Private Melody (11 page)

A
series of hushed directions whispered against Therin's shoulder led him to Kianti's bedroom.

“How'd you find me?” she asked once he'd set her to her feet and proceeded to undress her.

“Casey told me after I went to your place and found you gone,” he grumbled while tugging the sweater from her shoulders. A sunflower-yellow tank top followed.

“Why didn't you try my cell?” She shivered as more of her body was bared to his sights and touch.

“Wanted to surprise you.” He squeezed her calf, silently urging her from the sweats and panties he'd tugged down to her feet. “Wasn't until I came all the way out here that I got pissed as hell.”

“Why?” she whispered even as he lifted her bare form and settled her to the middle of the bed.

“What are you doing all the way out here in the
middle of nowhere with a snowstorm barreling down on you?”

“I…” Kianti found she couldn't lock in on the words she needed. She could only stare in awe as he stood over her, rugged and pissed off while shrugging out of his boots, jacket and toboggan.

“I have neighbors.” The words were slow in coming. She wanted to moan instead when he tugged the sweater over his head to reveal his muscle-cut abdomen. He was half-undressed, garbed only in the dark low-rise jeans.

Kianti left her explanations and snuggled into him when he covered her on the bed. She shivered anew at the sensation of his toned chest against her. The friction of the rough denim next to her bare thighs only enhanced her pleasure.

Their kissing resumed deep and heated. Therin cupped her neck in his hand to hold her still while he rotated his tongue around hers. She locked her legs high about his back and ground down on the delicious bulge straining behind the zipper of his jeans. Tingles riddled her body, but she reached down to help him out of the confinements.

Therin refused her assistance, preferring to drive her insane with his hands and mouth. He left no part of her untouched, raking his nose over and under her breasts. He paid extra attention to the dark firm nipples and inhaled her scent when his nose dipped into her belly-button. When she'd orgasmed twice, and believed she could stand no more, he proved her wrong.

Jerkily, he came out of the denims, grabbing a pack of condoms from one of the back pockets before he cast them aside.

Therin pressed a packet into her palm and indulged in more kissing and caressing.

It was no easy task, considering his every brush to her skin had her aching and moaning open-mouthed into the air. She emerged victorious, however. Once protection was in its place, she guided him inside her. A trembling sound filtered past her lips when he thrust long and deep.

No thoughts of going slow occurred to either of them. The room was illuminated by the falling snow and by the robust sounds of their impassioned voices.

 

“This is incredible.” Therin admitted to the beauty beyond the tall paned windows in Kianti's bedroom. It was much later and they lay cuddled there watching the snow continue its descent. His arms tightened about her and he hid his face in her hair to inhale the fragrance.

“I don't see how they can leave you out here alone, though,” he murmured.

“Remember the neighbors I told you about?” Kianti's voice sounded slow and sleepy as she savored her contentment. “It was the only way I could convince the guys to give me time out here.”

“Still…”

“Therin, I'm pretty sure the guys have already been aggravating Wren and Vern like crazy—asking if they can see any lights burning over here and crap like that.”

Therin couldn't help but give in to laughter.

“I don't know what all they can see two miles up the road anyway but…” She yawned.

“Two miles.” Therin tensed.

“They're the best neighbors anyone could ask for.”
She nudged his abs with her elbow and smiled. “Wren's a nurse and Vern's a veterinarian. I'd say that covers me on the healthcare end, wouldn't you?”

He gathered her closer. “What do you do out here?” His voice vibrated against the back of her neck.

She laughed. “Therin, I'm not on the moon! We do the same things as everyone else—shopping, movies… We just have to travel a bit farther to do it. Chicago's not far, then there's Winnipeg.”

“Guess I never thought there were black people in North Dakota—or South, for that matter.”

“We're very,
very
few and far between. Closest I've come to finding another person of color is Wren. She's Native American—Chippewa.”

“And Vern the vet?” Therin teased, grunting playfully when her elbow poked him again.

“He's a regular white guy and they're two of my best friends.”

“I'd like to meet them.” He felt her cringe. “What?”

“Just that you being here won't be a secret for long if they find out, and once the guys call…”

“You want us to be a secret?” His light eyes narrowed.

She sighed, turning her face into a pillow. “There's little I can claim for my own, you know? A private life is one of those things. Even if it's only a few stolen moments, I'll take 'em.”

Therin kissed her cheek. “I can accept that, 'specially if it gives me more time to have you to myself.”

