Private Melody (9 page)

T
he final phrase of the adagio silenced in the screened porch overlooking the sea. Kianti kept her second Baby Grand there and used that area for creating the bulk of her original pieces. After Therin's sudden departure earlier that morning, she'd showered and headed out to the porch to…test herself.

The fact that her activities with Therin Rucker hadn't kept her passed out in bed for the remainder of the day gave her hope that change might be on the horizon. She spent the next two hours working at the piano and felt stronger instead of exhausted.

When the rush of ocean waves filled the area with sound, Kianti closed her eyes and wondered if she was lying to herself. To prove or rather
dis
prove it, she set out to focus—attempting to lock in on any sign of weakness or overexertion. She felt nothing negative
and prayed the lilt of excitement beneath her breast would be the first of many.

She wouldn't push it, she promised herself and scanned the row of piano keys beneath her fingertips. Hmph, she thought. It'd be damned impossible to keep that vow, especially now.

She'd never done anything so bold as to go without the medication she'd taken since childhood. The possibility of success looming near was something she wanted to eagerly embrace instead of approach with caution.

The touch of fingers between her shoulder blades, left bare by the low back of the mosaic-print lounge robe, stirred another excited lilt below her breast. The incredible cologne Therin wore drifted past her nose and set her mind on memories of their erotic evening together.

“Play something for me,” he asked, settling next to her on the long gray cushioned bench.

After a moment's thought to the piece she wanted, Kianti obliged. Her performance was admirable considering her true focus rested on what his hands and mouth were doing to her. They moved slowly, but with a definite purpose as his fingers strummed their own tune along her spine. One hand circled her waist in search of a front opening to the robe.

Kianti gave herself up to the sensation of the moment. Closing her eyes, she allowed it to overwhelm her.

“Keep playing for me,” he taunted when her fingers fumbled over the keys.

Mercilessly, he caressed her to distraction. Kianti's fingers faltered more as the piece neared closing. She
gave in to the need swelling within her. Therin was weighing a breast while his thumb brushed the nipple with a touch so light it may have been imagined. She practically sizzled beneath it. Her head fell back against his shoulder as the notes silenced.

“Don't stop…” she urged when his touch traveled her thighs—higher until he was stroking her with a rich intensity that had her arching shamelessly against him. “Mmm…” She bit her lip on the sensation his middle finger evoked as it rotated deep inside her.

Therin nibbled her earlobe then and subjected her to a triple caress that had her turning into his arms moments later. Without effort, he scooped her petite form across his lap. He made her straddle him as he kissed her. Kianti locked her arms about his neck and drove her tongue hungrily against his. She shivered again feeling the air touch her bare skin when he tugged the robe from her shoulders.

The scene there on the sun-drenched porch lasted several seductive moments before Therin took her up with him and on to the bedroom.

“Hurry…” she moaned once he had her on the bed and was slowly peeling away the rest of the robe.

Therin ignored the order, preferring to take his time completing the task. He brushed his mouth across every part of her body he bared to his brilliant stare.

Kianti did her best to free him of his clothes. Difficult, considering every part of her was weakened by his attention. Eventually though, Therin was definitely as affected as she was. Raising above her, he practically ripped the hoody and undershirt from his back. Meanwhile, Kianti took care of his belt and jean unfastening.

“Hell…” Therin remembered and jerked open the nightstand drawer for a condom. As he searched for what he wanted, Kianti nibbled the angle of his jaw and cupped his sex.

Then it was Therin who had become weak. He groaned and settled his handsome face in the crook of her neck to savor the feel of her hand moving up and down his length. Kianti took care of slipping the condom in place, an act which aroused him even more.

Split seconds later, he was inside her and squeezing his eyes shut tightly as he mentally chanted the phrase—
slowly
… Again, he buried his face in her neck and tried to follow the order.

Kianti made another helpless sound of need and tried to push Therin to his back. He wouldn't allow it.

