Private Melody

by Altonya Washington

  “Ha! When you eat.”

  She raised her mug in a mock toast. “In spite of all that, his condition became my condition. What?” she asked, noticing the secretive smile he gave.

  “Just that it’s hard to believe that you could play so hard, that it affects your heart rate like that.” The smile returned. “I wouldn’t compare piano playing to running a marathon.”

  “Marathon? I’d never make it past the first turn.” She poked fun at herself then and nodded. “But in defense of what I do, it is a very exhilarating craft and I put my all into it.”

  “The pills must help.” He noticed her frown as if there were a bad taste in her mouth. “Kianti? The pills?” He probed. “They help, don’t they?”

  She pushed away her plate. “Remember what you said about not having the right to know everything?”

  “I’d say you’ve opened the door here,” he challenged and set aside his plate as well. “You’ve already told me so much, why stop now?”

  “I stopped taking them,” she blurted when it became obvious that he wasn’t going to let up on the questioning.

  Therin stroked a sideburn and seemed to consider what she’d just said. “Didn’t you tell me they’re your only treatment?”

  She scooted off the stool. “Are you done?” She took his plate without waiting for an answer.

  “Did Brody take you off of them?”

  “No. I took myself off them.”

  “What?”

  She scraped any leftover food down the disposal and rinsed out the sink. “I took myself off them.” She kept her back toward Therin.

  “Why the hell would you do a stupid thing like that?”

  In reply, Kianti began rinsing the dishes and putting them in the washer.

  “Does Brody know?”

  She grabbed the utensils from the kitchen island. “He does and he’s fine with it.”

  Therin stood. “Now why don’t I believe that?”

  Kianti loaded the utensils. “Can we stop talking about it? I don’t expect you to get it.”

  He blocked her way when she moved to collect more items for the dishwasher. “So help me to get it, then.”

  “Why do you care?” she snapped and then pressed her fingers to her temples. “I’m sorry.” She went to rinse out the food warmers.

  “Stop.” Easily, he trapped her against the island, one hand on either side of her. “Listen, I don’t know you well, but I’d like to change that.”

  “Why?” She kept her eyes trained on the floor. “You can’t possibly be interested in pursuing a sickly woman like me.”

  “Maybe I am.” His voice was deep and tight with emotion he realized only she had the power to rouse. “Maybe deep down I’ve got some Florence Nightingale tendencies lurking.” He tilted his head to study her face and saw her produce the smile he’d been seeking. He moved back to lean on the corner opposite her. “Will you at least help me understand why you’d take such a dangerous chance with your life?”

  “This is almost impossible to explain to someone who’s never had a chronic illness that keeps them chained to treatments.” She smoothed hands across her bare arms and began to walk around the kitchen. “I want to live,” she said simply. “I don’t feel that I can do that with medication as a constant reminder that I’m…different.”

  Therin’s brows drew close over his bright eyes and his heart went out to her. He caught her before she could walk past, cupping her face when he turned her to him.

  “It’s only one pill, sweet. Seems like a small price to pay.”

  Her dark gaze appeared haunted. “It’s not the pills—not exactly the pills—but what they represent. Weakness. ‘Kianti can’t do this because she’s too frail…’” she mimicked. “Do you know how many times I heard that as a child—as an adult?” She studied his face, her fingertips aching to graze the glossy sideburns framing his very handsome face. She shook off the need. “You couldn’t understand,” she muttered.

  “You’re probably right.” His thumbs smoothed the flawless cinnamon of her skin before he reluctantly pulled his hands from her face. “That’s probably due to selfishness, though.”

  Kianti brought a hand to her hip. “Selfishness?”

  “I just met you and since then you’ve consumed the majority of my thoughts.” He invaded her space until he had her trapped against the island once more. “I don’t know what the hell I’ll do when I go back to Vancouver. I’m sort of getting used to seeing you every day.”

  “Well…” She uttered a nervous laugh, fighting to make the moment light. “It’s the technology age, you know? I’m as close as your computer.”

  “Right.” His eyes narrowed as they roamed every inch of her face. “Sadly, my laptop won’t allow me to do this.”

  Kianti would have melted to the floor when he kissed her, had he not gathered her close before he took her mouth with his. The kiss went directly to sultry, scooping up flecks of sweetness along the way.

  To accommodate for the difference in their heights, he perched her on the edge of the island and stepped between her thighs. Never once did he break the kiss. Kianti gave into the delicious tingling that began at the part of her that most ached for him and radiated outward to the rest of her. Boldly, she flexed her thighs about him and drew him closer.

  Therin allowed his hands free rein, massaging her back through the cottony material of her halter. He moved around to fondle her breasts, groaning into her mouth as he squeezed.

  “Mmm…” Her voice wavered when he broke the kiss to trail his mouth down her neck and across her collarbone. In moments, she felt his face at the valley between her breasts. She arched insistently, silently begging him to tend to them properly.

  Therin trailed his nose down the cleft, breathing in the scent of her skin and proving to himself that her breasts were as full and supple as he’d suspected. His hands continued to fondle her, thumbs working the nipples into solid gems eager to be sucked.