A naughty smile curved her mouth as she bumped her bottom against his firming sex. “And what will you do with me now that you've got me all to yourself?”
Wild laughter flew from her throat when he flipped her to her back.

“Shall I tell you or show you?”

“Both,” she gasped, and giggled only a moment before his kiss silenced her.

 

Therin pushed up amidst the covers. He frowned into the darkened room while rubbing fingers through the wavy hair covering his head. He didn't bother calling out for Kianti. He already sensed she wasn't there next to him in the huge bed. Pushing back the covers, he left the bed and padded naked through the dark silence.

He heard her breathing when he stepped into the den. Her wheezing caught his ears. She was lying on the sofa covered by an afghan. A kiss pressed to her temple told him she was shivering. Something told Therin that it wasn't because she was cold.

Without hesitation, he checked her pulse and hissed an obscenity. Bounding from the den, he returned less than a minute later with a glass of water…and a pill. Gently, he eased her into a sitting position.

“Take it.” He pressed the medication to her palm.

“No.” She grimaced weakly and tried to push it back to him. “Therin, no…” She made a pitiful attempt at twisting out of his embrace.

“Take it on your own or I put it down your throat myself.” His voice was sweet but no less firm.

“Damn you.” She coughed and closed her eyes. “Do you know how long I've gone without—?”

“Forget it.”

When she opened her eyes, they were swimming in tears.

Therin braced one hand to the arm of the sofa and the other along the back, effectively trapping her. “Forget it.” He persisted.

Kianti threw the pill into her mouth and glared defiantly as she swallowed. She would have settled back to the sofa, but Therin took her up in his arms. He put her back to bed, but didn't join her. He watched her until she drifted back into sleep.

 

Late the next morning, Kianti walked into the kitchen wearing a foul expression that grew fouler when she spotted Therin enjoying coffee in the mini living area.

“Feeling better?” he asked, his gaze hooded as it raked her from head to toe.

“You don't know what you've done.” Her voice came out as a hiss.

Therin shrugged. “I thought I understood Brody's instructions pretty well.” He blew across the surface of the creamy coffee. “Oh, he gave me a new bottle of your prescription,” Therin explained when he saw her mouth fall open at his mention of Brody's name. “He figured you wouldn't tell me where to find them if it turned out you'd need them…”

“Sons of bitches,” she murmured, raking all ten fingers through her hair. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“The man sharing your bed,” he spoke without hesitation.

“That doesn't give you the right—”

“It gives me every right.”

She rolled her eyes and sauntered toward the kitchen.
“Don't flatter yourself, Therin. I've got four like you back home. I'm not in the mood to collect another.”

He bolted to his feet and caught her halfway across the kitchen. “You don't have
any
like me.”

She blinked, the nasty flip mood that'd been building depleted like a popped balloon. She knew further arguments would be unwise. Besides, he was right. She didn't have any like him. She never had.

“Go back to bed.” He brushed past her. “I'll bring your breakfast and wake you in time for dinner with the Shays. Yeah, I've already met them.” He went to collect his coffee cup and didn't bother to turn and witness her stunned expression. “Wren already rushed home to make a pot of her special stew. We can make your last night here a memorable one—nicely memorable, that is.”

“Last night?” She watched him calmly rubbing a hand across his carved abs as he drained his coffee cup.

“We're going to Canada in the morning.”

“Canada? But I can't just—”

“Already forgotten your commitment to my event, I guess?” He propped a hand to the waistband of his sleep pants and waited.

Kianti opened her mouth and then closed it.

“Right.” He strolled into the kitchen to start her breakfast. “Besides, you're out of your mind if you think I'll leave you alone here after—” He stopped himself, not wanting to remember the fear that had gripped him the night before. “Go to bed, Kia,” he ordered in the softest tone he could muster.

 

Vernon and Wren Shay's home was the epitome of Southwestern motif. The beauty of Wren's previous native Arizona life was apparent in every room of the house in such a way that the warmth of the area radiated from every space.

The two couples enjoyed hot cocoa and coffee from the deck overlooking the Western portion of the expansive property. From there, the group had an unforgettable view of the setting sun at the snowy horizon. The abundance of conversation settled as well. The foursome soaked in the late-afternoon coziness, which was enhanced by the fragrance of the simmering stew and baking bread from indoors.

Therin appreciated solitude as much as anyone but couldn't for the life of him understand how two city kids could make a life where the market was fifteen miles away.

