. Khan shut off the television. The group had had their run-ins regarding Kianti’s outlook toward her health, but never had she gone so far as to shun the pills which kept her heart rate stable. The sudden spikes in pulse had plagued Kianti since childhood.

She hid her face in her hands and inhaled deeply for a moment. “Guys…I’m trying to live. I don’t want to be tied to those things my entire life.”

“Those things help keep you alive.”

She smiled over Brody’s soft reminder. “And I stopped taking them four weeks ago.” She studied the surprise in his dark eyes. “Guess you didn’t bother to check my previous bottle.”

“Dammit, Key!” Khan threw the remote to the coffee table. “Hell, that’s just stupid!”

“And I don’t expect any of you to understand.” She pointed a finger toward the floor. “You don’t know what it’s like not being able to do what you love without some crutch—not to be able to have someone to love for fear of…”

The guys exchanged meaningful looks over the top of Kianti’s head. Slowly, they crowded her. Cube was first to draw her close and kiss the top of her head.

Brody squeezed her arms. “Don’t you know they’d have to bury us, too, if anything ever happened to you?”

“You’re our meal ticket, girl.” Cube shook her gently. “Not to mention our pass to all the best parties.”

Soft laughter rose among the five. Brody and Kianti had known each other since childhood. Kianti met Cube, Khan and Winton in college where she’d tutored Winton in English Lit while he’d tutored her in Advanced Calculus. Cube, Khan and Winton shared a dorm suite with Brody. Despite the unorthodox dynamic, the group had developed a close-knit relationship that bordered on familial.

Kianti knocked her fist against the denim shirt covering Cube’s wide chest. “Guys, I’ve been off the pills for four weeks. Can’t we just wait and see what happens?”

As a response, Kianti heard all sorts of curses and other low sounds of disapproval.

“Hell, Brody’s the doctor.” Winton rubbed his fingers across the faded haircut he sported. “I have to agree with Khan though, this is plain stupid.” He tugged Kianti out of Cube’s embrace and into his own. “We hear what you’re sayin’, babe, but this is only one pill. Some folks have to take ten times as much medication.”

“And people overcome their need for medication every day.” She tugged the zipper dangling from his windbreaker. “Like you said, some people take ten times as much as I do.”

Bested, Winton waved his hand and turned Kianti toward Brody. “You talk to her.”

“All right, Key, we’ll do it your way.” The doctor stunned everyone, including his patient. “But understand—” he wagged a finger “—you’re backing me—all of us—into a corner here. We can’t force you to do a damn thing when it comes right down to it. This is your life, but you’ve put us in charge of protecting it. Look for us to be even more aggressive in keeping you safe, calm and rested. Even if we have to tie you down in a bed to make it happen.”

Khan nudged her side. “That part’ll be easy since we’ve all thought of doing it at one time or another.” He winked, waiting for the smile he was trying to rouse from her. He succeeded, joining in when she grinned.

“If none of this works, you’re back on the pills. Agreed?” Brody brought the seriousness back to the moment.

Kianti’s nod came slowly but with a great deal of relief. She no longer had to hide.

“All right, y’all, we should go,” Brody told the guys and squeezed Kianti’s hand. “You rest up. We’re out of here in a few hours.”

“Are they around her all the time?”

“Pretty much from what I gather.”

“Well, who are they? To her, I mean?”

Therin began questioning Vaughn about Kianti Lawrence shortly after the rest of the staff left them alone in the living area.

“She’s not…involved with them all, is she?” Therin smiled, knowing the idea was ludicrous. Still, for a woman like that…it wouldn’t be a difficult thing to keep a man or four dangling.

“It’s not like that, man,” Vaughn said through his chuckling.

“From what you gather?” Therin countered, watching as Vaughn shrugged.

“What’s got you so interested here?”

Therin’s expression was incredulous. “Did you take a good look at her this morning?”

“Damn straight I did.” Vaughn swore while raising his hands for confirmation. “She’s a goddess but she doesn’t live in this hotel. Neither do you. You don’t even live in the country—technically.”

Therin had moved over to the windows and sat on the back of the oversize chair facing them.

Vaughn followed. “Talk to me, T. What is it about this one?”

“Hell, man, what’s the big deal?” His grin was forced. “I only asked if she’s attached to her bodyguards.”