  “Therin…” She arched more determinedly.

  The cinnamon-brown mounds nudged his mouth each time she took a breath. “Kianti…” He pressed his forehead to her chest and sighed.

  “Please don’t go,” she easily read his mind.

  Going was just what he intended on doing. Whatever was happening between them only had the chance of being a fling at best. There was, after all, a vast amount of distance between them and two very hectic lifestyles. He didn’t want to accept any of it.

  God, he was in trouble.

  “You’re afraid of me, aren’t you?” Kianti asked, feeling his touch cool.

  “Damn right,” he admitted, and then cupped his hand about her neck when she would have looked away. “Not for the reasons you think,” he said. “I’ve got to head back tomorrow afternoon. If I sleep with you now, I’d tell my responsibilities to go to hell.”

  “Would that be such a bad thing?” She kept her eyes on the massage she applied to the bend of his elbow where his sleeve ended.

  “It wouldn’t be bad at all.” He grinned, yet rolled his eyes. “Still more of a headache than I’d need if I put it off for too long.”

  Kianti’s mouth turned down, but she wouldn’t beg. Well…no more than she already had.

  “Look at me.” He flexed his hand lightly about her neck and waited. “Have dinner with me tonight.”

  “What shall I cook?” Her dark eyes were brilliant with expectancy then.

  Therin chuckled. “As much as I love your cooking, it’d be safer if we go out. Since this is your town, you pick the place.”

  Kianti accepted the invitation with a nod and curved her fingers into his collar. “Dress casual,” she said.

  “Be ready by seven.” He didn’t trust himself to kiss her again and simply brushed his thumb to her cheek before he left.

  San Diego, California~

  Former military liaison and decorated marine Shepard Yale had an unfailing reputation for being a no-nonsense, hard-as-nails leader. When Therin arrived at the corner
café where he’d agreed to meet the retired general, he saw none of that spit-and-polish demeanor, but one that was more approachable. Therin assumed that becoming a grandparent definitely changed a person.

  The general nodded, a smile coming to his face when he noticed Therin. He stood with a fluid grace but his posture was straight as a rod. Retired or not, the man still held on to a bit of that spit and polish.

  “Hope this isn’t too far out of the way, General,” Therin said as they shook hands. “I got the feeling you’d want to take this meeting privately.”

  “I thank you for your consideration, son.” Shepard Yale’s mouth turned into a smile that hinted at how impressed he was. “I’ve heard of your diplomacy and discretion. Happy to find those attributes to be true of you.”

  Therin nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Location’s not a problem,” the general said while reclaiming his seat at the table. “I live out in Marin now. My daughter and her family are visiting—they made a trip in to visit the Star Wars place.” He shrugged. “I came along for the ride so we’ve got a while to chat before I have to go back to meet them.”

  “Well, you must know how curious I was to hear that you’d called.” Therin tapped the shellacked surface of the table. “When I was an ambassador, we never had the chance to collaborate on any issues.”

  A waitress arrived for orders then. Once she left, General Yale studied the sunny view of the bay beyond the café’s windows. “A man’s issues can change with the onset of age,” he said.

  “Are you all right, sir?”

  The general chuckled. “I’m in good health, son. Sorry for getting too prophetic on you there. I was thinking about my being a grandfather now. Perhaps the most rewarding charge I’ve ever had in my life. I place it above all the pomp surrounding being a liaison and decorated general, above raising my own kids, even.” Something shadowed his vivid blue gaze. “I was so busy working to build my life. I devoted my time and talents to strengthening the country’s infrastructure, but ignored the most basic necessities—the education of our children.”

  The confusion, which had lightly shadowed Therin’s face for the better part of the visit, gradually cleared.

  “Watching my grandkids grow, I realize I want them to have it all or as close to getting it as they can come. Education is the foundation for making that happen.”

  “Agreed,” Therin said just as the waitress returned with their iced teas.

  “I’ve heard many impressive things about your work for education,” the general said when they were alone again. “Your work with EYES captured my interest especially.”

  “Sir.” Therin nodded briefly.

  The general’s posture softened when he leaned closer to the table. “We had our eye on EYES at one time. No one believed an organization raking in that kind of cash could be about as noble a cause as they claimed.”

  Therin grinned. “And what do you think now?”

  “I think it’s an organization I’d greatly like to be part of, but I’d like an insider’s view before I make my intentions public.”

  Therin trailed his fingers along the tea glass, which had begun to sweat. “I could tell you what you already know and talk your head off about the organization’s missions and successes or you could see for yourself. I’m working to put an event in place—be happy to put you on the guest list.”

  “Ha!” The general smacked his hand to the table. “Direct and no bullshit. Findin’ more and more to like about you every minute, son.”

  “Sir? Offering your support this way…do you have any idea about the aggravation you’re letting yourself in for?” Therin asked once their sandwiches had arrived.

  General Yale laughed aloud. His weather-beaten face had taken on almost the same magenta tint as the short-sleeved dress shirt he wore. “Son, I’ve been in aggravations my entire career. No reason why retiring should change that.”

