Private Melody

by Altonya Washington

  “I wouldn’t.”

  “Goes against your principles?”

  Therin eased his hands into his khaki pockets and shrugged.

  When they got to the ballroom, where the piano performance would take place, Kianti lost her breath. It was a magnificent space of chandeliers, round glass tables and tall windows with alluring views of the grounds. The piano occupied a corner of the large square oak dance floor. Kianti walked around the room as though she were in a daze. She observed the skylights surrounding the chandeliers and could imagine the effect of the golden light mingled with starlight.

  “Can’t believe all this is for me.”

  Therin laughed and strolled the long edge of the floor. “What I can’t believe is that you’re so surprised by all this when you’ve probably played in halls four times as big as this ballroom.”

  “But this is a home.” She trailed her fingers across the cushiony, amber suede sofas and oversize armchairs situated behind the round tables. “This is a home,” she repeated.

  In that moment, Therin didn’t know if he’d ever had such enjoyment in that room.

  “You should check out that piano.” He spoke in a hasty manner when she noticed him staring.

  “I’m sure it’s fine,” she whispered, passing the instrument without a look as she moved closer to Therin. She brought her hands to his biceps and then stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

  “Thank me? It’s you who’s doing me this favor.”

  Kianti shrugged toying with the zipper tab of his blue-gray pullover. “You’ve just shown me how much you appreciate it.”

  Before she could set down on her feet, he gathered her tight and plied her with a deeper kiss. Kianti moved forward, nudging him until he was seated on the back of one of the armchairs. She stepped between his thighs and became a more eager participant in the kiss. She tugged his hand to the front of her blouse and arched her breast against his palm.

  A clearing throat drew them apart moments later. Therin pressed his forehead to hers and inhaled for a few additional seconds before he looked toward the door.

  “Sorry for interrupting.”

  “Come over here,” Therin waved, taking Kianti along with him as they headed for the front of the room. “Kianti Lawrence, I’d like you to meet Morgan Felts, my chief of security,” he said, watching as Morgan behaved in the same awed manner his associates had when they first met Kianti.

  “It’s a pleasure, Ms. Lawrence.”

  “Please call me Kianti.” She shook Morgan’s hand and then glanced quickly across her shoulder. “I should go check out that piano so…it was nice meeting you, Morgan. Hope to see you at the event.”

  Therin allowed Morgan a few more seconds to ogle. “So what’s up?” He clapped the man’s shoulder.

  “Rick.” Morgan cleared his throat. “The guys said he had some ideas about what the attacker told him.”

  “Has anyone been acting strange around the office?” Therin asked once he’d recapped Rick Dubose’s theory.

  Morgan only shook his head.

  Therin noticed him grimace. “What?”

  “Everybody’s edgy as hell around the office.” Morgan raked back the thick blondish-brown tufts of his hair. “Rick’s probably grasping at straws here hoping to come up with something that’ll put everyone else at ease.”

  Therin reclaimed his spot on the back of the chair and watched Morgan pace. “So you think there’s nothing to this?”

  “That’s exactly what I think, and the folks who attacked Rick were most likely counting on you to make somethin’ of it.” Morgan punched a fist to one of the sofa pillows. “Hell, Therin, they know what the guy does for a living—it’s probably why he was targeted in the first place.”

  Contemplating the theory, Therin moved the back of his hand along a sideburn. “Thanks, Morgan.” He saw the man’s expectant stare and nodded. “Will we see you tomorrow night?”

  At ease then, Morgan grinned. “You’re crazy if you think I’d miss out on a free concert by Kianti Lawrence.”

  “How often do you get to enjoy this?”

  Kianti and Therin took in the sunset from the roof of his home. The construction from that end of the house was designed flat to accommodate the coffee table and stuffed lounge chairs. The area was treated for the abundance of snow that fell during the year and could become a weight issue for a flat roof.