“Simple as that, huh?” Vaughn rubbed at the receding edge of his hairline. His handsome honey-toned face was a picture of disbelief. “How many times did you zone out this morning, man?”

“Understandable.” Therin tapped his hand to the front of the sweatshirt he wore. “I wasn’t particularly interested in the conversation when I walked out of here earlier.”

“Mmm-hmm, and you weren’t all too pleased that I interrupted your breakfast to ask you to join us back up here.”

“Like I said, just didn’t want to be part of the discussion.”

“What do you expect could come of this, T? All right, all right,” he said when Therin flashed him a cold look. “May I at least ask if you’re trying to make sure you’re not playing with someone else’s toy?”

Therin smiled then. “No. I only want to know whose toy I’m about to take away.”

Vaughn burst into laughter and nodded when his boss asked that he check out Kianti Lawrence and her crew.

Kianti bit her lip and tried to cast covert glances around the lobby. She and the guys would be leaving for the airport as soon as the car was packed. Therin had promised to say goodbye.

She bowed her head, snuggling into the high collar of the black cashmere coat she wore. Idiot, she chastised herself. That brief acquaintance was over and done with. What else could it have been?

Distance wasn’t the only deciding factor there, either. She was sick of involvements that dissolved because of a weak heart. She smiled unamused and wondered what had done more damage to her heart—her illness or the amount of times her heart had been broken. She felt hands squeeze her arms and masked her disappointment when she saw Winton at her side.

“We’re all set. You got everything?”

Kianti risked another glance around the spacious lobby and then nodded. “Let’s go home,” she said.

“Ruby? Ruby, calm down. For the third time, I didn’t call to fire you.”

“Sorry, Therin. Sorry,” Ruby Loro blubbered, sniffled and gasped over the phone. “I shouldn’t have done it—keeping my past a secret like that. I just—just felt like I didn’t have a choice. Stupid!” she called herself and hiccupped on a few more sobs. “I thought…the movies were the easiest choice—quickest path to success, or so I thought. God…” she moaned and broke into another stretch of tears. “I’m sorry…”

“Ruby. Calm yourself.” Therin’s voice was patience personified.

“I’ll resign.” Ruby hiccupped the words. “I’ll resign my post. The last thing I want is to cast a shadow over all the good you’re doing.”

“And you know me well enough to know I don’t want a resignation any more than I want to fire you.” Leaning forward on the sofa, Therin braced elbows to his knees. “What I want is for you to think. Did anyone approach you about this? Who knew Ruby Loro was once Spanish Heat?”

“Jesus,” Ruby hissed at the sound of the name she’d filmed under. “No one knew my real name. Not even the movie people.” She laughed shortly. “They really didn’t care about background checks, or whether I knew English for that matter. Knowing lines wasn’t a big issue, you see?”

“Right…” His hand flexed around the slim cordless. “I’m sorry, Ruby, for making you remember this crap.”

“I don’t have any family or friends except for the ones I’ve made while living and working in Canada.”

“Does that mean you could handle this coming out?” Silence met Therin’s question. “I don’t intend on bending over for these fools.”

“And I’m tired of hiding. You can rip them a new one for all I care.”

“Don’t you have vacation time you’ve been hoarding?”

“Almost a month,” Ruby boasted.

“Take it and longer if you need it.” Therin left the sofa and went to look out over the Spokane view. “I’m about to call the bluff on these jackasses. I don’t need you caught up in it yet if it’s not necessary.”

“Thank you, Therin. Thanks for believing in me. Most…” She sniffled lightly. “Most would have judged and not given another thought to firing me.”

“Well, I happen to know, like and respect Ruby Loro too much to lose her.” He turned his back on the view then. “You get lost and I’ll be in touch when the coast is halfway clear.”

“Right. Oh! Therin? You had a call come in from a Shepard Yale. Is he—?”

“Yeah…one and the same.” Therin confirmed Ruby’s suspicions on the caller’s identity while wondering what the retired general wanted with him. He didn’t realize he’d spoken aloud.

“The general was a military liaison toward the end of his career. He smoothed more ruffled feathers and thwarted more potential uprisings than anyone who held the post before or since.” Ruby sighed after giving the rundown. “Maybe something’s about to go down and he wants to consult with you.”

“Maybe…” Therin tapped his cleft chin and considered the words briefly before turning his focus back to Ruby. “You go pack. We’ll talk soon, all right?”