“I want to be on top.” Weakly, she pounded her fists against his flexing pecs. “Please let me ride you.”

“Please shut up,” he groaned just as his tongue filled her mouth and he lost the ability to restrain himself.

He drew her leg across his shoulder. The added penetration was enough to silence Kianti as far as it related to issuing any demands.

Therin felt his concern ebb when the rapid thudding of her heart began to slow.

“What was that you played for me out there?” He kissed the top of her untidy head.

“‘Stolen Moment,'” she said following a second's hesitation, and focused in on her thumbnail grazing his collarbone.

“Is it yours?”

“I actually just wrote it—since we met.”

Therin heard her sigh and he frowned. He cupped her chin until she looked up at him. “What?”

“Nothing.” She took advantage of the moment to straddle him.

He took her wrists and squeezed. “What?”

Lying down atop him, she snuggled close. “That's what this feels like—a stolen moment. Like we're taking something we have no right to. With all of our responsibilities,
my
health issues, which have always made me feel that love and passion weren't for me… Sometimes I feel like it could all be taken back.” She forced a laugh when he kissed her head again. “I hope I haven't scared you by telling you that?”

“Not a bit.” Silently, he admitted that her words mirrored his feelings to a T.

“Therin?” She hesitated and smiled when he jostled her slightly to urge her to continue. “I think this is something I'd fight like hell to keep for as long as I can.” She scooted up to meet his kiss when he tugged.

 

Kianti shook her head while scrolling down through her PDA. “Can't believe I forgot this… A group at this club has a vocal trio out of New Jersey performing with them tonight.” She turned to fix Therin with apology in her tilting gaze. “They asked me months ago to sit in on piano.”

Therin was already grinning as he watched her from the armchair he occupied. “It's not a problem. I like Scottie's. You don't mind if I tag along, do you?”

Kianti let the PDA hang limp in her hand. “Scottie's?”

“Unless your drummer friend would mind if you
bring a guest along.” He winked and pushed out of the chair.

Kianti leaned back on her dresser. “How did you—?”

“I didn't catch his name when I was there before.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

Therin shrugged. “Well, I had them send you a drink. What'd they give you, by the way?”

Kianti slapped his bare shoulder when he leaned next to her against then dresser. “Why didn't you come and say hello to me?”

“I was debating.”

“On?”

He bowed his head. “Whether to tell you I was there, 'specially after I saw you with your friend.”

“Shelton?”

Therin's sleek brows rose. “You guys seemed pretty close.”

Kianti nudged his shoulder. “Are you jealous?”

“Should I be?”

“No.” She laughed.

“Does your boy Shelton know that?”

It was Kianti's turn to shrug then. “I guess so.” She smiled when he fingered the strap that had slid from her shoulder when she shrugged. “We've known each other a long time. Most we've ever talked about at length is our passion—music.” She folded her arms across the bodice of the lilac lounge dress she wore. “He's one of the musicians I'm working with on the school I told you about.”

“I remember.” Therin let his eyes trail her bare skin in a blatantly lurid manner. “I'll bet he really enjoys those conversations.”

Kianti threw her head back and laughed. “You're crazy! Besides, there's no chance for a love affair with my
drummer friend
anyway.”

“Because he's gay?” Therin's tone was hopeful.

She smirked. “Because of
you.
”

“Me?”

Her gaze faltered. “You've got a little something to do with it.”

“A little something?” he challenged, bringing his mouth to her ear and beginning a soft nibble of the silky skin beneath it. Kianti tilted her head, offering his mouth more room to roam.

In one smooth, effortless move, Therin clutched her waist and pulled her from the dresser. Keeping her captive between his thighs, he cupped his hands around her neck and propped his thumbs beneath her jaw to bring her chin up for his kiss.

A shuddery moan lilted from deep in her throat when his tongue enticed hers to a wet, passionate romp. Kianti linked her arms about his neck and brushed her firming nipples against his chest.