  Therin kept Kianti snuggled into his lap. “I almost never get to enjoy it.” He kept his chin propped to her shoulder. “I just had it checked out for the event this weekend. Hope it’ll go over well with the guests.”

  “Oh, I’m sure it will.” She shrugged. “Speaking as a guest and all.”

  Therin kissed her cheek. “Does it make you want to give a big donation to my organization?”

  Kianti turned so that she was straddling him. “The organization will definitely get a big donation.” She settled down snug on top of him. “I’ve got something else in mind for its spokesman.”

  A kiss ensued, growing hot in an instant. As they were alone, Therin didn’t think twice about baring her to his gaze and to his mouth.

  “Don’t stop,” she begged when his mouth closed over the nipple he’d bared. “Mmm…” She thrust herself against his tongue while grinding more insistently against his lap.

  “Damn.” His hands flexed about her thighs and he stood to take her with him. “I really wanted you to see that sunset,” he growled and carried her inside for what he wanted more.

  The EYES Fundraiser and Membership Drive was set to be an important event as well as a glamorous one. Therin’s elaborate home would be the site of the event as well as lodging for various members during the weekend.

  Though the gathering was for a serious cause, much of the buzz surrounded the entertainment the ex-ambassador had pulled together. Such an accomplishment was further proof that the man carried friends in more lucrative areas than politics.

  Kianti’s name surged among the buzz, yet she found herself just as starstruck as anyone. On hand for the affair were two hip-hop moguls she’d been dying to meet. Upon meeting Kianti, however, the gentlemen were interested in beginning talks on a possible collaborative effort with her and few of their artists.

  Therin kept Kianti on his arm quite frequently. He introduced her to the rest of his staff and other members of the organization. They were near the piano talking with Peter Stanson and his wife, Chloe, when several guests moved in to ask if Kianti was about to grace them with a performance. The lovely pianist graciously obliged. The room silenced, making way for the mesmerizing piece she performed.

  Later, Therin and Kianti shared a dance in the center of the candlelit dance floor. They barely swayed to the exotic melody looming about and simply treasured the closeness. Therin kept his face hidden in her neck bared by her upswept hair. He inhaled the light appealing fragrance of her perfume and sighed. Many times, his arms flexed about her minute frame as though he were proving to himself that she was actually there next to him. Kianti was lost in the embrace as well. Therin was stroking her bare skin visible by the design of the airy black dress that flared playfully at her knees. The dress was both elegant and provocative with its plunging V-neck and open back. Therin toyed with the triple set of gold O-rings securing the wide straps that joined at the small of her back.

  The couple was oblivious to all the whispers and notice they received. There was no question that they were an “item” and also no question that the involvement was anything but shallow.

  “You know…” Kianti blinked and scanned the room they twirled around in. “I don’t think I’ve seen this room before.”

  Reluctantly, Therin raised his head from her shoulder. “It’s good to have a place where the guests can retreat.” He graced her with a sly wink. “This room…is off-limits to the press.”

  “Mmm…no press, huh? I like it.” She gave a playful tug to his bowtie. “Well, if you’re hoping to keep us a secret, I don’t think you’ve done too goo
d a job.”

  Therin’s expression sobered. “I’m not trying to do a good job of that. I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

  Kianti reconsidered her rebuttal and pressed her lips together.

  “What?” He dipped his head to focus in on her more closely. “What?”

  It was too late for silence, she realized. She could see the temper stirring in his brilliant stare. “How far are you expecting all this to go between us?” she whispered. She held on to her courage when he bristled. “I just can’t help but point out again our lifestyles—very different—very hectic and very distant… Then there’s the issue of my health, I—” She gasped when his hold tightened suddenly at her waist. “Therin—”

  “Maybe I should be asking what you expect to come from all this between us?”

  She’d always celebrated her ability to say what she wanted. No coy games… Now, she couldn’t live up to that ability. The thought of telling him she loved him and wanted him with her always was too frightening.