“All right, and Therin? Thanks.”

Vaughn came to the living area just as the call ended. “How’d she take it?”

“Not well.”

Vaughn nodded. “Did she have any idea who could’ve leaked this about her past?”

Therin tossed the phone to the sofa. “Not one. Folks she knew back then weren’t really interested in her past, but what she could do for ’em in front of the camera, you know?”

“Right…” Vaughn’s mouth tightened.

“Ruby said a call came in from Shep Yale.”

“The general?” Vaughn dropped to the sofa and listened as Therin shared Ruby’s idea about the man wanting a consult on something about to pop off. “Could be,” he agreed, realizing the only way to know anything for sure would be to meet with the revered general.

“Hell, V, the man’s been retired for how long?”

“And someone with that kind of power never fully retires. Those connections, all that knowledge—it’s always relevant.”

Silence fell while the two contemplated. Suddenly, Therin’s curse was filling the room.

Kianti flashed through his mind. “What’s the time?” he asked even as he checked the Swiss timepiece around his wrist. “Hell…”

“What?” Vaughn stood.

Therin was already halfway out the door.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Ambassador.” Nenda Watts apologized for the third time since Therin arrived at the front desk. She’d just told him he’d missed Kianti, who had left for the airport ten minutes earlier with her entourage.

“Shit.” Therin brought a fist down to the glossy maple front desk while grinding the muscle in his jaw. Turning slowly, he stared absently past the windows lining the bright, elegantly designed hotel lobby.

Was it worth it? he asked himself, wondering if he should chalk up the chance encounter as a brief interlude in the chaos that was his life. After all, what could come from an involvement between a busy pianist and a controversial ex-ambassador?

He smiled at the combination. It was a mix best left alone. Smirking then, he turned back to the front desk.

“Where was Ms. Lawrence’s flight headed?”

Chapter 4

Pacifica, California

Scottie’s Supper Club prided its location for the bulk of its success. With a view to marvel over, the jazz establishment catered to patrons practically round the clock. Visitors to the club could enjoy a spectacular day or evening view and music from some of the most noted performers in the country.

Kianti had the pleasure of enjoying the club as a patron as well as a performer. She often dropped in to surprise Scott Sanders with an impromptu jam session with his in-house band, led by vocalist Eli Waverly and drummer Shelton Innes. Still, the fact that Scottie’s was located less than ten minutes from her home, was Kianti’s favorite thing about the club.

Having a close friendship with the drummer was a plus as well. Shelton Innes recognized her as part of the audience one evening shortly after Kianti had started attending the group’s performances several years earlier. He kept the spotlight on her until she had accepted his offer to join them on stage. The set was one of her fondest memories, and she and Shelton had been the best of friends ever since. It was Shelton who pulled Kianti onboard in the collaboration for the school that several other musicians hoped to open for musically gifted kids.

Kianti often made a point of stopping in to chat with the group after she’d been out of town performing. She waited a few nights to make an appearance there following her return from Washington. She’d come prepared to perform and the group didn’t hesitate to demand her presence on stage shortly after she arrived at Scottie’s that evening.

The group was in the midst of a mellow albeit affecting session when Therin arrived at the club. It wasn’t hard finding her address. He’d arrived only to find her on her way out. Thankfully, it hadn’t been too difficult to follow her to the club that was only a short distance away. Now what? he asked himself while claiming a seat at the bar in hopes of keeping himself somewhat shielded from her line of sight. He took a seat near the end of the bar figuring Kianti wouldn’t notice him there. He wondered whether she’d even notice him at all. They really hadn’t had all that much time together. Thinking on that, he couldn’t ignore the question that had been plaguing him since he headed south instead of north to Canada upon leaving Washington State. Exactly what was he doing there?

He decided it was best not to seek an answer on that yet. Therin only knew that Kianti Lawrence had him curious and he wanted to find out more.

Bringing fist to chin, he settled in to observe her behind the glossy black piano. The animated look on her rich cinnamon-toned face, as she talked with the members of the group, brought a smile to Therin’s face. No doubt she was a lovely thing to look at. He wondered how much of that played into her success, though no one could argue against her talent.

Therin recalled their breakfast conversation then and the relaxing mood he’d sensed surrounding her. He remembered the feel of her small foot when he’d held it and grinned on the memory. He’d never enjoyed breakfast or a conversation more.