“Sounds crazy, we know,” Vernon said when the high volume of laughter lowered a few decibels. “But you know things can happen in a person's life that make one decision appear like the only sane choice.” He settled down deeper into the cushioned wood chair he occupied and smiled as a quick chilly wind ruffled his thick brown hair.

“I can't speak for Wren—” he gave his wife an adoring wink “—but being out here for the past ten of our sixteen years of marriage, I've never felt more able to think and to feel like my thoughts have a clarity.” He warmed his hands about a mug of black coffee and shrugged. “Now, one could argue that those thoughts
were there even when we lived in L.A., but I'll be damned if I could find 'em.”

“I'm guessing Therin can relate to us on that, hon.” Wren spoke to her husband but her wide dark stare was trained on Therin. “There's a solitary beauty to Vancouver. Sure, it's a bit more…busy than the Dakotas, but it's similar.”

Therin was already nodding. His light eyes slid from Wren's face to the unending view. “There've definitely been times in my life when that solitude was what I needed.”

Kianti had been relatively silent while nursing her cocoa. She studied Therin closely, wondering at what he was thinking of. What had those
times
in his life entailed? She didn't have long to wonder, for soon Vernon was probing a bit deeper into Therin's response.

“I guess an ambassador's life isn't all fancy parties and glamour, huh?”

Therin laughed, stroking his index finger along a sideburn as he sobered. “Those fancy parties and glamour have their price, man. There're a lot of sacrifices I had to make during the course of my post.” He frowned a little then. “I guess if I hadn't taken my duty so seriously, the sacrifices may not have been so costly.” Again, he laughed and put a rather sheepish smile in place.

“Now that I've put a cloud over the evening…”

The Shays joined Therin in hearty laughter.

“Well, you know out here we're used to clouds,” Vern said and leaned over to clink his coffee mug against Therin's.

New discussion began. Kianti maintained her quiet, preferring to spend her time studying Therin.

T
he trip to Vancouver from Neche wasn't a straight shot. Therin wanted to take his time with the trip. Instead of calling for the plane that brought him to Kianti in North Dakota, he decided on driving part of the way.

They took advantage of that, making frequent stops along the way. There was the International Peace Garden in Manitoba, Canada. Unfortunately, because of the time of year, it was impossible to take a look at the Floral Clock. Still, the time was well spent and the couple enjoyed sharing stories of their past visits to the incredible site.

Later, there was lunch at a greasy spoon café that they both adored. Conversation revolved around Therin's high-powered friends and Kianti's fans—what would those folks think if they saw them there?

Despite the informality of the day, Kianti felt a bit taken aback. She grew more silent the closer they came
to Vancouver. Therin was being recognized a bit more frequently by then. This posed no problem. Kianti was captivated by the ease with which he greeted the average joes who wanted to talk politics or even hockey. He possessed a definite charm that wasn't some trick that he'd picked up from the campaign trails he'd traveled as a politician. His charm was natural and easy. Kianti could almost feel it and she relished the warmth.

 

Kianti's observance of Therin switched to an even higher gear with they arrived at the penthouse apartment he kept at a Vancouver hotel.

Royalty indeed,
she thought while taking in all the attention paid to the unassuming thirty-something black man with looks to die for and charm to spare. In spite of what she already knew about him, she kept expecting his demeanor to change. She looked for him to grow cocky or arrogant because of all the elaborate bowing and scraping he received. Nothing changed, though. He never changed. Kianti found herself more enchanted by him because of it.

 

Sadly though, at least as far as Kianti saw it, reality set in like dead weight. It was early evening when they arrived at the golden-lit, elegant living quarters he kept on the top floor along with a suite of offices.

Shortly however, the bellmen and hotel concierge left them alone. Kianti discovered Therin's opinions about her healthcare were also unchanged.

“That's right…mmm-hmm…baked Mahi, rolls and steamed veggies.” Therin looked over at Kianti, brows raised for her approval of the meal he called down for.
When she gave him the thumbs-up, he winked. “Sounds good…all right, thanks.”

“Do you want your pill before or after you eat?” He set the cordless back to the charging dock and shot her a quick glance over his shoulder.

Kianti felt her heart sink but braced back her disappointment. “Neither,” she stubbornly replied.

“All right.” Therin shrugged, pulling off the black fleece hoody he wore over a simple white T-shirt. “Before, then,” he decided.

She rolled her eyes. “Therin, don't do this. Please. Not when we've had such a great time.”

“You're right.” He walked toward her, not stopping until he was bracing hands on the back of the sofa. “We have had a great time. I intend on us having a great night, too.”