  If only he’d say it first…which was what she hoped for. That’d give her the courage to share her thoughts…maybe.

  Again, she bowed her head so he couldn’t see her rolling her eyes as she cursed the idiocy of that. She was saved, though, when they were interrupted a few seconds later.

  “Mr. Ambassador? It’s time.”

  “Thanks, Owen.” Therin smiled over at the young man who’d touched his shoulder. He looked back down at Kianti, apology filling his gaze when he smiled.

  “You’ve got to go to work,” she said before he could speak a word.

  “I want us to finish this.” He linked his fingers through one of the dress rings to keep her still.

  “We will.” She patted his chest reassuringly. “There’ll be time.”

  He searched her deep dark gaze for a lengthy moment and then kissed her forehead hard and offered an arm. Together, they left the dance floor.

  Chapter 14

  Therin and Kianti parted ways shortly after they returned to the main ballroom. Moments after their presence was discovered, they were drawn apart by various guests including Kianti’s crew, who had just arrived shortly before the second hour of the event.

  She left Therin talking with a few of his guests, while the guys escorted her to the table she’d had reserved for them.

  “Thank you so much for coming,” she said while making the rounds once the men had taken their seats. She pressed loud kisses to their cheeks.

  “And thank you for scoring us an invite to this thing,” Cube said. His mouth was full of canapés from the extensive buffet table.

  Kianti waved a hand. “I couldn’t pass up a chance like this to impress the hell out of you.”

  “Well, you did the hell out of that,” Winton said.

  “I’m not the only one.” She took her place at the table and regarded them each with warm smiles. “You guys have impressed me, too. Entrusting me to the care of a man you don’t really know.”

  “We know enough.” Winton poured his Red Stripe into a chilled mug. “Therin seems like a good guy.”

  Kianti’s rich laughter mirrored the vibrancy in her dark eyes. “You’re only saying that because he’s an ambassador.”

  “Ex,” Khan corrected while flashing her a critical look. “You really shouldn’t get so caught up over titles, Key.”

  Kianti replied by sticking out her tongue.

  “It’s obvious the guy cares about you, girl.” Brody brought a measure of seriousness to the discussion with his observation.

  “Crystal clear,” Cube said around another mouthful of the canapés.

  “Still gonna be tough making this work.” Kianti sighed, propping her chin to her palm.

  “That’s why we took a step back.” Winton shrugged. “Give you two the chance to see that. But I’m guessing it doesn’t matter much since you guys are still together and lookin’ all crazy in love.”

  A horrified look crept to Kianti’s face. “In love?” she blurted.

  Khan rolled his eyes. “Don’t even try it, Key.”

  “Please don’t,” Winton added. “’Cause you ain’t foolin’ a soul with that confusion crap.”

  “I know, right?” Cube was wiping his hands then. “You look at the guy like he’s drippin’ in diamonds and he acts like you’re the only woman he can see.”

  “What do any of you know about lookin’ at a woman like she’s the only woman?” Kianti tried to tease in an effort not to become too heady over the remarks.

  The guys pretended to be offended. “We’ve all loved and lost, Kianti,” Winton shared.

  She grinned. “Mmm-hmm. I can definitely believe the ‘lost’ part.”

  “Seriously, Key.” Cube reached for her hand and smothered it within his own. “We all know what being in love looks like and that dude looks as elated and tortured as anyone we’ve ever seen. Love’s the only reason.”

  Kianti brought her hand down over Cube’s. “He hasn’t said anything about it—about…love.”

  “Have you?” Brody asked.

  She frowned. “Well, I can’t say it before he does.”

  The men burst into laughter.

  “Typical!” Khan and Cube bellowed in unison.

  “We’d have expected more of you, Key.” Winton laughed and used Cube’s napkin to wipe a tear from his eye.

  “Why are you waiting on him to go first?” Brody asked.

  “Because.” Kianti traced a design on the tablecloth. “Men always start looking for the exit when the word ‘love’ comes out of a woman’s mouth. We have no problem with letting you guys say it first—works better that way.”