The set was nearing its end, tugging Therin from his reverie as he once again observed her with the band—especially the drummer. It was clear that they were close, which had him smiling but not in a completely amused way. He thought back to her entourage—the four men who’d given him the distinct impression that they’d lay down their lives for her. How could they not feel that way? he queried silently as the muscle twitched along his jawbone when her drummer friend pulled her in for a hug.

Get the hell out of here, Therin, he warned himself. He should go before she had any idea he was near. An involvement like this would never work. He lived in Canada, for Pete’s sake! Watching her near the stage and chatting away, Therin’s grim expression vanished and a smile emerged.

“Could I bring you anything, sir?”

Therin looked up at the young woman who’d approached the table. She held a pen poised over the small round tray she carried.

“I’d like to have a drink sent over to the pianist.” He nodded slowly toward the stage.

The waitress smiled while jotting down the instruction. “Shall I tell Ms. Lawrence who’s being so generous?”

“I’ll remain anonymous.” Therin’s bright gaze was still focused on Kianti.

“Not a problem.” The waitress cast one last lingering and blatantly flattering gaze at her mysterious customer.

Therin stood and dropped a few bills to the woman’s tray and then graced her with a sly wink before turning to make his way out of the club.

Dammit, Key, get over it!

Kianti smacked the soapy loofah pad against her thigh while issuing herself the order. She was acting like some love-struck girl whose family was moving away and taking her from a boy she’d known all of two seconds. Granted, she’d known the sexy ex-ambassador for a little longer. Still, nothing had happened that meant anything meaningful or otherwise would come from it.

Otherwise. She let the word linger in her head and felt a heat that had nothing to do with the shower spray hitting her skin. She would have enjoyed experiencing otherwise with Therin Rucker.

She smacked herself again with the loofah pad. All that would have gotten her was a trip to the hospital. If her heart struggled to withstand exertion from a piano performance, how would it withstand a sexual encounter?

Smirking then, she told herself that it might withstand just fine. Therin Rucker came across as quite the gentleman. If that persona carried over into the bedroom, perhaps there wouldn’t be much exertion required.

Kianti applied more gel to the pad and considered the idea. Something told her the dashing politician left his manners at the door when pleasure was at stake. She sensed a fire, something unrelenting at rest beneath that polished exterior. Yes, there was a side to the man that, if unleashed sexually, could require much…exertion on the part of its recipient.

She pressed a hand to her belly and moaned. She’d gone so long without indulging in that very enjoyable pastime. Only to herself would she admit that given another couple of days in Therin Rucker’s presence, she would’ve had him in her bed and exerting herself to the fullest.

The loofah smacked her thigh a third time. “Get over it,” she growled.

Somewhere a phone rang. Kianti leaned out of the shower to grab the wall mount next to the stall.

“Ms. Lawrence…Casey O’Dell down here at the gate. You’ve got a guest here. Mr. Therin Rucker.”

Her hand returned to her belly and then to her mouth where she tapped her fingers to her lips.

“Ms. Lawrence?”

Kianti took stock of her appearance in the mirror across from the shower. “Send him up.”

Therin inhaled the second he stepped from the elevator that deposited him in the middle of a room that whispered serenity and expansive comfort. Softly lit, the living room’s mellow appeal was evident not only by the cream-on-gold furnishings but also by the long window overlooking the ocean from the home’s rocky perch. He smiled then, further eased by the sound of her voice.

“Mr. Ambassador.”

Therin turned and any ease he was experiencing was quickly replaced by need. Somewhere—somehow he was able to latch on to restraint.

“I’m sorry…” He bowed his head while uttering the apology. “I, um… Your guard didn’t tell me you…”

Kianti tossed back her head. “It’s okay. I told him to send you on up.”

“I promised to say goodbye.” He spouted the first thing that came to his mind.

She bit her lip on a smile. “Well, I hope you’re not about to do that.”

Therin rolled his eyes. To hell with it. It’d serve her right for greeting him in a towel with that gorgeous mane of hair piled atop her head and bubbles still clinging to her cinnamon skin. With that in mind, he bounded over, snagged the front of the towel and drew her close.

Kianti was an eager and immediate participant in the thorough kiss. Her moans raised an instant after his tongue began its enthusiastic duel with hers. Wavering and shamefully erotic, the sounds came from the back of her throat. She stood on her toes and her fingers curled tight into the tails of the burgundy shirt hanging outside the black carpenter’s jeans he wore.