  “It’s just that throwing your support toward education will set a lot of folks on edge. You’re known as a hard-nosed military man whose allegiance has always been to the strengthening of our military first and foremost—everything else has appeared to have taken a backseat to that. Education, most of all.” Therin shrugged while removing the pickle from his turkey club. “The ones not set on edge by you suddenly changing your stance could send a lot of their financial support toward other causes and away from their usual interests.”

  “And I’m hoping for that very thing.” The general took a swallow of his tea. “I recognize the danger our kids’ futures are in. In many ways I helped contribute to it. My timing’s piss-poor, but I’d like to try somehow to make amends for that before I leave this place.”

  “General.” Therin leaned across to shake the man’s hand, commending his new ideals. “The event will be held in Vancouver—date is still to be determined. Should you prefer to keep your interest more discreet, I’d understand should you choose not to attend.”

  “Hmph. I couldn’t keep it discreet if I tried. My staff works harder for me now than they did before I retired.”

  “I thought they’d be back in D.C. or elsewhere?” Therin took a bite of the sandwich.

  “You thought right. Their superiors may have changed, but their jobs are still the same. Many of my connections, the knowledge I hold about them and how to deal with them are still of interest.” He cut his roast beef on rye into quarters. “We meet from time to time to discuss such matters.”

  “And one thing leads to another and soon you’re discussing your own…future plans?” Therin guessed, joining in when the general grinned.

  “I had my staff do some checking.” Shepard Yale cleared his throat as his laughter quieted. “They all told me you were the man to see for the honest scoop.”

  “Mmm.” Therin cringed. “Having a reputation for honesty can be a negative in the political game.”

  “This is true.” The general regarded Therin thoughtfully. “I suppose I should ask if you’ve thought about what sort of aggravations you’re in store for. Bringing a hard-nosed general in on the noble bandwagon? If you didn’t have enemies before, you’re sure to have ’em now.”

  “Well, sir, it’s like you said, I’ve been dealing with aggravations my entire career. No reason why my heading the noble bandwagon should change that.”

  Laughter rumbled between the two men as they raised their glasses in toast.

  “I shouldn’t have told you.”

  “Baby, please, I’m very happy, only…”

  “Only you’re concerned about me overdoing it.”

  “Well…that and…well, baby, we’ve sort of gotten used to being kept in the dark about the young men in your life.”

  Kianti smiled when her mother’s words came through the phone line. The spontaneous call to her mother down in San Francisco had surprised her as well.

  “Honey?” Francina Lawrence’s usually robust voice held a whiff of unease.

  “You’re right, I…I don’t know what made me call.”

  “He sounds special from the little you’ve told me.”

  Again, Kianti smiled, not surprised her mother caught on to her vague details regarding Therin. She felt both giddy and stupid. She was so affected by what was happening. She had to tell someone. She wouldn’t acknowledge the small voice someplace deep that said she was trying to impress her mother—show her she not only had the strength to attract a good man but the will to make it last.

  “So what do Brody and the guys have to say about this?”

  Shadow dimmed Kianti’s gaze then. “They’re concerned, as usual, but I think they approve.”

  “And everything is still all right with Brody taking those quick pulse checks while you’re on the road?”

  Kianti smiled, predicting the turn a conversation with her mother usually took. “Everything’s still all right, Mama.”

  “Your father and I would feel so much better if you’d make more time for appropriate physicals during your tour dates.”

  �
�Ma…don’t, okay? I’m sorry.” She winced having heard Francina’s sigh over the line. “It’s just that I’m feeling really good right now…please let me?”

  Francina’s sigh was more resigned that time. “All right, baby. All right. Can I at least tell your dad about this new young man of yours when he gets home?”

  Kianti smiled, her mood brightening at thoughts of her father, Donald Lawrence. “Yes, I can’t wait for you to tell him. Thanks, Mama.”

  “I love you, honey.”

  Chapter 7

  Vancouver, BC, Canada~

  Rick Dubose knew he had no reason to be pissed about having to head back into the office for the file he needed to finish that weekend. Still, he was pissed just the same. It wasn’t every Saturday night that a man had a date with an angel.

  It probably wasn’t until that night, though, that his habit for being forgetful really got to him for the first time in his life.

  At least he was organized. He cheered when the file was lying right where he left it on the cabinet in his cubicle.

  “Jocelyn, here I come,” Rick sang while stuffing the file into his satchel. He sprinted from the office, set the alarm and locked the front door. When he turned, a figure in shadow stood behind him.

  “The boss is gonna get you all killed,” the figure growled seconds before it eased a knife into Rick Dubose’s abdomen.

  Pacifica, California~

  Therin was finally able to put off criticizing himself for indulging in play while there was so much work to be done. The lunch meeting with General Yale had changed all that. Productive indeed. The man’s presence in EYES would reap benefits no one could imagine.

  The easy expression he wore faded for a moment as all the sacrifices he’d made over the years hit home. No, his life hadn’t been easy since he’d jumped on the “noble bandwagon” as the general had called it.

  Such frustration, such sorrow—loss. He’d never admit it aloud, but it had all been due to the choices he’d made. It all combined to make him determined to see that there was something phenomenal to show for it in the end.