Therin squeezed her hips, bringing her closer to the part of him that was hung low and hard for her.

Kianti felt the proof of desire below his sleep pants and knew there would be no going anywhere except to bed if she didn't resist…or at least
try
to.

“I've got to get in the shower now if I intend to get to the club at a decent time.” She groaned when he ignored her and brought his hands round to cup and fondle her breasts. “You're welcome to share it with me….”

Therin looked at her then as though she had lost
her mind. “Do you really intend to keep this date?” he asked, joining in when she laughed.

 

“These people can get pretty wild, but they're a great bunch,” Kianti warned Therin as they made their way into Scottie's through the back entrance.

Therin grimaced playfully while holding open the door for her. “Do you think I'm some kind of stick-in-the-mud because of my profession?”

“Well, these folks aren't a group of educators,” she drawled and tugged on the sleeve of the black denim jacket he wore.

“Key Law in da house!” a pencil-slim man in a chef's hat bellowed when he spotted the new arrivals in his kitchen.

“Hey, Nate.” Kianti giggled when the man tugged her into a bear hug. “Nate Eastman, this is Therin Rucker. Nate is Scottie's head chef and one of the most sought after chefs in California.”

“Cali!” Nate feigned offense. “Hell, the world! What's up, man?” he said, extending a hand for Therin to shake.

“Havin' your usual, Key?” Nate's second in command Anton Sewell asked from his place behind a big stove.

“Yeah, thanks Ant!” Kianti waved toward Therin who was still talking with Nate. “Would you like a salad?” she asked when he looked over. “Scottie's has the best in town.”

 

“My kitchen connections are what convinced Cube to come on board as my security,” Kianti told Therin
once they were fixed up with huge chef's salads and on their way out of the kitchen. Their laughter traveled down the winding corridor they took.

The dressing room at Scottie's was a huge place only sectioned off inside by privacy screens for those who felt the need to use them.

The group was definitely a bawdy one, but they all welcomed Therin like he was one of them. The gang was even more intrigued by the newcomer once Khan announced that Therin was a former ambassador. Drinks and conversation flowed, but Therin took advantage of the time to study the dynamics of Kianti and her crew.

He watched her and Khan discuss what style she'd wear her hair that evening. Therin loved the way the heavy coarse mass cascaded behind her shoulders when Khan raked his fingers through it. He looked on while Winton spoke with her about a license agreement for one of her CDs. A data company was interested in hosting it for distribution to libraries nationwide. Cube fetched her more salad while Brody checked her pulse rate.

Therin couldn't help but wonder as he regarded the unorthodox family. With all that male presence in her life, did Kianti Lawrence have room for more?

 

For the next few days, Therin and Kianti set out to add memories to their stolen moments.

They enjoyed everything: morning and moonlit walks along the beach; several firelit dinners were enjoyed there as well. As the waves ebbed, they talked and learned more about one another.

Those conversations steered clear of anything that could bring shadow to their bliss. Taboo topics were of course Kianti's condition, as well as Therin's schedule. They avoided that subject especially, knowing the time was right there and bearing down on them. He had to go and it was the last thing either of them wanted.

 

“I said no, Kia.”

Kianti bit down hard on his earlobe. “If I didn't know better I'd swear you have a thing about control.” She felt his laughter vibrate against her ear.

“Don't all men?” he inquired.

“Mmm…well, thankfully, I haven't had the pleasure of dealing with many who'd turn down the chance to lie back and be pleasured.”

He kept his eyes closed as a smile emerged. “Should that comfort me?”

“It should shame you into letting me…” Lying partially beneath him, she nudged herself against the provocative bulge below his sleep pants. “I'm used to having a fair amount of control in the bedroom.”

Therin massaged the bridge of his nose but that did nothing to take his mind off the increasing stiffness of his shaft. They were wrapped in a cozy fleece on the living room sofa where they'd come to watch the sunrise on a chilly morning.