Therin needed to cast off the heat about to consume him but he was already caressing the seductive swells of her breasts. His sleek ebony brows drew closer and he deepened the kiss. Any second, and her towel would be on the floor.

He pulled away then. “You need to get dressed.” His tone was gruff and he turned away. One of them had to exercise a cool head. Why? He had no idea, but the thought had managed to give him pause regardless.

“I didn’t ask you to stop,” she sweetly reminded him.

“Unfortunately,” he winced and realized he’d spoken aloud, before massaging the bridge of his nose. “Get dressed.” His tone was almost pleading then. While he intended to have her—all of her—it was far too soon to indulge in the many things he wanted to do with her. “Kianti…”

She waved toward the living room. “Have a seat, I’ll be right back.” She watched him stroll toward the window instead. Yes, manners left at the door when pleasure was at stake, she silently confirmed on her way out of the room.

“Is this better?” she asked minutes later.

Therin tried not to stare. Her gray lounge dress had its wrist-hugging sleeves and was made of a clingy cotton material. While covering every inch of her skin, it emphasized every dip and curve she possessed. The only thing on his mind then, was whether or not she was nude beneath it.

He waited on her to choose a seat. Kianti noted that he seemed pleased that she didn’t select the sofa but curled up on one of the overstuffed chairs flanking it.

“May I get you anything?” she asked once he’d settled on the chair before her.

“I’m good.” His light, deep-set eyes scanned the room in one continuous take. “Some place you’ve got here.”

“Isn’t it?” She propped a fist against her thick hair trussed up in a flouncy ponytail and smiled. “Got it from an elderly scientist I met after a concert. The lower level where you came in used to be his lab. I converted it into a private studio.”

“Impressive.”

“Very. That elevator was once the only access—comes right up through the cliffs the house sits on.”

Therin whistled.

Kianti shrugged. “The guys forbid me to take it. But if it gets stuck, the top panels open and there’s a ladder that leads up to the house.”

“Good to know.” He laughed.

“They had me have the top-level access constructed.” She smoothed her hands over the dress’s long snug sleeves. “If you’d come past the other houses, I could’ve greeted you personally.”

“Or not—considering you were in the um…shower.” He cleared his throat over the last word.

Kianti shifted on the chair. “You must’ve just missed us when we left the other day,” she added quickly to change the subject. “Not to mention I wasn’t expecting you.” She gave Therin a slight wink.

“Yeah.” A quick frown marred the sensual elegance of his features. “There was business.”

“Not good business?” She tilted her head inquisitively.

“Is there such a thing?” He shook his head and rubbed his hands together. “I only wanted you to know that I hadn’t broken my promise.”

“And I appreciate you coming all this way to tell me that.” Her dark eyes twinkled knowingly.

He braced his elbows to his knees. “I did have an ulterior motive.”

“Shall I guess?”

Therin’s thoughts returned to the kiss. “You, uh… You know about my involvement with EYES?” he asked, figuring that line of discussion was safest. At her nod, he continued. “I’m hoping to organize an event—a weekend thing. I already have a host of performers lined up, but when I heard you play, I knew I had to have you.”

Both pairs of eyes faltered on the suggestive tone of the last few words. Therin focused on the bridge he made with his fingers while Kianti shifted once more in her chair.

“I’d be honored,” she said, smiling when he looked up. “We’ll have to talk about the time—schedules, locations and such….”

“You’ll probably need to spend time in Vancouver—to practice at my place there. Get a feel for the venue… The piano’s top-of-the-line but I don’t profess to be a musician, so—” he smirked “—I’ll leave things like tuning and pitch up to the professionals.”

“I’ll check my schedule and we can go from there.”

“Sounds good.” His gaze narrowed toward the window. “I didn’t mean to disturb you so late in the day. Have you eaten?”

She pulled her legs out from beneath her and scooted toward the edge of the chair. “I was about to put something on. I’d love it if you stayed.”

Again, the kiss resumed its place at the front of his thoughts. Therin knew a lengthier stay might not be the best idea.

“I shouldn’t intrude on your night,” he said.

Kianti shrugged and toyed with a lock of her hair. “I usually spend the first few days after a performance holed up here just to get my bearings.”