Kianti wouldn't let herself be swayed by his meaning. She held on to her stubbornness.

“Don't think that my…episode the other night means I'm ready to start a new regimen with those things.”

Therin bowed his head, feeling his jaw muscles tighten in tandem with the rising of his temper. A smile cut through the frustration. She had the ability to rile him so easily and he continued to be amazed by it.

“Those
things
help keep you alive. You do realize that, don't you?”

She brought a fist down to the back of the sofa. “You're letting Brody set you on edge with that over-protective streak of his.”

Therin's bright deep-set gaze registered disbelief. “How can such a gifted woman be so dense? So obtuse about her own life?”

Kianti leaned back on the sofa and began to chew on her thumbnail. “You can't understand this.”

Therin muttered a curse and paced behind the sofa.

“You don't know how it feels to grow up different because you can play Beethoven at six and then even more different because you've got the heart of someone three times your age. To hell with it.” The flared sleeves of her sweater whipped wildly when she waved him off. “Nothing's worth being tied to those things a minute longer than I have to be.” She raised her chin defiantly.

“That may be dense and obtuse but it's
my
choice and I have no intention to go back on it.” Something flickered in her dark, tilting stare. “Not even for the promise of enjoying a fully charged love scene with you.”

Therin stopped pacing then and rounded the sofa where she reclined. “You think that's why I'm doing this?” He brought his hands down on either side of her when she tried to move. “You think I'm more concerned with not being pestered by the possibility of you dying on me?”

She lowered her head, instantly regretting her words.

“Second bedroom on the other side of the living room,” he grumbled and left the sofa. “You'll find your things already there. Dinner should be up in twenty.” He left the room without a look back.

Kianti stayed behind. She left the sofa and made a slow trek across the living room to take in the view of the city from the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the entire wall. She was contented by the late-evening view of lights just beginning to twinkle against the bluish-
purple sky. She removed the pill bottle from the front pocket of her jeans.

Smiling then, she thought of her four—
five
protectors. She wondered if they'd believe that she had never kept the bottle too far. She thought back to what she'd just said to Therin.

Nothing could make her change her mind about taking them. That wasn't true. That was so very far from the truth.

 

“Can't tell you how happy I am to have you around to help me plan this thing.” Therin chuckled over something Ruby had just said. “I still wish you'd taken more time off, though. If anybody deserves it, it's you.”

“I'm much better off at work, Therin.” Ruby sighed over the line. “All that time off and I'm liable to get into more trouble.”

“Well, the offer still stands if you change your mind about taking more time.”

“Thanks, Therin. Listen, I'll call when I have more info about those lighting crews.”

“Sounds good.” A soft knock fell to Therin's bedroom door when he set down the phone. “It's open,” he called.

Kianti ventured no farther than the doorway. “Dinner's here.”

He nodded, taking in the length of her before leaving the armchair. “I'll be out in a sec. You don't have to wait for me.”

Kianti turned to leave the room but changed her mind. “Therin? I'm sorry for what I let you think…I know you said it because you care.”

Therin nodded even while the voice inside his head demanded that he tell her the truth. In the short while he'd known her, during the few stolen moments they'd shared, he'd fallen in love with her.

Kianti didn't know what to make of his silence, so she nodded and turned again to give him his privacy.

“Um…” He waited for her to turn again. “There's a piano down in one of the lounges. The desk knows you want to practice, so they've sectioned it off. No one should disturb you there.”

Her smile wavered. “Thanks.”

Stares lingered for a time before they parted ways.

 

Dinner was a
strained
quiet affair. The Mahi and vegetables were perfectly cooked and seasoned. However, the effects of the lengthy trip finally began to grate at them once they'd had the chance to wind down. Silent decisions had been made on both sides—to call it a night following the delicious meal.

Kianti offered no argument when Therin leaned over to set a pill to the edge of her saucer. She took it without argument, too plain tuckered out to make an issue of it. The doorbell buzzed and they each gave a start at the interruption.

“I'll go.” She dabbed a linen napkin to her mouth.

“What for?” Therin queried around a bit of Mahi.

“You've got business.”

“Ah.” He waved off her reasoning and pushed back from the table. “My staff needs to see that I haven't been lying about you.” He was on his way to the double gold-trimmed maplewood doors.

“Aside from Vaughn, none of them believe I know you, let alone have a relationship with you.”

Kianti blinked at his words and would have appreciated hearing more on their “relationship.”