  Winton was still laughing, but a bit more softly. “Honey, did it ever occur to you that the guy could be terrified that you’ll be the one who’d be looking for the exit?”

  Kianti had no response. Winton leaned across the table to shake hands with Khan once his point had been made.

  The lights across the ballroom doused in two rapid flashes before remaining dim. A lone gleam of light was directed toward the podium on the stage. Kianti sat straighter in her chair when she saw Therin behind the mic. She punched Brody’s thigh when she heard him chuckle over her reaction.

  “Thanks everyone for accepting the invite.” Therin greeted the expansive crowd once conversation had silenced. “It’s been my honor for the past five years to host this event. As many of you are aware, my involvement with EYES is quite diversified but it’s this event that holds a special place. It’s a very multifaceted gathering—there are so many important reasons for our coming together this evening. Money.” He extended a hand and joined in when the crowd exploded into laughter.

  “But seriously, everyone, we’re all aware that one of the main reasons EYES is able to do all the incredible things it does is because of its membership.” Therin hesitated while the crowd murmured its agreement. “Members who give their money—yes, but also whose existence in this organization provides a far more valuable element: support. Our vast numbers and the diversity of that support tell all the naysayers that EYES and every organization like it has a place—a necessary place in our society and in the future of our kids.”

  Applause filled the soft-lit room.

  “In speaking to that value of membership, I’d like to introduce you all to our newest member, General Shepard Yale, retired U.S. Marine Corps.”

  Another wave of applause along with a few calls of “Semper Fi” increased the room volume to a roar. The general made his way to the stage, accepting the greetings with smiles and gracious waves. Once the applause reached the minute mark, he raised his hands for silence.

  “Education has taken on a new meaning for me since I’ve become a grandfather,” he said, nodding toward his family, who was seated at the tables along the balcony level. “After my conversations with our Mr. Rucker here—” he turned and shook hands again with Therin “—I was impressed by the devotion I found in someone so young. This gave me confidence that the EYES organization especial
ly would stand the test of time once old goats like me are long gone.”

  There was a warm rumble of laughter and the general went on to discuss what he hoped to bring to the organization. Members of the audience, however, gradually lost interest in the general’s comments. It appeared that a scuffle was breaking out at one of the center tables near the front.

  The general even quieted as the situation grew more uncontrolled. Soon, everyone’s attention was on the table where Marley Terrio struggled over being put in handcuffs.

  “What is this?” Therin had left his place a few feet behind the general and stepped to the edge of the stage. He waved for security that was already making their way to the table.

  “Call off your dogs, Rucker!” The man attempting to cuff Marley Terrio raised a badge. His partners followed suit.

  Therin raised a hand toward security before they pounced on the badge holders. “Explanations, gentlemen. Fast.”

  The man closest to Terrio nodded at his partners. One produced a document from his inside jacket pocket.

  “We have a warrant for the arrest of Marley Terrio! The charge—child pornography!”

  Silence emerged only to be peppered then by whispers. Marley Terrio appeared to wilt and was unable to answer his wife’s panicky questions. The three officials led the man not too gently from the ballroom.

  Kianti found Therin on his rooftop. She approached him slowly. After a second’s hesitation, she rubbed her hand across his shoulder. Therin’s reflexes were quick. He grabbed her hand, squeezed and held it close to his cheek.

  “I’ve known Marley Terrio since…hell, ten years, easy—maybe longer…” Therin’s sleek brows were drawn close as his frown set deeper. “I can’t even begin to describe how committed he is to what we do.”

  Kianti kissed his shoulder and then pressed her head to his jacket sleeve.

  “He’s one of the oldest members…” He shook his head. “Works like a grunt to get things done. He’s always the first to volunteer on committees. Every year he’s tireless in putting together a charity ball for the kids….” Therin regarded the statement with disdain and then cursed viciously.