“Is that something you usually do alone?” Therin averted his gaze as his voice dipped into a softer octave.

“Yeah…usually… Why?” She caught the smile he gave at her response.

He leaned back and propped an elbow to each arm of the chair. “Your…entourage. It’s hard to believe not one of them has made a play for you.”

“Hmph.” Kianti grinned as though the summation wasn’t a surprise to her. “Few people understand our dynamic. They nod and smile when I say we’re like family but no one really believes it.” She smiled off into the distance. “We do tease each other relentlessly but we trust each other, love each other, stick up for and bully one another when we feel it’s necessary. But they’ve got their own love lives.”

“And you?” His bright stare was probing then, daring her to look away. “You expect me to believe your work is all you need?”

“No.” She shook her head slowly yet decisively. “There’ve been involvements.” She flopped back on the chair. “Any Google search could’ve told you that. But nothing has gone on in that area for years now. So…” Her tone sounded more refreshing then. “No need to worry over being a home wrecker, Mr. Ambassador. Will you stay? I’m a pretty decent cook.”

He smiled. “What’s for dinner?”

Vancouver, BC, Canada~

“The old man won’t breathe a word about it,” Morgan Felts snapped when he slammed down his office phone.

“Is there anybody on his staff who might know why he wants to talk to Therin?” Peter Stanson asked.

“The general’s retired,” Vaughn reminded them while he sat on the edge of Morgan’s desk and tossed a wad of paper back and forth. “Most of his staff is back in D.C. on other assignments.”

Gary Bryce turned from the coffee tray. “Could still be worth checking out,” he said. “See if he made remarks about anything before he left his post.”

“Has Therin ever met with the general before?” Peter watched the other men shake their heads in response to his question.

Morgan threw a pen across his desk. “This is weird—an uncomfortable weird. Guess we’re stuck waiting ’til Therin gets back. Where the hell is he, anyway?”

“Being real tight-lipped about it.” Vaughn shrugged beneath the crisp baby blue of his shirt. “Said he’d be back in a few days.”

“Gary, man, maybe if you checked out the general’s former staff, somethin’ might turn up.” Peter tugged at his earlobe and looked doubtful.

“We could be wasting our time,” Vaughn warned.

“Maybe, but we need to be a step ahead on everything from here on out. Especially after what happened with Ruby.”

Gary agreed with Peter’s assessment and raised his coffee mug in mock toast. “I’m on it,” he said on his way out of the office.

“Say, Vaughn,” Peter called while they shuffled from Morgan’s office. “What’s up with Ther, seriously?”

Vaughn clapped Peter’s back. “For a change, the guy has got something other than politics on his mind.”

“Who ever said musicians aren’t paid well?” Therin asked as he and Kianti rounded out their after-dinner tour of her home. It went without saying that he was very impressed.

“Well, Dr. Chapin and his wife really loved my music.” Kianti smoothed her hands up and down her arms as memories resurfaced. “They came to all the shows I had in the area back when I was just starting out.” She stopped to lean against the railing along the walkway where they strolled.

“Later, I found out they had all my CDs—even the little promotional ones I put out when I was trying to get noticed.” Her dark eyes held a poignant gleam as she stared out at the Pacific crashing against the rocks below. “They left me the house. His foundation got all the scientific equipment and the youth home they supported got all the furnishings.”

“Nice.” Therin appreciated the artwork lining the wall along the walkway. “Very nice,” he added when they entered the studio.

“I do most of my practicing here. It’s one of the few places where I don’t feel pressured.”

Therin watched her fingers graze the glossy top of the baby grand piano. “You’re lucky. There aren’t even a few places I could claim.”

“Must be nice to be needed.”

“It’s been nicer.”

Kianti leaned against the piano. “Do I sense another career change?” She braced her elbows back on the baby grand and regarded him with playful suspicion. “Just exactly what do you do for a living?”

He chuckled, smoothing a hand down a sideburn. “Guess I do whatever I damn well please. But I choose to torture myself for a worthy cause. Basically, I connect people with similar interests.”

“Interests here being educational.”

He nodded. “I know a lot of philanthropists who not only like giving money to various endeavors but appreciate knowing about others who share their interests in those endeavors.” He shrugged and strolled around the piano. “My family and my work put me in contact with many of them. I spend a lot of time bringing them together for worthy causes.” He frowned, not wanting to speak much about work when he was with her.

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