The bell sounded again, though, just as Therin turned the lever. Vaughn Burgess entered along with Gary Bryce and Peter Stanson. The group arrived with hearty greetings and handshakes. They quieted and grew downright subdued when they spotted the petite cinnamon-brown beauty at the table across the living room.

“Kianti Lawrence. Gary Bryce and Peter Stanson.” Therin grinned, taking great enjoyment in their awe.

Vaughn gave each man a nudge when they simply stood there gawking. Gary and Peter finally stepped forward to shake hands with Kianti.

“It's nice to see you again, Ms. Lawrence,” Vaughn said, offering his hand next.

“My wife and I really enjoy your work,” Peter said once he'd regained his verbal abilities.

“Thank you so much. I hope I'll have the chance to meet her during Therin's event.”

“We're honored to have you be a part of this,” Vaughn said.

“I'm the one who's honored.” Kianti smiled and then clasped her hands together. “Well, guys, that trip really wiped me out. I think I'm gonna go turn in. Good night.”

There was another round of handshakes and lingering looks toward Therin before she left the room.

Still grinning over his associates' reactions, Therin
smoothed a hand across the front of his T-shirt and resumed his place at the table to finish the last of his Mahi.

“Jesus, Ther.” Gary was still looking in the direction Kianti had exited. “Vaughn must be some kind of talker to convince you to leave her in California.”

Therin grinned. “It wasn't easy.”

“She's so little,” Peter noted.

“Hmph.” Therin drained his bottle of Sam Adams. “Don't let that fool you. She's a tough one.”

“Sorry for bothering you here your first night back, man.”

Therin shrugged toward Vaughn. “Anything wrong?”

“Nah, nothing like that.” Vaughn took a seat at Kianti's place. “Everything's on schedule. The first members of the organization are arriving and have already checked into their rooms.”

“Bose Cooper and Marley Terrio asked about getting together for breakfast in the morning,” Peter said.

Therin nodded. “Not a problem.”

Vaughn smirked. “You sure?” He was envisioning the two very revered, very outspoken senior members of the EYES organization.

Peter and Gary chuckled, but Therin wasn't offended.

“Tell 'em I'll be there,” Therin confirmed with a grin before he sobered. “So talk to me about Rick, how's he doin'?”

“They released him from the hospital while you were in North Dakota,” Gary said.

“Does he remember anything more about what the guy said?”

Vaughn, Peter and Gary exchanged looks and then asked their boss for clarification. The three listened
while Therin told them about Rick's interpretation of the attacker's words.

“Did he recognize the voice?” Gary asked.

“How can he accuse a member of the staff and he can't even lock in on the voice,” Peter argued.

“Hold up, guys.” Vaughn raised his hands. “Rick didn't actually accuse anybody. He's only questioning the way the guy phrased his words, right, Ther?”

Therin smiled in confirmation. “I know it sounds weird, but there's a reason Rick's so good at what he does. If he feels there's something to this, we'd be fools not to take it seriously.”

 

Therin massaged his eyes and set aside the file he really hadn't been reading. He only wanted to check on Kianti. She'd been so drained when she turned in a few hours ago… He only wanted to be sure she was okay.

Sounds good, Ther.
He convinced himself when in reality his motives were far less noble. Shutting off the lamp in his study, he set out for the room on the other side of the living room.

Kianti hadn't locked the door and he hesitated before twisting the knob. For a time, he stood watching her from the doorway. She didn't stir and, after a while, he moved farther inside the room.

She was a rough sleeper, he mused. Shapely limbs peeked out from a disarray of pillows and covers. His fingertips tingled, aching to touch her.

Lightly, he trailed the back of his hand across her calf and then dutifully eased the covers back into place.

Kianti stirred, murmuring something incoherent. Therin took a seat on the edge of the bed and brushed
coarse smoky black tufts of hair away from her face. The innocent touch quickly grew bolder and he clenched a fist when he realized that. He was cursing himself for taking the least bit of advantage of her, when he felt her hands clutching his. She drew it down to the sheets, beneath them…

“Kia…you need your rest…”

“Please…just a little, mmm…”

It was his undoing. Kianti bit her lip when she got what she craved and felt his fingers at work inside her.

“Therin, no…” she moaned when he stopped.

The disappointment didn't last long. Therin was kissing her deeply and she reciprocated. The session was heated and unrestrained as tensions were set free. Kianti sought a measure of control as usual and,
as usual,
Therin denied her.

There was no disappointment, however, in the love they made. They were both equally aroused, equally pleasured. Therin could scarcely control himself, he needed her so.